Irish Poker Pro Alan Smurfit Passes Away At 77

Irish poker professional Alan Smurfit handed away immediately final month on the age of 77.

Smurfit was a profitable businessman earlier than retiring in 2003. Smurfit’s household based Smurfit Kappa in 1934, Europe’s main packaging firm that’s traded on the London Stock Exchange. He owned the “K-Club,” which was one in all Ireland’s most well-known luxurious resorts and golf course.

Irish poker legend Padraig Parkinson tweeted Sunday that he had heard the information from one other stalwart of the Irish poker world, Donnacha O’Dea. In the tweet, Parkinson shared a humorous anecdote from Smurfit’s 2007 (*77*) Series of Poker bracelet victory within the $1,500 pot-limit Omaha.

RIP Alan Smurfitt.Just heard from Don ODea he had handed.gained funniest PLO bracelet ever.I spent all day 1 making an attempt to determine who hed caught in as he always walked round tourney https://t.co/7mGPk3A0MP was solely when 4 tables left I realised he was truly taking part in.And he gained

— Padraig Parkinson (@padraigpoker) October 4, 2020

According to Smurfit’s obituary in the Irish Times, his brother Michael mentioned that he was “deeply saddened” concerning the passing of Alan, which got here “unexpectedly, but peacefully.”

When he left the enterprise world, Smurfit dove into poker and located a ton of success. His profession was highlighted by his bracelet win in 2007 for $464,867, however he additionally remaining tabled the (*77*) Poker Tour Mirage Poker Showdown in 2005 and the European Poker Tour London fundamental occasion in 2008. Over the course of his profession, he racked up $1.45 million in event scores.

His final money got here within the 2020 WSOP Online on GGPoker. He completed 1,353th within the $500 no-limit maintain’em with a $5 million assured prize pool.

Smurfit is survived by his spouse, Guadalupe and his three kids Peter, Alan and Anne.