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Young online wizard Jono Crute speaks about his short but distinguished career to date PAGE 9

John O’Shea reveals his monster bets in this month’s unmissable diary PAGE 11 BRACELET HUNTERS Poker Face profiles the Irish superstars leading the goldrush to Vegas PAGE 5

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6HHZHEVLWHIRUGHWDLOV(QMR\WKHIUHHJDPHVDQGEHIRUHSOD\LQJLQWKHUHDOPRQH\JDPHVSOHDVHFKHFNZLWK\RXUORFDOMXULVGLFWLRQUHJDUGLQJWKHOHJDOLW\RI,QWHUQHWSRNHU‹)XOO7LOW3RNHU$OOULJKWVUHVHUYHGZZZJDPEOHDZDUHFRXN THE IRISH RACING P OST PULL-OUT FREE WITH THE ON THE LAST SATURDAY OF EACH MON TH 2 POKER FACE Saturday, May 28, 2011 racingpost.com POKER NEWS Seiver and Seidel scoop PokerView introduces webcam cash games By Ken Powell depositing players. top Bellagio honours For players who don’t yet feel up to ONLINE poker players can finally see playing face-to-face with their By Ken Powell the rest of his stack with two pair and from the small blind, and Erick who they’re raising and stare down opponents, standard avatar tables are sealed his victory. For the win, Seiver Lindgren, 34, checked his option in the rivals who go all-in. also available. OHIO poker phenomenon Scott Seiver banked a total of $1,618,344, bringing big blind. The flop fell Ac4c2c, and By introducing webcam tables earlier PokerView has been developing its took down the prestigious$25,000 his career earnings to $4.5 million. Lindgren checked. Seidel bet 125,000, this month, PokerView.com is bidding webcam technology in the hope of Championship in the Bonyadi fought for nearly two hours and Lindgren shoved for about a to remove the drawback of not being satisfying a growing population of Bellagio, Las Vegas, last weekend, during heads up play, but he ultimately million. Seidel called with Ah5h for a able to look at your opponents. online poker enthusiasts who are winning $1.6million. couldn’t overcome Seiver’s advantage. pair of aces, and was ahead of the flush On PokerView, players face off on seeking a more stimulating and social Seiver, 26, came into the final table Bonyadi was put to the test holding and straight draw of his opponent with tables where they are represented by gaming experience. in a near tie for the chip lead and was two pair and eventually called all in for the Jc3h. The turn and river bricked for webcams. All tables are monitored to PokerView.com marketing chief never really in danger of being his tournament life, only to see Seiver Lindgren, and Seidel scooped the pot ensure players remain visible Michael Dunsberg said: “Players are eliminated. turn over a rivered straight. The two- for the win. throughout games. knocking on our doors eager to Once three-handed play began, he time WSOP bracelet winner banked his Seidel earned $1,092,000 for the For players who don’t have access to experience the ability to play live poker steamrolled his competition, eventually first ever seven-figure score, earning victory, while Lindgren took home a web camera, PokerView offers one for online. Beating the game is just so knocking out Player of the Year $1,061,900 for 2nd place. He now has $700,500 for his runner-up finish. The free, along with a 100 per cent much more exciting when you have frontrunner Galen Hall in third place. $3.7 million in career earnings. win was Seidel’s fourth of the year, and matching bonus of up to $600 to all faces to go with the players.” By the time heads-up play began, Eight-time WSOP bracelet winner ninth final table. In 2011 alone he has Seiver had jumped out to a 3-1 chip Eric Seidel claimed the $100,000 Super won $5.4 million. His career lead which he never relinquished. High Roller title at the Bellagio, beating tournament earnings stand at nearly After making a straight on the river, into second place. $16 million. South American scoops Seiver got Farzad Bonyadi to commit On the final hand Seidel, 51, limped FINAL TABLE PAYOUTS at EPT Grand Final WPT Championship Main Event By Ken Powell FINAL TABLE PAYOUTS 1. Scott Seiver $1,618,344 VENEZUELAN pro Ivan Freitez became 1. Ivan Freitez (Venezuela) the first South American EPT champion 2. Farzad Bonyadi $1,061,900 when he took down the Grand Final €1,500,000 main event in Madrid earlier this 3. Galen Hall $589,355 2. Torsten Brinkmann (Germany) month. He took home €1.5million, 4. Roger Teska $371,665 while German heads-up cash game €900,000 specialist Torsten Brinkmann had to 5. Tony Gargano $278,749 settle for the €900,000 runner-up prize. 3. Tamas Lendvai (Hungary) When Hungary's Tamas Lendvai €550,000 6. Justin Young $225,654 busted in third place, Freitez held a commanding 16million to 4.5million 4. Andrey Danilyuk (Russia) chip lead over Brinkmann and the two €400,000 $100k Super High Roller soon went to war. The final hand came when the South 5. Juan Maceiras (Spain) 1. $1,092,780 American opened from the button with 10d-9d and called after Brinkman €315,000 2. Erick Lindgren $700,500 moved all-in with AdKc. 6. Eugene Yanayt (United States) The board came 9s5h2s6d8c, giving 3. $448,320 Freitez top pair and the EPT Grand €250,000 4. Vivek Rajkumar $336,240 Final title. The Venezuelan commented: “After 7. Alex Gomes (Brazil) 5. $224,160 some poor results, at last I’ve made it €185,000 Scott Seiver Erik Seidel and won a big tournament. I met a lot of aggressive players along the way but 8. Andrew Li (United States) I adapted my game and stayed calm €130,000 and it paid off.” Kings of Leon rock the Mercier crowned inaugural Emporium before Slane Champion of Champions By Ken Powell ROCK legends Kings of Leon warmed poker. One guy knew the rules, the “They had a driver or minder-type up for Slane Castle by playing POKER other one didn't. dude in the background as well, but AMERICAN pro in Dublin’s Sporting Emporium casino “The were nice lads and seemed to he didn't get involved in the action on pummelled a stacked field to claim the early yesterday morning. enjoy the banter with the locals. the baize." first ever Champion of Champions A source said: “There were two of “They were very polite and left The rockers told players at the table tournament title at the EPT Grand them, the singer Caleb and some other quietly after one of the regulars their