GUKPT Bolton Winner

WSOP bracelet winner Praz Bansi has won the Blue Square Poker's inaugural GUKPT event in Bolton on January 14th 2007. It was an impressive victory for the Londoner, who returned as a short stack on the third and final day of the tournament. He was one of the 19 remaining players still in when play resumed at 2.30 pm on Sunday afternoon, but with only 68,000 chips, was one of the short stacks. It was not long however before he managed to double up courtesy of overnight chip leader Simon Nowab. From that point on he went from strength to strength and by the time the final table of 9 players had been reached he was the new chip leader on 434,000 chips.

Praz's friend Karl Mahrenholz was not far behind with just over 400,000 chips and it was no surprise to see these two dominate the final table and eventually end up heads up against each other for the trophy, the £75,500 first prize and the much coveted winner's watch. Praz had a narrow chip advantage but played aggressively and fast in an exciting end to the tournament. His winning hand was pocket nines against Karl's A-8.

Liverpudlian Ian Nelson was the crowd favourite and his fans were very vocal every time he took down a pot, but after he ran his A-5 into Praz's A-J, the two Londoners were left to fight it out for the glory.

New Zealander Greg Howard was the fourth place finisher and Luton regular Damon D'Cruz, who was very short-stacked going into the final, was fifth. Alan Henson in 6th place was the highest finishing internet qualifier taking home over £10,000 for a seat that had cost him less than £60 to win. In seventh was criminal profiler Ray Wyre, while long time chip leader Simon Nowab went home in 8th place. Jovial Joe Grech finished in 9th place.

Bolton GUKPT Winner - Praz Bansi