End of day chip leads are usually great for bragging rights, but for Frank “The Tank” Stepuchin it was worth a whole lot more at the WPT Seminole Rock ‘N’ Roll Poker Open. His day 1 lead bagged him a seat to the ClubWPT Gold $5million Invitational Freeroll at Wynn Las Vegas.
The Freeroll, with $1million going to the winner, is the largest-ever of its kind and will kick off the highly-anticipated WPT World Championship at Wynn Las Vegas festival later this month.
Stepuchin, however, was completely unaware that he was in the running for Golden Passport to join in the fun and games.
“I didn’t even know that was happening,” Stepuchin revealed afterwards. “Like Level 9, I went to the bathroom, drinking some beer and somebody’s like, ‘Hey, you might, maybe, get the seat,’ or whatever.
“I’m like, ‘What seat?’ And he said they announced some people’s names that were near the top [of the chip counts]. And so, then I kind of knew.”
There followed a nerve-wracking final level on a day that saw 696 players whittled down to 238 who found a bag, with Stepuchin – known as Frank the Tank – edging out his rivals:
Frank Stepuchin – 394,000 (157 bb)
William Lamar-Boone – 391,000 (156 bb)
Jesse Lonis – 390,500 (156 bb)
Kevin Schulz – 388,500 (155 bb)
Gregory Back – 364,500 (145 bb)
That single big blind lead could see the WPT Champions Club member add a unique title to his resume:
“First place is a million dollars in a freeroll,” Stepuchin told WPT reporters, adding: “Can’t beat it, WPT putting up a $5 million freeroll. But it’s hard to win anything. [With] 2000 people, doesn’t matter if there’s amateurs. I’m not that much better than the amateur.”
Unfortunately for Frank the Tank, he won’t be lifting the WPT Seminole Rock ‘N’ Roll Poker Open title, falling on day two alongside numerous other former WPT champions, including Erik Seidel, Alex Foxen, Ryan Riess, Scott Baumstein, Jonathan Jaffe and Darren Elias.
When he gets to Vegas next week, though, he’ll be in with a chance not only of the $1million+ first prize in the freeroll, but also a host of other unique prizes up for grabs.
🏎️ @ClubWPTGold is bringing over $750,000 in additional prizes to the table during the @WPT World Championship @WynnLasVegas @WynnPoker, including a 2025 McLaren GTS! 🎊
The best part? You don’t even have to play to leave with the keys. 🔑pic.twitter.com/QsHGeo2fy0
— World Poker Tour (@WPT) November 21, 2024
This stunning 2025 McLaren GTS sports car valued at $240,000 is perhaps the most incredible prize to be seen at a poker event, and WPT CEO Adam Pliska was quick to share the good news.
“In case the chance of playing in a $5 million freeroll was not reason enough for poker players and enthusiasts alike to register with ClubWPT Gold, we have added even more incentive,” explained Pliska.
He added: “Anyone who has signed up for an account could be leaving Wynn as a new owner of one of the most luxurious sports cars in the world.”
The WPT World Championship festival schedule includes:
- $10,400 WPT World Championship (Dec. 14)
- WPT Ladies Championship (Dec. 14)
- $5 million freeroll (Dec. 13)
- WPT Prime Championship (Dec. 8)
VIP Grinders will bring you all the best of the action, so be sure to check in regularly.
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