Irish Poker Festival 2009 Won By Thomas ‘r0lfus’ Rolfe

Thomas Rolfe beat a field of over 750 players to win the Ladbrokes Irish Poker Festival in Killarney and take down the €100,000 first prize.The 22 year old from Nottingham’s victory was all the more impressive as he earnt a free entry into the €1,000 buy-in tournament after qualifying through a Ladbrokes rake race competition.
As the four day competition reached its climax, Thomas Rolfe found himself battling heads-up against local favourite Emmet Gough and badly dominated after going all in with Ah Qh and facing Gough’s A K. The flop came 6h6sJh giving Rolfe a flush draw which failed to improve on the turn when a 5c fell. However, luck was on the young Nottingham player’s side and he managed to hit a 2h on the river to complete his flush and secure the €100,000 top prize and Irish Poker Festival title. Emmet Gough received the €65,000 runner up prize.
After his victory a jubilant Rolfe said: “I’m really pleased to have won this event. It’s a big stepping stone and a chance to invest in a new house.”
Following on from his free roll fortune, Rolfe was also awarded a Ladbrokes Poker Cruise IV package scheduled for January 22nd, 2011 where he will be able to play in the lucrative tournament as well as enjoy nine days cruising around the Caribbean and its islands.
Kate McLennan, Head of Poker, said: “This tournament has once again been a huge success and is a fitting place to launch the poker cruise. It’s nice to see familiar faces and also welcome some first-timers. We’re already planning next year’s Irish event, though I think it’s going to take 12 months to recover from the weekend’s festival!”