PokerStars UKIPT Returns To Edinburgh For Fifth Successive Year
With 2015 almost over, it's time for PokerStars to make its annual jaunt to the picturesque capital of Scotland for the latest leg of the United Kingdom and Ireland Poker Tour (UKIPT) Season 5.
Ever present on the tour’s calendar since the UKIPT launched, Edinburgh always attracts some of the best poker talent from around the United Kingdom and Ireland. The city’s beautiful surroundings, its vibrant nightlife and hot poker action make the UKIPT Edinburgh festival a must-play event.
Nick Abou Risk won the inaugural UKIPT Edinburgh Main Event, outlasting 400 other players on his way to securing a £50,000 payday. The following year it was the popular figure of Fintan Gavin who emerged victoriously, and thanks to an increased attendance of 519, the Irishman returned home £61,500 richer than when he arrived in Scotland.
Season 3 saw the buy-in increase to £700+£70, but also saw the number of entrants swell to 612, creating a £415,548 prize pool. Colorful Brazilian Nicolau Villa-Lobos won this edition of the UKIPT Edinburgh Main Event for £101,000 and went on to finish second in the €25,600 High Roller for €450,000 at the 2013 World Series of Poker Europe.
Dean Hutchison is the reigning champion and should be in Edinburgh to defend his title. Hutchison defeated Team PokerStars Pro Liv Boeree heads-up in Season 4, a victory worth £93,900.
Past UKIPT Edinburgh Main Event Winners
| Season | Buy-in | Entrants | Prize pool | Champion | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | £500+£50 | 401 | £200,600 | Nick Abou Risk | £50,000 |
| 2 | £500+£60 | 519 | £251,715 | Fintan Gavin | £61,500 |
| 3 | £700+£70 | 612 | £415,548 | Nicolau Villa-Lobos | £101,000 |
| 4 | £1,000+£100 | 427 | £485,000 | Dean Hutchison | £93,900 |
This season’s UKIPT Edinburgh festival takes place at the Genting Club Casino at the Fountain Park Entertainment Centre where 13 tournaments are scheduled. The £700+£70 Main Event runs from November 19-22 and sees established and respected players such as Phil Huxley, Ben Dobson, Leon Louis, Paul McTaggart, Dara O’Kearney, Vicente Delgado, Team PokerStars Pro Jake Cody, and Ludovic Geilich, take to the felt during one of the two starting flights.
Should the Main Event not go as hoped, there is a Plan B with multiple side events running throughout the five-day festival including the eagerly anticipated £300+£30 Edinburgh Cup and the £2,000+£200 Eight Max High Roller with a single reentry.
Season 5 UKIPT Edinburgh Schedule
| Date | Time | Tournament |
|---|---|---|
| Wed 18 Nov | 6:00 p.m. | £150+£15 NL Hold’em Six Handed Turbo |
| Wed 18 Nov | 8:00 p.m. | £100+£10 NL Hold’em Freezeout Satellite to the Main Event |
| Thu 19 Nov | 12:00 p.m. | £700+£70 UKIPT Edinburgh Main Event Day 1a |
| Thu 19 Nov | 6:00 p.m. | £100+£10 NL Hold’em Freezeout Satellite to the Main Event |
| Thu 19 Nov | 8:00 p.m. | £100+£10 NL Hold’em Turbo Win The Button |
| Fri 20 Nov | 12:00 p.m. | £700+£70 UKIPT Edinburgh Main Event Day 1b |
| Fri 20 Nov | 6:00 p.m. | £150+£15+£150 NL Hold’em 1R1A Satellite to the High Roller |
| Fri 20 Nov | 10:00 p.m. | £500+£50 NL Hold’em Late Night Turbo |
| Sat 21 Nov | 12:00 p.m. | UKIPT Edinburgh Main Event Day 2 |
| Sat 21 Nov | 12:00 p.m. | £2,000+£200 NL Hold’em 8-handed Single Re-Entry High Roller |
| Sat 21 Nov | 12:00 p.m. | £50+£5 NL Hold’em Hyper Turbo Satellite to the Edinburgh Cup |
| Sat 21 Nov | 2:00 p.m. | £300+£30 NL Hold’em Edinburgh Cup Day 1a (one re-entry per flight) |
| Sat 21 Nov | 8:00 p.m. | £300+£30 NL Hold’em Edinburgh Cup Day 1b (one re-entry per flight) |
| Sun 22 Nov | 12:00 p.m. | UKIPT Edinburgh Main Event Final Day |
| Sun 22 Nov | 12:00 p.m. | £200+£20 PL Omaha Double Chance |
| Sun 22 Nov | 12:00 p.m. | Edinburgh Cup Final Day |
| Sun 22 Nov | 2:00 p.m. | £150+£15 NL Hold’em Super Deepstack EPT Edition |
Stay tuned to PokerNews throughout the UKIPT Edinburgh Main Event as we bring you all the goings on from the Genting Club Casino tournament floor.
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