Online Gambling News and Promotions

The €500 + €50 buy-in main event at the Ladbrokes.com Irish Poker Festival, held from Oct. 2 to 5 in Killarney, Ireland, has been won by Jimmy McSweeney from Cork, Ireland. He took home €100,000 for his victory.

The main event proved so popular the capacity was raised from 625 to 750 in the week leading up to the tournament but organisers managed ultimately to accommodate 832 players – a record for a European ranking event – using the alternates system. This created a prize pool of €416,000 which smashed the Ladbrokes.com guarantee of €250,000.

Bryan Coleman, Irish Territory Manager at Ladbrokes.com said, “We’re absolutely delighted with the turnout and would like to thank all the players who made this festival such a success. Our heartiest congratulations go to Jimmy who is a worthy champion and we’re sure we’ll be hearing more of him in the future.”

The 832 players, including Ladbrokes pro Roy “The Boy” Brindley, and pot-limit Omaha world champion Marty Smyth, played down to a final table of eight over three gruelling days. The top 83 got paid and the final eight were shooting for prizes of:

1 – €100,000
2 – €65,000
3 – €35,000
4 – €25,000
5 – €20,000
6 – €15,000
7 – €12,000
8 – €10,000

The fortunate finalists were:

Seat1: Jimmy McSweeney 2,900,000 (in chips)
Seat 2: Steve Johnson 900,000
Seat 3: Nick Heather 1,700,000
Seat 4: Hugh Whelan 700,000
Seat 5: Ian Smith 720,000
Seat 6: Barry Hand 1,000,000
Seat 7: Bo Ericshen 2,200,000
Seat 8: Andrew Roberts 2,600,000

The first to exit was Barry Hand. He raised McSweeney’s 180,000 bet to 500,000 and McSweeney pushed all in. Hand called with A-K and McSweeney showed 10-10. The flop came ace high and Hand’s supporters roared their approval but the celebration was short-lived as a 10 fell on the river giving McSweeney trip tens. Hand was gone earning €10,000 and McSweeney jumped to 4,000,000 in chips.

Steve Johnson was next to go. He went all in from the button for only 3 big blind’s having been crippled in the first hand. Both blinds call and the players checked it down. Steve mucked, was shown a straight by the big blind and hits the rail to collect his €12,000.

Ian Smith exited in sixth for €15,000 when he reraised Hugh Whelan all in on a board of T-6-3. Whelan called with top two pair and Smith showed A-J. Smith strengthened with an ace on the turn, but a 5 on the river sealed his fate.

The next battle saw a short-stacked Nick Heather push all-in over the top of McSweeney’s opening raise with Q-J only to get called by A-J. The board didn’t throw up the necessary queen, Heather exited in fifth for €20,000 and McSweeney further enhanced his stack.

Whelan, who had recovered from having just one ante four tables out, was next to bust. After raising his button, he was put all-in by Andrew Roberts in the big blind. Roberts had J-J and Whelan had 3-3. The board ran out A-5-4-J-K and Whelan went home with €25,000 for his fourth place finish.

Soon after Roberts raised once again, McSweeney flat called and Bo Ericshen raised all-in with 2,200,000 in chips. Roberts stepped aside and McSweeney called showing 9-9 versus Ericshen’s 8-8. The board ran out Q-J-J-7-7 and Erichsen was eliminated in third place picking up €35,000.

McSweeney had soared into the lead of the impending heads up battle with Andrew Roberts and duly accounted for his opponent after raising a pot then calling Roberts’ all in. He showed 6-6 and his opponent showed A-9. With the board falling K-Q-Q-2-J, McSweeney’s pair held up and he scooped the €100,000 first prize while Roberts’ took down €65,000 for his second place finish.

The €300 + €30 side event, which attracted 391 entries creating a prize pool of €105,000 was won by John Lavin from Mayo who took down the €25,000 first prize.

