There is one weekend every year that all Poker Players write in their calendar and no-one likes to miss out on; that is the Amateur Poker Association Tour Team Event. Months in advance poker clubs, organisations have to apply to APAT and wait to see if they are lucky enough to get in as it’s capped at 30 teams, like this year many teams were unsuccessful. Blue Blood were fortunate once again to get chosen as they have for the past 4 years. The Team Event is one of the most competitive you will find on the circuit, but that doesn’t stop the support, banter and laughter crossing over between the teams. Also included over the weekend are side events organised by APAT like ‘No-limit Hold’em and PLO8 Hi/Lo.
In our original line up was Steve Ball, a stalwart of these events and John Burberry, another BB Legend. Unfortunately, neither could play in the end. Both for very different reasons, John got an offer he couldn’t refuse – a free holiday to the Bahamas, Steve is battling an illness and at the time of the tournament was too unwell to attend. He was greatly missed not just by us, his team mates, but also by many who know him so well on the circuit and as a very active member of APAT. We all wish him well and for that one time to be his.
Our original substitute/Cheer leader, Mark England was drafted into the team and Gaynor Williams; Rob’s far better good looking other half also joined us. It has to be said what an asset they both were. Out of our team of 8 players, Gaynor was the 2 to last longest going out in the points. Only surpassed by Phil Stein who eventually got knocked out in the top 20. Then literally at the 11th hour we had to bring in another substitute which Steve Ball kindly organised. The Hit Squad had an extra player – Pat Costello who graciously stepped up to the plate and instantly felt like one of the team. (Think it cost us a half a shandy, a packet of peanuts and a Blue Blood coveted hoodie.)
So with the team set in stone we were ready…
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Di Farrell (Captain)
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Gordon MacArthur
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Phil Stein
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Matthew Wood
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Mark England
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Rob Williams
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Gaynor Williams
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Pat Costello (Hit Squad)
It is said that “it’s not the winning that is important, but the taking part”. Actually on this occasion this statement is absolutely true. Placing wise we were 25th out of 30, but from the time we all met up in the restaurant on the Friday evening until we all went our separate ways late Sunday evening. Team members became much more than that, they became a close family, listening and supporting each other as well as the banter, the copious drinks that were drunk, the laughter, the prop bets and the railing. Simon Hyde drove from Leicestershire just to sit and have dinner with us, what more can be said. His health is not the best but he made it there.
As an organization Blue Blood is now firmly back on the map in the poker community eyes and we had amazing positive feedback. Old and new players asking if they could come home and how they could join. Also a Coral representative was there who handed over his business card and asked to contact him with regards ‘what he could do for us’. Onwards and upwards for Blue Blood.
So let us mention prop bet – We had last longer for the side event Friday night which was a tenner each. Eventually Phil and Mark chopped this between themselves, Mark then went on to cash in this event which was a phenomenal achievement as most of the tournament he was struggling to find a decent hand and accumulate chips. Then we had the same last longer event for the team event, once again Phil took this down, profiting himself a nice £100. What is funnier still is that this was more than he won for 2 days of hard graft in the Team Event which rewarded him with 60, which he has kindly donated to the next team event at say the Goliath in August for a round of drinks. Cheers Phil.
Sunday was the PLO8 Hi/Lo side event, buy- in 30 which had 60 runners and 7 re-entries. Mark England, GeordiGimac (as he is now to be known by) Gordon McArthur and Di Farrell all played this event. Mark was the first out from us, Gimac was unlucky to go out in 11th place and Di Farrell was fortunate enough to Final Table through some miracle and went out 7th to cash.
