The 2008 PartyPoker.com Premier League came to a dramatic finale with Irishman Andy Black finally making it all the way to claim first place. It has been 20 years since the ‘Mad Monk’ achieved such a feat. He was clearly overwhelmed by his victory when he burst into tears after taking down Brit Roland de Wolfe.

The Dubliner was favourite to win at the final table of the 2005 World Series of Poker main event. He went into the final match as chip leader, but busted out much sooner than expected in fifth place, taking home $1.75 million. He had a similar experience in the 2007 Aussie Millions where he finished third.

Black clearly has the goods, being able to make it so far in these events, but the question on everybody’s mind was could he finish what he started? In the final showdown of the 2008 PartyPoker.com Premier League, he answered this question, proving he could to the world, and most importantly, to himself.

De Wolfe had a 3:2 chip lead going into the heads up match. The final hand saw Black limp in with pocket kings and De Wolfe check with queen six off suit. The flop came four of hearts, eight of spades and six of hearts and De Wolfe check raised all-in. Black insta-called and De Wolfe was drawing thin. The turn was an eight of diamonds, meaning that only a six on the river could save him. A two of hearts came and Black's dreams came true.

“I see this as a turning point. Perhaps now I can convert my dominant positions in tournaments into victories,” said Black after the event.

Each player bought into the Premier League for $60,000, with PartyPoker.com adding $280,000 to make the pool $1 million, up from $500,000 last year. A spokesman said, “Andy is a deserved winner, he’s finally got the monkey off his back. It would have been a black day if he managed to choke again.”

FINAL PRIZE MONEY

Andy Black (Ireland) $316,000
Roland De Wolfe (England) $160,000
Tony G (Lithuania) $136,000
Alexander Kravchenko (Russia) $92,000
Marcel Luske (Holland) $72,000
Annie Duke (America) $58,000
Eddy Scharf (Germany) $38,000
Dave “The Devilfish” Ulliott (England) $38,000
Vicky Coren (England) $34,000
Juha Helppi (Finland) $22,000
Ian Frazer (England) $18,000
Phil Hellmuth (America) $16,000