A million reasons

The 12 qualifying heats for Europe’s biggest ever poker tournament – the Ladbrokes Poker Million V – took place at Sky’s west London studios in June, with 72 players vying for a share of a record-breaking $4,120,00 prize pool.

European poker pros such as Donnacha O’Dea and Dave ‘Devilfish’ Ulliott went into battle against top US pros like Kenna James, a host of TV celebrities – including Soccer AM’s Helen Chamberlain and Tim Lovejoy – and a horde of online qualifiers who are attempting to emulate the success of last year’s Poker Million winner Tony Jones.

While American Kenna James may be the man to beat, having picked up almost $2m in tournament winnings since last July, it could be anyone’s game if last year was anything to go by, where freeroll qualifier Jones and TV starlet Chamberlain saw off the pros to go heads-up at the final table with Jones eventually scooping the $1m first prize.

Sporting stars in attendance this year are darts player Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor, rugby player Austin Healey and snooker legends Steve Davis and Jimmy White (who won the event in 2003).

We can’t reveal who’s won their heats as Sky will be broadcasting them on Thursday nights at 10pm from September 14. The semifinals and grand final will then be shown live on Sky Sports from December 14-16.