UK Open - MAIN EVENT
(£2,500 + £100 ) No-Limit Championship
SATURDAY August 18, 2007
LOOSE CANNON CLUB, LONDON

Peter Gould Wins NPL UK Open No-Limit Championship (£32,500)

With much preliminary success in London, the National Poker League’s UK Open has finally come to an end with the culmination of the (£2,500 + £100 ) No-Limit Championship. The main event gathered thirty-four of Europe’s most eager players, all of whom were vying for the highlighted spot in the NPL history books as the first-ever UK Open Champion. Peter Gould would be that man, but taking home the trophy and the top prize of £32,500 would be no easy task, as the final table was littered with talent, and he would ultimately need to get through his son, Josh Gould, before he could get his hands on the coveted UK Open Cup. And just like any good father and great poker player, Peter never once took it easy on his son, in fact, some might say that it was his son that he went after the hardest. There is no greater feat for a poker player than winning a major televised event, and perhaps there is no greater feat for a father, than showing his son that the old man has still got it. Peter Gould accomplished both of those things in one night, but his presence here in London will be remembered forever, as he will go down in history as first-ever UK Open Champion.

Darren Woods Eliminated in 8th Place (£1,000)

After a third place cash in Event no. 4 of the 207 NPL UK Open, Darren Woods made yet another final table, only this time he would be the first to go in the most prestigious event of the tournament series. Woods came into the Main Event final table as one of the short stacks, and he left shortly thereafter in similar fashion. Holding Kc Qh, Woods moved all-in for 5,000 before the flop only to be called by Peter Gould and his Ad 5h. The flop came Ac 9d 6h, putting Peter Gould in prime position to get the first kill of the day, and when the 8c and the 3c came on the turn and river, Darren Woods was confirmed as our eighth place finisher. He would take home £1,000 for his efforts.

Lee Watts Eliminated in 7th Place (£1,500)

Starting the final table second in command, it was Lee Watts that would lose his advantage early on and face elimination just two hours into the night. Watts made a 5,000 pre-flop raise with Ad Kc from middle position when Jason Ho decided to see a flop with 7s 5d from the big blind. Ho made the 3,400 call and the flop came 8h 6d 2s. Making an open-ended straight draw, Ho checked to Watts who fired out a 5,000 continuation bet on the flop. Ho once again made the call, this time hitting his straight when the 4d came on the turn. First to act, Ho fired out 5,000 and Watts came over the top and shoved all-in. Ho quickly called with nuts and Lee Watts was drawing dead to the river. Jason Ho raked a monster pot while Lee Watts headed for the door in seventh place with £1,500. After this hand, Jason Ho was now sitting with a massive chip lead of 134,000 to the 57,000 stack of his closest opponent.

Dieter Dijkstra Eliminated in 6th Place (£3,400)

It would only be a mere hour later that we would lose the next four players, Dieter Dijkstra being the first of them to fall. The demise of Dieter Dijkstra came when he put his Kd Jh up against the Ac Qc of Patrik Selin. Selin raised 6,000 before the flop when Dijkstra came over the top and moved all-in for another 18,000. Selin made the call and the flop came 10h 6h 3d, leaving Dijkstra to pray for a King, a Jack, or two running hearts. His prayers went unanswered as the turn brought the 6c, and the river sealed his fate when the Ad was delivered. Dieter Dijkstra was eliminated in sixth place, earning £3,400.

Jason Ho Eliminated in 5th Place (£5,100)

Heading into the dinner break with a dominating chip count of 124,800, Jason Ho held a massive chip lead, nearly double that of the second highest stack at the table. It was only four hands after Dijkstra’s demise that Jason Ho went on to crash and burn when Patrik Selin claimed yet another scalp. Ho’s chip stack had severely begun to dwindle due to a series of missed flops and bad beats, but it was Hand no. 57 that would ultimately cost him his tournament life. In a somewhat unfamiliar fashion, Ho had began countering his cold streak by switching gears and relinquishing his role as the table aggressor, allowing Patrik Selin to see a free flop with 7d 3h out of the big blind. With no pre-flop raise, Ho simply smooth called the big blind with Jc 9d, and the table folded around to Selin who checked his option. The flop came Js 3s 3c, giving Ho two pair while giving Selin trip threes. Patrik Selin opened with an 8,000 bet which was quickly called by Jason Ho. The turn brought the 8h and Selin this time fired 15,000 at the pot. Ho fired back with a 30,000 re-raise, and Selin pushed all-in for 73,700. Somewhat pot committed and certainly convinced that he had the best hand, Jason Ho made the call for the rest of his chips. The river brought the Kh, no Jack for Jason Ho who was eliminated in fifth place, receiving £5,100 for his efforts. This is Jason’s second cash in the NPL UK Open, coming in third place in Event no. 1.

