For the last few days, the WPT Seminole Hard Rock has been making headlines with exciting stories being written at the table.
Two events in particular have caught the interest of onlookers, with Cate Hall mounting a strong challenge to overtake Mike Shariati to claim the WPT Player of the Year award, and Chino Rheem fighting to become a member of the three time WPT champion club. Only three people have ever accomplished that feat – Gus Hansen, Carlos Mortensen, and Anthony Zinno.
Cate Hall and the Hard Rock Poker Showdown
This $3,500 buy in event saw 1,222 hopefuls take their seats, and as the action got down to the final 10 players, Cate Hall was one of the shortest stacks with just 19 big blinds, but still had a chance of overtaking Mike Shariati in the Player of the Year race. In the end, it wasn’t her day, and any efforts to gain some momentum came to a shuddering halt as she exited in 9th place. Her attempts to become the first female winner of the award may have retreated from view, but she remains a great talent who continues to shine at WPT events. The two finalists who battled for the title were Garrett Greer and Justin Young, and both players had finished as runner up in a WPT event before. Painfully for Greer, he was once again left with thoughts of what could have been, as Justin Young triumphed to take home USD$669,161.
Justin Young (Photo WPT)
Final Table Results
1st: Justin Young – $669,161
2nd: Garrett Greer – $458,722
3rd: Hyoung Chae – $297,336
4th: Matt Haugen – $220,207
5th: Tim Reilly – $164,113
6th: Ben Tarzia – $132,560
7th: Sam Soverel – $110,357
8th: Andrey Plotnikov – $87,880
9th: Cate Hall – $65,404
10th: William Foxen – $49,627
Chino Rheem wins third WPT title in Hard Rock Poker Finale
Having had a rest day before this final table, the players came back into proceedings refreshed today, but Chino Rheem will have undoubtedly been eager to get the action restarted. Having entered play with one of the bigger stacks, and with USD$7.3 million in live cashes to his name, he was certainly one of the frontrunners to take down the title. Rheem didn’t disappoint the crowd, as he put on an excellent showing, reaching heads up play with a near 2 to 1 chiplead. Living up to his billing as the favourite, he then swiftly swept aside his opponent, Aditya Prasetyo to take 1st place, and become only the fourth player in history to win three WPT titles. Rheem topped a field of 342 playersand and took home USD$705,885 for his victory.
Chino Rheem (photo WPT)
Final Table Results:
1st: Chino Rheem – $705,885
2nd: Aditya Prasetyo – $484,130
3rd: Richard Leger – $311,305
4th: Adrian Mateos – $200,510
5th: Wiliam Benson – $154,585
6th: Bryan Piccioli – $127,905
Louis Hartwell
Graduated in Media Communication at the University of Lausanne, Louis Hartman is a co-founder of somuchpoker.com. He began his career in Cambodia as freelance journalist. In same time he was making his living by playing poker every night at that time. Intense learner, he read dozens of poker strategy books to improve his skills during many years. With a strong interest about poker "behind the scene" in Asia and his communication skills, Louis launched Somuchpoker in 2014.
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