2017 Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Hollywood, FL
$15,000 WPT Tournament of Champions
Entries: 66
Prize Pool: $1,090,000
April 7 – 9, 2017

The 2017 Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown finished on a high note with the WPT Tournament of Champions bringing out some of the best players in the world to close out the series. After three tough days and a long final table, Daniel Weinman beat Florida poker legend Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi heads up for the title and $381,500.

“I feel incredible,” Weinman said afterward. “This is such a tough tournament and to come out on top is super special.”

The $15,000 buy-in tournament generated a prize pool worth $1,090,000 and was only open to members of the World Poker Tour Champions Club, players must have won a prior WPT event if they wanted into this exclusive tournament. There were 66 former WPT champions taking part and included some interesting storylines from the beginning.

Ema Zajmovic was the only female in the field as the first WPT open tournament female champion. WPT Commentator Mike Sexton was sitting to her left and the Poker Hall of Famer earned his seat in the game when he captured his first WPT title in Montreal late in 2016.

The two most recent additions to the WPT Champions Club earned their place right here before the TOC kicked off. Tony Sinishtaj conquered the 1,207-entry field in the WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown Championship and 2013 WSOP Main Event champ Ryan Riess made it through a tough final table to win the WPT Showdown Finale.

After ten levels on Day 1, 30 players made it through with defending champ Farid Yachou bagging up chips for Day 2. Mizrachi finished the first day with the chip had held it for long periods on Day 2.

With only nine players earning a piece of the prize pool, it was slow going when action restarted despite the 30-second “action clock” in use for the tournament. There were still 12 players around after six full, hour-long levels but they quickly played down to the money bubble after the dinner break.

WPT World Poker Challenge champ Lee Markholt was sent out by Mizrachi in 10th place to put the remaining players in the money and down to the final table. Jonathan Jaffe, Stefan Schillhabel, and former WSOP November Niner Jesse Sylvia earned some money but were not among the final six to book their seat on the main stage table in the Hard Rock Live arena.

Recent WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open winner Weinman finished Day 2 holding the chip lead with five tough players trying to chase him down including Mizrachi and eight-time WSOP champ Erik Seidel.

Final table lineup:

Seat 1: Michael Mizrachi – 699,000
Seat 2: Daniel Weinman – 872,000
Seat 3: David Ormsby – 299,000
Seat 4: Daniel Santoro – 250,000
Seat 5: Erik Seidel – 540,000
Seat 6: Dylan Wilkerson – 641,000

Dylan Wilkerson began the final table in the middle of the pack but hit the exit in sixth place after losing most of his chips in a kings-versus-aces hand against Santoro. Seidel followed Wilkerson out of the door soon after as Santoro edged towards the lead.

David Ormsby was never able to get much going at the final table but the Canadian held on to reach fourth place money as Santoro increased his late lead. That lead slowly evaporated as the last three players settled into a long, hours-long battle.

Santoro had his day end at the hands of Weinman in third place to start the heads up match for the title. Weinman began with a five-to-one chip lead but though Mizrachi doubled back with a six-outer to make it even it out.

They played less than 20 hands heads up and Weinman finally overcame the three-time WSOP bracelet winner to earn the WPT Tournament of Champions title, a seat in next year’s tournament, a brand-new Audi, and $381,500. It was another great TOC performance by Mizrachi and he improved from his third place finish in last year’s event.

Weinman was one of the most recent players to join the WPT Champions Club having earned his way in a few months ago in the WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open. He now owns a WPT Tournament of Champions title after negotiating through a tough field.

“This is crazy – you usually play tournaments with a thousand people and there might be 850 people that don’t have a chance of winning the tournament,” Weinman said of the event.

“They can go deep but they’re not going to be comfortable with all the spots they’ll encounter.” he continued. “But having 66 people that have already won this and had success in the poker world – coming out on top is incredible.”

WPT Tournament of Champions results:

1st: Daniel Weinman – $381,500 *
2nd: Michael Mizrachi – $218,000
3rd: Daniel Santoro – $133,525
4th: David Ormsby – $95,375
5th: Erik Seidel – $73,575
6th: Dylan Wilkerson – $57,225
7th: Stefan Schillhabel – $49,050
8th: Jesse Sylvia – $43,600
9th: Jonathan Jaffe – $38,150
* – Includes 2018 WPT Tournament of Champions seat

$15,000 WPT Tournament of Champions
Level 24: 20,000/40,000 with a 5,000 ante
Players Remaining: 1 of 66

Michael Mizrachi moved all in on the button and Daniel Weinman called out of the big blind.

It was a flip with Mizrachi’s up against Weinman’s .

The board ran out and Weinman hit an eight on the turn to win the pot and the tournament. Weinman earned $381,500, which included his seat into the 2018 WPT Tournament of Champions, for his win, while Mizrachi took home $218,000 for his runner-up finish.

