Championship: Ballard Gets Company

$3,500 WPT Showdown Championship (Re-Entry)
Level 2: 75/150
Entries: 696

Joe Cada (left) and Kevin Ballard (right)

We mentioned Kevin Ballard earlier in the day, our player who entered via his “Win a Seat” drawing and he’s enjoying his time at the table so far.

But things are about to get a little more interesting. Now sitting to his left is 2009 World Series of Poker Main Event champion Joe Cada with tough pro Tony Ruberto one seat over.

Championship: LeBlond Freerolling

$3,500 WPT Showdown Championship (Re-Entry)
Level 2: 75/150
Entries: 668

Jean LeBlond

Jean LeBlond his having himself a very nice series as we roll into the bigger events. The Canadian grinder defeated poker pro David Jackson to take home the $1,100 Six-Max title for more than $32,000 earlier in the series and went deep in the big-field $570 Event 9.

The Six-Max win also qualified LeBlond for a freeoll between the first 14 trophy winner with a $10,000 WPT Finale to first place and a $3,500 Championship seat to second. LeBlond outlasted all but David DiBernardi and won his seat in today’s event.

Championship: Goodbye to the Guarantee

$3,500 WPT Showdown Championship (Re-Entry)
Level 2: 75/150
Entries: 625

It didn’t take long to hit the magic number. We were on the cusp of hitting the $2 million guaranteed prize pool when they moved into the second level of the day and got there soon after.

With 625 entries, the prize pool hit dead on $2,000,000 and they’ll continue push it higher until registration closes at 10:15pm.

Championship: SHRP Player of the Year Here

$3,500 WPT Showdown Championship (Re-Entry)
Level 1: 50/100
Entries: 600

David Prociak

Players continue to make their way into the ballroom including past champions, local regulars, and top pros.

Among them is our reigning Seminole Hard Rock Poker Player of the Year David Prociak. This event is part of the package he won for topping all other SHRP players last year and he’s looking to win a tournament for the fourth major SHRP series in a row.

Championship: High Rolling

$3,500 WPT Showdown Championship (Re-Entry)
Level 1: 50/100
Entries: 530

Dietrich Fast

Today marks the start of the Championship but it is not the biggest buy-in on the schedule. The $50,000 Super High Roller took place Wednesday and Thursday with WSOP bracelet winner Dietrich Fast running over the final table take bank $483,000 less than 24 hours ago.

He’s here early along with second place finisher Adrian Mateos.

Championship: Kevin Ballard Wins a Seat

$3,500 WPT Showdown Championship (Re-Entry)
Level 1: 50/100
Entries: 450

Kevin Ballard

Before cards went in the air, we stopped by Table 23 to say hi to Kevin Ballard. The Washington state resident didn’t expect to be here until a few days ago when he received notice that he won the Seminole Hard Rock Poker “Win a Seat” drawing.

So Ballard hopped on a plane, flew across the entire country, and now grinding away in the WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown Championship.

Championship: Day 1 Set to Go

$3,500 WPT Showdown Championship (Re-Entry)
Level 1: 50/100

So far this series, 18 tournaments have come and gone during the first weeks of the 2017 Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown and number 19 is a big one. The WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown Championship is set to kick off at noon and we expect a massive crowd for the $2 Million Guarantee tournament.

The $3,500 buy-in Championship has a single starting day with re-entries available until the start of Level 9 at 10:15pm with a 90-minute dinner break scheduled at 6:30pm. The big prize pool and prestige of the national tour will draw an impressive group of pro grind alongside our local regulars.

The structure is slow and deep, as expected with a big Championship. Players start with 30,000 stacks and levels will last 60 minutes for the first two days. Day 1 will come to an end after Level 10 and survivors will return tomorrow at noon for Day 2.

Cards fly at noon and we’ll be here from start to finish.

  • $2,000,000 Guaranteed Prize Pool
  • Players begin with 30,000 in chips
  • Day 1 and Day 2 levels will last 60 minutes
  • Late registration/re-entry available until start of Level 9
  • Day 1 will end after Level 10 or Tournament Director discretion
  • WPT Showdown Championship Structure Sheet

Showdown Day 16 Schedule

Main Event Schedule

12PM: Day 1 – $3,500 WPT Showdown Championship (Re-Entry)

  • $2,000,000 Guaranteed Prize Pool
  • Players begin with 30,000 in chips
  • Day 1 and Day 2 levels will last 60 minutes
  • Late registration/re-entry available until start of Level 9
  • Day 1 will end after Level 10 or Tournament Director discretion
  • WPT Showdown Championship Structure Sheet

Secondary and Satellite Schedule

9AM: Event 81 – $390 Championship Turbo Satellite (1-in-10)

  • 2 seats guaranteed into $2M GTD WPT Showdown Championship
  • Players begin with 8,000 in chips and 15-minute levels
  • Late registration/re-entry available until start of Level 9
  • Satellite will be held in The Poker Room
  • This is a one-day tournament and plays until completion
  • Event 81 Structure Sheet

12PM: Event 82 – $375 Super Turbo Championship Satellite (1-in-10)

  • 2 seats guaranteed into $2M GTD WPT Showdown Championship
  • Players begin with 8,000 in chips and 10-minute levels
  • Late registration/re-entry available until start of Level 7
  • This is a one-day tournament and plays until completion
  • Event 82 Structure Sheet

3PM: Event 83 – $130 WPT Finale Turbo Step Satellite (1-in-10)

  • Satellite will be held in the poker room
  • 2 seats guaranteed into $1,050 WPT Finale Satellite
  • Players begin with 8,000 in chips and 15-minute levels
  • Late registration/re-entry available until start of Level 9
  • This is a one-day tournament and plays until completion
  • Event 83 Structure Sheet

6PM: Event 84 – $300 High Roller Step Satellite (1-in-10)

  • 2 seats guaranteed into $2,650 High Roller Satellite
  • Players begin with 8,000 in chips and 20-minute levels
  • Late registration/re-entry available until start of Level 9
  • This is a one-day tournament and plays until completion
  • Event 84 Structure Sheet

8PM: Event 85 – $1,050 WPT Finale Turbo Satellite (1-in-10)

  • 1 seat guaranteed into $2 Million GTD WPT Finale
  • Players begin with 10,000 in chips and 15-minute levels
  • Late registration/re-entry available until start of Level 9
  • This is a one-day tournament and plays until completion
  • Event 85 Structure Sheet

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Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood Property Update

Preparations are underway for the development of an iconic hotel tower and resort:

  • Parking – Poker players are encouraged to park in Winner’s Way Garage to access both the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown tournament space and The Poker Room
  • The Poker Room – Players may access the poker room by entering through the main lobby or via the exterior entrance on the opposite end of Winner’s Way Garage.
  • Inside hotel – Services and amenities inside the hotel will remain open along with regularly scheduled events and entertainment.

For additional construction updates, please visit TheNewHardRock.com