Catman's Column - London's Greatest Poker Spectacle

Time to come alive, Big Ben has struck ten and those 'Inglorious Bastards,' have brought the most inspirational poker circus to town, yet again. WSOPE presented by Betfair has arrived in all its splendour and glory, and even if I never managed to blag or qualify for an event, I am still enjoying my favourite London Poker Game.

The WSOPE and Betfair has carved it's place in history, 2007 was the first time you could earn a WSOP Bracelet outside Vegas and also the first time we were to see virtually everywhere top Yank and player (two different species) descend on London. Thrilling in a very weird kind of way. With the EPT following the WSOPE, London has become the Mayweather (seriously wicked pugilist) and Angelina Jolie (sexiest Tattooed Ass) of Poker.

Off we toddled to show our faces at the opening soiree at The Empire, timed it perfectly to watch a young bubble (cockney non-racist term for Bubble and Squeak = Greek) Anestis Metsas become a millionaire pushte Malaga (Greek slang used by women in everyday language). A Million Feckin Dollars from a Freeroll is a result, unlike my spunkament of 5 big WSOPE Sats.

The Catgirl had slugged back a glass of red at Carluccios in Hampstead en route, and warned me, " I will do someone's head in," a couple of bottles of bubbly later, that someone was our legendary French Bro 'Stephan Samson, Marketing Director of Betfair. Super Agent Per Hagen arrived with Annette 15 Obrestad his ride (meaning client and runner), and they joined the shindig. I offered Per £250 squid for Annette's contract, told Annette I had just purchased her, and if I wasn't pissed, I believe it was accepted, tell me if I am wrong, guys. With the champagne jiggling around inside me, Catgirl and I followed Per out to watch him smoke a Marlboro Red, and have a little biz chat. Then came the first very special moment of the WSOPE presented by Betfair, striding up to the front door rolls, Mr Eddie Hearn accompanied by the one and only Tom Dwan Durrrr. 'This is Catman, our most famous poker journalist,' was the introduction from Eddie. Tom shook hands with us all and introduced a most gorgeous blonde girl accompanying them. " He is a very pretty face, he looks like Eminem," said the breathless Catgirl, 'Biatch.' Per and the Cats, stood there and feck me not, we were starstruck, and I for one am never starstruck, lol. Durrrr stinks of Swag juice, he is sick and a real life example of 'Enigma,' I shall do my best to learn a little from this wise young master while he is in town.

Saturday we sauntered down to The Barracuda Casino on Baker Street, Per was using it for his stable VIP lounge and co promoting some big cash games. The poker room was very cool, our friend and big game organiser Stellios was in the building, Matt and the two Hugos were dealing and looking after the action. More champagne and it was time to work out a little dilemma, I told Per to come along I needed to speak to Layne Flack. I walked over and with my face inches away from this $5million dollar winner, 'Do you remember this face,' I enquired. Huck Seed looked on, thinking I was offering Flack a knuckle sandwich. Like a Ferrari blowing a head gasket " Yo VIP, yo VIP, yeah was me Ted Forrest and Danny, we had that buy in competition and you were on the table then Ted and I went to your club." I had waited 7 years to hear whether the boys had enjoyed their night out with me and hey bingo. Layne Flack is an explosive and dynamic character, I can't wait to see more of this original poker legend. So was there a big game, it wasn't a big one, but a drunken one, only about £60,000 on the table, peanuts for these boy's, but boy was it funnnnnnnnnnn. The Barracuda will be running big games throughout the WSOPE and EPT so if you have the money go get the honey, for it is flowing

Back to the Empire for Day One of the WSOPE, Pot Limit Omaha/Holdem, the Casino is kicking and there is a filthy stink of class, I bump into Howard Lederer and shake the golden hand.

Chat with Snoopy, poker's second most prolific poker writer next to the great Ed Barry Carter, I notice long time Poker Pro and Businessman Brian Johnson. I enquire as to which are the largest denomination chip, Brian and Snoopy point to a mountainous stack and tell me that is the chip leader with the biggest stack, conversation ends and I go looking for new friends lol. I notice my dear Facebook mate and star poker pro Robin Keston, he is not happy, I tell him I have blessed him and at the time of this going to press Robin has come ……………… inches away from a shiny gold bracelet.

Downstairs to the feature table, Annette Obestrad has Sammy 'G' George on her left and Brian Johnson has been moved to sit on her right. Now what is fun about WSOPE, is Wiley foxes like Jeff Duval and Brian Johnson may have an edge, in that their level of expertise may not be recognised. Time for a Poker lesson, Omaha and it variations, are the opium of poker and even the great players, regularly get it wrong. Annette Vs Brian, in a re raised pre flop hand, flop comes flush or flush draw, Flush on the turn, Annette puts in 11,000, Brian goes into the tank. A few seconds on Annette say's do you want the rest in, Brian say's no and thinks. Nice move from Annette, Brian does not take the hint and play's on, it stinks of the classic Double Ace verse Double King, Annette has made a great pressure play by showing her commitment, Johnson has a simple decision, but even the great's get carried away with Omaha. Annette doubled up with a sad two pair Aces Up, Brian's sorrow is enhanced by the very loud round of applause from two very senior Betfair Team. Sammy George comes alive, "You wouldn't get this from Full Tilt," cheering at the sideline. Now if it is alright form Fabio or Abromovich then it is good enough for Mr X and Y to cheer their team on, even if they did suffer immense piss taking from yours truly. Sammy G is buzzing, " Catman I took 150k of John Duthie since I last saw you, I am going to play Neil Channing for £50,000 at The Vic, you have got to come watch. I have had this girl massage me for 6 hours, she is good for the game." We are having so much fun, I don't feel one iota of the depression of not being in the game. I feel like a fan watching a great show, not quite Michael Jackson, but still pretty entertaining.

Players were walking around, saying they were exhausted, I was reminding them of gymnasiums and to stop talking more bollox. We are half way home in The Catmobile when we realise that we were meant to play charity Head's UP with the Marbella Kid Paul Zimbler and his manager Nick Ferro, alas maybe you do get a little tired having fun.

As I say at this time of the year, you do not have to be playing to enjoy London's greatest poker spectacle, get down there and rail, enjoy Harrah's hospitality, Betfair's Balls and remember next year it could be you.

Love Peace and Happiness
Catman Poker Agent, Voyeur and Generally Nice Person.

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