SHRPO Update: Preliminary Event #1 Smashes Guarantee; Ends in Four-Way Chop
After six starting flights, and a Day 2 that would drag on so long that tournament officials decided an extra day was necessary to determine the winner, the SHRPO Event #1 at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino is finally in the books.
The inaugural event at this summer’s most hotly anticipated live tournament series drew a staggering 2,888 entries, with each one worth $300. A quick calculation reveals that the total prize pool would eclipse the $866,000 barrier, smashing the $500,000 guarantee by more than 73 percent.
Huge turnouts are hardly abnormal for the SHRPO. Last year’s main event would generate 2,384 entries en route to a nearly $12 million prize pool. That was significantly larger than any other prize pool boasted by an East Coast poker tournament in 2013.
But if turnout figures for the 2014 SHRPO opening event are any indication, this year’s main stands to blow those numbers out of the balmy Floridian waters.
SHRPO Event #1 recap
Of the original 2,888 entries, only 462 would remain heading into Day 2. Knockouts would come fast and furious – well at least they did until the ominous bubble approached. 250 players would receive a monetary reward for their effort, with a minimum pay out of $725. But that was small potatoes compared to the six figure score which awaited the winner.
Shortly after the bubble burst, the fast pace of play would resume. But it wouldn’t be until well after midnight that the final table lineup was set.
After Richard Russ was eliminated in ninth ($12,951), the action was halted for the day. Play would resume the next day, beginning at Level 34. Oddly, short stack Michael Turfaro wouldn’t show up until well after the tournament resumed. The question on everyone’s mind: “Does Turfaro not like money, or did he feel like he didn’t have a chance with so few chips?” Apparently Turfaro was better off sleeping in, as he would bust in eighth place shortly after arriving.
Steele Sutter ($26,765) and Glen Cressman ($35,831) would follow him out the door, leaving only six players remaining.
It was then that this critical hand occurred: At the 150k/300k level Raminder Singh would open to 800,000 from the button, only to be three-bet to 1,800,000 by Dan Suied. Singh followed up with a 4-bet shove, which was snapped off by Suied. Singh held two tens while Suied flashed big slick, and we were off to the races. Suied would flop top two pair on an all club board (neither played held a club).
The turn was a brick, leaving Singh with just two outs. The river was a meaningless nine, knocking out Singh in 5th place and vaulting Suied to a substantial chip lead (22.5 mm). I’m sure the $44,983 Singh received for his efforts softened the blow of his agonizing defeat.
By this time, players were anteing up 700,000 every five hands. With an average stack hovering around 35 big blinds, the remaining runners decided it was as good a time as any to do what was presumably an ICM chip chop.
Seminole Hard Rock Casino regular Dan Suied declared Event #1 Champion
Although he technically didn’t win the tournament, Dan Suied was the chip leader when the final deal was made. As such, he received the lion’s share of the remaining prize pool, a SHRPO trophy and a custom framed photograph. His finish was good for $110,349. Other winners included:
- David Smith: $94,574
- Reinaldo Troconis: $81,752
- Brett Bader: $78,919
Suied is a regular 5/10 and 10/25 NLHE player at the Seminole Hard Rock casino. After winning the tournament, he joked that his opponents will not be thrilled with his significantly bigger bankroll. A quick glance at the Hendon Mob database reveals that this was Suied’s biggest tournament score. In 2009, Suied would secure $55,000 by winning a $260 + $40 shootout at the World Poker Finals in Mashantucket. He has two WSOP and WPT cash to his credit.
Other results
In total, four of the SHRPO’s 24 main events are in the books. Other winners listed below:
- Event #2: $250 buy-in Omaha 8B, 76 entrants: Resulted in a 3-way chop that saw David Brown, John Binns and “Miami” John Cernuto secure more than $3,500 in prize money each.
- Event #3: $250 buy-in Deep Stack Turbo NLHE (Re-entry) $25,000 guarantee: Seven players would chop up the remaining prize pool, among them New Jersey’s own Daniel Yoo. Michael Moed would receive the biggest portion of the pot ($6,581), the trophy and the custom framed photo.
- Event #4: $1,100 buy-in NLHE (Re-entry): The string of chops continue, this time with three players divvying up $64,000 in prize money. Due to his leading chip stack, Paul Domb would be declared the winner. The highest buy-in tournament of the series so far would attract 114 ballers.
Don’t forget: If you’re lucky enough to have a real-money account on PokerStars, you can buy-in to the SHRPO Main Event directly via the site. But do keep in mind that this exclusive offer is only available until August 24th. The first of three starting flights for the $10 million guaranteed Main Event will be held on August 28th at 12 pm EST. More details on the Main Event here.
