Warsaw Diary

Monday, May 19 -- 10:30 a.m.

I'm off on an interesting little adventure for a few days to check out the poker scene in Warsaw. Specifically, I am attending a media reception held in honour of Agnieszka Rylik, a Polish female champion boxer and television presenter. She has been playing poker since last autumn and is now preparing for a trip to the World Series of Poker. Aga is a good-looking lady, but certainly someone you wouldn't want to mess with. The Polish tabloids have recently been full of stories about a man who got very aggressive with her in a road-rage incident. Suffice it to say, he regretted it, as he was sent flying. Her profile was already big in Poland, but recently has become even bigger after appearances on the Polish version of Dancing With the Stars. They call her "Action Aga"; she flies fighter jets, shoots guns, and looks very glamorous, too. Poker is her new hobby.

Monday, May 19 -- 10 p.m.

I had a delightful meal with Aga. Also joining me was my colleague Neil Barrett, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport, Marcel Luske, and Ian Frazer. The two pros are in Warsaw to talk to the media about poker and also continue Aga's poker training. So far, Aga has taken part in PartyPoker.com Late Night Poker, the PartyPoker.com Irish Poker Championship, the European Challenge, and the Sports Stars Challenge. We talk about Aga's venture into the poker world. She has made some great progress for a beginner, but then again, her initial poker lessons did come from the "Ambassador of Poker" Mike Sexton. Some of the forums went a bit mad that such a beginner entered Late Night Poker, but there was much mirth when she busted Devilfish's A-A with A-6. Fair enough, it isn't poker purism, but I was in the green room at the time and didn't know what to do with myself, as I knew he'd explode. He also wasn't going to give her any of the "baby" talk, as she'd flatten him. Her boyfriend was a bit handy, too.

Tuesday, May 20 -- 2 p.m.

Apparently, Neil Channing recently saw Ian Frazer and joked that he might get a nosebleed, because there were more than six people on a table. It was a very amusing comment from the man they used to call "Bad Beat" before he proceeded to deservedly get hit in the face as hard as you can by the deck at every tournament (coupled with his undoubted skill, of course). Ian does have a fearsome reputation in the six-seat format, though, so his time with Aga would be a great education. Perhaps he'd turn her into a steamroller! Marcel was on a media tour, and one of the interviews was with Polish Playboy magazine. After that, it was time for Aga to learn the ways of the "Flying Dutchman." She'll be bluffing like a maniac in no time, I'm sure!

Tuesday, May 20 -- 10 p.m.

The media reception is in full swing, and plenty of people have turned up to mingle and play for fun at the tables that are set up. Marcel is playing with them, and I walk past and inform them that the Dutchman is no good, so not to worry too much -- he's learning, too. He tells me to go away. Amongst those playing for the first time are journalists and presidents of major companies. This venue is very high-end. I am highly amused by the fact that they are playing the Aga-versus-the-Devilfish hand on a video loop. It's such a shame that the Fish isn't here; he would have loved that. The only thing funnier would have been to have my esteemed colleague Padraig Parkinson there, too, watching his reaction. I haven't heard from Mr. Ulliott for a while; I text messaged him when Hull City were promoted to the Premiership, though. Surely we're going to hear him say, "They belong in the Premier League, just like the Fish." I still cannot get over Dennis Taylor calling him Dave "Devilfish" Hellmuth on the BBC at the World Snooker Championships.

Wednesday, May 21 -- 7 p.m.

Marcel has been on breakfast television in Poland, and guess what? He started singing his "poker song." At the same time, I get an e-mail of the Fish doing a spoof cover of a YouTube classic, Chocolate Rain. I e-mail it to popular U.S. player and World Poker Tour commentator Kenna James. He sends a mail back saying, wait until you have heard my song. Phil Hellmuth has been in touch about the fact that his face is on beer cans in the United States. I send him the Fish video and ask him when we are going to see his rap video. It makes me ponder: Should they all stick to poker rather than trying to be pop stars? No, I conclude; after all, these guys add life and personality to the game. It gets me harking back to a duet I saw of the Fish and Simon Trumper at Late Night Poker. It's a shame nobody was there to film it. The Warsaw trip has been a success. What struck me was the sheer enthusiasm for the game from people who are playing for the first time. Aga's poker lessons went well, but surely she cannot come home from Vegas with a bracelet, can she?