Scottish pride at PokerStars UKIPT event
The PokerStars UK and Ireland Poker Tour has been gathering a lot of attention this season and its fifth event of the campaign in Newcastle was a tremendous tournament for many players. A turnout of over 550 players ensured that the event had one of the biggest summer turnouts but when the last eight players were battling it out at the final table, the tension was palpable. The table leader was Scottish player Richard Sinclair, who had entered the final table with the most chips but as we all know, this is often no guarantee of success.
First win for a Scottish player at UKIPT
The 36 year old from Armadale in West Lothian (close to Edinburgh) held his nerve to see off the competition and to take the first prize of £67,000. This is a fantastic prize and was also the first time a Scottish player had been a winner on the PokerStars UKIPT tour. Sinclair defeated Rajesh Verma, from Birmingham, who still walked away with a cool £40,000 for his troubles. It was the most money that Sinclair had picked up in one tournament and in total 72 players in the event received a pay-out. The UKIPT may not have the cash or kudos as some of the major names in world poker but it is fast becoming among the most important tournaments and events in the UK and Irish poker calendar.
Plenty of prizes up for grabs
Alongside the main event at the UKIPT, a number of other players picked up great cash prizes in side events. Pawel Brzeski claimed £3,660 in the £100 freezeout, edging ahead of 135 players. Daniel Laming had a great time picking up £12,800 for the £300 tournament whereas Simon Higgins and Thomas Dunwoodie both picked up cheques for around £3,000 for triumphing in their respective side events.
The next event in the UKIPT cycle takes place in Brighton at the Hilton Metropole hotel. Again, the venue m ay lack some of the glitz and the glamour that TV viewers will readily associate with major poker tournaments but for the players involved, the location will not matter, the chance to play for major prizes and take on your fellow players will be the real; enticement to play. The event runs from the 14th to the 17th of July and a number of satellite events are already running to grab an entry to the tournament.