83-Year-Old Lilian Welch Wins 888poker UKPL Blackpool Main Event

Lilian Welch, an 83-year-old poker player, made history by winning the 888poker UKPL Blackpool Main Event. Welch is a regular at Grosvenor Casino in Blackpool and has been playing poker for over a decade. Her victory brought her a payday of £31,390, the biggest single result of her poker career.

The UK Poker League is a popular live series with stops all over the country. The Blackpool Main Event had a £560 buy-in and attracted 318 entries, resulting in a prize pool of just over £150k. Notable players included Ian Simpson, an 888poker ambassador, who made it past the bubble.

Welch outlasted six players to reach the final table. She defeated Paul Orritt in fourth place and then made an ICM deal with the remaining three players, guaranteeing her £23,890. However, there was still over £7,000 to play for, as well as the trophy. Welch first eliminated Brian Clarke with pocket queens against her big slick. She then defeated Frankie Mok in the final hand with JT against J2.