Take on Confidential’s poker stars at Manchester235

To celebrate Manchester235’s new poker lounge, two of Confidential’s resident card sharps are throwing down the gauntlet and taking on a tournament every week.What’s more, Confidential readers also have the chance to come along and take them on. They’ll be blogging their way through the flops, flushes and bad beats. Think you’ve got what it takes to send them home with empty pockets?

Fancy £40 to spend in Linen, Manchester235's swanky restaurant? All you have to do is knock Chris or Kelly out of whichever tournament they're playing in and the voucher's yours. Keep checking the blog to find out when they're playing and show them who's boss.

Kelly ‘Black Widow’ Ormesher
Being someone that has always liked a competitive challenge I'm convinced my gran had me playing cards since day one. It was inevitable I'd become hooked on poker. I started, like most, playing at home, at friends’ houses and online; then continued to a pub poker league (Redtooth – which I’ve won) and finally Vegas, to hone my casino play.I was asked what guys think playing opposite a girl, the first thing that sprung to mind was a stern looking guy who'd told me I would have burnt at the stake if it had been the 18th century. I can honestly say that is the only intimidating and derogatory (and highly amusing) comment I've received. I'm usually welcomed on to a table the same as any other guy. Banter is a given - it's poker.

Of course, I’m not going to give away how I play – you’ll just have to come and try your luck.

Kelly's next game: Tuesday 23rd November

Chris ‘Dirty Cash’ Grimes
Blackjack, roulette, dice, football coupons, the gee-gee’s: you name it, I’ve bet on it over the years. My love of a good flutter has given me a fair amount of lows but so many highs. Six years ago, I was introduced to game called Texas Hold’em by my pal at work, Mark. A game where the odds were not in favour of the house and you pit your wits against a fellow human. I was hooked instantly. I started playing in small games - $2-5 10 players tournaments online- and slowly graduated to face-to-face casino play.

I’m starting this blog for Manchester235 as a way to review my game and help build the Poker Lounge at the casino too, so it’s a force on the North West poker circuit. And maybe – just maybe - I’ll become one too.

Chris' next game: Saturday 13th November

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