Poker News

Tony Kendall

…Everyone calls me “tikay” & I am delighted that I have been asked to contribute to Poker Player, the type of publication that we in Europe yearn for.

A few words about me first, so you know what you have got. Retired businessman, single, I just play & write about poker these days, and I am the Presenter of a TV show - Poker 425 - which airs 7 nights a week in Europe. And I am a partner in a Poker News Website, for which I produce the content, my other half being Dave “El Blondie” Colclough, whom I consider to be Europe’s finest player.

As a player I am no great shakes, just a regular guy, but I just love playing the game, and I play in most of the big comps over here in Europe. My record suggests I am not anywhere near top class, but I have dozens of money finishes, including a couple (from 3 attempts) in the EPT, which is our equivelant of your WPT. I made my first trip to the Mecca of Poker, the WSOP, this year, mainly writing, doing TV stuff, and running a Live Webcast for the folks back home. But I did get to play one WSOP event, $1,500 NLH, and finished 31st out of 874 runners, and it was truly the highlight of my playing career. The WSOP is “special” in every sense of the word, you guys are real lucky to have it. In Europe, we are miles behind in terms of venues, so I intend to spend a bit more time in America if the funds stretch to it.

OK, on with the business, and if I understand the Editor correctly, he wants me to let you now what’s happening in Europe, most especially from the American angle.

Our recent “big” tournament - “big” in Europe is VERY different from big in America! - was the ?5,000 European Championships at The Vic in London, and we were pleased to welcome a sprinkling of visitors from your neck of the woods. Amongst these was Brian Wilson, who wan a Bracelet at this year’s WSOP, and happens to be a very dear friend of mine. Top man, with a really lairy game! But he busted out early, he’s not the sort of guy who gets ante’d away very often, shall we say…..

However, there was one American in particular who I took to my heart, a certain Edward “Bolivia” Moncada. This boy has game to spare, and it’s rare that I see a player who is so obviously head and shoulders above the rest of the field. I chatted to him at the first opportunity, and it turned out that he had won a Bracelet at this year’s WSOP, in the $2,000 PLH. Here in London, he built a huge stack on Day One, but it looked like he had shot his bolt on Day Two, when he was almost down to the felt. It takes great courage to come back from that situation after being early chip leader but come back he did, big style, and he made the Final in good shape, where he was sweated by one Scott Fischman, who is no slouch himself in the lairy player stakes.

Down to three players, Ed seemed to have the table under control, & only had the enigmatic Tony G to worry about, but an ugly outdraw against a young Norwegian hotshot, Sverre Sundbo, did for Ed. He had JJ against Sverre’s weak A-6, and whilst he was watching for the dreaded A to spike, two sixes fell, and that was that. But he was tremendously gracious in defeat, and if ever I saw a star in the making, it’s this man. Good-looking, pony-tailed, and most important of all to my way of thinking, a wonderful table presence. He takes his time to act, gives a fearsome staredown, thinks the situation through carefully, then acts decisively. And best of all, he smells out weakness in opponents puts them on hands with great accuracy, and has the heart of a lion, enabling him to make breathtakingly audacious plays. American players have a reputation in Europe for not always being as well-mannered as we are accustomed to, but Ed has no problems in THAT department, he’s a true gent. Look after him - if you don’t want him, we will have him!

Two weeks ago saw the start of this year’s European Poker Tour, in Barcelona, Spain, and I will bring you news of how your countrymen got on in my next column - if I survive the first! Bye for now.

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