GUKPT Blackpool - Final Day Report

Check out all the thrills and spills of the final day of the GUKPT in Blackpool. From amateur dramatics to all-in survival.

Final Day Report

As thirteen Poker Trojans returned for Day 3, we needed to lose just four more players to make our final table line-up. Whilst the departures of the two shortest stacks didn't raise any eyebrows, few expected Sunny Chattha and Martyn Cavanagh to miss out, the latter to see his A-K outdrawn by a A-Q which made a flush on the turn. But as the Welshman headed towards the door, our finalists could celebrate in unison, in particular former EPT winner Andreas Hoivold who held the chip lead with a monstrous 838,000 stack.

After the customary introductions, the players launched from their starting blocks with company director Damien Evans falling at the first hurdle. Guy Johnson soon followed, as did Gareth 'The Nugget' Jones and aircraft engineer Eddie Lundon. With five remaining, the money was beginning to get serious. Although Darren Hickman snapped up fifth when his Big-Slick was out-gunned by Hoivold's Q-J, the £21,300 consolation prize more than softened the blow.

It took a while to lose our next man, the fab four battling it out like Roman gladiators with chips moving back and forth across the felt like a never-ending game of Ping-Pong. But inevitably the blinds soon caught up, and with Alan Vinson feeling the wrath of the Norwegien, we were down to three. At this point, Ben Clarke, who had been gradually climbing the ladder all day, suddenly made a pact with the Poker Gods that would make him appear invincible. After doubling up his short-stack a number of times, he was delighted to see the two larger stacks take each other on and ultimately leave him heads up with recent GCBPT Liverpool winner Zachary Ford.

Ford may have held a 2.8 to 0.6 million lead, but he would have been foolish to underestimate the showdown powers of Clarke. 6-5 versus K-T, J-9 versus 8-8, 8-8 versus 8-8, T-8 versus J-J, Clarke survived an incredible four all-ins before finally snapping up the title in a dramatic final hand. All-in with A-K versus pocket Queens, Ford boasted two pair by the turn, but a rip-roaring third Queen peeled off on the river sealed his fate and awarded Clarke not only the sparkling trophy, but also the small matter of £96,500.

A night watchman originally from Glasgow, local amateur Brian Clarke had low expectations heading into this event, but turned a pipe dream into a reality to provide the festival with a fairy-tale ending and etch his name firmly into the history books. A gentleman throughout, Brian was a highly popular winner who encapsulated many of the aspects of Poker that make the game so great. Runner-up Zachary Ford, meanwhile, was fully deserving of capping what has been a spectacular few months, and we'll no doubt be seeing him cause mayhem on final tables to come. Congratulations to both, but especially Clarke who will soon be preparing for the Grand Final in a couple of week's time.

1st - Brian Clarke - £96,500

2nd - Zachary Ford - £56,250

3rd - Andreas Hoivold - £40,900

4th - Alan Vinson - £27,300

5th - Darren Hickman - £21,300

6th - Eddie Llundon - £16,200

7th - Gareth Jones - £12,800

8th - Guy Johnson - £10,250

9th - Damien Evans - £7,650