Steve Thornton, a William Hill Player, Wins the Second No-Limit Event

The main tournament began at 6:00 p.m. with 121 players. The $230 no-limit hold'em event offered one optional rebuy and 96 players. Players received $1,000 in chips for their initial buy in and $1,500 more for a $200 rebuy. After the dust settled there were 274,500 chips in play and a $42,098 prize pool. Final table play began a 1:00 a.m. with nine players remaining.

Steve Thornton from Southend on Sea, UK sat down at the final table with $108,100 and a big chip lead. Len Collin from Ireland had only half as many chips but was in a solid second place with $54,700. Jay Gabrani from Toronto, Canada was in third place with $34,400, Nick Whiten from Nottingham, England was in fourth place with $27,700, Shar Koumi from Birmingham, England was in fifth place with $13,700, Pete Giordano from Syracruse, New York and the only American was making his second final table appearance in sixth place with $12,000, Steve Walmsley from Blackpool, England was in seventh place with $11,000, Paul Dedman or better known at the final table as "Mr. Heineken" from Croydon/London, England was in eighth place with $9,300 and Bensihon Francu from Guadelupe was in last place with $3,600.

Shar Koumi was the first casualty finishing 9th when his pocket fours lost to A-9 after the flop produced an ace for his opponent. Steve Walmsley moved his remaining $3,900 into the pot, Bensihon called all-in with his remaining $2,700 and Pete called. Steve was holding K-9, Bensihon showed A-8 and Pete turned over J-2. The board came Q-3-2-3-10 and Pete eliminated two players when he paired his duece.

Bensihon started the hand with the least amount of money and was awarded $1,263 for his 8th place finish. Steve was awarded $1,684 for his 7th place finish. Nick Whiten ran out of luck and had to settle for a sixth place finish with $2,105.

Two hands later Len Collin raised to $6,000, Pete Giordano moved all-in for $23,000 and Len called. Len showed A-Q and Pete rolled over pocket sevens. The board came 5-5-6-Q-8 and Pete was forced to take a 5th place finish and added $2,526 to his bankroll.

Five minutes later Len was walking to the podium to collect $3,157 for a 4th place finish. At 2:55 Jay Gabrani called Paul's all-in move with Q-10. Paul showed K-5 and the flop paired his king sending Jay home with $4,210 for 3rd place.

At heads-up play Paul Dedman was in the lead with $184,500 to Steve Thornton's $90,000. On the first hand Steve doubled through and took the lead with $180.00 to Paul's $94,500. On the very next hand Paul moved all-in with 3-10 against Steve's pocket sevens. This time Paul doubled through and he was back in the lead. Paul moved all-in on the next four hands and Steve called all four times. The first hand Steve doubled up with A-10 against Paul's 9-8. The second hand Paul doubled up when his 10-8 beat Steve's A-3. On the third hand Steve regained the lead when his A-10 beat Paul's J-4.

Paul was down to $18,000 when he moved all-in for the last time. That time Paul actually had the best hand with Q-5 but Steve's J-7 won the pot and the tournament when the board came 9-10-J-5-J. Paul ordered two more Heineken's and collected $8,420 for his 2nd place finish.

Steve Thornton was declared the winner and took home $12,629 for his 1st place finish. Within minutes Steve was seen ordering champagne.

Congratulations, Steve!