Josh Gould Eliminated in 4th Place (£8,500)

As if it were dreamed up in some studio back lot and written with the grandeur of old Hollywood, the next elimination was played out in typical dramatic fashion. Two of the remaining four players at the table were father and son duo Peter and Josh Gould, who found themselves in a head-to-head confrontation some twenty minutes later. Not to be outdone by his hot-shot son, Peter Gould adamantly proved that he could still teach his kid a thing or two about poker. Josh Gould came in for an 8,000 raise with Ah 6d when his father, Peter, came over the top and re-raised another 21,000 with 9s 9d. Josh quickly moved all-in against his old man, and Peter made an even quicker call. The flop came 9c 4c 3s, giving his father top set, and reducing his son to catch two running cards to stay alive. The turn brought the 2h, giving Josh a gut-shot straight draw and leaving him to sweat a five for the wheel. The river brought the 10h, and Josh Gould was sent to the rail in fourth place with £8,500 and the harsh realization that “father knows best”.

Jeff Buffenbarger Eliminated in 3rd Place (£12,750)

With five down and three to go, it was Patrick Selin and (152,900) Peter Gould (116,300) with all the chip muscle, and Jeff Buffenbarger playing from the short stack (69,400).

Three handed play lasted only one hand before Peter Gould kicked Jeff Buffenbarger to the curb. Gould made a 7,700 pre-flop raise with Ah 7h and Buffenbarger made the call with Kc 6c. The flop came Kh 5h 4d, giving Buffenbarger top pair while giving Gould the nut flush draw. Buffenbarger checked to Gould who bet 10,000; Buffenbarger made the call. Sure enough, the Jh hit the turn and Buffenbarger decided to throw a 20,000 bet into the middle of table. Now holding the nut flush, Peter simply flat called the bet and the 10d hit the river. Buffenbarger made one last ditch effort to take down the pot and moved all-in for 37,000. Gould’s stone-chiseled poker face transitioned into a gaping smile as he simultaneously made the call and turned over the nuts, sending Jeff Buffenbarger to the rail in third place (£12,750).


Peter Gould Gets the Gold

Peter Gould Wins the NPL UK Open Championship Main Event (£32,500)

Patrik Selin Settles for Second Place (£20,250)

The ferocious onslaught continued into heads-up play between Peter Gould (186,900) and Patrik Selin (153,100), lasting a mere six minutes and four hands. This ultra-fast face-off came to a head when Selin made a 7,000 pre-flop raise with 10h 5h, only to be re-raised 20,000 by Gould who was holding Ad Qs. Not ready cut his losses, Selin three-bet the pot and moved all-in which was quickly called by our soon to be champion. The final board of the UK Open came Ks 8s 7d 2s 8d, giving Gould the glory with just Ace-high. Patrik Selin would finish in second place (£20,250) while Peter Gould went on to grab the trophy and the £32,500 grand prize. Peter Gould is the first-ever NPL UK Open Main Event Champion, and he has rightfully earned his place in the history books.

FACT SHEET

2007 National Poker League United Kingdom Open
Loose Cannon Club, London England
August 12th - 18th 2007

Mike Conway Wins Event no. 1 (£5,000)
Date………………..August 12th - 13th, 2007
Buy-In……………..£500 + £40
Entrants……………25

Prize Pool………£12,250
1st Place………….Mike Conway……………£5,000
2nd Place…………Steven Razab……………£3,100
3rd Place…………Tony G………………..£1,850
4th Place…………Jason Ho…………………£1,250
5th Place…………Dave Colclough…..…..£750
6th place…………Eion Kennedy……………£550

Dave Colclough Wins Event no. 2 (£5,600)
Date…………….August 13th - 14th , 2007
Buy-In…………..£500 + £40
Entrants…………29

Prize Pool…….£14,500
1st Place………..Dave Colclough……..££5,600
2nd Place……….Jason De Freitas……..££3,500
3rd Place………..Paul Ephremsen……..££2,200
4th Place………..Hugh Mallally……….£1,500
5th Place………..Stuart Nash………….£940
6th Place………..Albert Sapiano………£760

Mel Judah Wins Event no. 3 (£7,500)
Date……………….August 14th - 15th, 2007
Buy-In……………..£1,250 + £75
Entrants……………12

