As one of the Hendon Mob (www.hendonmob.com - highly recommended) and one of the best known and well liked faces in poker, Joe Beevers doesn't need a great deal of introducing. I caught up with Joe in November and this is how it went.

Dave Lloyd: Where are you?

Joe Beevers: That depends on when you're reading this. Hendon would be an 11/8 favourite with Vegas about a 3/1 shot.

DL: I'm buying, what's yours?

JB: If we're watching England in the pub I'll have a pint of lager. If we're still in the pub and it's around midnight I'll have the same but with a double vodka RedBull. If I'm at dinner, maybe a bottle of Chablis Premier Cru or Pouilly Fume. If I'm in the Fontana with Kevin O'Connell then as much Crystal as the waitress can carry.

DL: Let's hope we're watching England!

DL: Since I last saw you, you won over 100,000 Euros for the 2nd place spot at the Gaming Club World Poker Championship in Dublin…What was bigger, the shopping list or the nipping queue?

JB: I've had a few very good results this year and the WPC second is in fact my biggest ever cash. It helped to pay for a new kitchen and a new car. With regards to nipping I now only lend money to people that I would borrow from and trust 100%. If I had all the £100's and £50's that I lent out a few years back it would come to a lot of money!

DL: Dublin's been good for you before…When we were there last year, you won the main event…it's not a bad place to play poker is it?

JB: The Merrion Card Casino is probably my favourite venue and certainly my luckiest. I have won (and come third) in both the Irish Open Prelim and the Irish Open itself. My strike-rate in Dublin is way higher than it should be. The craic there is just the best!

DL: I have to agree with you there Joe, it's a great City and a great place to play. Having said all that, let's just say you could pick up any card room in the world and plonk it back down, within a ten minute stroll from your home, which one would it be?

JB: That depends on what you want from a card room and whether the players would come with it. If you mean *everything* comes then I would probably plump for The Bellagio although, funnily enough, I don't play there that much when I am in Vegas.

DL: Is that because you're usually involved in the tournaments in town or more to do with the choice of games on offer in there?

JB: If we are in Vegas then it's usually for a major festival and we'd be playing a lot of tournaments.

DL: Your sponsorship deal with Prima…Have you noticed any changes in the Hendon Mob camp? Stress levels must be way down!

JB: Yes… and way up! It comes with different pressures but we are living a dream and loving life.

DL: What effect (if any) has it had on you personally?

JB: It is a great honour and indeed a great satisfaction to have signed such a great corporate sponsorship deal with PrimaPoker.com. I believe that it has led the way for other players and some have come to us for advice and help. The satisfaction that brings is fantastic. (Obviously the bank balance has improved a bit too.)

DL: Away from the tournament circuit, where are you playing these days?

JB: I used to play about 90% cash and 10% tournaments - now it's the other way around and I don't really get to play much cash. I play a fair amount on the PrimaPoker.com network which has really grown in the last few months and has some great NLH and PLO games. You can sign up for many of the Prima card rooms at www.thehendonmob.com

DL: I might pop in and give you a game sometime : What games have you been playing in?

JB: Online I generally play $25/$50 NLH and the biggest PLO games that I can find.

DL: What name do you use?

JB: I have to admit that I actually play under two different names. Very often you will find me playing under 'Joe Beevers' especially when playing in promotions like 'Beat the Mob'. Occasionally though, especially if I'm just relaxing with a bottle of wine, I like to be anonymous.

DL: Enjoying it then?

JB: Sure…If I didn't enjoy it I wouldn't do it.

DL: Back in the real world…2005 World Series - main event - Day 1 - You've just been drawn at a quiet table featuring Phil Hellmuth, Simon Trumper, Mike Matusow, Sam Grizzle and Tony G. Which would you prefer, walkman or gum-shield?

JB: Walkman for sure: most of those are just pussycats really. Simon's a great friend and a black belt too (simontrumper.com).

DL: I'd agree with you there, and Simon's one of the good guys (although, if he was talking for England he'd have 50 caps by now :…) It was great to see he'd won the Omaha event in Amsterdam recently!

JB: Yes, I agree

DL: Cash game, dealer's choice, your button - What are we playing?

JB: If we're at the Vic and are limited then probably 4 card Omaha or 4 card Omaha high low. If it's a home game then let's play leaners for the high and pairs for the low, draw poker, 6 cards, 3 changes (3, 2 and 1 max), best five cards count.

DL: You manage to find yourself on a slow boat to China, hosting the liveliest poker games known to mankind. Who would you want with you for company and why?

JB: Kevin O'Connell, Mad Marty Wilson and my missus Claire - between them, we'd have everything covered.

DL: Onboard, they've organised a charity karaoke night, you have to sing or forfeit $10,000…what's your big number?

JB: They would pay me $10,000 not to sing!

DL: Talking of music to your ears, what was the last album you bought?

JB: Ultimate Kylie (it was a friend's birthday present).

DL: Your desert island favourites - Tell me three songs you'd have to take with you?

JB: Champagne Supernova - Oasis; anything by Coldplay and Elton John's Are you Ready.

