888poker ambassador Ian Simpson has grow to be the first-ever participant to seize an 888poker LIVE Foremost Occasion and an 888poker UK Poker League (UKPL) Foremost Occasion title after popping out on high in Newcastle. Simpson, a North East resident, ensured the UKPL Newcastle Foremost Occasion’s trophy remained near dwelling after overcoming a star-studded 344-strong area within the £560 UKPL Newcastle Foremost Occasion.
Simpson triumphed within the €888 buy-in 888poker LIVE Madrid Foremost Occasion in January, taking dwelling €62,000. The favored grinder has added one other £34,800 to his stay poker match earnings following this spectacular victory in Newcastle; he’s now approaching $1.5 million in stay match winnings.
The 2013 Irish Open Foremost Occasion champion took to Fb following his 888poker double-completing victory, revealing he was battling “some form of virus or delicate meals poisoning” throughout the UKPL Newcastle Foremost Occasion. Simpson additionally took the time to replicate on his latest run of type whereas admitting his rode his luck, requiring “no less than three three-outers” to avoid wasting his match life throughout the match’s enterprise finish.
“Huge congrats to Sinead Davenport and Thomas Clack for his or her podium finishes; the deck was too variety to me. I’m extremely conscious of simply how nicely my life goes when others are having battles I am unable to even think about. Keep robust. Thanks, everybody, for the type messages of affection and assist.”
888poker UKPL Newcastle Foremost Occasion Remaining Desk Outcomes
The highest 45 finishers received a slice of the £163,400 prize pool. The likes of Stefan Lazar, Ravi Sheth, 888poker Stream Crew’s Nick Eastwood, Jamie Nixon, Carlo Citrone, and Yucel Eminoglu navigated their option to the cash locations.
Thomas Baggaley was the ultimate desk’s first casualty. Right down to a mere two huge blinds, Baggaley discovered himself all-in with king-nine in opposition to the ace-king of hearts in George Wyatt‘s hand. Neither participant improved, and Wyatt’s ace-high was sufficient to bust Baggaley.
Alex Rizvi was the subsequent to fall. The Nationwide Poker League (NPL) chief received two aspect occasions earlier than navigating to this ultimate desk. His final motion within the Foremost Occasion was to commit his final 13 huge blinds with pocket tens and run them into the pocket kings of Ali Ahmed. Rizvi improved to a set however so did Ahmed.
Ian Simpson Retains the 888poker Reside Madrid Foremost Occasion Title within the Household

Seventh place went to Patrick Begley who limp-called off his final 10 huge blinds with king-ten of golf equipment and could not get there in opposition to Sinead Davenport‘s pocket queens.
Whereas Simpson admitted the deck smacked him within the face, Lewis Parkes discovered himself on the unsuitable aspect of two coolers and busted in sixth. Parkes misplaced a flip with pocket jacks in opposition to Thomas Clack‘s ace-queen, then received the remainder of his chips into the center with ace-ten just for Davenport to awaken with the dominating ace-king. The £5,800 Parkes received is by far his largest stay match haul.
Fifth place and £8,090 went to Wyatt after he bricked a flush attract a hand the place Clack flopped high pair. This was Wyatt’s second UKPL Foremost Occasion ultimate desk look, having completed fourth in Edinburgh in February 2024 for a career-best £10,490.
The ultimate desk misplaced one other participant when Ali Ahmed shoved on the river after backing into two pair. Sadly for Ahmed, Davenport held a straight, and he was gone. The £11,750 fourth-place prize ought to go some option to numbing Ahmed’s ache.
The UKPL Newcastle Foremost Occasion progressed to the heads-up stage when the harmful Clack crashed out by the hands of Simpson. Clack moved all-in for eight huge blinds with king-ten, and Simpson discovered pocket aces for one of many best calls of his illustrious profession. The 5 group playing cards supplied little in the best way of drama. Clack headed to the cashier’s desk, and Simpson ready to tackle starlet Davenport.
Simpson held a three-to-one chip lead initially of heads-up play, and it proved too vital of a spot for Davenport to bridge. The ultimate hand occurred throughout the 100,000/200,000 degree. It noticed Simpson min-raise to 400,000 with ace-queen, Davenport reply with a 12 huge blind shove with ace-eight of golf equipment, and a fast name from the champion elect.
Davenport spiked an eight on the all-spade flop, however Simpson had 14 outs twice. The 9 of golf equipment was not a type of outs, however the deuce of spades was. Davenport bowed out in second place for £25,910, leaving a delighted Simpson to gather the £34,800 high prize and his second 888poker title of the present season.
Different 888poker UKPL Outcomes
As talked about, NPL chief Alex Rizvi bagged two aspect occasion titles, taking down the £150 PLO 4/5/6 Card and £220 KO Rumble for £1,934 and £1,775.
Simon Cameron received the £13,060 high prize of the £250 Opening Voyage, whereas Spain’s Adria Dalmau took down the £1,100 Excessive Curler for £17,120. Impressively, Simpson completed fourth within the Excessive Curler for £5,290.
What’s Subsequent on the 888poker LIVE Calendar?
The following 888poker UKPL sees the tour head to the Grosvenor G On line casino in Studying from Might 27 by means of June 1. Earlier than then, between Might 8 and 18, the 888poker LIVE tour heads to Barcelona, the place an €888 buy-in Foremost Occasion is more likely to appeal to some stellar names. Can Simpson full a exceptional hat-trick? We will discover out in a bit over a month’s time.