Red Hot Rummy hits the World Series

...Of Gin Rummy, that is! Red Hot Rummy (RHR) was in the big bad town of Las Vegas, Nevada recently for the fourth annual "World Series of Gin Rummy" at the Riviera Casino. The tournament featured the elite of the Gin Rummy world battling it out for a share of the more than $140,000 in prize money for the singles and 'pairs' tournament, proving that 'Poker is not the only game'!

RHR sponsored two world-class competitors who have been deeply involved with the Rummy world for over 30 years. Larry Brill and Joel Krug were both paired up as a team and as singles into the $150,000 event.

The dynamic duo made it to the Quarter-Finals before being knocked out - our man Larry Brill made it to the final four - pocketing a total of over $12,000!

Larry, a bookmaker from Evansville, Indiana and currently ranked 3rd in the world: "I've been coming to Vegas since '68 - in those days Gin Rummy was the only game in town, everyone played it. I used to get involved in $400 -$800 games (a lot of money back then!) with some real colourful characters who ran Vegas!" Larry was even 'endorsed' as a player (i.e. bank-rolled by people buying a stake in his winnings - like Poker today!).

Joel is from Middletown, Connecticut and has been a pro for over 25 years! "I put my kids through college playing Gin Rummy". Like most other Rummy players Joel is proficient in Poker and Contract Bridge - but Rummy has always been his bread and butter, travelling round the country to find the big private games and regularly attending the "World Series" events (Joel won the June and December 2001 classics - a huge achievement).

Both players also played the infamous Stu "The Kid" Unger - Joel even going 2-0 up against him! Joel: "Stu was good, he never said a word to me during games however!" Larry: "Stu was a good pal - we went to the races together he would always bet incredible amounts and lose!"

Both players like Poker - but believe the skill factor in Gin Rummy gives a good player the edge when money is at stake.

Thanks gents - you're real stars!