A stunning day was enjoyed by all at the Leo’s Casino in Liverpool. 130 players took their seat to find our first North West champion of 2010.

Play got underway on time at 2pm and Tom Crook from the Queens Hotel in Lytham was the first elimination of only a few during the first hour. Further eliminations were swift thereafter as we had a final table after only 5 hours of play.

The final table was set once Joe McGowan from the Priory in Liverland was eliminated in 11th place, leaving the final 10 players to play for eight cash prizes and six National Final places. Craig McKenzie started as the big chip leader with 210,000 in chips, but it was only enough for a 3rd place finish. Craig at least received £100 and a National Final place in Nottingham.

Craig’s elimination left Charlie Williams from the Merlin Hotel in Crewe and Francis Egan from the Mulberry Tree in Warrington, who came back from only 10,000 in chips as the final table began, to play for £500 and a Redtooth glass trophy. Charlie started with the bigger stack of the two, largely thanks to being dealt AA twice and KK once during the final table. Francis was given some hope during heads-up as his AA held up against Charlie’s 1010. Shortly after though, there was a new North West Two champion crowned when Charlie’s A8 suited kept it’s advantage over Francis’ Q10 as the final board ran out 757 2 3. This was Charlie’s first ever Regional Final and afterwards said he was only interested in playing for the win, just like he will be at Nottingham later this month. Well played everyone.

National Final Qualifiers & Cash Prize Winners
1st Charlie Williams – Merlin Hotel, Crewe
2nd Francis Egan – Mulberry Tree, Warrington
3rd Craig McKenzie – Hillfoot, Liverpool
4th Neil Clowes – Old Wirral 100, Great Sutton
5th Samantha Sinclair – Sandhills, Lytham
6th Folkert Lace – Priory, Liverland

Other Cash Prize Winners
7th Paul Harman – Air Balloon, Blackpool
8th Dean Blake – Salt Cellar, Middlewich