GET THIS PARTY STARTED
It’s been a while since I last posted, but that’s because my life has been uneventful over the last week and I don’t want to become one of those bloggers who submits “Hi, I’m still here” posts without actually saying anything.
However, last night I was genuinely active, my PokerNews connection as one of their bloggers at the inaugural World Series of Poker Europe entitling me to a VIP pass to the pre-festival party at the swanky brand spanking new Empire Casino in Leicester Square.
There’s a very upper class kind of feel to the Empire and I imagine plenty of rich wankers in Versace suits infest the House games and flash their money around like arseholes, but that’s to be expected. However, the design is highly sophisticated and a distant cry from the normality of the Grosvenors, the open-plan casino being replaced by a cool, suave lay-out with multiple floors, winding staircases and transparent floors.
That’s not all though. As well as the surreal sight of sexy chicks in giant Martini glasses and showgirls performing on the staircase to Shirley Bassey’s “Get This Party Started”, two barmen did their best Tom Cruise impressions by juggling cocktail glasses downstairs.
The party was a little disappointing in truth. Although the Elvis waiters handing out sushi and whatnot and the free bar was a nice touch, it was overcrowded and packed to the rafters with egos, many of whom were only interested in looking cool and talking about themselves. I honestly could be bothered to oblige.
I guess for the average poker fan, being this party would be a dream come true, because literally anyone who’s anyone in the poker world was there. Just off the top of my head, I recall seeing Erik Seidel, Annie Duke, Chris Ferguson, Howard Lederer, Tony G, Roland de Wolfe, Andy Bloch, Devilfish, Phil Gordon, Jamie Gold, Marcel Luske and Phil Hellmuth.
Phil Hellmuth was actually compering the charity comp, a £500 freezeout in aid of the Antes Up For Africa Foundation. There were a mix of pro’s and amateurs in this, but it was nothing serious. Actually, if anything, it was a little annoying being at a party and having to listen to Phil Hellmuth witter on all night. He genuinely isn’t as funny as he thinks he is.
If anyone made me laugh, it was the Devilfish. He was sitting next to some Marilyn Monroe impersonator, and the Fish couldn’t keep his eyes off her. Can’t blame him to be honest, she was pretty tasty.
I think Devilfish was taking full advantage of the free bevies. He had plenty of banter in him, although I do recall cringing when he told a joke to Tony G about the Aussies. Something like, “Have you ever noticed that the Aussies always tell you your answer at the end of their question – What’s you favourite hobby, sport?” – Sigh, I believe he actually called Australians “stupid” at one point, but I think that was just for Tony G’s benefit.
Hey, you know what, Tony G’s my boss now – well, one of them. Officially, I’m self-employed as a freelance journalist, so PokerNews asked Jen and myself to update the WSOPE for them. It’s good to spread your wings a bit, so I thought why not. I worked for them at the NPL, and their software was really easy to use, so for 10 days pay, I jumped at the chance. It’s weird having photographers, cameramen and interviewers in the team, not to mention ‘shadowers’ who check your facts, grammar and spelling.
Near the end of the party, tikay lured me into an interview. He beckoned me over seemingly innocently and before I knew it, the cameras were rolling. I think I botched one question, but apart from that it went pretty well. Tikay interviewed a sea of pro’s though, so I expect I’ll be left on the cutting floor.
I noticed a big gash on tikay’s forehead whilst doing the interview. I don’t think he realised how big it was until he got home, but apparently he’d been following Jennifer Harman, who is a tad smaller, under a barrier and managed to lose his sense of space and time and bosh his head against the metal surface. Ouch! But like a true professional, he battled on – even if he did look like he’d been in a scrap and lost.
The most pleasing part of the night for me, however, was on the way out. Not just because I was leaving what was ultimately a pretty tedious party, but because David Williams was being told to remove his cap on the way in by the bouncer. The bouncer obviously didn’t have a clue who he was, but you could see in Williams’ eyes that he was thinking, “Do you know who I am?”
Oh, sometimes it’s the small things that satisfy me.
