Last night, Black Belt Poker sponsored pro Owen Robinson scooped up two titles at the Irish Poker Awards at the Regency Hotel in Dublin.
Running parallel with the IPO, the Irish Poker Awards acknowledged the achievements of some of Irish poker's most celebrated players, with the likes of Donnacha O'Dea, Nicky Power and Tom Hanlon all nominated for awards.
28-years of age from Wexford Town in the south east of Ireland, Owen is a part-time poker player who got into poker after playing a home game with friends. Earlier in the year, he emerged as the biggest winner in Grading II, earning himself an all-expenses paid package to the Irish Open. In addition, he was fast-tracked to Blue Belt status in the Belt-Up Rewards System, thereby giving him $1,500 in live tournament backing every month.
Over the last several months, Owen has proved himself to be one of Ireland's biggest up-and-coming stars with three deep runs in UKIPT Main Events (including 4th in Nottingham for £21,400). It was thus fitting that he overcame a tough line-up to be win the award for Break Out Year. He then followed that up by taking down the ultimate honour: Player of the Year.
Owen was modest in victory: "I was really pleased to win, but I'm not sure I deserved to be Player of the Year. John O'Shea is a great player and he finalled a WPT earlier in the year. Sean Prendeville could have won too. Not many people will have heard of him, but he won two events for around 35K each and then went deep in two WSOP events in Vegas."
"It was a fun night," he continued. "Gavin [Hall] and Rob [Jarrett-Smith] had been playing the IPO, so I had plenty of support. Paul Marrow was also there in his shiny suit, with matching shoes, which was impressive. There weren't too many winners. Jesse [May] was joking afterwards that it was now a race between me and Padraig to see who could win the most Irish Poker Awards bracelets."
Although Owen scooped the major award, the night also proved fruitful for Padraig Parkinson and John O'Shea who both picked up two awards themselves, the former defeating Paul Marrow, Marty Smyth, Fintan Gavin, and Thomas Nolan to become Poker Personality of the Year. ("That was just a list of the biggest Guinness drinkers," laughed Owen.)
However, the night clearly belonged to Owen, who, after an impressive year, received a well-deserved nod for his undeniable talent and potential. Next stop: the Oscars.
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