Our newest venue, The G Casino in Aberdeen hosted the first of our final round of regional finals before the main event in March. A turnout of more than 90% took their seat as they hoped to claim the final few national final places for the North Scotland region. As always, the top eight players would also share £1,000 cash.

As soon as we reached 2pm the tournament was under way. Alex Geddes who was representing the Scotia Bar, Aberdeen was the first player to be eliminated. Alex was quickly followed by Ryan Davidson, Shawn Brown and Martin Taylor.

After all players were fed and watered the tournament recommenced. The team event would be the first trophy to be awarded with a total of 10 pubs still in the running for this title. Unfortunately last season’s champions the Clifton Bar could not defend the trophy they won last season as they had only two representatives this time around. The Aboukir Hotel, Angus and the Royal Oak, Huntly were both genuine contenders on the day, but neither venue could stop the Mither Tap, Aberdeen from being crowned the final Team Event champions of the Redtooth Poker year! Our congratulations go to Jason Wilson, Lee Taylor and James Mann!

As the final table of nine was formed, the Aboukir Hotel could still claim back to back wins as Chris Baillie hoped to match David Dambrosio’s 1st place for season 3, unfortunately for Chris he was to be eliminated in 9th place this time around but his final table appearance cements the Aboukir Hotel’s place as a venue to watch out for in North Scotland.

The heads-up match came down to a short battle between Tom Naylor and James MacGillivray. The final hand saw a more than tasty flop as Tom’s A5 and James’s 63 both held out hope on a A45 flop. Fortunately for Tom his A5 held up as the turn and river peeled off a 4 and an 8 to give Tom Naylor from the Garanary, Elgin a much deserved win. Tom wins £500 and will now be present at Dusk Till Dawn in March.

Cash Prize Winners
1st Tom Naylor – Granary, Elgin
2nd James MacGillivray – Cheiftain, Inverness
3rd Michael Howard – Clifton Hotel, Lossiemouth
4th Dean Martin – Northern Bar, Aberdeen
5th Richard Arnott – Ceres Inn, Ceres
6th Daniel Barrett – Kitty Brewster, Aberdeen
7th Kevin Cairney – Walker’s Tavern, Cupar
8th Jude Davidson – Four Mile, Aberdeen

National Final Qualifiers
Tom Naylor
James MacGillivray
Michael Howard

Team Winners
Mither Tap – Aberdeen