PartyPoker Tour Glasgow Crowns First Female Champion

_{Zhen Zhen was crowned winner at Glasgow. (Image: Party Poker)}

The PartyPoker Tour stop in Glasgow wrapped up on 18 August at Alea Casino with a record turnout, a series of packed events, and a landmark victory. Across the week, 1,928 total entries created a combined prize pool of £303,193, cementing the festival as one of the most successful on the UK poker circuit this year.

A Mini Main to Remember

The action kicked off with the Mini Main Event, which drew 468 entries and generated a £58,406 prize pool. After hours of play, it was Christian Watt who emerged on top, securing the trophy and a £10,260 first prize.

The Mini Main set the tone for a competitive festival that featured a mix of No Limit Hold’em, Pot Limit Omaha, and novelty formats designed to draw both professionals and recreational players.

Zhen Zhen Makes History

Momentum built around the £500 Main Event, which attracted 256 entries and a £111,821 prize pool. The tournament ended with a historic result: Zhen Zhen claimed victory, becoming the first female champion on the PartyPoker Tour.

Zhen Zhen, who had not previously played PartyPoker live events, said the moment was especially meaningful. “It feels amazing to win my first ever PartyPoker event, and to be the first woman to win a Main Event is something I’ll never forget,” she said.

Her victory was widely celebrated as a milestone for women in poker, a field where female representation at final tables remains low.

Familiar Faces and Rising Stars

The Glasgow festival brought several well-known names to the felt. Barry Carter of Team PartyPoker captured the Friday Party Madness side event, while his “Chip Race” podcast co-hosts David Lappin and Dara O’Kearney also joined the Main Event.

Local player Christopher Johnston won the Poker.PRO PL Horse, while Aleks Georgiev stood out with two victories, including the Faded Spade Trophy and Sunday Madness. PartyPoker ambassador Jamie Staples made a deep run to the Main Event final table, and veteran pro Glenn Brown also enjoyed multiple deep finishes.

Joe Beevers, founder of poker database The Hendon Mob, joined the action in the PLO Masters Main Event, which carried a £25,000 guarantee.

By the Numbers: Glasgow Results
    •    Mini Main Event: 468 entries, £58,406 prize pool
    •    Main Event: 256 entries, £111,821 prize pool
    •    Mystery Bounty: 87 entries, £18,722 prize pool
    •    High Roller 7-Max: 34 entries, £29,702 prize pool
    •    PLO Masters Main Event: 120 entries, £25,344 prize pool

The full schedule also included popular events like Spin the Wheel, Tennessee Hold’em Glasgow Championship, and multiple PLO side events, contributing to the week’s £303,193 prize pool.

Next Stop: Birmingham

The tour now shifts to Birmingham, where PartyPoker is set to host its biggest UK festival yet from 11–19 October at Genting Resorts World. The stop will feature the first-ever £150,000 guaranteed Main Event under a new “player-first” model: zero rake on the prize pool.

PartyPoker has announced that this structure will be standard going forward, aiming to “transform the UK poker market” with full-value prize pools and transparent buy-ins.