Robert Clarke Turns a Freeroll Into an 888poker LIVE London Main Event Shot
Summary
Robert Clarke, a teaching assistant and youth worker for children with special educational needs, converted a freeroll satellite run on 888poker into a seat for the £1,250 888poker LIVE London Main Event (£250,000 guaranteed). Clarke balanced two demanding jobs with limited time for poker, qualified via freerolls and subsequent satellites, bagged and tagged on Day 1b, and saw a pivotal hand where his pocket tens improved to a set to boost his stack. He ultimately busted near the money bubble but strongly recommends freeroll satellites as a way into live events for players on a budget.
Key Points
- Clarke works two jobs supporting SEN children and fits poker into scarce spare time.
- He advanced from a freeroll to the final satellite to win a £1,250 seat into 888poker LIVE London.
- Skills from his day job — especially patience — helped his live tournament approach.
- A crucial pot on Day 1b saw Clarke hit a ten on the turn to make a set and push his stack to about 90,000 chips.
- He was eliminated on the money bubble, but encourages players to attempt freeroll routes to live events they couldn’t otherwise afford.
Context and Relevance
This is a relatable, feel‑good piece showing how operator feeder structures (freerolls → satellites) create real opportunities for amateur and recreational players. It underlines a trend: online freerolls remain a low‑cost entry path to major live festivals and can broaden participation in live poker.
Why should I read this?
Short version: it’s a proper underdog story. Clarke turned a freebie into a London Main Event seat while juggling two jobs. If you’re short on cash but fancy a shot at live events, this is the kind of real‑world example that proves freerolls still pay off. Quick, upbeat and useful if you’re thinking of trying a satellite yourself.