Tommy Vedes Wins 2012 WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker ShowdownPro Earns $779,520 For Second WPT Title Victory |
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Tommy Vedes became part of the elite club of two-time World Poker Tour champions when he took down the 2012 WPT Seminole Hard Rock Showdown $10,000 main event. For topping the 290-player field Vedes was awarded the $779,520 first-place prize and 1,140 Card Player Player of the Year points, moving him into 38th place in the overall standings. Vedes had previously won the 2009 WPT Festa al Lago main event for more than $1.2 million.
Vedes came into the final table as the shortest stack, looking to improve on his sixth-place finish in this same event last year. Joe Serock, who finished third in the 2012 WPT Bay 101 Shooting Star in March, came into this final table as the monster chip leader, but lost a key flip three handed to become the shortest stack. He ultimately finished in third place again, this time for $306,240 and 760 POY points. As a result of his two big finishes, Serock has moved into 12th in the overall POY standings with 1,760 points.
With Serock’s elimination, heads-up play began with 2010 WSOP November Niner John Dolan holding a solid lead over Vedes. It took 38 hands before Vedes turned it around and dealt the final knockout blow, calling Dolan’s four-bet all-in with A10 and finding himself ahead of his opponents K6. The flop improved Dolan to two pair with the KJ6, but Vedes filled up his gutshot straight draw on the turn when the Q hit the board. Dolan needed to fill up going into the river, but the harmless 4 fell, guaranteeing Vedes the pot and the title.
For his runner-up finish Dolan earned $459,360 and 950 POY points, which combined with a win in a $5,000 event at the Beau Rivage to move him into 15th place in the overall standings with 1,670 points.
Here is a look at the payouts and POY points awarded at this final table:
Place | Player | Earnings | POY Points |
1st | Tommy Vedes | $779,520 | 1140 |
2nd | John Dolan | $459,360 | 950 |
3rd | Joseph Serock | $306,240 | 760 |
4th | Craig Bergeron | $212,976 | 570 |
5th | Sharon Levin | $158,688 | 475 |
6th | Kyle Bowker | $122,496 | 380 |