Mark Russell gets a taste of what's on offer at the 14th annual Reef and Rainforest Carnivale.
The Gusman deals me a six of clubs and seven of spades. I try to look confident as I drop the cards back on the table, but my poker face has never been that good. I think I'm what professionals call an easy read. I have played this game before but, to be honest, I was never that skillful. In fact, I'm lousy.
My mates, never the most kind-hearted, knew I was a poor poker player, but, just to make sure I'd lose, they would let the cat in whenever we sat down for a game after a long night at the pub. I'm allergic to cats so it was pretty hard to focus as my eyes puffed up and the tears streamed down my face.
Anyway, here I am sitting at a poker table surrounded by gently swaying palm trees overlooking the spectacular Coral Sea at Port Douglas nervously searching for any signs of a feline presence.
Satisfied that the local cat population is busy elsewhere, I settle down to a friendly game of Limit Texas Hold-Em.
The dealer, resplendent in purple shirt and black waistcoat, introduces himself as the Gusman and ends up dealing me a straight. I rake in the chips and down another cold beer. Life is good. I like the Gusman. A lot of locals like the Gusman too. He has his own radio show and is a popular stand-up comedian in town.
The Gusman is getting in some practice on this beautiful balmy afternoon for his role as MC at the 888 Reef Shark Classic Poker Tournament, touted as "a little bit of Texas in the tropics", which will be one of the features of this year's 14th annual Reef and Rainforest Carnivale.
Organisers expect 2000 players to take part in the four-day event, which kicks off on May 23 with the aim of setting a world record for the largest number of people playing poker outdoors.
The event, to be held at the Rex Smeal Park, will be monitored by World Guinness Book of Records officials.
First prize is free entry into the Aussie Millions poker tournament (valued at $10,000) at Melbourne's Crown Casino and seven nights' accommodation. Second prize is $5000 credit with the online poker website, 888.com
Fifty trained pit bosses will supervise a cordoned-off licensed playing area with 200 tables surrounded by a large public viewing space filled with food stalls and a large screen showing all the action.
The goal for those taking part is to make it through the first three elimination rounds to the final 100 players who will battle it out at the Central Hotel for first and second prize on Saturday night, May 26.
There is no entry fee, but players must buy a $130 raffle ticket, putting them in the draw to win a trip for two to Las Vegas, including air fares and five nights' accommodation. All profits go to the Peter Crimmins Memorial Cancer Fund.
The poker game I sat down to was just one of the highlights of a recent two-day visit to Port Douglas to see what will be on offer during the 10-day Carnivale festival, starting from May 18, which is expected to attract more than 50,000 visitors from all over Australia.
One of the talking points in town during my trip was the $70,000 fishing tournament to be hosted by the Port Douglas and District Combined Club from May 18 to 27.
A lot of locals are vowing to take time off work to try to snare the tagged prized Bonanza Barramundi worth $50,000 and 20 other tagged $1000 fish which will be released in the waters around Port Douglas.
You can register for the event online at carnivale.com.au or at the venue a day before the tournament but, be warned: if you do plan to take part, competition is expected to be fierce. The entry fee is $22 per adult and $11 per child and all entrants have the chance to win an overseas fishing holiday. There will be daily prizes in various categories including best jetty-caught fish and largest fish for a species.
Carnivale will also include an It's a Wild, Wild World-theme street parade with floats and street theatre, bands and dancers, followed by a fireworks display; a food and wine festival; Australia's first international beach soccer tournament; Gourmet Gladiators - celebrity chefs battle it out for supremacy in the kitchen; the Sheraton Mirage Oceania Art Prize with $15,000 in prizes; a junior tennis tournament with tennis legend Evonne Goolagong Cawley on hand to offer a few tips; a pet parade; a music festival and rodeo; a sailing regatta; a short circuit bicycle race; a bowls tournament; a golf clinic and tournament; a fashion parade; and comedienne Klara McMurray.
Organisers also suggest that, if you have any spare time, you might think about taking a ride in a Great Barrier Reef helicopter, playing a round of golf at the Sea Temple Golf and Country Club, or maybe even chartering the luxury cruiser Phantom for a day's fishing and swimming.
Port Douglas may not be Rio de Janeiro, but it's ready to party.
Mark Russell was a guest of Mantra Resorts and Virgin Blue. (Credit: Fairfax)
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