The event was filmed for documentary broadcast on Irish terrestrial TV station TG4 and for subsequent distribution to networks around the world. A web stream of the documentary will also be available on Ladbrokespoker.com.

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PRWEB – Ladbrokes today announced its Ladbrokes Irish Poker Festival, has sold out despite capacity being increased to 750 during the week. The €500 buy-in event, being held in Killarney from, Oct. 2 to 5, Killarney, had been extended to 750 after pre-registration for the event smashed the original target of 625. The prize pool has now exceeded the original guarantee of €250,000, reaching €375,000.

Bryan Coleman, Irish Territory Manager for Ladbrokes said, “We are overwhelmed with the support this event has received from poker players, not just in Ireland but the UK and beyond, and it justifies our decision to promote a low buy-in guaranteed big-prize event staged in one of the most beautiful parts of the country.

“Players really have voted with their feet and the sell out main event is going to be truly memorable for those lucky enough to get their seats. Only 20 seats remain for the super satellite being held at the venue on Thursday October 2 and the clamour for these will create a fantastic buzz to kick off the Festival.”

The event is being filmed for documentary broadcast on Irish terrestrial TV station TG4 and for subsequent distribution to networks around the world. A web stream of the documentary will also be available on Ladbrokespoker.com.

The Ladbrokes Irish Poker Festival has attracted 750 of Europe’s leading poker aficionados to the Gleneagles INEC Hotel, Killarney. The Festival will also host a €300 no-limit hold’em freezeout supporting event on Saturday October 4 and a €170 no-limit freezeout game on Sunday October 5.

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PRWEB – Leading poker players and celebrities are lining up to take part in the €250,000 guaranteed Irish Poker Festival in the picturesque city of Killarney, Ireland from October 2nd – 5th, 2008 (main event 3rd-5th October).

Marty Smyth, the current Pot-Limit Omaha World Champion and recent World Open winner will be playing the €550 buy-in European ranking main event. Smyth, who began his career at Ladbrokes Poker and plays under the name ‘Macedonia’, also landed last year’s Irish Open and finished runner-up in the Poker Million netting a haul of $2.5 million in the process. He will be a hot favourite among the likely sell out field of 625 players.

He is likely to be joined by former snooker legends Steve Davis and Mark Williams. The pair, who between them have won eight World Snooker Championships, plan to dash back from the China Open.

Another colourful confirmation comes in the form of Matt Chapman, the effervescent presenter on At The Races television. Chapman, who is likely to feature at the opposite end of the betting market to Marty Smyth, and will be previewing the weekend’s big racing action which includes the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and the Cambridgeshire, said, “I’m looking forward to the craic in Killarney, I love the people, I love the place, and I love the Guinness which is just as well as my poker skills, or lack of them, means I’m likely to be spending plenty of time in the players’ lounge drinking it!”

The event is being filmed for documentary broadcast on Irish terrestrial TV station TG4 and for subsequent distribution to networks around the world. A web stream of the documentary will also be available on Ladbrokespoker.com.

The Irish Poker Festival is set to attract in excess of 600 of Europe’s leading poker aficionados to the Gleneagles INEC Hotel, Killarney. The Festival will also host a €300 no-limit hold’em freezeout supporting event on Saturday October 4 and a €170 no-limit freezeout game on Sunday October 5.

Qualify and Register Now

Players can qualify for the event every Monday at 7.30 p.m. (GMT) at Ladbrokespoker.com in $137.50 weekly satellite finals with one package for every $1,250 in the prize pool. The package includes the main event buy-in, and 2 nights B&B for two people at the Gleneagle Hotel.

There are regular super-satellites into the daily finals for as little as $5 and the daily finals, which feed into the weekly final, have a $33 buy-in. They are held between Tuesday and Sunday at 7.30 p.m. GMT.

Players can also pre-register for the €550 main event online 24/7 at Ladbrokespoker.com by visiting the MTT section of the lobby and go to offline events and click on the Ladbrokes Irish Poker Festival tab.

