Form is temporary but class is permanent and so it proved at the final of the Betfair PokerPlayer Grand Prix last night. Magazine editor Dave Woods, 'K_Unkown' bestrode the field like a poker colossus beating off 37 qualifiers to claim the outsized cheque for £2,000.

It’s all going to charidee though with Shelter being the recipients of Woods’ ill-gotten gains. The four PokerPlayers competing, ‘Dicey’, ‘Dudek’, ‘Hillyfish’ and 'K-Unknown', agreed before hand to give any winnings away. Nice one. It was either that or spend it all on champagne.

It was a great night. Cagey at first as everyone sussed each other out and put faces to internet nicknames. For many it was their first taste of live poker and there were a few moist brows and shaky hands. But as everyone settled in some good banter started up and some fine poker was played, all in a fantastic spirit.

The venue was the Western Club in Park Royal, West London, who looked after us superbly, expertly directing the tournament, keeping the drink flowing, and feeding the throng.

The first big shock was the exit of ‘capcavman’, the top man on the leaderboard going into the live final. He bombed out half an hour into the tournament and showed the field and assembled spectators that nothing could be taken for granted.

Predictably, the first PokerPlayer out was ‘Hillyfish’ whose A-K was called by ‘geo1873’ with a Queen before two Queens appeared on the flop. “I didn’t even look” the aquatic one commented, “I knew what was coming and started walking. There was curry coming round anyway, and I fancied a bit of that”.

Next faller was ‘Dicey’, who was having a tough night. “I think the best hand I had was a pair of Fours. I went all in with the first card I had over a Ten. I got called by a pair of Nines and that was that.” Kudos to ‘Moley7’ who won a spanking top of the range Betfair chip set, which were on offer as bounty for knocking out the PokerPlayers.

And then there were two. 'K-Unknown' was looking good at the break, probably edging the tournament chip lead, and as the field thinned further Merseyside’s finest ‘Dudek’ was hanging in there.

But not for long. ‘Dudek’ moved all in on the Button with 4-4 to steal and was called by ‘ed burger’ with J-J. Another Jack appeared on the flop and that was that. “He absolutely buried me” was ‘Dudek's’ assessment.

Things were still going well for ‘K_Unknown’, and at the break he confessed, “There are a lot of homeless people counting on me. I’m going to go steady, lay off the beer and tighten up a bit. There are a lot of all-ins coming in which I can’t afford to call. I’m going to have to pick my times to steal and really only play Kings or better.” The last comment was delivered tongue firmly in cheek. He continued, “If I can get ahead I’ll be bullying for charity.”

The great spirit of poker togetherness continued as a deal was done at the final table meaning all the final 10 would see some prize money.

The tide turned though as the end game developed and it was ‘K-Unknown’ who was getting bullied. His chip stack dwindled and he was forced all-in with a pair of Twos, a Two arrived on the flop and he doubled through. “I was f♥ ♠ ♦ ing lucky”. Quite.

And so it came to heads-up and it was ‘K_Unkown’ vs. ‘wronnie’, Nick Barker from Sheffield, playing his first live poker. Woods’ poker was relentless and it came down to A-K vs. Q-10. Woods’ big slick held up, and it was time for the big cheque.

“It’s brilliant” the winner gushed, “this is the biggest thing I’ve ever won, and I haven’t even played very good cards”. Very humble, but the last word was with his vanquished opponent, ‘wronnie’. “I can’t complain, he did everything right”.

This is only the beginning though. The next Grand Prix will be bigger and better, so get ready for the announcement in next month’s magazine.