Ladies and gentlemen, gather your chips and shuffle about; we have an absolutely fantastic story! Jake Betts is the brand-new poker phenomenon that the 2025 UK Poker Championships (UKPC) at Dusk Till Dawn just crowned. Betts was simply another name in The Hendon Mob Database, sitting on a modest seven cashes worth only $5,260 before this tournament. But, how the tables have changed! After outlasting a staggering 1,332 entrants in the £560 UKPC Main Event, Betts walked away with a jaw-dropping £85,270 payday and a career-defining trophy. Talk about a glow-up!
How the UKPC Main Event Unfolded
The massive turnout pumped up the prize pool to £639,360, smashing the £500,000 guarantee into oblivion. A total of 197 players hit the money, with some serious poker firepower making deep runs, including Leon Louis, Daniel Rudd, Kully Sidhu, Patrice Brandt, Lorenc Boci, Timothy Chung, Brandon Sheils, and Leo McClean.
By the time the dust settled on Day 2, only 23 players were left standing, each guaranteed at least £3,000 for their efforts. But everyone had their sights set on that life-changing payday. When Joshua Boulton busted in 10th, the final table was set, and the stakes got real—£9,500 was now the bare minimum payout!
UKPC Main Event Final Table Results
| Rank | Player | Prize |
| 1 | Jake Betts | £85,270* |
| 2 | David Lloyd | £83,730* |
| 3 | Cristinel Costin | £47,500 |
| 4 | Dale Wilson | £35,000 |
| 5 | Nikolai Mumut | £26,455 |
| 6 | Ben Miller | £20,000 |
| 7 | Martin Donoghue | £15,000 |
| 8 | Steven Edgar | £12,000 |
| 9 | Callum Gordon | £9,500 |
How the Final Table Played Out
Callum Gordon was the first to hit the rail, but don’t feel too bad for him—he had just returned from crushing it at the WSOP Circuit in Marrakech. Steven Edgar, who had never cashed in a live event before, walked away with £12,000 for his eighth-place finish, while Martin Donoghue secured £15,000—his second-biggest live score ever. Ben Miller claimed sixth place and £20,000, before Nikolai Mumut—another first-time live cash finisher—pocketed £26,455 in fifth.
Fourth place went to Dale Wilson, who was on an absolute heater. Just a month ago, he took down a £250 No-Limit Hold’em Christmas Cup, banking a career-best £8,645. Now, with £35,000 added to his bankroll, he’s a name to watch in 2025.
Then we had Cristinel Costin, who has been tearing up the UK poker scene lately. In December 2024, he won the Grosvenor Behemoth Main Event for £43,700. But this time, he topped that with a third-place finish for £47,500, pushing his total live earnings past $250,000. Not too shabby, eh?
Betts vs. Lloyd: The Heads-Up Showdown
The final battle saw Jake Betts facing off against David Lloyd from Luton—a seasoned pro with over $360,000 in live earnings. Experience was on Lloyd’s side, but poker isn’t always about who’s been grinding longer. Sometimes, it’s just your WSOP Circuit night.
The duo struck a deal, flattening the payout jump. Originally, £101,500 was set for first place and £67,500 for second. Thanks to negotiations, Lloyd locked in £83,730, while Betts bagged £85,270 and his first major title.
Other UKPC Champions & High Rollers Making Moves
If you thought Betts was the only one making waves, think again!
Simon Higgins smashed through the $1.6 million mark in live poker winnings after taking down the £1,100 UKPC High Roller for £37,420. Meanwhile, Christopher Vernon snagged his first five-figure prize since 2022 by shipping the £230 Opener for £19,350.
Full UKPC Results
| Event | Entrants | Prize Pool | Champion | Prize |
| £1,100 UKPC High Roller | 172 | £165,120 | Simon Higgins | £37,420 |
| £230 UKPC Opener | 588 | £112,896 | Christopher Vernon | £19,350 |
| £120 UKPC Deepstack | 245 | £23,520 | Anonymous | £3,840 |
| £120 UKPC 7-Max | 114 | £10,944 | Kevin Houghton | £2,787 |
| £120 UKPC PLO | 74 | £7,140 | Owen Harrop | £2,105 |
| £230 UKPC PLO Bounty | 43 | £8,256 | Wai Lam | £1,721* |
| £120 UKPC Bounty | 139 | £13,344 | Gary Jackson | £1,630* |
| £120 UKPC Closer | 59 | £5,664 | Daniel Turner | £1,359 |
| £60 UKPC Freezeout | 65 | £3,120 | Bruce Ewan | £980 |
| £60 UKPC Turbo | 61 | £2,928 | Granville Mitchell | £918 |
Next Stop: 2025 UKPC Masters!
Missed out on the UKPC Main Event? Don’t sweat it—Dusk Till Dawn has officially announced the 2025 UKPC Masters, running from May 16-26. While the full schedule is still under wraps, what we do know is BIG: a £1,100 Main Event with a £1 MILLION guaranteed prize pool. Online satellites and Day 1s will be available on GGPoker, so get your bankroll ready!
One thing’s for sure—the UK poker scene is hotter than ever. And if Jake Betts can turn $5,260 in lifetime cashes into an £85,270 payday, who says you can’t be the next breakout star?
See you at the tables!
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