Niall Farrell Joins the Upswing Poker Coaching Team
We’re thrilled to announce that Niall Farrell has joined the Upswing Poker Lab 2.0 coaching team.
With more than $7 million in live tournament earnings, a long record of online success under the name “firaldo87,” and the rare distinction of achieving poker’s Triple Crown (with titles on the EPT, WPT, and WSOP circuits), Niall brings championship-level experience and proven results to the Upswing roster.
Words to Play By
“Poker is about understanding the WHY of every situation. Master the WHY and you become formidable.”
— Niall Farrell
That philosophy has carried Niall through some of poker’s biggest moments. Words he’s learned to live by at the table.
A Champion’s Journey
Born and raised in Scotland, Niall’s rise through the poker world was meteoric. His first two Hendon Mob results were outright wins, an early sign of the consistency that would define his career.
From his EPT Malta Main Event victory in 2015 to his WPT title and WSOP Europe High Roller bracelet, Niall has conquered every major stage the game has to offer, becoming one of just a handful of players to complete poker’s Triple Crown.
Niall’s had so much live success, but his career began online and he’s crushed in that arena too, winning the Full Tilt Poker FTOPS Main Event in 2014 as well as PokerStars SCOOP titles (‘Niall “Firaldo87” Farrell Ships His Second SCOOP Title‘).
Top ten live results by winnings:
| Date | Event | Place | Winnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01-Nov-2017 | € 25,000 No Limit Hold’em – High Roller (Event #9) WSOPE 2017, Rozvadov | 1st | $867,591 |
| 25-Oct-2015 | € 5,000 + 300 #32 No Limit Hold’em EPT Main Event EPT Malta, St. Julian’s | 1st | $588,592 |
| 08-Jul-2016 | $111,111 No Limit Hold’em High Roller for One Drop (Event #67) WSOP 2016, Las Vegas | 8th | $486,383 |
| 23-Jun-2025 | $5,000 No Limit Hold’em – 6-Handed (Bracelet Event #62) WSOP 2025, Las Vegas | 3rd | $398,409 |
| 24-Jun-2013 | $3,000 No Limit Hold’em (Event #44) WSOP 2013, Las Vegas | 2nd | $366,815 |
| 19-Nov-2016 | $4,560 No Limit Hold’em – partypoker WPT Main Event partypoker WPT Caribbean, Punta Cana | 1st | $335,000 |
| 09-Nov-2018 | $25,000 + 500 No Limit Hold’em – MILLIONS World partypoker Caribbean Poker Party, Nassau | 8th | $300,000 |
| 04-Nov-2017 | € 10,300 No Limit Hold’em – WSOP Europe Main Event (Event #11) WSOPE 2017, Rozvadov | 5th | $278,821 |
| 11-Feb-2018 | € 25,000 + 500 No Limit Hold’em – Super High Roller partypoker MILLIONS Germany, Rozvadov | 3rd | $276,720 |
| 18-Nov-2019 | $25,000 + 500 No Limit Hold’em – MILLIONS Super High Roller partypoker MILLIONS World Bahamas, Nassau | 5th | $200,000 |
View all results on The Hendon Mob
Niall was recently the focus of a BBC Scotland documentary, The Four Rules of the Poker Kings, a TV special that followed him through a year on the international poker circuit, from EPT Prague to EPT Monte Carlo, UKIPT Dublin, and the 2022 WSOP.
The film highlights not only his tournament success but also his deep understanding of poker strategy and his growing presence as a commentator for major live and online events.
Legendary Moments
If you’ve been around poker long enough, chances are you’ve seen Niall in one of the game’s most talked-about hands, when he got Maria Ho to fold pocket tens on a Jh Th 7h flop holding Ah Kc.
Doug Polk broke down the hand in a now-legendary video that remains one of YouTube’s most popular poker analyses.
Watch it here: Doug Polk analyzes Niall Farrell vs. Maria Ho.
Another legendary moment: Niall Farrell Wins Poker’s Triple Crown By Taking Down 2017 WSOP Europe €25,000 High Roller, as featured on Card Player:
Beyond the Felt
Away from poker, Niall is an avid reader. His favorite series include The Wheel of Time and Mistborn, both known for their rich worlds and strategic complexity.
About Niall Farrell
Location: Scotland
Online Alias: firaldo87
Live Earnings: $7 Million +
Online Earnings: $4 Million +
Triple Crown Titles: EPT – WPT – WSOP
Media: Featured in The Four Rules of the Poker Kings (BBC)
Welcome to the team, Niall!
We’re excited to have one of poker’s true greats join the Upswing family and the Lab 2.0 Team. Stay tuned for updates on Niall’s upcoming appearances and contributions inside Upswing Lab 2.0.