$15,000 WPT Tournament of Champions
Level 5: 250/500 with a 75 Ante
Players Remaining: 57 of 66

Eli Elezra was sitting on ~4,000 when he moved all in from under the gun. SHRP regular Matt Waxman called and Elezra was at risk.

Elezra:
Waxman:

The board ran to send the old school legend out.

Matt Waxman – 58,000 (116 bb)
Eli Elezra – Eliminated

$15,000 WPT Tournament of Champions
Level 5: 250/500 with a 75 Ante
Players Remaining: 58 of 66

Action is back underway in the ballroom and our new chip leader is Tyler Patterson after four levels. He’s followed by Dylan Wilkerson, Mike Scarborough, Griffin Paul, and Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi.

Tyler Patterson – 150,850 (302 bb)
Dylan Wilkerson – 130,025 (260 bb)
Mike Scarborough – 117,200 (234 bb)
Griffin Paul – 115,625 (231 bb)
Michael Mizrachi – 115,475 (231 bb)

$15,000 WPT Tournament of Champions
Level 4: 200/400 with a 50 Ante
Players Remaining: 58 of 66

The WPT Tournament of Champions is on the second break of the day with eight players gone and 58 sticking around. They’ll return and play two more levels before taking their dinner break.

The dealer departed are Daniel Strelitz, Ravi Raghavan, Pat Lyons, Aaron Mermelstein, Adam Weinraub, Ryan Van Sanford, Mike Del Vecchio, and 2014 WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown champ Eric Afriat.

$15,000 WPT Tournament of Champions
Level 4: 200/400 with a 50 Ante
Players Remaining: 58 of 66

With the board reading , Javier Gomez bet 5,000 and Michael Mizrachi raised to 13,000. Gomez four-bet shoved having Mizrachi covered and he called for his last 47,400.

Mizrachi:
Gomez:

“The Grinder” flopped a six-high straight and Gomez was drawing dead with his queens after the turn.

Michael Mizrachi – 106,000 (265 bb)
Javier Gomez – 11,500 (29 bb)

$15,000 WPT Tournament of Champions
Level 4: 200/400 with a 50 Ante
Players Remaining: 58 of 66

Brian Altman is another player in today’s field who earned his way via a WPT event here on property. He hoisted the trophy during the 2015 WPT Seminole Hard Rock Lucky Hearts Poker Open Championship and he’s heading in the right direction today.

Keven Stammen opened to 1,000 and Altman three-bet to 2,700. Ema Zajmovic called from the cutoff along with Stammen to make it three-ways to the flop. Stammen and Altman checked, Zajmovic bet 3,800 and both opponents came along to see the turn.

Stammen checked, Altman moved all-in for 26,000 and Zajmovic released. Stammen waited his allotted 30 seconds and tossed in a time bank chip. Before that one ran out, Stammen mucked to give Altman the pot.

Brian Altman – 44,000 (110 bb)
Keven Stammen – 42,000 (105 bb)
Ema Zajmovic – 34,000 (85 bb)

15,000 WPT Tournament of Champions
Level 3: 150/300 with a 50 Ante
Players Remaining: 61 of 66

A few people were wondering aloud today, which champion won their title the most years ago? The answer is poker legend Eli Elezra. He won his WPT trophy during the 2004/2005 season at the Mirage for a little over $1,000,000.

Elezra owns three WSOP bracelets and he’s joined at his table by eight-time WSOP champ Erik Seidel.

$15,000 WPT Tournament of Champions
Level 3: 150/300 with a 50 Ante
Players Remaining: 61 of 66

Scott Seiver opened to 700 from the hijack, Mohsin Charania called from the cutoff and Pay Lyons raised to 3,000 from the button. Seiver released and Charania called to see the flop.

Charania check/raised Lyons all in for his last 25,000 and Lyons called.

Charania:
Lyons:

Lyons was drawing dead to an early exit but had noting but praise for the tournament.

“I love it,” Lyons said. “I’d buy back in right now if I could.”

Mohsin Charania – 74,000 (247 bb)
Pat Lyons – Eliminated

$15,000 WPT Tournament of Champions
Level 3: 150/300 with a 50 Ante
Players Remaining: 63 of 66

Players returned to their seats and registration closed on the rake-free, freeze-out WPT Tournament of Champions. This year’s event drew 66 players, two better than last year, and pushed the prize pool over $1,000,000.

The last nine players will take home some of the money with a min-cash worth $38,150 and the TOC champ banking $381,500 plus a seat in next year’s WPT Tournament of Champions.

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

1st: $381,500 *
2nd: $218,000
3rd: $133,525
4th: $95,375
5th: $73,575
6th: $57,225
7th: $49,050
8th: $43,600
9th: $38,150
* – Includes 2018 WPT Tournament of Champions seat

$15,000 WPT Tournament of Champions
Level 3: 150/300 with a 25 Ante
Players: 66

After a quick group shot of the WPT Tournament of Champions group and a birthday cake presentation to Ema Zajmovic, cards are back in the air with registration closed.

There are a few big stack in early play with the top one belonging to 2015 Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown Championship winner Griffin Paul.

Top five stacks:

Griffin Paul – 128,425 (428 bb)
Tyler Patterson – 101,750 (339 bb)
Mike Scarborough – 88,300 (294 bb)
Harrison Gimbel – 81,225 (271 bb)
Michael Mizrachi – 63,000 (210 bb)

$15,000 WPT Tournament of Champions
Level 2: 100/200 with a 25 Ante
Players: 66

The WPT Tournament of Champions is on its first break of the day with 66 players entered and registration closing when they return.