Marvin Rettenmaier: A Madman in Paris
Monday, 16 December 2013
The Rendez Vous à Paris, a stellar few weeks of poker at the ACF, culminated in the WPT Grand Prix de Paris last month. “Mad” Marvin Rettenmaier relates his adventures.
I had a great time in Paris. It’s always a good field of pros at the Aviation so I didn’t have massively high expectations, especially as it was such a rollercoaster ride of a tournament for me, but I made it to the money, nevertheless.
Day 1A was a disaster. I only lasted three levels before I busted. I took Day 1B out and rested before taking advantage of the late registration and bought in for a second time on Day 2 which worked in my favour. Early that day I busted Adrian Mateos to get the chiplead but it didn’t come easy. He had ACQC and moved all-in for around 52,000 after the TH 8C 3C flop. I called with JC 9C. Mateos was 65% favourite, but then came a 7S on the turn and a blank on the river.
I had the final, table in sight but took the hit and busted in level 20 on Day 4. I had A-K v A-Q with Kimmo Kurko, but two queens on the flop left me with less than 20BB. They all went in with A-6 against Mohsin’s A-J, and a jack on the turn eliminated me in tenth for $33,015.
I didn’t have much time to see any of the sights but managed to play good poker, catch up with friends and party! I always love to party, whichever city I’m in. But Paris – God, did we party! Queen nightclub on the Champs Elysees did well out of me that week! The WPT player’s party was a blast too. We all got to dress up in ridiculous disco-themed accessories and go wild till the early hours.
What was great about the final table in Paris was that I got to rail my buddy (and winner) Mohsin Charania. There was me, Jason Koon, Athanasios Polychronpoulos and Matt Salsberg in our disco wigs cheering him on to victory.
I took some time out from poker after Paris and visited Disneyland in Florida with Mohsin for the first time EVER! And it was epic! I thought I was going shopping but after waking up from a nap in the car I saw lots of Mickey Mouse faces staring at me.
€7,500 WPT Grand Prix de Paris Final Results:
1st: Mohsin Charania $469,477
2nd: Vasili Firsau $317,867
3rd: Peter Apostolou $204,432
4th: Elliot Smith $151,359
5th: Christina Lindley $113,614
6th: Kimmo Kurko $90,845
My next stop on the European poker calendar will be WPT Prague in December. I love Prague and can’t wait to get back there just before Christmas. I especially can’t wait to beat everyone in the Christmas Jumper Competition. I’ve got the BEST festive jumper ready to take them down. Even Father Christmas himself should watch out. That iPad Air is mine!