Ever heard the phrase, “It’s not rocket science”? Well, it didn’t take a rocket scientist to win over a million dollars, but we weren’t far away as Rajesh Modha, a 44-year old nuclear pharmacist from Northampton, won this year’s Ladbrokes’ Poker Million.
As always, the now renowned Ladbrokes’ Event was well supported with an impressive 25,000 online players battling it out for a seat via the various satellites. However, only 72 could qualify for the televised finals, and 6 of them were fortunate enough to win their respective heats and make it all the way to the final episode.
Among those 6 remaining combatants was one former WSOP and WPT finalist, Mel Judah, who, heading into the final, held the chip lead with 391,000, 171,000 in front of his nearest rival, Andreas Hoivold of Norway.
With Andreas being joined by Claus Marcussen (Denmark) and Mats Junsand (Sweden), the Scandinavians were well represented, but so were the Brits with Judah, Modha and Northern Ireland’s Marty Smyth all flying the flag.
However, with Smyth dropping in 6th for $100,000 and Judah obliged to settle for an ultimately disappointing $150,000 for his 4th place finish, it was left to Modha to bring home the bacon.
And that’s exactly what happened as the Northampton poker enthusiast despatched of heads up opponent Marcussen to take down the $1,200,000 in spondoolies and the title of Ladbrokes’ Poker Millionaire for 2006.
Playing under the online moniker of ‘Foggy71’, it is somewhat coincidental that the British player had to fend off 71 players to earn this accolade. But, in reflection, that’s not to mention the series of satellites that Rajesh played as he qualified for a mere $9, a remarkable feat that echoes the achievements of Chris Moneymaker just a few years ago.
In closing, Ladbrokes eGaming Managing Director David Briggs commented: “What a tense evening of poker! The result just shows that what a great player Raj is as he entered the competition as the underdog and has come through to be crowned the Ladbrokes Poker Million V Champion – we’re delighted for him and his family.”
As always, the now renowned Ladbrokes’ Event was well supported with an impressive 25,000 online players battling it out for a seat via the various satellites. However, only 72 could qualify for the televised finals, and 6 of them were fortunate enough to win their respective heats and make it all the way to the final episode.
Among those 6 remaining combatants was one former WSOP and WPT finalist, Mel Judah, who, heading into the final, held the chip lead with 391,000, 171,000 in front of his nearest rival, Andreas Hoivold of Norway.
With Andreas being joined by Claus Marcussen (Denmark) and Mats Junsand (Sweden), the Scandinavians were well represented, but so were the Brits with Judah, Modha and Northern Ireland’s Marty Smyth all flying the flag.
However, with Smyth dropping in 6th for $100,000 and Judah obliged to settle for an ultimately disappointing $150,000 for his 4th place finish, it was left to Modha to bring home the bacon.
And that’s exactly what happened as the Northampton poker enthusiast despatched of heads up opponent Marcussen to take down the $1,200,000 in spondoolies and the title of Ladbrokes’ Poker Millionaire for 2006.
Playing under the online moniker of ‘Foggy71’, it is somewhat coincidental that the British player had to fend off 71 players to earn this accolade. But, in reflection, that’s not to mention the series of satellites that Rajesh played as he qualified for a mere $9, a remarkable feat that echoes the achievements of Chris Moneymaker just a few years ago.
In closing, Ladbrokes eGaming Managing Director David Briggs commented: “What a tense evening of poker! The result just shows that what a great player Raj is as he entered the competition as the underdog and has come through to be crowned the Ladbrokes Poker Million V Champion – we’re delighted for him and his family.”