We are warmly welcomed at the front desk by a guy called Geoff Owen, he signs us in and we follow him up the stairs, First impressions were WOW, leather seats and a plush bar area, Cheltenham on the big tv screen and we are offered drinks and promised by Geoff that when we had finished he would personally show us around the place.
The club itself was very quiet, we were early and they were still preparing for the nights events, we peeked into the main card room area and were suitably impressed by the size of the place and the plush decor, plenty of tables and plenty of space between them, the setting was perfect, and the signs were good for an entertaing and fun filled evening.
Geoff re appeared and as promised took us on a tour of the place, A snooker room with 2 full size tables, a plush vip area with a superb poker table and luxurious decor and the main card room with room for plenty of players. Although I will remember to thank all the staff later in the post, I would like to thank geoff for his warm welcome, he didnt know us from adam, yet he made us feel like VIP guests and that was impressive and memorable.
Slowly but surely the place started to fill up, and people were gathering in the bar area .... then I hear the magic words ... Geoff whispered to the bar manger that she could start the betfair tab now .... well, i just happened to be the first in the queue and ordered a lager top for Booder ( I had stopped calling him Philleas by now
) and a JD and Ginger for myself, the lady behind the bar asked if i wanted a large one, but i replied that i only drank singles until 9 0'clock, and then it would be doubles until we leave.
Before long the players are asked to draw for seats and after a few words from the Poker player magazine people, and some more words from the betfair reps, the game was underway ...
Poker player had arranged some bounty's for knocking out their 4 journos that were playing the comp, and they were quality chip sets, very nice. I just happened to ask one of the betfair guys if they were gonna give a prize for the first person out, to which he replied that they had 9 copies of super system 2 , one each for the first 9 out... we had a laugh when i suggested that it wasnt exactly tactfull to say to someone "unlucky on being knocked out so early, heres a book... go read it !! "
2 hands have gone by when Booder approaches me and lights a ciggy, i jokingly ask him if he is out already , and he replies Yes. He wasnt joking either, but i laughed anyway and presented him with his book LOL LOL.
Time for some side action to start, and along with Booder some of the betfair reps and a few other players guests, we start a sit and go with a £20 buy in, and the ever helpfull marketing manager Geoff offers to deal for us.
Booder takes an early chip lead with some fearless play (and a sore nose where the deck kept smacking him right in the face) he takes out a player with AA versus her QQ, small raise pre flop and the flop of AQ6 meant a bet , a re raise and a re re raise all in ... jammy fish !!
However his luck didnt last and it was me that eventually took him out and i finished third for a small profit... Booder made his way to the cash table and i made my way to the bar
it was now approaching 9pm and the bar maid had remembered our earlier conversation and when i went to the bar she got me a large JD and said "its only 5 to 9, but no point waiting... what a girl
as time progressed, more and more people were joining side games and it wasnt long before i was involved in another sit and go .. although by now i was a little worse for wear and ready to have a laugh.
We had a guy on the table that was a bit off a numpty, and he was giving it all the "I will protect my blinds , dont even think about stealing" crap... talk about make yourself a target
It just so happens that I would be on the button when he was on the big blind ...oh happy days .. It couldnt have worked out better, my first button he reminds us about his blinds, and as soon as the cards are dealt I immediately look at my cards out of position and see QQ... I wait for the action to reach me and am faced with a couple of limpers and say "Never mind your big blind mate, I wont allow any limpers on my button and pushed all in , small blind passes and big blind gives it a dwell up before announcing that he will let me get away with it just this once and thats all... I reach for the chips and muck my cards saying "sorry mate, but thats the only way i know how to play 7 2 off" Cue plenty of laughter and matey boy going a nice shade of crimson.
the very next round i am on the button again and before the cards are dealt i announce that no limping will be allowed, and that his BB is mine... all pass to me (respect) i look down and have to do a double check ... i have got AA ... I look at the guy in the BB and smile as i push all my chips in.... SB passes and BB goes into the tank .... the other players on the table start getting to him .."call him, he is bullying you" and plenty of other banter, it was a superb table, the crack was superb.. great atmosphere and good natured. Eventually the BB calls for all his chips and the cheer goes up when he turns over 77 to my beautiful Aces ... no suprises and he goes out in 10th place, but takes it well and goes to the bar to get the drinks in for the table
I think i busted out in about 6th, but every single person who busted out stayed at the table just to enjoy all the banter and crack that we were having... I can honestly say i have never enjoyed a social evening of poker as much as i did that night, every single person joined in and it was very special.
The food at the western just kept coming, from burgers to hot dogs, mini fish and chip pots, choccy cake etc etc ... a fantastic effort which was appreciated by everyone.
I would like to thank Everyone at the Western for their hospitality and enthusiasm in running the event, Marketing man Geoff Owen is a top bloke, Card room manager Simon Yusuf, who some may remember from the Vic... so comfortable in his role now he is not bound by the restraints of faceless men in suits, he did his job with superb efficiency and humour and it is to his credit that the evening went without a hitch. From the valets to the dealers, everyone was pleasant and had a smile on their faces, it makes such a difference to a clubs ambience when you see happy faces, and they were on display in abundance at the western.... If you ever get a chance to visit the place, take it, you wont be dissapointed. I thoroughly reccomend it, and will return for certain.
I must also give a mention to fellow Blondeite Pokerram, he and his good lady were there also, and we had a good laugh and a giggle throughout the evening, Mrs pokerram is lovely, and she knows some really good dirty jokes
Most of the guys that i was playing the STT with were staying at our hotel, and we decided that we were gonna get some action going back in the hotel, so off we go for some more entertainment, and a mission to find more alcohol ....
TO BE CONTINUED .......
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