Poker player Pete Singleton is celebrating his return to the poker tournament scene after winning the Bournemouth £500+£50 Main Event in The Great British Poker Tour (GBPT) hosted by Gala Casinos, earning him £20,000.

The tournament also saw a brilliant result for PokerPlayer columinst and Contributing Editor Grub Smith, who reached the final table as a big chip leader. Unfortunately, it was not to be, as Singleton edged our man into second place.

Singleton, from Alsager, Cheshire, has been playing poker professionally for over 20 years, although this was his most recent tournament success following a career of cash games. Now with renewed belief, Pete is ready to challenge for more victories on the poker tour circuit.

The Bournemouth GBPT festival saw him go on to ultimately beat a competitive field of 139 runners from across the country as well as Europe over the three-day Main Event. The final eight included both amateur and professional players battling it out in a gruelling 7-hour poker marathon at the final televised table in the Gala Bournemouth Casino (17th June). His prize includes £20,000 winnings and a package to the £2,500 Grand Final Main Event, to be contested in early November 2007.

Pro players at the event included Paul ‘Action’ Jackson, Joe Beevers, Robert Butt, Jen Mason and James Dempsey. Famous names and faces also took part at Bournemouth GBPT including World Cup winning England rugby players Mike Tindall (finishing up 12th) and Matt Dawson, ex-Republic Of Ireland and Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino, and worthy runner-up Grub Smith.

Pete said: “I’m over the moon! There was a strong field of professional and amateur players - even some celebs. But I’ve been practising my tournament strategy for 12 months and it paid off.”

“The Great British Poker Tour is a brilliant chance for UK players to show off their skills in their own country,” he continued. “It’s well run with a fantastic mix of players. With so many other poker tours focused abroad, it’s good to face some homegrown talent on our own turf.”

With the Bournemouth GBPT Festival now complete, the Great British Poker Tour moves to Leeds (15th-19th August) where Pete plans to play again, before culminating in the GBPT Grand Final in Bristol late Autumn. Interested players can qualify by playing on www.galapoker.co.uk, or at selected Gala Casinos throughout Great Britain.

Final results:
1. Pete Singleton £20,000 + bonus seat in £2,500 Grand Final
2. Grub Smith £15,000 + bonus seat to Leeds GBPT £500 Main Event
3. Luke Wilson £13,000 + bonus seat to Leeds GBPT £500 Main Event
4. Paul Jackson £10,000 + ticket to £100,000 Gtd ‘Big Deal’ on Galapoker.co.uk
5. Robert Butt £4,420 + ticket to £100,000 Gtd ‘Big Deal’ on Galapoker.co.uk
6. Dave Beasley £2,920
7. Bally Botiwal £2,550
8. Muzzy Dehgham £2,100