wives were jetting in to Dublin Final. The tournament featured every long-haired dude. cleaned them out.” for tonight's show at Slane Castle. winner in the history of the tour, and “They arrived in around 11pm on Another Sporting Emporium Kings of Leon headline the took place at the Gran Casino in Thursday night and bought in for member added: "Caleb was quiet but extravaganza at the Co Meath venue, Madrid. €500 each. They drank a few pints seemed to enjoy splashing the chips supported by Elbow, Thin Lizzy, White Fifty EPT champs took part in the and played for a few hours. around. The other guy was much Lies, Mona and The Whigs. event, a freeroll which offered a “They were basically clueless about more talkative and up for the craic. €100,000 prize fund. Prizes were awarded in EPT buy-ins for the upcoming tournament season. Mercier, from Florida, took down the title by surviving a late-night heads up TWEETS OF THE MONTH battle with fellow US pro Galen Hall. For first place, Mercier received May 14: WPT 25k starts in a few hours. Feeling great and stars €50,000 in buy-ins for EPT Season 8. seemed aligned for a victory Hall took €25,000 in entries for second Jason place. Four players in total made the Mercier money, with Max Lykov, from Russia, May 21: Won the WPT for 1.6 million! Thank you so much everyone for taking €15,000 in buy-ins for 3rd place, happy. It was a tough tournament. the support. I love you! and English pro Vicky Coren winning Really good players came out and, Scott Seiver €10,000 worth of EPT entries. when we got deep, I did think at one Mercier admitted: “I’m extremely point that I was going to bubble it.” Racing Post Saturday, May 28, 2011 POKER FACE 3 POKER NEWS IT’S OFFICIAL: Ireland has Boylepoker.com unveils revamped IPO 2011 the best poker pros in Europe By Ken Powell and better than ever. We have increased the starting stack to 15,000 By Ken Powell BOYLEPOKER.COM yesterday and adjusted the clock to ensure there Tom Finneran announced the return of Europe’s is more play at the business end of the IRELAND’S professional poker players biggest live no-limit Texas Hold'em event. Also, the delayed final table are officially the best in Europe. Dublin , the 2011 will add a new and exciting twist to potter John O’Shea collecting the International Poker Open. the event.” Country of the Year trophy at the glitzy The €200+€25 buy-in main event Television’s ‘Voice of Poker’ Jesse Awards bash in will take place at Dublin's Regency May believes the IPO is what poker is the world-famous Pacha nightclub in Hotel from October 21-23, with a all about. Madrid earlier this month. revamped structure. He said: “You get to be a part of the The prestigious gongs, presented by Players can choose to start the main event for the price of a satellite. English hotshot and Aussie main event on either the Friday or Last year I had so much fun, I booked former WSOP champ , Saturday (Day 1A or 1B) with each my ticket for next year well before were based on points accrued from all player starting with 15,000 chips. Level 2! 13 EPT Season 7 main events and all The clock will run at 40-minute “It’s such a great weekend, the only side events with $1,000-plus buy-ins. levels on Day 1s, while on Sunday’s thing as much fun as still being in the Irish players cashed in 23% of Day 2, the levels will change every tournament, is being at the bar the tournaments they entered (16 cashes hour. day after you get knocked out! A from 70 entrants), ahead of Spain and This year, just like the WSOP main great weekend, full of great poker, Israel, both on 19%. event, when play reaches the final great people, and plenty of stories at Galway grinder Tom Finneran led the table, the clock will stop and the the bar.” way for Ireland, with a hat-trick of remaining competitors will return five To celebrate the launch of this payouts – in Barcelona, Deauville and weeks later on November 26 to play it year's IPO, Boylepoker.com is hosting the Bahamas. out. The final table will be streamed a €5+ €0.50 buy-in freezeout next Wily Cork veteran Bobby Willis exclusively on Boylepoker.com Thursday at 8pm with two tickets to scored on the double, bringing home The Co Louth-based firm will also the IPO 2011 added to the prize pool. loot from EPTs in London and add €20,000 to the prize pool for Vilamoura. players who take part in its ‘Extra Another 11 Irishmen scored one cash Cash’ promotion this summer. Players each in Season 7 ranking tournaments special 13-runner €10,000 FREEROLL And John O’Shea was just pipped at who earn a total of 350 VIP points at – John O’Shea, Alan McIntyre, Fintan tourney later in the year, most likely the post by Dario Alioto of Italy for the Boylepoker.com in two single months Gavin, Marty Smyth, Femi Fakinle, during EPT London. EPT Omaha Player of the Year award. between June to September can earn Jude Ainsworth, Dermot Blain, Jim Portuguese businessman Fernando O’Shea finished second in that an extra €1,000 at the IPO. Fennell, Rory Rees-Brennan and Denis Brito received the EPT Player of the category, while also taking a creditable Boylepoker boss Ciaran Corbett Murphy. Year award for his consistent fourth place in the EPT Mixed Games said: “As usual this year, the They’ll all be invited to compete in a performances throughout Season 7. listings. Boylepoker.com IPO will be bigger Jesse May, left, at last year's IPO 4 POKER FACE Saturday, May 28, 2011 racingpost.com

