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Chances are, if you're a fan of reality television, you know exactly who Robert 'Boston Rob' Mariano is. And if you know who 'Boston Rob' is, you know that he's a gamer — the kind of guy who excels at any game, any format, anywhere, anytime.
Whether it's a reality competition show, a home game, or at the World Series of Poker, if Mariano plays, he plays to win. An adolescence spent at the hockey rink and around his grandfather's card table instilled a competitive drive in Mariano that persists to this day. Since the early 2000s, Mariano has competed on various reality television shows — most notably, a record six appearances on Survivor, including a win in the show's 22nd season.
In just a few weeks, Mariano will join the throng of players headed to the Irish Poker Open. We spoke with him to hear more about his poker journey and his plans for surviving the 'craic' in Dublin.
You’re known for your appearances on reality TV shows – Survivor and, more recently, The Traitors. Have these experiences helped you at the poker table?
There are lots of similarities between the games. First of all is your social awareness and how you’re perceived by your competitors. In these games, it’s really important to know where you stand in the hierarchy and the pecking order of things — and that’s true at the poker table too. You make assumptions and prejudge people; that’s part of the game.
The second thing is your ability to adapt. In these reality games, there are twists and turns, and it’s how you adapt to that. It’s also really pertinent in poker. You take a bad beat, win a big pot or see somebody go on tilt, and how you react and adapt to that makes a difference.
You’re a recognizable figure; has that ever hindered you at the table?
I can’t show up to a reality TV competition without people knowing who I am, without a big target on me. Luckily, I like the pressure. At the poker table, it’s a little different. Sometimes, because they recognize me from TV, they’ll call me down light or whatever just so they have a good story. They always think I’m bluffing, so I try to always have it and they pay me off a lot of the time. The flip side of it is when you do have it and they get away; those beats sting a little more.
'I'm going to Ireland to win!'
What was it that first attracted you to poker?
I was probably about six years old and my grandfather taught me how to play in his basement with an old poker set. Then in high school I played a lot of home games with friends, and in college I played acey-deucey. I just always loved the action, man.
I found hold’em and tournaments with Moneymaker, coming up through the early 2000s. Then I moved to Las Vegas and did a show for Fox where Daniel Negreanu introduced me to the game and was going to mentor me.
I took a little bit of a break when the kids were born. Now I feel like I have a relationship with the game where I play when I want to. I’m playing recreationally, but I still play to win.
You’re heading to the Irish Open for the first time this year. Are you looking forward to it?
I’m so excited to go to Ireland. I’ve never been there before and I’m looking forward to seeing the country. I was at a charity event and the guy was telling me how great the golf courses are so I definitely would love to do that. Obviously, I want to play some poker. I’m just looking for an awesome time.
It’s the 45th anniversary of the Irish Open this year and the schedule is longer to celebrate. Any advice for longing it out through the 12 days?
I would look at this series like I look at one of these reality shows: You can’t win in the first three days. You have to set yourself up for success and have a game plan, but be ready to switch no matter what you have to do. Worry about what you can control. If you can do something, do something about it, but what you can’t control, don’t worry about.
The other thing is to have some balance. Work in an off day, take some time to go to dinner, see friends or play some golf. The game will always be there. If you’re there morning to night, every single day, grind-grind-grind, I think you miss the experience as a whole.
Also, you can’t take it too seriously. On these reality shows, there’s a lot that’s outside of your control. And that’s what we love about poker — the combination of skill and chance. Focus on the skillful part and don’t worry about the chance, that’s just part of the game.
That said, make no mistake, I’m going to Ireland to win the Irish Open!
Caitlin can have second place!
There are a lot of players headed over there to win as well, including PokerStars Ambassador Caitlin Comeskey. Do you have any advice for how she should tackle the Irish Open?
She should enjoy second place! No, Caitlin’s awesome. I met her once a few years ago at the Global Poker Awards. I love what she’s doing for poker in terms of content creation. I think poker needs more of that.
As far as strategy and gameplay, I don’t know that there’s anything I can tell her beyond what I’ve already said. In terms of poker, she’ll probably be helping me. I would say just keep doing what you’re doing because it’s great. It’s great for poker.
Last question: What’s more nerve-wracking, Tribal Council or running a three-street bluff with an airball?
Three-street bluff for sure. I’ve been through plenty of Tribal Councils, and I can figure a way out of that situation by talking my way through it. But a three-street bluff with nothing? You make one wrong look and they just call and you’re dead.
Do you want to go to the Irish Poker Open and take on Boston Rob for the 2025 title and life-changing money? Check out our exclusive competition where you can win a full package to this year's series.
Images Courtesy of PokerStars/Rachel Kay Winter
