'The Fullring Nits' wants your chips!

Liverpool Winter Festival has an integrated Team Competition. Meet the latest team trio to enter a very prestigious competition - and these guys are hungry for your chips; 'The Fullring Nits'!

- Team captain Martin Rasch, sorry that I’m asking but is there a spelling mistake in your team name? 'The Fullring Nits' – is that correct spelling?
Ha-ha.
You got it all right. Haven’t you heard of us previously? 'The Fullring Nits'. Las Vegas, Monte Carlo, Bahamas – we turned up once and we will never be forgotten.

- Is that right?

No, just kidding! The three of us are mainly fullring stake grinders from no limit 1-2 to 10-20, including some successful and less successful attempts on even higher stakes. The guys are pretending to have a nitty image on the table, although that’s not always the truth. As we’re an ambitious trio, who is ready to challenge for the Team Competition glory, we needed a special name on our special team. Here we are , 'The Fullring Nits'!

- Who are the team members?

Mads Amot: 23 years old from Gausdal. Futsal player and pokerspiller
Ole Johan Steinvik: 25 years old from Dombås, sharing a flat with Mads in Oslo.
Martin Rasch: 27 years old from Elverum, football coach and poker player who trying to turn his attention from tournaments into cash games.

- Hmm... I don’t think this trio frightens ’The River’ or ‘Team 10Kings’. You need to play at the top of your game to beat these two teams.


Yeah, but let me finish then. . . I was about to give you some facts about my two team mates. OJ has spent a crazy number of hours playing online poker the last few years, and he has taken down most of his opponents. The guy has done very well lately, although he doesn’t play too many tournaments. However, he is the reigning Norwegian champion online (Riverblaster). He also cashed in APPT Macau 2008. A talented guy who could be a chippie after Day 1 in Main Event Liverpool.
Mads came 4th in Norwegian championship Limit Holdem 2008, and he cashed also in 2007. He has been dipping his toes in different prize pools lately, but haven’t made it all the way.

- Do you like the integrated Team Competition?

Yeah, absolutely. It gives added excitement to the Main Event, an extra competition for the players – a lot of prestige on stake. It will be interesting to see how long my team mates can keep their chips stack alive.

- Rumours are saying you are in great online poker form, Martin?

What? Is it a joke, Allan? You see, both my PCs crashed last week...

- Sorry to hear, I thought you had taken a much deserved online break.

True. I can’t complain. I actually won 10KingsPoker’s €3500 GUARANTEED back to back. Always a great feeling to win tournaments, a real confidence booster – although the starting fields were only 72 runners and 68 runners. Thanks for talking me into those tourneys, Allan – definitely value! Ha-ha.

- Been to Liverpool previously?

No, we havent. Definitely looking forward to it despite being Man Utd fans! We are a group of 5-6 guys, and we’ll up for it all. Poker, parties and football. Our travel guide will be Kent Stenseth who has numerous trips to England/Liverpool on his CV, and I’m sure he will be a good city guide.

- LFC fan Kent Stenseth? You better be joking?! I know that dizzy fella very well. If he’s going guide you, you won’t even make it to Circus Casino until Day 2! If he has booked your tickets, make sure you are going to Liverpool Airport and not Stanstead…

Ha-ha! We will keep an eye on Kent. The Fullring Nits is like Fergie’s Man Utd. We might be slow starters, lose a few pots early on - but when the big pots are on the table, don’t count us out.

10KingsPoker is proud to welcome 'The Fullring Nits' to Liverpool Winter Festival!

Our exclusive hotel sponsor!

Welcome to Malmaison! Our exclusive hotel sponsor is a stylish hotel located in the heart of the historical city of Liverpool, and perfectly suited for Liverpool Winter Festival players and Team Nutz TV. Sharon Simons is Business Development Manager at Malmaison Liverpool, and she looks forward to welcome our guests.

Q1 - Thanks, Sharon. 10KingsPoker is proud to announce Malmaison as our exclusive sponsor, and a truly stunning hotel which will bring added style and elegance to Liverpool Winter Festival!

Certainly! Our friendly staff at Malmaison will do its best to make sure your stay is a plesant one.

Q2 - Where is Malmaison located in Liverpool?

Malmaison is on Princes Dock on the Mersey. About 15 minute taxi ride from the airport, and a quick 10 minute walk into the heart of the city centre.

Q3 - The Malmaison chain is wellknown for their boutique hotels.

Yes that's true. Passion goes a long way in Malmaison. All the way from the converted Episcopal church that is our hotel in Glasgow to fabulously remodelled prison in Oxford and beyond. With thirteen daringly different hotels in the UK, and more in the pipeline catering for the business of pleasure and the pleasure of business, it looks like passion is well and truly here to stay.


