Toby Lewis Wins PokerStars EPT Vilamoura 2010 (€467,835)!
And the winner is crowned! The final table here in Vilamoura was an unpredictable mix of aggression, dispassionate consideration, and luck both good and bad. The chip leader at the start of play over eight hours ago came through to win the top prize, the huge trophy, and the rapturous congratulations of a British rail which swelled overnight as people actually flew South to support Toby Lewis, Sam Trickett and Teddy Sheringham - the best UK result at an EPT final table in some time.
It was a tough day for near-leader Trickett, who seemingly lost whenever his cards were on their backs, regardless of level of advantage they might have preflop against his opponents. His finishing fourth may have upset the expectations of some, but Jason Lee, Lewis and Martin Jacobson deserved their top spots, Lee in particular working a short stack with aplomb round the exits of EPT stalwart Rob Hollink and Sergio Coutinho, Frederik Jensen and Teddy Sheringham.
Runner up Martin Jacobson had a quiet start which got progressively louder, until a couple of big hands propelled his stack up over the chip-lead mark. Now only Toby Lewis stood between him and his momentum propelling him into the title, and he put up a strong fight, but Lewis eventually whittled him down until they were racing, Jacobson for his tournament life. Jacobson won the race and they were back level until the preceding cooler finished him off.
So while the large British contingent chant, "Run Good To-by; To-by Run Good!" we leave Casino Vilamoura and head from the felt into the balmy seaside air, where no doubt there will be celebrations tonight for all the finalists. Thanks to the Casino staff, the TDs and everyone who made it such a fun stop on the EPT 2010, and we look forward to seeing you in London!