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Griffin Paul is the winner of the WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown, he defeated Joe "ender555" Ebanks in heads-up to claim the title and the $1 million first place prize.
Six players returned for the finale of the $3,500 Main Event of the WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown, the chip leader was Griffin Paul with 14.29 million chips, which represented a 119 big blind stack.
The biggest favorite for the title was Joe "ender555" Ebanks, who is a successful player both live and online, having won WSOP and WCOOP titles throughout his career.
Seat 1. Griffin Paul - 14.290.000 (119 bb)
Seat 2. Joe Ebanks - 6.585.000 (54 bb)
Seat 3. Ryan Rivers - 4.170.000 (34 bb)
Seat 4. Shawn Nguyen - 3.615.000 (30 bb)
Seat 5. Brian Green - 5.205.000 (43 bb)
Seat 6. Andre Crooks - 10.350.000 (86bb)
There were no real short stacks at the table, and it toom 57 hands for the first player to be eliminated. Ryan Rivers shoved for 1.525 million chips during Level 32 (75k/150k-25k ante) from UTG, and Ebanks called.
Rivers showed K-8 suited and was in bad shape against Ebanks' A-8. The T-8-3-5-2 board didn't improve Rivers' hand and he was eliminated in sixth place, while Ebanks grabbed the chip lead.
During Level 33 (100k/200k-25k ante) Paul minraised from UTG, Brian Green shoved for 1.95 million from the small blind and Paul snap-called with J-J. Green had A-T and failed to improve his hand, he received $269,000 for his fifth place finish.
Shawn Nguyen followed him not much later, he was all-in with 6.675 million chips and A-T against Ebanks' 9-9, which held up.
Six hands later Ebanks raised to 550,000 from the small blind, Crooks 3bet to 1.1 million, Ebanks 4bet to 2.35 million, and Crooks came over the top, 5betting to 4.8 million. Ebanks shoved and Crooks snap-called all-in for 9.975 million.
Ebanks showed 9-9 while Crooks held K-K, and the board ran out A-J-9-4-T to send Crooks packing in third place.
Ebanks now held the chip lead with 26.475 million chips, which equaled a 132 big blind stack, a massive lead over Paul's 17.75 million, 88 big blind stack.
Ebanks managed to build a 3:1 chip advantage, but by Level 34 (150k/300k-50k ante), Paul took over the lead after doubling up in a coinflip and winning several other pots.
The last hand of the tournament played out during Level 35 (200k/400k-50k ante).
Paul limped from the button, Ebanks raised to 1.5 million and Paul called. On the K-J-4 flop Ebanks bet 1 million and called all-in for 8.475 million after Paul shoved.
Ebanks showed A-J for second pair top kicker, while Paul had K-9. The turn and river came a 4 and a 6 and Ebanks was eliminated.
Griffin Paul won the biggest score of his career, he pocketed $1.000.000 for the victory.
Final table results:
1. Griffin Paul - $1.000.000
2. Joe Ebanks - $615.000
3. Andre Crooks - $383.000
4. Shawn Nguyen - $323.500
5. Brian Green - $269.000
6. Ryan Rivers - $217.500