Q4 - When did Malmaison launch in Liverpool?

The new Liverpool ‘Mal’ opened on 29th January 2007, ready, willing and extremely able to welcome LiverBirds and City of Culture Vultures alike to a Liverpool hotel, bar and Brasserie with a new and different kind of sophistication that’s decidedly more 5th Avenue than Water Street.

Q5 - Why should choose Malmaison?

Malmaison dares to be different…

The hotel boasts 128 superbly welcoming, non-smoking rooms, many of which have river views, plus 2 suites, dedicated to the City’s favourite football teams.

The totally soft, purple Plum Bar is all waiter service and will be open from 10am every morning, serving an extensive repertoire of drinks, sublime cocktails and bar snacks – definitely the scene if you want to be seen.

The Brasserie serves classic French bistro dishes and locally inspired dishes available from the Home, Grown & Local menu. Least we forget the two private dining rooms The Boudoir, The Kitchen and a wine tasting cellar. For work and play, for those on business, the hotel also features 4 meeting rooms and an excellent Techno gym.

Q6 - A boutique hotel like Malmaison must be VERY expensive, Sharon?

The hotel is pure style and luxury; people may think its going to be expensive but Malmaison is different.. Rooms are from £75 room only (subject to availability), so its stylish yet affordable!

Q7 - Champagne bar, gym and Liverpool/Everton suites - what's that all about?
Malmaison not only boast sumptuous rooms, delicious cuisines and delectable cocktails..we also have a Veuve Clicquot Bar, this used for private functions but due to popular demand Liverpool Mal will be hosting a regular champagne tasting event!
The gym is fully equipped and one of our larger gyms out of the hotels..if you don’t want to work out, how about living it up like your favourite footballer and stay in one of our suites? The Suites are something else! Liverpool and Everton fans will be winners, thanks to its two premiership Suites.

‘The Kop’– a Killer corner Suite overlooking the Mersey, with double shower, saucy teak bath with huge plasma TV screen, table-top footie and Liverpool pictures and memorabilia everywhere.

‘The Toffee Shop’ –this stylish Suite comes with ‘team’ bed, plasma TV screen, state-of-the-art design with room to practice tackling!

Thanks to Sharon and we're looking forward to stay at Malmaison next week.
Personally I can agree with every word she says. I have just come back after business meetings in Liverpool, and Malmaison is a perfect place for a business trip or weekend away. A luxury hotel perfect located! My hotel room was very modern, comfortable bed and free wireless internet access. A fantastic bathrooms including a top class shower. Absolutely brilliant!

10KingsPoker can definitely recommend Malmaison as our favourite hotel!

Ranking status and Nutz TV

Liverpool Winter Festival now got European Ranking Status!

Nutz TV with Phil Heald & co will attend Main Event - and give you online stream and LIVE updates. Fantastic news! See them speak about Liverpool Winter Festival here:
(go to 4 mins and 30 seconds;)

http://www.thenutz.tv/videodetail.php?video_id=68655

Hotel recommendation: MALMAISON !

Are you coming to Liverpool?

Malmaison Liverpool is the place to stay in The Official European Capital of Culture. Perfectly suited for a business trip or luxury weekend break, this is a truly stunning hotel which offers all the luxury you’d expect from a Malmaison boutique hotel.

http://www.malmaison-liverpool.com/the-hotel
Exclusive interview with Malmaison representatives to be launched online Wednesday.

Malmaison offer rates from £75 room only, subject to availability

ATTENTION: Payment Info

To be able to register your seat for Liverpool Winter Festival (4th - 8th Feb), you need to make your payment to Circus Casino now. Online or offline, please see below bank details:

* The UK based players can buy in at their local Stanley Casino. *

For non-UK players see bank details below:

Account Name: Stanley Casinos Limited Gaming Revenue Account
Account number: 41527615
Sort Code: 60-13-19
IBAN: GB41NWBK60131941527615
BIC: NWBKGB2L

Here are the tournaments:
£500+£50 Main event
£30+£3 Semi FreezeOut Satellite
£100+£10 NL Hold'em FreezeOut
£200+£20 NL Hold'em FreezeOut
£50+£5 NL Nold'em Semi-FreezeOut

Send me an e-mail to allan@10KingsPoker.com if questions.

PS! To be a eligble for tournament play, payment needs to be received by Circus Casino before start of tournament.
The normal way to do this is:


1) The player to contact Circus Casino to register for a tournament (register online, see www.liverpoolwinterfestival.com). He/she also gives a confirmation on mail or fax.

2) Circus Casino reserves one or several seats and give the player information to make a bank tranfer. (See bank info above)

3) The player transfers money enough to cover any tournament buyin.

