Inspired by Rastafish to write something at least

[Peter Costa]

Just been reading Rastafish's story and love his easy style and the trips back in time. In fact, within seconds of reading the first few lines, I found myself smiling at an array of thoughts from the past.

It was different then as every trip seemed to be a journey into the unknown. It's as if  we were pioneers - despite the fact we were following in the footsteps of many who had gone before us.  Perhaps it was just me? Perhaps my personal circumstances when taking such foolish trips ensured that I never really had option with most of them.  Whatever the reason, excitement was always overshadowed by a fear that I was once again looking for a miracle.  My first smile should be for those days when the miracle came but, it is beaten into second place by thoughts of those who had taken the journeys with me.

The old man of the party was always Frankie Knight because it was always Frankie who set up the trips to Vegas with cheap tickets - sometimes direct from Machester for less than 100.  In fact, it was Frankie who first inspired dreams of Vegas through stories he would tell me.  You could see the excitement in his face as he talked about the Horseshoe and the World Series.  He would finish every story how I needed to go, how Vegas for me and how I would one day make it my home.  I would always finish by saying "one day Frank, one day.

He was right! Perhaps more surprisingly, so was I.

I saw him last month when we came to the DTD on my last night of a month-long stay. Well into his 70's, Frank has seen it all. The three beats he got on the final table were added to list of everything. We smiled at everything as we had done many times before.  The smile of joy in victory. The wry smile in defeat. Most common of all however, was the smile of sheer relief on days when losing was not an option.  If you ever see me hugging and kissing an old man in 70's or 80's, come over and say hi to Frank and see how love is between two men. It's OK, my wife understands!

I'm suddenly thinking of the others who I haven't seen for a while and emotions are mixed. There is a sadness that comes from missing them but also a smile for them being a part of my life.  I guess things move on and life takes over but those memories will ensure that the bond will always be there.  After all, we all fought the same wars. Funny thing is, it seemed that we never lost one.  Perhaps we did, but the outcome never seemed more important than the journey. One thing is for sure, we smiled a lot.   

Sorry for the story being the ramblings of an old (ish) man but, I perhaps wanted to write this one for me as those days were special in ways that are difficult to explain. Tonight I felt like trying at least. I perhaps also wanted to send out a thank you to Frank  for instilling the dream some thirty years ago. 

If I revisit the past again, I will make sure to include some poker content.

Good night, good luck and hope you get experience such friendships in life.

[jgcblack]

Great post, more pls.

[smashedagain]

Hope you continue this journey as it has the potential to be the best of blonde

[Tal]

Lovely post. Nice chap, Frankie. Have played with him a fair few times at the Broadway over the last eight years or so.

You were part of the group that tought a generation to play the game through Late Night Poker. How did you get invited onto the show? Sorry if that's a question you've answered for the last 10 years! Feel free to answer one of your own instead!

[atdc21]

yeah come on , get some old stories and tales written down. dont just leave it to the kids.

[youthnkzR]

nice read

[Peter Costa]

Lovely post. Nice chap, Frankie. Have played with him a fair few times at the Broadway over the last eight years or so.

You were part of the group that tought a generation to play the game through Late Night Poker. How did you get invited onto the show? Sorry if that's a question you've answered for the last 10 years! Feel free to answer one of your own instead!

It's funny how things work out. I approached Chanel 4 in 1989 with idea about a poker show and to kick-start it off by doing a documentary about five of us (The Birmingham Bluffers) going over to Vegas and trying to win our way into the ME. Of course they turned it down, it was niche market they said and would work for TV etc. When I saw LNP being aired ten years later, I couldn't help thinking of ways to get on the show. I finally, found an opportunity when I saw Jack Arama at Junction Ten getting ready to play a 500 buy-in two-day event.  I thought that if I got him to stake me and if I won - he would have to get me on the show.  I walked up and told him to stake. He sort of made a couple of comments of "who the hell are you", "I don't know you", "have you won any tourneys" etc etc. I took a wad of 50's from my packet and told him I had the buy-in, but I need him to stake me. Gary Bush , who Jack staked at the time, suddenly appeared and told Jack to do it and that he wanted a share.  I played with Gary a week earlier in Luton when we both made the final - but it seemed enough

The two day event was slow and tough but I managed to get heads-up with Lucy Rokach. It was however not going well and I found myself struggling to win a hand. With the blinds about to increase and the crowed gathering for that night's event, I needed something to happen.

Lucy and I are great friends and played together many times. During some games, I would get get what you would call "vibes" about someones exact hand, or a flop or when I would win a hand etc etc.  Sometime they would be totally irrelevant to the situation but when I did speak out, it was with an eerie success rate. Lucy hated when she was a witness.  Anyway, back to Junction 10 and the heads-up. With the dealer about to deal the river, a vibe tells me that an irrelevant 4 of clubs will hit.  I stopped the dealer in time and told Lucy what was about to happen.  The four of clubs on the river forced me to try and bluff but Lucy called.  So instead of profiting form a vibe, it cost me.  Still, it affected Lucy because she once again told me how she hated when I did that and asked me not to do it again- we both laughed. But more vibes followed, a feeling that things were about to change. Within a few hands, the 6-1 chip deficit had turned into victory.

My cocky insistence for Jac to stake me cost me 6500, but I got my wish to play on LNP. I didn't win first time out but hoped to get invited back. When the invite did come for series six, it came with only three days notice. It also came at the worst possible time. Of course I said yes, but the 2k entry may well have 100K.  It's also another story........

[Tal]

Superb. Thanks. Keep it coming, as there are plenty of ears on this forum eager to hear your stories.

[I KNOW IT]

Great stories Pete , please keep them coming.
Frankie Knight  is an absolute diamond  and responsible for many of the midlanders heading  out to Vegas, myself included.
Unfortunately some of the original  guys are no longer with us.
 

[pokerfan]

More pls.

[geordieneil]

This could batter the fishes diary, really looking forward to it.

had the absolute pleasure of playing with you a couple times, remarkable ability to put people on the exact "cards" (not hands) they hold.

[action man]

some tasty staking deals those days pete. I take it, it was a 50/50 freeroll?

[Peter Costa]

some tasty staking deals those days pete. I take it, it was a 50/50 freeroll?

Yes it was, but I think Gary and Jac got 25% each. Either way, I was so focused for the entire two days as I wanted to get on LNP. Jac at the time was a regular on the show so I thought it was a good opportunity. I can still see the shock on on his face when I more or less TOLD him to do it but I found it helps to have extra motivation.

I think Lucy had also put in a word to get me on the show.  Sometimes you just have to give destiny a shove. It it shoves back, push back a little harder.  .   

[action man]

did you get staked a lot back then or play on your own dime?

[skolsuper]

Wow great diary! Sounds like you might really be psychic mate! You should be a magician or something!!?

Ever met a guy called Bruce Stubbs?