Fluge Global Adventures

By Bill Lowblad

I thought this was going to be the year as I pulled into the PDX garage and “Lucky Man” by the Verve came on the radio. What better sign to start a trip to Vegas on?

Fluge and Lowblad Prepare to Begin World Series of Poker Play as Early Favorites

We were on the early – real early flight and I arrived at the gate just as the Fluge was leaving the Alaska Board Room where he had been taking advantage of the time zones talking with his peeps in Russia, France and Tasmania working on future Adventures. Does he ever sleep?

A few hours later we arrived at the Rio – home to the WSOP. We dropped off our luggage and with a few hours to kill we headed over to the Venetian our customary lucky starting point. I went straight to the poker room where last trip I took a first and a third place in their Deep Stack tournaments and sat in at a no-limit Texas hold-em game to warm up while Nick went to the high stakes black jack tables to win some cash and play enough to afford us our customary comped lunch. Valentino’s is a Great lunch spot – especially if there’s extra cash in your pockets and when the check comes the waiter says “There’s no charge Mr. Fluge – I hope you enjoyed your meal on the house.” That’s rollin Fluge style again!

Getting back to the Rio we grabbed our bags and checked into our suites – Comped suites that is. Nice to travel with a high roller. Next we wandered back to the WSOP hall to register and pick up our table assignments for Monday’s Event #49 of the 2010 World Series of Poker. We see Jesus (Ferguson that is), Mike Sexton, Phil Ivey and other famous pros. I give a wave to the Unibomber who amazingly remembers us from the two celebrity events he played with us in Portland and I head across the hall to say hello and see if Jennifer Tilley’s playing this year. As soon as I get a couple of steps in I almost get taken out by a scooter . Doyle Brunson flies by, says “Sorry, it’s a rental and I’m not used to it” and keeps on going. With this close call Nick and the Unibomber’s best friend Antonio “The Magician” Esfandiari crack up. Maybe staying in one piece is where I used up my luck.

I hung out in the poker area while Nick went to the Rio’s black jack tables. After a few hours I get a call letting me know Nick’s VIP host has made dinner reservations at the Voodoo Lounge on the 50th floor. Sweet!

We meet up at the elevators and I can hear the magical “clinking” sound emanating from Nick’s pockets that only can be made by a large quantity of $1000.00 dollar yellow chips. It has been a short but sweet trip to the tables and dinner is “on the house.” We ride up the glass elevator to the 50th floor at the top of the Rio and there’s our table with a great view of all Las Vegas. Before we can sit down there’s Don Cheadle and Annie Duke at the bar and Cheadle yells out to Nick– “Hey are you playing in the charity event this year?” Nick has to tell him not this year as it conflicts with his next sportscar race – but count him in for 2011. We had an incredible meal and I had the wine honours and matched a great Heitz Marthas Vineyard cab with our prime steaks. Awesome.

This was an early night as we wanted to be sharp for the WSOP tomorrow so our only gambling the rest of the evening was $100.00 each in the Megabucks slots. No luck there but you have to go for it when in Vegas. One of Nick’s fellow high stakes black jack players tries to lure him back to the tables and bring his luck with him but the WSOP is priority and we’re done for the day.

Monday starts with a team breakfast – we have one more of the FGA poker series regulars with us for the first time – Jon “OSU Playboy All American Football player” Sandstrom. I pass out the black FGA – WSOP 2010 team polo shirts (Great Job Randy) and we go over the rules while we eat our pre game breakfast.

