The second UK Poker Tour title of 2008 went the way of big Geordie Jeff Kimber who defeated nearly 300 opponents to take the £83,910 first prize in Walsall.

The 33-year-old, who now lives in London, added the crown to his World Heads Up success and his career winnings are now approaching £400,000.

Not bad for the former Leeds University graduate who only began playing poker once he had completed his course at Trinity and All Saints College.

The "JaffaCake" also claimed a £3,000 seat in the season-ending Grand Final which takes place in London in November plus a seat in the Champion of Champions tournament and an iPod Nano.

Kimber held a narrow 29,000 chip lead over Nikhil Persaud (440,000) going into the final table with Peter Charalambous (383,500) and Aaron Berry (377,500) not too far behind and Dharminder Buttar (315,000), Terence Owens (256,500), Luke Patten (240,500), Charles Denton (223,500) and Craig Metcalf (173,000) also still in the shake-up.

Colchester veteran Patten was the first to exit followed by Merseysider Berry - who lost a relatively sizeable stack in a short space of time - while online qualifier Aaron Barry from North Yorkshire had to settle for seventh place.

Liverpool's Denton and Cumbrian Metcalfe then departed leaving Kimber, Charalambous plus rookie Buttar and established UK Tour stalwart Persaud.

Kimber had cemented his chip lead in the early stages of the final table but was usurped by Persaud following some large pots.

Persaud looked to be the favourite at that point, given that he has finished in the prize money in over 40% of his 12 UK Poker Tour appearances.

However when his Ace, King was outgunned by Kimber's pokcet aces his stack dwindled and he had to settle for a creditable fourth place.

21-year old local lad Buttar had exceeded all expectations by getting to the final table after qualifying via a £25 satellite at the Grosvenor Casino in Walsall but he had to be happy with a third position and a first cash payout of £35,160.

With 285 players put to the sword that left Charalambous and Kimber to do battle in a heads-up at the end of four days of competition.

Charalambous held a significant chip advantage entering the one-on-one, possibly due to the lucky banana skin he had on the table, but Kimber took the big hands and his opponent had to be content with the £48,790 runner-up prize

The tour continues next month at the Grosvenor Victoria casino in London where a field of up to 400 players is expected for the £1,000 main event and Kimber will look to continue his run of success.

Results:

1st Jeff Kimber £83,910

2nd Peter Charalambous £48,790

3rd Dharminder Buttar £35,160

4th Nik Persaud £23,680

5th Craig Metcalfe £17,940

6th Charlie Denton £14,350

7th Aaron Barry £11,480

8th Terry Owens £8,610

9th Luke Patten £6,460

10th Jamie Gubb £4,300

11th Peter Linton £2,870

12th Scott Edwards £2,870

13th Graham Clarkson £2,870

14th Tim Blake £2,150

15th Mick McCool £2,150

16th Andrew Woods £2,150

17th Malcolm McKinlay £2,150

18th Niall Charlton £2,150

19th Joe Koumi £1,440

20th Andrew Psaras £1,440

21st Trevor Reardon £1,440

22nd Neil Channing £1,440

23rd Mick Fletcher £1,440

24th Steve Walmsley £1,440

25th Paul McIntyre £1,440

26th Rupert Elder £1,440

27th Ray Wyre £1,440

Angus MacKenzie / Eurosport