4) Circus Casino receives the transferred money and buy the player into tournament.

5) If any money left, the player can collect them in the cash desk when he/she arrives at Circus Casino.

'10Kings Heads Up' tournament at 20:00 GMT

Monday, January 26, 2009: '10Kings Heads Up'
Don't forget tonight's exclusive €30+€3 Heads-Up tournament.
Only for 10KingsPoker members and Payout to Top 4. Max players: 64
Start: 20:00 GMT (10KingsPoker.com guarantees €200)


This is a tournament requested by some of the players who intend to go to Liverpool Winter Festival. The Top 4 will walk away with a bit of cash, and several of these players will meet up again in Feb - this time face to face in Circus Casino.

A lot of banter already, and there are some feisty heads-ups expected...

Home favourite Terry Owens looking forward to Festival!

Watch this guy! One of the local players aiming for a seat in the final and his hands on the £3,000 Team Competition prize is Terry Owens from Liverpool. As a friend of mine for several years, we had a good chat about his team, his worst bad beat and his restaurant.

* Hello Terry, you ok? I know you're an ambitious player who knows your game. Ready to challenge our 'Team 10Kings'?

Yes, Allan. We're ready. You know me, shy guy and all that - but I really fancy our team for the win and one of us to final table and possibly win it outright.

(Shy guy yeah. There you have Terry Owens. Ha-ha. No way!)

* What's the name of your team?

We have called the team The River after my restaurant opposite the casino. It seemed a natural choice for a poker junkie in a city with such a famous river running through it.

* Who are your team mates?

They are James Morgan and Andy Booth. James and Andy have steadily improved over the last year or two and have moved up from low stakes live poker to regular journeymen of the domestic poker circuit. They have also made the online game a regular choice as it offers great value and a chance to win those coveted places at live main events.
To this end James Morgan won so many GUKPT live event seats last year that they had to pay some of them in cash as there were no more events to win! Andy Booth also had a good run in that in one week he won four online tournaments netting him over $12k in the week, this had him placed in the Blue Square Hall of Fame!

* And last but not least, how are you doing, Terry?

Pretty well, mate. There has been four trophies awarded in Liverpool for festival events and I have been lucky enough to win three of them which earned me over £20k . Two of them were back to back which resulted in quite a party afterwards. James Morgan came 2nd and 3rd in two of those events. The three of us are active cash game players on various rungs of the ladder, but we would all consider ourselves tournament players first and foremost.

* Do you like the team competition integrated into Main Event?

We all do! The team competition is a great free extra laid on by 10KingsPoker and shows innovation. It gives the player added interest even when knocked out and improves upon many team games in that the individual player still gets the lions share of prize money if they place in the main event.

* How was your poker form in 2008?

I played quite a few gukpt events last year. http://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&n=41422
I final tabled in the main event in Walsall winning about 8k, runner up in a GUKPT side event in Bolton and made the money in the main event, winning about 8k for the week. I also final tabled at a side event in Kent. I won one of the trophies in Liverpool earlier in the year at Leo Casino. Just recently I came runner up in the $500 online short handed main event on Blue Square. Losing head's up to Jeff Kimber who is a previous heads up world champion. (He is a lucky fish!).

* Any 'bad beat' story for our readers, Terry?

Bad beat stories, so many yet so few people want to listen. I shall recount only two!
Story 1: The first is an online omaha cash game. It's a $10K pot with three players. I started with double ace suited and the flop comes A 5 10 (rainbow). All the money (a lot!) goes in and we have one caller. Turn comes a 2 and the river comes a 5. I was the preflop raiser and the postflop loser as he wins the pot with quad fives!

Story 2:
We're at a live texas cash game at the Venetian in Las Vegas. I have about $7K infront of me making me about $5K ahead on the night. We are now three handed and I am about to leave. I am talked into staying by one player as the other is drunk has about $15K and is doing his best to dump it on us. I agree to stay another hour! I have Ace Ten. The flop comes Ace Ten Nine with two clubs. The pot gets big on the flop and we see a turn card. The A of clubs... This gives me a full house and puts a flush out there. All of the money goes in. Now up until now I had been playing at The Orleans hotel who had a bad beat jackpot of $50K and to win this you had to lose with aces full or better. The river brings the Seven of clubs. I am behind only to quad tens or so I think, and he declares flush and flips his cards over. I go to scoop the pot about $14k and the dealer declares straight flush ! The guy didn't see it and I couldn't believe it. A one outer, he had the six and eight of clubs !! Hang on, maybe a bad beat jackpot could get me out of it. NO, there isn't one at the Venetian!

Allan, why did you have to ask this gut wrenching 'bad beat' question?? Ha-ha.

