February 11 2014, by Eric Danis

WPT Lucky Hearts Poker Open Final Table Preview

Three WPT final table vets meet three newcomers as the final table is set at Seminole Coconut Creek…

PROS vs AMATEURS

Shannon Shorr GPIThree seasoned veterans highlight the remaining six players at the WPT Lucky Hearts Poker Open in Coconut Creek, Florida as WPT final table veterans Shannon Shorr (GPI#12), Keven Stammen (GPI#94) and James Calderaro (GPI#1450) all hope to finally join the exclusive WPT Champions Club.

Shorr will carry the biggest chip stack between the trio of pros. Shorr recently placed 7th on the GPI Player of the Decade list and is certainly going to be the favourite to win his first WPT title later today.

Dimas Martinez Jr. will start the day as the chip leader, just a few chips ahead of Shorr with Tim Kegel and Evan Dollinger, who won a WPT Regional Main Event here at the Seminole Casino in Coconut Creek in 2012, will all try and keep the title away from the three pros on Tuesday.

ZAKI, PAHUJA BUBBLE

Justin Zaki GPIThe final table had the chance to include a few more former WPT final table participants. Former Seminole Hard Rock Showdown 3rd place finisher Justin Zaki was the bubble boy, busting out in seventh position.

His friend and fellow WPT FT member, Mukul Pahuja (GPI#123), would finish 8th, ending his tournament run right before Zaki’s. Pahuja was recently runner-up to Derrick Rosenbarger at WPT Montreal in November.

Each player has been very successful in the State of Florida, and with a few more FLA events left on the WPT’s Season XII schedule, we could very well see the duo back in contention in no time.

Here is a closer look at the final table participants: 

[table id=826 /]

›› SEAT 1  |  DIMAS MARTINEZ JR.  USA Flag

  • Earning his first career cash on the live tournament circuit
  • Enters the final table as the chip leader
  • WPT Career: First WPT Cash

›› SEAT 2  |  SHANNON SHORR  USA Flag

  • Recently collected two cashes at the 2014 PCA
  • Biggest score on circuit was Bellagio Cup II win in 2006 ($960,690)
  • Finished 5th at WPT World Championship in 2009 ($408,550)
  • Finished 4th at WPT Southern Championship in 2011 ($144,985)
  • Highest ranked GPI300 member at the final table (12th)
  • WPT Career: 2 final tables, 9 cashes, $793,522 USD

›› SEAT 3  |  KEVEN STAMMEN  USA Flag

  • Recently cashed in 2014 PCA Main Event ($18,200)
  • Won WSOP bracelet in NLH event in 2009 ($506,786)
  • Finished 2nd in EPT Sanremo High Roller in 2012 (€ 200,000)
  • Finished 5th at WPT World Poker Finals in 2010 ($128,650)
  • WPT Career: 1 final table, 4 cashes, $155,544 USD

›› SEAT 4  |  EVAN DOLLINGER  USA Flag

  • Finished 2nd in 2011 Isle Casino Battle at the Beach ($102,510)
  • Won WPT Regional right here at Seminole Coconut Creek in 2012 ($90,501)
  • Cashed in WSOP Millionaire Maker event last summer ($2,740)
  • WPT Career: First WPT Cash

›› SEAT 5  |  TIMOTHY KEGEL  USA Flag

  • Has already earned two prelim cashes so far at the WPT Lucky Hearts
  • Largest live tournament cash was in a prelim event at the 2012 Isle Classic ($5,100)
  • WPT Career: First WPT Cash

›› SEAT 6  |  JAMES CALDERARO  USA Flag

  • Recently finished 41st at WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open ($13,125)
  • Earned 13th place finish in 2009 WSOP Main Event ($633,022)
  • Finished 20th in 2008 WPT World Championship ($105,525)
  • Was runner-up to Shawn Cunix at WPT Jacksonville in 2012 ($236,560)
  • WPT Career: 1 final table, 5 cashes, $394,643

 

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About the author

Eric Danis’ passion for poker came at a very early age but it’s when writing about and covering the game he loves that Danis is most in his element. Danis is better known for creating www.PTPRpoker.com where he spent a few years covering poker events. Danis is also known for having worked on the poker shows Poker Eh! and The Pulse on the Quad Jacks Network.