PROFESSIONAL Pete Singleton played his cards right to win £20,000 and a place in a national poker final.
The experienced player, from Alsager, won the £500+£50 Main Event at Bournemouth in The Great British Poker Tour.
His success at the event, hosted by Gala Casinos, earned him the chance to represent Cheshire in the UK final, in Bristol in November.
Pete said: 'I'm over the moon! There was a strong field of professional and amateur players - even some celebrities! But I've been practising my tournament strategy for 12 months and it paid off.
'The Great British Poker Tour is a brilliant chance for UK players to show off their skills in their own country.
'It's well run with a fantastic mix of players. With so many other poker tours focused abroad, it's good to face some homegrown talent on our own turf. I'm now hoping I can bring the over-all title back to Cheshire.'
Pete has been playing poker professionally for over 20 years. The three-day Main Event saw him beat 139. It concluded in a seven-hour poker marathon on the final televised table.
Famous faces playing included World Cup-winning England rugby players Mike Tindall and Matt Dawson, ex-Republic of Ireland and Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino, as well as journalist and broadcaster Grub Smith, who was runner-up.
The Great British Poker Tour moves to Leeds mid-August. Interested play-ers can qualify by playing on www.galapoker.co.uk, or at selected Gala Casinos throughout Great Britain. For more information visit www.gbpokertour.com.
