Friday 5th of September 2008, 5.45pm.  Julie Donnaz is knocked out of the Partouche Poker Tour final, finishing in 97^th place.  The players at her table breathe a sigh of relief.  "Luck has to run out at some point " sighs one of the young player's victims of the day, half joking.

Julie smiles.  But then again, she is always smiling.  "How can you sulk in a place like this?" the heroine of the Partouche Poker Tour is offended and amused by this.  Her elimination?  " If someone had told me that I would have gone this far in the tournament, I would have laughed out loud " yet another burst of laughter.

Once upon a time there was a 31 year old woman who understood nothing about poker.  "Oh that's just not true!" she jokingly loses her temper.  Explanation: "Some friends bought a case of chips and some cards for a New Year's Eve Party.  We played all night and I loved the game right away.  Ok I didn't win, but I loved it."  Duly noted.

"A little help from the hand of fate"

Having got past the difficult early stages, Julie took a greater interest in this weird tournament, whose qualifiers where taking place close to where she lived.  "Partouche Poker Tour posters where pretty much all over the town.  Register for 125€, and you can win up to 1 million Euros.  A dream! "

The decision was made.  Julie was going to try her luck.  "One evening I arrived at Le Pharaon Casino in Lyon.  I paid, sat down and I beat all these guys who spend their lives at cash-game tables. "  She laughs.  A little bit of luck Julie?  "I would be lying if I said I wasn't lucky.  Anyway, in a 10 player tournament where the blinds increase very quickly, you can't expect to pull through without a little help from the hand of fate ".

It's fate again that is going to allow Julie to pursue her dream.  Destination Forge-les-Eaux for the qualifying Super Satellite for the Grand Final in Cannes.  A stage of the competition which Julie reaches with a complete lack of composure, as you would expect from a beginner.  "To be honest, I went there as an underdog.  How could I have possibly hoped to qualify, up against all these players who are so much more experienced than me ".

"Even better, nobody took me seriously!"

"Fourth, I finished fourth, do you realize that? "  And this is just her debut.  "Arriving in Cannes, I can't believe my eyes.  This casino, full of these players that you only see on the telly!  And I'm going to be playing against them!  This is my dream and here I am in the middle of it! ".

The final of the Partouche Poker Tour is the third tournament in which Julie is taking part.  "Three tournaments in my whole life and I find myself at the same table as Fabrice Soulier, Chris Ferguson, and Scott N'Guyen.  In these conditions, its not easy to stay focused".  Nor is it easy for her competitors, who are thrown by the beginner's game.

"The players weren't taking me seriously.  That was the best thing that could have happened to me.  I played like a fool throughout the whole tournament and drove more than a few of them mad " she recalls, laughing.  For her victims, the verdict is unanimous.  " this girl is a hit or miss player, but she's got incredible luck."

Cannes : An unforgettable experience

Lucky again?  " I'll admit today :  The cards were often  on my side and on a lot of hands, I never really did that much ".  No false modesty now Julie.  " But then again, I don't think you could have achieved what I have since the 125€ satellite until Cannes without some talent, do you not think? " True!

Once upon a time there was a 31 year old woman who knew how to play poker.  At Cannes, this young woman had the best week of her life.  "Oh no " Julie continues, amused. "The best week of my life was the week of my wedding, just before qualifying for Forges ".  Oh that's right, we forgot to mention : Julie is married and will shortly be leaving to go on her honeymoon in the Caribbean.  "And guess what?  Its my Super Satellite winnings (ed. note: 3000€)  that is paying for my holiday.  Thank you  Partouche!!!! ".  You're welcome Julie.