“If you want to live on you got to live right” Dennis Brown
It was around 11pm, the M1 was foggy but I knew I had to get down to the sky studios in London, I had my music on mellow and driving calmly, I wasn’t in a rush and no desire to get to the hotel at a decent hour, the music was sending me into an almost trance like state. I’ve been driving on the M1 since the early 80’s and know the road like the back of my hand. I love driving always have done and I’ve had my fair share of cars, from Ford Capris to BMW’s I’ve owned or driven them all, I’d go as far to say it’s a passion of mine.
Earlier on in the day I’d been getting ready for the Sky Poker cash game, I’d collected my clothes from the dry cleaners, I’d been to the barbers for a shave and hair cut, dropped into Hot and Spicey for some peanut porridge and meditated for a couple of hours, I was feeling refreshed and good.
Back on the M1, I was going past the Colville junction, it was dark and I felt almost cozy in my warm car with my music, my thoughts and the open road, as the road cleared in front of me so that I could see another 100 meters, I saw a car wedged into the center bollards, I was in the 3rd lane I had no time to stop, no time for an emergency brake, I collided with the car at around 60mph BANG!! My car started spinning!! I’m a spiritual man so I started praying, I prayed that all the people around me stayed safe, I prayed that the person in the car would go unharmed, I prayed that my family would live good and healthy lives and thought I did not want to go out like this! I didn’t ask for anything else but when my car finally stopped I realized that I wasn’t hurt.
I’m a spiritual Rastafarian, my first job when I got out of the car was to check on the other car and see if there was anyone in there, I walked over and saw the car was empty I got to the side of the road still in shock and saw the person that I hit standing on the side of the road, I went over to check on him, by this time many cars had stopped and people were surrounding me and asking me if I was okay. I don’t know whether it was the shock or just pure adrenaline that kept me standing.
I was alive that’s all that mattered, I called a friend of mine in Nottingham and told her what had happened, she came and picked me up, my car was a complete right off, she wanted to take me to the hospital but I insisted that I’d be okay, just take me to my hotel.
Life’s funny, in the moment you think it’s over it’s not yourself that you think about, you think about everyone around but yourself. In the face of death I felt like Zion was calling me, I’d be going to a better place, a place where god roams and there is no war, corruption or greed a place where all men and women are equal and not judged by looks, money or position
I’ve lived for 56 years, during this time I’ve been to many funerals, weddings and christenings, I understand that even when I go life will still carry on for everyone and the only thing that will connect me to this world will be my memory. So the question is “How do I want to be remembered?”
A man can have all the money in the world, but when he's gone the only thing that is left is his memory and legacy, so I say to all those people reading this blog, live good, live healthy and live right. So I’ll leave you with a song by Dennis Brown called Let love in
Hi Rastafish, I just wanted to say I've found this diary really interesting and unique from most normal poker journals. I played on your table a DTD deepstack at the end of last year and can vouch for the fact you bring a lot of personality to the table. I hope your good run continues, and don't change how you are!
Thank you brother, come say hello next time you're at DTD
"February 2010 I was standing at the bus stop on the strand having lost all my money in the Empire, I was broke; I didn't have enough money in my pocket to get myself a drink from the 24 hour Spar shop. "
Since then, playing poker, he has won over £220,000 and is a top three winner lifetime at DTD
That man, of course, is Rastafish
After a dramatic and breakthrough 2011 culminating in his December Monte Carlo win, 2012 has proved equally remarkable for one of modern British poker's greatest characters. Amongst a series of results are DTD £500 and £150 wins and second in the DTD Grand Prix
Of course as well as the results Rastafish's profile is high because of his table presence, speech play and his incredible form.
He's one of a kind, with trademark catchphrases such as "Kill Dem!" in a cross between a South London drawl and Jamaican patois, but always with a huge smile and a knowing twinkle in his eye.
Yes its possible to snipe at unconventional play, and sometimes his behaviour at the table has got close to the line, but in my opinion he's one of the good ones. Simply loves the game, loves life, loves interacting with people and, if his profile leads to the sort of opportunities for him it could do, his irresitible charm could pay off for him big time
On blonde, the diary has hinted at more stories, of a colourful life not always as positive as his current life situation.
In as much as they present a picture of a more rounded man, more interesting to someone looking on from afar than we see as portrayed on live updates in full flow, I look forward to reading more Rastafish
Poker To win a minimum of two decent sized tournaments Be more focused towards tournaments To put in at least 3 hours a week on poker training sites To play more majors outside DTD
Life Stay in shape See my family more Try to attend 70% of my sons football matches
Well here I am feeling all sorry for myself having buubled a GPS seat, being chip leader and running QQ into the second in chips KK. Then I read your posts and realise it's just cards and I got there for a fiver. I am in the same age group as you Rasta and much of what you write brings back good memories. Didn't have much but had a lot if you see what I mean. Loving the stories, keep em coming.
Merry Christmas and GL for 2013.
Money comes and goes, family is there always! some of the happiest people I know have no money!
Thank you brother and to you! I'm going to post more about Poker and my 20's-30's after the new year, you'll be able to relate to a lot of what I write about.
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