UK Poker Pro Alex Lindop brings Half Million + 2015 WSOP Gold back Home to England

All around the United Kingdom, poker fans are singing the praises of Alex Lindop. The 25 year old poker player from Stoke-On-Trent, England became the second UK player to capture a bracelet this year, taking down 2015 WSOP Event #59, $1,500 NL Holdem for a staggering $531,037 USD (£341,453).

The small-time poker pro has been traveling the United Kingdom since 2011 to compete in poker tournaments. Along the way, he’s cashed in 14 events, bankrolling anywhere from a few hundred pounds to €15,500 for a runner up finish at the UKIPT Dublin High Roller in 2014. He’s even finished in the bubble thrice at WSOP events in 2011 and 2013.

But none of those accomplishments come anywhere close to rivaling the elation Alex Lindop felt when he slipped that gold bracelet around his wrist on Thursday.

“It really feels amazing to win. I’d had a few deep runs before, but they always fizzled,” said Alex Lindop after his momentous win. “To come here and have this happen is just amazing. There are no words to describe the feeling I have right now.”

Taking down the 2015 WSOP NL Holdem event for $531k increased Lindop’s lifetime earnings to $653,747. When asked what he was going to do with his newfound wealth, Alex replied, “I really don’t know what I’m going to do with the money. I guess when I get back home, I’ll have to throw a big party.”

Alex Lindop Defeats Aurelien Guiglini in Heads-Up

After surviving an enormous field of 2,155—enough entries to raise the prize pool to $2,909,250—Alex Lindop found himself facing off with his final opponent, Aurelien Guiglini. A 33 year old product manager from France and self-taught online poker player, Guiglini found himself at a significant disadvantage going into heads-up, down 4 to 1 in the chip counts.

The Frenchman put up a strong fight, lasting a little more than an hour before succumbing to his British foe in the final hand of play.

A call from Alex Lindop and check option from Aurelien brought the flop: 4♥ 5♦ 3♥

Guiglini smoked 225k into the pot, getting the call from Lindop. The dealer tabled the turn: 3♦

The Frenchman shot another big bet of 475k into the middle, and again, the Brit made the call, bringing the river: Q♥

Guiglini checked it down, but this time it was Lindop’s turn to play the aggressor. He shipped all of his chips to the middle, and the Frenchman acquiesced. The hole cards were flipped.

Alex Lindop: 4♦ 3♣
Aurelien Guiglini: Q♦ 5♠

Guiglini’s top pair wasn’t nearly enough to catch the full house of Alex Lindop, who scooped all of the chips, the 1^st place prize of $531,037 and the coveted 2015 WOSP gold bracelet.

For his esteemed efforts, Aurelien Guiglini was awarded a respectable runner up prize of $330,578.