Former British and Players Amateur Champion Craig ‘Money Makin’ Lakin is a valuable asset to the Ultimate Pool professional scene in more ways than one.

The Derby-based showman took up the sport when he was 13-years-old and has maintained a fearless approach ever since. As a junior he represented England, with whom he won World and European Team Championships.

An accomplished money match player – hence his nickname – Lakin is no stranger to bossing it in the tournament arena as an individual, too.

In 2013 he defeated Partab Singh in a thrilling deciding frame final to claim the revered BAPTO Singles title and then retained it 12 months later with victory over Rob Southey.

A 6-1 final triumph over Luke Sanges in Brighton saw him crowned the 2016 British Amateur Champion and in the following year he got the better of Sam Bircher 11-9 to win the lucrative Players Amateur Championship. In 2018 he claimed a Challenge Tour event.

In more recent times, Lakin came through an ultra-competitive field of around 190 players in Blackpool to reach the semi-finals of Main Event 3 on the 2021 World Rules Pool Tour.

Despite missing out on top 16 status at the end of the campaign, Lakin gave a good account of himself during the inaugural Ultimate Pool Professional Series with several wins.

His best run came at Event 4 when he defeated former world champions Chris Melling and Carl Morris on his way to reaching the semi-finals where he lost to eventual winner Shane Thompson.

Lakin appeared in the last 32 of the 2021 Ultimate Pool Masters.

Craig 'Money Makin' Lakin Facebook Page

Best UPG Tournament Results

Professional Series: 1x Event Semi-Finalist (2021 Event 4)
Professional Cup: Last 48 (2021)
Champions League: Opening Groups Phase (2020/21)
Professional Grand Slam: Joint 17th (2022)
Masters: Last 32 (2021)
Champion of Champions: N/A
Pairs Cup: Opening Groups Phase (2021/22)