Texas Hold 'Em Two Counties International 2006

Hi Sports Fans,

What a day for sports entertainment. Wednesday the 30th of August will 'go down' in history as one of the most electrifying moments in sports we have seen for some time.

The game? Texas Hold 'Em. A late invite via Andy (Ricky's Sister's Fiancee and all round good guy) saw Ricky 'Suicide' Yates and Tasmanian, Scotty 'Bluff Master Flexx' McNaughton join into what was a massive table comprising in total of 9 contestants. Fivers in, making a massive pot of £45 up for grabs.

Start time? 8pm. We were never going to be late, Ricky's 'If I die, I die' driving mentality getting us there with a plethora of time up our sleeve. The venue was Steve's place, who had constructed his own poker table via instructions on the net - not a bad effort just quietly.

The Psyche-outs started early, even before seat placings had been selected. Andy, on the way to Steve's, even said to 'The Flexx' - "I hope your Texas Hold 'Em is better than your 9 card brag". To which he could only chuckle... self doubts started spiralling in his mind... Could he do it? Or, would he, as so often the case, 'Bottle It'???

Rumours abound of a 'League Table' and 'Ranking Points' were certainly putting the gee-whillipers up Suicide and The Tasmanian. At worst, we would be a Fiver down. McNaughton drew seat #5, right next to the number 1 ranked player Andy, which really did little for him. Rickster drew #9, wedging him between a lady known only as 'The Juggernaut' and a bloke called 'Bulldog' (looks amazingly similar to a bloke off of Angel, so Suicide told me...). So, even before kick-off, the boys were against the wall.

So, everything was set. Lights dimmed, poker faces on - lets rumble.

First to go after 15 minutes was, you guessed it, Suicide, proving not only is his driving, table tennis and one-kneed coverdrives erratic, but so be his poker. Going in even with nothing in his hand, 'Suicide' set to go home early doors. Another shock exit, that of World #1 Andy sent shockwaves through the competition, and gave Steve, currently #2 in the World, a chance at the big time. Last years winner, Steve played most of the night with minimal chips, but was to show his 2005 Title-Winning Form.

Bluff Master Flex(McNaughton) was down to 25 chips, and all in. A big pot win sees him jump, and another win on the next hand takes him back up to a comfortable pot of around 100 chips, far from the Juggernaut and a guy with a T-Shirt saying 'make tea, not war'. Bill Gates 'Sick Fakey' Dude, the man positioned next to McNaughton, saw his chips dwindle away at regular intervals. The Bulldog built, and so did this other guy who unfortunately I can't remember his name (table possie #7).

After 3 hours, the action heated up. A lot of folding, small pots and mucking about seemed to stall the table. Blinds were raised. Bluff Master Flex was left one-on-one with The Bulldog, whom he got to fold, and won BMF a big, big pot. Only a couple of hands later, BMF managed to get The Bulldog and T-Shirt Guy all in, and pulled out three 7's, smashing any hope they had. BMF had built a massive, massive pot. This newcomer from Tassie can play, they said. Notice they did take - but, they still thought they could crack him. With Suicide almost falling asleep in the corner, looking despondent he has had to watch all night, and Bulldog running home to have some 'one-on-one' time, McNaughton had Flexxed, and lived up to his name, at this stage...

Bill Gates 'Sick Fakey' Dude the next to go, McNaughton not part of his demise - had they picked up he only plays when he has got a hand? Apparently not as McNaughton cleaned up one pot with nothing more than a 2 of hearts and a 9 of spades - gotta love chip power. The Juggernaut soon after followed this procession home, outdone by 'The Flexx' and his 2 pair.

So, Three Remain. The guy I can't remember his name, Steve and BMF all the way from Tassie. Chip power, at 12:20am, was with The Bluff. Action was ensured here. The top bloke whom I cant remember went all in early, almost level with McNaughton on chips - only about 20 in the bank - and McNaughton only had a 5 and a 6. 4 cards were down and it looked like Bluff Master Flexx's days were numbered - He needed a 7 on the river (last and final card shown)... And it was meant to be, that magical number 7 coming up and a straight for McNaughton, 'The Flexx' through to the top 2, and taking on potentially the new world #1 if he came up trumps here - Steve a mighty adversary.

Blinds raised again for this showdown. Could McNaughton be the first International Flavour to take all their money? Well, not long in, at 12:34am, Steve went all in. A potential game-leveller for him, a title shot for McNaughton... And not to be out down, 'The Flexx' met Steve's bet. Steve pulled down an Ace and a Five... Not bad. The Flexx flicked over his cards to reveal a match-winning hand - Ace, and a King. Up came a 'King on the flop' and McNaughton had done it, taken their money and a plethora of chips. What a win from the Cinderella Boy.

He came, he saw, and oh yes did he conquer. A second invite? More than likely not forthcoming, especially considering Deportation on Tuesday of next week. Ranking points will see me jump up the leaderboard, and I shall add the link to the groups Website when Rickster sends me the link. Check it out, they are a great bunch and cannot thank them enough for having me...

I'm guessing they wish they hadn't this morning...