Can Williams Walk the Walk?

Author: Simon Dexter

Former chat show king Montel Williams has been announced on Team USA for the upcoming Poker Nations Cup, the third running of the annual event which takes place from in Cardiff.

The United States will be looking to gain revenge for last year when captain Robert Williamson III, who leads the side again, managed to lose a chip lead of over seven to one to Sweden’s Bo Sehlstedt in the final.

Six countries will be battling for national pride and a purse of $100,000 and both 2007 finalists will be joined by Great Britain, Ireland, Germany and Holland.

There will be five top poker pros in each team, plus an online qualifier - with the exception of the US due to its online gaming legislation, hence the inclusion of Williams.

“I am thrilled and honored that I have been invited to be a part of Team USA for the Poker Nations Cup,” said Williams.

“My team-mates are extraordinary as I have played against many of them in the past year and now look forward to teaming up with them in our quest to defeat poker pros from around the globe.”

Williams has had a tough grounding in the game and regularly played for entire paychecks while serving in the US Navy, while he hit the headlines at the 2007 WSOP Main Event for holding the chip lead for the majority of one day.

The 52-year-old will be joined on the American team by Williamson III, Chris ‘Jesus’ Ferguson, Freddy Deeb, Chad Brown and Jamie Gold.

Sweden remain unchanged and Sehlstedt will lead Mats Rahm, William Thorsson, Johan Storakers, Anders Henriksson and qualifier Johan Ocklind as they look to defend their crown.

Rolande de Wolfe will head the Great Britain challenge, alongside recent Irish Poker Open winner Neil Channing, Ian Frazer, Surinder Sunar, Joe Beevers and qualifier Francis Durbin.

The Ireland team is made up of captain Padraig Parkinson, Donnacha O’Dea, Marty Smith, Ciaran O’Leary, Liam Flood and qualifier Darren O’Brien, while the German line-up consists of Michael Keiner, Andreas Krause, Sebastian Ruthenber, Thomas Bihl and qualifier Thomas Potzal.

Marcel Luske takes charge of the Holland team, which also includes Thierry Van der Berg, Eric Van der Berg, Daan Ruiter and qualifier Quirijn Van Der Peet, with one place still to be filled.

Each player pays a buy-in of $5,000 and PartyPoker have added $100,000 to create a prize pool of $280,000.

There are six heats and players can earn points for their team - which will determine the chips each side carries through to the final - and the individual winners will pocket $20,000 for their efforts.

The event then climaxes with a ‘tag’ final and captains’ decisions will be crucial as they formulate strategy, take time-outs or make substitutions. The last man standing takes home the title for his team.

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