Bryan Taylor Wins 888LIVE London High Roller After an Emotional Promise to a Friend

The 2.000£ event at Grosvenor Victoria Casino attracted 80 entries and generated a 136.800£ prize pool, with ten players reaching the money. Its final table brought together experienced opponents including John Duthie, Arthur Conan and Hulme, leaving Taylor with a demanding route to the trophy.

Hulme Takes Control of the Final Table

Duthie began the nine-handed final as chip leader, but Hulme soon seized the initiative. He eliminated Tomas Dailidonis in ninth, then picked up kings against Neil Wallace’s queens to send another opponent to the rail. Chris Balmforth followed in sixth as Hulme continued collecting chips.

Taylor remained in contention, eliminating Youness Barakat and later Conan. Hulme then dispatched Duthie in fourth when his pocket eights held against ace-deuce, strengthening his position as the tournament entered its decisive stage.

Taylor’s response came with pocket aces against Hulme’s jacks. The double-up brought him back into close contention for the lead. Hulme nevertheless secured the final elimination before heads-up, rivering a straight against Martin Kopernicky, who finished third for 18.460£.

Taylor Turns the Heads-Up Battle Around

Hulme entered the duel with 4.610.000 chips against Taylor’s 3.350.000, but the advantage did not last. Taylor successfully bluffed the river in a significant pot to move ahead, then kept applying pressure as Hulme’s stack slipped below two million.

The final hand arrived at blinds of 60.000/120.000. Hulme shoved 1.8M from the button with A c 4 s , and Taylor called holding A d 5 h ​​​​​​​. The K c ​​​​​​​5 s ​​​​​​​T h flop paired Taylor’s five. The 2 c ​​​​​​​ turn gave Hulme a straight draw, keeping the outcome uncertain for one more card, but the 9 h ​​​​​​​ river settled the contest. Taylor secured the trophy and 42.410£, while Hulme collected 28.320£ as runner-up.

For Taylor, the celebration carried emotions beyond the result. Before play began, a close friend had sent him a message asking him to win. His friend was burying his father that day and explained that watching Taylor play offered some relief from his grief. Afterwards, Taylor spoke about that request and the pride he felt in producing his best poker when it mattered. The final table had demanded patience, aggression and a timely double-up; the reward was a title he could share with someone going through a painful moment.

888LIVE London High Roller Final Table Results:

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