Poker Night Fever in Monaco

Leaving the balcony overlooking the Mediterranean, I set off towards the Grand Casino Garden, past the terrace of the Buddha Bar, and finally arrive at the Fairmont a few minutes later - the location of the poker room of the Sun Casino, the most American of Monaco’s casinos, with a festive, circus-themed atmosphere... What luxury, not having to jump in a taxi, a plane, or a train to go play a tournament! This time it is right here, at home, and what is more, once there, we get pampered by valets and floor managers.. I’ve decided to donate 10% of my earnings from this tournament to a local charity - the Prince Albert II Foundation - for the protection of the environment and sustainable development.

The buy-in is € 2,300 € and the structure is fantastic! 30K in starting chips, blinds 25-50, and 60-minute levels, you can’t ask for more at this price! At my first table, there’s an Italian, three Frenchmen, three foreigners, and myself. I’m super motivated, not only because we’re playing right here in Monaco, but also because I had just treated myself to 14 hours of final table poker with our new Quebec hero and world champion, @Jonathan Duhamel. So my  mind is brimming with new ideas as I take my seat at the tournament. And my starting chips are up to 45K in just about one hour of play, while still with the mini blinds…  Indeed, I actually managed to get paid all the way through the river with a Kings full and a top flush!.. Fortunately, the two most aggressive players at the table - a Russian and a Scandinavian - are both sitting to my immediate right. What is more, they are both super nice and live in Monaco. Result - I find myself two friends the richer!

For the dinner break a superb buffet awaits us in a room next to the entrance of the Sun Casino. We go back to the game for the second part of a most pleasant evening, especially with my 50K in chips secured for the next day.

After a good night’s sleep, back at 5 p.m. for Day 2 of the tournament. There are only 12 of us left and soon make it to the ten-handed final table. How wonderful it is to play at a table where the average age is over 30! I once more feel part of the new generation, being the kid at the table! It is with the Scotsman, the Scandinavian, and @Paul Testud that I share the table and it takes a few hours of play to get ITM. In a heads-up of Scotland versus No Mercy, with my opponent holding a 3:1 chip advantage, the match is decided in three hands and I have to resign myself to 2nd place. Still, I’m happy enough with the Euro 11,000 prize! It means I can contribute Euro 1,100 to the Foundation established by Prince Albert II of Monaco (on which you can find more information on www.fpa2.com).

The next day, a Saturday, I return to the Sun for another tournament, this time a 500 € buy-in and again, with a great structure -  15K starting chips and levels of 40 minutes. It is fascinating to participate in tournaments that remain affordable, yet take place in the luxurious setting of the Principality, coupled with the royal service at the Sun Casino. An Italian takes a seat at my table, looking really classy, with matching tie and handkerchief, gold cufflinks, nice and polite as ever. He reminds me of a former Quebec actor, and this happens to be his very first poker tournament! After just about three hours of play, the French player to my left turns to me, 'You are the only woman in the room, and yet you're the only one everyone fears!.. How do you do it?' What can I say but ‘thank you, Jonathan Duhamel, for the inspiration!’ My pile of chips keeps growing and growing, and soon it is worthy of our Quebec champion.

The blinds are 600-1200, with antes at 75, and I raise to 2,800 from middle position with pocket 8’s. The French guy re-raises to 6,500 and I immediately put him on a very strong hand, possibly even AA, since he’s finally decided to come after me after all those hours of play… Miraculous flop, 7-8-Q rainbow, I check and my opponent decides to check-call me. On the turn - a Jack and second club on the board, I raise 10K and get called without much hesitation.  On the river, a terrifying Ace of clubs!!! I check, in the hope of getting more information about my opponent’s hand, and the latter snap shoves. My head aches... If my read was right from the outset I’ve just lost this hand on the river… Nevertheless, I take my time, I watch my opponent and talk to him, he answers but doesn’t look good, they call the clock, 10 seconds left, and the guy really doesn’t look good at all, I call! And Boom!, he shows AK and the pot is pushed my way. I’m in the zone AND I am the chip leader by far. At the end of the day, I can sleep safely with 80K in chips for the next day’s final, with an average chip count of 30K!

Coming in on Sunday I had taken the time to sign a copy of my autobiography translated in Italian for our elegant player. He turns red with pleasure, his smile tells it all, even if we don’t speak the same language. Pink champagne for everyone! He’s been considerate enough to notice my champagne flute and to order a whole bottle for the final table! The feeling at that table was so pleasant and friendly… and it lasted to the very end! I ultimately had to make do with 4th place, covering my buy-in,  but I had gained the wonderful memories of those 4 nights at the poker room of Sun Casino de Monaco!

As a result of an expansion in the spring of 2010, the Sun Casino Poker Room is equipped with about a dozen poker tables and RFID chips. In a lovely setting, the room is spacious, bright and airy, sophisticated, with light  hardwood floors. Monaco is definitely in position to become a poker tourism destination, and why not even the European capital of poker! It is my dearest wish and in the past few years, I’ve put my heart into making it come true. I do hope I will soon be able to invite you all to the Principality for amazing tournament experiences!

@Isabelle Mercier is manager of No Mercy Productions Ltd., incorporated in the Principality of Monaco. 

 Her autobiography “Profession: Bluffer” came out in Canada on January 16th, 2008.