Most people know me on the Apat circuit, a renowned light-weight drinker and a born again smoker. I have had some success within APAT and managed to scrape a gold medal at the worlds in 2010 for Stud, I have also acquired 3 silvers and a bronze during my Apat journey and have cashed every season since 2009, what a journey it has been, the cameraderie and the banter, second to none.
I was delighted when Tom asked if I would consider captaining one of the Apat teams to compete in the UK Team Championship in Blackpool it took a millisecond for my answer, little did I realise how difficult the task of selection would be, I had over 40 applications and each one of them could have quite easily run deep in this event but hard decisions had to be made and I hope you will embrace the team I have selected to represent the forum.
IAN THOMPSON pables
I am very pleased and honoured to announce the remaining members of The Apat Legends team will be ably represented by:
Ian Szerlowski (VC) ian.ski309
Having supported APAT since 2009, Ian has a wealth of experience in respect of both individual and team events. He represented Team Poland for five consecutive years in successive ECOAPS and WCOAPS, captaining the team on three separate occasions and is the proud owner of an APAT Team Event gold medal.
Blackpool holds fond memories for him where he played in the APAT Team Event in 2011 and made the FT. The following year he came through a field of 167 in the ME of APAT Stoke where he went to the FT as CL. Shortly afterwards he played two tournaments in Vegas, cashing in them both, the second one was a four-way chop for 2nd place and a four figure score. Just weeks later he paid the full £440 buy in for the GPS at Sheffield where he came through a field of 546 players, including many pros, to make the FT and cash for over £7000
Online highlights include a 1st place finish from a field of 842 and a 6th place finish from a field of 8500. The above stats demonstrate not only a long standing affiliation with APAT, but also the ability to successfully navigate large fields of players and a deep understanding of team dynamics. He is also capable of drinking large quantities of Guinness. He is my vice captain!
Steve Bayliff Scouse3465
Steve has 10 APAT medals for both online and live.
He's captained England to silver in the WCOAP team event, having had a big lead overall they were only overtaken due to a massive points haul by wales in last MTT. Has cashed GUKPTs including winning an online side event.
A regular BCPC winner he's won 4 out of 8 BCPC premier leagues. Steve hasn't had chance to play many APAT events but cashed and busted just before final table of the main at the recent WCOAP in Manchester.
Don Roberts Hammerite
Don has been a regular on the Apat tour since Season 1, and has a lot of experience having made many final tables in various poker disciplines. Don has cashed in England, Scotland, Ireland, Belgium & Austria on the Tour. The highlights of his poker career are a WCOAP Bracelet for Horse in 2015 and a 5th place at the GPS Westcliff in 2014 for a five figure pay day, he has represented England on two occasions in home international tournaments.
Rob Swindells Swinebag
Rob has been member of APAT since season 1, making his debut in Dublin and was a regular on the circuit for the next 5 or 6 years. Starting a family has pretty much killed his APAT participation over the last 3/4 years but he doesn't regret that one bit as he has a fantastic wife and 2 kids who gives him great joy on a daily basis and who have yet to 2-outer him at 3am on a school night.
He still plays online events where possible and follow the events, remaining a strong poker enthusiast. He's thrilled that he was selected for team APAT. He can't think of a better event to make his comeback in. Rob has captained a winning team before (GNF at Luton in 2011) and loves everything about this unique event.
Rob has made 3 live final tables at APAT, with a best of 2nd in the UK champs at Leeds in 2014. His real strength is converting APAT value added packages into cash. He final tabled UKIPT and GPS events, both courtesy of APAT. In addition he won a 25/25 comp at Didsbury.
His biggest success to date came online where he won the Sunday major on 888 and finished second in the Sunday Warm-up on stars. This is dwarfed by him winning the APAT rankings in season 4 (or 5 - Rob can't remember which one) where all his points were scored online.
In Robs own words "I will admit to a bit of ring rustiness, but I assure you I will be back up to speed come February. How much practice does a luckbox need after all? See you at the felt"
Dwayne Stacey TGBane
Dwayne started playing poker in 2004 and has played a WPT and multiple EPTs.
He cashed in Budapest 2008 shortly after cashing in 97th place for $57,000 at his first WSOP Main Event, followed in 2009 by another Main Event Cash.
He joined Apat in 2013 and chopped the Wembley Masters.
He has several APAT cashes and a PLO side event win to his name.
At this years worlds he cashed in the HU and picked up his first bracelet in the OFC.
Phil Tompkinson PHIL_TC
Phil has been an APAT member since 2008 and Season 2, making his debut and cashing in his first live event at the APAT European Amateur Championship at Wiener Neustadt.
Since then he has 7 live APAT cashes and 4 medals, 1 Gold, 2 Silver and 1 Bronze.
He has represented England twice in team home international events and loves the team format. In recent seasons Phil hasn't had much time to play APAT events due to his business commitments, but is over the moon Ian has picked him to represent the APAT team.
In Phil's own words "I've really missed the APAT events, my liver not so much. Over the moon to be picked and I'm so looking forward to the event, catching up with everyone, and of course winning. Have you seen our team lineup? You'll see me at the bar doing beer runs for the rest of the team after level 1".
Asa McGrath amcgrath1uk
Asa is a regular APAT member and his outstanding record speaks for itself.
APAT Season 6
UK online winner
Ranked no 1 online
Bronze in the Home Internationals
Gold in the team event at the WCOAP
APAT Season 10
WCOAP Player of the series
WCOAP 8 game and turbo champion
WCOAP Crazy Pineapple silver
WCOAP Omaha Final table
