My big win left me with more chips than Harry Ramsden

Oh there were bad beats aplenty along the way. But I chose my opponents carefully after I had begun my slow climb up the leader board to ensure I was never in an all-or-nothing showdown.

After about six hours I was sitting pretty in fourth or fifth place after making the final 18.

However, even at this late stage I was only guaranteed $90 if I busted out.

Yet when I made the final table that rocketed to a guaranteed $251 - and continued rising by hundreds of dollars each time someone was knocked out by the sadistic Poker Gods.

Trip kings, a run on the river and a ridiculous bluff with jack-high were the highlights of my last hour and, before I knew it, I was heads up with a tough-as-old-boots opponent.

At one point he grinded me down to just 900,000 chips. But a few lucky double-ups and some loose/aggressive play eventually brought me back to slight chip leader.

And then I was dealt KJ, a pretty strong hand heads-up.

I raised, he re-raised and I called.

The flop came A, 10, Q.

Jesus.

Jumping.

Christ.

I checked.

He went all in - and I called in a heartbeat.

My poor opponent had top pair, but I had the glorious nuts after the turn brought a nothing card.

It was all over and I had just banked more money than my poker profit for the WHOLE of last year.

Christmas really had come early!

Forget the credit crunch, I have the feeling that 2009 is gonna be a be a great year...