People of a certain generation may remember the story of Sidd Finch, an undiscovered eccentric baseball player in training with the New York Mets that George Plimpton wrote about that could throw a fastball at 168mph. Unheard of. And this fastball made him a legend. It was all false of course, and it took some time before readers remembered it was April 1st, but the story of incomprehensible talent is not far off that of Annette Obrestad – Annette_15.

Annete Obrestad (taken earlier)

Annette Obrestad is the poker wunderkind and she has her own legendary stories - winning tournaments online without looking at her cards. An ability far beyond her baby faced years to read the game. Of having never deposited money to an account anywhere – building a considerable bankroll by winning freerolls instead. If someone said they’d seen her fly, or walk through the great wall of china they would probably be believed.

Who knows if these stories are true or whether half truths have become something more? But she plays in a way that suggests every word is fact. Except the walking through walls bit. She probably can fly.

Right now she sits alongside Andy Black. Annette is quiet, looks shy and has on different sunglasses to the ones she wore yesterday. Her stack is up to her eye level. She has good posture and she says very little. It all adds to the mystery.

Michael McDonald probably couldn’t care less about the mystery and it seems right to describe his misery fast. He had jacks, Annette had A-Q. The rest of the story is told by his quick march to the door.

“Crazy!” says one spectator. “Unbelievable!” says another, like the hyperbole of a kid’s comic book.

The chips she takes from McDonald have to be shovelled across to her. Andy Black, part the gentleman part because he doesn’t like to wait, helps slide them across to her, then helps her stack them.

Earlier Team PokerStars Pro Luca Pagano bemoaned the draw that brought Annette to his table. He now sits with Johnny Lodden, Dave Colclough and Andreas Hoivold and may think he has the better deal.


Tournament Update:

Stacks are not counted anymore, it’s determined instead by how many hands you need to carry them. Unless someone helps you really do have some work to do.

Dave Colclough has about a handful. He moves all-in, his jaw working a piece of gum, his eyes hidden behind glasses and a cap low over his face. Tony Cascarino has the choice to call but mucks. Jan Viet does the same. It gets to Luca Pagano who takes a long look, takes his headphones off, leans back and smiles...

“Very close... very close... very close...” says Luca. He mucks.

PokerStars qualifier Jan Viet doubles up next hand through Johnny Lodden. His A-K was good against Lodden’s Q-J. 25 players remaining.