PartyPoker UK Tour London Mini Main Event Victory Claimed by Dost Ghrabie (£17,170 Prize)
A Sunny Thursday at Aspers Casino
It's Thursday in London, and something about the sunshine had folks beaming. Aspers Casino was no exception - it was the last day of the £150 Mini Main Event, and the energy was electric. With 866 entries spanning six starting flights, the tournament had raked in a six-figure prize pool of £109,200, making any poker enthusiast's heart leap with joy!
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36 Players on the Hunt
36 poker players returned after the intense Day 2, all gunning for the top spot and the £17,170 payout. When the cards were in the air at 6 PM local time, every competitor knew it was crunch time. Regrettably, nine players hit the exit within the first hour, leaving just three tables standing.
One player worth mentioning was Dost Ghrabie. Kicking off the day as the chip leader, Ghrabie refused to slow down. His aggressive playing style, with a little luck from Lady Luck, helped him amass a higher stack.
Staples Struggles
As the tournament narrowed, Ghrabie took out none other than PartyPoker Team Pro Jaime Staples. Everyone at Aspers, especially the PartyPoker fans, had hoped to see Staples push for a deep run. Although he displayed impressive poker skills during the tournament, it will be interesting to see if he can make magic happen in the £500 Main Event.
Smith Skills on Show
Ghrabie wasn't the only one raking in chips during the tournament's later stages. Grace Smith, who led after Day 1a, proved time and again that she was a force to be reckoned with, executing impressive moves under pressure.
The Final Nine
By the time David Barnu eliminated Danas Gerdziunas, only nine players remained, and it was time for the final table. Day 3 was filled with top-class poker action, and the TV table added to the excitement, despite the broadcast not starting until the Main Event.
Jorge Palomino became the first casualty. His 10♥10♣ fell to Martin Hellmuth. The next to go was Liam Trimmer, with his kings helpless against Hellmuth's triple river. Muctarr Jalloh made a commendable stand, surviving two pay jumps, but ultimately, he fell victim to Ghrabie's unrelenting chip accumulation.
The Tale of the Tape
Jeferson Liete experienced a bad beat when his full house couldn't outdo Hellmuth's quad sevens, relegating him to a sixth-place finish. Louis Cowen met the same demise at the hands of Ghrabie.
When David Barbu was eliminated in fourth place, only three players remained. The £8,740 cash was a welcome consolation for Smith and Hellmuth, who proposed an ICM deal to continue the battle for the trophy. Ghrabie, however, wasn't interested.
The Three Amigos
The three-handed play brought an eight-hour battle filled with nail-biting drama. Smith and Hellmuth even considered an ICM deal, but Ghrabie's sizable chip lead (nearly 45%) meant they weren't dealing with a poker novice. A few hands later, Smith and Hellmuth engaged in a high-stakes showdown, but it was clear that Ghrabie wouldn't let up.
Hellmuth eventually lost all his chips to Ghrabie, leaving the final two to square off. After a brief break, Smith and Ghrabie went head-to-head. Both held an ace each. The board ran clean for Ghrabie, and Smith bit the dust in second place.
Ghrabie held the chip lead from start to finish, eliminating notable opponents along the way and finishing off the tournament in spectacular style. His £17,170 top prize and trophy serve as a testament to skill, strategy, and resilience during the tournament.
Final Table Results
- Dost Ghrabie - £17,170
- Grace Smith
- Martin Hellmuth
- David Barbu
- Louis Cowen
- Jeferson Liete
- Muctarr Jalloh
- Liam Trimmer
- Jorge Palomino
- On the final day of the tournament at Aspers Casino in 2025, Liam was among the 36 poker players vying for the top spot, with the prize being a £17,170 payout.
- The casino-and-gambling scene was buzzing with excitement as the tournament entered its later stages, with poker games and sports events adding to the energy.
- In the midst of intense competition, Liam clashed with Dost Ghrabie, who was on a chip accumulation spree, eventually leading to Liam's elimination.
- Despite his early exit, Liam's performances throughout the tournament showcased his poker skills, leaving high hopes for his potential success in future casino-games events, especially the £500 Main Event.
