Priyan de Mel wins GUKPT Blackpool

Priyan de Mel wins GUKPT Blackpool

Monday, 16 November 2009

287 players gathered at Blackpool’s Sandcastle Casino for the latest GUKPT Main Event over the weekend and in the end it was Londoner de Mel who emerged victorious.

The 36-year-old outlasted a final table that included Gemal Husnu, Wasim Akhtar, Mark James, Steve Talbot, Jeff Hemmerman, Mark Taylor (who satellited in for just £30) and Ben Vinson to set up a heads up clash with 23-year-old online pro James Williams from Swindon.


De Mel went into heads-up with a two to one chip advantage and didn’t relinquish the initiative, sealing the win holding J8 on a JJ75 board. Williams was all in with an inside straight draw but there was to be no miracle on the river leaving de Mel to celebrate his biggest live victory to date.


It could have been so different for the eventual winner though, who faced elimination on Day 1. de Mel was all in with an inside straight draw against close friend Andy Seden’s set of fours. Luckily for him, the three on the river completed the wheel and kept him alive.


Speaking on the GUKPT blog de Mel said, “I am delighted to have won this title, but I could easily have been out on day one if I had not hit my gutshot against Andy”


The final table positions and payouts were as follows:


1st Priyan de Mel £84,900 (plus seat in Champion of Champions)
2nd James Williams £52,400
3rd Ben Vinson £34,400
4th Mark Taylor £22,400
5th Jeff Hemmerman £16,600
6th Steve Talbot £13,800
7th Mark James £10,900
8th Wasim Akhtar £8,000
9th Gemal Husnu £5,700


The GUKPT now heads to The Vic for the Grand Final from 19th to 29th November. The action opens with the £5,000 Heads Up Championship with the £3,000 Main Event starting on 26th November.


Organisers have also confirmed that the GUKPT will be returning in 2010. The full schedule will be released tomorrow.


You can qualify online for GUKPT events online at Blue Square Poker.



Tags: Poker News, Priyan, de, Mel, wins, GUKPT, Blackpool