2026 Season 1 Preview & Odds
Dust off your lucky cardigans and practice your poker face, because the East Durham Poker League Season 1 is about to hit the tables! The action kicks off tomorrow at 18:30 sharp, launching 14 weeks of intense poker competition. Prepare for an epic showdown of skill, strategy, and maybe just a little bit of bluffing as seasoned veterans and rising stars battle for the title.
Who Will Be Crowned Champion?
The question on everyone’s mind: who will be the last player standing in 2026 Season 1? We’ve got a fantastic lineup of contenders. Here’s a sneak peek at the (totally not made-up) odds for each player, from favourites to long shots, along with why they might (or might not) take the crown:
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Attila Laszlo – 4/1: Last season’s runner-up is on a mission. With the reigning champion stepping aside, Attila will be keen to turn last season’s podium finish into a league title. He dominated Season 3 games with multiple wins and is arguably the man to beat in 2026.
Adam Harding – 5/1: A model of consistency who finished second in 2025 Season 1 and regularly reaches final tables. Adam held the top spot for much of the league rankings during that season in 2025 and has been “playing some fantastic poker” by all accounts. He’s hungry for his first overall title after coming so close before.
Thomas Farrell – 6/1: Don’t let the lack of a league title fool you Thomas “The Tank” Farrell thrives in big moments. He proved it by winning the Season 1 League Final in 2025 and then clinching the Cash Final in both Season 2 and Season 3 of 2025. A regular on the broader tournament circuit, Farrell’s experience in high-stakes events outside the EDP could give him the edge to finally top a league season.
Kevin Johnston — 6/1: Kevin Johnston comes into 2026 Season 1 with serious momentum. A 3rd-place finish in the most recent league (Season 3) and a strong run towards the back end of the year showed real consistency and composure when the pressure was on. Few players finished 2025 playing better poker week-in, week-out. The only cloud over Kevin’s title push is philosophical rather than technical, he’s no fan of the “best 8 results” structure, preferring a format that rewards full-season commitment. If he makes peace with the format, he’s a very live contender.
Chris Maddison – 7/1: The three-time league champion last winning the 2025 Season 2 is always a serious threat. Chris “The Guvnor” has a proven track record with multiple titles spanning different years. He’s got experience and guile. You can bet he’ll be in the mix when it matters.
Nathan Baars – 8/1: A two-time EDP league champion (2024 Season 1 and 2022 Season 2) with an APAT world title on his résumé, Nathan is arguably one of the most naturally skilled players in the field. However, he’s reportedly taking a break until February, meaning he might miss the early games. Once he joins the fray, his pedigree, which includes a WCOAP bracelet and over £10k in live earnings, could quickly make up for lost time, but a late start puts him just a touch behind the top favourites.
Luke Scott – 10/1: The runner-up of 2025 Season 2, Luke burst onto the scene as a rising star. He pushed the champion all the way in that season and proved he can hang with the best. With that strong showing under his belt, Luke has momentum and plenty of confidence heading into Season 1. This could be the season he goes one better.
Jed Turnbull – 12/1: A stalwart of East Durham poker, Jed is a two-time league champion (he topped 2023 Season 2 and 2024 Season 3). Few can match his experience and trophy count. That said, his 2025 campaigns were quieter by his high standards. If “Big Jed” can recapture his old form, he’s a value pick at these odds, never underestimate a man who knows how to win it all.
Tim Reddington – 14/1: Consistent and crafty, Tim has come close to a title before (runner-up in 2022 Season 2). He’s often found at final tables and even has a couple of league final victories to his name. Tim’s solid all-around game and end-of-season experience make him a dangerous dark horse. All he needs is that one big season run to finally grab the league title he’s been sniffing around.
Norman Hall – 16/1: A relative newcomer to the league who made a big impression last year, Norman notched a victory in one of the Season 2 events in 2025. In fact, he took down a tournament that featured several top players (including a heads-up against former champ Tess Pattinson). He’s rumored to have significant poker experience outside the league as well, with a notable tournament cash on his record. If those rumors hold true, Norman could surprise everyone and leap into title contention.
Darren Turnbull – 18/1: The 2024 Season 2 champion returns to action after barely playing in 2025. Rust might be a factor, but Darren’s championship pedigree speaks for itself. In his title run, he dominated the field with the highest points total of all time. If he’s committed this season, his odds could look like a steal.
Michael Williams – 20/1: Winner of the 2023 Season 3 title, Michael is a savvy veteran. He knows how to close out a season, though recent form has been modest as newer faces have risen. He’s not at every game these days, but when he does play, he brings a calm, calculating style that can still trump the aggressive young guns. Write off a former champion like Michael at your peril.
Martin Lightfoot – 20/1: A consistent final-table contender, Martin quietly had an excellent run in 2025 Season 1, finishing 4th overall in that league. He’s often in the mix late in tournaments and racks up points through steady deep finishes. While he hasn’t yet grabbed a title or a marquee win, his solid performance record suggests he’s always just a couple of big nights away from vaulting into the top of the standings.
Kyle Watson – 20/1: An experienced player with a history of near-misses. Kyle was the league runner-up way back in 2019 Season 2 and has won a League Final event in the past. He tends to play in bursts, so the key for him will be consistent attendance and focus throughout all 14 games. If he brings his A-game, Kyle has the skills and instincts to relive the glory and contend once again.
Steve Jones – 22/1: A long-time regular in the East Durham poker scene, Steve (also known as Steven) has come close to glory before, notably as the runner-up in the 2021 Season 3 league. He’s a solid, experienced player who often finds himself in the top ten by season’s end. However, it’s been a while since he’s had a breakout result. If the poker gods smile on him, Steve could finally upgrade those second-place memories into a first-place trophy.
