Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008

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Ladbrokes awards seats to Poker Million

By Sarah Polson

Two players are heading directly to the Poker Million VII semifinal round after winning their seats on Ladbrokes Poker recently.

The first seat went to Kevin Allen, who proved his chops by winning the Ladbrokes European Online Championship of Poker IV Masters Event Nov. 22.

He gained entry into the Masters Event after making the top 80 of the LEOCOP IV Leaderboard, and then continued his run of good luck by taking down that event as well.

"I'm over the moon. I won the LEOCOP Pot-Limit event a couple of weeks ago and didn't even realize that this put me in the running for an invitation to the LEOCOP Masters, and ultimately a shot at the Poker Million crown, until my mate pointed it out the next day," Allen said.

"This sort of thing just doesn't happen to me and everything from this moment on is icing on the cake.  I'm really excited to think that I'll be playing in a tournament with over a million in the prize pool especially as I always watch the Ladbrokes Poker Million on TV. I can't believe that this time round instead of watching, I'll be in it."

Not only is Allen in it, he's guaranteed at least $20,000 in prize money for being in the semifinal round. The seat in the Poker Million VII is worth $120,000, and if Allen can make it past the semifinal round, he can potentially win a $1 million first-place prize.

In the semifinal round, Allen will go up against Ladbrokes Poker sponsored pro Jonas Danielsson as well as Barney Boatman, Ross Boatman, Ryan Fronda, Ciaran O'Leary, Liam Flood and Kenneth Sorensen.

"It's a great opportunity for any player and possibly a position they can use to their advantage; after all Kevin has not played a heat, so no one has a clue as to how he will approach the game!" said Edward Ihre, Ladbrokes Poker managing director.

GoNuts from Norway will have that advantage in the semifinal round as well after winning the last semifinal seat being offered at Ladbrokes Poker through the Chase the Chair promotion.

GoNuts had to beat 120 players, who had each won a daily freeroll, to earn his $120,000 Poker Million VII seat. The win puts him in a seat at the poker table with Dave "Devilfish" Ulliott, Tony G, Roy Brindley, Marty Smyth and Anthony Hardy.

They'll all be just as hungry for the $1 million top prize awaiting the winner of the final round.

"The way GoNuts' luck is running, he could do really well, and before he knows it could find himself in the final, although he'll have to fight his way through a very tough field," Ihre said.

"The line-up is brilliant, and the two final players will bring an unknown element to proceedings that is sure to produce two of the most exciting semis we've ever had!"

Allen will play in his semifinal Dec. 10, and GoNuts will take to the felt Dec. 11. The winners from the semifinals will move on to the Poker Million final table on Dec. 12.

GoNuts isn't the only player from the Chase the Chair promotion who could be in attendance, either. The runners-up in the promotion each won a VIP package to attend the Ladbrokes Poker Million VII party on Dec. 12.

Related Articles:

• Jepsen jumps to Ladbrokes Poker
• Sudworth cashes in at Ladbrokes

 

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