Javier Zarco Leads Final Flight in WPT RRPO Championship w/ $662,200 Up Top

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Nov 30, 2024 3 min read

The second and final starting flight of the 2024 World Poker Tour (WPT) Seminole Rock ‘N’ Roll Poker Open Championship at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood wrapped up on Saturday night with 247 players remaining and Spain's Javier Zarco bagging the chip leader over big stacks Francis Anderson, Jessica Dawley and Al Norman.

Day 1b drew 739 entrants, bringing the total number of runners to 1,435 for a prize pool of just under $4.6 million. The eventual winner will earn $662,200, which includes a seat to the WPT World Championship at Wynn Las Vegas.

There are 180 places paid with a minimum cash being worth $6,400, meaning players are still far away from the money.

Here's a look at some of the highlights from Day 1b straight from the floor in the Seminole Hard Rock ballroom.

Read About Day 1a Highlights

"Cuz" Gets His One-Time

WPT favorite Steven "Cuz" Buckner was in regular form in a light blue Puma tracksuit and with a cigar in his mouth. Around 5:30 p.m. local time, Bucker could be heard screaming for his "one time" as he was all in in a limped pot on a flop of Kx9xXx with KxQx top be pipped by the AxKx of a player to his left.

The 9x turn changed nothing and Buckner again screamed "one time!" before a queen landed on the river to give him the winning hand. He celebrated, then calmed down thinking he may have lost, and then celebrated again as he realized he indeed had the best hand.

"I gotta get lucky one time. I'm getting b****-slapped over here. I didn't put you on ace-king. You disguised your hand, and I just got lucky. I'd rather be lucky than good."

Also in the field was Poker Hall of Famer Erik Seidel. Around this time last year, Seidel was 180 miles away in the Bahamas winning his tenth bracelet to tie fellow poker legends Doyle Brunson, Johnny Chan and Phil Ivey (who went on to win an 11th bracelet this summer).

Opposite the ballroom, an 8-year-old Yorkshire Terrier stretched its arms on the table as its owner informed his opponents that the small brown dog was named "Re-Buy."

"Because it's my second dog," he said before folding his button.

Others in the Day 1b field included 2010 WPT Player of the Year Andy Frankenberger, Athanasios Polychronopoulos, Josh Reichard three-time title holder Eric Afriat and Darren Elias as the all-time WPT title leader hunts for a fifth title. Chance Kornuth was also in the fray after running a triple-barrel bluff with king-high in the first starting flight.

The 485 players who return for Day 2 on Dec. 1 at noon local time will include Kristen Foxen, who PokerNews spoke to on Day 1a about her recent selection for the Women in Poker Hall of Fame and record-extending fifth bracelet victory.

PokerNews will be back on-site tomorrow for continued coverage of the WPT RRPO. Be sure to check out the WPT live updates in the meantime.

Hear From Kristen Foxen at the WPT RRPO

_{*Photos courtesy WPT}

Connor Richards is an Editor & Live Reporter for PokerNews and host of the Life Outside Poker podcast. Connor has been nominated for two Global Poker Awards for his writing.

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• Tags Al Norman Andy Frankenberger Athanasios Polychronopoulos Chance Kornuth Darren Elias Eric Afriat Erik Seidel Francis Anderson Javier Zarco Jessica Dawley Johnny Chan Josh Reichard Kristen Foxen Seminole Hard Rock WPT World Poker Tour
• Related Tournaments World Poker Tour
• Related Players Erik SeidelJohnny ChanChance KornuthAndy FrankenbergerAthanasios PolychronopoulosDarren Elias