Last week, body language took on a new meaning as five of the world's best poker players bore up to the ultimate poker challenge at the $8,000 buy-in, $576,000 televised PartyPoker.com World Open.
Up and coming poker star, Russian player ‘Catgirl,’ was due to celebrate her 23rd birthday by playing poker in her ‘birthday suit’ totally naked bar a few Swarovski Gems to keep her modesty. Alas, at the last moment, Channel Five put a ban on her total nudity, Catgirl instead adorning a sensational body painted outfit to keep her honest.
Opposition at this TV poker table could not get any tougher, players in this heat including Dave 'Devilfish' Ulliott, Surinder Sunar, Liam Flood, World Series of Poker Europe Runner Upper John Tabatabai, and Ian Woodley. However, Catgirl showed that she was more than just a pretty face by finishing a highly credible second place, taking out circuit regular Woodley in the process.
Catgirl played a sensational first half, but alas, three hours of sleep caught up with her three-handed, not going in with K-Q and A-4 being decisions that may have been made by those with more experience. However, Catgirl's sponsors, Poker Trillion, were delighted with her performance, and adamant that she has what it takes to succeed in the game.
An ex-gymnast and professional player, the Catgirl is fast becoming one of the rising stars of the poker scene and enthuses in making this powerful and brave statement to the male dominated world of poker. She is no stranger to the world of high stakes, being sponsored into one of Europe’s biggest regular cash games.
If her game didn't catch the attention of the viewers, then her appearance certainly did, Catgirl's bodypaint meaning opponents were trying to bluff a girl in the buff. For once, it wasn't Flood's suit or Woodley's tatooed arms that stood out, but the elegant figure of the Catgirl.
Catgirl said, “I’ve played poker for two years now and have had a lot of success in high stakes cash. Poker is about entertainment as well being a very serious business, I want to go forward as a professional player, so why not give the world something to talk about? There is a lot at stake, but I want to have some fun and if it is my lucky day, then the sky’s the limit. I am grateful to my sponsors PokerTrillion.com for giving me this opportunity.”
Prior to the event, Andy Pyrah, C.E.O of Catgirls sponsors PokerTrillion.com commented, “Catgirl's heat is like a who’s who of poker, she's going to need to have all her talent on display if she’s going to take down this table. Let’s just hope the likes of Flood and Devilfish don’t decide to go topless!”