Lee Wythe has been declared the winner of the UK Rummikub Championship Tournament and will now compete in the 2024 World Championship in Poland this September.

Lee Wythe, age 36 from Chester, was one of 40 contenders that competed in the tournament at the UK Games Expo at the NEC Birmingham, in which two former Rummikub Tournament winners also competed.

The UK Rummikub Championship Tournament saw opponents compete in three intense rounds of the family-favourite game, where each player must place all the tiles from their rack onto the table as part of a run or group to accumulate the highest score. The aim of the game is to be the first player to clear their rack of all tiles and shout ‘Rummikub’. Players use strategy and sharp moves to outwit opponents.

Lee was awarded the winning trophy after winning five games over the course of the day. He will now play for the title of the World Rummikub Championship, which will take place in The Old Town in Gdańsk, Poland from the 6th-9th September with competitors from over 30 countries.

Lee said: “I’m a huge Rummikub fan and have been playing for three years. It all started when my stepmother visited from Poland and brought the game with her; we’ve been playing it as a family ever since. Whenever we travel, we make sure to bring Rummikub with us; I’m a little bit addicted to it.

“I am thrilled to have won the UK Rummikub Tournament. The pressure in the final was nerve-racking and it was such a close finale; huge credit to the other finalists. I’m looking forward to representing the UK at the World Championships and am hoping to do us proud.”

Marketing manager, Lynette Leet, said: “Rummikub is a family classic that is well-loved all over the globe. The UK Rummikub Championship continues to prove incredibly popular and is a great way for UK fans to connect as a community playing their favourite tabletop game. We wish Lee the best of luck in the official World Championship this September.”