Premier League Poker

Juha Helppi has scooped the PartyPoker.com Premier League Poker series played recently in front of TV cameras in Maidstone, Kent, UK.

The Finn adds this victory to a previous World Poker Tour title and numerous WSOP final table finishes.

The innovative set-up drew some of the biggest names in world poker including record WSOP bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth, Dave ‘The Devilfish’ Ulliott, Tony G, Andy Black, Kiril Gerasimov, Liz Lieu, Ian Fraser, Roland De Wolfe, Vicky Coren, Juha Helppi, Kenna James and Eddy Scharf.

It looks like the tournament was a big success, with plenty of banter and playing up to camera. Before even a card was dealt Hellmuth threatened to quit after a harmless exchange with the tournament director.

A PartyPoker.com spokesman said: “There’s no doubt that this will make fantastic television.”

Prior to the final table, each player played in six heats, accruing points with the aim of qualifying for the final stage.

The top four players won automatic qualification, while the next four played-off heads-up to secure the final two slots.

1. Phil Hellmuth (USA) 35 Pts
2. Eddy Scharf (GER) 31 Pts
3. Juha Helppi (FIN) 26 Pts
4. Ian Frazer (ENG) 25 Pts

5. Liz Lieu (USA) 23 Pts
6. Vicky Coren (ENG) 20 Pts
7. Andrew Black (IRE) 18 Pts
8. Kenna James (USA) 17 Pts

9. Kirill Gerasimov (RUS) 17 Pts
10. David ‘Devlifish’ Ulliott (ENG) 14 Pts
11. Tony G (AUS) 7 Pts
12. Roland De Wolfe (ENG) 7 Pts

In the heads-up matches the two female players won through, with Liz Lieu taking down Kenna James and Vicky Coren beating Andrw Black, to complete a final table of:

Phil Hellmuth (USA) 350,000 chips
Eddy Scharf (GER) 310,000 chips
Juha Helppi (FIN) 260,000 chips
Ian Frazer (ENG) 250,000 chips
Liz Lieu (USA) 230,000 chips
Vicky Coren (ENG) 200,000 chips

The final table chips counts reflected the points totals each player had made through the qualification process, and a steady structure at the final table meant that the first player to bust out didn’t leave the table until after five hours of play.

Suprisingly Hellmuth was unable to get going at the final table after dominating the preliminary stages of the event. He lost his chip advantage early on and it was left to Helppi and German Eddy Scharf to battle out the end game. Helppi however had a dominant chip advantage, and wrapped it up after ten minutes of play.

The final six players shared a prize pool of $500,000 and the whole event will be broadcast on TV later in the year.

Final results:
1. Juha Helppi
2. Eddy Sharf
3. Phil Hellmuth
4. Liz Lieu
5. Ian Frazer
6. Vicky Coren