However, last night I was genuinely active, my PokerNews connection as one of their bloggers at the inaugural World Series of Poker Europe entitling me to a VIP pass to the pre-festival party at the swanky brand spanking new Empire Casino in Leicester Square.
There’s a very upper class kind of feel to the Empire and I imagine plenty of rich wankers in Versace suits infest the House games and flash their money around like arseholes, but that’s to be expected. However, the design is highly sophisticated and a distant cry from the normality of the Grosvenors, the open-plan casino being replaced by a cool, suave lay-out with multiple floors, winding staircases and transparent floors.
That’s not all though. As well as the surreal sight of sexy chicks in giant Martini glasses and showgirls performing on the staircase to Shirley Bassey’s “Get This Party Started”, two barmen did their best Tom Cruise impressions by juggling cocktail glasses downstairs.
The party was a little disappointing in truth. Although the Elvis waiters handing out sushi and whatnot and the free bar was a nice touch, it was overcrowded and packed to the rafters with egos, many of whom were only interested in looking cool and talking about themselves. I honestly could be bothered to oblige.
I guess for the average poker fan, being this party would be a dream come true, because literally anyone who’s anyone in the poker world was there. Just off the top of my head, I recall seeing Erik Seidel, Annie Duke, Chris Ferguson, Howard Lederer, Tony G, Roland de Wolfe, Andy Bloch, Devilfish, Phil Gordon, Jamie Gold, Marcel Luske and Phil Hellmuth.
Phil Hellmuth was actually compering the charity comp, a £500 freezeout in aid of the Antes Up For Africa Foundation. There were a mix of pro’s and amateurs in this, but it was nothing serious. Actually, if anything, it was a little annoying being at a party and having to listen to Phil Hellmuth witter on all night. He genuinely isn’t as funny as he thinks he is.
If anyone made me laugh, it was the Devilfish. He was sitting next to some Marilyn Monroe impersonator, and the Fish couldn’t keep his eyes off her. Can’t blame him to be honest, she was pretty tasty.
I think Devilfish was taking full advantage of the free bevies. He had plenty of banter in him, although I do recall cringing when he told a joke to Tony G about the Aussies. Something like, “Have you ever noticed that the Aussies always tell you your answer at the end of their question – What’s you favourite hobby, sport?” – Sigh, I believe he actually called Australians “stupid” at one point, but I think that was just for Tony G’s benefit.
Hey, you know what, Tony G’s my boss now – well, one of them. Officially, I’m self-employed as a freelance journalist, so PokerNews asked Jen and myself to update the WSOPE for them. It’s good to spread your wings a bit, so I thought why not. I worked for them at the NPL, and their software was really easy to use, so for 10 days pay, I jumped at the chance. It’s weird having photographers, cameramen and interviewers in the team, not to mention ‘shadowers’ who check your facts, grammar and spelling.
Near the end of the party, tikay lured me into an interview. He beckoned me over seemingly innocently and before I knew it, the cameras were rolling. I think I botched one question, but apart from that it went pretty well. Tikay interviewed a sea of pro’s though, so I expect I’ll be left on the cutting floor.
I noticed a big gash on tikay’s forehead whilst doing the interview. I don’t think he realised how big it was until he got home, but apparently he’d been following Jennifer Harman, who is a tad smaller, under a barrier and managed to lose his sense of space and time and bosh his head against the metal surface. Ouch! But like a true professional, he battled on – even if he did look like he’d been in a scrap and lost.
The most pleasing part of the night for me, however, was on the way out. Not just because I was leaving what was ultimately a pretty tedious party, but because David Williams was being told to remove his cap on the way in by the bouncer. The bouncer obviously didn’t have a clue who he was, but you could see in Williams’ eyes that he was thinking, “Do you know who I am?”
Oh, sometimes it’s the small things that satisfy me.
posted by snoopy1239 @ 9:27 AM
4 comments
4 Comments:
Snoops, did u get a chance to interview Buzzer after his Horse win and was the bracelet similar to the American one's.
Mick
No, sry Mick, I was back home by the time that event had finished as I was covering Day 1 of the Omaha.
Yeah, the bracelet looks really similar. I think there are piccies with him holding it on PokerNews.
Cheers Adam.
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