The August bank holiday weekend got the latest regional finals under way. The G Casino in Aberdeen once again welcomed Redtooth and some of North Scotland’s finest poker players through their doors. £1,000 was shared between the top eight with three national final seats being awarded.

As soon as everyone was set the tournament commenced. Amongst the early casualties, and no doubt straight to the bar, were Robert Lane, Mark Wilson and Derek Clyde. Last season’s champion, Shawn Brown, didn’t have things his own way this time as the youngster from Grantown on Spey hit the rail in 41st place.

An impressive showing from Richard Moir, Lindsay Brown and James Mann from the Coopers Bar ensured the Team Event trophy stayed in Aberdeen for the third consecutive season. All three players claimed a top 25 place with James hitting the final table with a more than healthy chip stack.

As the final table got under way it was unsurprising that our first finalist to hit the rail was our short stack, William Crane. He couldn’t find the double, treble, quadruple or quintuple-up to get himself back in the game. He did, however, leave with £20 for his efforts! A few eliminations later we were on the bubble for the national final seats. Grant Strachan was the unfortunate player this time but his winnings of £60 would have been of some consolation. With three players remaining, who coincidently were the 3 big stacks at the start of the final, the tournament soon came to an end. Once Michael Patterson was eliminated we had a heads-up battle on our hands between James Mann and Evan Ramsey. The final hand saw the contest decided by a coin-flip with James Holding A-7 and Evan 3-3. Unfortunately James couldn’t make it a Coopers Bar double as Evan’s 3-3 smashed a board of 34K-4-8 to give him a full house and the title of North Scotland Regional Final champion! Congratulations Evan Ramsey!

Cash Prize Winners
1. Evan Ramsey – Aboukir Hotel, Carnoustie
2. James Mann – Coopers Bar, Aberdeen
3. Michael Patterson – Kitty Brewster, Aberdeen
4. Grant Strachan – Charlotte Bar, Aberdeen
5. James Duffus – Ythan Hotel, Newburgh
6. –
7. Johnathan Guest – Northern Bar, Aberdeen
8. William Crane- Sandisons Cafe Bar, Buckie

National Final Qualifiers
Evan Ramsey
James Mann
Michael Patterson

Team Winners
Coopers Bar, Aberdeen