Guest Blogger

Here is part two of my adventures in downtown Memphis while taking a break from the tournament coverage at the World Poker Open in Tunica.

After an awesome dinner at the famous Rendezvous barbeque joint our group went down to Alfred’s Karaoke Bar where Gavin Smith had already started his night with the Disco Inferno. Disco is a former professional wrestler of WCW fame, and his physique revealed as much. Gavin and Disco got into a mock fight shortly after we arrived and during one point a two-by-four was pulled out and smacked across Disco’s back. It was hilarious watching these two guys go at it, and our group started to grab the attention of all the locals at the bar. We got a round of drinks, courtesy of Gavin and hit the karaoke stage. Danger Dave got things started with an old Hank Williams’ classic, which he pulled off very well and after that our “poker crew” was called to the stage to sing “Copacabana.”

Then it was time for arm wrestling wars. Gary got things started by challenging Disco Inferno as a joke and Gary won. Although the effort of Disco is still under dispute, Gary backed up his victory by taking down two more worthy competitors in Jon Friedberg and a senior version of Apollo Creed that you’ll here more about later. Gavin kept losing money to Gary with each victory but after three matches Gary’s arm was done. I then sat down at the table and matched up against team Card Player. First, I took down Danny, who made a valiant effort to hold me off at the end. I had his arm inches away from the table for a good 60 seconds before I was able to finish him off, but he refused to quit.

Next up was Rich, who was my boss when I worked for Card Player at the World Series of Poker. I don’t know about you, but I take anytime I can match up against a former boss as a must win competitive situation. Rich and I started our little grudge match and a crowd gathered. Disco had us set up evenly while Gavin put $20 on Rich and Gary accepted the bet. Gary then proceeded to scream “Defend wise hand’s honor!” in my ear repeatedly during the match. The battle between Rich and I went down to the wire, the first minute was a stand off and he had me on the brink of defeat for at least another minute while everyone cheered along. I then pulled it together and fought back to even. Rich had leverage on me in the middle because his arm was shorter so I knew I had to get things moving over the top. Then I would have leverage on him and could finish the deal. I got the pendulum to swing and my blood started pumping. I could taste the victory coming, but Rich never relented. I gathered my remaining adrenaline-fed energy and made a successful final push to slam his arm down and emerge victorious. I traded some high-fives with Gary and the other WPT guys who were cheering me on while Gavin stormed off to find me another opponent.

Gavin returned with a guy that was an older version of Apollo Creed. I was a little reluctant when I saw this big dude sit down opposite of me, especially because I was using my left hand to battle him. I am a hybrid version of ambidextrous, I write and eat with my left hand while I bat, swing and throw with my right. My left arm strength is decent, but it’s not my dominant arm, and if you saw my opponent who happened to be a southpaw; you probably wouldn’t have thrown your money down on me. The match started and it was a complete stand-off, neither one of us gave up an inch, but you could tell from our faces that we were straining. The hammer started to drop on me and I fought to stop Apollo’s inevitable march to the table. Three minutes in I was still holding him off, but Disco stepped into to reset our arms and I saw my opening in the fact that this guy looked exhausted. I figured if I could hold on for a little bit longer my youthful stamina would defeat his brute old-man strength. I am pretty sure he was thinking the same thing so when Disco shouted “Go!” Apollo found a fifth gear that I didn’t know he possesed. My arm was dropped to the table and I was exhausted and beaten, but I accepted the defeat.

After I had another cocktail to numb the pain in my arm and the sorrow of defeat I was dragged to the stage again with the “poker crew” for the singing of “Sweet Caroline.” This song went over quite well with the locals and the entire bar began to sing along. The last song of the night was a hip-hop-tic rendition of “Rapper’s Delight” by Tony. By the time the second verse rolled around I couldn’t contain myself and rushed the stage to play Jazzy Jeff to Tony’s Fresh Prince.

As things winded down I realized I hadn’t been to a Blues bar the whole night and made a break for it across the street. I wasn’t about to come all the way to Beale Street and not hear some live Blues music. I sat down, ordered a beer, and listened to the band play while thinking of a song to request. After two songs I glanced out toward the street and saw our van drive through the intersection. I sprinted out of the bar and started chasing it down the street only to find it had stopped at the next light, where I saw our group waiting to be picked up. The people at the Blues bar must have thought I was crazy, but I didn’t want to spend the night in Memphis, even if I had a great time.

Ryan "Force" Lucchesi
force@wisehandpoker.com
The "Poker Crew" Onstage at Alfred's

Day three at the World Poker Open was a short one. We played down to 27 players in just two and a half hours and the remaining players decided to continue down to 18. Even with the extra eliminations the day finished early and a night in Memphis was on the agenda. I jumped into a van with Gary and some of our other media cohorts and we headed into town. Our group arrived at Charles Vergo’s famous Rendezvous barbeque joint and grabbed some pitchers of beer while we waited for the others to join us. I could tell right away that this place knew its barbeque. The smoky smell of ribs roasting over a charcoal barbeque pit wafted up to the bar and made my mouth begin to water in anticipation.

Jon Friedberg showed up with his car load of Rich, Danny, Jay and Lizzy from Card Player and our table was ready to rock. More pitchers were ordered, as well as a full rack of pork ribs for everyone at the table. It didn’t take more than five minutes for the food to arrive and we dug in. I ate like a pig, but finished my rack second to Jay. I discovered that he used to serve in the Navy, which explained his ability to eat faster than anyone I have ever met in my life. The beer continued to flow and we were having a great time, we even took a tour of the kitchen to get footage for a “Behind the Scenes” video Danny was filming. Lizzy was interviewing one of the cooks who had worked there for 37 years when this little exchange took place:

Lizzy: “What part of the cow does that [pointing at ribs] come from?”
Cook: “Well, it’s a pig…and it’s the ribs…I like you. You have a pretty mouth.”

My co-worker Tony and I shared a good laugh at her expense, but Lizzy was a good sport about it.

Rendezvous has a reputation for the best barbeque in a town that is famous for it, and after dining there I’d have to agree with the word on the street. It’s a place where the cooks and waiters never leave; some of them have been there since the place opened its doors in 1948. This shined through in their first-rate service and good-natured humor. There was a very authentic feeling of southern hospitality about the place. The ribs, beans and slaw there were all great and the spicy barbeque sauce was suberb. If you ever find yourself down by Beale Street, I highly recommend stopping by for a meal.

Check in tomorrow for the rest of the night’s festivities, including partying with Gavin and an all-out arm wrestling war.

Ryan “Force” Lucchesi
force@wisehandpoker.com