Unless you're one of those bitter faced poker players I'm sure you'll join us in congratulating Vincent Melinn - the new PaddyPowerpoker Irish Open champion. Fifty-one year old Dubliner Melinn (pictured above taking a bite out of his trophy) outlasted a field of 339 players to claim the coveted title, the Terry Rogers trophy and a giant novelty cheque for €350,000 (try and cash tha' Vincent!)
Before the tournament started Vincent put a €250 each way bet on himself at 150 to 1 netting himself a cool €47,000. Rumour has it that he gave these winnings to another player after hitting a 10 to make a straight on the river cracking his aces earlier in the tournament. What a hero.
On winning the title Vincent had this to say 'It's not about the money for me, it's about the title. I've only ever played one tournament before and went out in that in my first hand but I knew from the early stages of this game I had a chance and I'm really so proud to have my name on the trophy.'
Chartered accountant and shrewd business man Vincent is going to invest his winnings in property.
Second place went to English man and pro player Ian Woodley who took home a rather comfy €180K. Ian says he's going to bury his winnings in his backgarden. Address is available on request.
Donegal man Brendan Ruane crashed out in third place. He netted a cool €100K.
21 year old Londener Jon Wong, who's on a gap year from law school got suckered out on the river to finish fourth
Wong plays under the name DJ3Way and has had a series of huge cash wins online. He's going to go on holidays with the girlfriend and buy some property with his dough.
Conor Smyth from Ballinmore in Co. Leitrim came in fifth. He is an avid online player and is going to spend his winnings on a new tractor!
Paul Daly is a regular on the Dublin poker scene, he even had a final table finish in the Irish Open back in the 80s. Some twenty years later he returns albeit with a short stack to the final table. Unfortunately he couldn't break the bigger stacks and finished in sixth place - the first of the last on the final night.
