Behind-the-Scenes of Ivey League with Jared Bartlett (RikaKazek)

PokerSoftware sits down with Ivey League instructor Jared "RikaKazek" Bartlett to talk about what goes into creating videos and how he got started with the poker training site.

PokerSoftware: Tell us about your involvement with Ivey League.  How did you get started there?
 
Jared Bartlett: Back in the day, the training site was called LeggoPoker and not Ivey League.  One of my friends was an active member at LeggoPoker and he found out they were interviewing people for a full ring video producer role.  I was interested and applied by submitting a sample video, sharing my stats and screen names, and being interviewed.  After reviewing this, they offered me a video producer position, which I accepted.

Then years later, Phil Ivey bought LeggoPoker and subsequently merged it with Ivey League. The rebranded site kept a few guys on the roster, but also added fresh instructors.  I was lucky enough to get asked to stay, which I happily accepted.

My job at Ivey League is to produce videos designed for full ring cash and small buy-in live MTTs.  I also try to stay very active on the Ivey League forums and I offer some full ring personalized coaching as well.
 
PokerSoftware: What's it like making a video?  What software do you use?  Do you feel you learn anything about your game when producing content?
 
Jared Bartlett: For software, I use Camtasia Studio, which I absolutely love.  The software is very easy to learn how to use and does a great job.  I also sometimes use Sony Vegas Pro when I create videos using a camcorder.  I use it only because it's compatible with my Sony camcorder.
 
Making content in the beginning was very scary for me.  My whole life, I've been a shy person.  I was the chess club president and a typical nerd growing up.  So to put myself out there and have other people see my playing style and be able to judge me really stressed me out.

As the years have gone on, I've grown to learn and accept the saying, "You can be the sweetest peach in the basket, but no matter how good of a peach you are, some people just don't like peaches."  This translates to the poker world when sometimes people say really nasty things on the internet about a hand I misplayed, and it really bothered me in the beginning.  Today, it still gets to me, but I've learned to accept it and it’s easier for me to move on.
 
PokerSoftware: If people want to get ring game coaching from you, how should they get in touch?
 
Jared Bartlett: As far as coaching goes, I always recommend people message me via Skype via the handle rikakazak.

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