Poker ace Graham's card luck story

IF he plays his cards right Graham Barkworth could have been crowned the first UK Pub Poker Champion.

The 42-year-old, of Rosebery Avenue in Bridlington, made it through the regional round of Redtooth Poker in Leeds but missed out on the top spot in the national final.

Mr Barkworth has been playing poker for over three years, after initially starting on the Internet and then when pub poker took off he started playing at The George in Prince Street on Tuesday evenings.

Before the final, he said: "During my first year of playing there was a lot of learning but now I think I am quite capable of going there and winning the final."

The local league lasted for 13 weeks and then the top two from each league went on to the regionals. The top 12 went to the final which was at Dusk Till Dawn in Nottingham, the country's first purpose-built venue for poker.

Also appearing at the tournament are former cricketer Phil Tufnell and actor Michael Greco. The competition started with 15,000 players, 300 of which made it through to the final on Sunday.

Mr Barkworth said: "I think poker is a bit of both – luck and skill – but I think the skill side comes into it more in a major competition. It's a sport when you are forever learning, it's a fascinating game."

As well as taking part in pub poker Mr Barkworth runs his own personal tournament online where he goes by the name of Brid Kid.

It takes place every Friday night with qualifiers through the week and is called BK's Friday Night Deep Stack Tournament.

Shane Geldard, who plays at The Bull and Sun in Bridlington, also had a place in the national final.

Written by Jodie Beecroft

www.bridlingtonfreepress.co.uk