| 1999 WSOP Main Event Winner | Noel Furlong |
|---|---|
| Runner Up | Alan Goehring |
| Winning Hand | 5 5 |
| Losing Hand | 6 6 |
| 1st Place Prize | $1,000,000 |
| Number of Main Event Entrants | 393 |
In 1999 the WSOP saw 393 players enter the main event. At the end of the event only one player remained, and that was Noel Furlong from Ireland.
Furlong began playing poker in 1984 and finished in 6th place in his first visit to the WSOP Main Event. He played infrequently through the years as he owned a carpet distribution business in Ireland, and so only played in the WSOP and other major tournaments around the world. Furlong was given the name J.J. at birth but everyone calls him Noel, as he was born on Christmas day.
Noel Furlong’s poker skills carried him into heads-up competition with Alan Goehring and on the final hand both players held small pocket pairs, Furlong pocket fives and Goehring pocket sixes. The flop fell Q-Q-5, giving Furlong his set. Furlong forced Goehring all-in after a two fell on the turn. When the eight on the river was turned over Furlong was officially the champion of the 1999 WSOP Main Event, winning $1 million.