Exciting Action at the £888 Main Event: 888poker LIVE Coventry
This past Saturday, the atmosphere was electric as the final turbo flight of the £888 Main Event at 888poker LIVE Coventry drew in an impressive number of participants, driving the total entries to a staggering 812 players and shattering the event’s ambitious £500,000 guarantee. The weekend witnessed fierce competition and strategic gameplay, culminating in a thrilling climax that had poker fans on the edge of their seats.
A Monumental Day of Play
The day kicked off with the last of six opening flights, where 217 entrants vied for a chance to advance to Day 2. As they took their seats in the Coventry Building Society Arena, many looked to build their chip stacks for the challenges that lay ahead. Tension filled the air as the survivors of this flight – 44 players – joined the 86 players who had already qualified, along with 23 new entries before the late registration period came to a close.
With 812 total entries, the resulting prize pool swelled to £617,120, marking this as the largest pool for an 888poker LIVE Main Event since 2020. After a day filled with intense tactics and nail-biting decisions, the field narrowed down to 16 final players, led by veteran tournament player Sunil Mistri with 3,000,000 chips.
Heroes of the Day
Mistri’s substantial chip lead signifies a promising chance for him as he approaches Day 3. With a career spanning back to 2008 and notable earnings under his belt, Mistri is poised for a potential career-best payout. The stakes are high, with a £125,000 first-place prize within reach for the ultimate victor.
Hot on Mistri’s heels is Chris Da-Silva, another veteran with a solid position holding 2,650,000 chips. Da-Silva is no stranger to the spotlight, having previously appeared at the final tables of several 888poker live events, including having made his mark right here in Coventry.
A notable mention also goes to Alex Todd, who takes a seat with 775,000 chips. Having clinched the £150 GUKPT Goliath crown last year, Todd, albeit with a shorter stack, has the experience and skill to stage a comeback on the final day.
The Crucial Money Bubble
As Day 2 commenced with 153 players returning, the urgency to survive the money bubble loomed large — only the top 101 players were set to secure at least £1,700. The tension was palpable throughout the tournament as the short stacks scrapped to stay alive, and a series of double-ups erupted across the tables.
However, fate can be fickle, as Zhicheng Miao found himself forcing an all-in from the big blind. Unfortunately, Miao couldn’t connect against three opponents, leading to an untimely exit as the money bubble burst.
Prominent poker personalities, including 888poker Ambassadors Vivian Saliba and Ian Simpson, also faced disappointments as they missed the money, showcasing the unpredictable nature of tournament poker.
Remaining Payouts and Final Teasers
As the event prepares for the grand finale, here are the remaining payout tiers:
| Place | Prize | Place | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | £125,000 | 8 | £11,970 |
| 2 | £91,900 | 9 | £9,810 |
| 3 | £60,720 | 10 | £7,710 |
| 4 | £37,770 | 11 | £5,860 |
| 5 | £23,760 | 12-13 | £4,570 |
| 6 | £16,290 | 14-15 | £4,130 |
| 7 | £14,140 | 16 | £3,890 |
The final day promises to deliver excitement and high-stakes poker with play set to resume at 1:00 p.m. local time. With just 39 seconds left in Level 24, the blinds will escalate to 30,000/60,000 with a 60,000 big blind ante.
The Road Ahead
As the final showdown approaches, the anticipation mounts for players and spectators alike. The PokerNews team will be on-site to cover every moment, capturing the triumphs and heartbreaks of a gripping conclusion at the 888poker LIVE Coventry. Will Sunil Mistri maintain his lead, or will a surprising underdog prevail? One thing is for sure: history is set to be made at this thrilling event.
