The final East Midlands Regional Final was once again played at the Alea Casino, Nottingham. Eight lucky players would leave with a cash prize and a National Final invite.

The tournament was under way a little after 2pm once all of our league winners had been presented with a trophy and a certificate. It was a quiet start to the game until Rolston Taylor hit the rail first to a huge cheer that resembled that of an injury time winner in a Derby vs Forest football match! There was no celebration from Rolston however as he made his way to the sign out desk. Other favourites to be KO’d early included Paul Thorpe, a recent UKIPT Nottingham money winner and the Gallows’ league champ, Andrew Tassi.

After the second break the team event became a three horse race. Charlton Arms in Chilwell, 66 Club in Ilkeston and the Sun Inn in Pinxton were all vying for the title. Eventually the 66 Club emerged triumphant and they were represented on the day by Jason Sisson, Daniel Morris and Mick Squires.

As we broke down to two tables the tournament was there for the taking. Joanne Taylor from the Sun Inn, Pinxton took the opportunity as she stepped up a gear to eliminate a number of players, this took Joanne into the final table with a sizeable chip lead with the final table lining up as follows….

Seat 1: Simon Parn – 70,000
Seat 2: Ben Tunnicliffe – 70,000
Seat 3: Lyndsey Hicton – 20,000
Seat 4: Mark Searle – 110,000
Seat 5: Paul Leake – 20,000
Seat 6: Paul Higgins – 170,000
Seat 7: Chris Hyde – 70,000
Seat 8: Chris Graham – 50,000
Seat 9: Joanne Taylor – 290,000

The final table of nine commenced and Joanne carried on from where she left off eliminating six of the seven finalists to reach the heads-up stage. Joanne was up against a very short stacked Mark Searle from the Cherry Tree, Melton Mowbray. An instant double up from Mark gave him a foot hold in the game but a car crash hand ended any faint hope of a comeback as Joanne was dealt 77 and Mark A2, the board ran out 795 8 5 to give Joanne a full house and the win! A shocked Joanne collected £500 cash, a glass trophy and a seat in our annual National Final.

Cash Prize Winners
1st Joanne Taylor – Sun Inn, Pinxton
2nd Mark Searle – Cherry Tree, Melton Mowbray
3rd Paul Higgins – Charlton Arms, Nottingham
4th Simon Parn – Rose & Crown, Sutton in Ashfield
5th Ben Tunnicliffe – Woodlands, Derby
6th Chris Graham – Risley Park, Derby
7th Chris Hyde – Limekiln, Nottingham
8th Paul Leake – Fairham Hotel, Nottingham

National Final Qualifiers
Joanne Taylor
Mark Searle
Paul Higgins
Simon Parn
Ben Tunnicliffe
Chris Graham
Chris Hyde
Paul Leake

Team Winners
66 Club, Ilkeston