Razavi silences home crowd in Cork By David Jennings far off and came with Razavi holding confident that I’d get into the final A-7 versus O’Connor’s K-6. three but things just didn’t go my way UKIPT CORK PAYOUTS BRITISH-based poker professional Sam In what was a remarkable on the final day”. Razavi spoiled the home party at the performance from O’Connor given that Three big hands went against 1: Sam Razavi €71,000 UKIPT in Cork as he overturned a it was his first live event, he left with Dowling at the business end of the 2: David O’Connor €41,200 heads-up deficit against Dubliner David €41,200 for finishing runner-up while tournament. The second of those saw 3: Martin Mulsow €25,200 O’Connor in a pulsating duel to claim Razavi walked away with the trophy, him run into pocket rockets with his the €71,000 winner’s purse. the title, and €71,000 in his back pair of queens and it was Razavi who 4: Jamie Flynn €18,500 Six-hundred and one players from 28 pocket. sent him packing after that. 5: Allen McCauley €14,800 different countries entered the stalls for Razavi afterwards paid tribute to his Dowling was delighted to sneak a the prestigious event but just 11 opponents who pushed him all the way. peek at a pair of tens but when the 6: Adam Jaguscik €11,300 remained in contention entering the He said: “It was a really tough table. I British poker pro revealed two Jacks, 7: Chris Dowling €8,900 final day of action, with Razavi in pole was glad a couple of people got badly his race had been ran. position by holding a significant chip- collared as they were causing me real Vegas could be next on Dowling’s 8: Peter Burnett €6,900 lead. problems.” agenda, although he is not a certain 9: Vincent O’Connor €4,915 With Chris Dowling bowing out in Dubliner Dowling performed with starter yet. “I might head over for the 10: Phil Baker €3,550 seventh and talented youngster Jamie another King crippling the German. credit throughout the tournament and Main Event but I’m not sure yet. I have Flynn exiting in third place, it was left O’Connor finished Mulsow off soon netted a tidy €8,900 for finishing young kids so it might not be possible 11: Marc Gaudlitz €3,550 to O’Connor to fly the flag for Ireland after when the German moved all in seventh but was left reeling in the ‘what but maybe I might make it over for the 12: Christopher Knights €2,900 and by all accounts he was pretty with a dominated ace. might have been’. big one. fortunate to reach that stage. O’Connor made it to the heads-up He said: “I guess I was happy enough “The WSOP is the one event where 13: Andrew Sweeney €2,900 Just before the heads-up play out in front against his British to finish seventh as it was a huge field you could finish maybe 25th and clear 14: Sam MacDonald €2,350 commenced, with a five-million pot on leprechaun hat-wearing nemesis. but I went into the final day fourth in your mortgage but it’s not the be all the line and German student Martin Razavi soon turned things around chips and I looked around at who was and end all either as there are plenty of 15: Artis Gritans €2,350 Mulsow slightly covering O’Connor, however and a classic battle then left and thought to myself that it was a tournaments on these shores too. I 16: Amby Travers €1,850 Mulsow tabled pocket aces while catapulted him into the lead with J-9 pretty soft field with the exception of think someone said to me that there are 17: Daniel Whelan €1,850 O’Connor revealed A-K. against O’Connor’s 10-8 on a 9-5-2-J the winner. 40 poker festivals in Ireland this year so The board fell a safe J-9-6 for the board. “I got lucky on day one with a few I might just play in a few of those 18: John Power €1,850 German raider, but a King on the turn The river was of no use to O’Connor hands but I actually played really well instead.” 19: Dara Fitzgerald €1,850 meant he had to dodge two outs. One as a King arrived. on the second day and managed to “Whether I travel or not, there’ll be a of duly arrived on the river with The ultimately decisive hand was not build-up a fairly big stack. I was strong Irish team in Vegas.” 20: Ali Duncan €1,850 Rafter takes lions share in four-way JP Masters chop

By Ken Powell RESULTS TABLE SLIGO gambler Tony Rafter was €560 JP , 173 €150 6-Max, 96 Players €80 Turbo, 20 Players crowned JP Poker Masters champion at Players 1: Simon Keating €3,243 1: Shane Sils €696 2: Steve Wilson 2,182 Bewley’s Hotel in Ballsbridge, Dublin, 1: Tony Rafter €19,398 € 2: Steven O’Neil €398 earlier this month after a four-way 2: Eoin Olin €13,494 3: Sam Baneham €1,651 deal. 3: Colm Higgins €232 3: John Gallagher €10,121 4: Michael Mason €1,120 Shortly before the last four at the 5: Gareth Daily €826 4: Con Collins €7,590 final table agreed business, the Yeats 6: Terry Kavanagh €649 €250 PLO, 15 Players County man had 2.1 million of the 5.3 5: Alan McIntyre €5,060 7: Tommy Nathan €413 1: Anthony O’Brien €1,876 million chips in play. 6: Jason Tompkins €4,006 8: Vivion Hayden €413 But Rafter, known as ‘The Pirate’, 2: Kevin Fitzpatrick €939 7: Dara O’Kearney €3,163 9: Ross Johnson €413 settled for just €14,875 and the title, Irish Eyes pro Dara O’Kearney, who 8: James Waldron €2,530 10: Brian Warren €295 even though first prize originally would finished seventh, agreed. He 9: Stephen Belleli €1,898 11: Adam Bolger €295 €150 NLH, 53 Players have paid €19,398. commented: “Had it been played out, 10: Dimitri Pembroke €1,729 12: Steve Fynes €295 1: Mark Connolly €2,129 Dublin restaurateur Eoin Olin got the my money would have been on Eoin best of the chop, taking €13,330 for his Olin to win.” 11: Marc McDonnell €1,729 2: Murtagh Ward €1,365 300 Side Event, 73 Players 1.5 million chips, while John Gallagher The main event attracted 173 12: Ciaran McGivern €1,729 € 3: Rory Brown €927 and Con Collins took €11,400 and 1: Karl Griffin €4,933 runners and Ireland's top players were 13: Noel Clarke €1,518 4: Richie Woodhouse €651 €11,000 respectively. full of praise for organiser JP McCann, 14: Richard Hinds €1,518 2: Mark Kenny €3,232 Most of those present felt Louie's 3: Reg Rowan €2,467 5: Stephen Doyle €488 saying it was the best-run tourney they 15: Daniel Diviney €1,518 Bistro owner Olin would have gone on had played all year, with the best 4: Kevin Fitzpatrick €1,659 6: Mark Grey €358 16: Albert Kenny €1,265 to win it if they'd played it out. structure. 5: Sarah Smith €1,233 7: P.J. Breen €293 Sixth-place finisher Jason Tompkins Cork pumper Anthony O'Brien was 17: Cathal Shine €1,265 6: Mick McCloskey €936 said: “I was a little surprised that a deal crowned JP Poker Masters omaha 18: Dave Coyle €1,265 7: Padraig O’Neill €765 was done, but to be fair it was three 80 Turbo, 17 Players champion, while Simon Keating, Karl 19: Hazel Henone €886 8: Michelle Gavigan €680 € very long days.” Griffin, Shane Sils, Mark Connolly and 20: John McClaran €886 9: Bobby Murphy €595 1: Dara O’Kearney €744 “I really thought Eoin would go on to Dara O'Kearney took down the other 10: Willie O’Hora €510 2: Breffny Earley €383 finish the boys off.” side events.