Along with the cash, Weinman received a 2018 Audi S5 Coupe, a pair of Rose Gold Wireless Over-Ear Element Headphones from Monster, a Hublot King Power Unico Carbon and Red Watch, a custom premium poker table from BBO Poker Tables, and a one-week stay at a Wyndham Extra resort.

Daniel Weinman – Winner 2017 Monster WPT Tournament of Champions
Michael Mizrachi – Eliminated

$15,000 WPT Tournament of Champions
Level 24: 20,000/40,000 with a 5,000 ante
Players Remaining: 2 of 66

Daniel Weinman limped in for 40,000 and Michael Mizrachi checked his option in the big blind.

Both players checked a flop of and the came on the turn. Mizrachi bet 40,000  and Weinman raised to 180,000. Mizrachi called.

The river was the and Mizrachi checked. Weinman moved all in for 1,960,000. Mizrachi folded and Weinman took the pot.

Daniel Weinman – 2,410,000 (60 bb)
Michael Mizrachi – 890,000 (22 bb)

$15,000 WPT Tournament of Champions
Level 23: 15,000/30,000 with a 5,000 ante
Players Remaining: 2 of 66

Michael Mizrachi limped in on the button and Daniel Weinman checked his option.

The flop was and Weinman checked. Mizrachi bet 35,000 and Weinman called.

The turn was the and Weinman led out for 60,000. Mizrachi called. The river was the .

Weinman checked and Mizrachi bet 400,000. Weinman takes almost all of his 30-second action clock before moving all in for 1,590,000.

Mizrachi used almost all of his clock as well before folding. The flipped up as he tossed his cards into the muck. Weinman showed as he took the pot.

Daniel Weinman – 2,250,000 (75 bb)
Michael Mizrachi – 1,050,000 (35 bb)

$15,000 WPT Tournament of Champions
Level 23: 15,000/30,000 with a 5,000 ante
Players Remaining: 2 of 66

Daniel Weinman raised to 60,000 on the button and Michael Mizrachi called.

The flop was and Mizrachi checked. Weinman bet 60,000 and Mizrachi called.

The turn was the . Mizrachi checked and Weinman bet 135,000. Mizrachi check-raised to 280,000 and Weinman folded. Mizrachi mucked his hand and closed most of the gap in Weinman’s chip lead.

Michael Mizrachi – 1,580,000 (33 bb)
Daniel Weinman – 1,720,000 (61 bb)

$15,000 WPT Tournament of Champions
Level 23: 15,000/30,000 with a 5,000 ante
Players Remaining: 2 of 66

Daniel Weinman moved all in on the button and Michael Mizrachi called out of the big blind and was all in for 635,000. Weinman showed and was in the lead against Mizrachi’s .

The crowd rose to their feet with the title on the line for Weinman. The flop came and Weinman kept his lead with a pair of sixes.

The turn was the and Mizrachi needed to hit a king or a jack to double up and stay alive.

The river was the and Mizrachi gives a Derek Jeter-esque fist pump as the crowd goes nuts. Mizrachi doubled up with a pair of kings, putting a significant dent in Weinman’s chip lead.

Michael Mizrachi – 1,260,000 (43 bb)
Daniel Weinman – 2,020,000 (71 bb)

$15,000 WPT Tournament of Champions
Level 23: 15,000/30,000 with a 5,000 ante
Players Remaining: 2 of 66

There is a short break in the action while Michael Mizrachi and Daniel Weinman give interviews with Lynn Gilmartin.

Here are the chip counts at the start of heads-up play:

Daniel Weinman – 2,745,000
Michael Mizrachi – 555,000

$15,000 WPT Tournament of Champions
Level 23: 15,000/30,000 with a 5,000 ante
Players Remaining: 2 of 66

Daniel Weinman moved all in from the small blind and Daniel Santoro called from the big blind.

Santoro was the at-risk player for his last 610,000. He showed and needed to improve against Weinman’s .

The flop was and most of Michael Mizrachi’s rail groaned as Santoro took the lead. The turn was the and most of the rail was shouting for an ace, rooting for Mizrachi to get heads-up with Weinman.

The river was the and Weinman hit his ace to eliminate Santoro in third place. Santoro earned $133,525 for his third place finish, while Weinman took a massive five-to-one chip lead into heads-up play vs. Mizrachi.

Daniel Weinman – 2,750,000 (92 bb)
Daniel Santoro – Eliminated in 3rd place ($133,525)

$15,000 WPT Tournament of Champions
Level 23: 15,000/30,000 with a 5,000 ante
Players Remaining: 3 of 66

Michael Mizrachi completed the small blind and Daniel Weinman raised to 90,000 out of the big blind. Mizrachi called

The flop was and Mizrachi checked. Weinman bet 60,000 and Mizrachi check-raised to 180,000. Weinman called.

The turn was the and Mizrachi bet 180,000. Weiman moved all in for effectively Mizrachi’s remaining 555,000. Mizrachi thought for a few moments before folding.

