Oh…the question was, “Did Michael Jordan turn up for the golf match?” No. However, a surprising accidental substitute just happened along…
So Ram and our hero Marc are knocking up on the driving range along with Phil (Ivey). There just happens to be a fellow all on his lonesome at the other side of the range. Who just happens to be knocking up as well (on a £1,000 a round invitational only driving range).
“What shall we do?” asks Phil. “How about asking the guy over there?”… who just happens to be looking for a game. Surprise, surprise. “Great,” says Phil. “That’s lucky, now I’ve got a partner”…and then comes the handicap negotiations. “I suppose I can just about play off scratch if I have an exceptional day,” says our PGA Tour Pro (who we will call, David), as he tops one, 120 yards down the range with a vicious hook.
Well eventually the laughter stops. Our boys may be a little green behind the ears and they wouldn’t really expect Phil ‘200 million in the bank’ Ivey to be hustling them, but this one did stand out a little bit like a Belisha Beacon. So anyway, after Marc has asked for David’s autograph, they still all want a game, so realistic handicap negotiations take place.
Yes, you guessed it. Marc had a blinder and our boys nailed them for another 30 large. In fact the main event has now long since finished but blondeite Marc 'MrCool' Goodwin still hasn’t arrived back in Birmingham. The latest text suggested he was $160,000 up playing golf every day in 90 degrees on the most luxurious gold course in the world. Can’t understand why he doesn’t want to come back to King’s Heath, Birmingham.
Whilst that particular game of golf was taking place, I was playing the 25/50 NLH cash game in the Bellagio. Freddy Deeb just happened to walk through with a smart suit looking a million dollars. “Nice suit Freddy,” declares one wag. “You must have won BIG last night.”
“Not at all,” retorts Freddy. “You have it all wrong. That’s why you will never make a successful gambler. If I’m winning a million, I dress comfortably and fly economy. If I’m broke I put the suit on and fly first class. That’s the only way you get to meet the big whales and the only way you get them to stake you.”
Now that’s a different class of hustler. Phil Ivey take note…