As the Grosvenor UK Poker Tour's inaugural event climaxed in Bolton last Sunday, a new crew emerged as Praz Bansi and Karl Mahrenholz dominated the latter stages of the £1,000 No Limit Hold'Em Main Event.With Praz winning a bracelet at last year's World Series and Karl quickly becoming a fearsome face on the UK circuit, many were already aware of their potential and capabilities, but little did we know that they were just two of a lethal faction known as the 'Hit Squad'.
Made up of Sunny Chattha, brother Chaz Chattha, James Akenhead, Jim Kerrigan and last night's two victors, the 'Hit Squad' is set to take over the world of poker with their mixture of determination, aggression and natural skill for the game.
And last night was affirmation of the arrival of this new group and the talent they possess as Praz and Karl ploughed through a 197 strong field to lap up the lion's share of the prizepool.
With the likes of Mickey Wernick, Mick Fletcher, JP Kelly, Dave Colclough, Peter Evans, Iwan Jones and Julian Thew all vying for a seat on the admittedly glitzy and glamorous final table, reaching their dream goal of a one two finish would be no means easy for the two youngsters.
But come the final table, that dream appeared to be becoming a stark reality as the two 'Hit Squad' members waltzed onto the final table as chip leaders, holding 434,500 and 414,000 respectively.
Joining them in front of the Channel 4 cameras were Greg Howard, Alan Henson, Damon D'Cruz, Joe Grech, Ian Nelson, Ray Wyre and start of the day chip leader, Simon 'Chubbs' Nowab (right) - an intriguing mix of renowned and unknown players.Lights, camera, action and we were away, the crowd bubbling and the players perspiring with excitement.
Whilst Joe Grech and Simon Nowab were highlighted as potential winners, it wasn't to be as both exited early doors, Joe losing a Tens vs A-K coinflip with Praz and Simon running Ace Jack into the Big Slick of online qualifier, Alan Henson.
Ray Wyre was to hit the rail next at the hands of Karl, before the plucky Damon D'Cruz (whose patient strategy seemed to working perfectly) saw off Alan Henson in 6th.
But although fully supported by the Luton lurkers on the blonde forum, Damon, or the 'Lutonian Bulldozer' as I referred to him as, couldn't prevent himself falling in 5th when his A-3 failed to match up to the A-Q of Praz.
Four left, and with Liverpudlian and crowd favourite, Ian Nelson, seemingly unmovable, it was New Zealander, Greg Howard (left), who would be forced to settle for 4th and £17,700 in prize winnings - his A-K being decisively shot down by Karl's Pocket Ladies on a J-J-Q Flop.With Henson eventually taking 3rd spot (A-5 vs A-J), we were left with two friends staring each other face to face, neither one ready to back down, and certainly no signs of a deal being discussed.
All-in with Nines vs A-8, Praz finally added a GPT Event to his WSOP win on 6-7-Q-T-7 board, supplemented with £75,500 (plus the seat in the Grand Final) to add to the six figure sum he brought home from Vegas.
Karl, gallant in defeat, congratulated his opponent, later claiming that the bragging rights were almost as important as the spondoolies - either way, Karl returned home with a cool £35,500.
As the first event of a brand new tour, this was considered by many to be a roaring success, and credit must go to Jonathan Raab and the rest of the Blue Square/Grosvenor team for setting up what looks like being a cornerstone Tour of British Poker.
Great structure, top prizes, affordable entry fee, buffet service, televised final table, full press access, beautiful ladies... I see no reason why the rest of the events in this cracking little tour can't follow suit and be just as successful.Be sure to keep an eye out for the GUKPT broadcast as the Bolton event hits the small screen in August. Until then, watch out for the endless satellites so you can emulate the success of Praz Bansi and his fellow 'Hit Squad' member.