BEEz FOOT STEPS IN POKER n LIVING

My poker journey started back in early 07 when I asked my eldest son to teach me this card game he was playing called poker. I thought this would be away to reconnect with him chatting over a game of cards. After a few weeks he encouraged me to join APL which not only provided a great learning environment but also a fantastic social outlet. As my poker skills, passion and determination to play my best continued to grow so did my achievements. It took me 7 months to win my first ever poker game and I continued to grow from there. Making final tables regularly winning events, and developing my passion for the players and eventually becoming QUEEN-BEE was my greatest achievement.

In 2008 my poker grew even further resulting in many achievements, multiple venue leader boards, Regional season champion, 10^th on the National leader board for the month, sitting 27th on the national yearly leader board, interviewed by Today Tonight and Gold Coast news was exciting and being presented the APL ambassador 2008/09 award was my most proud moment. Going heads up with my son a memory I won’t forget and owe it to him for introducing me to my now heartfelt passion.

It is no secret to many of you as my poker and QUEEN-BEE image grew the struggles I had with the pressure I started to receive from many players at times considering just to give up. Players believing it should be them and not me. The hardest thing for me was to stay focused and not listening to the gossip and abuse players started to create regarding me. I commenced defending myself and quickly realised NO WAY, I don’t have to. This is my journey not theirs.

I was determined to show these players that no matter what you are hit with, continue to grow your poker. BELIEVE IN YOURSELF. Do not let others shoot you down crushing your hopes and dreams. It only makes them feel better about themselves.

I had no idea how huge this year was going to be for me 2009 regarding the poker industry. It all started from Placing 17^th in the APL Wild Turkey Poker Classic, winning $5K for my efforts. Featuring on the cover of Australian Poker Weekly, Branded ambassador for Raidbet.net involving 6 months of site promotion and sponsored playing, just missing the money in Melbourne Champs my first event away from APL and grabbing the biggest bear hug from the BIG SHOW, placing 4^th with Peter Aristidou in the teams event at the APL Grand Slam, Melbourne. Winning my first big tourney online after 8 hours and 1760 runners was pretty heart pumping. QUEEN-BEEz HIVE was also born this year promoting a positive environment for all players through others experiences, holding private games online for the newer players to have a go I found rewarding. The hardest forum for me was here on poker network when I first jumped on, it took all my strength not to lash back. The things that were said hurt me deeply and I realised even more, where is the sportmanship within poker. I’m sure a lot of you remember me arriving on PNW. Most of my posts had large amounts of hits out of control in a negative way resulting in PNW closing the feeds. Members confusing simple positivity and jumping the gun without seeing the flop, believing me to be a big shot wanna be if I could be, so far from the truth of this little QUEEN-BEE. Players are now seeing that being positive and supportive of others makes awesome changes to our surroundings. Also creates the desire to better ourselves and grow respect for each player’s journey.

My determination for what I believed in has kept me continuing my poker journey and I am thriving on the learning and experiences. By September I was pretty well run down health wise due to working Raidbet long hours online, supporting players, playing poker, running my family and house. At times I just wanted to give up because it’s easier, but my drive was fuelled by determination to keep going SO I TOOK A BREAK. I stepped off the roller coaster and took a break.

The 6 months break from poker and the Hive only doing minimal to stay focused was needed for me to get back on track. I set a goal to return to the poker industry in March 2010 and HERE I AM. Starting with a positive BUZZ regarding QUEEN-BEEz HIVE “BEE POKER” now being hosted by Sin-City Seagulls live each Wednesday night and the numbers are growing, with a deep stack event planned for 11^th April. I returned to PNW with positivity as usual and I’m thrilled to see players speaking up for the same changes to enter our industry. That is to learn from each other and grow true sportsmanship. Sure you can speak your mind to a player, but including respect changes the outcome. I Played my first ever MiniFTOPS the other day with over 18,000 runners placing 2323 and in the money. Qualified twice into Dream Job Poker finals on Poker Stars. I have entered the Redback Challenge 2 and keen to get as much experience out of it as possiblein. Settling into my new casual job at the local services club doing shifts like calling BINGO, promotions and bar I’m finding self rewarding.

I fully believe without new poker players poker would eventually fold. I also believe in adding true sportsmanship to the game. We all thrive on learning and our best teachers are ourselves and fellow players. We can learn so much from each other, so we may grow our own natural abilities with in life and our game of poker. I have personally experienced the very negative side of poker and do not wish it upon anyone pursuing poker (your jaws would drop with some of my experiences). This is what I’m working so hard towards stopping. I can only imagine how many players start and give up due to not much support.

I am a simple mum of 4 from a small town near Tweed Heads, trying to make a difference. If I can achieve my goals and dreams then so can you through hard work, determination and passion. Bankroll like many keeps me from the felt. It is only a matter of time till I take down a big event. In the mean time I’m thriving on being the voice speaking up for good sportsmanship and support for all players on all levels of poker.

This is only a brief of my poker road. One day I will really open up to the experiences I have had. Many of you are aware and when the time is right I will spill all to the rest of the world.

Enjoy your journey the good and bad as its makes us who we are today in our poker experiences.

QUEEN-BEEz HIVE " SPIRIT WITHIN POKER n LIVING " As of this month group on facebook.

BEE