Dan Smith Wins EPT Barcelona Super High Roller For €962,925

US pro Dan Smith has won the European Poker Tour Barcelona €50,000 Super High Roller, after defeating a field of 55 players plus an additional nine reloads, to collect the title and the €962,925 first place prize.
With his victory Dan Smith has now taken his live tournament earnings to $3,986,381 and commenting on his latest success at the Casino Barcelona, said: “I am tired but I couldn’t be happier..it’s really unreal.”
As the final table of eight got underway, Dan Smith, Mike “Timex” McDonald and JC Alvarado held 80 percent of the chips in play with the remaining players reduced to 20 big blind stacks or less.
First to exit was Jim McCrink, who was dealt pocket nines in a battle of the blinds situation against Dan Smith (Kh-8h), but left in 8th (€122,960) after the board fell Ah-5h-6c-4h-Kd.
Finland’s Ilari Sahamies then proceeded to bust UK’s Talal Shakerchi in 7th (€138,300) and Erik Seidel in 6th (€153,600), before Dan Smith entered the fray once more, holding A-J and dispatching Mike McDonald (A-10) in 5th for €215,100.
A few hand later, Dan Smith (Ac-10c) and Ilari Sahamies (As-Qs) got it all-in preflop but the Fin found himself soon out the door in 4th (€291,900), after the board ran out 10-8-2-6-4. Following the elimination of Mike Watson (A-8) at the hands of JC Alvarado (Kd-Qd) in 3rd (€399,500), the heads-up phase of the competition got underway with Smith holding a 5-3 chip advantage over his Mexican opponent.
The two players then locked-up a deal whereby Smith would take €862,925 to Alvarado’s €788,634 before playing for the remaining €100,000 and title. Eventually, Smith took a 6-1 chip lead before the defining hand was played with Smith holding A-K to Alvarado’s K-K. Unfortunately for the Mexican, the board rolled out A-6-4-6-3 to relegate him to the runner-up position, while  Dan Smith was crowned the EPT Barcelona Super High Roller Champion.
The final table payouts were as follows:
1 – Dan Smith, USA, €962,925
2 – JC Alvarado, Mexico, €788,674
3 – Mike Watson, Canada, €399,500
4 – Ilari Sahamies, Finland, €291,900
5 – Mike McDonald, Canada, €215,100
6 – Erik Seidel, USA, €153,600
7 – Talal Shakerchi, UK, €138,300
8 – Jim McCrink, USA, €122,960