888poker Ambassador Ian Simpson came close to capturing a title here in Manchester, finishing runner-up in the £550 The Dragon event for £8,880. Gary Holding took home the trophy and £11,660 first prize for prevailing over the 101-player field.
In a limped pot between the blinds, Zhicheng Miao led out for 150,000 on a 8♦7♥4♥ flop and Stephen Barnes called with J♣10♣.
The turn was the Q♦. Miao slowed down and checked as Barnes fired out 325,000 with his straight draw. Miao gave up 3♥3♣.
A few hands later, Miao opened to 250,000 on the button with 7♥7♦ and Barnes moved all in from the small blind holding A♥9♦. Miao had 2,050,000 remaining and gave up his pocket pair again as Barnes moved up past 5,000,000.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
5,120,000
900,000
|
900,000 |
|
2,050,000
-750,000
|
-750,000 |
Jamie Walden raised to 275,000 in the small blind and Zhicheng Miao called in the big blind.
Both players checked the 10♣7♥2♠ flop and Walden also checked the 9♦ turn. Miao then bet 415,000 and Walden called.
The river was the 2♣ and Walden checked again. Miao moved all in for 660,000 and Walden used a few of his time banks before calling with A♥K♠ for ace-high. Miao, though, showed J♠8♠ for a turned straight to win the pot and double up.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
2,800,000
1,350,000
|
1,350,000 |
|
1,160,000
-1,550,000
|
-1,550,000 |
|
||
Level: 29
Blinds: 50,000/100,000
Ante: 100,000
Players are going on a short break before blinds go up to 50,000-100,000 with a 100,000 big blind ante.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
4,220,000 | |
|
|
2,710,000 | |
|
|
||
|
|
1,450,000
40,000
|
40,000 |
Jamie Walden raised to 160,000 on the button and Stephen Barnes defended 5♣4♣.
Barnes flopped a flush on K♣10♣2♣ and checked over to Walden who continued for 100,000. Barnes then raised to 325,000 and Walden flashed a king before mucking.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
4,220,000
220,000
|
220,000 |
|
|
2,710,000
-500,000
|
-500,000 |
|
|
||
Stephen Barnes raised to 160,000 on the button, Zhicheng Miao moved all in for 645,000 in the big blind, and Barnes called.
Zhicheng Miao: A♠9♦ 
Stephen Barnes: 10♥10♦
Miao was looking for an ace to avoid elimination as the flop came K♦J♦4♥, keeping Barnes' tens in the lead. The turn, though, was the A♦ to give Miao top pair. The K♠ completed the board on the river and Miao doubled up.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
4,000,000
-245,000
|
-245,000 |
|
|
1,410,000
365,000
|
365,000 |
Stephen Barnes limped in with J♣4♣ and Jamie Walden checked back A♠8♣.
Both players checked the A♦K♦7♠ flop before Barnes led out for 140,000 on the J♥ turn. Walden called with his pair of aces and the Q♥ came on the river.
Barnes checked and Walden bet 220,000. Barnes quickly gave up his jacks as Walden took down the pot.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
4,245,000
-220,000
|
-220,000 |
|
|
3,210,000
140,000
|
140,000 |
|
|
||
A hand after doubling up Jamie Walden, David Gee shoved for 830,000 on the button and Stephen Barnes called in the big blind.
David Gee: A♦2♥
Stephen Barnes: A♣6♦
Both players finished with two pair on the J♣5♣3♠A♥J♥ board, but Barnes' six-kicker continued to play and Gee was sent to the rail in fourth place.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
4,465,000
830,000
|
830,000 |
|
Busted | |
|
||
Jamie Walden raised to 190,000 on the button, David Gee moved all in from the small blind, and Walden snap-called for 1,455,000.
Jamie Walden: A♦K♣
David Gee: A♣4♣
Walden was a big favorite to double up until the flop brought J♥9♣4♠, giving Gee a pair and the lead. The turn, though, was the K♠ and Walden made a pair of kings to move back in front. The river was the 6♦ and Walden doubled up.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
3,070,000
1,775,000
|
1,775,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
830,000
-1,615,000
|
-1,615,000 |
|
|
||
