Seat number one was lucky for Zain Said of the Magic Lantern, North Shields as he finished 1^st at the North East regional final held at the Circus Casino, Newcastle. It was also a case of ‘third time lucky’ for Zain as he attended the previous two finals and was unable to win the title until now. The final heads up saw Zain with 6c 8c against Jim Robinson of New Seaham Conservative Club, Seaham with Js Jd, the flop revealed 6h Kc 6d giving Zain trip 6’s, enough to clinch the title, but there was still a chance Jim could snatch it back until the turn brought 8d and the river 4d giving Zain the Fullhouse.

Cash Prize Winners and National Final Qualifiers

• 1^st Zain Said, Magic Lantern, North Shields
• 2^nd Jim Robinson, New Seaham Conservative Club, Seaham
• 3^rd Ian Bertram, Bowes Hotel, Bardon Mill
• 4^th John Skelton, Cleveland, Middlesborough
• 5^th John Bassett, Eagle, Stockton on Tees
• 6^th George Bowman, Poachers Cottage, Newcastle

Other Cash Prize Winners

• 7^th Colin Fletcher, Baydale Beck, Darlington
• 8^th Stephen Peacock, Grey Horse, Penshaw