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THE , the game grandest spectacle kicks off at the Rio in Las Vegas next Tuesday and there are plenty of Irish invaders jetting into Sin City hoping to follow in the footsteps of Donnacha O’Dea, Noel Furlong, Ciaran O’Leary and Marty Smyth by getting their hands on a WSOP bracelet. David Jennings picks out five home-grown talents who have the potential to add their names to that elite list this summer

RORY REES BRENNAN MARC McDONNELL NICK HEATHER JASON TOMPKINS SEAN PRENDIVILLE

REES BRENNAN caught the bug IN HIS SHORT but WHEN HEATHER tiptoed into The ATHY NATIVE Tompkins has PRENDIVILLE has emerged as one of from his close friend Eoghan O’Dea distinguished card career to Rio 12 months ago, very few of his proven to be a prolific winner the hottest poker properties on these a few years back and has rapidly date, McDonnell has proven esteemed counterparts would have since 2007 and arrived in shores with a scintillating 2010 season become one of Ireland’s most himself to be a quality player, known who he was. They probably Vegas as a man in form after that has seen his reputation soar. feared internation competitors. so much so that top pro Rob presumed he was just another Irish superb showing in the JP Last year he was in unstoppable The Killiney native has taken Taylor put his name forward whippersnapper over for a holiday Masters and Irish Open on form with four tournament victories to little time to become a top as ‘the one to watch’ for the of some craic. But they soon got to home soil. his name as well as deep runs in professional and despite having a rest of 2011. realise his potential and a fourth- His sixth place finish in the several other high-profile events. Masters in Business Studies from All eyes will be on the place finish in a $1,000 event, for JP Masters showed that he is Indeed, he almost made a UCD, his main income is earned on Dublin potter at the Rio as he which he won $150,000 had just coming to the boil at the significant impact on the biggest stage the green felt and online. attempts to translate his everyone talking. Who was this right time. The signs were of all. It was back in 2009 when Rees excellent home form onto the Irish kid stealing all their dough? there at the Burlington when “I was flying in the WSOP Main Brennan first shot to prominence as world stage. A seventh-place This year the surprise factor is he was a little unlucky to bow Event last year at one stage,” he he scooped the €160,000 first prize finish at the European gone with Heather but he still out in 64th place after reveals. “It was day three and I had a for winning the Irish Poker Deepstack Championships arrives in Vegas as one of the main looking like he was going to serious stack of chips after running Championships. His preferred back in 2008 was the first Irish challengers following a land a serious blow at one good on the opening two days. I was game is PLO at stakes of $10-20 indication of McDonnell’s fantastic 2010 and a promising stage. chip leader at my table by a fair bit but he usually includes a talent and he has continued beginning to the current calendar Those looking for when I was dealt ace-jack. Someone tournament in his schedule about his progression with eye- year. Tompkins’ best line of form in raised before me and I called but then once a week. catching performances at the Regarded by his home recent years don’t have to I was three-bet. I called but the other He has made a good start to Mini WSOP, the Fitzwilliam colleagues as a player of immense glance back too far as 12 lad folded. 2011 and could have pocketed a Poker Festival and the Celtic ability, Heather has the months ago he was embroiled “The flop came J-J-9 so I had three chunky cheque in France earlier in Poker Tour Grand Final in the temperament to do real damage in a fascinating heads-up duel jacks. An eight came out on the turn the year had luck not deserted him. interim. on the big stage. with Sean Prendiville at the and he checked so I bet and he re- “I travelled to Deauville for their Earlier this month, “I’ve been lucky enough to play Celtic Poker Tour Grand Final. raised me. At this stage I had most of EPT and came 55th. To be honest I McDonnell looked in superb at the last two WSOP’s. The first On that occasion he had to my chips in anyway so I went all-in. was unlucky not to do a lot better form at the JP Masters, year was a bit of a disaster and I settle for second spot but a He had a pair of 9s in his hand so he as I got knocked out on a hand that finishing 11th in the Main made no real impression but this cheque for over €33,000 already had a house. if I won, it would have left me fifth Event and jets off for Vegas year went really well and I helped console him. “I would probably have been chip in chips,” he said. with a soaring reputation. finished fourth in a $1,000 event.” Other notable performances leader in the whole thing had I won But his eyes are firmly fixed on Marc is also on a nice “That was my first really big live from Tompkins include that hand but it just wasn’t to be.” Vegas and he has his schedule $50,000 upswing playing tournament win and it was a finishing runner-up in the However, a 20th place finish in a worked out too. online MTTs over the last brilliant experience. That helped European Deep-Stack $1,500 event and finishing 15th in a “I’m going to go to Vegas for a couple of months, so he can’t me gain sponsorship from Paddy Championship in 2008, worth $1,000 one proved ample consolation month and I’m going to play in all wait to take his game to Vegas Power which is a huge help. €64,713 to him and a third- and sent Prendiville home from Vegas the Omaha tournaments I can and now. “We rented a house in Las Vegas. placed finish in Waterford with almost $45,000 in his arse- the Main Event and maybe three He told Poker Face: “I’m There was myself and seven other earlier that year. pocket. other hold ’em events so I’ll be going to play at least six Irish players. It was a fantastic Tompkins, one of Ireland’s Last April he was crowned Celtic playing plenty.” tournaments over there. A few experience. They were really most consistent tournament Poker Tour Grand Final champion It would be no surprise to see of us will be sharing a nice quality poker players and I learned contenders, arrives in Vegas which earned him €35,000 and a Rees Brennan arrived back from rented house, so we’ll chill a lot from them. next week brimming with fortnight later the JP Masters title was Vegas with a chunkier suitcase than out in between competitions “The WSOP is what every poker confidence and should make his, adding €33,000 to his prize-fund he arrived with. and enjoy ourselves anyway.” player strives towards.” a big impression. for the year. 6 POKER FACE Saturday, May 28, 2011 racingpost.com Racing Post Saturday, May 28, 2011 POKER FACE 7 8 POKER FACE Saturday, May 28, 2011 racingpost.com QUESTIONNAIRE P O K E R N EWS

