Third time’s a charm for UK Poker Pro Yiannis Liperis, who finally claimed the GUKPT Blackpool trophy after some close calls over the years.
29-year-old Yiannis is a familiar face on the GUKPT and 25/25 circuits and has accumulated an impressive poker cv with two second placings in this event; this year he shrugged the runner-up monkey off his back by besting his heads up opponent Ning Lu to claim the trophy and the main prize of GBP 84,250.
Ning Lu’s runner up prize was GBP 55.950.
Grosvenor Casinos reported healthy entries across all events, with cash games also running around the clock. This year the GUKPT Blackpool Main Event attracted 304 entries generating a GBP 304,000 prizepool.
During Wednesday’s GBP 150+15 Buy-in No Limit Hold’em side event all eyes were on one man, sporting giant and former world heavyweight boxing champion, David Haye. The Hayemaker and Grosvenor Casinos have joined forces in order to fulfil David’s ambition of learning the game of poker, all in preparation for next year’s Goliath.
Sadly for David his first GUKPT event didn’t get off the best of starts as he busted after just three hands! Luckily for him he has three formidable poker professionals in his corner; Jeff Kimber, Katie Swift and Joe Beavers, who were all present for a post-game analysis.
“He’s got loads to learn but he’s a champion sportsman and that competitive edge means he wants to learn more and get better” said Jeff Kimber.
The 12th season of the GUKPT will be coming to a close with the final showcase, the GUKPT Grand Final, kicking off this Sunday at The Poker Room on London’s bustling Edgware Road.