GALWAY POKER FESTIVAL DAY 2

Colette & Martin are Irish Poker’s Power Couple 

Huge Numbers in Mystery Bounty

On a stunning Winter’s day in Galway the poker players of Ireland and beyond descended on the Galmont Hotel for Day 2 of the Galway Poker Festival. With Christmas and New Year behind them it was the time for poker aficionados to really enjoy themselves.

Colette Murphy and Martin O’Rafferty are one of the most prominent poker playing couples in Ireland. It has been said that Martin’s main role is to hold Colette’s beer but he’s much better than that. In last night’s €5k NLH which had the small matter of €17,554 in the prizepool Colette took first and the trophy for €3,800, Martin took second and €3,530 after a three way ICM deal with Shane McGowan (€3,290). What a start for the year for that household.

The main event of the day was the €40,000 (+€5,000 added by Paddy Power) Mystery Bounty and it drew 261 entries over two flights generating a bumper prizepool of €97,133 in total. It’s always nice to double the guarantee. Northern Ireland’s Liam McVeigh (513k) is leading the race for the €11,000 first prize chased by Lee Roper (363k) from Sligo with Weijie Zheng in third with 353k. Weijie Zheng is the alter ego of Jervi; one of the most feared and attacking players in Ireland. So watch out for him.

Bounties come into play immediately for the 40 remaining with two sweet, sweet prizes of €10,000 hiding amongst the bounties. Who will be the luckiest dippers?

Main Event Day 1 kicks off at 11am with 40 minute first day blind levels being introduced to this championship for the first time. Consultations between organisers and players were behind this change. It’s a long road to the crowning of the champio on Monday night but it should be an enjoyable and exciting one.