* Oh that's a bad one, Terry. Your story must be the ultimate definition of a 'bad beat' story. Any advices for the newcomers we will welcome from Norway to the Liverpool Winter Festival?

First of all, we are looking forward to meet them. An international mix always spice up any tournament, and we have a lot of respect for the Scandics. Here you have my three tips for 'newbies':

1. Watch the players at your table and observe their styles and use the info later when it counts.
2. Use position as a weapon. eg. blind theft, squeeze plays and don't get out of line early.
3. Be able to lay a hand down if you think you are beat and you have time to recover.

* Any local players to keep an eye on?

Paul Marrow: Nicknamed 'The Diceman'. Unprediatable, aggressive and will either go out early or make a play for the win.
Joe Kershaw: Another player with the talent to win a big tourney if things fall his way.
Ian Nelson: He once described himself on a televised live final as the person with the biggest balls in Liverpool. Pass.

* I can strongy recommend any player to check out your restaurant 'The River'. Great food and service!


Thanks, Allan. 'The River' is opposite the casino, around 50 metres to walk. A good place to chill out if you need a break from the casino. I have two websites for the restaurants adddresses below, and I give 10% discount to all Liverpool Winter Festival players. We'll also organse breakfast and pre-tournament dinner at a set price for the players as it's a good meeting point for Scandics and local players. See you in Liverpool between the 4th to 8th of February!
http://www.haymarketrestaurant.co.uk

http://www.riverbarandgrill.co.uk

Plenty of online action on 10KingsPoker!

Date GMT
25.jan 15:00 €7,500 GTD Super Sunday €70+€7 (Deepstack Tourney)
25.jan 15:00 €100K - 10 seats GTD €10+€1
25.jan 16:30 Irish Open Weekly €32+€3
25.jan 17:30 P.A.T Weekly €47,50+€2,50
25.jan 17:30 €250,000 Weekly €32+€3
25.jan 19:00 €100,000 Guaranteed €140+€10
26.jan 20:00 10Kings Heads-Up' €30+€3 (Exclusive for our members)
27.jan 19:00 €25,000 Freeroll (1,500 raked hands required)
01.feb 18:00 €250,000 Guaranteed €300+€20
15.feb 16:30 Irish Open Final €300+€20 (€5,000 winner package)
15.feb 17:30 P.A.T Final €450+€25

Daily satellites:
Irish Open Rebuy €2+20c
Irish Open Daily €3,5+50c
P.A.T Rebuy €3+30c
P.A.T Daily €5+50c
€100,000 Satellite €15+€1
€250,000 Rebuy €2+20c
€250,000 Daily €3,50+30c

Register your entry to Liverpool now!

Hey, are you going to Liverpool in february for http://www.liverpoolwinterfestival.com?

Have you registered your entry?

Which of the tournaments are you gonna play:
* £500+£50 Main event
* Team Competition
* £30+£3 Semi FreezeOut Satellite
* £100+£10 NL Hold'em FreezeOut
* £200+£20 NL Holdem FreezeOut
* £50+£5 NL Nold'em Semi-FreezeOut

Go to the festival site, click on register and send us your entry. We need to know now to be able to give you 1st priority.

Please do it NOW!

(10KingsPoker and Circus Casino will launch the payment options for non-UK players on Monday.)

http://www.liverpoolwinterfestival.com

10KingsPoker on Duncan Barkes Show!

10KingsPoker and Liverpool Winter Festival got a good mention on Liverpool's City Talk 105.9 FM Thursday morning!

The Duncan Barkes Show is on air every weekday between 9am and 12midday, and the host Duncan Barkes is portly, provocative and definitely primed.
The topic of the day was: Duncan was arguing that “online poker is for wimps”. He was saying the only way to play poker is face to face in a smokey room. We provided someone to defend online poker and sing its praises! It was great. You did well guys! Good PR for 10KingsPoker.com, Circus Casino and our Liverpool Winter Festival during the interview.

The show starts after 02:02:00. Small talk about for the first 17 mins, then I recommend you listen from 02:17:00 when 'Gary the Cabbie' comes on, followed by our good friend and ex Red, Pompey and Oxford, Mr. John Durnin!!

Listen to the debate on Duncan Barkes Show by clicking this link.

http://www.whatson.com/goto/?type=radio&station=citytalk&show=a_duncan_barkes___thursday

I don't think this link is available for Scandinavians.

Newcastle to run a LIVE satellite!

There’s a LIVE satellite in Newcastle on Saturday 24th Jan. Fancy having a go?
Read this interview, join the action and try to qualify for a seat in Main Event at Liverpool Winter Festival. 10KingsPoker has had a chat to the local duo who have organised the Saturday’s poker night in Circus Casino.
Name : Scott Collins (son, age 20) & Dave Collins (father, age 53)
City : Newcastle upon Tyne

Q1: Why do you find the festival interesting?

