GUKPT Grand Final Surpasses Guarantee, Bodog’s Office Raided

Grafton Grafting at the GUKPT Grand Final

Last year’s GUKPT Grand Final champion, Sam Grafton, managed to successfully navigate his way through the opening day of this year’s event and finish atop of the leaderboard at the close of play. Having lined up alongside 88 players all willing to part with £2,125 in search of a major British title, Grafton was able to swerve the early glut of eliminations and scoop 159,325 chips by the time the tournament clock was stopped.

Having walked over the remains of some tough grinders, including Barny Boatman, Mickey Petersen and Neil Channing, Grafton was able to carry more than 50% more chips than his closest rival, Joe Lamming. Moreover, his first performance will certainly make him a force to be reckoned with when he returns for Day 2 on Saturday.

In total 42 players made it through Day 1A with at least some semblance of a chip stack, which meant for many the chance to re-enter on Day 1B was a necessity. Indeed, of the aforementioned fallen heroes, all three rejoined the action earlier and helped contribute to the 172 entrants who anted-up today.

Overall more than 250 players have bought into this year’s GUKPT Grand Final which means the prizepool has breached the original guarantee and now sits at £500,000+. As yet the final payouts are yet to be announced but it’s expected that the eventual champion will take home well in excess of £100,000.

To catch up with live updates from inside London’s Victoria Casino, click here.

Bodog Staff Detained Following Raid

Bodog’s office in the Philippine city of Makati was the site of a raid last night after police officers swarmed the building and detained members of staff. According to early speculation, the move was a politically motivated and instigated by a group of former employees.

Indeed, one of the first names to be implicated in the tipoff is Robert Gustafsson who was indicted earlier this year on charges of fraud and theft.

As yet all rumours are unfounded, however, what is clear is that a gang of local police officers entered the building and rounded up several members of staff before holding them in a boardroom for questioning.

Further details are yet to emerge.