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Whilst there hasn't been the same level of banter as there was for the Notts v Blackpool challenge it should be noted that Luton appear to be taking this challenge very seriously. Having just received Luton's official programme for it's UK Open (Mon Aug 8th to Aug 14th) I was surprised and impressed to see on the middle page, where you can see the full weeks schedule is, in bold purple print the following:-

Wed 10th August - Nottingham-v-Luton Heads up Teams Challenge - 5pm  

It's good to see that the casino are fully supporting this event and even promoting it.

This obviously leads to the question could this be made into a much larger competition involving more casino's. I know this was previously commented upon and there are a question of logistics but if it was an open invitation on an annual basis it could be visible. The event could be held at the previous years venue which I know would be some distance for some teams, i.e. if Luton was the venue it is some distance for the Blackpool guys but remember this is an invitational competition and teams do not have to send a team if unhappy with the logistics. The advantage obviously goes to the reigning champions and it is for others to decide whether they wish to make that little extra effort to participate.

A larger competition would gave some of the smaller casino's an opportunity to gain bragging rights over the larger casino's and would find the true heads up team or are the big boys worried that they may get embarrassed by some of the smaller casino's. So if you want to claim to be the best then surely an open event is the way to go or do we have a premiership situation with the big boys wanting to keep the matches a closed shop to avoid any major embarrassment??? :)

What's the team line-up?

Speaking on behalf of the Luton team, we are of course delighted at the support given by Carmel and team to our request to host the current champions during the August festival, and were pleasantly surprised to see the event given prominence in the marketing literature.

team line up....strong, experienced, the odd teenage whizzkid, the odd interloper, a couple of pros, a fish or two to make them completely unreadable but we are clearly massive underdogs to the talented Nottingham lads and their grandad who of course have it all to lose

I think it is important to emphasise that the event is for two purposes a) bragging rights and b) charitable purposes. I think it would be great that whoever is hosting a festival should issue a challenge but I think informality and absence of obligation is key...it's meant to be fun first and foremost

Less chatter on here before the event so far because we don't have the number of members posting that Blackpool/Notts have, but it is still keenly anticipated!

Wish you all the best for the competition down there. Wish I could be there to see Tikay's one hand. He may play more this time.

Yogi

I understand that the event is currently for bragging rights and charity and just a fun thing. All I'm just suggesting is it not possible that this may evolve into something bigger, from acorns and all that.

Who is selecting the Luton team? Hope they've saved me a spot!!

Steve Templeman is in charge....I know team is over-subscribed so speak to him to find out where he is at.

Good result the other night by the way.

Yes, it MAY get bigger. First and foremost, it's intended to be a fun thing. Second, we have added a charity angle.

You may be surprised to know that there are severe legal complications associated with making the Charity connection "official". In depth discussions have taken place with Grosvenor on this matter, & we have to respect their position too.

So, for the Notts v Luton afair, it will be up to the individuals to decide what, if any, charitable donation they choose to make. I shall devote any winnings that acrue to me directly or via my Team to Poker4Charity, 100% of it. Others may do the same, at their discretion. I know Rob Yong has the same view as me, he will donate all to Charity.

Noise on the Forums? No, not much so far, but there has been Vegas and stuff, but the noise will start soon, don't worry about that.

Wiill it continue? Yes. The winners at Luton, I can confirm, WILL challenge Walsall, and if Walsall Management are able co-operate, the next challenge will take place at Walsall's first post-Luton Festival. Both Notts and Luton have Poker4Charity Trustees amongst their members, so that's a given.

"Premiership" elite? I hope not, but as a poster said, from little acorns......we have to start somewhere, & until the legal issues have been resolved, we are doing all we can. Notts Gala, whilst not amongst the UK's biggest Casinos, does house the best players in the country, by a long way. So we can cope with the so-called big boys.

Now, to the match itself.

As the Notts Blackpool match was a little one-sided, and Luton are very much a Casino of rookies, we will not be bringing young Thewy. We are treating it as Man Utd would treat an arly FA cup Match against non-league opposition, fielding a weakened side. That's only fair, as Luton expect to have schoolboy J P Kelly in their team, if we can be sure he is home by his 7pm bedtime. Notts wil be back to stength when we take the Challenge to Walsall, they have one or two tidy players, so they deserve a little respect. But one match at a time, let's get the formality of beating Luton outa the way first.

The reigning Champions, Notts, will announce their team in due course.

I have been nominated as Notts Captain, but I am not certain to play yet, as I need a rest after my exertions at Blackpool. It says something for the strength in depth at Notts that I, 1 from 1 in WSOP cashes, am not certain to play, eh?

At It Penly wants to play?

Jeez, Luton must be scraping the barrel.

Thanks TightEnd i'm glad i left that cash game early on Thursday night now got some much needed sleep.

Tikay what a shame you're not bringing Thewy i've got that boys number.

Crikey, we are going to enjoy this

to paraphrase a legendary Norwegian commentator

" Brian Clough, Robin Hood, Kenneth Clarke, Maid Marion, your boys took a hell of a beating"

yes, it was a laugh to see you falling asleep mid flop!!!

Penly - you been selected then?

Dunno mate looks i need to have a word with Mr Shortstack.

your more than welcome to challenge the circus crew am sure we could arange something,  card room only been running 6 weeks and allready full houses on tue/thur nice comp on a wed,   they are re-arrangeing the scedule and makeing the card room bigger 100 players sells out to quick!,   and scruffy old salford?  its dead in the water unless they change,

they have the dealers at circus, a private bar in the card room!!, a free buffet for every comp ( even 20 comps ),  they have even got proper poker chips lol after the roullette chips were ousted lol

anyway the challenge is open, i would imagine it would be walsall v circus tho, if u are challengeing them some very good players down there lol

stu

I heard a rumour walsall have elblondie and john shipley in their pool of players but have decided that they won't need them.
 :D :D

walsall could have some team, people i can think of include paul maxfield, lucy rockash, mickey wernick, el blondie, john shipley, that would give them 5 points of a start against those notts boys and they have plenty more in reserve including the reardon family,

tikay about time to get the white flag out

When we beat Notts the Luton team going to Walsall will be a "Luton" team in the loosest sense of the word then

I believe everyone's played there at least once....!

Collectively we all love how Notts winning is assumed to be a foregone conclusion!

These are, or more accurately were regulars week in week out, other very good players would include:-
Z Mirza
Ash Pervais
Fari Badmansour
Charlie T
Chris Gavriel
Sami
Bambos
Not to mention a wealth of young players.

El Blondie? Shipley? Fari? Who they?

But yeah, they all talk a good game.

Bring 'em on. Notts HAVE the Trophy. Come & get it, if you're hard enough. Blackpool gave it plenty of noise too, but when it mattered they were lacking. Howard Plant playing in a crash helmet summed it up. Frightened of getting hurt, see?