Byron Kaverman’s record in high roller events was already impressive before he arrived in the historic Spanish city of Barcelona this week. In three days, he has come second and first as the American has banked over $550,000 in tournament winnings. First, he finished as runner-up to Steve O’Dwyer when the Cuatro Knockout event took place earlier this week. Last night, Kaverman claimed victory when he beat Markkos Ladev to the title for a whopping $422,050.

Royal Flush for O’Dwyer to No Avail

The early levels of the event, populated by 46 entries which created a prizepool of over $1.1 million, were fast and frenetic as players from all over the world battled to reach the six-handed final table which was also the money bubble. Former Barcelona player Gerard Piqué, who failed to make the money in yesterday’s high roller, also fell short this time around.

One hand he lost to along the way made all the headlines. Leading in chips when he pushed all-in pre-flop with , Piqué was called by Steve O’Dwyer with . The flop of kept Piqué ahead, but the on the turn opened up not only the straight draw and flush draw but the Royal Flush draw too. Of course, when the landed on the river, the table went crazy.

“Straight flush!” Sam Grafton said.

“Royal Flush!” O’Dwyer laughed, doubling through Piqué at the time.

In the end, both O’Dwyer and Piqué would fail to make the money, as too would the previous day’s winner, Norwegian professional Kayhan Mokri. His elimination was one of many to hit big names in the event, with 10-time WSOP bracelet winner Erik Seidel, Finnish 2024 Poker Hall of Fame inductee Patrik Antonius and Teun Mulder all sliding out of contention.

Petrangelo Bubbles as Watson Wakes up with Cowboys

Down to seven players, the final table and money bubble was the difference between a player winning $85,615 or going home with nothing. It was the American pro Nick Petrangelo who was the unlucky evictee as his shove with ran into Mike Watson’s call with . A flop of provided some hope for Petrangelo, but those hopes were dashed after the turn and river completed the board and he left without profit.

Now inside the money places, things were tight between the bottom four players in the counts as everyone remaining chased both Watson and Ladev who were some way ahead of their rivals. Eventually, down to just six big blinds, Sam Grafton shipped it with and ran into the of Mike Watson. The Canadian held through the board as the PokerStars Team Pro Grafton grabbed a min-cash.

Out in fifth place for $111,000 was the Swedish WSOP Main Event finalist Niklas Astedt. Falling just short of victory in third place in Vegas was painful but at least it came with a seven-figure score. Here in Barcelona, Astedt fell short for a chunk less as his couldn’t overtake Enrico Camosci’s , a flop of followed by a on the turn and on the river.

Ladev Last to Leave as Kaverman is King

Despite Camosci winning that hand, he remained fairly short himself and on a tricky board of decided to raise-shove his stack into the middle with two-pair holding . Watson it was who made the call, as his had turned a straight and the on the river couldn’t help Camosci find an unlikely full house. The Italian left with a score of $140,600 instead.

Down to three, Watson himself was the next player to be eliminated. Despite leading his two opponents with over half of the chips in play, The Canadian saw Ladev double through him fortuitously before his lost to Ladev’s as a cruel board of not only paired both of Watson’s cards but gave Ladev the nut flush, sending Watson home with $189,620.

Heads-up, Ladev had 2.69 million chips to Kaverman’s 1.91m. But the American is known for his sticky nature in all-in battles and Ladev couldn’t shift him. A big shove on the river of a four-spade board gave the American the lead and he used it to brutal effect, putting Ladev to the test again and again to establish an 8:1 lead. When Ladev shoved light with , Kaverman snapped him off with and got his reward when the board of handed him victory.

Photograph by Eloy Cabascas for PokerStars, the home of the European Poker Tour.