The festival looks great, with an appealing schedule and festival site (www.liverpoolwinterfestival.com). That’s why we were so enthusiastic to organise a satellite for and hope to get as many players qualified for it through our forum. The structure looks great and the main event buy is affordable for amateurs to play in and get some deep stack live experience. Also, with a lot of Scandinavian online qualifiers it could be a very different experience.

Q2:Was it easy setting up the LIVE satellite?

There had been already been discussions of trying to get more members into bigger events and then we heard about the Liverpool Winter Festival. We knew we could get a good response from the local players so asked Circus Casino if something was possible. We have an excellent relationship with Circus and they were very happy to host the tournament even on a day where they don’t normally run tournaments.

Q3: How is the poker interest?

Poker is very big in Newcastle and is still growing. We’ve got 3 casinos up here all competing for business so it’s not difficult to find a game you like.

Q4: So tell us, who are the top players in Newcastle?

A VERY tough question! I can’t answer because there are so many local quality players in the area. However, I’ve dug out some threads on our forum which gives people’s opinions on who they think is good.
http://www.newcastle-poker.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=215
http://www.newcastle-poker.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=1926




Q5: Any feisty 'heads-up' expected?

Yes! Lots of banter already, it’s building up to a really exciting poker night in Newcastle. I will post clips and photos on our forum Sunday/Monday.

How is the relationship between Newcastle and Liverpool? I have also been told that Geordies and Scousers get on well. Is that true?
Yeah we’ve got a pretty good relationship with the scousers but I think they like us more than we like them and you’ll got the odd jokes like when they came to Newcastle on the train and drove back. Sorry, but that’s a classic. Ha-ha.

Q6: 10KingsPoker will be looking for new destinations for our Festival. Will Newcastle be a good place to be?

Absolutely! To the Nordic readers, I can only recommend anyone to come to play poker up in Newcastle or just for a night out as you are guaranteed a good time. Hopefully, Poker in Newcastle will grow even further this year and maybe host some big events.

NEWCASTLE:
Live Satellite for the Liverpool Winter Festival
Saturday 24 January at 6pm.
Location: Circus Casino Newcastle
The buy in is £35 + £2.50
A £700 package for every £700 in the prizepool (£550 seat + £150 expenses).
10KingsPoker.com will be adding a £110 seat for the bubble finisher if 25 runners.


A very talented Newcastle bunch - in many different ways:

Latest news about Festival (speaking to Paul Fox at Circus Casino)

Our members are looking forward to make the poker trip to Liverpool in Feb, and they have lots of questions. See below for current status as we have asked Circus Casino's Paul Fox 10 quick questions. (Thanks for taking the time to speak to us as you guys are busy preparing for Liverpool Winter Festival.)

Name: Paul Fox
Age: 30
Poker alias: Pafo777
Favourite team: Everton
Poker idol: Daniel Negreanu
Job: Cardroom Manager (Circus Casino, Liverpool)


Q1: How are you, Paul. Busy days as a cardroom manager, what's your background?

Doing fine, mate. I started working as a dealer in 2005 and having already had a keen interest in poker I took the opportunity to get involved in running the poker competitions at Liverpool Mint Casino as soon as it came up.

When I found out that the company would be opening a new Circus casino and wanted to have a strong focus on poker I knew that this was something I wanted to be involved in. I was given the role of Cardroom Manager and we haven't looked back since. We have been open for just over 12 months now and it has not been easy but we've finally established ourselves as one of the leading cardrooms in the north-west.

Q2: How has the last 6 months been at Circus Casino? You almost started from scratch and has slowly been building a new members base?

The last 6 months have been more enjoyable than the 6 months that preceeded it. We have gone from strength to strength in the latter part of 2008 and a lot of that has been down to the introduction of our £30 semi-freezeout tournament. I believe this competition to be one of the best value tournaments around; with a maximum spend of £63 and pots of around £5,000.

We finally managed a record field of 100 players on Sunday with the winner taking home £1865 for his £63 stake!!! I don't expect that record field to last long though with the upcoming Winter Festival looking like being a sell-out.

Q3: Is poker a popular game in Liverpool?

Poker, mainly Texas Holdem, is extremely popular in Liverpool and even in the midst of a credit crunch our numbers continue to rise. There are some really good players in the city and I'm looking forward to seeing some of them pit their wits against players like the 'Team 10Kings' of Nordic lads Henning, LK and Jan in the Main Event.

Q4: How's the interest for the Liverpool Winter Festival up in Liverpool?

