83-Year-Old Lilian Welch Crowned Champion at 888poker UKPL Blackpool

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By Samantha Doyle
14 May 2026
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Samantha Doyle 14 May 2026
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  • Lilian Welch, 83, wins 888poker UKPL Blackpool Main Event.
  • She overcame 318 players for a £31,390 payday.
  • Her victory showcases the enduring power of experience in poker.
888poker UKPL Blackpool
In an era dominated by game theory optimal (GTO) solvers and young internet wizards, 83-year-old Lilian Welch proved that pure passion and decades of experience still hold immense power on the felt.

The local casino regular captured the hearts of the poker community this week by outlasting a 318-entry field to win the 888poker UKPL Blackpool Main Event, securing her first major title and a career-best payday of £31,390.

Breaking Down the Final Table Action

The £560 buy-in tournament smashed its £100,000 guarantee, building a £151,050 prize pool. By the time the final table was reached at the Grosvenor G Casino, Welch had positioned herself as a serious contender among a fierce lineup of regional regulars and touring pros.

The eliminations began with local regular Chris Flint in ninth place, followed quickly by Yucel "Mad Turk" Eminoglu, whose king-ten failed to crack Paul Orritt's ace-queen. Bryan Taylor fell in sixth when his flopped two pair was bested by Brian Clarke’s flopped set of queens.

As the field thinned, Welch's momentum only grew. After the departure of veteran Peter Charalambous in fifth, Welch delivered a fatal blow to Paul Orritt in fourth, turning a straight to crush his flopped pair of jacks. This set the stage for an Independent Chip Model (ICM) deal among the final three players, Welch, Frankie Mok, and Brian Clarke. 

With the lion's share of the prize pool locked up, the trio played on for the remaining £7,500 and the trophy. Welch eliminated Clarke with ace-king against pocket queens, and swiftly dispatched Mok in heads-up play when her jack-ten held up against his jack-deuce.

UKPL Blackpool Main Event Final Table Results

RankPlayerPrize
1Lilian Welch£31,390*
2Frankie Mok£21,710*
3Brian Clarke£21,755*
4Paul Orritt£10,455
5Peter Charalambous£7,140
6Bryan Taylor£5,200
7Gaoyang Yang£4,030
8Yucel Eminoglu£3,295
9Chris Flint£2,765
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