European Backgammon Champion Finishes Third in UKIPT/ESPT Main Event

It would have been great to see the first female UKIPT Main Event champion and @Katja Svendsen came very, very close. She started the final table at the @Casino Marbella as chip leader and never dropped below third in chips until that decisive hand with the ultimate winner, @Rodrigo Espinosa .

Holding 8♦ 6♦ on a 10♠ 9♦ 3♦ flop, Katja ran into Espinosa's pocket kings and since no other diamond came up on the board and all her chips were in, she finished in third place for $79,551.

The Norwegian born Katja lives in Kent, England and mainly plays online though she has tournament cashes dating as far back as 2006. Interestingly enough, Katja also plays backgammon professionally and was the 2002 European Champion!