The Montreal Nationals beat The Berlin Bears to become the first winners of the Global Poker League and win the $100,000 first prize.

I used to dream of playing poker. Rivers would hit me in the gut as I dribbled onto my pillowcase. I would jolt upright in the darkness when another flush draw failed to hit.

Football had been my one true love for 30-years of my life. I never thought anything could ever match the beautiful game when it came to the way it made me feel, and then I started having those dreams.

I would never have enjoyed poker without the ability to win or lose money, though. Money is the haemoglobin that keeps you stuck to the game. Without it, you are free to float away into the arms of another.