Casino News

Englishman claims WSOP bracelet

2009-06-12 15:47:02

Despite a strong field that included eight-time World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner Erik Seidel, English gamer John-Paul Kelly has triumphed in Las Vegas.

Kelly took down the $194,434 (£118,350) first prize after defeating Marc Tschirch of Germany in heads-up play in the $1,500 pot-limit hold'em competition.

Some 631 signed up to play in the competition, but the two heads-up opponents were the only non-American gamers at the final table.

The eventual winner started the last stretch in a strong position as he was the chip leader at the start of play.

When it came to the heads-up competition, Tschirch was behind Kelly by 500,000 chips.

However, the game did not last long, with Kelly sending his final opponent to the rail within 45 minutes after tabling ace-queen to give a pair of queens to beat his opponent's fives.

Last year, Kelly came ninth in the $2,500 pot-limit hold'em/Omaha event at the WSOP, winning $22,598 in the process.