PartyPoker Women's World Open

[Wardonkey]

 

[crapper]

Nice one Bev !!

I'm chuffed for you and I bet the whole of yer family are too. The money's always nice, but sometimes the bracelet/trophy means even more in these events. Big congrats !!

I look forward to watching it on the box when the show airs,

Ian.

[londonpokergirl]

well done gals

[Djinn]

Despite my ongoing reticence to express approval of women-only events, I can't help but thank Matt Dale for giving me a shot in this one, which was filled with genuinely pleasant people, and despite the format, some good poker, too.  For something designed to be a TV show, the levels lasting 21 hands rather than a set time was a good innovation, as the inevitable stop-start nature of it wasn't as detrimental to the game.

Top finish for Bev Pace, and deserved too - I was re-raised into my place several times.  I also thought I'd mention my runner-up in my heat, Soraiya Homam, who in all probability deserved to win it - I couldn't lose a race in the first half of the day.  Plus top three for Chili - the atmosphere was convivial and competitive, a good experience all round.  I dread to think what will get shown on TV in the Autumn; it's a necessity to avoid thinking about the people next door who are watching you live raising with, er, less than premium hands, only to find Jennifer Tilly re-raising you.  She, incidentally, seemed pretty cool, and was so glamourous I felt like a slug on Morticia Addams' doormat.

At the risk of ruining the most exciting bits, I spectacularly outdrew Chili on the final to get into position to take on the eventual winner, while the final hand showed me outstacked by 4k (600k in play) running a race from slightly behind.  I have clearly used up all my luck for the forthcoming year, but it was a fun place to do it in.  Thanks to everyone who was watching with a generous spirit, and to Dena who gave me a bag of sweets when I thought I might pass out.

[Chili]

Big congratualtions to Bev who is an awesome player and great lady, she played faultless poker throughout and I second the big up for Jen who played a back to back heat and final and was exhausted.  It actually was to our disadvantage because she was so tired she was absolutely fearless and ran us ragged.

It was great to have 3 out of the 4 blondes in the final 3, the gorgeous Kara Scott being the fourth who was unfortunate that her "uber" aggressive game came unstuck and was unlucky to go out 6th, she deserved better.  I cant complain at my 3rd seeing as I should of gone out 5th after a wicked outdraw from Jen, which I'll leave u to see when its aired.  I had to look at the positive though because if It was against any of the other ladies then I would have been walking, instead Jen was short stacked at the time and left me with a bowl of rice at least to make a comeback with.

So I thoroughly enjoyed my 3 days in the East End somewhere, with my most bizarre moment being when directly after my heat, Eddie Hearn asked me to do the commentary with Jesse May for the next heat that was to start in an hour 

Anyone that knows me well would have predicted my answer instantly  "NO CHANCE!"  Its just something i'm not comfatable with, being scrutinised, scrutinising other people, being under pressure and put on the spot!! Even tho thats exactly what we all go through at the poker table, particularly a TV table with hole card camera's .  Well that just seems different.  So I had a tiny bit of time to think about the proposition and went outside the studio to talk to the godfather of poker Tikay.  He basically said it was upto me but remember how I felt after Dublin last year!  A slightly different scenario but I was asked by Liam Flood to be a guest on the Live show on SKY SPORTS for the commentary they were doing for the Irish Open final table.  At the time I just did my old run away from things that hurt trick, and flatly said "NO CHANCE" but regretted it for a while afterwards because it wasnt a big deal really.  Anyhow, I thought out loud with Tikay and Matt Dale and came to the conclusion that not in a million years could I turn down the chance of working with the absolute legend that is JESSE MAY.

So spurred on by Matt's words of "dont worry Maria, it will only be about 4 hours and will fly by," turned into a heat that smashed the record for the longest EVER TV heat of that format in history.    Welcome to poker commentary, the average number of hands in these sorts of heats previously are anything between 90 - 130 hands.  This heat played something like 130 hands and 4 hours to get heads up and then about 210 hands and close to 3 hours HEADS UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  It was absolutely unreal, surreal, draining, spectacular, the works.  Not sure of the exact stats but whilst heads up the short stack had put her chips all in around 13 times and doubled up every single time! Unbelievable!! Even out of those 13 times me and Jesse reckoned that it was with the worst cards and sucked out about 9 of those times.  We all felt like we were in the twliight zone or like Groundhog Day where it was never going to end.  I hope it doesnt show in our voices because at the all in moments, Jesse gets the excitement going again instantly and "only a Jack now or its all over...............Oh she hits the Jack.."   Sigh... HEHE.

