The Manchester235 Casino was abuzz throughout the festival, hosting well-known names from the British poker scene, PartyPoker ambassadors, online regulars, and players who battled their way through satellite tournaments. The £500 Main Event attracted 260 entries, surpassing the £100,000 guarantee to create a £115,700 prize pool.
Prize money kicked off at £1,000 for the top 39 players, while the winner was set to take home £22,000 and the prestigious PartyPoker Tour trophy. Notable figures like ambassador Barry Carter and the Staples brothers, Jaime and Matt, put up stiff competition, but the path to the final table was relentless. Matt Staples finished in 22nd place for £1,150, Jaime Staples took 24th for the same amount, and Carter exited before the money.
Primohamed Vies for a Second Major Festival Result
One of the standout players of the Manchester festival was Imran Primohamed. Just days after finishing second in the £150 Mini Main Event for £10,000, he also reached the Main Event final table. Entering the final day as the chipleader with 1,950,000, his closest challengers were Michael Breen and Endrit Geci.
Primohamed had a real shot at transforming an already remarkable week into a title win. However, his journey ended in fifth place at the final table. In a crucial hand, he went all-in with A h T c, only for Calogero Morreale to call with A c J c. The dominant hand held as the board displayed 6 dQ c7 d5 hQ h, and Primohamed took £6,400 for his deep run.
A Cruel End for Morreale
As the game progressed to three players, any of them could have taken the title. Calogero Morreale, Michael Breen, and Andrew Wilson all had substantial stacks, with negligible differences between them.
Morreale's exit came in one of the most devastating hands of the final. He opened from the small blind, and Michael Breen shoved all-in for about 4,100,000. Morreale snap-called with A hA d, while Breen revealed 4 s4 d. The flop 5 c9 s4 h gave Breen a set. The turn T d and river K c left Morreale third for £10,000, despite having the best starting hand minutes earlier.
Breen advanced to heads-up play against Andrew Wilson with a commanding lead.
Andrew Wilson Refuses to Surrender
Known online as BowieEffect, Andrew Wilson was among the most experienced players at the final table. With a WPT title, millions in live earnings, and a wealth of experience, he showcased his skills in the Main Event's final phase.
Facing a significant deficit in heads-up, Wilson battled on. Breen repeatedly put him all-in, but Wilson refused to fold. He first doubled with J d5 c against T s5 d, then succeeded with Q sT h against K h2 h, and weathered a coinflip with 7 d7 s against A d9 c.
The decisive hand came immediately following a break. Wilson limped the button, Breen put him all-in for 2,040,000, and the Englishman called with K hQ s. Breen held A cJ d and solidified his lead when the board ran 7 dA h5 h9 s5 c. Wilson could not recover, and Breen emerged as the champion.
Michael Breen claimed the title in the £500 Main Event of the PartyPoker Tour Manchester, along with the trophy and a £22,000 prize. Andrew Wilson received £15,000 for his resilient performance.
Final Table Results of the £500 Main Event:
| Position | Player Name | Country | Winnings |
| 1. | Michael Breen | Ireland | £22,000 |
| 2. | Andrew Wilson | England | £15,000 |
| 3. | Calogero Morreale | Italy | £10,000 |
| 4. | Endrit Geci | England | £7,500 |
| 5. | Imran Primohamed | England | £6,400 |
| 6. | Daniel Garcia | Spain | £5,300 |
| 7. | Alex Montgomery | England | £4,300 |
| 8. | Thales Salomao | Brazil | £3,600 |
| 9. | Dean Perry | England | £3,000 |
Manchester Demonstrates the Strength of the PartyPoker Tour
Manchester reaffirmed that the PartyPoker Tour has found a successful formula for modern live festivals. The combination of accessible buy-ins, satellites, a broad schedule of side events, and professional organization creates events that appeal to recreational players and seasoned pros alike.
The series doesn’t stop in Manchester. The next stop will be the PartyPoker Tour London Summer Edition, taking place from July 4-12. London marks a return to one of the tour's most crucial locations, promising another strong festival with the usual £500 Main Event, Mini Main Event, and a diverse program of side events. After London, the PartyPoker Tour will move to Scotland, continue the year in Cork, Murcia, and return to London for the winter edition.
Find a detailed live report and photo gallery of the event at our partner Poker.pro here
