The PokerStars Women’s Summer Festival kicked off with a bang, as Bernadette Daley delivered a stunning upset in the £1,100 Women’s Festival High Roller. Against a tough field that included back-to-back WSOP Women’s Champion Shiina Okamoto, Daley held her nerve to claim the £11,300 first prize and the spotlight on the opening day of the festival.
Bernadette Daley: A Strong Start to the Women’s Summer Festival
The PokerStars Women’s Summer Festival is a six-day celebration of poker, featuring eight events including the prestigious £100,000 Main Event. The High Roller was the first marquee tournament of the week, drawing 25 players who made a total of 31 entries. That pushed the prize pool to £29,760, with the top five players guaranteed a minimum payout of £2,830.
The event promised high drama, and it delivered.
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Star-Studded Final Table
Nine players made the final table. Leading the way was Nan Min, with Daley and Cheryl Catrair close behind. Also vying for the title were Deborah Worley-Roberts, Cristina Ilie, Jennifer Shahade, Marle Spragg, and Louisa Plint. Early play saw fireworks. Shahade exited first after a dramatic three-way clash with Okamoto and Spragg. Spragg tripled up, but Okamoto scooped the big side pot to send Shahade home.
Bernadette Daley Takes Control Early
Bernadette Daley quickly made her presence felt. She eliminated both Worley-Roberts and Plint in back-to-back hands, sending a clear message that she was here to win. Six-handed play stretched out, with each pot crucial. The bubble finally burst when Spragg moved all-in with pocket eights but couldn’t beat Min’s ace-queen. Cristina Ilie exited in fifth after losing a big pot to Catrair. However, Catrair’s run ended in fourth when her pocket nines lost to Min’s higher pair.
Okamoto’s Dominance
With three players left, Okamoto looked unstoppable. She held 57 big blinds, compared to Daley’s 40 and Min’s 20. Many in the poker room believed she was on her way to yet another major victory. “She was cruising. Everyone thought it was over,” said one railbird watching the action closely. But poker is a game of momentum, and Daley was about to flip the script.
The Turning Point
In a pivotal hand, Okamoto tried to push Daley off a pot after the turn. The board showed dangerous draws, but Daley stood firm with a strong made hand. When Okamoto fired a big river bet, Daley snap-called and raked in a massive pot to take the chip lead. From that moment, Daley dictated the pace. Okamoto’s stack began to shrink, and the pressure mounted.
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The WSOP Champion Falls
Okamoto’s last stand came when she shoved with two pairs. Bernadette Daley called instantly with the top pair of kings. The river paired the board, giving Daley kings and threes to eliminate the reigning WSOP Women’s Champion in third place for £4,840. Daley now had a dominant chip lead heading into heads-up play against Min.
Heads-Up Domination
It didn’t take long for Daley to seal the win. In the final hand, Min moved all-in, and Daley called with Ace-King. The board ran clean, giving Daley the High Roller title. “Everything just clicked today,” Daley said afterwards. “I stayed patient, picked my spots, and trusted my reads. It’s surreal to win against such a talented field.”
Final Table Payouts
| Place | Player | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bernadette Daley | £11,300 |
| 2 | Nan Min | £7,290 |
| 3 | Shiina Okamoto | £4,840 |
| 4 | Cheryl Catrair | £3,500 |
| 5 | Cristina Ilie | £2,830 |
| 6 | Marle Spragg | – |
| 7 | Louisa Plint | – |
| 8 | Deborah Worley-Roberts | – |
| 9 | Jennifer Shahade | – |
Festival Continues With More Action
The Women’s Summer Festival is just getting started. Players now turn their attention to the £100,000 Main Event and the always-popular 50/50 co-ed event. With momentum on her side, Daley could be a dangerous contender in the days to come.
FAQs
Q1: Who is Bernadette Daley?
Bernadette Daley is a rising poker player who won the £1,100 High Roller at the PokerStars Women’s Summer Festival in London.
Q2: How much did Daley win?
Daley took home £11,300 after defeating Nan Min heads-up.
Q3: Who was the favourite to win?
Shiina Okamoto, the two-time WSOP Women’s Champion, was the early favourite after dominating the final table.
Q4: How many players entered the High Roller?
The tournament attracted 25 players with 31 total entries.
Q5: What’s next at the festival?
The festival continues with the £100,000 Main Event and the 50/50 co-ed tournament later this week.