James O’Connell is the top poker man in Edinburgh after winning the opening event of the 2009 Coral British Masters Poker Tour. James, a 52-year-old electrical inspector from Motherwell, Lanarkshire, qualified for his seat online in a $5 satellite. He then went on to beat 104 other players to take the title! James' first prize is a fantastic £8,800 and a seat at the season final play-off for a coveted Coral Poker sponsorship deal in 2010.
After winning the tournament James told Coral Poker “This is fantastic. I have come close in the past but to win one of these events is tremendous. The money is great but the title is something else.”
Coral.co.uk’s head of poker, Mark O’Donnell, said: “I’m pleased for James as he’s a well known face and a very good player. He’s cashed in plenty of events but this was his first title and he’s thrilled.”
Tour promoter Alistair Findlay of Aworldofpoker.com said: “Edinburgh was a great event and lived up to our expectations. The excellent turn-out has shown that the appetite for professional poker tournaments in the UK remains strong at this level. We will be looking to build on that for the next event in Leeds in June.”
British Masters Poker Tour Dates
Leeds – Gala Casino Leeds: June 19 to 21
Stockton-on-Tees – Gala Casino Teesside: July 24 to 26
Nottingham – Gala Casino Maid Marion Way: August 14 to 16
Liverpool – Gala Leo Casino: September 18 to 20
Bristol – Gala Harbourside Casino: October 23 to 25
