Ultimate Poker Challenge

2005 The Plaza, Downtown Las Vegas

Actually- the ultimate challenge is to not have fun! If you are intrigued by the faces you see at the poker table on the T.V. screen and desire to meet them, there are incredible opportunities!!!!! The daydreamer in each of you can have the dream realized........Only in the poker field can the average individual meet at the table with the stars!!!!!!

The day we went to the Plaza to observe the Ultimate Poker Challenge we enjoyed every moment!!!The atmosphere was as friendly as any neighborhood softball game!! The cheering at the event being video taped was lively and carefree!!The players, the cameraman and the dealers were all greeted with genuine applause and enthusiasm.. There was none of the canned emotion of other tapings we'd seen!!!!! It came right from the heart and the feelings were electric!!!!

The field was narrowed from 151 entries to 3 when I got there. The three were locked in the heat of the battle when Patrick, the short stack, went all-in. He was called by both of the others and won !!!! Shortly after that, he doubled up and went on to win the tournament.... It was the ending that brings out the pleasure in many of us---- the idea thaat we can do it!!!! We all can go from rags to riches with knowledge and alittle grace!!!!!

The winner was Patrick Fee who won $21,400. Second was Matthew Lasage who won $10,985, and third was Roy Monahan who won $7,325. The buy-in was $500, but could be had by winning a cheaper satellite!!! It was taped in the same room that the main event was held, so just a short few feet away were many of the poker's major stars!!!

After the event I talked to one of the dealers who was in the evert taped for television. Her name was Tina Manili. She had dealt for 8 years. She said she was a "traveler" which meant she was a free agent or contracter who worked only tournaments, and traveled from one place to another. She makes her home in California, but lives in her motor home with her husband. When asked if she played poker, she replied that she enjoys the relaxed atmosphere of online poker--- You don't need to leave the peacefulness of one's home......She leaves the live poker to her husband who makes his living playing poker.