Monday, May 5, 2008

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Smyth takes PartyPoker World Open IV

By Arthur Crowson

For most of the final day of the PartyPoker.com World Open IV it looked like Neil Channing was going to add yet another major poker title to his resume.

The Englander has been almost unbeatable since winning the 2008 Irish Open in March but it was, perhaps ironically, another former Irish Open winner who finally able to put a stop to Channing's fantastic run.

Marty Smyth, winner of the 2007 Irish Open, beat Channing in heads-up play to claim the title of World Champion at the PartyPoker.com event.

Smyth wore Channing down in heads-up and eventually all the money went into the middle with Channing holding 9 9 to Smyth's Q Q. With Channing's luck as of late some were expecting a full house or quads to hit for him on the board but instead it came 10 5 2 K K, which gave the definitive check mark to Smyth.

It was a thrilling conclusion to another successful World Open event, according to organizers.

"This was without doubt the strongest field we have seen at the PartyPoker.com World Open and the players certainly didn't disappoint," said Matchroom Sport Director Eddie Hearn. "The standard of play was simply stunning throughout and Marty was a deserved winner. The Partypoker.com World Open is now firmly established as one of poker's major titles."

Marty Smyth received $250,000 for his efforts while Channing had to settle for the $100,000 which came with second place. Noted English pro Marc Goodwin finished third for $60,000.

This year's event had a skilled field that was led by Mike Sexton, Dave Ulliott, Theo Jorgensen, Ian Fraser, Jon Kalmar, Juha Helppi and Liam Flood. Coverage of the event, presented by Jesse May, will be broadcast on Channel 5 in the U.K. later this year.

The format sees the winner of each of the 12 heats progressed to the semifinal stage and, for the first time in the event's history, all was not lost for the runners-up as they battled it out for the remaining two semifinal spots in "wild-card" fashion.

Smyth joins Anthony Hardy, Pippa Flanders and Lee Nelson as winners of the World Open.

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