The adventure began on 30th September when the raked hands race began on Sky Poker. I cleared my already empty diary and stocked up on three weeks worth of Red Bull (other high impact stimulation drinks also available) and cereal bars. I already play a lot of tables and a lot of hours so I felt well prepared. The plan was to play sixteen tables for a minimum of twelve hours a day, seven days a week. I guess you could call it the storm before the calm with top prize being a week in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Altogether Sky offered fourteen packages through either raked hands races or mtt satellites. Being a cash player it was the raked hands route for me.

1. Hard Rock Casino Punta Cana Poker Room
2. Hard Rock Casino Punta Cana Poker Tournaments

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The three weeks of the race are somewhat of a blur. Conventional days, sunlight and darkness didn't seem to matter. Amount of hands played and waking with my head on the keyboard when Red Bull had no more wings to give was how my days were defined.
When the leaderboard was updated for the final time and my alias (Donttelmum) was sat at the top of the tree, I felt like a kid at Crimbo. After waking from a 24 hour post mega grind trance, dreaming of palm trees and pina coladas, I opened my email outlining the details of my package.
The tournament takes place at the luxurious Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Punta Cana. Your package includes everything you need to make your time in paradise unbelievable:

Hard Rock Casino Punta Cana Poker Room

As the package was for two people, I decided to take my brother; he likes the odd game of poker and works for my Father, so getting a week off at short notice wouldn't be a problem.
After a couple of days off, the poker itch returned and I decided I'd get to work on the spending money. I even managed to book flights and buy a pair of Speedo's mid grind. After swapping the 32' for 34' I was all set; turns out, sitting down all day on a cereal bar and Red Bull diet doesn't give you wings or a slimmer waistline.
After chatting with another package winner (Zinfan) about our upcoming travels, she offered us a lift from Newcastle to Gatwick as her boyfriend was going to drive; talk about run good.
We drove through the night and arrived in Gatwick for a customary 6am pre flight pint.

Hard Rock Casino Punta Cana Poker Tournaments

Tristan (my brother), Craig and Abbie (Zinfan)
The game played at the airport was 'spot the other Sky Poker package winners'. Anyone under 70, carrying a laptop bag, wearing earmuff size headphones was getting a mention. Turns out, they all must have been on the BA flight or departing from Manchester. We flew with Thomson on the new 747 Dreamliner.
Touch down in Dominican Republic and hit with that 'sauna door opening' heat. Usually relatively pleasant , but less so when queuing two hours in a beach hut of an airport waiting to clear customs, with bongo men bashing out the Dominican version of Chopsticks.

Having lost that extra 2' in the airport, we jumped on our transfer to the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Punta Cana.
Welcome drinks upon arrival and WOW, just WOW! The resort and room were amazing. Quick change, which meant a shower rather that an in room Jacuzzi, before heading to the welcome party. Had a few cocktails and checked out the poker room. After a long day travelling and with a poker tournament to try and win, it didn't get too crazy.
OK, so it's me returning for a day 2 spin up. Won't go into the nitty gritty but relatively early on day 2, I got it in with AK v QQ. Ace high flop put me in good shape but a 4 board flush seen me bite the dust. No complaints if you're going to bust, better to do so in a luxurious resort in the Dominican than a foggy and wet Newcastle. Despite not cashing, I really enjoyed the event. Well structured and all the players were really well looked after. Quick shout out to Sky player Shaun 'Jubb' who cashed in 58th for 3.7k. Shaun celebrated hard afterwards, but not as hard as his guest Jonny. He also managed to top up his winnings with a 2k win in the casino. A nice little bonus as he suffered going out the main event when his AA was cracked aipf three handed v A8 and KJ.
With the poker done and dusted, it was time to make the most of the resort. Most of the time was spent eating and drinking, and with nine different bars and restaurants to choose from, we were spoilt for choice, not to mention all the pool and beach bars.

Everything was included in the package so we didn't really have to spend a big blind, just the odd ante tip here and there.
On the Saturday night, Andy (our rep) organised a Sky player and guest party at Zen Restaurant within the resort. It wasn't part of the package, or Andy's duties, but a very nice gesture. It was great to get most of the group together and party well into Sunday. The moral of the story is, don't drink Mama Juana and expect to see daylight the following day.

Andy asked Abbie (Zinfan) and I to do an interview for Sky Poker early on Saturday evening. I used to criticise footballers for sounding less intelligent than my 2 year old Goddaughter in post match interviews; turns out, I was being slightly harsh. I may be the only person to make Wayne Rooney sound intelligent So, while I waffled my way through, Abbie made me feel worse by nailing it, promoting poker and Sky in all the right places - watch out Anna Fowler!
When the Mama Juana coma subsided, it was time to pack and head home. After saying my farewells to the group, we had an hour or two wait until our transfer. How did we pass our time?

So, with a few more sng's while our flight was delayed, it was finally time to board and relax, errm no... picked up some solid reads and managed to take down a 9 man sng, somewhere over the Bermuda Triangle.
So, from this... to this in 24 hours.

At least it's great weather for an online grind where you'll find me up until Crimbo. Merry Christmas by the way Tikay!
Massive thank you to Sky, Andy and fellow players / guests for making it a trip of a lifetime.
Best go, it's double points at Sky Poker!
James (Donttelmum)