Mad Marty's Wild Card

Poker's been put on the back burner a bit this last six months, pushed aside to make way for my role on various TV tournaments. It's been a lot of fun, but also a lot of hard work, and working 14-hour days has left me little time to play poker.



So, when I found myself with a bit more of a tank, a fortnight off, and listening to weather forecasters predicting the harshest British winter in 10 years, I set about finding a festival in warmer climates. Before I could book a flight, though, I received an e-mail from Harry Demetriou, asking if I would be at the Northern Lights festival in Blackpool. If so, he had a request.



I repacked my suitcase. The shorts and suntan lotion were quickly replaced by thermals, sheepskin gloves, and walking boots.



After arriving too late for the Omaha competition, and finding out that Harry had left that morning, I sat in a cash game and won my entry into the main event. Buying in a day early (which you are allowed to at Blackpool), I went back to my hotel to check out the hot tub, which was advertised outside. This proved to be a somewhat surreal experience, with the locals looking through the steamy windows at groups of hen parties braving the weather in cowgirl outfits.



The next day didn't begin well. The two-day event was nearly over for me after two hours. With an original starting stack of £10,000, I had £1,300 by the third level, £300-£600. After raising all in four times, each time picking up the blinds, I found my first real hand, the K Q, and passed to a raise. But by then things had begun to change, and I felt I was playing better than I had in a long time. I went into day two with £130,000. Again, my form and hands held, and with two tables left, I doubled through with aces against the chip leader, Carlo Citrone. (He got his revenge in Walsall a week later.) I went on to win.



The final table was filmed by William Hill. In my post-game interview, they told me I had raised 18 out of the 20 hands dealt threehanded, before asking what the hands I passed were. They then asked what I would do with the money. Inevitably, someone commented that it wouldn't last long in my hands. It seemed an odd question at the time, as if I were a lottery winner rather a poker player at work!



I stayed on in Blackpool an extra week, enjoying the company of friends, spoiling my two granddaughters, and even winning another competition.



I then did what every gambler says he will do when he wins – go to Vegas.



So, as I had been sitting in the hot tub composing this, I am now in Vegas typing it. Looking out of my window, I can see New York-New York and Excalibur, and in between I can see through the valley and into the mountains.



I always enjoy myself and make the most of whatever I have, but as a good friend of mine says, "This money, it's a handy thing."

"Mad Marty" Wilson is a professional poker player from Wolverhamtpon and a poker consultant for Matchroom Sports.