Excitement Builds at Day 3 of the WPT Playground Championship
The World Poker Tour (WPT) Playground Championship, offering a CAD $3,500 buy-in and boasting a guaranteed prize pool of CAD $1.5 million, captivated the poker community on its Day 3. With the returning 53 contenders from a total of 840 entries, the tension was palpable as the tournament neared its climactic final table of six players. At the end of the day, Baron Ha emerged as the chip leader with a commanding stack of 11,625,000 chips.
The Journey of Michael Wang
One of the standout narratives of the day was the journey of poker pro Michael Wang. Known for his vibrant poker career, Wang revealed his decision to stop at Playground on his way back home to Las Vegas. “I’m glad I came. I was kind of on the fence between coming here and just going home,” he reflected, revealing an honesty that resonates with many players who must constantly balance their passions with the rigors of travel.
Having participated in the WPT for over a decade, this was a proud moment for Wang. "Feeling like I got a little bit of a monkey off my back because I’ve been playing WPT for like a bajillion years and I’ve never gotten to the final six,” he shared. As someone who narrowly missed previous final tables, including 7th and 9th places, Wang emphasized that reaching this point was already a victory in itself. “I feel like I already won something even though I’m trying to get a little bit more. There’s still a lot of work to be done,” he added determinedly.
The Final Table Set-Up
As the day wrapped up, all six remaining players were guaranteed a payout of CAD $84,000 (US $60,464). However, the coveted first-place prize of CAD $412,300 (US $296,779) and a coveted seat in the WPT World Championship was the ultimate goal. Below are the details of the final table chip counts:
WPT Playground Final Table Chip Counts
| Seat | Player | Count |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baron Ha | 11,625,000 (78 bb) |
| 2 | Amirpasha Emami | 3,100,000 (21 bb) |
| 3 | Jordan Grant | 9,200,000 (61 bb) |
| 4 | Santiago Plante | 4,700,000 (31 bb) |
| 5 | Zachary Fischer | 5,675,000 (38 bb) |
| 6 | Michael Wang | 7,625,000 (51 bb) |
Notable Exits and Shifts
Some of the more notable players who were unable to proceed included Darren Elias, a four-time WPT champion. Coming into Day 3 short-stacked, Elias’s pursuit of an unprecedented fifth title ended in 31st place with a payout of $14,756. His journey came to a close after he was eliminated in Level 23, throwing his hopes against Bradley Ellis.
The day also saw the departure of several other competitors, including Salomon Benarroch (12th – $25,553) and Adam Cader (15th – $22,674), along with Senthuran Vijayaratnam, who made headlines for his impressive double deep runs just days prior.
Vijayaratnam’s journey at the Playground had seen him finish fifth in the WPT Playground Prime Championship prior to this event, but he ultimately fell to the rising stars in this particular tournament.
The Final Countdown
As the night progressed and the remaining players battled for dominance, Michael Wang played a crucial hand that put him closer to the final six. He found himself in a tense confrontation with Antoine Sankari, leading to an all-in situation that felt like the climactic moment of a suspenseful film. Wang limped into the pot with king-queen, while Sankari raised with ace-jack. Wang’s determination paid off as a king emerged on the river, resulting in Sankari’s exit in seventh place for $46,788.
“It feels great,” Wang said, reflecting on the pressure and the excitement of that final hand. “I almost just flatted [the raise], but I think it’s just a good enough hand, and it’s so pretty, so I jammed.”
Looking Ahead
The final table will resume after a one-day hiatus, with action set to kick off at 11 am local time. Participants not only vie for monetary prizes but also aim to etch their names on Mike Sexton’s Champions Cup, a hallmark of achievement in the poker world.
WPT Playground Championship Payouts Overview
| Place | Prize in CAD |
|---|---|
| 1 | $412,300 (US $296,779) |
| 2 | $265,000 (US $190,750) |
| 3 | $196,000 (US $141,083) |
| 4 | $146,000 (US $105,093) |
| 5 | $111,000 (US $79,899) |
| 6 | $84,000 (US $60,464) |
PokerNews will continue to provide updates directly from the tournament floor, capturing all the thrills, moves, and memorable moments from this exciting championship. Stay tuned!
Photos courtesy of World Poker Tour (WPT) / Alicia Skillman.
Article written by Chad Holloway, PR & Media Manager, PokerNews; Podcast host & 2013 WSOP Bracelet Winner.