Prize Pool……….£15,000
1st Place………….Nick Persaud……….£3,000
2nd Place…………Sonny Osman…………£4,500
3rd Place…………Mel Judah…………….£7,500

Tony Poulengeris Wins Event no. 4 (£8,400)
Date…………………..August 15th - August 16th, 2007
Buy-In………………..£1,250 + £75
Entrants………………15

Prize Pool………….£18,750
1st Place…………….Tony Poulengeris………….£8,400
2nd Place……………Andrew Feldman………..£5,650
3rd Place…………….Darren Woods……….….£2,850
4th Place…………….Roland De Wolfe ………….£1,850

Peter Gould Wins Main Event (£32,500)
Date………………….August 17th - 18th, 2007
Buy-In………………..£2,500 + £100
Entrants………………34

Prize Pool………….£85,000
1st place…………….Peter Gould………………..£32,500
2nd Place…………….Patrik Selin…………….£20,250
3rd Place…………….Jeff Buffenbarger…………£12,750
4th Place…………….Josh Gould………………..£8,500
5th place…………….Jason Ho…………………..£5,100
6th place…………….Dieter Dijkstra………….£3,400
7th Place…………….Lee Watts…………………£1,500
8th Place…………….Darren Woods………….£1,000

And now the moment we’ve all been waiting for…

The National Poker League’s inaugural UK Open is coming to an end and the £2,500 main event has been whittled down to the final eight players.

The final table is set and dinner will be served at 6 p.m. (London - time). The blinds will resume at 500-1000 with a 100 ante.

Here’s what the final table looks like…

Seat 1 - Darren Woods 24,175
Seat 2 - Jason Ho 56,700
Seat 3 - Peter Gould 63,200 (Father of Josh)
Seat 4 - Patrik Selin 25,825
Seat 5 - Josh Gould 56,575 (Son of Peter)
Seat 6 - Lee Watts 60,775
Seat 8 - Dieter Dijkstra 18,400
Seat 9 - Jeff Buffenbarger 2,850

UK Open - Event no. 4 (££1,250 + £75 No-Limit Hold’em)

Tony Enigma Poulengeris Wins Event 4

THURSDAY August 16, 2007 LOOSE CANNON CLUB, LONDON Tony ““The Enigma” Poulengeris Wins Event no. 4 (£8,400) The final table of Event no. 4 (£1,250 No-Limit Hold’em) of the National Poker League’s UK Open took place at the Loose Cannon Club in London, England on Thursday August 16, 2007. The event gathered fifteen of Europe’s most determined players, creating a total prize pool of £18,750. Play began with blinds of 300-600 with a 50 ante, and lasted deep into the night as Tony Poulengeris, the self-proclaimed “Enigma” survived a tough table of European talent on his quest to join the likeness of the great Dave Colclough and Mel Judah in the NPL UK Open winner’s circle. Going into the final table was our chip leader, the twenty-year old Andrew Feldman with 27,100, followed by Darren Woods (26,00), Roland De Wolfe (19,775), Guy Bowles (12,000), Tony Poulengeris (10,580), and Gary Jones (9,575).

Gary Jones Eliminated in 6th Place It was only nineteen hands into the final table that terminal short-stack, Gary Jones would make his exit. Jones open-pushed for his last 6,500 with 9h 9d when Roland De Wolfe looked down at Ad 4d and made the call. The flop came Kc 8s 7c, no help to either player as Jones’ pocket nines still held the lead. The turn however brought disaster for Jones when the Ah gave De Wolfe top pair and a huge advantage going into the final card. The river brought the 6d, and Gary Jones was the first to hit the rail, empty handed, and in sixth place. Guy Bowles Eliminated in 5th Place It was Guy Bowles who suffered a similar fate, just five hands later. With a pair of sixes in the hole (6d 6c), Bowles moved all-in, and once again, Roland De Wolfe made the call against a fatally short-stacked and all-in opponent. De Wolfe turned over Kd 3d, and the flop came Kh 10s 5c, trumping Bowles’ pair of sixes and putting De Wolfe in the lead with a pair of Kings.

