Irish Open

U.K. pro James Mitchell became the 2010 PaddyPowerPoker Irish Open Champion when he bested a record-equalling field of 708 to take home the coveted title and the hugh comedy check with the serious €600,000 figure.

The final hand came when Mitchell's {A-Hearts}{8-Hearts} held up against Paul Carr's {Q-Spades}{5-Diamonds} all-in on a {J-Clubs}{J-Diamonds}{8-Clubs} flop, but the key moment occurred several hands earlier, Mitchell outdrawing Carr's {Q-Hearts}{Q-Clubs} with {A-Spades}{6-Spades} when an ace from space arrived on the river of an otherwise uneventful board.

It was a great showing by the Irish and pros including Dan Harrington, Sandra Naujoks, Brian Townsend, Kara Scott, Marty Smyth and Neil Channing, while the notables who cashed included Andy Black, Marty Wilson, Liam Flood, Ross Boatman and snooker champion Ken Doherty.