For the first time in history, Poker After Dark hosted 888poker Week at the PokerGo Studios in Las Vegas. It is the result of a remarkable partnership between 888poker and Poker Central – one that is certain to bring about even more prestigious and beneficial promotions and events.
This time around, it was the turn of the Brits, who were privy to an exclusive offer – one that could possibly result in a $50K payday.
The Deal
It all started on 14th and 21st October 2018 when players in the UK over 21 were given the opportunity to play in a once-in-a-lifetime tournament. The $1 buy-in offered TWO players the chance at Vegas packages worth $14,000 each!
Here’s how that offer broke down:
- $10K entry to a special 888 Poker After Dark Week Sit & Go featuring the big-name Pros, such as - Maria Ho, Jennifer Tilly, Bill Klein, Kelly Minkin and Eli Elezra
- $2K for flights and other expenses paid directly into winners’ player account
- Accommodation at the ARIA Resort & Casino from 3rd November through 7th November booked by 888poker and worth $2K
Two lucky players, Peter Martin and Otto Richard both won a package each and would be on their way to Las Vegas to play with some of the best and most famous poker players in the world.
The Eagles Have Landed!
Both players arrived in Las Vegas via different paths but with the same goal in mind – bag that $50K prize money.
Otto is originally from France and plays poker professionally himself but has never been on a televised stage before. He was feeling the pressure.
Peter was nervous for an entirely different reason – this tournament was his very first live event. He was also feeling the pressure.
However, both players were able to relax with dinners at exclusive Vegas restaurants, golfing getting poker tips from Kelly Minkin.
Peter in the Lion’s Den!
It was Peter’s turn to go first on 5th November – Bonfire Night in the UK and what a night of fireworks it turned out to be for Mr Martin.
Firstly, he got it all-in against his idol – with AK of diamonds. Moorman upped him with pocket Queens, but it was not to be for the WSOP bracelet champ. Martin spiked an Ace on the flop, and it was all out for the most winningest online poker tournament player on Day 1 of this special Sit & Go.
But it wasn’t going to be plain sailing for this live poker newbie. Up against Maria Ho with K10, he spiked a King on the flop against her pocket Nines. Betting furiously on both flop and turn, Peter desperately tried to get this sticky player to fold. Whether Maria felt that she was being bluffed or whether she was planning on executing a bluff, should the flush draw come done, it was to no avail.
Maria caught a third Nine on the river and Peter – unable to get away from his top pair – snap-called off most of his stack.
However, all was not lost because shortly afterwards, he was dealt Aces. Perfect timing – except he was now up against Maria’s pocket Kings.
It was looking good until… a pesky King hit on the river.
And, with that, it was all over for 888poker Qualifier, Peter Martin. He finished in 4th place to his nemesis Maria Ho, who went on to beat Eli Elezra heads-up for the title and $50K.
Otto’s Turn to Face the Music!
With Peter putting up a respectable showing but unable to overcome Maria’s magic as well as having his Aces cracked twice, it was down to Day 2’s qualifier, Otto Richard, to put it all right.
Otto, on the other hand, has played quite a bit of live poker, but this wasn’t going to be a walk in the park for him. This Frenchman now living in the UK was excited to see “how his game was going to stack up” against the likes of, Jennifer Tilly, Kelly Minkin, Eli Elezra and Bill Klein.
With his girlfriend railing him, it seemed like the poker gods were going to be on his side. However, the first spanner in the works was his seat draw with both Eli Elezra on his left.
Chris got out to an early lead, but when Otto got dealt Kings, it was Moorman’s AQ that went down in flames after Richard flopped a set.
It seemed like it was going to be the ONE for Otto when play got down three-way with Jennifer Tilly and Eli Elezra. But it was not to be. He made a big misstep pushing all-in over-the-top with K-10 suited versus Eli’s pocket Kings. Tilly got out of the way, and Otto lost the chip lead and a massive pot calling his play - “the most spew-y play I could find at that moment!”
Eli went onto bust Jennifer in third place, and it was heads-up for the $50K prize money with second place paying out a respectable $20K.
However, Otto was severely short-stacked with less than 10bb. It was the first hand of heads-up play, and he decided to push with K-9 suited. Eli quickly called the $60K on top with J-3 off-suit.
Both players flopped a pair – Kings vs Treys on a board of Kc-Ac-3d, but Elezra spiked a Jh on the turn to leapfrog ahead with Two Pair. The 5d on the river brought no relief for Richard. And, after just one hand heads-up, Eli was declared the winner.
It took Otto only six hours to turn $1 into $20K and a dream trip to the Poker After Dark studios in Las Vegas.
What a fantastic story for both 888poker Qualifiers!
