Ryan Townsend

Name : Ryan Townsend

age 20.

Nickname "King-four"

Ryan has been playing poker for almost 3 years. He first started playing in a small home game with close friends that all joined the Bristol Poker League within a short period of time.

The small group became the fabled "Academy" of poker, which has seen a couple of members get added over the months, but remains a fairly exclusive bunch of young poker players all learning, and beating the game of poker.

Ryan's favourite hand is A-K suited (preferably hearts), but is most renowned for playing King-Four at any cost (and usually winning!). The cry of 'King Four' is often heard now in BPL games, alongside other infamous hands such as 7-4 and K-9.

He is one of only 5 players to win the monthly BPL title more than once to become one of the self proclaimed 'Elite 5'. His first title being when he won in the Fire Engine in August 2007.

His second win was when he took down his 'home' final in front of everyone in Big M's.

Ryan was also the league winner in Big M's during the double month of November/December 2007 and part of the Big M's Team in the team games The BPL held.

His most memorable moment in poker was the final table of the Big M's final, in which many of the academy featured. This final ended with Ryan and his mate Martin 'no jack' Harris splitting the pot and playing for the trophy, which Ryan Won.

Ryan has also won the saturday game at Gala 5 times,each of which has pulled in a field of around 100 players.

Ryan now tends to be seen playing cash games more often but is hoping to be seen in some more final tables at monthly finals with the rest of the renowned Academy.