As part of our 888poker LIVE London Festival, we offered players the chance to win an exclusive The Royal Squad package. The special $5 buy-in online tournament happened on 9 April with one ultimate winner.

Adam Gilbert won the package worth £10,000. It included three 888poker London Live Main Event seats with flight and accommodations and a VIP experience to a football game for him and two mates.

Friends David Swain and Thomas Hayton answered the call, joining Adam for a once-in-a-lifetime poker experience!

WATCH the Royal Squad recap video below -

Royal Squad Hits the Poker Tables

The Royal Squad’s adventure started on 20 April with three seats in Day 1A of the 888poker LIVE Main Event at Grosvenor Casino’s The London VIC.

Admittedly, Adam was less experienced than his two buddies, David and Thomas, but they made the most of the action.

Royal Squad Hits the Poker Tables
Royal Squad Hits the Poker Tables

Also playing Day 1A were 888poker ambassadors Ian Simpson, Josh Manley, Vivian Saliba, Nick Eastwood and Lucia Navarro. Lucia managed to bag and tag a 46K chipstack for Day 2.

Of the three amigos, Adam went out 56th on Day 1A. His mates David Swain busted in 62nd place, and Thomas Hayton walked away in 59th on the same day.

Royal Squad's Thomas Hayton
Royal Squad's Thomas Hayton

So, Ultimately, Adam secured bragging rights as the last Royal Squad player standing in the 888poker LIVE London Main Event!

With Day 1A under their belts, the Royal Squad prepared to take on 888poker ambassadors and StreamTeam members in a special Sit & Go the next day.

But first, there was a day of sightseeing on the cards.

After all that poker, it was time for the Squad to have some royal fun, visiting famous London sites and taking in the atmosphere of one of the most fascinating cities in the world.

Royal Squad Visiting London Sites
Royal Squad Visiting London Sites

Later the same day, there was more poker on the table with the Royal Squad SNG.

Unfortunately, the trio were no match for Team888, and the StreamTeam’s Nick Eastwood took top honours after chopping with Lucia Navarro.

Royal Squad SNG
Royal Squad SNG

Royal Squad Scores Big with VIP Footy Tickets!

The Royal Squad wrapped up their rockstar weekend with a top-tier football match in the heart of London. After two days of battling it out on the poker felt, the lads had a fantastic time watching two premier teams doing battle on the football pitch.

It was undoubtedly a day to remember for this squad, who were also joined by football fanatic and StreamTeam member Josh Manley.

Royal Squad Scores Big with VIP Footy Tickets!
Royal Squad Scores Big with VIP Footy Tickets!

But this extraordinary weekend was definitely not a lost cause for Adam, David and Tom. The Royal Squad trio had a blast!

David Swain had this to say about the trip:

“The events that 888 set up for us to play this weekend are really cool anyway – even if we just stayed here and did nothing else. I think that’s pretty perfect. We play the £1K, play a SNG, go watch the football in a box. What more could you want for a couple of days?”

We couldn’t have put it any better!

Hyacinth Swanson is a writer and editor who has spent the last 10 years creating content for the poker industry. For several years she lived in New York and worked in the financial sector. After moving to Connecticut, Hyacinth made a living as a freelancer and also played live semi-pro poker at Foxwoods Casino. She has also played millions of hands online (more PLO than Hold’em), giving her a broad, in-depth knowledge of the game itself. 

Having moved back the UK in 2010, she has continued to play both live and online as well as creating entertaining and informative content for various online sites under her company name PurpleGob.com.

Follow her on Twitter @LaPanatela