The remaining players are already in the money after Day 2 of the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open (SHRPO) as just 38 still have chips and 150 of the original 847 runners were scheduled to cash. And as Earl Burton explained yesterday, those who participated had the added benefit of some sweet, sweet overlay; the tournament failed to reach the $5 million guarantee, so the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida made up the extra $756,000 in prize money.
Leading the final 38 is Patrick Eskandar with 1.913 million chips. Six other players have more than 1 million: Zo Karim (1.74 million), Andre Crooks (1.258 million), Tim Burt (1.226 million), Matt Affleck (1.112 million), Sam Ho (1.100 million), and Seth Davies (1.059 million). With a big blind of just 20,000, that is a pretty big spread from first to seventh.
Eskandar, who hails from Mississippi, is no stranger to the live tournament circuit, having won over half a million dollars in his career. He has nine World Series of Poker cashes and six World Poker Tour cashes. The vast majority of his cashes are small; about two thirds of his money total was from his first recorded live cash, a 20th place finish in the 2010 WSOP Main Event, good for $317,161.
One of Eskandar’s most significant hands came late in the night with fewer than 45 players remaining. According to the SHRPO’s live updates, the community cards read A-T-T-4-2 and there were already a ton of chips in the middle. Eskandar checked, prompting Ankush Mandavia to move all-in for 502,000 chips. It took a while for Eskandar to ponder his move, but he finally made the call. Mandavia complemented him on his hand-reading skilled, flipping over Q-J for a busted gut-shot straight draw. Eskandar revealed A-7 for two pair, allowing him to grow his stack to 1.550 million chips at the time and sending Mandavia to the rail in 44th place.
As mentioned, there are 38 players remaining in the field. Everybody playing today (action has already gotten underway in Hollywood, Florida) is guaranteed at least a $22,500 payday. Most have their sights set higher, though, as the final table will be determined before the players’ heads hit their pillows tonight. The winner of the tournament will receive $1 million, while the top eight positions are all guaranteed at least $100,000.
2016 Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open Main Event – Day 2 Chip Leaders
1. Patrick Eskandar – 1,913,000
2. Zo Karim – 1,740,000
3. Andre Crooks – 1,258,000
4. Tim Burt – 1,226,000
5. Matt Affleck – 1,112,000
6. Sam Ho – 1,100,000
7. Seth Davies – 1,059,000
8. Corey Hochman – 945,000
9. Joe Serock – 876,000
10. Theo Lawson – 846,000