We meet back in the Amazon room for team photos and get to our tables for the 12:00 start. Nick draws table 6, Jon table 41 and I’m at 203 which means I’m going to move around a lot as they break the higher tables first when people drop out. There are over 2600 entrants for today tournament and pros are being followed by the press as they sit in with the amateurs. I’ve got a Dane and a Swede at my table and press is standing around ready to record great plays. We stand for the national anthem and then it’s shuffle up and deal. I’m up a little at the first break after 2 hours and look around for the rest of team FGA. Jon’s up a little but Nick is nowhere to be found until you see Shannon Elizabeth talking to him in the corner. I wander up to hear how she hardly recognized him with the facial hair but she “loves it.” Nick has been hit hard in the chip stacks when a lucky player catches an inside straight and Shannon is telling him to put it all on the line. If you’re out early you gave it a great shot but if you double up a few times you’re right back on target. When we get back to playing I see the big man walk by as he’s done (how can you not listen to Shannon Elizabeth?) But that’s OK – his black jack friends need his luck back in the high stakes area.

I’m still doing well when they break our table and send me to table 197. That stinks as now I’ve got to learn each new players ability but since it’s still a high number I’ll move again real soon. Yes a few minutes later this table breaks and I’m sent to another new table 26. If I do well here I can stay for awhile. No big hands but I do add to my stack and make it to the next break. Jon’s doing well and has a little more than me. We talk about our hands and text the Fluge to see how he’s doing. Killing them for cash at black jack as usual.

The next hour and 55 minutes are uneventful. I make a few plays but nothing exciting and it’s 5 minutes to the dinner break. I think I’ll play it cautious and only play a great hand and of course I get a great hand (KJ suited on the button) I’ll be happy with the antes and blinds and raise. I get a call from the big blind and we see the flop. KJ and a rag. I LOVE it. The big blind checks and I make a big bet. He calls. Now I’m wondering what he has? The turn brings a 7 of clubs with the rag being a 4 of clubs puts 2 clubs on the board and I get a little nervous of a big blind special. He checks and I go all in. He thinks for a moment and calls and turns over AQ but not clubs. His only way to beat me is with a 10 for a straight. Single digit odds but that’s how things go and a 10 hits the river and my tournament is OVER just as we break for dinner. There are only around 800 left so I at least beat 1800 others.

I find Jon and he’s doing well as our last hope. We call the Fluge and meet him for a quick dinner as Jon has 45 minutes until the next round. We have a quick meal and discuss our hands and listen to some great stories of black jack until it’s time for Jon to head back to the WSOP. Nick heads back to his spot in the high stakes area where his new “Entourage” is waiting for him. It’s simply amazing how he builds a following. I grab a quick shower and head back down to catch the action with the Fluge and can hear the roars from across the crowded casino and know immediately where to go. Blackjacks are flying out of the deck and Fluge is collecting more and more big chips to add to his stack. Of course the dealers and cocktail waitresses are getting huge tips and everyone is Happy. I watch for awhile, play a little cash game poker then call it a night.

I get the call that Jon is out at 11:30 after 11 and a half hours of play with the field down to 400 players. Great Job! He gives me the update that Nick is still rollin hot and Jon’s off to the dice table.

Next a.m. Nick is at my door with a goodie bag of WSOP gear. How nice. It’s amazing how cool he looks after what I’m sure is a long night. He’s a big winner at black jack and gave it a great shot at poker but he’s catching the next flight back to Portland as there’s some new Adventure waiting.

Jon and I catch later flights and this year’s WSOP is over. We’ve had a blast even though we’re not wearing a bracelet. We had great meals, met up with friends from the poker world and in Nick’s case met a whole new following of FGA fans.

Next year could be our year! I’m already excited to return. I’m sure Don Cheadle is looking forward to next year’s Ante up for Africa event and Shannon Elizabeth can catch up on Fluges adventures.

Another Fluge Global Adventures year is now in the ‘books’. The FGA team was able to experience many new (and some old) adventures and even participate with some charities along the way. 2009 was quite a year.

Following such exciting adventures in 2007 and 2008 that included a trek to Everest Base Camp, triathlon and biking athletic tests, a Summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Sports Car Club of America Championship racing, a Gumball Rally race across America and even the hunting of the Loch Ness Monster in Scotland, 2009 was equally testing.