The festival has created a buzz amongst local players that has surprised even me! It has been the main topic of conversation for the past few weeks. The best example I can give is the fact that we've tried numerous satellites for various comps over the last 12 months and never got them off the ground, yet in the last 2 weeks we have held satellites for the Main Event and have already allocated 6 seats.

Q5: We know you're busy guy these days. How do you prepare for the festival?
I'm basically preparing by eating, sleeping and living the Liverpool Winter Festival 2009!!!

Our 4 competitions a week (1 of which is a satellite to festival) are spent answering questions about the festival. When the tourneys are over I sit down with the casino managers and discuss all aspects of the festival week, staff, tables, chips, hospitality, etc.

On my days off I'm either hitting the poker forums, sitting writing notes or getting together with Ged (Cardroom Supervisor) and making sure we both know what we're doing when the time arrives.

We have hired extra staff, more tables, chips and a 2nd computer system to ensure we are prepared and myself and Ged will probably be working 11 days straight across the festival to ensure that everything runs as smoothly as possible. Poker players are not shy and i'm sure we'll hear the verdict in 3 weeks time!!!!

Q6: The Circus Casino staff are highly rated by 'Team 10Kings'. Impressive performance by you in Blackpool (final table in the £100 freeze out.) You had any luck lately online or offline?

As you can gather by my previous answer I haven't had much time to play poker lately but I have made it my New Year's resolution to play more. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Blackpool with 'Team 10Kings' and to cash was an added bonus. Anytime you want the 10Kings logo on a final table just give me a call! Ha-Ha.


Q7: By playing in the Blackpool Festival, did you pick up any useful advices? Was it a learning experience ahead of Liverpool Winter Festival?

It certainly was. I'm always looking for little things I can take back and use to improve our game. The thing I was impressed with most in Blackpool was how they coped with the sheer volume of players through the cardroom. The registration process is something I'm hoping to get right in order to get the tournaments going without any major delays.

Q8: Hosting a festival of this size is a real challenge, and it's a lot of responsibility on both Circus Casino and 10KingsPoker. Where do you see the biggest challenge is? Where's your main focus?

We could have held festivals before at Circus Casino but I have purposely held it off until we had a sound setup and have had time to iron out any problems. I know have a very competent team in place and think we're ready for the challenge. The enthusiasm of 10KingsPoker certainly helps too!

I don't think there is any one think you can point to and say "this is important". I think it's about getting the whole package right. From the registration process, to getting the comp started smoothly, good hospitality service and a well run tournament. All these things come together and create the good/bad poker experience.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous about hosting a big event like this one but i'm also excited about what Circus Casino, Liverpool and 10KingsPoker are offering and intend to deliver.

Q9: We know there's a lot of interest for the Main Event! Can you tell us a bit about the side events and cash games? How do you handle these tournaments? How to register for the tournament? Can we pre-book seats also in the side events?

The side events will be sell-outs I'm sure. We are currently taking pre-registration for the 1st 50 seats in the £100 and £200 freezeouts. Both games will be capped at 100 runners but will allow alternates.

The cash game side of things should be interesting. I'm expecting numerous cash games on all days of the festival and I'm guessing the action will be huge. We will make tables available as early as possible for the cash and dealers where possible.

Q10: For those who wanna win a seat in the Main Event, what do they have to do? When is the next LIVE satellite in the Circus Casino?

We have already awarded 6 seats through live satellites and are offering 2 more chances to qualify live. Next Monday 26th January will be a £30 semi-freezeout (1 Rebuy OR Add-on) 8:30pm start.

Then we have the Super Satellite which is Wednesday 4th February.
£30 semi-freezeout ( 1 Rebuy AND 1 Add-on). Expecting this one to be VERY busy as it will be the last chance for people to qualify and two days before Main event starts.

After speaking to Paul Fox at Circus Casino, I'm confident Liverpool Winter Festival is in safe hands. This team knows what they are doing!

Richard gives you the latest news from Blackpool!

If you're in Blackpool on Saturday 24th Jan, Castle Casino will be the place to be. Take a seat, enjoy the fun and play your way into the Liverpool Winter Festival through a €20 Rebuy tournament. 10KingsPoker.com had a chat with Richard Gilby who is in charge of the LIVE satellite on Saturday.

Your poker alias: I'm known as 'doublebubble' online. ('awoper' on 10KingsPoker)
Age: 37
City: Thornton Cleveleys, Lancashire

Your poker experience and strengths:

I've been playing 8 years, and my biggest strength is that I'm very solid and patient. Playing a short stack very well...

Ehh, is that a good thing, Richard?!

Hmm.. maybe not. You caught me there. Ha-ha. I must have too much practice at it.

Why do you find the Liverpool Winter Festival interesting?

