Poker.co.uk-sponsored poker player Daniel Carter was not expected to win through to the finals of the World Head's-Up Poker Tournament, nor was he expected to knock out world-renowned poker pro Dave 'Devilfish' Ulliott - but he did both in a way that has done Poker.co.uk proud.
At the age of just 19, Daniel Carter, who by the end of the tournament had earned his poker nickname 'The Kid', beat off 126 players, only pipped finally to the top prize by a solid performance from Jeff Kimber.
The Kid scooped 90,000 euros of the prize pool after agreeing a split with fellow countryman Kimber before reaching the final table.
Although the drama of the last stage was intense, the days leading up to it were just as dramatic. Although it hardly matters that Carter relegated Carlos Ilado Fabregas into third place during the semis when quarter-final day saw the Poker.co.uk hero beat WSOP bracelet winner Dave 'Devilfish' Ulliott.
Although the Devilfish attempted to intimidate the Kid with some backchat, after 45 minutes of the match had passed, the stacks were even.
Highlights of the match included the Devilfish complaining of a big laydown when he was forced to fold an Ace and a Jack. After some cautious raises, the Kid called the Devilfish's bluff and went on to progress into the semis when the dealer failed to turn up the right cards to give Ulliott an out.
Daniel Carter has been rated by the likes of legends such as Dave Colclough and Mickey Wernick, who said the lad plays "perfect poker" akin to some of the best pros in the world; yet no one expected such a stellar performance at the World Headsup Poker Championship 2007 at the Gran Casino Barcelona. Except maybe Poker.co.uk.
Matt Dale of Poker.co.uk said: "We are very pleased with Dan's continued success. He has put together a phenomenal run of results since we started sponsoring him."
Look out for the Kid the poker scene in the future - this boy's going to be an ace.
Poker.co.uk-sponsored poker player Daniel Carter was not expected to win through to the finals of the World Head's-Up Poker Tournament, nor was he expected to knock out world-renowned poker pro Dave 'Devilfish' Ulliott - but he did both in a way that has done Poker.co.uk proud.