By Sean Chaffin
“I know it’s only rock ‘n roll, but I like it.”
The Rolling Stones released that song 45 years ago this year, capturing the edgy rock sound of the 1970s. Poker players can live out their own rock ‘n roll dreams April 12-16 at the WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown in south Florida.
Players can release their inner Mick Jagger at the property in a great atmosphere that includes music memorabilia throughout the building and a great relaxing pool scene. The great poker has also made this property and WPT stop one of the favorites on the tour.
Shining at the Showdown
The Poker Showdown has been on the Main Tour schedule since Season IX when Taylor von Kriegenbergh topped a field of 433 to take home $1.1 million, when the event featured a $10,000 buy-in. The event has been a popular spot for players looking for sun and fun ever since with major payouts at a great property.
The event now features a $3,500 buy-in with a hefty $3 million guarantee. Last season, Scott Margereson topped a huge field of 1,309 and took home $696,740. It was an impressive finish considering the final table included Season VIII WPT Player of the Year Faraz Jaka (who finished runner-up), Brian Hastings, Matt Stout, Joey Couden, and WPTDeepStacks champion Jeff Fielder.
A win at the Seminole Hard can certainly adds some prestige to a player’s career. Justin Young took down the title in Season XIV (2016) for $669,161. Young, who now has almost $5.3 million in live tournament winnings, looks back fondly on his win in the Showdown.
“My win at Seminole Hard Rock meant the world to me,” he says. “Obviously the money helped change my day-to-day life, but being a WPT champion after so many close calls meant the world to me.”
When events get underway this season, Young (pictured) plans on being among those in the field hoping to add their names to the Champions Cup.
“This will be my first time visiting the property since the renovation, but the main reason I love Seminole Hard Rock is the people,” he says. “The floor and the dealers are top-notch. The players give a level of excitement tough to find outside the World Series of Poker Main Event.”
Plenty of Action
This year’s event should bring out plenty of players for the second Seminole Hard Rock stop this season. In November at the WPT Seminole Rock ‘N’ Rock Poker Open, Pavel Plesuv defeated a field of 898 entries to win his first WPT title and $504,820.
In April, players can expect big numbers in an event that’s usually the largest major tournament the property hosts each year. The event highlights a Showdown event schedule featuring 72 tournaments with 28 trophies awarded for players of every bankroll.
The action kicks off on April 4 with a $570 Deep Stack event featuring a $1 million guarantee. A few highlights include:
- Event 8 – $1,1000 No Limit Hold’em $250,000 guaranteed, April 8-10
- Event 14 – $50,000 Super High Roller $1 million guaranteed, April 10-11
- Event 23 – $25,000 High Roller $2 million guaranteed, April 15-16
There are numerous other events on the schedule with major guarantees with buy-ins beginning at $250. Those with smaller bankrolls will find plenty of events on the secondary schedule as well. While these may not award trophies, they offer some fun action at a bargain price with numerous satellites to earn a spot into bigger events and the WPT championship. That secondary schedule also includes some other fun events including:
- Event 44 – $150 Double Green Chip Bounty, April 9
- Event 50 – $130 All in or Fold, April 10
- Event 62 – $130 Win the Button No Limit Hold’em, April 13
- Event 62 – $300 Razz, April 16
This marks a new era for the WPT Hard Rock Poker Showdown, with the final six players heading to Las Vegas on May 30 to play down to a champion at the HyperX Esports Arena at the Luxor Hotel and Casino, all filmed for FOX Sports. It should be a great event, so plan on joining the WPT in South Florida.
For more information on the championship event, click here. For the full main schedule of trophy events, click here. For the complete secondary schedule, click here.
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