In Episode 6 of the 888poker WSOP documentary series, ambassador Aaron Barone picks up the action on Days 5 and 6 as the sole remaining representative of Team 888poker. Pushing through gruelling table changes, high-stakes pay jumps, and televised feature-table action, Aaron embodies his personal tournament mantra: "One day deeper."
The World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event is known as the ultimate test in professional tournament gaming. Out of thousands, making it to the second week of competition requires an extraordinary combination of tactical decision-making, mental acuity, and courage under intense pressure.
Episode 6 of the 888poker WSOP Docuseries explores the final stages for Team888’s Aaron Barone:
Day 5: Navigating High-Stakes Hero Calls and Value Bets
Aaron entered Day 5 feeling well-rested and free from pre-tournament pressure. Having reached Day 5 the prior year, he brought valuable experience to the felt, focusing purely on enjoying the moment and making the right decisions.
Day 5 Progress
- Starting Stack: ~524,000 Chips
- Peak Stack: ~2,900,000 Chips
- Day 5 Bagged: 1,900,000 Chips (30 Big Blinds)
Key Hand 1: The Hero Call
One of the defining moments of Aaron’s Day 5 session occurred just before the dinner break. After defending his big blind with 7♥️ 5♣, the flop landed 9♥️8♥️K♥️, giving Aaron a seven-high flush draw on an all-heart board.
After check-raising the flop and receiving a call, a 3♥️ fell on the turn. Aaron checked, prompting his opponent to move all-in for nearly twice the size of the pot. Holding a Seven-high flush, Aaron faced a tournament-defining decision.
Recognising that his opponent's line contained numerous potential bluffs or oddly played lower hands, Aaron made the call. His read proved correct as his opponent revealed two pair.
Dodging a full-house card on the river, Aaron scooped the massive pot to climb past 1.3 million chips.
Key Hand 2: Pressure on a Pay Jump
Later in the day, approaching a $5,000 pay-jump, a button player executed an aggressive open raise. Holding A-Q in the big blind, Aaron 3-bet, only for his opponent to shove all-in for 35 big blinds.
Knowing his opponent's wide range in that position, Aaron called. He found himself in a classic race against pocket Jacks. An Ace-Queen-X flop provided top two pair, holding strong through the turn and river to double Aaron’s stack to 2.6 million chips.
By the end of Day 5, Aaron officially bagged 1,900,000 chips (30 big blinds), securing his spot among the final players advancing to Day 6.
Countering a Dramatic Flip
Day 6 began with 170 players remaining. Aaron entered the tournament floor feeling relaxed and confident, having already locked up a career-high tournament score.
Early in Level 25, he faced an all-in shove from the big blind after opening A-K under the gun. Calling immediately, Aaron found himself flipping against pocket Jacks.
In a dramatic reveal by the dealer, the flop delivered A-A-J, giving his opponent a set against Aaron’s trips. After a 5 on the turn, Aaron needed an Ace, King, or 5 to survive. A Five on the river completed a higher full house, elevating his stack to 3.6 million chips.
Feature Table Drama and the ESPN Main Stage
After his chip surge, Aaron moved to the main televised ESPN feature table, seated between 2019 former Main Event champion Hossein Ensan and high-stakes pro Shawn Deeb.
During his feature table run, Aaron was interviewed by ESPN's Jeff Platt, discussing his famous "Hendon Mob t-shirt" from previous years. Aaron expressed his perspective on poker winnings:
"Earnings aren't everything... this game is a really fun game to play regardless of how much you win or lose, and shaming people who don't win is a problem. If we want to grow the game, we should not do that." — Aaron Barone
The Final Hand and Post-Tournament Reflection
As blinds escalated to 100K, Aaron’s stack gradually dwindled as ICM pressure increased. He found a spot to shove K-Q against a button open, and A-10 called. Unable to connect on the board, his extraordinary run came to an end.
Aaron finished in 65th place out of 9,208 entrants, taking home $125,000 for his deepest WSOP Main Event run to date. Combining his ~$1,250 cash from an earlier $600 Deepstack event, Aaron completed a highly successful summer in Las Vegas.
A quick word from @abarone68 following his exit from the WSOP Main Event on Day 6.
GG Aaron, we're very proud of you. 👏 pic.twitter.com/ugQt2oTw8T— 888poker (@888poker) July 12, 2026
Contemplating his elimination outside the poker room, Aaron expressed immense gratitude for the journey and the support of the 888poker team:
"Incredible event with 888, so grateful I got this opportunity. Really fun seeing my colleagues and friends... Back here again next year, WSOP 2027! Maybe we'll go one day deeper, make Day 7!" — Aaron Barone
