The Loose Cannon Club was again taken over by Redtooth Poker as a swarm of poker players entered the card room for our West London Regional Final. Just as in East London, eight players would leave with a cash prize and a National Final seat.

As soon as the players were sat and the presentation had been completed, play began. The chips and cards flew backwards and forwards and would continue to do so until only one player remained. Going for back to back final tables were last seasons runner up, Will Patey, the White Hart’s Max Younas and Steve Lomax from the Earl of Cornwall. Out of the trio, Will Patey performed best on the day as he narrowly missed out in 22nd place.

With last season’s team winners being absent on this occasion, a new West London Team Event winner would be declared. The St Margarets in Twickenham had a good showing, as did the Crown in Northolt, but neither could eclipse the Chessington Oak who had three top 50 finishers on the day. Fodi Fotis, Bradley Murray and Patrick Adams received a stunning glass trophy to show off in the pub.

The final table lined up as follows…

Seat 1: Kelvin Rowlands – Goose, Camberley (75,000)
Seat 2: Jason Wakeling – Crown, Northolt (85,000)
Seat 3: Andrew Lawson – St Margarets, Twickenham (155,000)
Seat 4: Brett Karat – Waterfront, Wandsworth (70,000)
Seat 5: Livvy Dawson – Noble Vine, Walton on Thames (35,000)
Seat 6: Craig McDonald – Ash Tree, Ashford (30,000)
Seat 7: Karl White – Parish’s Club, London (190,000)
Seat 8: Raj Jiven – Inn is Free Freehouse, Finchley (45,000)
Seat 9: Paul Bishop – Duke of Cambridge, Battersea (70,000)
Seat 10: James Lottes – Seacourt Bridge Inn, Oxford (85,000)

A 10 player final table meant that two players would miss out on the National Final and a cash prize. These two unfortunate players were our two short stacks, Livvy Dawson and Craig McDonald, although they will get another shot via our Final Chance Friday tournament. As soon as the bubble had burst play inevitably became looser as the £500 was there for the taking. When Karl White exited in 3rd place we had our heads-up match, with Kelvin Rowlands and Jason Wakeling playing for their share of the remaining £700 prize money. The final hand saw Kelvin’s 9-8ss connect on a K85 flop and with the turn and river of J & 6 being no help to Jason, Kelvin from the Goose in Camberley was our new West London champion.

Cash Prize Winners
1. Kelvin Rowlands – Goose, Camberley
2. Jason Wakeling – Crown, Northolt
3. Karl White – Parish’s Club, London
4. Andrew Lawson – St Margarets, Twickenham
5. Raj Jiven – Inn is Free Freehouse, Finchley
6. Brett Karat – Waterfront, Wandsworth
7. Paul Bishop – Duke of Cambridge, Battersea
8. James Lottes – Seacourt Bridge Inn, Oxford

National Final Qualifiers
Kelvin Rowlands
Jason Wakeling
Karl White
Andrew Lawson
Raj Jiven
Brett Karat
Paul Bishop
James Lottes

Team Winners
Chessington Oak, Chessington