I was immediately drawn to the 10,000 x 2 double chance structure, as I haven’t seen that before. This is my preferred tournament structure giving that life-line from a potential bad beat. It was the main reason I wanted to organise a satellite. For bigger tournaments I feel that £500 is also the right amount.

How did you hear about the Festival/10KingsPoker
I was talking to a friend of mine about playing more selective tournaments this year and he sent me the link for the Liverpool Winter Festival site which is being run by 10KingsPoker.

Was it easy setting up the LIVE satellite in Blackpool ?

Yes and no. There is a good network of players in the Blackpool area, and the response has been excellent. When it comes to organisation though I try to be a perfectionist and cover all angles. This has created a lot more work however a good turnout will make it all worthwhile. I have been to see the General manager at the Circus in Blackpool, been over to see Cardroom manager Paul Fox in Liverpool, posted on poker forums, created an event in Facebook, handed out flyers at the local competitions, and phoned and texted everyone I know that would be interested.

I was in Blackpool in November, and to me it seems that Blackpool has a really good name in UK poker, especially when it comes to festival poker, well run tourneys and the strong interest in card games. You agree?

Certainly! Blackpool has a massive interest in poker. Only recently one of the mainstream players took down the Blackpool leg of the GUKPT for £75,000. Also some big names on the online world and the live circuit have come out of Blackpool , I will hopefully show on Saturday how popular events like the Winter festival will be.

So please tell us about your Top 5 players in Blackpool .

Oh, this is a tricky one... A bit like an Oscar acceptance speech, you're always going to miss someone out. I think one of my good friends Adam “Clarkatroid” Clark has to be on the list. He is a very successful on-line player and this year is looking to hit 1,000,000 hands!

Other players out of the Blackpool Camp that are well respected:
* Dave “Nice Dave” Mayall
* Simon “Bubble” Zac
* Mick Fletcher
* Alan “The Rev” Barnicle

Finally you can't list Blackpool Players without including Simon “Boycie” Rimmer. A must at anyones table.

Any feisty 'heads-up' expected? Is there some wellknown rivalry between Blackpool poker players?


There will be plenty of rivalry between players. Expect fireworks between
* Doublebubble and WackyDUK
* The Hutch and CCTV
* Ron and Enid Musson (Husband and Wife!)

Thanks, Richard. You have done a very good job in Blackpool, and 10KingsPoker will do everything we can to welcome you to an enjoyable Liverpool Winter Festival.

Yeah, fingers crossed for Saturday. I am actually very hopeful of a good turnout. I started off hoping to get 25 although if all goes well there should be more than double that. This is a great opportunity to enter a satellite where a few seats are going to be generated. You just have to be a member of the Casino to get in but you can join on the day, and no need to buy in before. Feel free to contact rickgilby@yahoo.co.uk or allan@10kingspoker.com if you need more info.

BLACKPOOL:
Live Satellite (£20 rebuy) for the Liverpool Winter Festival
Saturday 24 January, starting time 6:00pm
Location: Castle Casino Blackpool
Starting chips: 2,000
2 levels of 45minute rebuys ‘50/100’ 100/200’ and then a 20minute clock
Alternates allowed for the first 2 levels
Add on allowed at the end of the rebuys
(If you have entered from the start the add on is 3,000. Alternates add on is 2,000)
(This is just an incentive to be in from the start)
For every £550 in the pot 1 seat will be generated and this will be handed in to the Circus in Blackpool who will transfer it to Liverpool.
10KingsPoker.com will be adding a £110 seat for the bubble finisher if 25 runners.

(Copyright on pictures: Aworldofpoker.com)

Several LIVE satellites in UK

SOUTHPORT:
Live Satellite for the Liverpool Winter Festival
The venue to be Ormskirk pub
Tonight Tuesday 20th, starting time 8.30pm
Buyin: £50+£5
5K start stack, one rebuy or addon up to end of level 4.
Blinds 30 mins throughout, start 25/50.
Tel: 07703 879875 to book
Free soft drinks plus a house dealer, possible cash game later
(PS! Only 3 seats left)


BLACKPOOL:
Live Satellite (£20 rebuy) for the Liverpool Winter Festival
Saturday 24 January, starting time 6:00pm
Location: Castle Casino Blackpool
Starting chips: 2,000
2 levels of 45minute rebuys ‘50/100’ 100/200’ and then a 20minute clock
Alternates allowed for the first 2 levels
Add on allowed at the end of the rebuys
(If you have entered from the start the add on is 3,000. Alternates add on is 2,000)
(This is just an incentive to be in from the start)
For every £550 in the pot 1 seat will be generated and this will be handed in to the Circus in Blackpool who will transfer it to Liverpool.
10KingsPoker.com will be adding a £110 seat for the bubble finisher if 25 runners.