Additionally over 150 seats will be won in super satellites at card rooms throughout Ireland up to, and including, the super-satellite held at the venue on October 2.

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Dublin, Ireland (PRWEB) — Ladbrokes Poker today announced the filming of a TV documentary at the €250,000 guaranteed Irish Poker Festival taking place in the picturesque city of Killarney, Ireland from October 2nd – 5th, 2008 (main event 3rd-5th October).

The documentary following the €550 buy-in European ranking event will be filmed for broadcast on Irish terrestrial TV station TG4 and for subsequent distribution to networks around the world. A web stream of the documentary will also be available on Ladbrokespoker.com.

Ladbrokes sponsored pro Roy ‘The Boy’ Brindley said, “Terrestrial television coverage for this event is excellent news, it is just one more reason hoards of poker players will descend on one of Ireland’s most beautiful regions in October. This will be a blend of fun and, with huge money plus European ranking points on offer, some very serious poker playing.”

Brindley, winner of an unprecedented 15 European ranking tournaments and member of Team Ladbrokes added: “With ranking points on offer you can expect those in the reckoning for the ‘Player of the Year’ title will hotfoot it over from London and the high entry fee events staged there during the preceding days.”

The Irish Poker Festival is set to attract in excess of 600 of Europe’s leading poker aficionados to the Gleneagles INEC Hotel, Killarney. The Festival will also host a €300 no-limit hold’em freezeout supporting event on Saturday October 4 and a €170 no-limit freezeout game on Sunday October 5.

Qualification and Registration
Players can qualify for the event every Monday at 7.30 p.m. (GMT) at Ladbrokespoker.com in $137.50 weekly satellite finals with one package for every $1,250 in the prize pool. The package includes the main event buy-in, and 2 nights B&B for two people at the Gleneagle Hotel.

There are regular super-satellites into the daily finals for as little as $5 and the daily finals, which feed into the weekly final, have a $33 buy-in. They are held between Tuesday and Sunday at 7.30 p.m. GMT.

Players can also pre-register for the €550 main event online 24/7 at Ladbrokespoker.com by visiting the MTT section of the lobby and go to offline events and click on the Ladbrokes Irish Poker Festival tab.

Additionally over 150 seats will be won in super satellites at card rooms throughout Ireland up to, and including, the super-satellite held at the venue on October 2.

The Festival will also provide players with a wide variety of STTs and Ladbrokes will help them relax in the Ladbrokes Poker Lounge which will host a games room with snooker, pool, darts, and other activities for all players to enjoy.

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Ladbrokespoker.com has combined two of the things it’s great at – hosting brilliant tournaments and great events – and has created The Poker Experience weekend. The three-day event kicks off on a Friday (14th November) with welcome drinks, introductions and a poker tournament followed by dinner. Saturday and Sunday will be dedicated to equipping you with the skills you need to become an even better player.

Win your way there via one of two routes (a daily eight dollar re- buy that starts at 19.00 and a eight dollar turbo re-buy at 21.30) that feed directly into a $80 monthly final that will take place on 7th September, 5th October and the 2nd November (There will be one package for every $1200 in the pot). Alternatively buy in direct to an experience that could change your life via Hilton.

Ed Ihre, MD of Ladbrokespoker.com said: “A number of our players perform consistently well in online events such as the LEOCOP, but with limited exposure to live play their successes do not translate well in the live arena. It is our hope that this event will be a solution to that problem.”

He continued: “The weekend should give our players the tools and confidence they require to adapt and maximise elements of their online game to suit a live game and ultimately to win.” The tuition will be world-class provided by one of our top sponsored players, Jon ‘skallie’ Kalmar who came 5th in the WSOP 2007 and Caspar Berry a TV presenter and poker expert on TV shows including Poker Night Live and Sky Poker. The package worth £459 per person or £798 per couple is invaluable, in terms of the exposure you’ll have to this vast information bank of expertise. Lastly, it’s a fun and friendly introduction to the world of live poker with a variety of poker tutorials, workshops, tournaments and Q&A sessions throughout the weekend to suit everyone.

