The excitement of high-stakes poker came to a head on Day 2 of the $25,000 Super High Roller at the PokerStars North American Poker Tour (NAPT) festival, held at the iconic Resorts World Las Vegas. With an impressive turnout of 60 entrants and a substantial prize pool of $1,440,600, the stakes couldn’t be higher. As the chips flew and the tension escalated, Day 2 unfolded with critical hands, strategic play, and intense action that left players and spectators buzzing.
Tournament Overview
As Day 1 concluded with 44 entrants, 28 players returned for Day 2, where the late registration option allowed an additional 16 players to join the fray. This total of 60 entrants solidified a lucrative prize pool, with a minimum payout of $57,600 for the eighth-place finisher and a staggering $439,400 awaiting the tournament champion.
As the sun set on Day 2, only four players remained standing, each vying for a significant piece of the prize. However, it was Stephen Song who emerged as the formidable leader, bagging a whopping 9,010,000 chips out of the 15,000,000 chips in play.
End of Day 2 Chip Counts
| Place | Player | Country | Chip Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stephen Song | United States | 9,010,000 |
| 2 | Sean Winter | United States | 2,450,000 |
| 3 | James Collopy | United States | 2,210,000 |
| 4 | Edward Sebesta | United States | 1,335,000 |
Stephen Song’s Dominance
Stephen Song’s ascent to the top of the leaderboard was marked by a spectacular double knockout that propelled him into the chip lead just before the final table. With pocket aces in hand, he faced a short-stacked Clemen Deng and Justin Saliba, who held ace-king. This hand was pivotal, not just for Song but also for the dynamics leading into the final table, where he maintained his aggressive play, further securing eliminations and ultimately his significant chip stack.
Sean Winter’s Rollercoaster Ride
In second place is Sean Winter, whose journey on Day 2 was nothing short of a rollercoaster. His fortunes shifted dramatically throughout the day, highlighted by a massive double-up in Level 12 with aces against kings. While his stack initially soared well beyond 1,400,000, Winter faced further ups and downs as he doubled up an opponent soon after. Yet, showcasing resilience, he executed a brilliant maneuver with pocket queens to return near the million-chip mark, securing his seat at the final table.
Steady Play from James Collopy
The ever-competent James Collopy, a three-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner, entered Day 2 in a solid position and managed to remain steady throughout the day. He expertly navigated pivotal hands, avoiding major setbacks despite intense pressure. In one of the final hands, a close call with Song’s full house nearly spell doom for him, but he emerged unscathed, maintaining his position in the top tier of the leaderboard.
Edward Sebesta on the Hot Seat
Edward Sebesta, the short stack at the final table’s onset, has amassed over $1,300,000 in career tournament earnings. With an opportunity to spin up his stack, Sebesta’s approach could potentially pave the way for his biggest score yet, should he manage to secure victory in this elite tournament.
Exploring the Day 2 Action
Day 2 also welcomed several notable players, with a mix of high-profile names, including Nick Schulman, David Peters, and Andrew Lichtenberger, joining the fray. Players like Jeremy Ausmus and Justin Saliba, after earlier eliminations, attempted successful reentries but tragically fell short of the money bubble.
A significant talking point came with the elimination of Scott Seiver, the chip leader from Day 1, falling prey to a disastrous cooler against Elias Gutierrez. Seiver’s journey ended abruptly when he encountered a flopped full house that left him with mere chips, highlighting the ruthless nature of high-stakes poker.
The Final Table Dynamics
The journey to the final table was intense, with nine players making it, but only eight cashing as Nicholas Seward suffered the unfortunate fate of becoming the bubble boy after a classic flip against Collopy. Once the payouts began, numerous familiar names exited within quick succession, including early payees Paul Jager and Brock Wilson, both falling victim to Song’s prowess.
$25,000 Super High Roller Prize Pool and Payouts
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $439,400 | ||
| 2 | $288,100 | ||
| 3 | $208,900 | ||
| 4 | $158,500 | ||
| 5 | Elias Gutierrez | Spain | $122,500 |
| 6 | Thomas Eychenne | Italy | $93,600 |
| 7 | Brock Wilson | United States | $72,000 |
| 8 | Paul Jager | United States | $57,600 |
Conclusion
As Day 2 of the $25,000 Super High Roller drew to a close, it laid the groundwork for an electrifying finale with just four players remaining. With significant money on the line and competitive spirits running high, all eyes will turn to the final day. Who will emerge victorious and claim the coveted title, along with the grand prize? Stay tuned as the drama unfolds at the PokerStars North American Poker Tour at Resorts World Las Vegas!
