Balakrishna Patur Peaking on Day 3, POY Next?

WPT L.A. Poker Classic chip leader Balakrishna Patur (pictured) has been waiting to play for a million dollars for more than a year due to the pandemic, and his paused final table will finish on May 17 in Las Vegas. In the meantime, Patur has continued to make waves on the World Poker Tour. Last December, Patur finished second in the WPT Online Poker Open powered by partypoker US Network for close to $165,000. He also earned 800 points toward the Hublot WPT Player of the Year race.

Patur is one of three players left in the WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown field who can catch Brian Altman for top honors in Season XVIII, along with Donald Maloney and Eric Afriat. His 800 points for taking the silver medal online along with his 800 earned, at a minimum, for LAPC put him up to 1,600. Patur can earn up to 1,400 points if he wins LAPC and there are 1,400 points to win at Showdown for first place, along with the $1.26 million.

Altman has a Season XVIII ceiling of 3,500 points if he wins the WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open (he is currently sitting with 2,900) and Patur’s is 3,600.

Patur chipped up right away on Day 3 and is making a run toward his second TV final table of Season XVIII. Should a few more pots break his way over the next few days, the Hublot WPT Player of the Year race will come down to the wire at the PokerGO Studio in May.

Balakrishna Patur – 2,500,000 (83 bb)