“Bull****!!” says Annette Obrestad

I’m nearly out the door for London, on my way to film the Poker Million IX.

Big names will be playing this week, including Patrik Antonius, Sam Trickett, and Erik Seidel, who I’m excited to try and interview for next season’s Poker Show, and past Poker Show guests Barny Boatman, Greg Mueller, and Neil Channing.

Most of those playing will also be back in town for the WPT London, which is now only a month away.

I read Tony G’s recent blog and am happy to hear he is back to form by winning the Poker Lounge. I can’t wait to see it come out on TV, because when Tony G is in a winning mood on a six seater televised format, there is just no one better. Especially if he gets to trash talk Mike Matusow.

Show 8 (July 25) featuring Annette Obrestad is online now! Click the play button to listen:

 
Prefer to download? Right click here and Save As.

She basically laughed in my face

One other player who was in Cardiff for the filming of that tournament was Annette Obrestad. I managed to grab her for a quick interview at the Bellagio while on break for the WPT Bellagio Cup. I saw an ESPN video where someone said that Annette was “overwhelmed and underprepared” for her first time playing the whole WSOP schedule in Las Vegas this year. When I mentioned that to her, she basically laughed in my face. “That’s Bull****!!” Said the feisty 21-year old Obrestad who is one of my favourite people in the whole poker world, both for her game and her attitude towards poker.

There has been an attitude over the last few years whereby the Italians get very little respect when it comes to tournament poker. Festivals in Italy have become must go events for many traveling poker players as far as value goes, and the presence of an Italian on your table had many pros licking their lips. The fact is that while Italy has been a bit late to the European party, they are coming on in leaps and bounds and with an enthusiasm for playing the game that cannot be matched.

Just have a look at their results in the main event, with the first ever Italian at the final table and Party Poker’s own Gianni Di Renzo making it through to Day 7 and you know that Italy will be a big force to come in the next few years of tournament poker. One guy who already has his act together is Giovanni Rizzo. I first met him at the Party Poker Premier League last February and then got a chance to talk with him extensively over my time in Vegas. We will be hearing his name more and more in the months to come.

Show 8 (July 25) featuring Annette Obrestad is online now! Click the play button to listen:

 
Prefer to download? Right click here and Save As.