Dylan Smith was razor-focused on Day 5 of the 2024 WPT Seminole Rock ‘N’ Roll Poker Open Championship with one thought in thoughts: to greatest his fifth-place end within the WPT Seminole Laborious Rock Poker Showdown earlier this yr. “It was disappointing coming in with the key chip lead after which going out fifth,” he instructed PokerNews yesterday. “I really feel very fortunate to have the ability to doubtlessly get redemption this rapidly. So hopefully first this time.”
Smith received his want because the 33-year-old Florida resident took down the championship occasion for $662,200 and his first WPT title as he defeated Matthew Beinner, the youngest participant on the last desk and the Day 4 chip chief.
The RRPO Championship drew 1,435 gamers for a prize pool of just below $4.6 million. Smith was joined on the last desk by Francis Anderson (fifth – $184,000) and Landon Tice (4th – $245,000), who additionally was in search of redemption after a runner-up end within the aforementioned SHRPS Championship. The universe had different plans as an early cooler noticed Tice operating into Smith’s aces, propelling the eventual champion to victory.
“I truly felt very locked in your complete day,” he instructed PokerNews and different media in a winner’s interview. “I used to be intensely centered, which I feel is why I’m so exhausted now.”
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“Within the Circulation of Issues”
When he final-tabled the SHRPS earlier this yr, Smith and his girlfriend made a highway journey to Las Vegas to play out the remainder of the occasion. Smith had home-court benefit this time round.
“I like enjoying it straight away, simply sort of within the movement of issues … For me, having an excellent morning routine, maintaining a healthy diet and waking up in my very own mattress is de facto necessary. I really feel like I play quite a bit higher when that’s the case. So it provides me a reasonably important edge on this on line casino, I feel,” mentioned Smith, who additionally completed twelfth within the within the 2023 SHRPS Championship for $88,500.
Smith had his girlfriend on the rail cheering him on as he received heads-up in opposition to Beinner. Reverse the seating space, the 23-year-old’s dad and mom had been watching the match intently. They instructed PokerNews their son has been obsessive about poker from a younger age and had a couple of images to show it.
“Your son is a beast,” Smith instructed Beinner’s dad and mom afterward. “He will win all the cash over the subsequent few years. Belief me.”
Cooler Sinks Tice Early
Earlier than the 30-minute delayed stream may even start, Paul Domb went out in sixth place as he ran jacks into the kings of Beinner. It was an indication of coolers to come back as Tice ran ace-king into Smith’s aces quickly after to be left with crumbs. He laddered previous fifth-place finisher Francis Anderson (who PokerNews spoke to on Day 4) earlier than bowing out in fourth-place for $245,000.
Although he could not enhance on his runner-up end within the SHRPS Championship, Tice’s chips went to the best participant. He instructed PokerNews that he was rooting for Smith as each gamers made back-to-back finale tables at Seminole Laborious Rock, which you’ll be able to learn extra about right here.
Tice’s rooting for Smith was balanced out by Anderson cheering for Beinner. “I need to see you win this,” he instructed the 23-year-old earlier than leaving the desk. It was becoming, then, when the 2 received heads-up after the elimination of France’s Florian Ribouchon, who ran sixes into Beinner’s nines to earn $325,000.
After a back-and-forth heads-up battle, the common chip stack dwindled and the 2 had been all in with Beinner holding king-jack to the suited seven-six of his opponent. Smith flopped two pair and although Beinner picked up a gutshot on the flip could not enhance to exit in second for $440,000.
Along with the six-figure first-place prize, Smith earned entry into the $10,400 entry into this month’s WPT World Championship at Wynn Las Vegas.
That concludes PokerNews protection of an eventful RRPO Championship in South Florida. Now prepare for protection all through the WPT World Championship competition, which kicked off on Dec. 3 and runs via Dec. 23.
Head to YouTube for a stream of the ultimate desk motion or try the WPT dwell updates.
*Pictures courtesy WPT & Laura Beinner
Editor & Reside Reporter U.S.
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