Tom Tran Wins WSOPC Planet Hollywood Opening Event
PokerNews is in town to live report both the High Roller and Main Event here at the World Series of Poker Circuit Planet Hollywood, but those are just two gold ring events that will have played out by the end of the series.
In fact, things kicked off with Event #1: $250 No-Limit Hold’em, a tournament that attracted 684 runners and offered up a $136,800 prize pool.
That was paid out to the top 103 players including Brett Shaffer (2nd - $15,650), Wendy Freedman (9th - $2,340), Jarod Ludemann (18th - $1,247), Calvin Anderson (32nd - $570), Sean Taylor (48th - $520), and Kristen Deardorff (78th - $355).
In the end, 45-year-old Orlando player Tom Tran came out on top to win a $25,431 top prize and his first gold ring.
“It’s most exciting. It was a long grind but it’s awesome to get to the end,” said Tran. “I play many tournaments in Florida. Daytona, Miami and then we come out to Las Vegas twice a year … This is one of the highest that I’ve won and it’s a great feel of tournament. I definitely would play in the World Series of Poker Circuit again.”
He added: “Very tight and good players. I continued to play my game with the cards I got, and fortunately I lucked out in the end.”
Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Hometown | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tom Tran | Orlando, Florida | $25,431 |
| 2 | Brett Shaffer | Beloit, Kansas | $15,650 |
| 3 | Sean O'Brien | Cordova, Arkansas | $11,500 |
| 4 | Peter Kao | Atlanta, Georgia | $8,600 |
| 5 | David Freeston | New York, New York | $6,475 |
| 6 | Steven Selbrede | Las Vegas, Nevada | $4,925 |
| 7 | James Hoeppner | Las Vegas, Nevada | $3,800 |
| 8 | sLeonard Ferguson | Lake Lure, North Carolina | $2,975 |
| 9 | Wendy Freedman | Las Vegas, Nevada | $2,340 |