Martin Smith Wins GPS Edinburgh
Monday, 3 November 2014
The Genting Poker Series has crowned its latest winner after Martin Smith took the honours in Edinburgh of Sunday.
291 hopefuls took to the tables hoping for a shot at the guaranteed £125,000 prize pool and after three days of hard-fought grinding it was Smith who claimed the biggest chunk of change.
The Scotsman (not to be confused with Ireland's Marty Smyth) started the final day with the chip lead and was largely untroubled in what proved to be the fastest final table in GPS history.
The dozen last day starters were soon whittled down to a final table of nine following the quick eliminations of Michael Kane, who lost a flip with nines against David Vamplew's AK, Jamie Caira and Mindaugas Kriauciunas.
Jamie Anderson followed soon after when he ran AK into Martin Gallagher's flopped trips. Gallagher was responsible for the next elimination too, coming from behind with a dominated A10 to crush Anor Ali's AQ. Gallagher made it a hat-trick after sending Iain Farrell to the rail when his AJ prevailed against K10.
Syed Zaidi's challenge stalled in sixth, his 10s unable to beat 2010 EPT London winner David Vamplew's pocket queens. After working his way up the cash ladder, the short-stacked Chris Craig took a stand with A-6 against fellow shorty Jonny Gray's 7-5 suited. The connectors prevailed to send Craig to the cashier in fifth, £6,750 to the good. Gray followed suit soon after, his A8 falling to Martin Smith's KQ.
Despite being responsible for much of the final day carnage, Martin Gallagher couldn't quite seal the deal. All in on a 8-7-5 flop holding pocket nines, Gallagher needed help after seeing David Vamplew pocket fives for bottom set. The board bricked out and play was heads up.
As was the case for most of the final day, the final two didn't mess about during heads up, despite both holding pretty deep stacks. With Smith in the lead, the chips hit the middle on a 7-10-3 board. Vamplew was well in front with pocket queens but would face a sweat as Smith tabled 8-9 for an open ender. The turn was a brick but the jack on the river gave Smith the straight, the title and a first prize of £33,730.
Vamplew extended his lead as Scotland's biggest live tournament earner by adding another £22,500 to his bankroll.
GPS Edinburgh Final Table Payouts
1st - £33,730 - Martin Smith
2nd - £22,500 - David Vamplew
3rd - £15,000 - Martin Gallagher
4th - £8,750 - Jonny Gray
5th - £6,750 - Chris Craig
6th - £5,500 - Syed Zaidi
7th - £4,250 - Iain Farrell
8th - £3,310 - Anor Ali
9th - £2,380 - Jamie Anderson
Image courtesy of GentingPoker.