The Alea Casino in Nottingham hosted another successful East Midlands Regional Final. Eight players would walk away with a National Final seat and a cash prize on the day while still being in the hunt for a date in Las Vegas.

After the 30 minute presentation ‘shuffle up n deal’ was announced. The first player to be eliminated was Michael Aston Smith from the Three Ponds in Nottingham and Michael was consoled by the now traditional East Midlands cheer. Previous champions Danny Allen and Joanne Taylor didn’t have things all their own way on this occasion as they hit the rail in 162nd and 54th respectively.

After a 45 minute lunch break of fish, chips and mushy peas or spaghetti bolognese the tournament recommenced. The team event was the first trophy up for grabs with 2 of the venues going really deep on the day. But when John Lees Snr from the Woodlands in Derby exited in 36th place, the Risley Park from Derby would be crowned the new East Midlands Team Event winners. They were represented on the day by Richard Hoodless, Roy Forster and James Hudson.

The East Midlands region final table lined up as follows…

Seat 1: Roy Forster – Risley Park, Derby (110,000)
Seat 2: Lindsey Hickton – Railway Inn, Nottingham (110,000)
Seat 3: Gordon Sanders – Hawthorns, South Normanton (110,000)
Seat 4: Shaun Wallace – Moot House, Nottingham (260,000)
Seat 5: Matt Knight – Halcyon, Peterborough (90,000)
Seat 6: Jason Wootton – Sir John Cockle, Mansfield (110,000)
Seat 7: Adam Bennett – Imperial Vaults, Belper (50,000)
Seat 8: Richard Hoodless – Risley Park, Derby (70,000)
Seat 9: Ben Tunnicliffe – Woodlands, Derby (40,000)

Lindsey Hickton started her second consecutive final table. Last season Lindsey finished in 9th place which she bettered on this occasion by joining the rail in 8th place and earning a National Final invite. The chip leader, Shaun Wallace, didn’t have things his own way as his stack dwindled and was eventually eliminated in 5th place for £50. The heads-up match was fought between Gordon Sanders and Ben Tunnicliffe and lasted the best part of 1 hour. The chip lead went backwards and forwards until Ben was caught bluffing by Gordons river check/raise with the nuts. Ben couldn’t recover as he got his remaining stack in the middle in bad shape. Gordon tabled TT vs Ben’s 93ss and with a board of 892 6 T, Gordon Sanders was declared the new East Midlands champion!

Cash Prize Winners
1. Gordon Sanders – Hawthorns, South Normanton
2. Ben Tunnicliffe – Woodlands, Derby
3. Matt Knight – Halcyon, Peterborough
4. Jason Wootton – Sir John Cockle, Mansfield
5. Shaun Wallace – Moot House, Nottingham
6. Roy Forster – Risley Park, Derby
7. Richard Hoodless – Risley Park, Derby
8. Lindsey Hickton – Railway Inn, Nottingham

National Final Qualifiers
Gordon Sanders
Ben Tunnicliffe
Matt Knight
Jason Wootton
Shaun Wallace
Roy Forster
Richard Hoodless
Lindsey Hickton

Team Winners
Risley Park, Derby