Frank ‘The Tank’ Stepuchin Strikes Gold at WPT Seminole RRPO

Frank Stepuchin, or “Frank the Tank” as he’s come to be known to most people on the World Poker Tour, epitomizes having fun at the poker table. From his outfits to his various props and talismans – specifically his chicken wing – it’s a rare moment to see anything but a smile on Stepuchin’s face during a WPT event, and he plays a lot them.

Stepuchin’s primary claim to WPT history is his victory in the WPT Gardens Poker Championship in early 2019. Outlasting a stacked final table that included Ray Qartomy, Steve Sung, and Shannon Shorr who Stepuchin defeated in heads-up play to claim a permanent spot on the Mike Sexton WPT Champions Cup.

Whether he’s winning WPT titles or hanging on with a short stack, Stepuchin never lacks for enthusiasm or a cold beverage at the table. He had both in spades on Friday as he was racking up pot after pot on Day 1A of the WPT Seminole Rock ‘N’ Roll Poker Open, building up a seemingly ever-growing stack until late in the day, when he found himself in contention for overnight chip leader.

That was of particular importance on that particular day because the chip lead was worth a little bit more than a good start in a big tournament this time around. That distinction earned Stepuchin a coveted Golden Passport to the upcoming ClubWPT Gold $5M Invitational Freeroll during the WPT World Championship at Wynn Las Vegas festival.

Perhaps the best part of all is that, until the last break of the night, Stepuchin was unaware he was even in the mix.

“I didn’t even know that was happening,” said Stepuchin. “Like Level 9, I went to the bathroom, drinking some beer and somebody’s like, ‘Hey, you might, maybe, get the seat,’ or whatever. I’m like, ‘What seat?’ And he said they announced some people’s names that were near the top [of the chip counts]. And so then I kind of knew.”

Upon officially finishing Day 1A in the No. 1 spot, Stepuchin was admittedly excited for the opportunity. A resident of the Las Vegas area and a regular on the World Poker Tour, Stepuchin was already expecting to play the full festival. Now he’ll get to participate in another of the marquee events on the schedule.

As someone who has played in many massive tournament fields, Stepuchin feels he may have a slight edge heading into the freeroll, but that he won’t overestimate himself by any means.

“First place is a million dollars in a freeroll,” said Stepuchin. “Can’t beat it, WPT putting up a $5 million freeroll. But it’s hard to win anything. [With] 2000 people, doesn’t matter if there’s amateurs. I’m not that much better than the amateur.”

Stepuchin’s road to the Day 1A chip lead and the Golden Passport wasn’t without its close calls. His friend Jesse Lonis, the current  No. 1 player in both the 2024 GPI Player of the Year race and the overall GPI index, was one of two players within 4,000 chips – less than two big blinds.

With the dinner break approaching on Day 2 of the WPT Seminole Rock ‘N’ Roll Poker Open and the bubble on the horizon, Stepuchin was still in a healthy position to make a run at some significant money in South Florida before returning to Las Vegas.

But as always, his heart and his priorities were in common alignment.

“I think I’m about where I started with today, so I still got tons of chips and I’m just trying to make Day 3,” said Stepuchin. “And whatever I have I have, I might have to start having some cold ones.”