Lincs Player Celebrates Poker Prize

Louth man pockets £34,000 at poker final in Bristol.

An amateur poker player from Lincolnshire has spoken of his joy at clinching third place in the Gala Casinos British Poker Tour (GCBPT) grand final last week.

Richard Haile, landlord of the King's Head public house in Louth, won £34,000 at the tournament in Bristol on Sunday (December 7th).

He told local newspaper the Louth Leader that scooping the prize, which also includes a chance to compete in the European Poker Tour next year, had left him "over the moon".

Meanwhile, Mr Haile's partner Sharon Davies said he deserved the reward for months of commitment and long hours spent at the poker table.

"Although it has been a lot of hard work, dedication and late nights for him, it was all worth it in the end," she commented.

The GCBPT grand final was won by Alan Vinson, who defeated Rob Akery in heads-up play to secure the £83,000 first prize and book a place at the 2009 World Series of Poker in Las Vegas.