Former poker dealer wins World Championship Snooker debut

Former poker dealer wins World Championship Snooker debut

Tuesday, 20 April 2010

The likes of Jimmy White, Steve Davis and Ken Doherty have successfully transferred their skills on the green baize to the poker felt but the traffic isn't all one way as a former poker club dealer has made the move in the opposite direction.

Martin Gould overturned a 6-8 deficit to win his opening round match at The Crucible against Marco Fu 10-9. The 28-year-old has said that working at the poker tables has helped his snooker but that was glad to be able to concentrate on his snooker full time. In an interview with the BBC after his surprise win Gould said, “It (poker dealing) was hurting my back a lot as I was sitting in a swivel chair for six, seven or eight hours a night,” adding, "In the mornings I just couldn't get out of bed, and also it ruined my drinking weekends as well with friends.”


The Londoner will now face Neil Robertson or Fergal O'Brien in the next round.


You can watch a BBC interview with the poker dealer turned snooker pro by clicking here.



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