This can also be deducted if you want to buy directly into the main event (no cash alternative)


NEWCASTLE:
Live Satellite for the Liverpool Winter Festival
Saturday 24 January at 6pm.
Location: Circus Casino Newcastle
The buy in is £35 + £2.50
A £700 package for every £700 in the prizepool (£550 seat + £150 expenses).

'MrsJambo' to make Scotland proud

The "Liverpool WF Active Freeroll" on Monday night was a freeroll set up exclusively for those of our members who had participated in minimum 3 rebuy satellites in December. The female winner 'MrsJambo' stormed through a final table dominated by Norwegian players and booked a seat in the Main Event. Take notice of the nick 'MrsJambo', cruel_zip, andrso and ollis#9# - you may get your revenge in Liverpool!

Here's a short interview with the winner:

Name: Val Gray
Age: ??
City: Musselburgh ( just outside Edinburgh)

Why did you find the festival interesting?
I like playing in festivals, enjoying the buzz it creates, and there seems to be lots of enthusiasm for this one from the organisers to make it a success.
How did you hear about Liverpool Winter Festival?
From my husband who met Allan & Team 10Kings at a festival in Blackpool.

Do you know Circus Casino in Liverpool?
Yeah, I do. I was at the Casino for the Betfred Ladies Tour last year, and I found your staff very friendly and helpful.

How's the poker interest in Edinburgh?
There is a good interest in poker especially well organised tournies, day to day poker can be up and down just now.

Thanks to Val, see you soon!

'10Kings Heads Up' tournament at 20:30 GMT

Don't forget tonight's exclusive €30+€3 Heads-Up tournament.
Only for 10KingsPoker members and Payout to Top 4. Max players: 64
Start: 20:30 GMT (We guarantee €300)

We give a 50 Euro bounty on last week's winner 'Ultratite.

This is a tournament requested by some of the players who intend to go to Liverpool Winter Festival. The Top 4 will walk away with a bit of cash, and several of these players will meet up again in Feb - this time face to face in Circus Casino.

A lot of banter already, and there are some feisty heads-ups expected...

Ultratite vs ANDOS_1
The finalists last week. Time for revenge, ANDOS_1?

lobsterjo vs LK70
I would love to see these two players go heads up at a live game! If they can make it through from Day 1 in Main Event, everything can happen.

lo547 vs i_seeyou
Local derby! This is just a warm-up before they meet again in Liverpool.

tartanman vs dalgrush99
The guys are begging me to play. Not sure if that's a compliment, ha-ha. LFC vs Everton on TV, but I can't say no to a Heads-Up against tartanman.

cruel_zip vs cruel_nit
cruel_zip is dreaming about a contract with FC Liverpool. That says it all about his ambitions. Ha-ha, his poker abilities is really on Conference level at the moment, and I can't see him last long on Day 1. cruel_nit says this should be an easy H2H for him.

p0wer143 - UNLUCKY YESTERDAY! Played the €3,500 GTD last night. Pushed hard on final table, took on the chippie and got rivered.

Dr.Hasard vs andrso
Local action between two good guys. Looking forward to see you two in Liverpool.

Kesella - I met the player first time on Saturday, and he booked Main Event entry on Sunday. Respect!

mester2222 vs webdollar
You might lose that battle, mate. Ha-ha. Fingers crossed - trying my best to help you.

fjears vs Knuttebass
Tons of experience go head to head in this one. These two players can go on for hours...

FrittVilt vs Tvalle (?)
No player at the Liverpool Winter Festival will travel a longer distance than FrittVilt! A win tonight will reduce travelling costs ha-ha.

Therat002 - interview with 'Therat002' below.

awoper - If you are a better player than an organisator, I'm VERY impressed. Will book a seat in the Main Event if he gets into Top 4 tonight. Great to see the poker interest in Blackpool!

Geirern88 vs dalgrush99
I want my revenge for last week!

nhggfusmdm - impressive performances in the Liverpool WF satellites. Chippie all the way through, both in the qualifier and in the super finale. Let's see what this player can do Heads up...

Matias.A vs zen86
These two won't slow play. All-out attack!

TRUELADY vs haymarket
Neither of these two players wanna lose a Heads up match. Any team who wanna challenge for the Team Competition glory, needs to get past these two players. That's not gonna be easy!


kilevinken vs 7soversen
Kilevinken might call in sick at work tonight... You see, he loves a real heads-up challenge! 7soversen plays a steady game, right up there all the time. I suggest we will have an extra security operator to watch their chat box tonight. Ha-ha.

TakkForMat vs morteny123
Two guys who will be coming to Liverpool with serious ambitions about winning Team Competition!