Duncan McLellan, a full-time brick layer from Corby, Northamptonshire, today won ?94,090 as first prize in the Main Event of the first-ever UKIPT Isle of Man Poker Festival.
The 49-year-old won his seat in the tournament by winning an online tournament on PokerStars.com which cost him ?215. His prize from the online tournament included the ?1,100 entry into the Isle of Man tournament and fully paid accommodation on the Isle of Man.
Arriving on Isle of Man aboard the ferry at 6am Friday morning, he defeated 378 players from across the UK and around the world to walk away with the trophy and a life-changing payday.
McLellan is well known in the Nottingham poker scene, where he has previously earned a string of smaller cashes there. “I played to win all week – I didn’t want to be fifth or sixth. I’m feeling fantastic, it still hasn’t sunk in. I don’t know how I’m going to get home, but I don’t care!” said McLellan.
The UKIPT Isle of Man Main Event started on Thursday with 379 players, from 34 countries. Each of the top 55 players made the money, going home with a share of the ?500,000 prize pool.
This is the first time that the PokerStars UKIPT has come to the Isle of Man, being held at the historical Villa Marina in Douglas - a fitting setting for a hugely successful poker festival, showcasing the Isle of Man to the global poker world.
Isle of Man Chief Minister Allan Bell MHK said, “PokerStars’ first tournament in the Isle of Man has been a tremendous success, reinforcing the Island’s reputation as a centre of e-gaming excellence, boosting tourism and providing entertainment for both visitors and locals.”
“A successful tournament like this is exactly what we had in mind when the Isle of Man Government changed the law in 2012 to allow poker festivals to be held in the Villa Marina. The tournament has showcased the Isle of Man to hundreds of visitors in person, thousands of viewers watching the online broadcast, and generated valuable media attention across the world,” said Bell.
Photo - Duncan McLellan, courtesy of Rene Velli
