Matthew Davenport: A Stellar Year in the Poker World
2024 has proven to be a landmark year for British poker player Matthew Davenport, elevating him to new heights both on and off the felt. The local hero from Macclesfield achieved remarkable success, clinching titles and major sponsorships that have solidified his status in the world of professional poker.
Dominating the National Poker League
One of Davenport’s crowning achievements this year is becoming the National Poker League (NPL) Player of the Year, a title he first won in 2022 and now again in 2024. His journey through this year’s competition was nothing short of phenomenal, resulting in a staggering 81 cashes, including 36 final tables, four runner-up finishes, and five outright victories. All this effort culminated in approximately £278,000 in winnings throughout the year.
These impressive results did not go unnoticed; Davenport earned a generous £75,000 sponsorship package from Grosvenor Poker. This package includes £40,000 in live tournament credits, £15,000 dedicated to an exciting trip to Las Vegas, and £20,000 in credits with MainEventTravel. For regular Grosvenor players, this sponsorship means Matthew Davenport will be a consistent presence on the tournament scene in 2025.
Rivals Rising: Gordon and Morreale
Close behind Davenport were fellow players Callum Gordon and Calogero Morreale. Gordon finished second in the NPL standings, earning a £30,000 Diamond Package that includes £20,000 of live credit. His year included an impressive 75 cashes and 30 final tables, netting him around £160,000 in winnings.
Morreale, who won the NPL in 2023, continued his streak of success by finishing third. He collected 58 cashes, six tournament victories, and £175,000 in earnings, alongside a £30,000 Diamond package. Their remarkable performances are a testament to the burgeoning competition in the UK poker scene.
Breaking New Ground: A Female First in the NPL
A noteworthy highlight from this year’s NPL was the historic achievement of Sinead Davenport, who secured eighth place and became the first-ever female player to break into the NPL top ten. Known as Sinead Priestley for most of 2024, she married Matthew in August, forming a power couple in the UK poker community. With 45 cashes, 20 final tables, and winnings of £116,000, she is poised to make further strides in the competitive poker landscape.
Celebrating the 2024 NPL Awards
The top contenders of the NPL received prestigious prizes for their outstanding performance. Below is a breakdown of the top players and their rewards from the 2024 National Poker League:
| Rank | Player | Points | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matthew Davenport | 955.42 | £75,000 Sponsorship Package |
| 2 | Callum Gordon | 843.03 | £30,000 Diamond Package |
| 3 | Calogero Morreale | 765.89 | £30,000 Diamond Package |
| 4 | Robert Douras | 684.12 | £15,000 Diamond Package |
| 5 | Abdulkadir Ahmed | 631.97 | £15,000 Diamond Package |
| 6 | Thomas Clack | 597.74 | £10,000 Diamond Package |
| … | … | … | … |
In addition to the main prizes, players finishing in ranks 21-95 are set to compete in a live playoff tournament for a £5,000 Platinum Package, while those finishing in places 96-209 will participate online for a share of £10,000 in tournament tickets.
Davenport’s Continued Success in the UKPL
Not only did Davenport shine in the NPL, but he also dominated the 888poker UK Poker League (UKPL). With his stellar performance, he topped the leaderboard, earning five 888poker LIVE packages valued at $10,000. Similar to the NPL, Callum Gordon once again followed closely in second place, securing a yearly subscription to all UKPL main events.
Here’s a snapshot of the top players in the 888poker UKPL 2024 leaderboard:
| Rank | Player | Points | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matthew Davenport | 283.70 | 5x 888poker LIVE packages ($10,000) |
| 2 | Callum Gordon | 191.39 | Yearly Subscription to UKPL Main Events ($4,750) |
| 3 | Alex Montgomery | 185.22 | $2,500 in 888poker online tickets |
| … | … | … | … |
Looking Ahead: The 2025 NPL Season
As 2024 winds down, excitement builds for the 2025 NPL season, which is already underway in Coventry. Points are available across various live and online events, fueling anticipation for another year of thrilling poker action. New rules in 2025 stipulate that only a player’s best 20 results will count towards their points total, and the top 18 finishers will compete in a playoff boasting a prize pool of £100,000. With these changes, the competition is bound to intensify.
Conclusion
Matthew Davenport’s accomplishments in 2024 offer an inspiring story of talent, determination, and success within the poker community. As his journey continues, both fans and fellow players alike eagerly anticipate what the future holds for this outstanding competitor who, without a doubt, will remain an integral part of the UK’s poker scene for years to come.