Gary Jones and Guy Bowles

The turn and river brought the Ac and the 4d, no help to Guy Bowles as he was eliminated on the bubble in fifth place, just shy of making the money. Roland De Wolfe Eliminated in 4th Place ( £1,850 ) It would be three hours and thirty-five hands later before the next player was to bite the dust, and this time it was the self-styled ‘Enigma’ who handed out the fatal blow, with Roland De Wolfe on the receiving end. After eliminating the first two players of the night, Roland De Wolfe now found himself playing from the short-stack and moved all-in before the flop with Kh Qs. Tony “the Enigma” Poulengeris woke up with Ah Kc and quickly called De Wolfe’’s all-in raise. The flop came 9s 5c 2s, no help to either player as Poulengeris was now in prime position to knock-out the pro. The turn brought the 6s, giving De Wolfe nine more outs, but the 4c hit the river, failing to give De Wolfe his flush and sending him home in fourth place with an extra £1,850 in his pocket. Going into the final three was the original chip leader Andrew Feldman, who had now stretched his advantage to about 10,000 over Darren Woods and the Tony “The Enigma” Poulengeris , who were looking down at stacks of 31,900 and 31,200 respectively.

Darren Woods Eliminated in 3rd Place ( £2,850) The increasing strength of the ‘Enigma’ became obvious when on the eighty-second hand of the night he sent Darren Woods packing. With As Jd in the hole, the ‘‘Enigma’ put in a 4,000 per-flop raise only to be met with a 12,200 all-in re-raise from Woods who was holding pocket twos (2d 2c). Poulengeris made the call, and they were off to the races. The flop came Kh Qd 8d, placing Woods in good position for the win, but the turn brought the Jc, now giving Poulengeris the lead and making him a monster favorite going into the final card. The river brought the 6c, no help to Darren Woods as he was eliminated in third place, earning £2,850 for his efforts. ‘The Enigma’ Tony Poulengeris Wins Event no. 4 ( £8,400 ) Andrew Feldman is our Runner-Up ( £5,650 ) The heads-up battle kicked off with the twenty year-old Andrew Feldman holding a decent chip lead of 66,300 to the Tony Poulengeris’ 38,700. However, relentless pressure and some superb bluff tactics saw the ‘Enigma’ quickly demolish Feldman’s stack.

Event 4 Final Table

The end finally came for Feldman when he put in a 5,000 raise with Ad 9h, only to be flat-called by Poulengeris and his Jh 8c. When the flop came down 8h 7c 3d, Poulengeris countered Feldman’s 8,000 bet by shoving all-in. After suffering several minutes of steely-eyed stares from the ‘‘Enigma‘, Feldman reluctantly made the crying call. Only an Ace or a nine could preserve Feldman’s tournament life at this point, but the turn and river brought the 10c and the 4d, no help to Feldman as Poulengeris gets the “W” and ends the night as the last man standing. Andrew Feldman took home £5,650 for his second place finish while Tony “The Enigma” Poulengeris claimed victory in Event no.4 along with the first place trophy and the £8,400 grand prize.
By: NPL STAFF

UK OPEN - EVENT No. 3
(££1,250 + £75 No-Limit Hold’em)

NPL UK OPEN Mel and Sonny

WEDNESDAY August 15, 2007 LOOSE CANNON CLUB, LONDON Mel Judah Wins NPL UK Open Event no. 3 (£7,500) And it is once again a start-studded arena as one of Europe’s top pros and one of poker’s most recognizable faces, Mel Judah wins Event no. 3 (£1,250 No-Limit Hold’em) of the National Poker league’s UK Open hosted at the Loose Cannon Club in London, England. Two of the last three events have been taken down by pros, and now Mel Judah gets to join the ranks of Dave Colclough in the NPL history books after winning one of the inaugural UK Open’’s preliminary events. What the field lacked in size, it made up for in professional accomplishment as twelve of Europe’s most experienced poker players gathered in London on Wednesday August 15, 2007 for Event no. 3 of the NPL UK Open.

Creating a total prize pool of £15,000, only three would get paid, but the final six would in fact reach a new level of stardom by claiming one of only six seats at the televised final table. Coming into the final table of Event no. 3 was Nick Persaud with a commanding chip lead of 38,700, followed by Hermes (17,325), Chris Andreas (9,725), Jody Vernon (6,700), Mel Judah (6,125), and Sonny Osman (5,425). Jody Vernon Eliminated in 6th Place Jody Vernon came into the final table third in chips and would be the first to leave some twelve hands later. Vernon made a pre-flop raise of 900 with Ah Js when Mel Judah moved all-in for 5,925 more with Ad Qc. Vernon made the call; Judah had him slightly covered. The board came Kd 9d 4s 7c 10c, no help to Vernon as Judah’s Ace high with a Queen kicker was good enough to take the pot. Jody Vernon was eliminated in sixth place, just three spots shy of the money.

