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German pro Michael Keiner (pictured here following his bracelet win) scooped $250,000 and the 888 Poker Open V trophy after winning a heads-up battle with Craig Young – who qualified online for one cent. WSOP bracelet winner Keiner was chip leader going into the final and edged a fantastic heads-up contest where Young was one card away from winning the tournament. Keiner moved all-in with two tens and chip leader Young called with Ah-Kh – the flop came Th-Jh-8s and the turn was the 3h to give Young the flush, but the jack of diamonds on the river gave Keiner the full-house.

With that hand the German seized both a big chip lead and finished the job soon after when Young pushed all-in with 9d-8c against Keiner's 7c-4s. Keiner hit a four on the flop, and after a blank turn and river, finally lapped up the trophy and the $250,000 first prize. “It feels unbelievable to win this – it’s a beautiful and exciting moment, I really wanted to win this tournament,” rejoiced Keiner. “You have to win your coin-flips if you want to win the tournament and luckily I won mine. He played really tough and I didn’t have a good read on him – he’s a good player and has a good future.”

Craig scooped $100,000 for his runners-up finish and was understandably gutted when the jack came on the river to deny him the trophy, but overall the salesman from Buckinghamshire was delighted with his performance. “It was a real rollercoaster ride but probably the best player won,” said the 35 year-old. “I would’ve been happy with fourth place when I was the short stack. I always thought I could hold my own and I proved that.”

Online qualifier Mike Partridge was the first player out of the final. He pushed over the top of James Akenhead's opening raise with As-9d, only to be called by the Hit Squadder's Ad-Kc. No assistance, and Patridge was gone, although $20,000 to the good.

'Marbella Kid' Paul Zimbler was all action in both his heat and semi-final but he had to settle for $25,000 when he moved all-in with the two black kings and Keiner called with A-J. The case ace on the river dealt Zimbler a cruel blow, and he was forced to sette for fifth.

Akenhead picked up $520,000 for his second place finish in the WSOP $1,500 no limit Hold’em event in May but was unable to go one better here, pocketing $40,000 for finishing fourth. Richard Wheatley (right) held two sixes, flopped trips on a 7-6-J board and insta-called when Akenhead moved all-in with A-8 of diamonds giving him the nut flush draw – the sixes held.

However, Wheatley was unable to capitalise and finished in third place with $60,000, knocked out by Young. Wheatley limped with K-2 and Young called with Q-7, the flop came J-Q-T – Young reraised all-in after Wheatley bet and was called in a flash, but a queen on the turn and five on the river sent Wheatley packing.

Young had to overcome Mike Ellis and Craig Burgess in his heat and ‘Mr Cool’ Marc Goodwin in his semi-final to take a shot at turning his one cent into $250,000, while Keiner beat the 'Gentleman' Liam Flood heads-up in his heat, which also included Roy ‘the boy’ Brindley and Welshman Roberto Romanello.

 

There were plenty of big names that failed to make it through to the final table in what was a fiercely competitive tournament. Australian Tony G won an entertaining heads-up battle with cricket legend and fellow countryman Shane Warne, the men from Down Under coming out on top in that Ashes clash. Neil Channing, Roland De Wolfe, Surinder Sunar, John Tabatabai, Nik Persaud, Dale Hoy, Sammy ‘any two’ George, Ben Roberts and Andy Greekfish also played in the tournament, which will be televised on Sky Sports in January.

1st  Michael Keiner -- $250,000
2nd  Craig Young -- $100,000
3rd  Richard Wheatley -- $60,000
4th  James Akenhead -- $40,000
5th  Paul Zimbler -- $25,000
6th  Mike Partridge -- $20,000