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The LEOCOP IV, Europe’s Longest running and biggest added money online poker tournament is back and players can start qualifying now for the unmissable 15 day long festival for as little as $1 in a weekly schedule of satellites feeding into the LEOCOP championship events. Games will include No Limit, Fixed, Pot Limit, Texas Hold Em, Pot Limit Omaha and Pot Limit Omaha Hi/Lo with a mixture of Freezeout and Re-buy structures with money added to each tournament from $2500 to $250,000. The festival which in total exceeds $500,000 added, will run from the 26th of October until the 9th November culminating in the $1000 + $100 LEOCOP main event (with $250,000 added) on Sun 9th November!

This year LadbrokesPoker.com will also be running a leaderboard with over $14,000 in prize money for the top ten players featured and an invitation to the top 80 in the table to play in the $120,000 LEOCOP IV Masters Events freeroll (22nd November) where the first prize is a place in the semi final of Poker Million VII and a guaranteed payday of at least $20,000!

Edward Ihre MD of Ladbrokes Poker said: “As you know, we put a lot of emphasis on the importance of community and the LEOCOP (Ladbrokes European Online Championship of Poker) is like our annual family gathering. It’s the one time you can guarantee that everyone will make an appearance. Its a chance to catch up with friends and acquaintances, learn from the old school and as Grazza (Graeme Newman) demonstrated in 2006 when he won the main event, sometimes its a rare opportunity to teach an old dog a trick or two and perhaps pick up the massive cheque at the end of it all! Of course the kudos and the massive prize pools are also very good reasons that players Europe-wide play this fantastic event!”

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Qualification is underway at Ladbrokespoker.com, for the Ladbrokes Irish Poker Festival taking place in the picturesque city of Killarney, Ireland from October 2 – 5, 2008 (Main Event 3-5th October).
The €550 buy-in European ranking event has a guaranteed prize pool of €250,000 and is set to attract up to 800 of Europe’s leading poker aficionados to the Gleneagles INEC Hotel, Killarney. The Festival will also host a €300 no-limit hold’em freezeout supporting event on Saturday October 4 and a €170 no-limit freezeout game on Sunday October 5.

Players can qualify for the event in three ways:
- Qualify Online at Ladbrokespoker.com for a $1,250 Package
Every Monday at 7.30 p.m. (GMT) players can enter the $137.50 weekly final with one package for every $1,250 in the prize pool. The package includes the main event buy-in, and 2 nights B&B for two people at the Gleneagle Hotel.
There are regular satellites into the daily final for as little as $5 and the daily finals, which feed into the weekly final, have a $33 buy-in and are held between Tuesday and Sunday at 7.30 p.m. GMT.
- Pre-Register for Main Event
Players can pre-register for the €550 main event online 24/7 at Ladbrokespoker.com – just visit the MTT section of the lobby and go to offline events and click on the Ladbrokes Irish Poker Festival tab.

- Play in an Offline Satellite
Over 150 seats will be won in card rooms throughout Ireland up to, and including, the super-satellite held at the venue on October 2.

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Team Ladbrokes makes the cash at the 2008 WSOP main event

Nine Ladbrokes Poker players are among the great and the good to have made it through a field of nearly 7,000 players to make the cash. Most notably is Jeff Kimber a Team Ladbrokes Sponsored player, winner of the GUKPT Walsall and World Heads Up Champion who is among the remaining 189 players with a healthy stack of 987,000 chips.

Edward Ihre MD of Ladbrokes Poker commented: “We brought 120 players to Las Vegas to play in the World Series of Poker with a view to at least one making the final table. At this point in time we are very much on target to achieve this. Jeff is a great player as his track record shows and of course all of Team Ladbrokes is very proud of his achievement thus far. We know that there is a very long road ahead until the final table, but the camaraderie and team spirit amongst fellow Ladbrokes Poker players mean that JaffaCake wont be short of railers to boost his morale and see him through the next couple of days play.”