NPL UK OPEN Leilani and Mel Judah

Chris Andreas Eliminated in 5th Place Two hours later, and Mel Judah once again found himself in the center of the action. Chris Andreas open-shoved for 6,450 before the flop with Ah 10s when Judah looked him up with 5s 5d; Judah had him covered. The flop gave Judah a set of fives, failing to improve Andreas’ hand, and the 6s and the Kd on the turn and river sealed Andreas’ fate as our fifth place finisher, sending him home early and empty-handed. Hermenegildas Zilys Eliminated in 4th place Hermenegildas Zilys was the next to go when he tangled with local favorite, Sonny Osman. Hermes came in for a 2,000 pre-flop raise with Qh 9h when Osman came over the top and re-raised another 9,800 with 3s 3c. This raise was enough to put Zilys all in, and after a few moments of deliberation, Hermes called off the rest of his chips.

The board came Kh Jd 4s Ac 8c, no help to either player as Osman’s pocket threes hold up and Hermenegildas Zilys is sent to the rail in fourth place without any consolation. Nick Persaud Eliminated in 3rd Place (£3,000) Now in the money with three down and three more to go, the soon-to-be champ, Mel Judah came back out of hiding to claim the tournament life of yet another UK Open championship hopeful. Nick Persaud, who once held a dominating chip lead over his opponents was on the chopping block after a failed attempt to make a move on Mel Judah. Judah came in for a 2,500 raise with Ad Kd when Persaud looked down at 7c 2s and decided to raise another 7,500. That bet scared Judah none and when the action came back to him he moved Persaud all-in. Pot committed at this point, Persaud decided to take a gamble and called off the rest of his chips with a hand that couldn’’t even a beat a stone-cold bluff.

NPL UK OPEN Sonny Osman and Leilani

The flop came Qh Js 2c, giving Persaud a pair of sevens for the lead. The turn brought a blank (5c), but Judah made Broadway when the 10s hit the river, sending Nick Persaud, the one-time chip leader home in third place with £3,000. Mel Judah Wins Event no. 3 (£7,500) Sonny Osman Settles for Runner-Up (£4,500) With three knock-outs already under his belt, Mel Judah only had Sonny Osman standing in his way of the first place trophy and the £7,500 grand prize. Judah came into heads-up play with nearly a 20,000 chip advantage over his opponent, Sonny Osman. An impressive feat for both players, considering that both Judah and Osman started the night as the two short stacks and managed to claw and scratch their way out of that deficit to make it to the final two.

Twenty-eight hands later and it would all be over, with Judah rising victorious, and doing so in a dramatic fashion. Hometown hero, Sonny Osman got the rest of his chips in the pot with Ac Qh, when Mel Judah decided to call him down with a dominated Qs 2s. The flop came Qc Js 3h, giving both players a pair of Queens and drastically improving Osman’s odds of doubling up. The turn brought the 10s, giving Judah nine more outs as he watched the third spade hit the river, giving Judah a flush and proclaiming him the victor of Event no. 3. Mel Judah managed to snap-off the backdoor flush, earning himself a spot in the history books, the trophy, and the £7,500 grand prize. Sonny Osman however could hold his head up high as our runner-up, earning himself a cool £4,500 for his second place finish.

BY: NPL STAFF

UK OPEN - EVENT No. 2

TUESDAY August 14, 2007 LOOSE CANNON CLUB, LONDON
"El Blondie" Gets the Gold Dave Colclough Wins Event no. 2 (£5,600) Event no.2 (£500 No-Limit Hold'em ), brought 29 players to the Loose Cannon club in London, creating a total prize pool of £14,500 for the second event of the inaugural NPL UK Open. Going into the final table was Jason De Freitas with a chip lead of 32,700, followed by Dave Colclough (27,050), Paul Ephremsen (23,100), Hugh Mallally (14,450), Stuart Nash (11,100), and Albert Sapiano (9,800).
Albert Sapiano Eliminated in 6th Place (£760) It was only six hands into the final table when Stuart Nash and Albert Sapiano crossed swords for the first elimination. Sapiano raised to 3,100 from the short-stack with 9h9c when Nash came over the top and moved all-in for another 8,300 with AhKh. Sapiano made the call and the board came Ad 6c 3c 4d Qd, giving Nash top pair and the win. Albert Sapiano calls it an early night, finishing in sixth place and taking home £760 for his efforts.

