MainEventTravel CEO Fraser MacIntyre has notched another big cash after finishing second in the €2,200 PokerStars Festival Dublin National High Roller.
Don’t miss forthcoming PokerStars events including PokerStars Festival Sochi (October 16-22), PokerStars Festival Hamburg from November 17-26 and the annual blockbuster in Prague – the PokerStars Championship Prague runs December 8-19.
The giant trophy in the picture went to Dublin-based Max Silver, who pocketed €45,350 for his victory – but Fraser’s runner-up reward of €32,240 is not to be sniffed at.
There were 85 entries in the event creating a total prize pool of €164,900. With 11 getting paid, it was Fraser in charge when they reached the bubble. However by the time they were down to five, Brazilian Helio Bandeira had the lead. A three-way all-in then took place which massively turned things around for Silver, a former UKIPT Dublin champion. Silver had AK, Bandeira had QJ and Fraser - who had both players covered - had pocket aces. Two miracle kings on the flop saw Bandeira eliminated and Silver gained the lead out of the remaining four players. Silver was still leading when he and Fraser reached heads-up play and he fairly swiftly took it down.
Fraser's live poker career has been dogged by second-place finishes. His biggest ever live cash to date was €290,000 for a runner-up finish at EPT Madrid in 2012. In May this year he was runner-up in the 888Live Barcelona High Roller for €28,000 – and he’s now taken silver again in Dublin. Fraser, who took over MainEventTravel three years ago, said: “2nd place club, again! I'd like to think I could've taken it down but anything can happen in poker. It's just one of those things. I'll win a big shiny trophy one of these days!”
The €700,000 guarantee Main Event was won by Irish player Gary McGinty for €91,808 after he beat fellow Irishman Jim O'Callaghan. Among those who cashed were finalists Sean Prendiville and Mick Graydon, plus Brighton-based American Deborah Worley-Roberts, The Hippodrome Casino’s Kerryjane Craigie, Patrick Clarke, seven-time World Snooker Champion Stephen Hendry and Rory Brennan.
After Dublin, the next PokerStars Festival will be in PokerStars Festival Sochi from October 16-22 followed by PokerStars Festival Hamburg from November 17-26. PokerStars will wrap up 2017 with its annual blockbuster event in Prague. PokerStars Championship Prague will feature 12 days of poker action in the Czech capital from December 8 to 19. The schedule includes a €5 million guarantee on the Main Event.