Weinman mucked his hand and opened up a massive chip lead over Mizrachi and Santoro.

Daniel Weinman – 2,130,000 (71 bb)
Michael Mizrachi – 555,000 (18 bb)

$15,000 WPT Tournament of Champions
Level 23: 15,000/30,000 with a 5,000 ante
Players Remaining: 3 of 66

Michael Mizrachi raises to 60,000 on the button and Daniel Weinman moved all in from the small blind.

Daniel Santoro folded from the big blind and Mizrachi thought for a few moments before folding.

There have been only a couple flops and only one showdown that was checked all the way down since the players came back from break about 25 minutes ago.

Daniel Weinman – 1,815,000 (60 bb)
Michael Mizrachi – 880,000 (29 bb)

$15,000 WPT Tournament of Champions
Level 23: 15,000/30,000 with a 4,000 ante
Players Remaining: 3 of 66

Seat 1: Michael Mizrachi – 730,000 (24 bb)
Seat 2: Daniel Weinman – 1,755,000 (59 bb)
Seat 4: Daniel Santoro – 815,000 (27 bb)

$15,000 WPT Tournament of Champions
End of Level 22: 12,000/24,000 with a 4,000 ante
Players Remaining: 3 of 66

The players are taking a 10-minute break. Cards will get back in the air at 9:35 p.m.

$15,000 WPT Tournament of Champions
Level 22: 12,000/24,000 with a 4,000 ante
Players Remaining: 3 of 66

Michael Mizrachi raised to 51,000 on the button and Daniel Santoro moved all in from the big blind. Mizrachi snap-called and was all in for 442,000.

Mizrachi showed and was in the lead against Santoro’s . The flop was and Mizrachi kept the lead.

Mizrachi needed to fade a king and did with the turn and the river. Mizrachi doubled up and Santoro became the short stack.

Michael Mizrachi – 908,000 (37 bb)
Daniel Santoro – 762,000 (31 bb)

$15,000 WPT Tournament of Champions
Level 22: 12,000/24,000 with a 4,000 ante
Players Remaining: 3 of 66

Daniel Weinman limped in on the button and Daniel Santoro completed the small blind. Michael Mizrachi checked his option in the big blind and they were three-handed to a flop of .

Action got checked to the river as the board was completed with the and the .

Santoro checked, Mizrachi bet 55,000, Weinman folded and Santoro called.

Mizrachi showed and Santoro mucked his hand.

Michael Mizrachi – 479,000 (20 bb)
Daniel Santoro – 948,000 (39 bb)

$15,000 WPT Tournament of Champions
Level 22: 12,000/24,000 with a 4,000 ante
Players Remaining: 3 of 66

Over the course of a few hands without a showdown, Daniel Weinman regained the chip lead from Daniel Santoro.

Updated Chip Counts:

Daniel Weinman – 1,664,000
Daniel Santoro – 1,211,000
Michael Mizrachi – 466,000

$15,000 WPT Tournament of Champions
Level 21: 10,000/20,000 with a 3,000 ante
Players Remaining: 3 of 66

Michael Mizrachi raised to 41,000 on the button and Daniel Santoro called from the big blind.

Action got checked to the turn on a board of . Santoro bet 65,000 and Mizrachi called.

The river was the and Santoto bet 150,000. Mizrachi snap-called. Santoro showed and Mizrachi flashed the before mucking his hand.

Santoro takes the pot and is back in the chip lead.

Daniel Santoro – 1,516,000 (76 bb)
Michael Mizrachi – 440,000 (22 bb)

$15,000 WPT Tournament of Champions
Level 21: 10,000/20,000 with a 3,000 ante
Players Remaining: 3 of 66

Michael Mizrachi raised to 41,000 out of the small blind and Daniel Weinman three-bet to 120,000 out of the big blind. Mizrachi called.

The flop was and Mizrachi checked. Weinman bet 70,000 and Mizrachi called.

The turn was the and both players checked to the river. Mizrachi bet 120,000 and Weinman used a time chip to give himself an extra 30 seconds before moving all in for 729,000.

Mizrachi doesn’t make a decision in the 30 seconds that he has to act and since he is out of time chips, he is forced to fold. Weinman mucked his hand and took the pot.

Daniel Weinman – 1,238,000 (62 bb)
MIchael MIzrachi – 649,000 (32 bb)

$15,000 WPT Tournament of Champions
Level 21: 10,000/20,000 with a 3,000 ante
Players Remaining: 3 of 66

Daniel Weinman raised to 45,000 on the button and Michael Mizrachi defended his big blind.

The flop of was checked by both players and the came on the turn. Mizrachi checked, Weinman bet 35,000 and Mizrachi called.

The river was the and Mizrachi checked. Weinman bet 115,000 and Mizrachi snap-called. Weinman showed , but Mizrachi showed and won the pot with a better kicker.

Michael Mizrachi – 962,000 (48 bb)
Daniel Weinman – 922,000 (46 bb)