UK poker pro James Dempsey has won the inaugural installment of the iSeriesLIVE, the novel event in Dublin streamed live over the internet and on which viewers could wager on various props at Paddy Power. The 10-player $10k Sit N’ Go attracted some major poker names, including the two betting favorites Daniel Negreanu and Phil Hellmuth. Despite their favorable odds, Hellmuth was the first eliminated and Negreanu was sent packing in eighth place. Maria Ho started out as the player with the worst odds, yet ended up finishing third. Fellow Brit David ‘Devilfish’ Ulliott was the last player standing between Dempsey and glory, plus (oh, yeah) the $100k prize.
PaddyPowerPoker.com’s €3,200 buy-in Irish Open kicked off in Dublin on Friday and early indications are that around 500 players showed up on Day 1. Sadly, the Dublin stop on the Grosvenor UK Poker Tour, originally scheduled to get underway May 6, has been cancelled due to “unforeseen circumstances.” The GUKPT’s Russell Tamplin said the company was “very disappointed” that it couldn’t work out the kinks in time.
In other recent tourney news, Albert Sapiano has won the Genting Poker Series London. The 72-year-old beekeeper proved it’s never too late to teach the young whippersnappers a thing or two about poker prowess. Sapiano earned £50k for outlasting 579 other players, including runner-up Callum Smith, who earned just sky of £33k. On the continent, Finland’s Joni Jouhkimainen won the European Masters of Poker Lisbon main event, collecting almost €57k for overcoming a 223-strong field. Another Finn, Tomi Husskonen, finished second, earning €34k. Miguel Bermudez earned €76k for topping the Estrella Poker Tour Valencia main event. Ruben Porcel was the last holdout among Bermudez’s 386 opponents, finishing second to take home €58k.
The European Poker Tour’s eighth season will come to a close in Monte Carlo on May 1. The Grand Final will feature a €100k Super High-Roller, the continent’s first six-figure buy-in event. Some 20 players have already signed on for the event, including Negreanu, Patrik Antonius, Bertrand ‘Elky’ Grospellier and online crusher Viktor ‘Isildur1’ Blom. There will also be a Champion of Champions €100k freeroll that will welcome all former EPT title holders. The top-six players will earn big bucks (euros, actually) toward future EPT buy-ins. Last year’s Champions event was won by Jason Mercier.
