Street Poker

	Oh, he’s such a nice man. I can’t take his money. Richard Herring

Remember remember the 5th of November.

No, we’re not talking about any of that failed gunpowder plot nonsense, but the hotly anticipated date that comedian Richard Herring and PokerPlayer hit Brizzle in Bristol.

First in line is Stuart who plays for £2.31 and his return bus ticket. Nervously admitting, ‘It’s my first live game of poker’, his all-in 9-4 bluff after the 3-Q-3 flop is quickly called by Richard’s trippin’ 3-7. Having travelled over ten miles to get here, it’s a long walk home.

A couple more punters come and go, with their pockets well and truly pilfered, when we’re approached by an irate jobsworth. Flashing his security badge and telling us what we’re doing is illegal (er, yeah, that’s the point) we retire to The Waterfront Pub to set up shop.

With a queue forming, A&E nurse Matt gets in on the action and gives a very good game, nicely trap-checking an Ace in the hole, after a K-A-5 flop. Come hand 12, Richard makes it 500 to go, doubled by Matt, followed by an all-in A-3 gutshot straight draw after the 4-2-7 flop, which Richard covers. The rag-rag board means

Richard’s A-Q seals another victory: ‘Oh, he’s such a nice man, I can’t take his money.’ Oh yes we can.

A few minutes later and in need of a break, Richard rashly accepts Jeff’s challenge with a pre-emptive ‘I’m going to lose’. It’s a fait accompli after just six hands, when Jeff’s aggressive no-messing play, sees his 10-5 make two-pair on the flop. Richard gets a pair of Sevens but it’s not enough and Jeff honestly admits: ‘I took advantage of a tired man.’

Last game of the day is taken by actor Dan Gosling at The Old Vic Theatre, who crams in a game between performances. Time dictates it’s a single hand crapshoot and the stakes are tickets for each other’s shows. Richard hates his 10-3, which is way behind Dan’s K-7. But after a momentary reprieve with a Three on the flop, Richard gets shafted on the river by a Seven. Still, a fine performance by Herring, who wins five of the seven matches, leaving with dignity intact.

Guerrilla Poker Freeroll

We’re touring the length and breadth of the country but if you can’t make it down to play usthen you can enter the $1,000 Guerill Poker freeroll put on by Poker.co.uk

Register at www.poker.co.uk/pokerplayer for entry every month.

Next Guerrilla Challenge

Next Guerrilla challenge on Saturday Dec 17 at 3pm outside the Royal exchange, Manchester, Dec 17, 3pm