The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Florida is currently hosting the Poker Showdown, a series of events where players can travel from across the United States and from international locations to take part. Several events of the series have already finished up, including the $50,000 Super High Roller. Arthur Conan was named the winner of the tournament, earning the first-place finish after getting down to just one blind at the four-handed section of the event.
Tournament Details
The field of players consisted of 42 and it was a fight for the win. The number of players competing was actually the largest field size the Hard Rock has ever seen based on the high buy-in amount. However, it was not too surprising considering how many people have already shown up to compete in the Showdown events. Several have seen prize pool guarantees reach amazing heights due to large player participation.
In speaking with PokerNews, Conan talked about how shocked he was to earn the win. He managed to make it to the final four and then got down to one blind before fighting back to claim the $733,320 in prize money.
When four players remained, a big hand would take place. Seth Davies would raise slightly and Conan decided to call. The flop fell Q-10-6. Davies bet again, going from 60,000 the first time to 90,000 this time. Conan called. A Jack showed up on the turn. Davies made the same 90,000 wager. Conan decided to up the ante and bet 250,000.
Davies called and a 4 showed up on the river. Davies decided to check, and Conan bet 265,000. Davies then called and Conan showed his 9-7. Davies held Q-10 so he won the hand, which left Conan with a T25,000 chip.
He won the next hand to reach 100,000 in chips and then managed to build his chip stack. Amazing, Conan took that one chip and built a stack of 505,000.
The poker pro would take a hand from Davies soon that would help him push towards the lead. Once he controlled the chip lead, there was no stopping Conan. He took out Davies with aces and then was able to win a big hand against Chris Brewer.
In the end, Conan would face off against Sam Soverel in the heads-up round. Conan had such a huge chip lead that it would not take long before he earned the win. The final hand was won by Conan with pocket fives against K-9.
Final Results:
Place Player Prize
First Arthur Conan $733,320
Second Sam Soverel $468,510
Third Chris Brewer $295,365
Fourth Seth Davies $203,700
Fifth Sean Winter $142,590
Sixth Jeremy Ausmus $112,035
Seventh Llyas Muradi $81,480
The tournament events continue at the Hard Rock casino as the Poker Showdown is not done just yet. Players started the Main Event this weekend, with just over 1,000 competing in Day 1a. The Main Event has a $3,500 buy-in and features a $2 million guaranteed prize pool. There is still plenty of time left to get in on the poker action at the Seminole casino.
