PPOC Latest

2010’s PokerPlayer Online Championships have already proved a roaring success, with hundreds of you fighting it out across our first two events.

Our sponsor Betfred has already given away a whopping $3,000 in added prize money, and there’s much more on the horizon. Click here for all the details on how to enter Event Three – our $5 + $0.50 PLO Championship – and don’t forget to check PokerPlayer magazine every month for all the latest on the best value added tournament series in poker!

Here’s what our winners had to say so far. . . .

Event 1: $10 No Limit Challenge

Name: Dean ‘DeanWatson0601’ Watson
Age: 32
Hometown: Milton Keynes

Dean Watson, a stock manager from Milton Keynes, was the first winner of PPOC season 2 and he did it in fine style defeating a quality field of 190 in the opening No-limit hold’em event. Watson, a PLO cash game player who has been playing poker for five years, told us about his big win.

How did you feel winning the opening event?

The structure was good , the prizepool was great, and the players were excellent. Although finishing a tournament at 2.15am and starting work at 6am wasn’t the greatest. But I was so chuffed about the win i didnt go to bed. After answering all the congrats, I had a shower and went into work.

Did you find yourself in any tough spots?

Early on I limped with Aces, looking for an aggresive player to put a raise in and they did. I reraised, he shoved and I snapped him off. He had AK, but hit a runner runner flush on a 2-5-9 flop. I was mortified, but I tried to not let it get to me and carried on as if nothing happened.

What was your strategy going into the final table?

I was planning on playing quite tight . But as you know this is always going to change. It was just about picking the right spots. I think one of my strengths is I am unpredictable. I like to change my style of play a lot, which i feel is what is needed in this era of poker.

What are you going to spend the winnings on?

With Christmas coming up I think the missus and the kids deserve something special. And I’m going to invest some more into poker!

Event 2: $5 Turbo Takedown

Name: Stephen ‘FuzyFelt’ Warwick
Age: 48
Hometown: Didcot

Stephen ‘FuzyFelt’ Warwick is something of a PPOC legend. The 48-year-old warehouse worker from Didcot won last year’s PPOC Main Event first prize for $1,749, and returned to dominate November’s hotly contested $5 Turbo Takedown.

In total, 182 runners tried their luck in the event, but it was Stephen who rode out the shove-fest best, defeating ManuMassie heads-up for spot on the PPOC Hall of Fame 2010 and the $515 first prize. We caught up with Stephen shortly after his win…

How did it feel to win your second PPOC event?

It was really good. I won the Main Event last series so it’s always nice to win another one. I really wanted the silver card protector this year!

Did you have a strategy coming into the event?

Not really. As with any turbo I tried to stay ahead of the blinds by not being frightened to shove. When the blinds start getting too big you’ve gotta just get it all-in. I just always try to win. I’d rather bust out in tenth than just scrape by and win a few dollars.

Were you ever put in any tough spots?

It was fairly uneventful, to be honest. It was strange because I didn’t find myself in any tough spots. I didn’t have any chips till there were about 20 people left and then all of a sudden I hit a few hands and it all just slotted in to place.

And what about luck? Did you administer any suck-outs?

I was on the same table as one of you PokerPlayer boys when my AK got busted by something weird. But in the very next hand I shoved with 5-6 suited and hit my flush – that was the only lucky hand I had all tournament.

Did you come into the final table with a chip lead?

No, not really. I came in fifth or sixth in chips, kept myself out of trouble and worked my way towards heads-up. I think I had about a third of the chips compared to my opponent but then hit a few hands and that was that.

What have you got planned for the winnings?

I’ve already bought myself a new set of forks for my mountain bike so it’s all gone already!

Don’t forget to check out all the PPOC details now, and make sure you’re involved when the best value added tournament series in poker kicks off again on December 6!