GUKPT results

Julian Thew has become the first player to win two Grosevenor UK Poker Tour titles. He defeated a field of 280 in Brighton to win the first leg of the tour in 2008 to take down a first prize of £86,800.

He also wins a seat in the £3,000 Grand Final and a seat in the GUKPT Champion of Champions tournament, courtesy of tour sponsor Blue Square Poker.

His victory cements his growing reputation as one of the best tournament player in Europe in recent years.

Shortly after winning leg 8 of the 2007 GUKPT in Plymouth he took down the EPT main event in Baden and has now added his third major victory in just over four months.

Thew defeated Londoner Karim Louis after a tense heads up encounter that lasted for over two and a half hours.

Louis held a 2:1 chip advantage after Jim Reid was eliminated in 3rd place, but Thew fought back and finally landed the killer blow when his pocket fives held up against A-Q. Louis was gracious in defeat while Thew displayed his usual modesty during post event interviews.

The Tour continues in February (11th-14th) where up to 400 players are expected to descend on the Grosvenor casino located at Junction 10 of the M6, in the Midland town of Walsall. Online qualifiers for the tour take place five times a week on Blue Square Poker.

Final results:
1. Julian Thew, £86,800
2. Karim Louis, £46,200
3. Jim Reid, £30,800
4. Michael Bolger, £22,400
5. Joe Grech, £16,800
6. Nik Persaud, £14,000
7. Marcus Bebb-Jones, £11,200
8. Fabio Esposito, £8,400
9. Robert Cowen, £5,600