The partypoker WPT National Newcastle crowned its champion after four days of poker action at Aspers Casino Newcastle. Kevin Simpson emerged as a worthy champion taking home £24,000 first place prize, a pair of Monster headphones, the coveted trophy and entry into the upcoming partypoker WPT National London event in July.
The £600 Main Event was split into three £200 flights. Players had the option to buy-in to one, two or all three of the Day 1 flights. At the end of each flight chip were bagged and moved forward to Day 2. All chips from each flight were accumulated to give players their total starting stack for Day 2.
Simpson came into the final table the shortest of nine stacks, but bided his time, picked his spots to gamble well and fully deserves his victory. The talented Marc Foggin was the first player to bust and he was followed to the rail by Syed Meah and the last-standing partypoker qualifier David Knight. When play was six-handed, it looked like Ben Jenkins was going to take control, but he lost a couple of major hands and bust in sixth place and was followed to the rail soon after by Brett Andrews. Four-handed player lasted a couple of hours and ended with the exit of Gary Miller, whose exit sparked a three-handed battle that lasted close to three hours. Tin Sung Tang fell in third place, leaving Stephen Fung — who is affectionately known simply as “Chicken” — and Simpson to lock horns heads up. Simpson soared into a 5-to-1 chip lead before a couple of lucky hands went Fung’s way, although Simpson was still in control. The final hand of the 2015 WPT National Newcastle Main Event took place as the clocks displayed 00:53 on Monday morning and saw all the chips go into the middle of the felt with Fung holding and Simpson the . The dealer spread the board, Fung bust and Simpson looked to the heavens with a smile stretching from ear-to-ear and will no doubt be celebrating his superb victory with a few drinks with his friends who railed him all night.
Final Table Standings
Place Player Prize
1 Kevin Simpson £24,000
2 Stephen Fung £16,500
3 Tin Sung Tang £10,500
4 Gary Miller £7,800
5 Brett Andres £5,900
6 Ben Jenkins £4,900
7 David Knight £4,000
8 Syed Meah £3,150
9 Marc Foggin £2,400
partypoker qualifiers experienced the players’ lounge which included games, giveaways, drinks, canapés and an area for hanging out during the tournament. Players were treated to meeting and interacting with sporting legend Rob Lee, former England and Newcastle United footballer. Rob took part in a table football competition hosted by poker personality Mad Marty and the ‘Rob Lee Freeroll’ in which all tournament players were invited to attend.
Off the back of his partypoker WPT National London victory, Christopher Gordon took to the tables. Also in attendance in Newcastle was WPT Champions Club member Surinder Sunar, well known UK players Charles Chattha and Ian Simpson.
Players were treated to a night to remember at the well-known Tiger Tiger in the heart of Newcastle. Complimentary drinks and a dedicated VIP area was offered to all tournament players in the Hawaiian theme Kanoloa room.
Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/partypoker/
Live updates: Hand for hand tournament updates straight from the action could all be found on the partypoker blog here: http://www.partypoker.com/blog/2015-wpt-national-newcastle-updates.html
The final partypoker WPT National UK event of the year will take place as Aspers Casino Stratford City, July 30th– August 2, 2015.