The adventures of the 'ol fella - part 47.

[tikay]

A bizarre turn of events sees me packing my bag tonight for a few days in Moscow, which I understand is in Russia.

I got a phone call middle of last week "would you like to come to Moscow, we are opening a big new Casino, & are having a nice comp to celebrate, with a really big comp to follow in January or February. It (this week's comp) will be filmed for TV, proper job, 8 cameras, plus hole card cameras for everyone throughout".

Err, No, I replied, I'm very busy, but thank you.

"We will pay your air fare".

Well, I'm quite busy, I responded.

"And your Hotel".

Well, I AM a bit busy.....

"And half your entry fee to a $3,000 comp".

Err, I reply, well I'm not THAT busy.........

"And we will put a limousine at your disposal throughhout, with a driver, & pick you up from & take you back to the airport".

Actually, now I think about it, I'm not doing much.......

So, a few frantic days sorting it all out. No requirement to wear anyone else's branded apparel, so I might as well wear blonde gear for a TV comp that's gonna be sold worldwide, apparently. Free advertising!

The Visa was the problem, but two visits today to the Russian Embassy in London sorted that out, & I fly out at 1.30pm on Wednesday, on Aeroflot, the world's safest airline......

Now it gets even more surreal. There are 4 of us going, & I gather it's a Team Event. The name of our team? "TEAM GB"....... Eat your heart out Thewy & Flushy.

Top names, too, 4 of the UK's very finest. Ted Giddens, Pat Keane, Andy Rolf, & me. The cream of UK Poker, eh?

And the guy in the Russian Embassy Visa Department gave me some travel advice. "In Russia, my friend, always use a condom". "What, for poker?" I responded? "No, for sex. And that includes with women"........

Whatever next?

Assuming internet access is available at the Hotel Ukraina, I'll keep you posted.

His Supreme Blondeness is giving it the "no man who achieved so little got away with so much" routine. He ain't wrong.

[M POWER]

Wow Tony

Have a great time

It's like life style of the super rich and Famous.

Regards

M
 

[Heid]

Take bog roll.

[tikay]

Take bog roll.

What, instead of a condom? How's that work then?

[Karabiner]

Team event eh ?

Does that mean not knocking your team-mates out of the tourney ?

[Heid]

Take bog roll.

What, instead of a condom? How's that work then?

as well as darling

I used to work on a USAF base and the russians came in to do the nuclear disarming inspections, we used to barter them for family packs of Andrex, they couldn't get enough of the stuff.

So I am assuming the home grown stuff is harsh on the botty.

I am only looking out for your best interests

Oh and don't lick the lamposts.

[Karabiner]

Caviare for bog roll

Sweet !

[tikay]

No, I think we all pretend to be Greek.

Seriously, I don't really know the format. But there are 8 teams of 4 I believe, playing two "Day Ones" with the Final in Friday. I was supposed to fly out with the rest of the boys today (Tuesday) but I could not make it, as I had Poker 425 to record, so I gotta fly out alone, & it's been "organised" that I play in the second Day One, on Thursday. And hopefully, in the Final on Friday. Stranger things have happened. Not muich, mind.

[tikay]

Well Heid's words of warning reminded me. When the Visa guy at the Embassy saw what Hotel I was staying at (you have to give them all that sort of info) he said "oh dear, that's one of the old "Soviet-style" hotels. Not sure what that means.....

[Heid]

I can't wait to see the pics

I only have your botty at heart Mr Kay

[Karabiner]

Not the Hotel Lubianka by any chance 

[tikay]

Hotel Ukraina.

[Karabiner]

Just a slight whooosh.

The Lubianka was where the old Soviets used to hold (torture) their political prisoners. 

[tikay]

A BIG whoosh for me there there Karabiner. Soviet History is not exactly my strong point, though I do know Soviet is somewhere in Russia.

[Karabiner]

Have a great time, you sure do get about a bit for someone of your years.