Robert Clarke Turns a Freeroll Into an 888poker LIVE London Main Event Shot
Summary
Robert Clarke, a part-time poker player who works two jobs supporting children with special educational needs, converted a freeroll satellite run on 888poker into a seat in the 888poker LIVE London Main Event (£1,250 buy-in, £250,000 GTD). Clarke, who earlier finished second in a $109 PKO Main Event, qualified through successive satellites after winning a freeroll entry into the satellite chain.
At the live event Clarke played Day 1b, collected chips through a few big hands (including turning a set of tens after a blind battle), bagged for Day 2 with about 90,000 chips, but ultimately busted close to the money bubble. He recommended freeroll satellites to others as an affordable path to live events, while noting the early stages can be chaotic.
Key Points
- Clarke used 888poker freeroll satellites to win a £1,250 seat into the 888poker LIVE London Main Event.
- He balances poker with two jobs supporting SEN children — he credits patience from his work for helping at the tables.
- Earlier in the year he finished second in a $109 PKO Main Event for over $7,000.
- Notable moments at the live event included a big hand where Clarke hit a turn ten to make a set and boost his stack to ~90,000 chips.
- Clarke bagged for Day 2 but was eliminated near the money bubble; despite that, he strongly recommends freeroll qualification routes for players who can invest the time.
Context and Relevance
This story highlights how online freerolls and satellite chains remain a genuine route for recreational players to reach big live events without fronting the full buy-in. For players watching the evolving landscape of poker promotions, it underlines 888poker’s role in making live events more accessible and shows the continuing crossover between online qualifiers and bricks-and-mortar tournaments.
Author style
Punchy: Matthew Pitt’s short, readable live-reporting gives the human angle — a working bloke turns a free entry into a shot at a big live prize. It’s the kind of feel-good, practical piece that tells you exactly how it unfolded without padding.
Why should I read this?
Short version — if you’ve ever wondered whether those freerolls actually lead to live seats, they do. Clarke’s story shows the step-by-step route (freeroll → satellite → live seat), the kind of hands that change your day, and the reality check that you can qualify but still run into the bubble. We’ve read the detail for you, so you can decide whether it’s worth burning a few evenings chasing a live shot.
