Each country's flag was hung high and the stage was set for what turned out to be the greatest and most nail biting Poker Nation's Cup in its young history.
Many of the best players in the world set aside their inhibitions and checked their egos at the door, as pride and destiny, awaited each one of them. They traveled to Cardiff for the noblest reason of all; the honor of representing ones country.
For most it's just a dream, and for only a select few did it become a reality. It is the case that the Cup's splendid format and it's unique and close knit player quarters provide the teams (and will most definitely provide the viewer at home) with a whole new meaning to the phrase, 'behind the scenes'.
The six countries that were lucky enough to be invited to play for this prestigious title were as follows; Ireland, Great Britain, Germany, Sweden, Holland, and last but not least America. The format was set up with each team having five pros with an additional amateur who was fortunate enough to have won their seat online making it six players per team.
Then there were six heats with each player getting to play in one heat. Based then on where each person finished in their heat, they were given points (first place received 16 points, while sixth/last place received only one point) chips were then allocated on the total amount of points that each team had after the six heats were complete.
Our captain, the Irish team that is, Padraig Parkinson got it started for us (Ireland) in the first heat. He played his usual fiery and fantastic game and was involved in at least 70 percent of the hands and proved to be a very tough challenge for his opponents. Some of which included, the very talented Chad Brown and the man of the hour, "the Sultan" himself, Mr. Neil Channing. Padraig ended up getting unlucky in a couple of hands and was knocked out in fourth place but was able to claim a respectable 4 points for the Irish team.
Next up in heat two for us was Marty Smith. Marty is a great player and is no stranger to this format (six handed). I happened to have the honor of commentating on this particular heat with the wonderful and super talented Vicky Coren and what an exciting heat it turned out to be. Unfortunately for Marty and for us he had pocket queens early in the match and ran into a Dutch lad who was playing well and just happened to be holding pocket kings (ouch!) Keep in mind that any pair in six handed play is a huge hand pre-flop especially Jacks or better. Marty's ladies did not improve and was alas, he was first evicted from heat two with one point.
Heat three had Ireland's internet qualifier Darren O'Brien. Darren hails from County Cork in Ireland - the same place as me - and he proved to be a remarkable young player. He made some tasty moves and some fine reads and ended up capturing a vital second place for the Irish Squad along with eleven points. He had great support from his friends who were as much a part of the team as I was myself. Well done Darren and to your friends, you all did yourself and country very proud.
Heat four for us brought in the old guard himself, Mr. Liam Flood. Liam has a game that commands respect and a couple great calls from him early looked like he was indeed on a mission. However, it was only a cruel suck out from a Dutch man that unfortunately crippled Liam's chances and he could not recover. It was only when exiting the building that he gave a final salute and recited that famous line, "sure if it weren't for bad luck I'd win 'me all". Liam got two points for his trouble and a hot cup of tea!
Heat five for Ireland; brought in the man they call 'the Assassin', Donnacha O'Dea. It was legend in his school when he was a young lad that he used to play heads up five card draw poker with the headmaster and it is told by the old folk that he once won SO MUCH from the headmaster that he was able to negotiate and exchange the debt… for two extra days off for the entire school! This is exactly the sprit and intensity that we needed. Donnacha started off very well and made his presence known early but again lady luck did not shine on the Irish, as Connacht's good friend Surrender Sonar pulled a Houdini and made the Assassin's chips disappear. For his troubles Donnacha received two points and a kick in the goolies.
The sixth heat was referred to by the media as 'Execution Row'. It had a line up that had they auditioned for the movie Rounders, all would have locked up a spot!
William Thorsen, Robert Williamson III, Marcel Luske, Benjamin Kang, Roland De Wolfe and yours truly Ciaran O'Leary and the fact that we kinda needed a few points? well, I wouldn't have it any other way baby!!! And with the Irish national anthem playing in my head, I went to battle. I got heads up with Benjamin (the German) and we eventually got all the money pre-flop, he had A-J off and I had K-Q suited.
He was a slight favorite and was fortunate enough to be the one with his hands in the air at the end of it! ... heavy sigh ... However we did get the crucial points that we needed and we were right back in it!
The Final? Well, Padraig is the Captain and the leader of the Irish team so he felt that the best person to get the job done was Donnacha. Well folks, there wasn't any mutiny on this ship as everyone completely agreed. So the object was to get Donnacha in as quick as possible and after a brief stint from Marty and Liam and one very funny hand from Padraig, the Assassin was in. And by golly he almost pulled it off. The only thing that prevented Ireland from winning, were the mighty Brits and on this particular occasion 'Bangers & Mash' proved too tasty for the Irish Breakfast and sent us home without a tip!
I'll leave you with this; A final note,
It was great to be a part of the Irish team and apart of the Poker Nations Cup. Huge thanks goes to Party Poker and Presentable for putting on an AMAZING event and we look forward to next year. I would also like to thank all the catering staff for the fantastic food and the wonderful lady who kept all the plates clean as she was always so happy.
And one more thing… I love the Welsh!!!
Ciaran O'Leary