The year started out in the spring when Nick Fluge and Bill Lowblad entered the World Poker Challenge. It was a change from the previous three consecutive years at the World Series of Poker but a new and challenging venue existed to be conquered. Bill performed up to his usual high standards and Nick was even able to crack the “Final Top Four Tables” while playing against some of the best ‘hold-em’ players the world had to offer.

Regular Zine subscribers might remember that Fluge spent the winter in the south of France learning oil painting, ceramic painting and glass blowing. Well, while his talent might have been a bit thin, it didn’t stop him from opening an art gallery which has included many of his personal works as well as some by other well known artists. While the Gallery adventure is only a ‘temporary’ project – it has allowed Nick to share both art and Scotch with friends and other interested guests.

Things quickly turned to youth – as FGA was honored to sponsor the Concord Elementary School Outdoor School which included a writing contest for the kids; “One World Infinite Adventures”. Outdoor school was an opportunity for elementary school students to learn more about themselves and the environment around them through hands-on activities and projects in an outdoor environment.

In addition to sponsoring the week long Outdoor School trip, we asked the students to share with us their ultimate adventure, or life dream, in an essay for the first ever Fluge Global Adventures “One Word…Infinite Adventures” writing contest.

Among the essays were career aspirations, dreams of meeting heroes, hopes of world travel, and of course, becoming the next American Idol! The common thread was that they all have faith in their goal and a passion for achieving it. These are the traits that make for a true Adventurer.

Nick Fluge returned to the World Series of Poker for one event at mid-year and while he played strong – he was eliminated early. Given his high standing in his 2006 WSOP “Main Event” this was disappointing but his thoughts were focused on his first Professional Sports Car Race.

Certainly, the training and strength of team, has paid dividends in sports car racing circles. Not only did Nick win a 3rd consecutive class championship (GT1), but he now owns 4 track records at PIR (the most of any individual driver). He also moved into the professional ranks by driving against some of the world’s best sports car drivers in the summers’ Trans-Am Championship race. Fluge’s qualifying position of 6th put him in the thick of things throughout the event.

With help from Matt at Speed Sports and Todd at ProDrive, Fluge is always prepared with gear and with driving acumen. However, great thanks go to Steve Gatrell and his entire ProFab team (Spence, Patrick, Leo, and others) for keeping the Derhaag running in world class condition. A special thanks to Aimee who often creates the greatest parties and BBQ’s for many of SCCA’s participants.

Fluge worked with Youths at Risk and the Regional area Santos youth soccer teams/league by assisting Ruma Perez (group organizer) with a check but more importantly inviting the kids to his pro race and proudly running the Santos banner along with that of FGA.

August heat led to one of the zanier of FGA’s adventures. Nick Fluge and Bill Lowblad entered John Deere’s in farm country’s “Combine Demolition Derby”. Local farm competitors viewed them as city slickers – but were still orderly – until the combines started moving. Fluge was quickly taken out by a variety of machinery and while Bill continued admirably – he was also prevented an overall win due to losing much of his rear tire/wheel/suspension combination which is so critical.

Not a win – but a wild experience!

While finishing behind 1000′s of competitors, Nick Fluge, a late entry, was strong enough to finish the event and still have a number of entrants behind him. While he hadn’t trained for this specific event and chose to enter only the day before the race – he credits his trainers, Yelena King and Troy Carter with always keeping him in shape to do such a thing – even without much preparation.

The final event of the year continues periodically and will through early 2010. It’s the Fluge Poker Championships – named after the Poker Man himself. Here, local friends and acquaintances meet to play Hold-em often throughout a year period with the winner taking home a special FGA Award. As of this writing, Bill Lowblad is holding the lead position but is being threatened by the likes of James (IceMan) Marlow who has won or finished very highly in the last several events. Fluge is holding his own in the middle of the pack – but is being challenged by the up and coming Poker Star, Troy Carter.

Rumors suggest the Amazon may be the next hurdle for Team FGA. Kayaking, battling deadly snakes and other regional flora and fauna could be a part of such an adventure – but as we say each year – only the future will tell the final story.