Vegas & The Aftermath - Diary

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I'm in a hole with this Diary, so behind with Updates, & I want to do it properly, or not at all.

So, rewind a few weeks, & the "Big Weekend", which involved a Show in Feltham on the Friday, the Sky Poker UK Tour on Saturday in Nottingham, & then right down to the South Coast for the TWPC National Finals on Sunday, & the "Hospice" visit & Pub Tourney on the Monday.

The Sky Poker Day at DTD was a spectacular success - in that it went exactlyt to plan, the "detail" was spot on (Mother Hen is a legend), & it achieved it's aim - to give everyone who attended a day of fun, laughter, & some decent poker in a terrific venue. The Sky Poker Team worked very hard, but when it "works" it's a great feeling.

By chance, on the Friday, the new "Serious Big Suit Head Honcho" of Sky Poker was announced - one Des Duffy - that man has serious skills, & Sky Poker will go onwards & upwards under him, building on good foundations. So, typically Des, a day later, he turned up in Nottingham wearing his big chief Hat, & surveyed us all doing our thing. Not much misses his eye, so it was best behaviour from all of us....!

My sincere congrats to Des. He still never bought a round, though.

Here's a few pics from the day.

Here's our 'Ling (Ismene), posing. Really, she was helping the camera crews get the "balance" right, in readiness for the numerous "My Name Is" Interviews. This is in the salon prive.

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Some cardroom, eh?

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Ready to rumble. All the name tags laid out, the "Wall" up, & ready to let the Clients in. If it's not right now, if the planning is faulty, it's too late. A nerve-wracking time if you are involved in these sort of days, & I get extremely tense & stressed just before the doors open. But once it starts, I'm cool.

The Tourney started 3 seconds late. I've yet to go to a Venue, DTD apart, that gives a toss about starting & break times being prompt, but it does not seem to bother anyone else, so maybe it's just me. Even at Luton, for regular 40 runner jobbies, it always starts 15 minutes late. OK, I'll stop moaning.

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They had the previous night's Sky Show "on loop" on all the Plasmas untlil the Tourney began, & it was a bit spooky seeing myself on 20 screens in one room. Biggest audience I've ever had...... I'll spare you that pic, & give you Michelle instead.

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Rubbing shoulders with a Celeb. A dream come true for Michelle.

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Maggie, & Mathilde.

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An English Amateur Champion, (Kinboshi), a World Amateur Champion (ripple11), & Nick Hicks. Not a bad Table. Ooh, & Compo.

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What a difference a pip makes.

EvilPie takes a big pot off Chili.

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When I see stacks like this, I always feel mischievous, & ask for a count, or accidentally knock them over. Or if they announce "all-in" ensure they get put in the middle. I need to grow up, really.

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Nick Hicks, & to his right, "Hucknall" (Roy Finch) ready to do battle in the Final, with Mathilde ready to deal.

This was lovely, & we had the perfect Final Table really. Fun players, loyal to Sky since Day One, rubbing shoulders with the Big Boys. And the Final was played in terrific spirit, everyone just smiling, laughing, & having a ball. If the next 5 legs go as well, Sky will be thrilled.

The Logo'd Table was a nice touch, too, Nick Whiten sorted that. Pricey, like, (Sky paid of course) but great value, & again, "detail" is all.

[Jon MW]

... If the next 5 legs go as well, Sky will be thrilled.

[ x ] will only work if lots of blondites qualify for them

Come on people pull your finger out

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Mother Hen giving his pre-final speech, & Tom paying attention. Mathilde looking up lovingly to the boss. When Simon talks, everyone listens. A sure sign of authority. Danny bell - Yogi - has the same "touch".

"No Deals, except on DTD terms, enjoy yourself, & what do you all want to drink, the drinks are on us?".

He does that for every Final at DTD. Awesome, that little bit of "touch" means everything.

Talking to Players is so important, but few bother.

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More finalists.

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Butter would not melt in her mouth......

Note the Hole-Card "windows", almost ready to be used now. And Danny, stood to atrenion.

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Just for a change.....