Card Player POY Update: Karr and Hastings Win Regional EventsMinor Movements a Week after Seidel and Mercier Crack Top Ten |
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Here is a look at the Card Player Player of the Year movement from Aug. 17-24. Be sure to check back each Wednesday for another update from the world of tournament poker.
Parx Open Poker Classic
Parx Casino in Bensalem, PA played host to a 15-tournament series running from Aug. 10-24, with buy-ins ranging from $230 all the way up to the $2,000 main event. The championship event had a strong turnout of 181 players, creating a $324,895 prize pool. Some notable pros cashed in the main event including Will “The Thrill” Failla (7th, $12,996), Ronald Lee (3rd, $38,987), and eventual runner up Dan Smith ($51,983).
Smith lost heads-up to Mclean Karr, who took home $74,725 and 432 Player of the Year points for his win, moving him into 237th position in the overall standings with 1,117 points. Karr has had a solid year so far, winning this title and two small-field high roller events, to go along with three other final tables. In March, Karr won the $15,300 high roller event at the World Poker Tour Vienna for $263,201, and earlier this month he added another $103,808 for winning a high roller event in the Asian Poker King tournament in Macau. His 2011 earnings are now $513,719.
WPT Summer Splash
Some big names did indeed make a splash at the World Poker Tour Regional $2,200 championship event at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. The event attracted 391 players, creating a $782,000 prize pool. Among those to make the money were Jason Mercier, who currently sits in fifth position on the POY leaderboard. The Florida native finished 23rd for $6,647 and fell short of earning any POY points.
Another Floridian to find success at this event was Darryll Fish, who finished 4th for $55,522 and earned 468 POY points, moving him into 176th place in the overall standings. Ultimately, high-stakes cash game pro Brian Hastings took down the title for $213,877, scooping 936 POY points. Hastings had not earned any points prior to this in 2011, but on the strength of this win alone was able to jump to 342nd place in the overall standings.
Looking Ahead
There are many places all over the United States where players can earn POY points in the coming week. The Bicycle Casino in Los Angeles is hosting its annual WPT Legends of Poker series, and the $3,500 WPT main event is set to run from Aug. 25-30.
The River Poker Series at the WinStar World Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma began earlier this week, and with $3 million guaranteed over the nine events, $2.4 million of which goes to the main event, there is sure to be plenty of prize money and POY points up for grabs.
Here’s a Look at the Top 10 as of Aug. 24
| Rank | Player Name | POY Points | 2011 Winnings |
| 1 | Sam Stein | 4,334 | $1,784,380 |
| 2 | Galen Hall | 4,284 | $3,004,198 |
| 3 | Maxim Lykov | 3,876 | $1,543,680 |
| 4 | Chris Moorman | 3,875 | $1,187,674 |
| 5 | Jason Mercier | 3,749 | $1,433,488 |
| 6 | Ben Lamb | 3,636 | $1,331,832 |
| 7 | Erik Seidel | 3,567 | $6,091,537 |
| 8 | Taylor von Kriegenbergh | 3,560 | $1,306,340 |
| 9 | Marvin Rettenmaier | 3,520 | $519,888 |
| 10 | Anton Ionel | 3,500 | $1,778,140 |
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