As today is my birthday I thought it only apt that I announce my team selection for Blackpool after being given the honour of team captain.
As those of you that know me I like poker to be fun and the social side is a big part of why I love to play and whilst I could have gone with high flying top ranking poker players (although Daniel, Phil and WIll were all busy) I decided on a different tact :-)
So my APAT team for February next year are known as 'Trouble and Strife'. Poker brings people together as friends and for some of us a little more and I wanted to celebrate that, so in no particular order.....
Nemo and Dory aka Jason and Jo Chillmaid. THe happy couple tied the knot this year and are well known and well respected on the poker scene especially APAT. Jo was the first female to bag a bracelet and Jason has a pretty silver medal as well. The pair of them embrace the ethos of APAT, fun, family and love to play poker and I am proud to have them on the team
Morticia and Gomez are next aka Mark Ranson (Ranny) and Saranne Eloise. Mark is an old APAT team event stalwart having come bridesmaid twice and third on another occasion. He has also scored highly individually. Saranne has also been there or thereabouts in the events she has played having played for Blackbelt Poker. Most famously Saranne is known for proposing to Mark in a casino where she got the dealer to deal out cards saying will you marry me. Lucky for us he said yes! Glad to have them both on the team
Next on the list is Micky and Minnie aka Lisa and Ben Greer. Both are relative new to the APAT scene but have embraced it and been enthusiastic fans since bringing new people to the events. Lisa finished 6th in her first WCOAP event last year and in her words has caught the APAT bug since. Welcome to the scene.
Last but definitely not least is Stan and Hilda aka myself and Gary Lipman. Two years ago a guy came and sat next to me at a poker tournament and started having a conversation and we haven't stopped talking since. Gary has had success live and online and recently has discovered a real liking for PLO. My love of APAT events has rubbed off on Gary who has embraced the 'family' and the wide range of events each stop holds. Gary has played in a range of team events now and was part of the team that came second in the last BCPC championship. My background is I have been lucky to have been part of a team that won the event a few years back as well as a gold medal/bracelet at the WCOAP and too many 4th places to be healthy but for me APAT is more than who wins what it is about the spirit the game is played in. I love going to events and seeing everyone laughing and joking whether win or lose, the silly games of OFC we play on the side when we get knocked out, the railing of friends at 2am when really we should be tucked up asleep, the sharing of bad beats and sweets in equal measures. I am very proud to have been asked to be captain and win or lose I know we will take away good memories and look forward to seeing you all there.
Team Trouble and Strife only one word for it.....weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
