Darryll Fish Leads Day 3 of the WPT Seminole Rock ‘N’ Roll Poker Open
Darryll Fish at the WPT RRPO Championship
The 2024 World Poker Tour (WPT) Seminole Rock ‘N’ Roll Poker Open Championship reached a thrilling milestone on its most eventful day to date. Gathering at the prestigious Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood, the excitement culminated on Monday night, with professional poker player Darryll Fish emerging as the frontrunner among 16 remaining players. As a champion of the 2018 Lucky Hearts Poker Open, Fish is no stranger to the pressure of high-stakes poker and is now on the hunt for a second WPT title.
A Challenging Table Ahead for Fish
As Fish moves into Day 4, he faces a formidable challenge. His table features notable players including Landon Tice and Dylan Smith—both strong competitors who have previously made deep runs at this very venue, finishing at the final table of the WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown held earlier this year. To say Fish will have his hands full is an understatement, as he contends with players who have proven themselves capable of navigating the latter stages of major tournaments.
Across the room, the dynamic doesn’t let up. Two-time bracelet winner Alexandre Reard joins Matthew Wantman, who is also vying for his second WPT title after taking down the 2019 Aria Summer Championship. This mix of talent means Day 4 will likely be filled with thrilling strategies and heart-stopping decisions.
The Final 16: Talented Players in the Mix
Alongside Fish, Tice, Smith, Reard, and Wantman, the final 16 players boast an impressive array of experience and skill in the game of poker. Francis Anderson, Iulian Blebea, Eugene Kotlyarevskiy, Drew O’Connell, and Florian Ribouchon make up the rest of this competitive field, each of whom brings their unique style and strategy to the table.
As the tournament progresses, the intensity will only increase, with each player eyeing the substantial $662,200 top prize and the coveted title of WPT champion.
Day 3 Highlights: Eliminations and Key Performances
Day 3 opened with an impressive 90 players, each already in the money. However, as the chip stacks dwindled, the competition quickly intensified. Among the early casualties were poker heavyweights such as Jason Mercier and the 2022 GPI Player of the Year Stephen Song, both of whom fell short of progressing farther in the tournament.
The atmosphere was charged as Ren Lin, known as the "professional short stack," finished in 22nd place, while Rich Alsup, a member of the MSPT Hall of Fame, exited in 19th. Players like Andrew Voor and Adam Hendrix, both recent movers and shakers in the tournament scene, ended their runs in 18th and 17th place, respectively.
Noteworthy Achievements and Wins
The noise of the event continued to pulse through the room as poker coach and former WPT Player of the Year Faraz Jaka clinched victory at the $10,000 Deep Stack event, earning a remarkable $313,495. His triumph included a grueling three-hour heads-up battle, showcasing the high skill levels present at the tournament. Jaka’s victory was captured by the PokerNews team, emphasizing the electrifying spirit of competition at the RRPO.
Looking Forward to Day 4
As the clock ticks down and players rest their minds, Day 4 kicks off on December 3 at noon local time, with a return to Level 28, featuring blinds of 75,000/125,000/125,000. Significant contests lie ahead, filled with bluffing, strategies, and nail-biting moments as the competitors strive for the top prize and eternal glory in the world of professional poker.
Stay tuned to PokerNews for continuing coverage as we bring you the latest stories from the WPT RRPO festival in South Florida, where the atmosphere promises constant excitement and unpredictable outcomes.
Photos courtesy of WPT
Written by Connor Richards, Editor & Live Reporter U.S. for PokerNews
