If early turnout is any indication, the $1 million guarantee will be smashed in the $5,000 buy-in World Poker Tour (WPT) bestbet Scramble in Jacksonville.
The first of two Day 1 sessions kicked off around noon ET on Friday with over 50 players, a total that has significantly grown through the first two levels of play. One of the players seated at the start is Darren Elias, who holds nearly every WPT Main Tour record (cashes, titles, final table appearances).
Packed House of Skilled Pros and Recreational Players
The bestbet Jacksonville casino, which boasts one of the top card rooms in the US, has hosted numerous major poker tournaments over the years, including many WPT events. But this week’s tournament is the first WPT Main Tour event in Northern Florida since 2019, and it’s sizing up to be a huge one.
At the time of publishing, two levels into Day 1a, more than 90 players had already registered, and registration will remain open until the start of Level 9. There’s already over $400,000 in the pot, meaning one could reasonably anticipate the $1 million guarantee to crack early on Day 1b (Saturday).
Who’s Who of Poker
Major poker tournaments in Florida always seem to attract the best players, and this one is no different. Not only is Elias in the house, but a number of other World Poker Tour greats are as well, including past WPT Player of the Year winner Erkut Yilmaz, and WPT Champions Club members Harrison Gimbel and Scott Eskenazi.
Bin Weng, poker’s most unstoppable force in 2023, is also in attendance seeking his second WPT win. In April-May, he reached two consecutive WPT final tables, winning one. He’s also won a Borgata event for $1 million in Atlantic City and the WPT EveryOne for One Drop this summer for $2,227,054. Perhaps his magical year will continue with a deep run at bestbet.
All those stars can’t match the World Poker Tour success of Elias, the only player ever with four titles. Elias also holds the record for final table appearances (13) and cashes (48). The WPT crusher busted his first bullet and is already back in action hoping to spin his second buy-in up.
*Images courtesy of WPT/Drew Amato
