Boylepoker.com sponsored poker pro Marty Smyth from South Belfast last night won $1 million in the Ladbrokes Poker Million VII live on SKY Sports 3. Smyth, who this summer lifted the pot-limit Omaha world championship event at the World Series of Poker for which he collected $859,549, made a dramatic comeback from having the lowest in chips and 100/1 against winning to beat fellow countryman Eoghan O’Dea. It was the third year in a row he had made the final table of the prestigious event having finished sixth in 2006 and second the follow year for a combined total of $600,000.“I can’t quite believe it still,” said Smyth. “I thought I was gone when I lost most of my chips early in the tournament. To come back and win $1 million is probably the highlight of my career. It just shows it’s never over until it’s over.”
Smyth thought his tournament was over after unsuccessfully running A-K into Liam Flood’s pocket kings in the first few hands of the game and losing most of his chips. However, the former Irish Open champion battled hard and came from last to first in a thrilling event which saw Irishmen sweep the first four spots and over $1.5 million in prize money.
Smyth was joined in the final six at the London tournament by Liam Flood and Eoghan O’Dea from Dublin, Ciaran O’Leary from Cork, Englishman Kevin Allen and Norwegian Svein Petter Neilsen.
Paul Spillane, head of poker at Boylepoker.com, said, “Marty is a poker legend and this victory tops off the most incredible year. He has won three major events and this is the third year in a row he has been on the final table of the Poker Million. Boylepoker are proud to be associated with such a unique poker talent.”
Perhaps the widest smile, however, will be worn by a certain online poker player at Boylepoker.com. Last week, BoylePoker held a free-to-enter tournament in which first prize was five percent of the Irishman's winnings. With Smyth snapping up top honours, one lucky fan won a whopping $50,000 without leaving their armchair.
1st Marty Smyth -- $1,000,000
2nd Eoghan O’Dea -- $260,000
3rd Ciaran O’Leary -- $175,000
4th Liam Flood -- $130,000
5th Kevin Allen -- $100,000
6th Svein Petter Neilsen -- $75,000