Dan Smith, US (486,000)
Dan Smith is one of the most successful poker players in the game. He has several titles, handfuls of results, and over $9 million in live tournament earnings. But, he'll have to battle with more than just tough competitors on the felt in this one.
In the latter half on Day 2, Smith was overcome with illness. It was suggested by some of the players that he came down with food poisoning, and Smith was often seen hovering over a garbage bin that was placed closed by for his convenience. As the night wore on, things didn't seem to get better for Smith, but he battled through it. At one point, a medical staff member was called in to sit by his side and tend to him. She assisted by repeatedly wiping him down with cool cloths, monitoring his vitals, and making sure he was getting enough fluids.
When the day was done, Smith left the tournament area alongside some of his friends with plans to go to the hospital to get checked out. The tournament staff handled bagging his finishing stack of 486,000.
Smith's largest live tournament score came last year during the summer when he won the $102,000 Super High Roller held at Bellagio for over $2 million.
In Monaco, Smith has had plenty of prior success. Of note, he won not one, not two, but three €5,000 side events in 2012. He also won another €5,000 side event this year just a few days ago for nearly €110,000.