Jeff ‘Jaffacake’ Kimber commented: “I’m really pleased to have made it through this far through such a massive field, but realise just like everyone else still in the tournament that we’re long way off from the final table. The way I see it, I’ll take one day at a time and see how I get on, which is how I’ve approached the tournament since day one.”

Snooker legend Steve Davis, who bettered his 2006 performance coming 379th and cashing over $28,000, said: “It was a fantastic experience. I lost to a Texas legend, Hoyt Corkins so even though he busted my aces with his kings perhaps he’s paid his dues enough to deserve it. There’s no tournament quite like this and once again the Ladbrokes team had a good showing. We’re now all rooting for our big hope Jeff Kimber.”

All players still remaining in the tournament are guaranteed a payout of at least $38,600 with a first prize of $9,119,517. At the moment in time Jeff is 47th in the rankings.

Edward said: “There’s a lot to play for Team Ladbrokes members, in addition to the WSOP prize payouts, we’re offering a generous bonus to any of our players that finish in 100th position or above.

Finishing Position Bonus Package

First Place $1,000,000
Second or Third $500,000
Fourth to Ninth $250,000
10th-27th $50,000
28th-100th WSOP 2009 package

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What’s your opinion worth?
Fancy your chances with Euro 2008 at Ladbrokes Poker this year?

This Friday, Ladbrokes Poker is kicking off with its very own Euro 2008 Poker tournament.

They’ve decided to combine

Turbo Poker + Betting on Euro 2008 + $30,000 in added prize money

This is how it works:

• In round one, choose the team you think will win Euro 2008 this year and play in any of the three added money tournaments with your teams name on-site the day before the match.

• If your team goes through to round two, and you finish in the top 5 in any of your chosen country’s tournaments in round one, you will automatically be entered into the added money Quarter Finals tournament of that team. If your team did not make it, you can still play, choose a new team and join in again!

• If your team goes through to the Semi Finals, and you finish in the top 10 in that country’s tournament in the Quarter Finals, you will automatically be entered into the added money Semi Final tournament of that team. Once again, if your team failed to qualify why not buy-in to a Semi Final tournament of the team you think will progress?

• If your team progresses to the Final of Euro2008 and you finish in the top 10 of the Semi Final added money tournament you will automatically be entered into the added money Final tournament of that team. Should your team have dropped out, now is the time to choose who you think will win. Join in again to try and qualify to the final stage!

• If your team wins the Final, and you finish in the top 10 in that country’s tournament, you will automatically be entered into a Freeroll exclusively for the top 10, with $2008 added!

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Whereas some might consider it a bit previous to undergo a facelift at the age of six, way before the wrinkles even threaten to appear, Ladbrokes Poker have decided that prevention is better than cure as they reveal their website’s new fresh look to the world today.

Edward Ihre MD of Ladbrokes Poker commented, “The site has undergone a complete overhaul. We’re a major player in Europe and know we need to continue to stay one step ahead of the game. The site is now more contemporary with a lot of great new content including step by step guides for both beginners and our more advanced players.”

Upon logging on, the customer will now be greeted with a wealth of new content and promotions and offers will be explained in a clear but succinct way. The overall look such as navigation on the left hand side of the screen has been reduced and the site will be more streamlined making it user friendly and attractive.

The changes to the site also mean that for the first time all three of Ladbrokes Poker products (Instant play, Classic (original 2D) and 3D coexist and are communicated on the same community network.

Ed Ihre continued, “I know everyone will really appreciate the improvements. We’ve nipped and tucked to ensure the changes are subtle, but noticeable. I think that what we’ve achieved is a refresher facelift for the site — a clean and sleek look that retains the key features that are familiar to the Ladbrokes Poker community with a new vigour and vitality that’s essential to attract others to the site.”

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