The heads up battle was relatively short. The first two hands saw both players get a walk, then in the third hand of the encounter Harri doubled up with A-4 versus Simon’s A-5. He hit a 4 on the flop. A few hands later it was all over. Simon raised to 160,000 and Harri went over the top for an all in bet of about 1m chips. Simon called once again showing A-5. Harri had K-8 this time and the board came T-T-A-6-9, giving Simon two pairs, the trophy and the title of GUKPT Manchester champion for 2009. He also claims a seat in the £100,000 GUKPT Champion of Champions tournament.

Simon only entered the tournament at the insistence of his son Chris, who is one of the most prolific online tournament players in the world. It was a late birthday present and one that has netted him a prize of £88,630.

An honourable mention must also go to Harri Isomaki, who also did not pay for his entry, having won it via an online freeroll. He is the first player from Finland to make a GUKPT final table and very nearly became the first Scandinavian winner of a GUKPT event. We hope to see much more of him here in the future.

Back to Simon Moorman, who was certainly not lost for words during the post event press conference. he paid respect to his opponents and thanked his son for putting him into the event. The 52-year old is the second player this year from Essex to have won a GUKPT main event (Bernie Litman who won in Brighton was the first). His day job is that of a credit manager for a toy company. We hope to see more of him on the GUKPT this year. Congratulations from Grosvenor & G casinos, Blue Square and everyone at the GUKPT.

Simon has just won leg 4 of the 2009 GukPT, beating Harri Isomaki.

Full details will follow…

It has been noted by Jonathan Raab that the combined number of live poker events played by our last two players is three. Including this one.

*Evidently not…

Eddie Lundon became the next victim of Simon Moorman’s relentless chip gathering, leaving with £35,760.

Simon now has a 5:1 chip advantage over Harri as we go into heads-up.

Out in fifth place is Liverpudlian Andy Booth, who leaves with £17,280.

His AJ failed to hold up against Eddie Lundon’s AK.

Within a couple of hands, local Kenny Burke fell to Simon Moorman - but he’ll take home £23,240.

With five players left, these are the current chip counts.

Simon Moorman - 1,135,000
Harri Isomaki - 721,000
Andy Booth - 502,000
Kenny Burke - 381,000
Eddie Lundon - 248,000

Play is about to recommence.

The players are now on a short break. When they return the blinds will be 20,000-40,000 with a running ante of 4,000.

Kevin Holdstock has been eliminated by Andy Booth. He had Q-9 versus Andy’s K-J. Neither hand improved so Kevin is back off to another part of Manchester with £14,300 for his efforts.

No more exits, but it is still pretty lively out there. Andy Booth doubled up through Kenny Burke, at which point the Scouse contingent on the rail erupted, hi-fived and celebrated exuberantly.

They are now playing blinds of 15,000-30,000 and a running ante of 3,000.

Meanwhile, the £100 bounty tournament has attracted a field of 122 runners.

The very next hand after Ed’s exit and we lose David Maudlin. He had pocket sevens versus Harri’s A-J. The board was 3-K-6-K and wait for it…an ace on the river to send David back to County Durham with £11,320.