The South England final at the Farmhouse Inn Lodge, Portsmouth took place on Sunday 6th September.

After a light hearted welcome and presentation it was down to some serious poker playing and the atmosphere was tense unitl the 1st player was eliminated some 45mins into play. Tony Whiting of the White Hart, Sherfield on Lodden was the given a copy of ‘My 50 Most Memorable Hands’ by Doyle Brunson to soften the blow of being the first out.
Paul Turner of the Lock, Stock & Barrel, Newbury was the chip leader going into the final table, but unfortunately couldn’t hold on to his lead and finished 3rd. The heads up between Steve Ball of the Red Lion, Hamworthy and Luke Jarvis of the Famous Old Pines, Winton was quite a fierce one. Steve had fought his way back from quite a large chip defecit and almost managed to win the tournament with Ah 8h against Luke’s 6s 8s. The flop came and revealed 5c Js 6d giving Luke an instant pair and possible flush but not much for Steve. The turn was 5d and didn’t really affect either player but the river delivered Jd giving Luke the win with 2 pairs.

National Final Qualifiers and Cash Prize Winners
Luke Jarvis – Famous Old Pines, Winton – 1st
Steve Ball – Red Lion, Hamworthy – 2nd
Paul Turner – Lock Stock & Barrel – 3rd
Robert Higgins – Red Lion, Stubbington – 4th
Keiran Standan – Golden Lion, Winchester – 5th

Other Cash Prize Winners
Paul Seidenstucker – Red Lion, Stubbington – 6th
Sean Jones – Plough Inn, Seaford – 7th
Mick Coates – Mudeford & District Mens Club, Christchurch

A special mention has to go the Red Lion at Stubbington who consistantly produce quality poker players, with both Robert Higgins and Paul Seidenstucker making the final table and Garry Hill finishing in the top 20.