Stuart Nash Eliminated in 5th Place (£940) It would be another hour and a half of play before the next elimination would occur when Stuart Nash woke up with 8s8c and made a 2,900 raise. Dave Colclough made a 12,000 re-raise with KsQd, and Nash quickly moved all-in for the rest of his chips. Colclough made the call and the flop came Ah Jh 7s; Nash's eights still in the lead. The turn and river brought the Kc and the Qc, giving our soon-to-be champ (Colclough) top two pair and the win. Stuart Nash was eliminated in fifth place and will take home (£940). Hugh Mallally Eliminated in 4th Place (£1500) The next two players to clash were Hugh Mallally and Jason De Freitas. Mallally got the rest of his chips in the pot with Ad Kh when De Freitas looked down at As Ah, insta-calling Mullally's all-in with a severely dominating hand.

Dave Colclough

The board came Js 10c 6h 3s 8c, no help to either player as De Freitas' Aces hold up giving him the win and now claiming the chip lead yet again. Hugh Mullally would be eliminated in fourth place, earning £1500. Going into the final three, Jason De Freitas held a commanding chip lead, followed by Dave Colclough and Paul Ephremsen, who had managed to stay away from any major confrontations up to this point. Paul Ephremsen Eliminated in 3rd Place (£2,200) Eighteen hands later and Paul Ephremsen would get all of his chips in with 5c 5h against Dave Colclough's As 7h. The flop came Qs 8s 3h, with Ephremsen's pocket fives still in the lead and the turn brought the 4d, further offering no help to Colclough. Just as Ephremsen was about to rake the pot, the Ah hit the river, giving Colclough top pair and the win, sending Paul Ephremsen home in third place with nothing more than a great story and £2,200. Dave Colclough Winds Event no.

2 (£5,600) Jason De Freitas is Our Runner-Up (£3,500) And then there were two….Dave Colcough and Jason De Freitas went into heads-up play virtually even chips, with De Fretias holding a slight lead of 500 more than Colclough. This grueling battle of heads-up play lasted an astounding 122 hands, all coming to climax when Defreitas open-shoved with Ac 7h. Colclough looked him up with Kc 8s, and the flop came Jd 7c 4s. De Freitas held the lead on the flop with a pair of sevens, but the turn brought the Ks, now giving Colclough top pair and the lead. The river brought the Kh, giving Colclough trip Kings and the win. Dave Colclough is the champion of Event no. 2 and his efforts here in London have earned him £5,600 and the coveted first place trophy. Jason De Freitas is the runner-up of Event no. 2, earning himself a hefty £3,500.

BY: NPL STAFF

Picture by: National Poker League
MONDAY August 13, 2007 LOOSE CANNON CLUB,
LONDON CHIP COUNTS GOING INTO FINAL TABLE PLAYERS & CHIP COUNTS SEAT 1 SEAT 2 SEAT 3 JASON STEVEN TONY HO RAZAB G 16,425 22,000 24,725 SEAT 4 SEAT 5 SEAT 6 EION MIKE DAVE KENNEDY CONWAY COLCOUGH 6750 15,250 15,650

The first elimination occurred early in the final when the short stack, Eion Kennedy, moved his last 6700 into the middle holding a pair of sixes. Sitting on his immediate left was Mike Conway holding Ace Queen suited. Mike called and all other player’s folded. When a queen flopped, Eion needed a six to save the day, however there was no love on the turn or river and he was headed to the rail in 6th place.

Mike at the Loose Cannon Club NPL UK OPEN

Dave Colcough was the next to go a few hands later. Dave raised pre-flop with Ac Js and got action from every player at the table. Dave was up against two players holding pocket pairs, and when the flop came down As Jd 9d, Dave was in trouble as Steven Razab had connected with his pocket nines flopping bottom set. Dave was first to act and decided to not slow play his monster and led out with a bet of 6,700, half of his stack.

Steven did not mess around and moved all in, Dave of course called. No ace and no jack on the turn or the river meant that Dave was eliminated in 5th place. The very next hand, it was curtains for Jason Ho, who held pocket Kings and was able to get all his chips in the middle against Tony G who held pocket eights. The flop and turn were blanks for Tony, but the poker heavens opened up and one of his remaining eights fell on the river leaving Jason high and dry, or as Tony would say “Time to go!” With three down and three to go, Mike Conway stretched to a healthy cheap lead against Steven Razab and Tony G, who by this stage was looking pretty slim.

