GUKPT Walsall Day 1A  -  By Poker Boss

The Walsall GUKPT started yesterday with 121 runners setting out to win an event captured by Jerome Bradpiece last year at this popular Midlands poker location. Last month's winner, Julian Thew was taking a well deserved break after recent back to back trips to Dortmund and then Ireland for tournaments, but there were still many other big names playing, including two former GUKPT champions, Dave Smith and Dave Colclough.

Yucel Eminoglu, a Walsall regular and also better known as 'Mad Turk' was the early pace-setter of the day, after winning a huge hand against two other players on a 9-6-6-7 board. 'Mad Turk' held 9-9 for the top full house, whilst former WPT winner, Surindar Sunar held 7-7 for the second nut full house, whilst a third player, Jehan Zaib held 9-6 for a smaller full house in what can only be described as a brutally cold deck. No 7 or 6 appeared on the river for unlikely quads to hand a big pot to a local player amid cheers from his friends. Another player who managed to negotiate the days' play well, was World Heads Up Champion Jeff Kimber, who hit a couple of early double ups before consolidating his position amongst the front runners. WSOP finalist Jon Kalmar did not fair so well, he ended up all-in with top pair top kick, only to be faced by another player holding the same top pair, but also with a flush draw and a gutshot straight draw, the latter missed all of these but paired his kicker meaning another big name failed to make it past the first day.

At the end of Day 1A, 29 players remain, led by 'Mad Turk' who is the only player above 100k at the moment. Day 1B will see the return of last years' champion, Jerome Bradpiece, as well as finalist Dan Carter amongst others.

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