PokerPlayer Championship Event #3, Newcastle, No Limit Hold'em, 2 August 2008

	Abolins had declined the option to roll the blinds back one level as he was fearful of missing the last train

Entrants: 96
Buy in: £50
Prize pool: 5,000 plus £1,060 GUKPT seat

Final results:
1. Luke Abolins, £1,700
2. Steven Holden, £950
3. Dave Young, £700
4. Judi Edwards, £500
5. Robyn Oneille, £350
6. Dan Willis, £280
7. Nick Peters, £220
8. Michael Williams, £180
9. Mark Davies, £120

A near sold out field of 96 poker players descended on Bristol on the August bank holiday weekend. It took about six hours to whittle 96 down to nine, but the final table was a mix of locals, Poker Player readers and even one professional. Steven Holden, who finished second in Bolton had made the final table in good shape sitting second in chips and stating, “I’m here for the seat, the money doesn’t matter.”

There were two early exits at the final table and with seven players left the chip leader, Judi Edwards, who had around a quarter of the chips in play, left the tournament due to a private family matter. After discussion between the players, Poker Player magazine and Grosvenor Bristol staff the joint decision was that Edwards would be blinded out, but that each player would also donate 10% of their winnings to her.

Edwards eventually finished 4th for £500 and after Dave Young – the first ever Virgin Poker festival champion – was eliminated in third, only Holden and 22-year-old Luke Abolins remained. Both Holden and Abolins were roughly equal in chips. Before the start of the final table Abolins had declined the option to roll the blinds back one level as he was fearful of missing the last train! However, now guaranteed £950 that was the least of his worries!

The last hand came when Abolins raised with A-J and Holden moved in with Q-J. Abolins called, his hand held and after a countdown of the stacks it emerged both players had been equal in chips before the hand started. As a result Abolins won far more than his train fare home.