Tony G’s exit finally came when he raised 6000 pre-flop with seven queen suited. Mike Conway responded by going all in, holding ace ten off suit. The flop turned up an ace for Mike and a seven for Tony. Tony got no help on the turn or the river and he was on his bike finishing in 3rd place. Heads up play began with Mike holding the chip lead of 61,400 over Steven Razab’s 39,000. Twenty-six hands later, Conway emerged victorious.

On the final hand, both players’ made straights on the river, however Razab’s wheel was no match for Mike’s straight to the 6. Mike Conway won the first event of the NPL UK Poker Open. Along with the cash and glory, Mike takes home the first trophy of the series.
Author: Christopher Watkeys

UK OPEN DAY 1

Picture Courtesy of pokernews.com
Tony G to sit at Head of Final Table Final Table Now Set for Preliminary Event no. 1 The National Poker League today.

(August 12, 2007) kicked-off their inaugural UK Open with Event no.1 (500£ No-Limit Hold’em).

Today was about big names and even bigger egos as some of Europe’s greatest poker players gathered at the Loose Cannon Club in London to hash it out in front of the cameras for a shot at the cash and a preliminary title. Amongst a close-knit field of some of Europe’s most accomplished players, famed actress and avid poker player, Shannon Elizabeth found herself once again, battling it out on camera with some of the game’s most elite players.

Unfortunately her stay didn’t last too long when her pocket Kings ran into Tony G’s J-10 suited. Elizabeth got all of her money in on the flop with an overpair when Tony G called her down with an open-ended straight-flush draw. Tony improved while Shannon did not, sending her to rail only to watch as Tony would go on to survive the field and claim his seat at the head of the tv final table.

Tony G will go into tomorrow night’’s final table with 24,725 in chips, followed by Sekh “Steven”” Razab (22,000), Jason Ho (16,425), Dave Colclough (15,650), and Eion Kennedy(6,750). There’’s always something special about the first time, and the final table of Event no. 1 will be the first-ever televised UK Open tournament in history.

The National Poker League will be filming and televising all events, preliminary and main before a world-wide audience. The final table for Event no.1 starts tomorrow (Monday August 13th) at 6.pm. UK-Time. Blinds will be at 300/600 with a 50£ ante, and Tournament Director Roy Houghton will be providing live commentary during the final table. Event no. 2 (500£ No-Limit Hold’em) will begin tomorrow (Monday August 13th) at 4 p.m. UK -Time.

Dave Colclough wins UK Open Event #2! After a lengthy heads up battle with multiple lead changes, Dave Colclough was finally able to seal the deal. It took just 64 hands to eliminate 6th - 3rd place; the heads up portion of the battle lasted 122 heads up! Congrats Dave!

August 12, 2007 (Las Vegas, NV)
The National Poker League, an international poker organization, announced today they have joined forces with The Venetian Resort~Hotel~Casino in Las Vegas to host the 2007 Vegas Open, scheduled November 24th – 30th, and the World Championship Tournament on December 3rd. The Venetian Poker Room will also serve as the home base for the NPL Broadcast Center for all 26-episodes of the NPL television series airing nationally and internationally to more than a projected 100-million viewers.
“We are extremely honored and excited to partner with The Venetian as The Venetian Poker Room offers poker players a stylish and comfortable environment for our player-friendly tournament,” exclaimed Robert Huxley, vice president of poker operations for NPL.
“By making The Venetian the new home of the NPL, we are assured to provide players with a magnificent poker room and a resort that offers the very best Las Vegas has to offer.” “We are delighted NPL has chosen The Venetian Poker Room to be the official home of the 2007 Vegas Open and the World Championship Tournament,” stated Kathy Raymond, director of poker room operations. “This is truly exciting as we have worked hard to build a reputation of hosting well-structured, exciting poker tournaments run by a staff that is both friendly and knowledgeable.

The NPL tournaments are a perfect match for what our players have come to expect from The Venetian Poker Room.” VEGAS OPEN The 2nd Annual NPL Vegas Open, returns to Las Vegas with a new “home” at The Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino for a week of exciting No limit, Texas Hold’em tournaments at the luxurious Poker Room at The Venetian. Play begins on Sunday, November 25th and concludes on Sunday, December 2nd. The winner will also take home a unique Silver-plated “Vegas Open Cup” that has been designed especially for the NPL. The Vegas Open will be televised nationally and on international broadcast channels.

The Vegas Open will kick off with a Charity Party on November 24th that will raise funds for a local charity in conjunction with NPL’s “Poker Cares” program.
(* Read article)

2006 Vegas Open Champion Keith Tilston still running strong.
Keith has been spotted around Las Vegas playing in various $10,000 buy-in and other championship events with at least 1 final table added to his resume. The true test will come in August as Keith attempts to win back-to-back NPL events at the U.K. Open!

