Well I'm back from an amazing weekend,down in Cardiff So I'd just like to say a few thanks to all of you who have been kind enough to post.
I thought I'd share a few reminisces from the weekend.
Finally got down to my hotel at 9:30 Friday after setting off at 4:15 and hitting a wall at the M25 (Jnt 9-22!!1 gridlocked).The French guy at the hotel couldn't understand my request to book in on the street so I didn't have to get out of the car, before hotfooting to the casino.
Friday night met up with Tikay,Glenn(Bigfalla) Colch kev, Jane (ginger) Tighty, Paul & Charmaine,Paul (In the belly), Dan(Kinbooshi) & Michalle,and many other blondes and PPL members.Lots of drinking and a funny old S&G later and it was 5:30 when I hit the sack.
Special thanks to Kev And Jane who helped me right back to my room thx guys.
Anyway the big day arrived and on Saturday I met Tikay in the lobby,and cast my chair aside,(1St time in 8 years into a casino) and made my entrance to the packed lobby. A round of applace surrounded me while I concentrated on the walking.
Then Dewi deflated everything by handing me a little wrapped present to mark my 50th (Thanks mate and happy birthday to you to).It was a welsh emblemed peeked cap, which I wore with pride throughout the tournament.
I was taken by surprise by the genuine good feeling and congrats expressed by everyone, Des(APAT) firmly shock my handand led me to a much needed chair......But It was a real stool, not a wheelchair.....
I must say doesn't Dewi look ugly at eye level, I'd not noticed before!!!!.
Anyway to the tournament, first table, I was sat opposite serial raiser Paul (in the belly).............And coulch Kev was dragooned into dealing cos some dealers had taken a long lunch break in the pub, on the way from Walsell.
I played very tight, while Kev fended off reams of enquiries of "Arn;t you famous, I've seen you in print and on the telly"from the rest of the table.
After the break I returned late to find Belly's seat empty.....................He'd blown it of course(Get some tips from the boy Paul).
I saw one hand whare I picked up a nut flush draw on the flop after bet and call,chkd down the turn only for the heart to hit on the river, the one opponent bet 2k into me, I raised(cos there was a threat of a house out) he folds I move up to 13k.
Nothing much happened, until the last 1/2 hour, when I went from 12k to 128k and forth place overnight, mainly due to being moved between Paul (Mboy3)Gernham and table daddy Roberto Robemello with about 235k to my 57k.
So I'm dealt
.............................raise Allin.
Roberto calls with
. in the small blind. big blind who's short chucks it in with
.
Tikey announces flop
........................................turn blank river blank.
I'm up to 128k for the 4th place overnight.
Sunday, I met Lee mulligan the eventual winner.................He must av listern ed to my pep talk we had in the lobby, cos he was well short stacked, and had decided to get busy early.
I however didn't see a card, and after a couple of shorty's had doubled up at my expense, the bubble, came and went.
Then later, I was moved to the right of the monster stacked Roberto. First hand he says he's playing the small blind, blind. I'm in the BB and hit a pair on the flop so put in my last 62k after the BB of 16k.....................................only for him to turn over KK to dump me in 15th.
My prize money won was secondary on the day to a magical moment at the start of the final day, when, while going through the pre amble. Tikay suddenly announced to the 32 players plus railers and staff.
That it was my 50th and I'd walked into the casino yesterday for the first time for eight years..........................there followed a round of applase from all.
I was overwhelmed.
I just hope my late wife Karen was looking down,cos she never got to see me do it.
But I'm glad you guys and girls did. thanks everyone.
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