The WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown $3,500 Main Event Championship is finally in the books, with Brek Schutten emerging victorious for a mouth-watering $1,261,095 in prize money.
The six finalists of the record-smashing WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown Main Event returned for the delayed final table at the PokerGO Studio in Las Vegas on May 18. Sonny Franco started as chip leader, but it was second-in-chips Brek Schutten who won the title for $1,261,095. Schutten is a 32-year-old ICU nurse by profession and father of four from Grand Rapids, Michigan.
In addition to the huge top prize, Schutten was also awarded a Hublot Big Bang Steel Watch, a set of Baccarat Crystal, and will have his name etched on the WPT Champions Cup. The WPT also added $15,000 in cash to the top prize as the WPT TOC has been canceled this year due to the Covid-19.
Taking place as part of the WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown, the Main Event was a massive success with 2,482 entries. The event generated a $7,942,400 prize pool for nearly quadruple the $2 million guarantee of the event, making it the biggest Main Event in WPT history.
ICU Nurse Brek Schutten wins the largest WPT event in history versus 2,482 entries to claim victory at #WPTShowdown for $1.26 million 👏👏👏
— World Poker Tour (@WPT) May 19, 2021
Schutten earns his place in WPT history and a @Hublot watch along with @Baccarat Crystal 🥂
Congrats, Brek! 🏆https://t.co/Gb5FREc7TM pic.twitter.com/Zz2wuA6bVM
Final Table Action
Schutten dominated all the way! Ken Aldridge (sixth – $261,700) became his first victim on the final table. He scored his next elimination just three hands later, with Albert Calderon exiting in fifth place.
The start-of-the-final-table chip leader, Sonny Franco, was the only player not eliminated by Schutten. Steven Snyder eliminated Franco in fourth for $438,500 when his queens held against A-9.
Viet Vo was the short-stacked player during 3-handed play and became the first player to finish on the podium, going out in third place when his sevens didn’t win a flip against Schutten’s 10-8 suited.
Schutten entered heads-up play with a 2:1 chip advantage against Snyder. While the latter fought well in heads-up, Schutten didn’t allow him to take control. Snyder was finally eliminated in second place for $899,295 after he moved all-in with a flush draw on the turn holding Ad 2d. He actually didn’t get there against the trips held by Schutten with 8c 5h on a board that had 10d 5d 5c 7h 2c.
Final Table Payouts (USD)
- Brek Schutten – $1,261,095*
- Steven Snyder – $899,295
- Viet Vo – $593,140
- Sonny Franco – $438,500
- Albert Calderon – $326,750
- Ken Aldridge – $261,70