Irish poker player Andrew Black was last night hoping to reach the final day at the grand final of the European Poker Tour in Monte Carlo, writes Shane Hegarty.
The winner of the event will walk away with €1.8 million. With a total prize pot of €6.6 million, the four-day event is the richest poker competition yet held outside the US.
Born in Belfast and now living in Dublin, Mr Black (41) has already won more than €2 million during his career. In 2005 he won €1.4 million when he was placed fifth in the World Series of Poker. Professing to be a Buddhist, his nickname is "the monk".
Mr Black entered the third day of the Monte Carlo tournament as the leading player and one of 32 players surviving. Despite an uncertain start during early hands yesterday, he was again chip-leader last night.