FITZWILLIAM CASINO AND CARD CLUB

Fitzwilliam Poker Festival ticket to the €1,100 UKIPT Main ROB The Fitzwilliam Poker Festival, one of Event in Galway and $1,500 credit on the mainstays on the Irish poker FullTiltPoker.com. Points are earned calendar, will kick-off on Wednesday, by buying into and finishing in the top November 23 and is set to attract nine places in all poker tournaments some of the world’s best poker in the Fitzwilliam Card Club between TAYLOR players. The tournament will kick-off January and November this year. The with a €55 Re-buy satellite for the bigger the tournament, the more €800 Main Event. points on offer. In the beginning of The Main Event runs over two days December, the top 20 players will sit from Saturday, November 26 and has down and play off for the title, with a €700 Buy-in + €60 Scalp + €40 Reg the stack sizes corresponding to the with a starting stack of 20,000. Plenty points that have been won. of action is guaranteed with an extra €1000 up for grabs for ten nominated €2,000 added to bounty players and an optional €50 Saturday Freeze-outs last-longest proposition bet. The best value poker tournaments On Thursday, November 24 the take place in the Fitzwilliam this June Fitzwilliam End of Month €270 and an extra €500 is being added to Freeze-out, now firmly established as every Saturday night €120 + €5 the biggest monthly tournament in Freezeout. The dates in question are Ireland, will be held. Fans of scalp Saturdays 4, 11, 18 and 25 with the tourneys will look forward to the action getting underway at 8.30pm. Festival Scalp Tournament on Friday, Book your seat online now to secure a November 25 with a €75 buy-in + seat. €20 scalp + €5 Reg. One re-buy and one add-on to this game with a Player Of The Year starting stack of 4000. League Table For the Omaha players, a €220 1. Stewart Samuels 3275 Triple Chance tournament will run on 2. Michael Murray 2375 Sunday, November 27 with a starting 3. Brian Napier 2260 stack of 5000. A new and exciting 4. Damian Bracken 2200 event this year will be the two-day 5. Frank Murphy 1860 Festival Freezeout Team Event, from 6. Shane Barrett 1770 Monday, November 28. On Sunday, 7. Paddy Hicks 1665 June 5 at 5pm, the Fitzwilliam is 8. Declan O’Connell 1495 running a special freeroll with one 9. Joe Giblin 1370 guaranteed ticket for the €800 Main 10. Rachel Samuels 1360 Event up for grabs. To register for this 11. Alex Pavlov 1225 tournament, email your name and 12. Peter Burnett 1210 mobile number to 13. James Waldron 1195 [email protected], phone 14. Samantha 1195 We ask the Irish professional poker star 01 6114677 or drop into the Club and 15. Barry Donovan 1125 sign up at Reception. The deadline for 16. Kevin Holland 1115 entries is 5pm on Saturday, June 4. 17. Anthonny McConnell 1095 Rob the questions that everybody 18. Vivion 1085 End of Month Freezeout 19. Amo 945 Ireland’s premier monthly poker 20. Jude McCarthy 930 wants to know the answers to! tournament takes place on Thursday, June 30 – the Fitzwilliam End of 1 How did you start that won the EPT in Copenhagen. He’s think is one to keep an Month €250 + €20 Freezeout. The playing poker and what definitely the most intimidating player eye on in 2011 to take main action will get underway at I’ve ever played against. 8.30pm, with one-table sit and go age were you? the poker world by satellites from 5.30pm in the Club. I used to play softball with a friend of storm? Online booking for June’s End of mine that started to get involved with 5 What was your most memorable hand? Mark McDonnell. I’ve seen him go Month is available on poker. I started to take an interest deep without winning any live events www.fitzwilliamcardclub.com. It was online in the PokerStars million myself then on Betfair and to be but I think he’ll win one soon. honest for the first six months I dollar guaranteed and there was Mid-Month $254K for winner. I was in the lead hadn’t a clue what I was at. I did a 10 If you weren’t a €160 Freezeout bit of sports betting alright but then with 12 left. There was this Crazy Save the date for our Mid-Month when I went away on a Betfair trip to Italian guy in third and he went all-in professional poker Freezeout Tournament which takes London and met the people that were but I had a pair of kings so had to call player, what would you place on Sunday, June 12, 4.30pm. involved with poker; I began to take it him. He just had K-J. But a jack do to make a living? Buy-in €150 + €10 and seats are a little more seriously. appeared on the flop and the river so I I’m a qualified accountant so that. available online at ended up bowing out 12th for $6K www.fitzwilliamcardclub.com. What was your first instead of winning at least a six-figure Any WSOP bracelet 2 sum. 11 Fitzwilliam Card Club big breakthrough win? bets planned? Player of the Year 2011, It was back in February 2006. I was What has been your No. I don’t think they are very good sponsored by Poker Face only playing for about nine months 6 value. It’s getting harder and harder biggest payday to date? Up for grabs with this coveted title is and won a $100 Paddy Power to predict these things with so many a special trophy along with an entry Satellite which was worth $12K and It was actually at Irish Open last young players coming through. included a package to Vegas. I cashed month. I finished seventh and won there too. I got $47K for finishing €63K. 12 Who do you admire FITZWILLIAM FESTIVAL 2011 SCHEDULE 129th. Where is your most in poker? Wednesday, November 23 : 7 Dara O’Kearney. He’s a friend of €50 + €5, Super Re-buy Satellite for Festival Main Event 3 Do you prefer playing favourite poker mine and is extremely dedicated. Thursday, November 24: live or playing online? destination and why? €250 + €20, Fitzwilliam End of Month Freezeout Why? Definitely Vegas. I love the summers What upcoming Friday, November 25 : 13 €75 + €20, Scalp + €5 Festival Scalp Tournament Nowadays I prefer playing live there. events do you plan to Saturday, November 26: because there is more craic and it What would be the play in? €700 + €60 Scalp + €40, Festival Main Event Freezeout, Day 1. feels like more of an occasion. Playing 8 The Celtic Poker Tour Grand Final is €1000 added for 10 Bounty Players. Opt. €50 last-longest bet. online can often be monotonous. best piece of advice you next on my agenda. Sunday, November 27: could give someone Festival Main Event Freezeout, Day 2, €200 + €20, Festival Omaha Triple Chance 4 Who would be the starting off? 14 What are your main Monday, November 28: toughest possible player Talk to some of the better players and €500 + €40, Festival Freezeout Team Event, Day 1. Free Reg for Charity, Teams poker goals for 2011? of 4. listen to what they have to say. to face in a heads-up I’ve kind of achieved my goal by Tuesday, November 29: battle? cashing in the Irish Open and that’s Festival Freezeout Team Event, Day 2, €100 + €10, Festival No Limit Hold’em Michael Tureniac. He’s a Swedish pro 9 What player do you a big weight off my shoulders. Double Chance. Racing Post Saturday, May 28, 2011 POKER FACE 9 HEADS UP ...interview with Jono Crute A Crute above the rest

So what does he put his poor live David Jennings record down to? “I’ve made some terrible mistakes,” he admits. “I have been very dismissive of players. If talks to internet someone at my table made a mistake and played a pot, I’d automatically whizz-kid Jono think that they were a bad player but they ended up being good at other aspects of the game and I really Crute who at the shouldn’t have judged them so quickly. “Hopefully the more I play the more age of 20 has I’ll learn. I play about 50 hours a week online so maybe if I put as much effort into live tournaments I might already broken do a little better.” Crute would love to make an impact on the live stage. The poker through the $250K lifestyle is something that is right up his street and he has his sights set on profit barrier. all the €1K events in the coming months. “There is probably no other profession in the world where the T’S a bit like Jenson Button not rewards are bigger than the effort you being tall enough to play on the put in. Perhaps soccer players maybe bumping cars. Next week the but poker is certainly one of the only WSOP kicks off in Las Vegas, but things where the rewards are Jono Crute won’t be there. absolutely huge if you do well. FIunds low? Otherwise engaged? “I hope to start playing in a lot Maybe he doesn’t like flying? more live events. It’s a fantastic No, Ireland’s hottest online property lifestyle as you get to travel around wasn’t even on the guest list. Crute is the world and see different locations only 20 and it’s illegal for him to strut and play a game that you love. You his stuff across the Atlantic until can’t ask for more than that really.” October. So while the rest of his Given that poker is relatively new buddies jet off for Sin City, he has to into Crute’s life, there must have been plough on at what he does best – other career paths that he had crushing online. mapped out for himself. So what did He’s not overly put out. There’ll be he want to be before he was struck plenty of Vegas voyages in the years down with the poker bug? to come, although it’s hardly “I didn’t really have any firm plans surprising that he is slightly envious in place for after school really. The of those making the trip this week. only other ambition I had besides “I’m a little bit gutted I can’t go poker was to own my own bar. That’s alright,” Crute admits. “I was thinking something I’d love to do and about heading over with all the lads something I might think about after and just not playing poker but sure poker. then I realised I couldn’t drink or go Crute is a realist. He knows that out or do anything basically, so I said poker is not the most bullet-proof to myself that there was no point.” profession. But for now while the iron It’s a pity. Crute’s online record continues to be hot, he’ll keep would make him a feared force at the striking. Rio. A staggering bankroll of “I guess a lot depends on $260,000 built up in just over two legislation. That could change at any years on the virtual felt has seen time. It’s not exactly the safest job ‘GAWA9’ parachute to third in the given the way legislation changes in current rankings of Irish online different places and so much of poker tournament players on respecting depends on the prize-money involved. tracking site pocketfives.com. As I said already there aren’t too many Living in Belfast, Crute received professionals where the rewards are as second level education in Bath but it big as they are in poker so I may as was only when he returned from a well keep at it while I can. holiday in Japan that poker became “Life is pretty good for me right an income option. now. There is so much freedom that “I went off for a few weeks to Japan comes with poker. You can play when and spent an absolutely fortune. I you want and where you want. I still went a bit mad and came back with live in a student house and I don’t £400. That was all I had to my name leaves a big gap on your CV so to bankroll fairly quickly and was “It’s a bit of a running joke between own a car so I don’t have too many so it was then when I turned to poker make that worthwhile I knew I had to making money. my friends,” he laughs. “My live expenses.” to try and make some money.” do well. The plan originally was to “I then won an Ongame series record is spectacularly poor. I haven’t He may not be visiting Vegas but It wasn’t the usual path of an 18- make $35K. That was my minimum