Poker News

Jamie Burland, an online player who earned his seat for the UK and Ireland Poker Tour Brighton in a £108.50 satellite, has won the £65,400 event.

The 25-year-old, who was cheered on by fanatical supporters at the Rendezvous Casino on the south coast last night, also wins a seat to the £5,250 EPT London.

Burland claimed Czech Tomas Cibak – who he beat heads-up when he flopped two pair with Q,4 against Cibak's flush draw – was the best player at the final table.

The London pro said: “Tomas was the biggest threat.

“I'd played with him a lot of yesterday and I was glad that I had position on him.

“I knew Tomas liked to play big pots so I wanted to take some flops with him to limit the amount of chips that went in pre-flop.

Burland, who ironically, learned to play poker in Brighton while studying at university, added: “I’m really happy... it feels like a home win.

“I think I’ll be at the rest of the UKIPT’s now!”

Burland's fans on the rail included Neil Channing, the former Irish Open champion, who Burland credits with improving his game.

The event, which clashed with the WSOP Main Event in Las Vegas, was a huge success, with 258 players paying £1,100, all hoping to take home a share of the £259,000 prize pool.

Bill Seber and his magical moustache went into the eight-handed final table as chip leader. The Texan, who came to Europe for the first time only a few weeks ago, finished third to take home £24,600 soon after his pocket nines were busted by Burland's Ah,Ts with just three players remaining.

The next stop in the first Season of the PokerStars.com UKIPT is at the Corn Exchange in Edinburgh on August 19-22.

Qualifiers are running now for the £500+50 Main Event on PokerStars.com from £5.50 or 500FPPs and players can also buy in at any Grosvenor or G Casino. For more information go to http://www.ukipt.com/tournaments/edinburgh/how_to_enter/

UKIPT Brighton – Final standings
1. Jamie Burland, UK - £65,400
2. Tomas Cibak, Czech - £40,100
3. Bill Seber, USA - £24,600
4. William Beauchamp, UK - £18,100
5. John Spinks, UK  - £15,000
6. Waseem Ahmed  UK - £12,400
7. Andy Youens, UK  - £9,850
8. Jonathan Campbell, UK - £7,750