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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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