Mike Conway Wins Event no. 1 (£5,000)
The National Poker League began it's 2007 World Circuit Tour with the UK Open in London on August 12th 2007. Today (Monday, August 13 2007), the first winner was crowned in preliminary Event no.1 (£500 No-Limit Hold'em). The first event of the inaugural UK Open gathered 25 players, including some of Europe's top professionals, creating a total prize pool of £12,500.Going into the final table was Tony G with the chip lead (24,725) followed by Steven Razab (22,000), Jason Ho (16,425), Dave Colcough (15,650), Mike Conway (15,250), and Eion Kennedy (6,750).
Eion Kennedy Eliminated in 6th Place (£550)
The first elimination occurred early in the final when the short stack, Eion Kennedy, moved his last 6,700 into the middle holding a pair of sixes. Sitting on his immediate left was Mike Conway holding Ace Queen suited. Conway made the call while everyone else folded their hands. The flop brought a Queen, giving Conway top pair while the turn and river brought all blanks, failing to further improve Kennedy's hand, sending him to the rail in sixth place.
Dave Colclough Eliminated in 5th Place (£750)
A few hands later and Dave 'El Blondie' Colclough would be the next player to go. Colclough raised pre-flop with Ac Js and got action from every player at the table. He was up against two players holding pocket pairs, and when the flop came down As Jd 9d, Colclough was in trouble. Colclough flopped top two pair against Steven Razab's set of nines. Dave was first to act and decided to not slow play his monster and led out with a bet of 6,700, half of his stack. Razab did not mess around and moved all in, Colclough of course made the call. No Ace and no Jack on the turn or the river meant that Dave was eliminated in 5th place.
Jason Ho Eliminated in 4th Place (£1,250)
The very next hand and it was curtains for Jason Ho, who held pocket Kings and was able to get all his chips in the middle against Tony G who held pocket eights. The flop and turn were blanks for Tony, but the poker heavens opened up and one of his remaining eights fell on the river leaving Jason high and dry, or as Tony would say 'Time to go!'
With three down and three to go, Mike Conway stretched to a healthy cheap lead against Steven Razab and Tony G, who by this stage was looking pretty slim.
Tony G Eliminated in 3rd Place (£1,850)
Tony G's exit finally came when he raised 6,000 pre-flop with Q-7 suited. Mike Conway responded by going all in, holding A-10 off suit. The flop turned up an Ace for Mike and a seven for Tony. Tony got no help on the turn or the river and he was on his bike finishing in 3rd place.
Mike Conway Wins Even no. 1 (£5,000)
Steven Razab is our Runner-Up (£3,100)
Heads up play began with Mike Conway holding the chip lead of 61,400 over Steven Razab's 39,000. Twenty-six hands later, Conway emerged victorious. On the final hand, both players' made straights on the river, however Razab's wheel was no match for Conway's straight to the 6.
Mike Conway won the first event of the NPL UK Poker Open. Along with the cash and glory, Mike takes home the first trophy of the series.
by Christopher Watkeys |
