Carl Lybert: Division One Winner

Matchday 1 in APAT’s Online National League saw over 280 players commence battle for titles, promotion and added value live seats.

The league is run over ten matchdays and is played on a Sunday evening on Betfair Poker. A $10 buy in and no registration fee ensures for a fun yet competitive set of events.

In Division One, Walsall Poker Club were back looking to retain their title, but in this opening matchday, they had to settle for second place as the spoils went to Liverpool Poker Club. With new club captain Ger ‘The Duke’ Smith at the helm, the instructions being posted on the forum were simple. Get It Won.

And his team didn’t let him down. With three final table finishers in Andrew ‘b52bomber’ Bailey (8th), Chris ‘ckelly1’ Kelly (7th) and the winner of Matchday One Carl ‘CookMySock’ Lybert, the three points were theirs. Walsall picked up the two points with final table finishes from ‘BartyUK07’ and ‘TONYTRIPPSS’, whilst Belfast got one point with an excellent second place finish from ‘awsickriver’.

Join A Club In The APAT National Online Poker League

The Second Division was dominated by the Southern clubs, finishing in the top four spots for the week. Both Plymouth Poker Club and Brighton Poker Club managed two players on the final table, but the fifth place finish from Jefferson ‘jedimindtrx’ Vandike and Bob ‘BigParka’ Malin winning the event was enough for the three points.

‘EddieFish58’ and ‘fatboy49’ had to settle for two points for Brighton with their final table efforts, and the second place finish of ‘Hammerman’ was good for a point for the North London Poker Club.

Division Three saw a revitalised Nottingham Poker Club secure top spot. With new club captain, Jack ‘SamBarnBrac’ Prime drumming up support, he led his team on to the final table with a 7th place finish. He was joined by George ‘sTRINGBET’ Bedi (4th) and Baljindar ‘Shozboy’ Powar (3rd) to ensure the three points were safe.

The tournament was won by John ‘Grim Ripper’ Ripley for the Kent Poker Club, and along with his team mate ‘washman’ finishing in 6th place, meant two points for the Kent Club. Sunderland Poker Club got reward for their pre season membership drive with two final table finishers in ‘katos1’ and ‘jbong’, giving them the final one point.

The next matchday is Sunday 17th March 2010 at 8pm on Betfair Poker. You need to ensure you have registered with a club prior to the tournament on the APAT forum, to earn points for your club.

Join A Club In The APAT National Online Poker League

Harraghy: Belfast Winner

Northern Division, Matchday 11: After four consecutive matches without scoring points, Edinburgh Poker Club brought some of their early season form back to the table to secure two match points in the APAT National Online League on Sunday night.   Belfast continue to close the gap at the top of the division taking a maximum three match points here, with the final match point going to Dundee Poker Club who are one point behind Glasgow in the race for the third qualification spot for the National League final in November.

On the night it was Chris Kelly (2nd), Ben Burnhill (3rd) and Louis Manson (8th) who awoke the slumbering Scottish team and delivered the crucial two match points to protect their lead in the division.

A very powerful looking Belfast team took the three match points and are now only two points behind Edinburgh at the top of the Northern Division.  Four of the Northern Irish club’s number made the final table, with starring roles played by Gerrard Harraghy (1st), Colin O’Prey (4th), Michael O’Prey (6th) and Nick Avery (7th).

Robert McGraw (5th) and Donna McGraw (10th) contributed to ensure Dundee picked up the final match point, keeping the pressure up on Glasgow Poker Club.

After eleven matches, Edinburgh lead the division on 15 points.  Belfast are in second position on 13 points with Glasgow in third on 10 points.  Dundee are fourth on 9 points, with Dublin and Newcastle level on 7 points.  Stockton-on-Tees, Aberdeen, Carlisle and Sunderland are fighting for a place in the Second Divsion of the National Poker League in Season Four.

Northern Division Discussion

Darren Shallis: Cardiff Captain

Southern Division, Matchday 11: South London and Cardiff Poker Clubs continue to dominate the Southern Division of the APAT National Online League.

On Sunday night, it was South London that took the three match points when Neil Innes (2nd) and Tim Magnus (4th) starred on the final table.

Paul Mcarthy of Cardiff took the individual win on the night with his team mate Richard Rudling-Smith (9th) also making the final table, with both results good enough to deliver another two match points for Cardiff.

Brighton Poker Club took the remaining single match point thanks to Joe Carr-Hill (3rd) and Bob Bulman (7th).

After eleven matches, Cardiff lead the division with 16 points, South London are a point back on 15 with Plymouth in third on 11.  Bristol are in fourth on 7 points with Southampton, Thanet and Brighton on 4 points.  North London, Luton and Swansea are at the foot of the table, with only pride to play for as the season progresses.

Southern Division Discussion

Parker: Win For Leeds

Central Division, Matchday 11: Leeds Poker Club stole a march on their opposition for the Championship in the Central Divison of the APAT National League.   Club player Wayne Parker took the individual honours with his second divisional win but it was weight of numbers that gave the three match points to Walsall Poker Club, who now go joint second in the divsion with Birmingham and Manchester.

Andrew Duncan (2nd), Paul Foy (3rd) and Marc Ward (5th) starred for Walsall. Parker’s result was good enough for Leeds to secure two match points, leaving the final match point to Manchester Poker Club, thanks to Rob Swindell’s (6th) and Chris Vickers (7th).  The fact that Swindells was on his way to securing a $95,000 payday in the PokerStars Sunday Warm Up at the same time made his achievement in finalling all of the more remarkable.

After eleven matches, Leeds lead the division with 16 points.  Birmingham, Walsall and Manchester are joint second with 13 points with Liverpool four points back on 9.  Sheffield, Blackpool, Bolton, Nottingham and Stoke now appear out of the running for league honours this season.  However they will still be looking to secure a position in Division Two of the league in Season Four.

Central Divsion Discussion