Hard Rock poker, great weather, great people.”Īll six players involved in the deal secured six-figure paydays. “It’s the best place I know,” Laufer told Seminole reporters after the tournament. Originally from New Jersey, Laufer now resides in Florida and owns a recruiting company. The tournament ended in a six-way deal that saw chip leader Michael Laufer claim the title along with $160,734 in prize money.
The massive turnout more than doubled the $1 million guarantee by generating a $2,044,680 prize pool that was paid out to the top 622 finishers. That is the largest field size in both state and venue history surpassing the prior record of 5,018 entries from the 2016 RRPO. The 2021 RRPO kicked off in a big way as Event #1: $400 Deep Stack NLH set both a Seminole Hard Rock and state of Florida record with 6,196 entries over eight starting flights. Michael Laufer Wins Record-Setting Opening Event Michael Laufer Others to claim trophies are Dean Salisbury (Event #5: $600 Double Black Chip Bounty for $8,000), Robert Brandl (Event #8: $400 Deep Stack NLH for $23,178), Nancy Birnbaum (Event #13: $400 Black Chip Bounty PLO for $7,460), and Brandon Wilson (Event #20: $600 Double Black Chip Bounty Turbo for $11,415). There have already been several notable side event winners including Michael Laufer and Loni Hui (more on their victories below). The WPT Championship is just one of 31 primary events on the 2021 RRPO schedule.
