Land of Hope and Glory

The pros agree that seeking advice and lending an ear in order to plug leaks is vital today. ‘Poker is a pretty ruthless game,’ Grafton asserts. ‘If we aren’t thinking about or talking about our game or on top of things then there’s a whole new generation who are going to overtake us.’ But it beats a real job, right? ‘It’s a ridiculous thing for an adult to think of doing for a living because it’s just a card game,’ says Grafton. Sure, it’s not a natural profession for a man who holds a degree and masters in literature and philosophy, but Grafton clearly loves the mental stimulation and he speaks eloquently on the game. And it’s during a lively chat about how the game has evolved that McCorkell interjects with this gem: ‘Folding Kings preflop is like recording using a VCR – no one does it any more.’

 

With that, the shoot comes to a close. Moorman’s off to see his mum before embarking on his transatlantic adventure. And due partly to moving house, Grafton has only played half a dozen days online since Vegas so he’s champing at the bit to get back to his ‘bread and butter’ of multi-table grinding. Exiting the industrial estate I inadvertently bump into the trio slouched on a beer garden bench plonked on the pavement outside a decrepit looking pub. It turns out they’re waiting for a lift to a quiz night in a boozer across town. The other punters don’t stand a chance – Team GB are in town.

Grafton, McCorkell and Moorman are at the forefront of UK poker but which other young Brits are shaking the poker world?

 

Rochdale’s greatest export since Bill Oddie is considered one of the most naturally gifted players on the circuit. Cody – the youngest ever Triple Crown winner (EPT, WPT and WSOP titles) – has bagged $3.6m in live earnings, including a fifth place finish at this year’s EPT Grand Final for a $329k pay day.

 

Not one to shout his success from the rooftops, Brammer is the epitome of a ‘getting it quietly’ pro. A prolific grinder, the former online world number one’s cashes on the cyber-felt amount to a stunning $3.48m, complimented by $1m in live winnings – $641k of which was banked last year alone.

 

With $538k in live scores in 2013, to add to online career earnings of $3.2m, this poker starlet is one of the game’s most respected players. The former EPT Vilamoura champion’s FTOPS win in August, for $253k, is his biggest online score to date.

 

After making an unprofitable appearance on TV’s The Weakest Link, Jones has proved to be far more accomplished at poker than naff quiz shows. His aptitude for the game was underscored when he scooped an impressive hat-trick of PocketFives Triple Crowns in the final four months of 2012.

 

The revered blogger and PokerPlayer columnist is a familiar fixture on the UK poker circuit. His biggest result of 2013 is victory in the £300 deepstack at Dusk Till Dawn for £37k. Has a penchant for sticking wagers on anything that moves.