The turnout for the event at Nottingham’s Dusk Till Dawn in Nottingham was better than expected
The 2025 Amateur Poker Association & Tour (APAT) World Championship of Amateur Poker (WCOAP) brought record crowds to Dusk Till Dawn in Nottingham, where Peter McCusker emerged as the new World Amateur Poker Champion. The festival’s Main Event, considered the crown jewel of the schedule, attracted 475 players and built a prize pool of £79,800 (US$106,932).
With 71 players reaching the money, the tournament delivered payouts ranging from £350 (US$469) for a min-cash up to £13,000 (US$17,420) for the eventual champion. The road to victory was anything but easy, as McCusker navigated a tough final table that included former winners and experienced APAT regulars.
The early exits at the nine-handed table included Tilbrook and Johnson, who collected £1,800 (US$2,412) and £2,100 (US$2,814) respectively. Reigning champion Nick Bowyer managed another deep run but fell in sixth place for £2,800 (US$3,752). The anonymous fifth-place finisher earned £3,300 (US$4,422), while Mark Langdale bubbled the medals in fourth place for £4,000 (US$5,360).
The bronze medal went to Kevin Smith, who turned his deep run into a £5,500 (US$7,370) payout. That left McCusker heads-up against Jonathan Rees, a seasoned APAT competitor with 12 prior cashes.
After a hard-fought duel, McCusker sealed the win, claiming £13,000 (US$17,420), a coveted WCOAP bracelet, and an APAT gold medal. Rees secured £8,500 (US$11,390) along with the silver medal. Remarkably, the victory was McCusker’s first recorded tournament cash on his Hendon Mob profile, making his triumph even more memorable.
The WCOAP also saw standout performances in side events. PokerNews’ Daniel Williams captured the £140 (US$188) 6-Max Championship for £4,000 (US$5,360). Jonathan Raab and Ky Hutchison also added titles, while Jonathan Douglas-Davies claimed two championships in Triple Draw formats.
With upcoming APAT stops scheduled in Portsmouth, Glasgow, and Germany later this year, amateur players across Europe will soon have another chance to chase their own medal and bracelet glory.
