2023 Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Hollywood, Florida
Event 43
$2,700 Big 4 No-Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry)
$1,000,000 Guaranteed
Entries:  411
Prize Pool:  $1,006,950
August 6-8, 2023

The final tournament in the Big 4 lineup at the 2023 SHRPO tournament series has been decided, and it was Dan Sepiol who took home the trophy and top prize worth $204,735. He defeated Chance Kornuth in the heads-up final after overcoming a 4:1 chip disadvantage at one point to claim the victory. “It feels great, the final table was full of really good players, and I ran really, really hot,” said Sepiol after the win.

The heads-up match between Sepiol and Chance Kornuth was the longest battle on the final day of the tournament, and here is what Sepiol had to say about his approach when it got down to the final two players. “I just played my game and my strategy, and tried to not get too ahead of myself so I could make every decision when it came up.”

He continued, “I’m used to playing cards and going on swings, and you just can’t let if affect your emotions. I won three or four all-ins against Chance so that obviously helped.”

Sepiol will also be returning to Florida for the tournament series hosted up at the Tampa Seminole Hard Rock n September. “I live in Vegas, so I’m going to get dinner tonight and get a flight back home, and then I’m going to go to Tampa for that series,” said Sepiol.

The previous Mid-States Poker Tour champion is no stranger to tournament success, and he was appreciative to grab another title that is also his largest career tournament cash. “It’s been a while so I kind of forget, but it feels great. I need to let it sink in for a little bit.”

$2,700 Big 4 Deep Stack No-Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry)
$1,000,000 Guaranteed | Structure | Payouts
Level 29:  40,000/80,000 with an 80,000 ante
Players Remaining:  1 of 411

Dan Sepiol raised from the button to 175,000, Chance Kornuth reraised from the big blind to 500,000, and Sepiol moved all in.

Kornuth called all in for about 2,360,000 with , but Sepiol turned over . Kornuth needed to improve to stay alive.

“I think it might be my turn,” said Kornuth, who watched his pocket kings get cracked earlier in this heads-up battle.

The board came , and Sepiol won the pot — and the title, the trophy, and $204,735 — with a pair of kings.

Chance Kornuth finishes as the runner-up, earning $142,335.

1st:  Dan Sepiol  –  $204,735 + SHRPO Trophy
2nd:  Chance Kornuth  –  $142,335
3rd:  Michael Wang  –  $92,790
4th:  Nitis Udornpim  –  $62,000
5th:  Leonard August  –  $47,680
6th:  Bin Weng  –  $39,525
7th:  Michael Rocco  –  $33,180
8th:  Hamed Zia  –  $26,885
9th:  Brian Altman  –  $20,600

$2,700 Big 4 Deep Stack No-Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry)
$1,000,000 Guaranteed | Structure | Payouts
Level 29:  40,000/80,000 with an 80,000 ante
Players Remaining:  2 of 411

Chance Kornuth raised from the button to 175,000, and Dan Sepiol called from the big blind.

The flop came , Sepiol checked, Kornuth bet 180,000, and Sepiol called. The turn card was the , and both players checked.

The river card was the , Sepiol bet 200,000, and Kornuth thought for a while before he called. Sepiol showed to win the pot with a king-high flush.

Dan Sepiol  –  7,315,000  (91 bb)
Chance Kornuth  –  2,960,000  (37 bb)

The next hand, Sepiol limped from the button for 80,000, Kornuth raised from the big blind to 280,000, and Sepiol limp-reraised to 750,000.

Kornuth tanked for a while before he folded, saying, “I’m very perplexed.”

Dan Sepiol  –  7,675,000  (96 bb)
Chance Kornuth  –  2,600,000  (33 bb)

The next hand, Kornuth limped from the button for 80,000, and Sepiol checked his option in the big blind.

The flop came , Sepiol checked, Kornuth bet 80,000, and Sepiol called. The turn card was the , and both players checked.

The river card was the , Sepiol bet 110,000, and Kornuth folded. Sepiol took the pot.

Dan Sepiol  –  7,835,000  (98 bb)
Chance Kornuth  –  2,440,000  (31 bb)

Here are the remaining payouts at stake:

1st:  $204,735 + SHRPO Trophy
2nd:  $142,335

$2,700 Big 4 Deep Stack No-Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry)
$1,000,000 Guaranteed | Structure | Payouts
Level 29:  40,000/80,000 with an 80,000 ante
Players Remaining:  2 of 411

Dan Sepiol limped on the button, and Chance Kornuth checked his option.

They checked to the turn of a board where Kornuth bet 160,000. Sepiol called.

The river was the , Kornuth bet 375,000, and Sepiol called.

Kornuth tabled for a pair of nines, Sepiol mucked, and Kornuth won the pot.

Chance Kornuth  –  3,400,000  (43 bb)
Dan Sepiol  –  6,875,000  (86 bb)

Here are the remaining payouts at stake:

1st:  $204,735 + SHRPO Trophy
2nd:  $142,335

$2,700 Big 4 Deep Stack No-Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry)
$1,000,000 Guaranteed | Structure | Payouts
Level 29:  40,000/80,000 with an 80,000 ante
Players Remaining:  2 of 411

Dan Sepiol raised from the button to 175,000, Chance Kornuth reraised from the big blind to 500,000, and Sepiol called.

The flop came , Kornuth checked, Sepiol bet 400,000, and Kornuth called.

The turn card was the , and both players checked.

The river card paired the board with the , Kornuth checked, Sepiol bet 525,000, and Kornuth tanked for a long time before he folded. Sepiol took the pot.

Dan Sepiol  –  7,535,000  (94 bb)
Chance Kornuth  –  2,740,000  (34 bb)

Here are the remaining payouts at stake:

1st:  $204,735 + SHRPO Trophy
2nd:  $142,335

$2,700 Big 4 Deep Stack No-Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry)
$1,000,000 Guaranteed | Structure | Payouts
Level 29:  40,000/80,000 with an 80,000 ante
Players Remaining:  2 of 411

Dan Sepiol raised from the button to 175,000, and Chance Kornuth called from the big blind.

The flop came , Kornuth checked, Sepiol bet 125,000, and Kornuth called.

The turn card was the , Kornuth checked, Sepiol bet 230,000, and Kornuth called.

The river card paired the board with the , and both players checked. Kornuth showed to win the pot with an ace-high straight, and Sepiol mucked.

Chance Kornuth  –  4,740,000  (59 bb)
Dan Sepiol  –  5,535,000  (69 bb)

Here are the remaining payouts at stake:

1st:  $204,735 + SHRPO Trophy
2nd:  $142,335

$2,700 Big 4 Deep Stack No-Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry)
$1,000,000 Guaranteed | Structure | Payouts
Level 29:  40,000/80,000 with an 80,000 ante
Players Remaining:  2 of 411

Dan Sepiol raised to 175,000 from the button, Chance Kornuth three-bet to 500,000 from the big blind, Sepiol four-bet shoved for 3,290,000, and Kornuth called with , leading Sepiol’s .

The board ran out , giving Sepiol a set of queens to double up through Kornuth again.

“Did you get that in ahead or behind?” asked one of Sepiol’s friends (who ran up to the table mid-runout).

“All in pre, so behind,” said Sepiol.

“For the third time,” smiled and said Kornuth.

“You count the ace-nine vs. eights as behind?” asked Sepiol.

“Only when I lose,” joked Kornuth.

Dan Sepiol  –  6,660,000  (83 bb)
Chance Kornuth  –  3,615,000  (45 bb)

Here are the remaining payouts at stake:

1st:  $204,735 + SHRPO Trophy
2nd:  $142,335