Dan Smith Wins EPT Barcelona Super High Roller


Tuesday August 21,2012 : DAN THE KING AT EPT BARCELONA
 
Online poker pro collects Euro 962,925 for Super High Roller win in Barcelona
 
The final table in the Euro 50,000 buy-in EPT Barcelona Super High Roller competition this weekend was enough to daunt the bravest spirit, but not 20-something US poker pro Dan "KingDan" Smith, who wrapped it up for a Euro 962,925 victory after an exciting heads up and a two-way chop to boost his already considerable career earnings.
 
Facing Smith across the felt were other online aces like Ilari Sahamies, Mike "Timex" McDonald and Mike “SirWatts” Watson, along with international live tournament aces like JC Alvarado and Erik Seidel. Lesser known, but skilled and talented players Talal Shakerchi and Jim McCrink made up the balance, constituting a tough and very able group of opponents.
 
At the heads up it was Smith vs. Alvarado, with the former Team Mexico captain and Las Vegas resident at a 2 million-chip disadvantage. Chip leader Smith agreed to a chop of the large remaining prize pool which gave Alvarado a guaranteed Euro 788,675 but left Euro 100,000 on the felt for the ultimate winner.
 
After some intense and aggressive exchanges, that turned out to be Smith, who is on something of a heater this year, having taken down several significant tournament events, most notably a million dollar win in the $100,000 competition at the Aussie Millions that took his career earnings over the three million dollar mark.
 
Other pay packets on the final table were:
 
3. Mike Watson €399,500
4. Ilari Sahamies €291,900
5. Mike McDonald €215,100
6. Erik Seidel €153,600
7. Talal Shakerchi €138,300
8. Jim McCrink €122,960
 
Still in Barcelona, Day 1a of the European Poker Tour main event kicked off with around 403 first-day hopefuls and officials expecting a record turnout for Day 1b as well. When InfoPowa went to press Aku Joentausta looked to be the likely first day chip leader.