Belfast's Marty Smyth won the fourth edition of the World Open in London and took the $250,000 first prize.

33-year-old Smyth, winner of last year's Irish Open, took his career tournaments earnings over $1,500,000 as held off the challenge of Neil Channing and in-form Marc Goodwin who only days earlier had won the fourth leg of the UK Poker Tour in Manchester.

72 players featured in the $8,000 buy-in event which offered a total prize pool of $576,000 but the likes of Mike Sexton, Dave Ulliott and Ian Frazer did not make it to the final table.

Smyth (444,000) and Channing (388,000) were well clear of their rivals as the final table got underway with Andy Ward (192,000), Goodwin (180,000), Dixie Dean (120,000) and Ryan Fronda (76,000) also in contention.

Goodwin managed to claw his way above "The Spider" Ward and join big hitters Smyth and Channing in the final shake-up but departed after an incredible hand.

With the blinds at 7000/15000, Channing, from the small blind limped in, with a five and ten and Goodwin checked the big blind with a King and five. Both players checked after the flop produced an incredible trio of tens and the turn was a King giving Goodwin a full.house.

Channing bet 35,000, Goodwin doubled that and his opponent then went All-In which was called instantly and he was stunned when Channing produced the fourth pocket ten.

That gave Channing an imposing one million to 400,000 chip lead entering the heads-up which lasted longer than the entireity of the rest of the final table.

But Smyth clawed his way back from the 2.5:1 chip deficit and levelled his stack with the man who succeded him as Irish Open champion with 700,000.

The end came when Channing limped in with pocket nines and was re-raised by Smyth holding pocket Queens. The Englishman pushed All-In and Smyth called.

The flop produced a ten, five and two and with a King on both the turn and river the cards held and Smyth was the champion.

"I thought it was my day," said Channing. "I believed during the final table that if I didn't win this I would be disappointed and I am.

"That said, it would have been a bit ridiculous if I managed to take down this title as well."

Smyth said after the victory: "I'm delighted and very proud. With the way Neil is running at the moment he was the last person I wanted to take on heads-up. I hope this sparks a run for me as good as his! I'm so happy to win the trophy and the money will come in handy for Vegas."

He follows Lee Nelson, who won the inaugural event in 2005, Pippa Flanders and Kent's Anthony Hardy as World Open champions.

Top 6:

1st Marty Smyth $250.000

2nd Neil Channing $100.000

3rd Marc Goodwin $60.000

4th Andy Ward $30.000

5th Dixie Dean $25.000

6th Ryan Fronda $20.000

Angus MacKenzie / Eurosport