EPT Grand Final Reaches its Finale, WPT Lands in Newcastle

EPT Grand Final’s Final Eight

The penultimate day of the EPT Grand Final Main Event whittled its way down to 17 players last night thanks to a slew of high profile exits by the likes of Dani Stern, David Williams and Ville Wahlbeck.

At the start of Day 4 41 competitors sat down for a run at the €1,240,000 top prize, but by the time the betting was over it was Kenny Hicks that finish atop of the chip chart. The American pro mainly plays online but managed to overcome a tough field and bag 2,499,000 chips ahead of the likes of Jack Salter, Mark Teltscher and Steven Silverman.

Today’s penultimate session saw 17 players quickly fall into single figures and after a tense battle for a place in the finale.

A break in play late in the afternoon gave the final nine a chance to collect their thoughts but almost as soon as the action resumed Martins Seilis as all-in.

The young player looked down at As Qh before 3-betting over the top of Sebastian von Toperczer’s 100,000 raise. As the action folded to Jack Salter he decided to move all-in with Ac Jc and without much thought Seilis called after von Toperczer folded.

The flop rolled out 3c Kd 4c giving Seilis something to sweat about and as the 4h and Kc fell on the river he saw that his chances of success had slipped away.

With that the final table of this year’s EPT Grand Final Main Event was set as Seilis was set to the cashiers’ desk to collect his €83,200 consolation prize.

Final Table Chip Counts for the EPT Grand Final

1. Jack Salter – 5,170,000

2. Mayu Roca – 4,625,000

3. Magnus Karlsson – 2,595,000

4. Antonio Buonanno – 2,065,000

5. Kenny Hicks – 1,875,000

6. Sebastian von Toperczer – 1,240,000

7. Malte Moennig – 1,150,000

8. Sebastian Bredthauer – 755,000

WPT National Newcastle Begins

The WPT’s latest accumulator event landed in Newcastle today with the first of three opening flights. Having already visited London this year, the WPT National kicked off earlier today and welcomed a slew of grinders to its £200 Main Event.

The North East MTT forms the fourth of five stops on the inaugural WPT National tour and to mark the occasion some of the city’s famous sons will be on display.

Indeed, alongside the glut of grinders at the felt, Big Brother 12 runner-up Jay McKray, Geordie Shore’s Jay Gardner and North East world boxing champion Stu Hall will also be perfecting their poker faces.

Aside from the Main Event, WPT National Newcastle will also feature three side events with buy-ins ranging from £55 to £110.

The action inside Aspers Newcastle will run through until May 4th when a new WPT champion will be crowned.