Hungary’s Istvan Briski Conquers WPT Seminole Rock N Roll Open Main Event For $647,300

Hungarian poker player Istvan Briski (cover image)triumphed at the World Poker Tour (WPT) Seminole Hard Rock ‘n’ Roll Poker Open’s $3,500 Main Event, clinching a victory worth $647,300. After a strategic heads-up deal with Lebanon’s Rayan Chamas, Briski emerged victorious from a competitive field of 1,447 entries, claiming the largest slice of the $4,630,400 prize pool. This win not only grants him a coveted spot on the Mike Sexton Cup but also membership in the exclusive WPT Champions Club.

Reflecting on his win, Briski shared, “It’s amazing to be a WPT champion. I ran really good in the tournament. I’m very happy; it’s my biggest score and I’m very grateful.” He also revealed that his participation was somewhat serendipitous, having originally won a Bahamas package online and deciding to join the Main Event as a warm-up.

Briski acknowledged the crucial support of his friends during the tournament, who were present since the event was narrowed down to three tables. They provided him with not just moral support but also essential sustenance like food, water, and coffee.

Marking his first WPT cash, Briski sees this win as a gateway to more live tournament play, a format he greatly enjoys. He expressed his desire to delve deeper into live poker, bolstered by this significant victory.

In a heartfelt acknowledgment, Briski credited Samuel Vousden, a friend and mentor, for his invaluable support in various aspects of his career, from emotional to financial guidance. According to Briski, this win is not just a personal achievement but also a testament to the support and guidance he has received on his poker journey.

Notable players to cash at the World Poker Tour (WPT) Seminole Hard Rock ‘n’ Roll Poker Open $3,500 Main Event were 2022 WPT Player of the Year Chad Eveslage (19th for $31,400), three-time WPT Champion Anthony Zinno (47th for $15,800), Yuval Bronshtein (57th for $12,000), three-time WPT Champion Alex Foxen (59th for $12,000), WPT Champion Chance Kornuth (69th for $10,600), and three-time WPT Champion Brian Altman (72nd for $10,600).

The Championship event at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, with a buy-in of $3,500, attracted a massive turnout of 1,447 entrants across two starting flights. Day 1A saw 655 players joining the fray, while Day 1B added a further 792 participants. This impressive field size led to the creation of a substantial prize pool totaling $4,630,400. In line with the tournament’s structure, the top 181 finishers were set to receive payouts.

You can watch the live stream of the complete final table action here.

Final Table Chip Counts
1. Istvan Briski – 23,975,000
2. Sandy Sanchez – 15,050,000
3. Fred Goldberg – 13,325,000
4. Rayan Chamas – 11,000,000
5. Darryll Fish – 4,625,000
6. Matt Bond – 4,350,000

Final Table Recap
The final table of the Main Event unfolded into an intense battleground as the game commenced at 2 PM (local time) on Wednesday. It wasn’t until two hours into the game that the first elimination occurred, setting the tone for a day of strategic and high-stakes play.

Darryll Fish, starting the day with a short stack, fought valiantly but ultimately fell when he pushed all-in with , only to run into Istvan Briski‘s pocket kings. A king on the flop sealed Fish’s fate, rewarding him with his 21st WPT cash and seventh final table appearance.

Shortly after, Matt Bond made a bold move by going all-in with , only to be called by Fred Goldberg’s pocket jacks. Bond failed to improve his hand on the board, marking his exit in fifth place, a commendable finish that nearly surpassed his largest cash to date.

As the tournament progressed, the intensity ratcheted up. Fred Goldberg, whittled down to less than ten big blinds, was the next to depart. His was no match for Briski’s pocket jacks, which hit a set on the flop, sending Goldberg packing.

The three-handed game was a battle of nerves that lasted around an hour. Sandy Sanchez, having satellite into the tournament for just $400, went all-in with pocket fives against Rayan Chamas’ pocket nines. The board offered no surprises, and Sanchez’s remarkable run ended in third place, earning him a return of 915 times his investment.

Heads-up play began with Rayan Chamas in the lead, but after a short break and a payout adjustment agreement, the final showdown for the trophy and a seat to the WPT World Championship commenced. Briski, steadily chipping away at Chamas’ lead, eventually pushed him into a corner. In a decisive hand, Chamas shoved with against Briski’s . The board ran out , leaving Briski’s hand on top and crowning him the newest WPT champion, a title earned through a series of calculated plays and unwavering focus.

Final Table Results (USD)
1. Istvan Briski – $647,300*
2. Rayan Chamas – $600,000*
3. Sandy Sanchez – $366,500
4. Fred Goldberg – $274,000
5. Matt Bond – $206,900
6. Darryll Fish – $157,800
*denotes a heads-up deal

Content & Images Courtesy: Pokernews & World Poker Tour