944 entries were recorded for the GBP990 buy-in PokerStars Festival London main event, which played out in Leicester Square’s Hippodrome Casino over the weekend.
At the four-handed stage survivors Rehman Kassam, Daniel Harwood, Eric Cech and Yuriy Boyko paused to discuss a chop but were unable to reach agreement, and play resumed.
Boyko subsequently busted out and the remaining trio again huddled to negotiate a split. This time it was successful as chip leader Harwood agreed to take GBP95,000; Kassam GBP81,320 and Cech GBP70,000, with the trophy and GBP8,000 left on the table for the ultimate winner.
When Cech busted out, Harwood remained in the lead by 2 to 1 going into the heads up against Kassam, however the latter scored a decisive double up which overcame Harwood’s advantage and eventually enabled Kassam to seize victory and the extra cash and trophy, banking GBP89,320.
Harwood’s second placing paid the agreed GBP95,000.