WPT Newcastle Latest, GUKPT Brighton Underway

Geordie Celebs Shoot for WPT Glory

The opening day of this year’s WPT National Newcastle saw a slew of grinders and local celebrities mix with a host of professionals in search of a place in Day 2.

At first a trickle of players created a healthy buzz inside Aspers Casino and by the time the registration desk closed a glut of players, including Ian Simpson and Jack Ellwood, had joined the action.

Indeed, such was the appeal of the opening flight that Solinas Angelo was amongst a contingent of grinders that had travelled from Canada to take part in the tournament.

While some of the UK’s best grinders were stealing the limelight at the felt, a trio of celebrity players in the form of Big Brother 12 runner-up Jay McKray, Geordie Shore actor Jay Gardner and North East world boxing champion Stu Hall were also in action.

At the close of Day 1A the field had been whittled down to 68 and when the chip counts were in it Paul Castledene that found himself amongst the top stacks.

Beevers and Co. Descend on Brighton

Whilst half the country was grinding in the North East, the other half were shooting for GUKPT glory in Brighton.

The East Sussex costal town played host to the opening day of the latest GUKPT event yesterday and amongst the grinders on display was UK veteran, Barny Boatman.

After lining up alongside 72 hopefuls Boatman was able to bag 80,000 chips and make it through to Day 2 alongside Babbis Lappas, Joe Greenfield and the overall chip leader, Ethan Davey.

Davey scooped 150,000 and to comfortably glide into Day 2 which will get underway on Saturday.

Today’s second opening flight got underway earlier and at the time of writing the likes of Joe Beevers, Jeff Kimber and Jen Mason have been spotted at the felt.

For live updates from GUKPT Brighton, click here.