- The Florida Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open (SHRPO) failed to draw the crowd its organizers expected over the Labor Day weekend.
- The $10 million guarantee has given the players who did enter a $2.5 million overlay.
- Unlike last year, the 2014 SHRPO found itself scheduled against several other popular events.
The Florida Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open (SHRPO) failed to draw the crowd its organizers expected over the Labor Day weekend. As a result, the $10 million guarantee has given the players who did enter a $2.5 million overlay.
In other words, tournament organizers have to add their own money to the $7.5 million collected from players so that total payouts equal the guarantee.
After three Day 1s, total entries, including re-buys, reached 1,499. Last year’s event, which was the first to feature the $10 million guarantee, attracted 2,384 entries, bringing the prize pool to $12 million.
Heavy Global Competition
Unlike last year, the 2014 SHRPO found itself scheduled against several other popular events. The $1 million guaranteed Playground Poker Festival Main Event in Montreal surged past its guarantee after there were 189 re-entries for the $1,100 event.
In Oklahoma, the WinStar World River Poker Series Main Event guaranteed $2.5 million for its $2,500 buy-in, and attracted players such as Jordan Morgan, TJ Cloutier, Ari Engel and Allen Kessler.
More than a few professional players may also have stayed on in Europe after the record breaking EPT Barcelona finished at the end of last week.
PokerStars Support Was Not Enough
The SHRPO benefited from PokerStars’ promotion and support, and the final table will be live streamed on PokerStars TV with a delay to allow holecards to be shown.
Despite the guarantee, and support from the online giant, the SHRPO will be a disappointment its organizers who are not just $2.5 million out of pocket, but will also have to think hard about how they ensure that future guarantees are hit.
The poker world should not worry too much—the event managed a prize pool of $7.5 million against stiff competition from other events across the world. However, if the success of stories of the past year are any indication of the future, live tournament poker will continue to thrive.
