Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open Championship (Freeze-Out)
Level 4: 200/400/50 Ante
The players are back from break and the blinds are now 200-400 with a 50 ante for the start of Level 4 at the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open Main Event. The field size currently stands at 867 players. Registration will remain open until the start of Level 9.
Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open Championship (Freeze-Out)
Level 3: 150/300/50 Ante
There are plenty of brilliant minds in the ballroom and champions along with them. Pratyush Buddiga has one of the more interesting stories combining the two.
Buddiga wasn’t old enough to step foot in a casino when he had his first taste of fame on a big stage. He found himself standing by himself in front of a national TV audience and using his big brain to impress on the way to winning the 2002 Scripps National Spelling Bee.
Now 13 years later, Buddiga is a successful poker player with nearly $4 million in career earnings.
I called a min raise from @CunixShawn @shrpo in bb w Ac5c. Both checked flop of A83. 5 on turn, I ship. He calls w A10. 10 on river. Out.
— Abbey Daniels (@abbeydaniels1) August 15, 2015
Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open Championship (Freeze-Out)
Level 3: 150/300/50 Ante
We were still searching the field for big names when it was called to our attention that WSOP and WPT champ Phil Laak was all-in for just over 17,000 preflop against pro Nick Palma.
The action was complete and Laak’s 
out raced Palma’s 
on the 
board to get him back over starting stack.
Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open Championship (Freeze-Out)
Level 3: 150/300/50 Ante
The board read 
when Xuan Liu bet 3,000 on the big blind. The hijack folded and the cutoff called. The river delivered the 
and Xuan fired out 6,000. The cutoff raised all in and Xuan tanked for a minute before folding her cards. She was down to 15,000 after the hand.
Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open Championship (Freeze-Out)
Level 3: 200/400/50 Ante
The players are back from break and the blinds are now 200-400 with a 50 ante for the start of Level 3 at the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open Main Event. The field size currently stands at 834 players. Registration will remain open until the start of Level 9.
Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open Championship (Freeze-Out)
Level 2: 100/200/25 Ante
The players are now on their first 15-minute break of the day.
Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open Championship (Freeze-Out)
Level 2: 100/200/25 Ante
They continue to line up at the registration desk and we’re seeing more top players get in the Championship.
You can’t miss it when 8-time WSOP bracelet winner Erik Seidel walks in the room. He’s one of the tallest in the tournament until former NBAer Earl Barron gets in the game. Besides those eight WSOP titles, Seidel also has a WPT championship and over $25 million in career earnings, good enough for the third highest in poker history behind Daniel Negreanu and Antonio Esfandiari.
Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open Championship (Freeze-Out)
Level 2: 100/200/25 Ante
With over 800 players in the Championship already, most players don’t have to deal with a stacked lineup at their table. Not true for those at Table 79 in the expanded tournament area.
We mentioned Dan Colman was back to defend his title, but his opponents have more than just the high roller to worry about. Loni Harwood took her spot in the 5-seat and riding a nice heater of her own.
The 2013 WSOP bracelet winner added another title just a few weeks ago when she captured the WSOP National Championship, one bracelet for each wrist.
If those two weren’t tough enough, occupying the 2-seat is 2009 WPT Borgata Poker Open champ Olivier Busquet and his $6.9 million in career earnings.
Good luck Table 79.
