$3,500 WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown Championship Event Dinner Break, Play Resumes 8:00 pm Next Blinds: 250/500/75 ante
A Dubba for Bubba
Bubba Franks and Hollywood Henderson have gone from the football field to the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown Championship field. Both former NFL all-pro players have decent chip stacks on dinner break.
Franks, a tight end who used to catch touchdown passes from Brett Favre in Green Bay, is sitting with 21k. We saw him double-up early in the day with KQ when a King hit the flop.
Henderson, who won the 1977 Super Bowl with the Dallas Cowboys, has 41k and been known to play high stacks cash games in the Poker Room.
With re-entry closing after the dinner break, we’ll keep an eye on two of the more recognizable non-poker names left in the tournament.
$3,500 WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown Championship Event Level 6: Blinds 200/400/50 ante 738 Day 1C Entries (1,759 total)
Players have approximately 2 more hours to register for the Championship event. Half of the remaining time on this level, and through the completion of the 90 minute dinner break.
A handful of players are in the 100k club including Phil Laak, who’s been there for a few levels and Darryll Fish who recently joined with a set of Jacks.
Other notables with big stacks include Byron Kaverman, Tristan Wade and Ray Qartomy.
When players circle the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown on the schedule, they know large prize pools flow into relaxing water falls.
From the moment you walk through the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino front doors, you know you’re some place special.
Players arriving Friday night got to experience this week’s interactive display, Salvadore Live! The speed painting theatrical dancer put on a mesmerizing show that he’ll repeat Saturday at 7, 8 & 9 pm.
Salvadore Live! Tonight’s Shows 7, 8 & 9 pm
While the Championship Event’s $5 Million Guaranteed prize pool attracts people to Hollywood, Florida, players know that chasing a WPT title is just part of the fun.
The experience away from the tables is second to none and it all starts with the restaurants. From the highly rated Council Oak Steaks & Seafood, to the signature Hard Rock Cafe, there’s something for everyone and not just inside the hotel.
Just a few steps from the casino floor is Seminole Paradise with more restaurant options, a comedy club, Hard Rock Live concert arena and a rockin’ night life. Not to mention the Poker Room which offers games for players of all levels.
Seminole Hard Rock Island & Pool
In Hollywood, the sun shines brightest at the Seminole Hard Rock’s lagoon-style pool. This tropical isle features sand, waterfalls, Cabanas and hot tubs.
After players cool off in the water, they can hit the Beach Club for refreshing cocktails to complete their day in paradise.
Man Cave
And if you want to take it up a notch, the Man Cave offers VIPs a private pool and bar. This spacious Chickee also has a large flat screen tv, fireplace wall and all the rock star amenities.
What better way to finish a day of fun in the sun, than to unwind with a trip to the Rock Spa. A full body massage is just one way to get that rest and relaxation.
Rock Spa
On your way out the spa doors, you’ll be tempted to grab a pair of Oakley sunglasses. Perfect for hanging out at the pool and then bluffing at the poker table.
No matter how your last all-in bet plays out, you’ll know you made the right call of enjoying the 24/7 Seminole Hard Rock experience.
$3,500 WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown Championship Event Level 3: Blinds 75/150/25 ante 610 Day 1C Entries (1,631 total)
Phil Laak Day 1B Photo
Before the start of the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open Championship, Phil Laak said he was hoping to be “destroying souls,” in the $5 Million Guaranteedevent.
Laak is off to a good start on Day 1C with nearly 100k and is looking to join girlfriend Jennifer Tilly on Day 2. She bagged 180k on Day 1B, which is more than double the current 83k average.
Day 1C Chip Leaders
Phil Laak (Las Angeles, CA) 96k Joe Marchese (Coral Springs, FL) 85k Ankush Mandavia (Chattanooga, FL) 82k Mike Mizrachi (N. Miami Beach, FL) 81k
I have 179,600 chips, more than 3 times the average stack. Now having a happy day off enjoying the #hardrockhotel. @shrpo#SHRHollywood
$3,500 WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown Championship Event Level 3: Blinds 75/150/25 ante 592 Day 1C Entries (1,613)
The $5 Million Guaranteed prize pool is in the bank and the numbers continue to grow. Players hit the necessary total of 1,551 entries before the first break and the field is looking at a first place payout of more than $1,000,000.
The poker world took notice when the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino offered the largest guaranteed for a $3,500 buy-in tournament.
A big thanks to everyone, especially the players for making this tournament and the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown a huge success!
Congratulations to @SHRHollywood management, dealers, and staff on hitting a very gutsy $5,000,000 guarantee @WPT@SHRPO.
$3,500 WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown Championship Event Day 1A & 1B Remaining Players: 369 Chip Average: 83k avg (69 bb) Day 2 Blinds: 600/1,200/200 ante
$3,500 WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown Championship Event Level 1: Blinds 50/100 452 Day 1C Entries (1,473 total)
A steady of flow of entries puts the field at nearly 1,500 entries and breaks the previous WPT record of 1,313.
WPT broadcaster Mike Sexton made the announcement when he kicked off Day 1C action. His tweet, along with others from the players, helped start the day.
Congrat’s to all participants in WPT @SHRHollywood ($5m guarantee) – you are part of the largest field in WPT history! #WPT#SHR #$$$$