I gotta say what an experience though, sooooooooooooo glad I did it.  I thought I was very average, not enough proper analysis, spent too much time in histerics at Jesse, but I am my own worst critic of course.  Other people said I did well,  also there will be so much editing that most of my gaffs, hopefully will be destroyed forever.  I have never laughed so much in ages listening to Jesse, the random stuff he comes out with is incredible and he is so quickwitted is scary, I had respect for him before, but now its astronomic.  At one point we kinda forgot about the game and were just having a random chat and a voice came into our ears saying "Oiii, are you two just talking amongst yourselves or what?"  Hilarious, and Jesse owes me royalties because I made a comment after about the 10th all in and double up that I could hear the theme from Rocky in the background....Well he pinched it the next day and used it on Jen's heat 

So again Well done Bev and Jen and all the finalists and cheers to Matchroom who really did look after us a treat and especially little superstud,  15 year old runner Frankie who was the cutest thing you ever did see and did anything for us, from getting booze, Pizza's, headache pills - anything u asked he did, oh and he did make a tidy profit playing people Heads Up LOL..  Of course a massive THANKS to Matt and Poker.co.uk for the chance at this event despite my feelings towards Women's events which I wont go into..

EDIT - Just read Jen's post above, edited the hand.

[Mango99]

Great couple of reports there I'd like to add a massive congratulations to Jen and Maria for doing me and my company so proud! Absolutely awesome!! So glad I made the choice I did in picking you both, and would also like to thank the members of blondepoker who made the suggestions on my original 'best female uk player' thread.

I'd also like to add a big congratulations to Bev for taking the $50,000 and the bracelet. There really was some world class play from some of the players at the final table.

I had a fantastic few days at the London studios. Jesse May and Marty Wilson had me in stitches for huge periods of the event, and Marty at the hotel drinks sessions afterwards had some more of his classic tales (I hope he publishes a biography one day!).

I can't remember whose camera the photos were on, but can Jen or Maria post any good ones up? Or email them to me. Thanks

[The_nun]

Great results girls..well done

[Acidmouse]

Wow thats some final table! gratz to those top 1. Nice $$$$

[Chili]

I forgot the photo's.  Here are the few that I took.

The proud winner, Bev Pace

Click to see full-size image.

A blonde 1,2,3

Click to see full-size image.

Me & Jesse

Click to see full-size image.

[Chili]

Matt with his Birds!

Click to see full-size image.

Kara Scott

Click to see full-size image.

Kara & Jesse

Click to see full-size image.

[Chili]

The Paces & Mrs SKalie

Click to see full-size image.

Shannon Elizabeth being interviewed by some random Polish TV Station

Click to see full-size image.

[Mango99]

Awesome photos I shall add the one with me in to my facebook

Just wish I'd got my photo taken with all the famous people that were there!!

What a great few days.. Just off down my local casino now for a £20 double chance!! Wooo hooo!! (why is Bristol so crap for poker??)

[spiny]

great reports and great photos. to say i'm proud is an understatement. bev played flawless poker. i lived through every hand and shouted at the screen a lot..... not very dignified, but if you're not willing to lose your dignity, your in the wrong game baby.... whoops, just turned into scotty ngwuen.(sp)

jen and maria have been very nice to beverley. both of them like to make more "moves" than bev does, but i'm sure they would both acknowledge that when her chips are in the middle, bev is usually ahead.

we are privileged to have such excellent women poker players on blonde. the three of them would grace any table in the land, which can't be said of all male poker pros. watch out for kara scott. she changed from a rock to a maniac because she chose to. can you do that? she got game....

dark horse of the future..... when she overcomes her shyness. kila kalmar, wife of jon "the wealthy",
will be a major force in the uk women's scene. you heard it here first.

i'm off sky poker for a few months due to acting stuff...... thank god i hear you silently mouth.

cheers and ty for all the lovely comments...

norm

[taximan007]

I would just like to add my congratulations to Bev on her win, I have played against her many times online and contrary to some comments, I have always found her very pleasant and always willing to chat, bloody good player as well.

Also had the pleasure of meeting her and her husband (they tell me he is a well known personality  ) briefly at the 2005 Poker Million Final Party, and that reinforced my opinion on what nice people they are.

Once again congratulations Bev and also to all the other ladies who played in what sounds a very good tournament.

[Robert HM]

I would just like to add my congratulations to Bev on her win, I have played against her many times online on contrary to some comments I have always found her very pleasant and always willing to chat, bloody good player as well.

Also had the pleasure of meeting her and her husband (they tell me he is a well known personality  ) briefly at the 2005 Poker Million Final Party, and that reinforced my opinion on what nice people they are.

Once again congratulations Bev and also to all the other ladies who played in what sounds a very good tournament.

Yes, well played all. Seems like it was a hard fought game and the winner had to be worth her chips, well done Mrs P.

As it happens I was at the same party but the only real celeb I talked to was indestructable.