The $3,500 buy-in World Poker Tour (WPT) Seminole Hard Rock Tampa Main Event has already smashed its $1 million guarantee with registration still open, and a number of high-profile players bagged large stacks on Day 1a.
Poker vlogger Ethan "Rampage" Yau, UFC star Colby Covington, and three-time World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner Chance Kornuth are among those heading to Day 2 with a healthy stack of chips.
Day 1a wrapped just after 11 p.m. in Tampa Friday night, and Day 1b will kick off at 11 a.m. Saturday morning. Those who were unable to find a bag can take another shot at it during the second and final Day 1 starting flight. Everyone who bagged and tagged in either session will return to action at the Tampa, Florida casino on Sunday.
Defending Champ Doing it Again
When play concluded Friday, Michael Stashin, with 362,000 chips, held the chip lead. Michael Rossitto was in second place with 352,500, followed by Loni Hui (Harwood) at 351,500.
Not too far off the pace was Brian Altman, the defending champion in this event, at 266,000. Altman is a crusher in Florida and is the only player ever to win three World Poker Tour events in the same state (he won the Lucky Hearts Poker Open in Hollywood, Florida in 2015 and 2019).
The aforementioned players were among 577 Day 1a entrants, 209 of whom advanced, creating a pot already of $1,846,400. That's $846,400 above the guaranteed prize pool with another eight levels of registration remaining. When registration closes, it's likely the pot will be well above $3 million.
There were plenty more big name players who have already reached Day 2, which includes a UFC superstar in Covington, who recently won his first live poker tournament at the Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood, Florida for $25,875. The mixed martial artist finished Day 1 at WPT Tampa with 212,500 chips. The blinds will start at 1,500-2,500 (2,500 big blind ante) when play resumes for Day 2 on Sunday, meaning Covington will have a healthy stack of 85 big blinds.
"Rampage," the popular vlogger who claims to be on a 700-tournament downswing on Americas Cardroom online poker site is off and running in Tampa with 248,000 chips, just a smidge below 100 big blinds. Luck went his way on Friday, by his own accord.
There were many other familiar faces marching on to Day 2 with large stacks, including four-time WSOP bracelet winner Jeremy Ausmus (344,500). 2022 WPT Choctaw winner Chance Kornuth (334,500), and WPT Champions Club member Mukul Pahuja (291,000). John Racener (102,500), Darren Elias (99,500), Kristen Foxen (93,000), and Brock Wilson also found bags.
Photos courtesy of Drew Amato/WPT
