What's up, Doc? You've heard of Looney Tunes, but this was Looney Toon as young Doctor Ganesh Rao defeated online qualifier Ian Farrell in a lengthy heads up battle at the Grosvenor Casino in sunny Newcastle. Originally from Sheffield, but now residing in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, Ganesh made the final table in Walsall during Season one, but was the first man out. This time around, however, he went eight places better to become the fifth Main Event champion of 2008 and take home the lion's share of the spoils and the coveted GUKPT title.
Outlasting a depleted field of 187, the nine remaining players headed into the final with Fraser McIntyre boasting the chip lead with Hit Squadder James Akenhead in close pursuit in 2nd. Also making the final table was Cheryl Routledge who was looking to become the Tour's first female victor, but after running Pocket Nines into the Pocket Ladies of Ganesh Rao, she became the day's first victim taking home £4,725 for her 9th place finish.
The shortstack at the table was the enigmatic Alan Vinnicombe, but with his Nines succumbing to Fraser's Tens, he was gone in 8th for £5,675. After Michael Hill snapped up 8th, Fraser himself would hit the deck, a big loss to Ian Farrell being followed by an inevitable Big Slick versus Aces clash with Mark Dalimore that he was unable to survive.
David Allan and Mark Dalimore took 5th and 4th respectively to leave us with a final three that would take an age to whittle down. A tough see-saw battle eventually saw a disappointed James Akenhead forced to settle for 3rd, his A-5 being demolished by Ian's paltry Q-2 when a second Queen hit the Flop.
With James gone, the two remaining players opted to split the money and play for the title, prestige and honour of victory, but this didn't prevent a rugged heads up encounter that was to bear witness to two hours of back and forth action. With his head sinking into his hands, Ganesh wore his heart on his sleeve during every all-in, but would ultimately triumph when he caught Ian with his paws firmly trapped in the cookie jar, Ganesh's Pocket Jacks in great shape against Ian's 5-2. No further aid and Ganesh was crowned the Champion of Newcastle and officially awarded the £57,175 first prize.
Ian, meanwhile, was understandably dejected not to have captured the title, but equally elated to have finished in the runner up spot after qualifying online for free. Earning entry into a $100 rebuy tournament via a recent Inside Poker Magazine promotion, Ian required no rebuys to secure his seat before battling his way to an impressive 2nd place finish.
With poker making its annual stop in Vegas, the GUKPT is braced for a summer vaction of its own before returning for the online leg of the Tour at the end of July. Then, in August, it's business as usual as the Blue Square team return to Luton where reigning champion Dave Clark will be looking to repeat his success of last year.
1st Ganesh Rao -- £57,175
2nd Ian Farrell -- £33,075
3rd James Akenhead -- £23,625
4th Mark Dalimore -- £16,075
5th David Allan -- £12,275
6th Fraser McIntyre -- £9,450
7th Mike Hill -- £7,550
8th Alan Vinnicombe -- £5,675
9th Cheryl Routledge -- £4,725