It is probably politically correct to give Barack Obama the Nobel price for peace for the things that he might do in the future…me on the other hand, I would prefer to give it to « Daniel » for being the ever smiling symbol of peace between the nations around the playing table.

Or to our beloved game of poker which unites, in a peaceful manner and with an enormous amount of fair-play spiced up with a healthy sense of competition …players from over 125 countries worldwide.

I would give it to John Duthie for initiating these wonderful peaceful meetings in the most beautiful countries of the old continent, EPT, in which players from 97 countries took part …

I am very proud to be privileged to compete in the marvellous EPT competition which allows me to meet so many different cultures all sharing the same passion.

Yes « poker » you bring us together, you make us dream, you teach us to take control over our instincts, to appreciate success…to dominate our weaknesses and to develop our qualities. That is way tens of millions of people have come to appreciate you and tomorrow, when there will be hundreds of million of us, peace will be one step closer to victory.

Yesterday I received a minor trophy …..The Golden Ace for the best Belgian poker player of 2009, a minor trophy elected by a small community of poker players from the small country Belgium. Nevertheless, I must admit that I was very pleased and proud to receive it.

First of all because it was given to me by peers…which makes it really genuine…secondly because the selection committee consisted of the 120 best and most passionate players of our country namely the members of the committees behind the 10 poker “Forum” from all regions of the country. Also because the Belgian culture is really permeated with card playing at a high level…

My grandfather always took me to his local card tournament on Sundays, it was not exactly a re-buy, but it got me very interested…in the evenings when his friends came around the house ‘whist’ was the dominating factor, in the pub ‘jass’ took the upper hand…and then I went to university and discovered ‘bridge’ and ‘poker’. Millions of Belgians share this card culture…and as Belgians are perfectionists…the poker culture is there of a high quality…

But poker does not stop at the border, being a native Belgian I consider myself being a European player of the world.

I am lucky to have made it to the top 25 of the EPT leader board. A joy which is enhanced by the support I get from thousands of active fans from just about everywhere…and the desire to share more successes and moments of happiness with them.

After 45 years of hard work I really enjoy being able to go on a couple of dozen trips around the world, to be able to compete with the best…and to consolidate their friendship.

In the meanwhile I really appreciate my two or three daily online MTT … I love the immense luxury which technology offers us and the marvellous organisation which goes behind the « poker rooms « which brings together people from all over the world.

Oh grandfather, if only you could have experienced the joy of not just playing with Camille and Jules from around the corner ….but with the whole world; At night when I crawl behind my sofa and friends like Jason just send me a ‘Hello’ in the chat box…a quick salute remembering Villamoura , or when Angel sends me a ‘como estes’ from Mexico and the fantastic Joep writes «  he Buddy we like you « from Holland just next door…..

Then I really get the impression to be witnessing the birth of a large chain of friendship which goes all around the world. A big thanks to technology, to those who make the world advance, thanks to the genius organisers who allow us to take part in tournaments where 140.000 human beings from all possible countries sit around the playing tables...what a splendid chain of union.

I’m afraid that the media has not yet discovered the full potential of all this...something which I clearly consider a lot more important to mankind than a new visit to the moon.

However, as the world is not perfect...there is something which is sending chills down my spine and disturbs the peaceful image of me enjoying the time I have left on this planet and inviting friends from all over the world to join me for a game of online poker.

I have heard or someone told me that...one of our politicians...a minister who must be extremely tired...up to a point that he is losing touch with what the citizens value most with respect to culture...an attitude which is probably caused by one or other budget shock...allegedly has said that...they are going to ban online poker tournaments as they can not be taxed. I sincerely hope that he was drunk (and no, this is not who you think it is) or that the journalist misunderstood...

The thought of there being a rumour, a hint, however silent it might be, so silent that it was just one politicians chimera, to ban the global game of the 21st century in our country terrifies me...in the same way as all other attacks on the fundamental values of culture do. This is a practice which is only seen in the worst regimes and times , things like prohibitions and bans of all sorts... Theodore when did you tell them again that the mind must never submit itself; that a ban on our freedom to play with friends of the world should be considered as an attack on liberty?

And although I intended only to talk about good things I must share with you the nightmare which could result from this all. For 45 years I worked to make this country more prosperous, I took on employees from a very young age, I set up companies...paid the required taxes, duties, VAT, income taxes, taxes on movable and immovable property... I saved up to have a carefree retirement plan and to play a relaxing tournament of poker every evening, and now they would force me to move abroad...to move to a free country...

Could someone please wake me up? It can’t be that we will have to hire a series of lawyers to go to the European Court of Human Rights to be able to play our game of cards...and please don’t tell me that the friendly smiles I am receiving from all over the world such as ‘Hello Buddy from Jason’, ‘Joep’, ‘Angel’ and so many others will all be considered illegal criminal in my village.

I wish you all peace, happiness and Poker in 2010.

Pierre Neuville