The Chiltern Cup 2005

POKER 4 CHARITY .ORG

Deadmoney Report

                          Luton Flying Club - Sat, 12^th Feb 2005

The last time I was at Luton around 6 years ago, the world's favourite airline were still scoffing at Stelios and his little organisation that were planning to revolutionise flying for the British public (actually I think Freddie Laker had the idea first, but back then SkyTrain was easy meat for the corporate giant). And scoff they might! The EasyJet drongo on the tarmac was quite happy to point out to me which of the 2 jets was the one that would take me to Barcelona. Easy was indeed the word. Boarding Pass? Nah, just sit where you like! Stow the bags, sit down, relax and get a bit of shut-eye. Except?

It was going to Zurich - a fact I only discovered after we were all set to start taxiing to the runway and the captain welcomed us aboard. 'Would you mind awfully letting us off, I do believe one of your colleagues has erroneously directed us to the wrong flight?' That's not verbatim, you understand - I was just a little panicked at the time. 'Stop this fucking plane, you wankers!' - probably not verbatim either, but considerably more accurate.

Luckily, the poker4charity people were much better organised, and everyone there seemed to have a really good day as a result. 150 of us turned out from all over the UK, and the logistical nightmare was effortlessly dealt with by the organisers. The flying club itself is basically a pretty large bar (good start for the non-drivers) fenced off from the main airport. With such a large turn out, the serving staff there were bound to be run off their feet. Both of them. Not feet, staff. I began to wonder if this was EasyBooze, and whether the tarmac drongo had gone into the licensed trade. The irritation soon passed, however, as the buzz of the competition (and my first 4 pints) began to kick in.

This was my first big tournament, and I wasn't disappointed. Many of the poker world's premiership were there - Barny Boatman, Ram Vaswani and Joe Beevers represented the Hendon Mob - I guess Ross had a prior engagement on a casting couch somewhere - and several other professionals. John Duthie, Mike Magee and Steve Vladar were apparently confirmed as well, but I didn't spot them. It felt the same as if your Sunday soccer team were in a contest with a chance to play against Man. United, Chelsea and Arsenal. The draw didn't actually give me that opportunity, but with Barny on the adjacent table, I was able to witness just how difficult it must be for the celebrity players. Every hand he was in that went to a showdown had most of the table baying for his blood (well, chips anyway). Clearly he was the main target, and I guess the same applied to the others. As it turned out, Joe Beevers lasted the longest, but none of them made the final table.

Which brings me to the competition itself. Well over 5000 quid (I didn't hear the final figure) was raised for various good causes - children's charities in particular. Trophies and hypothetical cash to the winners. I was too wasted to remember the specifics of a tournament that had already tempted me like a cheap whore, and left me every bit as skint. Equally, I barely knew any of the players (I'm not doing research for this old tosh until someone offers to pay me). I do know that in the final heads up, the amateur beat the pro - encouraging for a relative newbie such as myself.

Even greater inspiration, however, was found in the results of my Phat Dogs colleagues. Having been the early chip leader on my table, I eventually went out on AJ suited to a big slick. Next to fall was Phil. G lasted rather better on the same table, but eventually succumbed, which left Adam and Lindz. Adam was trying to repeat his Wycombe Masters success through the power of alcohol. Unfortunately for him, this tournament went on about twice as long, and consequently so did the drinking. There's a fine line between hiding any reaction behind a wall of beer, and going all-in on 56 suited. He obviously crossed the line, but well done on a great performance to get to the last few tables. If he can pace the intake in future, Adz is my tip for the first Phat Dogs player to win a big tourney.

And so to The Phat Dogs player of the day - Lindz. Despite being really under the weather & dosed up with antibiotics, she made the final table. As chip leader. And when she finally went out, she was ahead at the all-in. A brilliant 6^th place was a remarkable achievement, which I'm sure will live long in the memory.

Thanks again to www.poker4charity.org - especially to Mel (tournament director) and Steve Templeman. The Phat Dogs will be back, with more troops, more determined,  more confident, and ever so slightly more sober?