DL: While we're at it, all time favourite movies, five please?

JB: Casino, Top Gun, Pulp Fiction, Ocean's Eleven, Debbie Does Dallas II

DL: You're obviously a Debbie Does Dallas aficionado, the sequel, by all accounts, is far superior to the original. Talking of sequels, I'm looking forward to Ocean's 12, aren't you?

JB: Very often sequels aren't as good as the original. Oceans 12 has a lot to live up to but I'll definitely be going to see it.

DL: What would be your favourite line of dialogue (any movie / TV)

JB: From Big Deal with Ray Brooks circa 1980's

DL: Big Deal was a classic. The scene with Hal Brookman, the big American - Armadillo Slim type with a big stetson - forever engraved in my mind.

JB: The game is strip deck, Frank Butcher is dealing, the Chinaman has already passed. It's heads up Robby Box (Ray Brooks) and Hal Brookman. Brookman is showing two pair open and Box three open Jacks. The pot has all the chips in it and Box has just made a large oversized raise that Hal has considered and called.

DL: That was a great series; my only problem with it was that Robbie Box always ended up suffering at the hands of the morality tale (even in that episode). Ray Brooks was known to like a bit of black jack when he wasn't acting, I think I've even seen him in the Vic once…

DL: This might be an obvious question but…Do you follow any sports or particular teams? Ever bet on them?

JB: Yes, yes and yes…next.

DL: Own up, who are your teams?

JB: I used to have a season ticket at Upton Park and it saddens me to see what has happened there over the last few years. I still go occasionally but not as often as I used to.

DL: What would you say is the most unusual bet you ever made?

JB: The spread boys at Sporting Index are always coming up with weird and wonderful props some of which I've come up on the wrong side of a couple of times.

DL: Who or what makes you laugh out loud? Ricky Gervais, Ricky Martin or Ricky Butcher?

JB: Ricky Gervais or Butcher when I read about him in the NOTW.

DL: You've left the chip pan on in the kitchen, a small fire ensues. Who are you going to call, Barny Boatman, Barny Rubble or Barny McGrew?

JB: Barny McGrew of course…Dibble could drive the fire engine if it's Grub's day off.

DL: Someone's just moved in next door, who would you prefer, Barbara Windsor, Barbara Cartland or Barbarella?

JB: 'Like a baby Barbarella, with the stars as her umbrella she asked me if I'd like to magnatise...'
Even if she's animated she's still the naughtiest. (BTW I think BC is dead)

DL: So you don't want dead people living next door to you then?:

JB: Dead people living next to you…mmm

DL: B cup or Double D?

JB: 34 EE

DL: Jack Daniels, Jeff Daniels or Paul Daniels?

JB: What about Phil Daniels - Quadrophenia and Breaking Glass!

DL: A class act (although we might leave Breaking Glass out of this). For me, he should be right up there with Tim Roth and Gary Oldman…oh and let's not forget Blur's Park Life…

DL: Pre-Army Elvis, the black leather comeback or King of Las Vegas?

JB: Not a great fan but the early one before he got fat was better.

DL: Mirage, Binions or Bellagio?

JB: Not the Mirage (except for the California Pizza Kitchen): Binions at WSOP only: Bellagio for everything else.

DL: Where or what would you recommend for a great night out in Vegas?

JB: Best night out for me was Oasis supporting the Black Crows at the Hard Rock Café, standing only.

DL: That's a great recommendation Joe, how many nights a week are they playing at the moment? :, you lucky bugger!

JB: It's a rarity to find a gig like that. It was a few years ago.

DL: We've played together for a fair few years now and I've always thought of you as a very strong cash player but you've shown you can do just as well on the tournament circuit. Up till now, someone excelling in both areas might have been considered something of a rarity. Donacha O'dea was recently saying that maybe he'll be playing more tournaments in the future, maybe that's where it's at these days. Can you see many more of the established cash game players concentrating their efforts on the tournament circuit?

JB: Yes - I think that with sponsorship coming in more and more that will be the case. Who is going to be interested in sponsoring cash game players?

DL: In one sentence or three words, what's the best advice you could give to someone just starting out in poker?

JB: Pass, pass, pass!

DL: Did you manage to quit smoking or are you still working on it?

JB: I'm in my third smoke free year. I still feel like one occasionally (don't look like one though) but it's easier to give up now as many places won't let you smoke anyway.

DL: Five Diamond Poker Classic in December then back home for Christmas?

JB: Five Diamond at Bellagio yes but we're spending Christmas in a light house on the edge of a cliff in Cornwall this year. (yes really)

DL: Finally, is there a poker Santa and what will you be asking for?

JB: Poker Santa…do you mean Jac Arama? (just joking Jac).
I think that I'm very lucky and I'm very happy to be me, so I won't be asking for too much. Health and a bit less stress maybe.

DL: It's been a pleasure as always Joe, hi to Claire and have a great Christmas in the lighthouse (let's just hope you're not manning it!). Good luck to you, Barny, Ross and Ram at the Five Diamond and I'll look forward to seeing you again in 2005!

JB: Thanks Dave, Happy Christmas and New Year to you and all your readers!