Brian Altman Nears Clinching Hublot WPT Player of the Year Title

Jack Hardcastle’s elimination early on Day 2 of the WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown means Brian Altman (pictured) is one step closer to winning the Season XVIII Hublot WPT Player of the Year title. Altman amassed 2,900 points so far, and could potentially claim 600 more should he win the WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open title when it is filmed for television on May 16.

The closest competitors to Altman with a chance to snatch away the title are WPT L.A. Poker Classic finalists James Carroll and Matas Cimbolas along with fellow Borgata final tablist James Anderson, all of whom made Day 2 at Seminole Hard Rock.

The trio has 1,150 points apiece and 2,000 more points they can claim if they win their respective title and the WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown. Should any of them fall short of the final table, Altman would all but lock up the title.

Additionally, LAPC chip leader Balakrishna Patur is behind the pack but has the highest ceiling of points. Patur finished second in the WPT Online Poker Open for 800 points and can pass Altman if he wins Showdown, even if Altman wins Borgata.

One other player who can catch Altman is Season XII WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown champion Eric Afriat. Afriat’s 1,700 points put him in a position to where if he wins this event, he could potentially pass Altman.

Season XVIII WPT Borgata Poker Open champion Donald Maloney needs to win the largest event in WPT history to have a fighting chance.

The full Hublot WPT Player of the Year standings can be found here.

Of course, all of these scenarios could be rendered moot if Altman wins his third WPT title in the Borgata final table or makes a deep run to the final two tables at Seminole Hard Rock.

The WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown is the last event of Season XVIII before the three TV final tables close out the campaign.

Stay tuned to see if Altman can clinch one of the most prestigious prizes on the World Poker Tour this week at Seminole Hard Rock.