NPL RUMOR MILL  Rumor has it that the NPL will be filming their 07 Championship event on the Las Vegas Strip! A Vegas Mega Property, located on the Strip  will host the 2007 Vegas Open and the NPL Season Championship with a $15,000 buy-in. Stay tuned for the official announcement, tournament schedule and filming dates!

Fireworks in London? The infamous and outspoken Tony G has announced his intent to attend the UK Open. Love or hate Tony, the field just got a little tougher as everyone agrees he s one of the world s best poker players. Tune in for the U.K. Open to see what happens or better yet, join the action in London!

A Jennifer Tilly Poker Movie? Not quite, but during her downtime in London between shoots of her latest flick, Jennifer Tilly will be playing poker at the Loose Cannon Club. The WSOP Bracelet holder plans on playing at least the main event of the U.K. Open.

NPL Predicts sellout for UK Open! Remaining seats are going fast, pre-registration highly recommended. Don t be left without a seat. Click the Tournament Tab for more info.

* National Poker League kicks off World Circuit Tour with UK OPEN in London

July 5, 2007
Contact: Marie Henley (UK)
Marie@getitorganised.com
Office Tel: + 44 (0) 208 480 6194
Mobile: + 44 (0) 788 444 3865
USA: 702-508-4933

July 5, 2007 (Las Vegas, NV) the National Poker League (NPL) announced today that it is hosting the first-ever NPL 2007 UK OPEN at the famed Loose Cannon Club in the heart of London, England. The UK OPEN will take place beginning August 12th with several tiers of buy-ins leading to the final table on August 18, 2007.

The UK OPEN is the first stop of the NPL 2007 World Circuit Tour that will also host poker tournaments in Monte Carlo, Monaco; Manila, Philippines; Toronto, Canada; and culminating with the Vegas Open in Las Vegas and the World Championship Table in early December 2007. The tournament will feature a Texas Hold em  format that offers multi-tiers of open play that will culminate with a final event that features a £2,500 buy in and an estimated prize pool of £500,000($1 Million USD)

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HIGH DEFINITION POKER TV SERIES AT DISCOP 07!
MARCH 18, 2007

A few years back, no one would have thought that televised poker tournaments would prove to be a huge ratings success. Today, for many, poker is no longer a game of luck but an established sport, and poker themed television content has become part of mainstream programming in many countries, driving not only poker veterans to the screen but also young generations of would-be players. Amongst international producers of poker TV shows, the Los Angeles-based National Poker League  has emerged as one the most aggressive organization in the world after partnering up with casinos in Las Vegas, Paris, London and Manila to produce a series of poker tournaments designed specifically for television and without any links to online gambling websites. The result is a 39-hour, high-definition, high-quality, series, The NPL 2007 Global Poker Circuit  to be offered at DISCOP 07.

(* Read article)

National Poker League  launches the 2007 Global Open and Kicks off the circuit by adding ?100,000 to the Paris Open
JANUARY 26, 2007

(Las Vegas, Nevada, January 26, 2007) The National Poker League (NPL), announced today their 2007 Global Circuit Tour beginning with The Paris Open in France on May13th at the Cercle Gaillon Casino in the heart of Paris.

As a sports brand focused on servicing the global poker playing community, NPL www.nplworldpoker.com has partnered with international host casinos and online sites to promote and establish qualifying satellite tournaments throughout the year. NPL s comprehensive series will lead to four televised World Cups: Paris Open (May), UK Open (August); Asia Open (October) and the 2nd annual Vegas Open  in November. NPL is not an American or European tour, It s a true worldwide poker circuit open to everyone , says NPL VP of Poker Operations, Edna Dalton. NPL is the newest and most aggressive poker organization in the world.

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THE NATIONAL POKER LEAGUE AND CAESARS PALACE
MAY 2, 2006
BRING POKER TO HIGH DEFENITION TV IN JUNE
The Vegas Open will kick off the NPL's inaugural season June 2; $1,060 buy-ins open the door for a new generation of TV poker stars

Las Vegas (May 2, 2006) The National Poker League (NPL) will kick off its inaugural season of poker in high definition with the Vegas Open on June 2. The tournament will be held in the poker room at Caesars Palace and will be broadcast in high definition on the INHD Network, one of the leaders in high definition programming.

(* Read article)