Ian Simpson Slays the Opposition as 888poker Star Scoops Main Event in Madrid

The final table of the €888-entry 888pokerLIVE Madrid Main Event included players such as Angel Perez, Alberto Diaz and Jonas ten Cate. It was also led by the British former 2013 Irish Poker Open winner Ian Simpson. After a thrilling finale, it was Simpson who consolidated his reputation as a tournament crusher by beating Alvaro Murciano heads-up to claim the €62,000 ($64,240) top prize.

Massive Main Event Attracts Hundreds to Spanish Capital

With an incredible 403 entries, the 888pokerLIVE Madrid Main Event had a prizepool of over $310,000 and would award a top prize of $64,240. With 48 players paid, Simpson had some hairy moments on his own way into the money but having survived the bubble, became one of the most powerful players at the felt as others fell.

By the time the first-ever EPT Main Event winner, Sweden’s Alexander Stevic, busted in 11^th place for $5,000, Ian Simpson had gained control of the room, and play headed to the final table when nine remained. Local player Alberto Diaz was the first to leave, cashing for $6,200 when his queen-ten offsuit ran into the ace-jack of diamonds held by Jon ten Cate.

The Dutch player fell behind on the flop of T-5-4 but there were two diamonds there, so even when a seven of clubs landed on the turn, there was the chance of the flush coming in. Instead, however, a jack came on the river to give ten Cate the better pair and the field was reduced to eight.

The Ukrainian player Yakiv Syzghanov busted next, cashing for $7,875 when his two-pair sevens and fives were counterfeited by a lucky river for Angel Perez, whose king-jack hit a jack to add to the king on the flop to send play seven-handed. Jorge Alvarez followed him from the felt after a dinner break, the Spanish player winning $10,350 when his king-eight was dominated from the action by the Italian Michaelangelo Serra’s king-jack.

Angel of the Night

The previously powerful ten Cate busted next, losing most of his chips to Simpson before he ran six-five into Angel Perez’ ace-four. After the Dutchman left with $13,900, Serra was next to go in fifth place for $17,600. He was all-in with five-four and lost to Simpson’s king-nine, but not before the board gave him hope as it came 8-7-4-A-9 for a positive flop and a very painful river.

With four players left, Simpson was up against three home country players as a trio of top Spanish talent stood in his way of victory. Carlos Diaz reduced that number of opponents to just two when he busted in fourth place for $23,300. Diaz had ace-ten on a board showing A-K-9-2 on the turn and called off his stack but he was crushed by Angel Perez’ ace-nine and after the chips went in, another nine landed on the river.

Despite winning that hand, Perez was out next, claiming $31,600 in third place. All-in when short with pocket queens, Perez was out when Simpson’s king-six made a better pair on the K-T-8 flop and the chips went into the middle. No queen came to save Perez and play was heads-up, with Simpson holding a marginal lead over Alvaro Murciano.

Heads-up was a gruelling battle where both players held the lead on multiple occasions across two long hours but in the end, Simpson began the final hand with 63% of the chips in play and when Murciano shoved with six-five of diamonds, Simpson called with ace-three in the same suit. A flop of A-K-J left Murciano drawing to a miracle but no running cards came on the ten turn. Only a queen would save the Spaniard, leading as it would to a chopped pot but a five came instead and Ian Simpson’s rail erupted as he won the $64,240 top prize, leaving a crestfallen Murciano to claim $43,500 as runner-up.

Here’s the moment Ian Simpson became the first 888poker pro to win a Main Event, scooping the top prize in Madrid.

The Champion Cheers to His Fans

“It’s a lot of emotions, and they’re all good ones.”

“Just look at them!” Simpson beamed after his victory, pointing to his rail. “I don’t have words. It’s the best. I’ve always wanted to run deep in a Main Event, and then when it’s like final 20 you’re like, okay, maybe I’ll final table. Then it’s like final 13 or 14 and you’re like, I’m really hoping I don’t get like ninth, 11th. Then you get to the final table, and you’ve got the chip lead. It’s a lot of emotions, and they’re all good ones.”

Simpson’s epic heads-up win saw the lead change hands between him and his nearest challenger Murciano several times but he never lost faith and the late drama was a thriller for the British player as well as his fans.

“Pretty crazy,” Simpson laughed. “That eight on the river was something. But we kept our edge and just reset and did the best we could. Got it in good eventually and held!”

That’s a recipe for success in any event, and Ian Simpson’s recent performances across the board have been impressive. The 888poker pro has over $1.25 million in live scores alone and already has a huge following on Twitch, where he plays 888poker events online.

This week, Ian Simpson will get back to his regular fans and take on the online tournaments he’s used to playing most days. He’s gained a lot more followers after his heroics in the Spanish capital.