blonde poker

The Caribbean Poker Classic is one of those tournaments that are frustratingly difficult to find information on. St Kitts always seems to attract a lot of interest, but due to a surprising lack of coverage (boy, how I wish they’d send me there), it is often difficult to keep up to date with how friends or family members are getting on.

However, what I can tell you is that this year’s event shocked no one when a Scandinavian (do these guys ever sleep??) won the Main Event, taking home a rather tasty cheque to the value of $221,000.

And that lucky fellow was Fredrik Haugen, a young online qualifier from Gothenburg Sweden. At just 18 years of age, Haugen is more accustomed to playing low stake online cash games and rarely ventures into the live arena, yet here he is taking down one of the most popular comps around.

It didn’t come easy though. On the final hand, heads up opponent and fellow countryman, Martin Wiklund, moved all-in with Pocket Queens, only to be called by the K-Q suited of Haugen. However, a King on the Flop and it was virtually over with the younger and more inexperienced of the two players scooping the lion’s share of the prize fund.

But of course, it takes more than 2 players to make up a final, and whilst the last 6 contained three Swedes, it must also be noted that two Scots made it to the final day. Going into the Final, the line-up was as follows:

Seat 1: Fredrick Haugen (Sweden) -- 397,000
Seat 2: Frederik Lofgren (Sweden) -- 259,500
Seat 3: Pete Willy (Denmark) -- 702,500
Seat 4: Martin Wiklund (Sweden) -- 460,500
Seat 5: Rakesh Gupta (Scotland) -- 254,000
Seat 6: Ryan Boon (Scotland) -- 252,000

Although holding a vast chip lead over his opponents, Denmark’s Pete Willy lost momentum when most of his stack went sailing over to Martin Wiklund, Wily making an ill-timed all-in move with T-4  on a K-K-T Flop, only to run into the K-8 of Martin.

As for the Scots, they were unfortunately the day’s opening two exits, following each other to the rail in quick succession. First to go was Rakesh Gupta (2-2 vs. A-J) and then Ryan Boon when his bluff with Q-8 on a 7-7-J-T board was looked up by Fredrik Haugen and his J-9.

Of course, as with most festivals, there were various side events. The $300 No Limit Hold’Em Freezeout in particular seemed to reap its awards for the Brits with Karl Mahrenholz, Kevin Moore, Craig Telford, Adam Collins, Eric Davidson, Beverly Pace, Robert Price, Nick Gibson, Les Kerrigan and Michelle Conaghan all cashing, the latter winning $9,955 (a deal was struck) for her first place finish.

Also worth a mention is Chris Coleman’s $32,650 win in the $1,000 Blackjack/Hold’Em tournament, Tony Cascarino’s $28,400 scoop in the $1,000 Freezeout, James Akenhead’s $9,100 victory in the $300 Freezeout and Willie Tann’s 2nd place finish ($7,400) in the $500 Rebuy.

And finally, a big thumbs up to blondeite and fellow Midlander, Yucel ‘Mad Turk’ Eminoglu (above-right) who’s performed impressively in St Kitts to take down two events, the first being a $500 Freezeout for $9,230 before going on to win $5,760 in the Pot Limit Omaha Rebuy. Not bad for a week at the office, even if that office is in the Caribbean…