which was worth $22K and another cashed at a live tournament since Crute still has a jam-packed poker year-old that had just finished school target.” online tourney that netted me $21K 2009 which is a terrible record to diary in the months ahead. He has set and telling his family certainly wasn’t It didn’t take Crute long to reach so things really took off for me have. himself a goal too. the most appetising prospect. that goal though. Indeed he did so in online.” “I was delighted to make Day 2 of “I definitely hope to improve my “I knew I was fairly decent at poker a few months and quickly set his While his online antics have the Irish Open last month. I really live record and try cash in more but I didn’t really know how decent. sights on more attractive sums which generated rave reviews, Crute has yet wanted to do well there and I have to tournaments. The aim is to play in When I was in school it was great helped soften the blow of his family to transfer that ability onto the live admit I did play well to get that far. I every €1K-or-over event in Ireland because I would earn drinking money questioning his career path. stage and admits that his really enjoyed the experience actually and I’ll also take in the Irish Winter through poker and it always got me “It wasn’t the easiest thing to do performances away from the and there was a fantastic atmosphere Festival, the European Masters of by. But it was a bit more serious telling my family and friends that I computer screen has left a lot to be there. I’d usually turn up at a live Poker and the Short-handed because I knew I had to make a living was going to play poker full-time. It desired. So much so that he regarded event and be completely under- Championship in Ballsbridge. That out of it. wasn’t common for someone my age reaching the second day of the Irish whelmed by the whole thing but I got was actually the event that I enjoyed “To turn professional and not have to go down that route but I suppose I Open at the Burlington as a major a great buzz from the Irish Open and the most last year so I’ll look forward another job was a big move as it was lucky in that I built up my achievement. really wanted to do well in it.” to playing in that again.” 10 POKER FACE Saturday, May 28, 2011 racingpost.com POKER NEWS

2011 WSOPE schedule unveiled THE WORLD 2007 WSOPE Irish Eyes smile on Doke Series of Poker champ Annette Europe Obrestad By Ken Powell with updates, news and strategy tips. schedule for Dara ‘Doke’ O’Kearney Irish Eyes Poker chief Steven Merrick 2011 has been IRISH Eyes Poker last week announced welcomed O’Kearney to the team. announced, the appointment of Dublin card shark Merrick said: “We’re delighted to with the Dara ‘Doke’ O’Kearney as the new have Dara on board, we’ve been Casino captain of their growing poker team. monitoring his performances online for Barrière de Since winning the European some time and we feel certain he's the Cannes Deepstack Championship in 2008, best man to captain our crew. Croisette in Doke has established himself as one of “His online results are nothing short southern Ireland's top tournament players and of phenomenal and he’s also hugely France hosting one of the more consistent Irish respected on the live baize all around seven bracelet events from October 7- performers on the European circuit. Europe.” 20 next. Despite learning the game less than O'Kearney has already racked up WSOP vice-president Ty Stewart four years ago, and never depositing a eight live cashes this year, while also said: “Our new venue in Cannes, cent online, he has already notched up cleaning up in online tournaments as along with our new partnership with more than $1million in lifetime usual. Barrière Poker, will offer the best tournament cashes on the internet, In February, he cashed in a UKIPT player experience we have ever had and more than $300,000 live. side event in Nottingham and did the for WSOP Europe. Players will find O’Kearney, 45, is a former same the following month at non-stop action throughout the two- international elite distance athlete – he Manchester UKIPT. week event, plus plenty of fun won the prestigious 60-kilometre New Last month, he took home a total of distractions in Cannes to make this the York Road Runners ultra marathon in €17,000 from trips to Malaga and perfect poker vacation.” 2007 – and he now hopes to run good Berlin, while also cashing in an Irish The unique €10,000+€400 four-day representing Irish Eyes Poker. Open side event. split-format event will feature nine- The father-of-three commented: “I Closer to home, Doke cashed on the handed play the first day, six-handed look forward to meeting all Team Irish double at the JP Poker Masters earlier on the second and Heads-Up on Day 3 Eyes Poker representatives at the this month. through to the final table. Organisers European Masters of Poker event in He’s heading to Carlow next are calling this the All-round No-Limit Dublin in July. weekend for the Celtic Poker Tour Hold’em Championship. “I’ll be there to help our crew with Grand final and after that he’ll jet off Previously the WSOPE was held in coaching and advice in the run-up to to Las Vegas for the World Series of London, England. The current the EMOP, so as to give local players Poker. champion is UK pro James Bord, who the best possible chance to get a good Players can keep up to date on Team showed some form earlier this month result.” Irish Eyes Poker promotions and EMOP when he cashed for €15,000 in the Doke will also be personally events by reading Doke’s blog at EPT Grand Final in Madrid. emailing all Irish Eyes Poker players http://dokearney.blogspot.com/. Racing Post Saturday, May 28, 2011 POKER FACE 11 JOHN O’SHEA The diary of a professional poker player Leinster’s Heineken heroics pocket me €30K but now it’s time to focus on Vegas

