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Other than the obvious (Carlo and Rob because of their involvement with Sky over the years) I only remember Achilleas from various old TV shows. Had no idea about his .. property business!
I often get reminded of players I've seen during my years of TV watching, and wonder where they went. There was a guy who was like a cocky version of Luke Schwartz (imagine that!) .. think his name was Josh something (?)
It was great to see your interview with Annette. As soon as I saw the title I thought bloody hell, I'd forgotten about her! Guess it's because there's not so many TV shows these days (SNG style) where these people were playing all the time - Poker Million, Premier League Poker etc..etc.
James Browning - another blast from the past and evokes memories of PNL. Such an enthusiastic guy - wasn't everyones cup of tea according to the forums at the time but I really liked him.
Whenever I am on the BB with KQ and the action is limped to me I still think of JB and "KQ is the King of an unraised pot" and I stick in a raise.
At the time - 2005, or 2006 - there were new Online Poker Sites springing up every day, I could name dozens of them, but they all disappeared in short order, including my own one. More money down the old swanee. Mistakes, I've made a few.....
I can't think who the lairy version of Luke Schwartz is.
The Annette video, surprisingly, is (so far) the most viewed of those we shot in Vegas this year - just shy of 10,000. Would never have guessed that.
Yes, you are right, he got bashed up a bit on the forums - well we all did, it goes with the territory - but he was one of the mainstays of PNL.
Think he also used to say "never go broke in an unraised pot".
It was linked on a thread on 2+2, that may be the reason.
Thank you for the compliment, it's appreciated. I love writing these daft little pieces, but it's always nice when people comment. Might pen another one along the same lines shortly.
Excellent read Sir. Trevor Reardon, met him onthe blackjack tables on a Med cruise a few years back, nice chap but a big lad.
Look forward to meeting you at UKPC - do come say hi.
James is an incredibly interesting character. Could probably fill a whole book with stories about him. Decent backgammon player, too.
This photo of him is typical of a rather unusual habit James has (he's the one in the dark top), whereby when he speaks to you, he puts his face right up close to you. It's most disconcerting, it sort of violates our personal space. He does that to everyone. It's not rude, or intended to be, it's just a really awkward thing to handle. I find myself backing away when he talks to me, & he then follows me. Comical scenes ensue.
The other fella in the photo is quite a character, too, name of Mark Wilson, goes by the online name of "arbboy" on most sites. Both of them are big sports bettors, & both have firmly held opinions on most things.
We shared so many tables down the years, & I've never seen him get cross or be rude to anyone.
Cruelly denied a WSOP Bracelet one year, too.
Thanks Tikay, miss you and Anna as dont see you so much now and all your motorway stories. All the best.
Danny
I could write a motorway story I suppose.......
The Jason interview in Vegas was vey good I thought, & I instantly became a fan of him. Not just because of his Twitch thing, but just his character - bright & cherry, always smiling - & the fact that although he is doing nicely for himself, he is doing something for poker, & actually achieving sign-ups which can be measured. No other Pro can do that.
Here's that interview. Just look at him, always smiling. I bumped into him several times subsequently, & he was always cheerful, & talking to his admirers.
In the interview, I asked him for some stats - & he knew the numbers. That man is a genuine, high quality, pro.
Note his whole demeanour is upbeat.
I've been really surprised by the amount of comment this piece has generated, here & elsewhere. Far more than usual. I've not Tweeted it, nor has the business as far as I know, so I doubt it has much readership, but those who read it seem to have liked it.
It was in my mind to do something similar every week, or month, so I might just do that.
I replied to some stuff on Grumpy Jac's Diary yesterday, again, it was "looking back" stuff, & once again, it seems to have been well received.
It's very satisfying to write stuff which a few folks enjoy, & to get positive feedback, thank you all.
Talking of Teeside, & folks no longer amongst us (or so the story goes.....) did you know Eric "The S crew" Barker"? ("s crew" as in ex prison officer). Pardon the space in "s crew", but the old swear filter is a bit sensitive.
Eric was a real character, with several claims to fame, some of them a little on the dubious side, but I enjoyed his company immensely.
Anyway, Gala Treeside (it was a funny little place, on a sort of Leisure & Shopping complex) held a little 3 day Festival in 2003, with 3 Events.
Day one - £50 Rebuy (84 runners)
Day Two - £100 rebuy, 84 runners.
Day Three - £500 Main Event, 46 runners.
And Eric won all three - outright, bish bash bosh. No business, no chops - Eric did not do deals.
I know it was not the biggest Festival ever, but I doubt anyone has ever, or will ever, equal that achievement, winning all 3, back to back, on consecutive days.
Eric is not around these days, or not that I am aware, & the backstory is one of THE most amazing stories from poker I've ever heard. There are various versions around. Sadly, it's not the sort of story Sky Poker would thank me for relating here, they get a bit cross with me if I stray off message.
Here's the man himself.
Curiously, Eric Barker, inadvertently, played a part in Thewy's "breakthrough" win, (£48,000)which was at Luton in 2005, just after his first sponsorship deal started.
It was a £1,000 affair at the old Luton G - next to Sainsbury, not the new one - in which the 1-2-3 was Thewy, Keith "The Camel" Hawkins & Eric Barker.
3 handed, & Eric was VERY aggro, I mean mad aggro, raise raise raise. Camel & Thewy were pretty laggy, but Eric was different gravy.
So, Eric button raised (3 handed) on Thewy's Big, Camel folds, Julian calls.
Flop was (something like) K-Q-3.
Thewy checks, Eric bets again. Thewy calls.
Turn - 8.
Same again, Thewy check calls.
River was another 8.
Thewy checks, Eric shoves, setting Thewy all-in.
Thewy insta calls, not a moments hesitation, Eric mucks his hand "you got me".
Thewy turned over......
2-2
I've rarely seen anyone make such a daring play, especially as so much was on the line - his first really big win.
On those days, of course, we were playing with our own money, we were not staked, though by now, Jules had an annual budget from his then sponsor.
We did do swaps though, & I always had a 10% swap with Jules. Unsurprisingly, I finished about 13th or whatever, for about £2,000. So I owed Thewy £200, & he owed me £4,800. Very nice.......
Danny
(You're not a woman so I don't have to add the footnote that I didn't think the earlier ones weren't superb)
That'll probably get me a slap...
a little before my time this but ive still heard about this! 10 years+ on its still on occasionly talked about