On the weekend that 100-1 shot Mon Mome won the National and Shearer returned to the Toon the Virgin Poker Festival took a trip back north to the Aspers Casino in Newcastle.
A capacity field of 200 were primed at the tables by 2pm and by 2.15pm many were already back at the bar as monster hands (AA v AA v KK and AA v KK v QQ were two of many) smashed in to each other from the off. The chips were flying for all of Day 1 and by the end there were just 44 battle weary riders left with Emma Warke leading the field. Day 2 started with another avalanche of all-ins and once the bubble was past we were soon down to the final table with Ross Jarvis now chip leader. By the time we were 4 handed Kris McLackland had the chip lead and he went in to heads up against Ross with a 2 to 1 lead. With both players hitting the 5 on the 10 10 5 flop Ross’ Ace kicker played and from there he closed the tourney out for a £7000 payday.
Elsewhere Team Virgin retained our Heads Up crown but didn’t fare quite so well (8th!!) in our maiden attempt at the forum challenge, in which Live Pub Poker League scored a comfortable victory.
Main Eveny Final Table
| Place | Name | Prize |
| 1st | Ross Jarvis | £7,000 |
| 2nd | Kris McLackland | £5,500 |
| 3rd | Andy Edhington | £4,000 |
| 4th | Brian Clarke | £3,000 |
| 5th | Richard Potts | £2,500 |
| 6th | John Crawford | £2,000 |
| 7th | Krzysztof Zawierucha | £1,500 |
| 8th | Dave O'Connor | £1,000 |
| 9th | Glenn Hopley | £750 |
| 10th | Simon Kinnaird | £400 |
Other Winners
| Gary Maclennan |
| | Mark Jordan |
| Team Virgin 14 v Rest of World 13 |
| Richard 'doublbuble' Gilby |
| Live Pub Poker League |
An action snap!
The final table awaits.
Our happy winner - Ross Jarvis.
