Nicknamed The Monk, Andy Black is an Irish professional poker player (born on July 20, 1965). Learning to play poker from his mother when he was a child, Andy Black quickly turned to be a skilful adult player. During his college years, while studying law at the Trinity College in Dublin, Andy Black attended several poker and card rooms to become a professional poker player. His first major tournament was in the year of 1997, facing the professional legendary poker player Stu Ungar at the World Series of Poker. After Andy Black lost in that tournament, he returned the following year in the 1998 WSOP but lost again. Andy Black earned his unique nickname when in 1998, after loosing the World Series of Poker tournament at Las Vegas, left his earthy belongings and lived in a Buddhist setting for five years. Loaded somewhat more with his spiritual life, in 2004 Andy Black entered the Poker world once again. He is known ever since to be meditating in game breaks and in between games, and to have a better control over his emotions facing his opponents. Andy had succeeded in various Irish tournaments and other poker rounds through Europe. In the World Series of Poker the following year, in 2005, he led the final table for a while before finishing fifth with 1,750,000 dollars. Participating in the European Poker Tour in 2005, Andy Black has made a money finish there as well as in the World Poker Tour with two money finishes. Following that year, in 2006, The Monk played in the Tournament of Champions in the final table to finish fifth and win a total of $100,000. In 2007 Andy Black played in two major events: he finished 2nd in the Pot Limit Omaha to collect there $100,000 and at the Aussie Millions in the No Limit Main Event in Melbourne Australia where he finished 3rd and earned $750,000. All in all, Andy Black has made ten money finishes in different World Series of Poker tournaments although never grabbing the precious bracelet for no success so far winning this event. Recently, he played and won the online poker premier league Partypoker.com. When not playing, Andy Black spends some of his time in different charity organizations. As of 2008, Andy Black has a total earning of over $3,800,000 from live tournament winnings.
Andy Black – Highlights and Winnings
1st Place: PaddyPower Irish Open, 2007
2nd Place: Crown Aussie Millions Championship, Pot Limit Omaha Event, 2007
2nd Place: The Cavendish Club Festival, 2005
3rd Place: Party Poker Late Night Poker, 2008
3rd Place: Crown Aussie Millions Championship, No Limit Hold'Em Event, 2007
5th Place: WSOP World Championship, 2005
7th Place: WSOP Pot Limit Omaha, 2007
Cashes: 33
First Place Finishes: 1
