Seems like a funny time for the Director of Poker Operations for the Seminole Hard Rock Casino, William Mason, to be “on vacation” but according to poker pro Scott Seiver, who was looking for some answers in the middle of a dispute during the SHRPO high roller event, that’s exactly where he is.

Director of poker operations is on vacation I’m told and there is no one to talk to— Scott Seiver (@scott_seiver) September 01, 2014

Also apparently the director of poker operations is on vacation during the biggest week of the year here. Can’t make this shit up.— Ryan Fee (@fees88) September 02, 2014

Granted it was Labor Day in the USA, but in the midst of what is arguably the Seminole Hard Rock’s biggest poker event of the year, which found itself needing to provide a $2.5M overlay, and on the day that they hold what is likely their largest buy-in event…ever…a $100K high roller tournament – when a decision is needed from the top, by an influential poker player – that dude is “on vacation?”

Totally understandable, and unfortunate, if that is code for “permanent vacation” as bosses at casinos aren’t often fans of giving away a free $2.5M. But, someone needs to be readily available and have ultimate authority in the midst of one’s signature event and a nearly $1M sit-and-go.

Seiver ended up in a dispute over payouts in the $100K “tournament” (which featured 9 runners) where the structure sheet/tournament rules says that 3 places were going to get paid but officials on hand declared it to be only 2.

For all asking: floor told us 2 paid. After day 1 while bagging diff floor says mistake and pay 3. I complain that that can’t change so late— Scott Seiver (@scott_seiver) September 02, 2014

Counterargument is that rules state pay 3; however tournament played as if 2 paid and all play decisions made as such. That takes precedent— Scott Seiver (@scott_seiver) September 02, 2014

At the end of the day though, the floor realized they had made a mistake by saying it would be only 2 and announced that the payouts would be re-set to 3…setting off the dispute.

Was just told at end of day 1 @shrpo 100k that the payouts have changed and they’re changing the format of the tourney. Beyond unacceptable— Scott Seiver (@scott_seiver) September 01, 2014

After listening to Seiver’s argument, and finding someone with some decision making authority, SHRPO officials decided to see things Scott’s way.

After 2 hours, management decided to uphold initial payouts. This preserves game integrity and thank you @shrpo for listening to a complaint— Scott Seiver (@scott_seiver) September 01, 2014

While the official update states that players helped make the change. Not all of the players involved were happy – specifically Ryan Fee and Jason Mo.

This is outrageous. @scott_seiver complains to #SHRPO staff and they change the payout structure of the tournament after it starts. WTF— Ryan Fee (@fees88) September 01, 2014

Btw the floor told me it was 2 on the structure sheet, I asked to see it and then they admitted they lied and it was 3 @shrpo— Jason Mo (@klink10k) September 02, 2014

As it sits right now – 2 places are going to get paid. Wonder why Scott was so adamant about only 2 places being paid?

Scott yells at them and they decide to change it to two player payout. Scott has like 550k everyone else ~100k.— Ryan Fee (@fees88) September 02, 2014

Fwiw scott gains $70k in chip ev for complaining— Jason Mo (@klink10k) September 02, 2014

@klink10k I legitimately believe it’s correct to protect the tournament. Don’t want to create slippery slope of arbitrary change after fact— Scott Seiver (@scott_seiver) September 02, 2014

More on this as it develops.

UPDATE: SHRPO, in order to avoid a disastrous live stream full of complaining, have graciously added $50K to the previously unpaid 3rd place finisher.