OW I know how Mick return €20K and Chicago backed to McCarthy felt trying to return €30K. keep Wolves in the Now those familiar with basketball Premier League. I was on will know the play-offs are over seven the scariest rollercoaster games. With the first game in Chicago Nyou can imagine in May. Poker took a I decided to try and get Chicago 1-0 bit of a back seat on that ride and up and then look to lay off and bank a sports betting once again sat in the profit. Everything went to plan when front. It been the common theme in Chicago won the first game. recent months but I’m beginning to I was looking at the prices and wonder whether I might just be better realised one of the firms was off sticking to poker as my main form massively out with the line and that I of income. could back Chicago at 1.93 and also I did play in a couple of PLO back Miami at 2.2 which was widely tournaments this month between the available. EPT Grand Final in Madrid and the I lashed €30K on it. Then instead of Scoop. getting out I decided to try get lucky I travelled to Madrid with an again and try get Chicago 2-0 up outside chance of capturing the ‘EPT before laying out. I had a little laugh Player of the Year’ award and the ‘EPT to myself as I tried to lay out and Mixed Games Player of the Year’ as I bank €5K profit but instead ended up was fourth and third respectively in putting another €30K on the side I those leaderboards. was trying to get off. However the one award I did have There’s no laughing no though let For the third week my sights set on winning was the ‘EPT me tell you! The plan has backfired in-row Leinster PLO Player of the Year’ title as I sat in netted me €30K spectacularly and Chicago now trail 2- second, just 50 points behind Dario 1 and I am staring a €30K loss in the Alioto when jetting off for Madrid. face. Not to worry, I’m only giving the If he failed to cash and I did so in super start but was unable to sustain award and wondered would I come tournaments – so anything from the bookies a loan of their cash back. either of the €2K or €5K PLO events, it My hopes of winning an EPT award up and collect it. So despite missing $80 K up top to the $35 K for fourth Chicago still have a chance to turn the crown would be nestling on my were shattered. Oh well. out on a number of individual awards, would have been acceptable. it around so all hope is not lost. Even head. I did collect an award though and I managed to find myself up on the But instead I limped off in seventh if they do lose, I am sure Barca will The €2K event was up first. I had some part to play in it too. Mags stage and entering the winner’s for $15 K. I guess the way the month oblige in helping me get my money blasted from the traps and looked to from PokerStars gave me a buzz to tell enclosure. had gone pokerwise, I was happy back. Have them in 90 minutes for be in a perfect position to cash when me that Ireland had won ‘EPT Well done to everyone from Ireland enough to get anything back into the chunks at prices between 2 and 2.1. I having the third biggest chip-stack of Country of the Year’ who cashed in an EPT in Series 7 and bank. was once told there are no atheists in the 11 players that remained. Eight of helped bring home the bacon, with I did manage to cover some of those fox holes and it’s true. I have started the 11 would get paid and there were special mentions for Tom Finneran losses through some heavy gambling saying my prayers for a a few very short stacks hanging on for and Bob Willis who managed multiple on the sports-betting front. I have Leinstier/Chicago/Barca treble. dear life at the table. cashes. Munster and Leinster both backed Sure it might be a good thing if they I did have the option of pretty heavily each-way for the all lose. At least then I can go back to folding my way into the ETERMINED to cash in a Magners League with it weighing making an honest living playing money in which case I’d PLO tournament after the slightly more heavily on Leinster. poker. I am off to Vegas on June 15 to have an 80% chance of Dfrustration of Madrid, I tried With both of them in the final a big try and get myself a bracelet. The being crowned ‘EPT a few of the Scoops. At last I day is already booked. Today’s action prize-money for one of those should PLO Player of managed to progress to a final will tell just how big. I will be going cover my May expenses!! the year’. The table in the $1K Turbo PLO which for a hat-trick of €30K winning weeks equity I’d give up had one re-buy and one add-on on Leinster in a row. In the game in the tournament so it was effectively a $3K against Ulster I backed the unders and would be offset by the €8K package I tournament. Leinster and a few other bets on would receive along with the award By the time we got to the various markets in the game that so it made common sense to do just final table the average stack returned me €30K. that. Right? was about five big Then last weekend they won me Wrong! I didn’t get where I am blinds deep. I was €30K by winning the Heineken Cup. I today by folding so it doesn’t make sitting pretty with was at the Millennium Stadium for any sense to start now. Everyone has a 10 BBs in third the game and what a game it was. price at which they will throw on a place and looking I think I was the only Leinster dress and change their name to good. I was having a horrible poker supporter who kept the faith; in fact I Shirley and so do I. But mine is a month to this point – down about went into back them again at half- little higher than an ‘EPT PLO $50K in cash and $15K in time but I couldn’t get internet access Player of the Year’ award so I in the stadium so I texted one of the kicked on at what I do best. lads. He was just submitting the bet as My pre-flop raise with A-J-10-8 Sexton went over for his first try. Was was eventually called by A-K-Q-9 raging then that I didn’t win €36K but and my 45% chance couldn’t land I managed to console myself with so I was down to two big blinds. €30K. It certainly hasn’t been all my Two hands later I was sent own way on the sports betting front packing in 11th. though. Next up was the €5K event. This was my last NY OF YOU that are on Chicago chance to get my hands on Bulls with me have watched the an award and just like the My Chicago Bulls bet isn’t Aprice boomerang back out form Dario Alioto beat me to the ‘EPT €2K event I got off to a looking great right now 4-5 to 15-4. I had Miami backed to PLO Player of the Year’ title 12 POKER FACE Saturday, May 28, 2011 racingpost.com