Bansi takes it down

WSOP Bracelet winner Praz Bansi stormed past a sellout field to win the first Grosvenor UK Poker Tour event in Bolton. The Londoner – with the bracelet firmly attached to his wrist – dominated a final table that was filmed by Channel 4 and included UK stalwarts Joe Grech and Simon Nowab.

Simon Nowab went out in eighth place after falling victim to the remarkably calm looking Blue Square online qualifier, Alan Henson. But Henson’s good fortune couldn’t contain Praz Bansi, who called Henson’s push. With Bansi holding K-Q and Henson 6-6, it was a coin flip. But a Queen on the flop and a King on the river put Bansi in firm command of the final table.

The funniest moment of the final revolved around the likeable amateur player, Ray Wyre. The forensic scientist called an all-in push from the shortstacked Alan Henson, who turned over A♥-J♥ with Wyre holding pocket queens. A Queen of hearts came on the flop, another heart on the turn and finally the river flipped over: red. It was a heart. Henson had sucked out. But bizarrely, Wyre jumped up from his seat, pumping his fists and shouting: ‘Yes!’ ‘Erm, I’ve won that one,’ Alan pointed out as the crowd started laughing. ‘That’s going to look good on TV,’ a sheepish Ray said.

Bansi dominated early play, and didn’t miss an opportunity to bet into an unopened pot. He was also the man responsible for knocking out the first player when Joe Grech pushed all-in after Bansi raised pre-flop. Bansi called with A-K, and Joe turned over pocket 10s. The first card on the flop was an Ace and it was enough to send Grech out.

Bansi’s good friend Karl Mahrenholz knocked out New Zealander Greg Howard in fourth and then Bansi dispatched Liverpudlian Ian Nelson into a hard-earned third-place finish. And we were left with the remarkable sight of two close friends and Gutshot alumni fighting it out headsup. Despite relatively even chip stacks, the aggressive style of both players meant it didn’t take long before it was over. Just half an hour into play, Mahrenholz pushed all-in over the top of Bansi’s pre-flop raise. Bansi called, showing 9-9. Mahrenholz only had A-8 and couldn’t improve. It was over and Bansi had made history – again.