Wayne Jones – 22/1: Don’t confuse him with Steve, though Wayne might be from the same poker clan, he’s made his own mark by winning a couple of league final events in years past. Week to week, Wayne can be a bit streaky; when he catches fire, he’s capable of taking down a tournament (and usually with a big stack of bounty chips to show for it). To win the whole league, though, he’ll need to string together more consistent finishes. It’s a tall order, but not impossible if he hits a hot run.
Dan Turnbull – 25/1: Part of the Turnbull trio, Dan (often listed as Daniel) has shown flashes of potential. He even snagged a runner-up finish in a Season 1 game last year, proving he can battle it out at the final table with the best. What’s held him back is consistency, some weeks he’s in contention, other weeks he’s an early bust-out. At 25/1, he’s considered an outsider, but if he can find steady form across the season, Dan could turn a few heads (and Turnbull family dinners) by making a push for the top spots.
Dave Fisher – 25/1: Dave is a bit of an unknown quantity due to limited action in previous seasons. In 2025 Season 1, he only played a couple of games, so it’s hard to gauge his ceiling. The optimistic view, with a fresh season ahead, he could surprise the field if he’s been honing his skills on the side. He’s got nothing to lose and everything to prove, sometimes that makes a dangerous opponent.
Clare Start – 33/1: A new face on the roster, Clare enters as a wildcard. With no notable league history to reference, she’ll be learning on the fly. The odds may be long, but poker is one of those games where a newcomer’s fresh approach can occasionally upset the established order. If Clare can catch some early momentum, who knows? For now, though, she’s rightly viewed as a long shot in this field of seasoned competitors.
William Greenwood – 33/1: Another player with a sparse track record in EDP events. William did make a few appearances in 2025, with middling results (a respectable 12th place finish in one sizable tournament is on his record). The talent pool this season is deep, so William will need to step up his game significantly to challenge the top dogs. Stranger things have happened in poker, but William enters Season 1 firmly in underdog territory.
Martin Gibson – 33/1: Martin returned to the league last year after some time off and will be looking to find his footing this year. He played in a handful of games last year without making a big splash. Given the competitive lineup, Martin will need to draw on any prior poker experience he has to make a run. At 33/1 odds, expectations are tempered any finish in the upper half of the table would already be an improvement to build on.
Stephen Harris – 33/1: Stephen had a brief cameo in the league this time last year, with only a single recorded game in 2025 Season 1. With just 10 league points to his name, a better run in Season 3 saw him finish just outside the final 9 but he’ll effectively be starting from scratch this season. As one of the biggest outsiders, Stephen can play without pressure and if he manages to string together a few good results, it would be a story to remember. For now, though, he’s an outsider with everything to prove.
Giorgio Catleugh — 40/1: Giorgio has had some notable Cash League experience for example, he finished second in the 2025 Cash League Season 3 standings, well ahead of many seasoned players and even ahead of Martin Lightfoot in that cash table. While his official Season stats page shows minimal traditional league points recorded, he has multiple league and cash appearances and a strong presence in games compared to many similar-ranked players. His odds reflect a contender who could surprise on his day, but he’s not quite at the consistency level of front-runners yet.
Alan Bate – 50/1: The reigning champion has long odds for one simple reason: he’s barely playing! Alan clinched the 2025 Season 3 title in dramatic fashion, but he’s announced a hiatus for Season 1 of 2026. In true champion fashion, Alan joked that he’s “giving the others a chance to win for a change”. Should he make any surprise guest appearances this season, his skills would instantly make an impact. But a part-timer can’t realistically repeat as league winner, so while Alan earns a mention out of respect, he’s effectively folded this season before it begins.
Tess Pattinson – 50/1: Tess is a former league champion (2025 Season 1) but unfortunately he’s currently out of action with an injury. With no clear return date, it’s unlikely Tess will be able to put in enough games to challenge for the Season 1 crown. If he does manage a comeback late in the season, he’d still be facing an uphill battle to catch the field. As the Season 1 champ last year, it’s a shame he can’t start the fight to repeat the title from day one but health comes first. We wish him a speedy recovery and hope to see him back at the tables soon.
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So, there you have it, our roster of heroes and wildcards. From proven champions to ambitious newcomers, Season 1 has a bit of everything. Who are you backing?
Will it be a familiar name reclaiming the throne, or will a new legend emerge in East Durham Poker lore? One thing’s for sure: the banter will be flowing as freely as the chips.
Every player in this league has earned their seat at the table, and on any given night anyone can beat anyone. That’s the beauty of poker the cards don’t know your resume. The field is wide open, especially with big names on hiatus, and that means opportunity knocks for those daring enough to grab it.
The league will be contested over 14 thrilling games, with each weekly match contributing points to the season leaderboard. It’s not just about pride, there’s a nice chunk of change on the line too.
The top three finishers in the league standings will share a prize pool of £750, so there’s cash incentive to finish strong. But the excitement doesn’t end there: the top nine players will advance to a Season 1 League Final, where an additional £750 will be up for grabs in a one-night showdown to crown the league final champion.
That makes a total of £1,500 in prizes on the line for Season 1, not to mention two coveted seat in the 2026 Champion of Champions event for the ultimate league winner and league final winner.
In other words, there’s more than just bragging rights at stake though there will be plenty of those on the line, too.
All games are hosted at the Peterlee Central Club, and if you’re playing, make sure you’re there early to secure your seat.
Cards start flying at 18:30 on the dot, and with the level of competition we’re expecting, every hand counts from the very first deal.
Monday 5th January 2026 - General News