Poker Characters

  Dear reader, welcome to the October issue of Poker Pro Europe. While I don’t usually start the issue with a personal greeting and salutation, this issue of PPE has me in an upbeat and magnanimous mood, so rather than rail against the UIGEA, or governments that won’t allow poker rooms when their citizens want them, or other King Lear type railings and ravings against the gods, let me tell you about the personalities in this edition. Why? Because this issue has a definite “personal” touch – it is jammed with fascinating features on some of the game’s most interesting players.  

  To start off, Vic veteran Jeff Duvall is profiled by none other than Des Wilson of Swimming With the Devilfish fame. Duvall is not only a consistent and winning cash player, but his results in tournaments have been getting better with age. The 60-year-old has made eight final tables in the last year and a half, including a $179,000 cash in the WSOP Main Event, fourth in the 2008 WSOPE H.O.R.S.E. and second at the GUKPT Grand Final. This guy is amazing.    

  Meanwhile, Jeff Lisandro has been a big name among the poker cognoscenti for years, but thanks to his incredible three-bracelet run at the WSOP this summer, he’s finally a household name around the world. What people don’t know is that there was a woman standing behind him the whole time who told him before the Series even began that he would win three titles. Talk about pressure! We are fortunate to have the complete inside story in this issue, written by Tina Sue herself.  

  What more can you say about our cover pro, Sammy “Any Two” George? A wild player who was once thought of as a fish in the big UK cash games, Sammy is suddenly being taken seriously thanks to his having the guts to step up and accept Tom Dwan’s Challenge. He fancies himself a latter-day “Rocky,” taking on an impossible challenge but determined all the same to fight to the bitter end and if need be, go down swinging. Our impossible-to-duplicate writer, Catman, delves into Sammy’s world as only he can.  

  You will also be treated to Kenna James’ personal diary as he embarks on his journey into the next phase of his poker life, without his cowboy hat. Stuart Rutter gives you some solid tips on modern tournament poker, and our man on the scene, Barry Carter, will provide you with his unique take on what is happening locally. He will also fill you in on such important matters as how his turning 30 has forced him to change his wardrobe. And we even have a review of Vicky Coren’s new book.    

  We also have a new feature by Lee Davey of Wales, an amateur online player who will chronicle his quest to build a bankroll of $45,000 by May, and the effect this will have on his family and work. And there definitely will be effects, as you will read starting this month on page 38.

  Until next month, good reading!