Byron Kaverman On Top in the $300,000 Super High Roller Bowl

May 29th, 2017 | by Kaycee James

The much-anticipated Super High Roller Bowl got underway on May 28 and, after seven levels of play, Byron Kaverman was the man in charge.

Byron Kaverman leads Super High Roller Bowl.

Byron Kaverman leads the way in this year’s Super High Roller Bowl at the Aria, Las Vegas. (Image: YouTube/World Poker Tour)

The $300,000 super high roller at the Aria, Las Vegas, caused a stir early this year when a record number of players tried to join the action.

With the promise of $6 million for the winner and global coverage thanks to live streaming and NBC coverage organized by Poker Central, players ante-up on mass.

With only 35 seats available and 54 players on the pre-registration waiting list, a ballot was held. But after there was outcry from the community that the likes of Daniel Negreanu had missed out on a place in the TV tournament, the organizers decided to add an extra 20 seats into the mix.

Big Names Ready to Ante-Up

This increased number of seats allowed some familiar faces from the poker world, as well as outside celebrities such as Kevin Hart, to join the action.

As the tournament got underway, many of the 55 entrants were in their seats early due to the extra ante the big blind has to pay in the early levels.

Despite the presence of the enhanced big blind (designed to keep the action flowing), Phil Hellmuth was one of the late arrivals. Using the same tactic that has served him well at the World Series of Poker for the last few years clearly didn’t work this time around as he was back on the rail within a few levels.

Much of Hellmuth’s downfall came at the hands of Justin Bonomo and his 8♥ 6♥. After three-betting Hellmuth from the small bling, Bonomo made a continuation bet on the 7♣ 10♣ 9♥ flop and called after a raise from his opponent.

By the time the Q♥ landed on the river, Bonomo had moved all-in and Hellmuth had called with a set of tens. A 3♠ on the river gave Bonomo a timely double up, but meant Hellmuth was down to just 88,000 chips.

Hart Breaks Hellmuth’s Heart

Despite a brief upswing, Hellmuth was eventually eliminated by Kevin Hart when his pocket threes couldn’t overcome the comedian’s pocket queens. With Hellmuth out, all eyes turned to Kaverman as he surged to the top of the leaderboard.

A full house against Cary Katz early in the session allowed Kaverman to steadily pressure his opponents through the day and end with 1.2 million chips.

Also among the 44 surviving players duking it out in the top ten chip counts was the likes of Jason Mercier, Fedor Holz and CEO of Kings Casino in the Czech Republic, Leon Tsoukernik.

Day 2 is set to resume on May 29 when another seven levels of action will sort out the potential winners from the also rans in this year’s Super High Roller Bowl.