GUKPT Manchester, Esfandiari’s New Trick, Grinder’s $200k Debt

GUKPT Manchester Main Event Starts Tomorrow

The GUKPT makes its second stop of the year tomorrow in the bustling surroundings of Manchester. Always one of the more popular destinations on the tour’s calendar, the £200,000 Main Event is expected to welcome a bumper field as the players look towards a bumper payout when a winner is crowned on Sunday.

Last season a three-way deal saw Jeff Kimber and Shehbaz Hussain walk away with more money than the eventual winner, Sunny Chattha, after he managed to oust his greedy opponents with a one-two combination.

In total 301 players took part in last year’s festival and this time around the organisers are expecting to top that figure by the time the registration desks close on Friday.

Already this year the GUKPT has seen 323 players descend upon London’s Victoria Grosvenor Casino for the opening leg so the signs are positive ahead of tomorrow’s second leg.

Aside from the Main Event, GUKPT Manchester 2014 will also host a number of side events including a selection of satellites including some rake-free qualifiers.

Esfandiari’s New Venture

We’ve always known Antonio Esfandiari as “The Magician”, but few of us have ever actually seen him performing a full magic routine. Despite flaunting a few chip tricks at the table, Antonio has rarely put his skills to use in the poker world.

However, with his place at the top of the poker tree virtually cast in stone, Antonio is now returning to his roots. Indeed, according to a recent tweet, the magic man is set to feature in a new TV show called “Strip Magic“.

Taking unsuspecting strangers by surprise on the Las Vegas strip and showing them some of his best tricks, the show looks to be a great platform for Antonio to present his skills to the world.

Ahead of the first screening tonight, Antonio posted a sneak preview on Vine and we’re pretty sure a recording of the show will find its way online in the coming days.

Former Boxer and Poker Player Jailed for Theft

Former World Champion boxer and keen amateur poker player Antonio Tarver has been arrested in Florida following a $200,000 debt.

According to recent reports the boxer-turned-grinder failed to pay a number of hand-written IOUs to the Wynn Casino, Las Vegas, and as a consequence he’s been charged with theft.

According to many members of the poker community Tarver was a regular player at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Florida and regularly played in cash games as high as $10/$20. He also played a number of times in Las Vegas in numerous tournaments, including the WSOP.

However, many players noted that he had a love of gambling and would often punt off $20,000 in a single blackjack session without flinching.