Uk-Poker.co.uk

John Paul Kelly is one of the most talented UK online poker players to have successfully competed in both virtual and live events. The 23-year-old from Aylesbury, England, has enjoyed considerable success in a number of UK poker tournaments, including first place positions in the Midlands Medley (2005; $36,932), Springfest (2005; $20,809), Harbour Lights Poker Tournament (2005; $11,436), Northern Lights Blackpool (2005; $46,305), Springfest (2006; $98,422), Inaugural Poker Championship London (2006; $27,183), Christmas Cracker (2006; $11,998) and leg 8 of the Grosvenor UK Poker Tour (2009; $4,397).

However, John Paul Kelly is best known in the poker community as a double bracelet winner (WSOP). Indeed; the young champion won the 40th World Series of Poker 2009 (Pot Limit Hold’em) for $194,434 and the 2009 World Series of Poker Europe (No Limit Hold’em) for $222,806.

It was announced yesterday that John Paul Kelly will now be making an appearance in the popular televised tournament, the NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship 2010. The NBC event is an annual poker tournament that features a series of one-on-one no limit Texas hold’em games.

The $20,000 buy-in invitation-only tournament is one of the highlights of the poker calendar, as it tends to feature the biggest names in the game. This year, John Paul Kelly will be flying the flag for England against a host of top international poker stars, including Patrik Antonius, Daniel Negreanu, Phil Hellmuth, Phil Ivey and Tom Dwan.

Having secured career earnings of just over $900,000, John Paul Kelly hopes to maintain his current good form against the poker elite, who will also be joined by the television hostess, Kara Scott. Phil Ivey is odds-on favourite to win the tournament; although, at 50/1, many people will fancy John Paul Kelly’s chances.