Whereas poker gamers from world wide had been collect in Las Vegas for the 2024 World Collection of Poker (WSOP), Season 2 of The Mole premiered on Netflix. The favored actuality present sees contestants compete in challenges to financial institution cash whereas in search of to find out who amongst them is a saboteur (AKA “the mole”). A type of on the present was 34-year-old poker enthusiast-turned-competitive pinball participant Melissa Lummus.
“I normally put on my coronary heart on my sleeve, and this recreation is a marathon — not a dash — so I’m far more concerned with unearthing the reality than in hiding it,” Lummus mentioned in her pregame interview.
PokerNews reached out to Netflix representatives who had been variety sufficient to rearrange an interview with the most recent poker-related actuality TV participant.
Her Poker Expertise
“One factor I wish to make clear out of the gate is I’m not knowledgeable poker participant,” mentioned Lummus, who lives in Tennessee. “The present selected our titles primarily based on what turns into most related in our gameplay, and I used to be actually excited they went the poker route with it as a result of they actually acknowledged that it was the ability, though it’s not my job, got here most into play within the present.”
As for poker, Lummus grew up in Texas the place her granddad was an enormous poker participant.
“Him and all his buddies, it’s what they did collectively till he handed,” she defined. “He taught me, my brothers, and my cousins, to play after I was like 5 years previous. Some households sit round and play Go Fish, some play Monopoly, we’re a poker household. Betting with the jellybeans. I actually grew up with a love for poker. It’s very nostalgic, a really homey feeling.”
Since then, poker has all the time been part of her life, and whereas she’s by no means gone professional, she is a self-proclaimed fanatic.
“I’ve performed in the identical house recreation since 2017 with my buddies. They’re money video games, they don’t seem to be tournaments. I’m not a match participant. Being in Tennessee we don’t actually have that group. I’m simply somebody with a love of the sport.”
Pinball and Poker Parallels
So, how did Lummus discover her approach onto considered one of Netflix’s hottest competitions?
“I’m a hardcore fan of the present. I’ve by no means earlier than utilized to be on actuality tv,” she shared. “I watched all the unique seasons with Anderson Cooper, all of the superstar seasons, and so when Netflix rebooted the present, in fact I watched Season 1. After I came upon they had been getting back from Season 2 I knew I needed to place my title within the hat. It was a dream come true as a fan.”
The solid spent two months filming in Malaysia, and to say it was a problem can be an understatement.
“It truly is a marathon, it’s not a dash. It’s scorching, it’s a troublesome recreation bodily, mentally, and emotionally. Myself and the remainder of the solid had been wired for that. It was a part of the enjoyable, the excessive stage of competitors and the excessive stakes all through. It takes lots of stamina. It was unbelievable, I’d do it once more in a heartbeat.”
As a leisure poker participant, Lummus truly discovered a number of parallels between the 2 video games.
“The Mole is a recreation of recognizing tells. You’re actually observing everybody’s habits and never simply on the mission however off display screen. Everybody on and off-screen is absolutely dedicated. On a really fundamental stage, it’s studying to acknowledge folks’s behaviors. Along with that, it truly is figuring out your personal playing cards. Everybody is aware of their position within the present, and also you don’t know everybody else’s. Preserving in thoughts all through it’s not simply what you already know or don’t know, it’s what everybody else is aware of or doesn’t know. There have been lots of parallels with poker.”
Equally, she additionally sees lots of parallels between the match poker and pinball: “I performed in 75 pinball tournaments final yr, positioned second within the state championships for the ladies’s tournaments. It’s an excellent group, very area of interest however larger than you assume. It’s the aggressive nerds of the world in probably the most dwelling approach, and I embrace myself in that. I journey round and play everywhere in the nation. I additionally do lots of visitor commentary on Twitch streams.”
As for poker, Lummus could also be increasing her poker-playing expertise sooner or later. Her time on The Mole caught the attention of sure gamers, and so they’re encouraging to take her abilities to an even bigger match collection, possibly even the World Collection of Poker.
“I’ve had lots of people attain out who’re poker gamers. They’ve been actually variety,” she mentioned. “I haven’t performed lots of tournaments however folks have been very welcoming and say come be part of us someday. Now it’s on my record, I’m very eager to attempt one out.”
For extra on Melissa Lummus, comply with her on Instagram @mel.lummus. Season 2 of The Mole is now streaming on Netflix.
*Photos courtesy of Netflix.
PR & Media Supervisor
