GUKPT London Conquered by Former Beauty Salon Owner

Cuong Tran is not a name that is familiar with many UK online poker players or live tournament stars. In fact, Tran has more recently been associated with the beauty industry – not for his personal attributes but because he once owned a beauty salon. At the GUKPT London, the Vietnamese beauty-salon-owner-turned-poker-star edged out a familiar face of UK poker tournaments in Neil Channing, who desperately wanted to win the title in order to increase his standing as one of the country’s all-time greats.

Channing has won more than $2 million in prize money during his professional poker career; however, his record includes only 5 first place finishes – a statistic he is no doubt eager to improve upon. Notwithstanding this, Channing’s efforts to take the GUKPT London over the weekend resulted in relative disappointment.

After Channing knocking out third-place Leon Bui, who also happens to be a former Vietnamese beautician, the Irish Open Champion was favourite to take the GUKPT London when he was heads up with Tran on the final table. Holding a 2:1 chip lead, Channing pushed hard with his three-of-a-kind eights but Tran punished his aggressive play with a straight. Then, on the final hand, Tran moved all-in before the flop with 10-7. Channing had pocket nines. Amazingly, Tran hit a 10 on the flop and neither player improved, which consigned Channing to second place.

The top ten paid money positions at the GUKPT London comprised: 1st Cuong Tran (£127,800); 2nd Neil Channing (£84,700); 3rd Leon Bui (£56,000); 4th Rumit Somaiya (£33,400); 5th Steven Ducharme (£25,300); 6th Salman Behbhani (£20,500); 7th Michael McCool (£15,700); 8th Darren Annis (£11,900); 9th Victoria Coren (£9,100); and, in 10th, Laurence Houghton (£6,700). The 4th leg of the GUKPT tour now heads to Manchester in the G Casino from the 17th – 25th April.