By By BRUCE HIXON – Sports Editor
Matt Barnes admits there has been a certain amount of luck for him to land one of just three spots on Alabama's World Cup of Poker team.
Of course, there has also been a certain amount of skill involved.
The Brewton native hopes to use those skills and get a little lucky as well when national competition gets under way Friday.
The World Cup of Poker is an online event played nationwide. Each state along with the District of Columbia will have team entries when national competition begins Friday.
First-round play is divided into pools. Alabama is in a pool with Connecticut, Florida and South Carolina. Play will be reduced to 16 teams this weekend. That figure will be reduced to eight the following weekend, then to four, and finally to two.
Barnes had to win five straight qualifying matches in order to land his spot on Alabama's team. Thirty-three people competed against Barnes for the spots on Alabama's team.
The 34-year-old Barnes has little knowledge of the two teammates he will play with this weekend.
Barnes has played poker for 10 years. He usually spends about three hours an evening playing.