Maish to chase his American dreams

12:20pm Tuesday 13th May 2008

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STEVE Maish is gambling on fulfilling his own American dreams when he jets out for the PartyPoker.net PDC US Open tomorrow.

The Southend-based darts professional is seeded 32 for the tournament, which is being held at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut between Thursday and Sunday.

And Maish admits that rather than sight-seeing, he will be spending most of his free time at the gaming tables.

"It's one of the biggest casinos in the world, so I'll be having a little look round while I'm there," he confirmed.

Maish faces unknown American Scott Henning in the first round, while six-times World Championship qualifier Canadian Gary Mawson is his probable second round opponent.

However, the 44-year-old is already looking forward to a likely third round showdown with world number one and five-times world champion Raymond van Barneveld.

"Gary is a no mean player but I really want to beat him up and get stuck into Raymond again," said Maish, who flies to New York's JFK airport tomorrow before taking a train from Grand Central Station to New Haven, Connecticut, and completing his 3,500-mile journey by taxi.

"I've got Raymond in the last-32 if we both get there and I've beaten him more times than he's beaten me.

"We've played seven times and I'm 4-3 up, so I'd fancy my chances but he's one hell of a player."

Off the oche, Maish is ready to let his hair down at one of the PDC's most popular competitions among the players.

"They held the tournament for the first time last year and it proved to be a real hit," the man nicknamed "Mr Magic" confirmed.

"I only managed to get to the last-64 last year but hopefully I'll be able to do better this time around.

"I've left a bit of space in my suitcase for the trophy, just in case!"

Elsewhere Billericay-born Kevin Painter, the 15th seed, opens up with a first round game against Bruce Graham, while Romford's Wayne Mardle is up against Tom Curtin.

Chelmsford's Colin Lloyd, seeded nine, faces American Owen Shea, while 13-times world champion Phil "The Power" Taylor takes on Robert St Onge.

The tournament will be shown on NutsTV, available on freeview channel 42, from the last-16 onwards.

Live coverage will start at 7pm on both Saturday and Sunday evenings.