The sun has returned to Manchester, and many players were enjoying a Vimto or two. Speaking of which, did you know that the famous fruit-flavoured drink was created in Manchester in 1908 by John Noel Nicholas? Originally marketed as a health tonic, it soon became one of the UK’s favourite soft drinks. Vimto has since become a beloved brand worldwide and is also a particular favourite of our very own Poker.PRO reporter Christoffer Karlén. Now you know.

With the sun shining, the drinks flowing and the poker tables packed, Day 5 of PartyPoker Tour Manchester certainly kept us busy, so let’s have a look at what our players got up to.

We have spent the last few days building up to it, and yesterday it finally arrived: Day 1A of the £100,000 GTD Main Event. But before we get there, a few other stories deserve their moment in the spotlight.

To begin with, the traditional PartyPoker Tour Staff Tournament was underway. Daniel Bennell, Party’s very own Social Media Manager and newest addition to the team, took down the tournament, defeating PartyPoker Ambassador Matt Staples heads-up. Congratulations, Daniel!

Then it was time for the main attraction.

At 2 pm, the wait was over as Day 1A of the £100,000 GTD £500 Main Event got underway. This first flight attracted a total of 65 entries, with 16 players advancing to Day 2. Familiar faces included PartyPoker Tour Manchester Main Event winner Deniz Orhan and PartyPoker Tour Team member Barbara Jimenez, who were unfortunate enough not to make it through to Day 2. However, PartyPoker Tour Team member Barny Boatman and PartyPoker Ambassador Jaime Staples did bag a few chips and make it through to Day 2.

The top chip leaders of this flight were Anthony Owens with 404,000 chips, Shay Ahluwalia with 365,000 chips and Kevin Brzozowski with 339,000 chips.

While the Main Event was gathering momentum, another story was reaching its conclusion.

At 4 pm, the final 10 players returned to play the Final Day of the £50,000 GTD Mini Main Event. Around 5:45 pm, we were down to the final nine. Among them was Daniel Ryder, who at one point in his life made an appearance on Coronation Street, the world’s longest-running TV soap opera. First airing on 9th December 1960, it has been on screens every week ever since and also happens to be another Manchester original.

Ultimately, it was Anwar Kanj who walked away with the title and was crowned the PartyPoker Tour Manchester Mini Main Event Champion. You can find the details of the final hand on Poker.PRO.

The trophies did not stop there.

At 5 pm, the PLO Masters 4/5/6 commenced. The tournament attracted a total of 39 entries, generating a prize pool of £4,875. PartyPoker Tour Team members Barry Carter, Rebecca Hardisty and Sam “Hoooooooold” Acheampong all joined the field, but it was Chris Cox who lifted the trophy and took home £1,605 in prize money.

There was still one final chance for players to walk away with some added value.

At 8 pm, the NLH Turbo £2,000 Added Value Prize Draw kicked off. The tournament attracted a total of 50 entries, generating a prize pool of £4,250. Familiar faces included Nim Rattan, fresh from her final table appearance in the Mini Main Event, Angelo Avanzato, Steffan Stroffek, PartyPoker Tour Sheffield Poker.PRO PL H.O.R.S.E. Champion Henry Owen, PartyPoker Tour Manchester Main Event winner Deniz Orhan, as well as PartyPoker Tour Team members Sam “Hoooooooold” Acheampong, Rebecca Hardisty and Barry Carter.

This is where things got interesting.

It looked as though Barry was on course to lift another trophy. He collected his first one in the PartyPoker Tour Glasgow Friday Party Madness, but in the end it was Kye Hamilton who emerged victorious. According to Barry himself, Kye was very good. Kye took home £1,450 in prize money, along with the coveted trophy and, of course, the glory.

As if that wasn’t enough, there was also the matter of the Added Value Prize Draw. The lucky winners were:

Anthony Gardner – £500 Main Event Ticket

Hemal Panchmatia – £250 Live Ticket

Alfie Darby – £150 Live Ticket

Oliver Hutchins – £150 Live Ticket

Jonathan Roberts – $109 Online Ticket (Sunday Party)

Nathaniel Hughes – $109 Online Ticket (Sunday Party)

Barry Carter – $109 Online Ticket (Sunday Party)

Nim Rattan – $109 Online Ticket (Sunday Party)

A special mention must go to Anthony Gardner, the former Tottenham Hotspur defender, who walked away with the top prize, a £500 Main Event Ticket. Not a bad result at all.

With the Main Event now underway, a Mini Main Event champion crowned, and more trophies finding new homes, Manchester continues to deliver.

Now, let us have a look at what is taking place today.

Friday 19th June

12:00 Main Event £100,000 Gtd – Day 1B

£500 – 50,000 – 40 Min – 9 Levels

14:00 PLO Masters Main Event Target Stack Satellite – 3 x £250 seats gtd

£60 – 15,000 – 10 Min – 6 Levels

17:00 PLO Masters Main Event £20,000 Gtd – Day 1A

£250 – 50,000 – 30 Min – 9 Levels

18:00 Main Event Target Stack Satellite – 5 x £500 seats gtd

£115 – 15,000 – 10 Min – 6 Levels

20:00 Main Event £100,000 Gtd – Day 1C Turbo

£500 – 50,000 – 25 Min – 9 Levels

22:00 Poker.Pro Friday Party Madness Crazy Pineapple Bounty

£60 – 20,000 – 10 Min – 9 Levels

If you want to have a look at what the week is offering, you can find the full schedule here.