The PokerStars UK & Ireland Poker Tour (UKIPT) recently held one of its most prestigious events at the historic Hippodrome Casino in London. With several high-profile tournaments, including the UKIPT Cup and the Main Event, this year’s festival was a test of skill and mental stamina. Among the many stories that emerged from the event, Ivonne Montealegre’s impressive performance in the Cup stood out, as she finished as the highest-scoring woman of the London series.
UKIPT London took place from the 4th to the 11th of August at the Hippodrome Casino, a historic gem that first opened in 1900 as an indoor circus, with a 24-meter swimming pool, elephants, and performances by Charlie Chaplin and Houdini.
The UKIPT Cup: a battle of wits and endurance
The UKIPT Cup, with its £330 buy-in, attracted 376 entries. Ivonne Montealegre, Vice President of the Women’s Poker Association International (WPA) and co-owner of The Malta Poker Festival, displayed remarkable tenacity as she navigated her way to the final table, ultimately securing a 5th-place finish. Speaking to SiGMA News, Montealegre reflected on her experience: “I came 5th and this gives us hope, as a woman and also as a non-pro player,” she said, still fuelled by the excitement of the tournament.
Montealegre’s journey to the final table was intense. “We played 13 hours of poker on Day 1, followed by 10 hours straight the next day. Participating in these tournaments requires a huge commitment. I travelled from Malta, where I live, to London, and spent all my time in the casino,” she explained, recounting the physical and mental endurance needed to compete at such a high level.
Montealegre’s success in the Cup was a memorable achievement, not only because of the monetary rewards but also because of what it represented for women in poker. “To sit down at the final table, that’s a big win for me… It’s not even about the money, it’s about your seat at the table as a woman,” she explained.
The Main Event: a triumph for Gaspare Sposato
The £1,100 buy-in UKIPT London Main Event was the crown jewel of the London festival. This event drew 725 entries, culminating in a prize pool of £696,000. After days of intense competition, it was the 28-year-old Italian poker pro, Gaspare Sposato, who emerged victorious, securing a career-best payday of £107,660.
“I was only playing for the trophy. I was really close last year in Paris but I lost heads-up, and many times tonight I thought the same thing was going to happen again. But this trophy is a present for my wife, it was her birthday yesterday. It’s a great moment to be all together with friends and enjoy it,” Sposato said after his win.
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