HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (WSVN) — Some of the best poker players in the world squared off this weekend at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.
Sixty-four players vied for the top prize at the Monster World Poker Tour Tournament of Champions. This year marked the first time in its 14-year history that the event was held in South Florida.
The tournament kicked off Friday afternoon with a speech from teen surfing prodigy Jesse Billauer. He suffered a life-changing injury when he was 17 and has dedicated his life to helping those with disabilities ever since.
Executive tournament director Matt Savage introduced some new rules for this year’s tournament, including the addition of a 30-second timer.
Contestants competed for the $381,600 grand prize. Other prizes include a 2016 Corvette, Monster 24K headphones and a round of golf at the Shadow Creek Golf Course with Savage.
The first day of the tournament ended with 31 players still in the running. APT Amsterdam winner Farid Yachou led the pack on his first trip to the U.S.
As day 2 ended Saturday night, six players remained. Three of these contestants are from Florida, and two of them, Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi and Noah Schwartz, live in South Florida.
At least one million people are expected to watch the final table broadcast on Fox Sports. For more information, go to www.worldpokertour.com.