The FAB 4!
Two “Firsts” at the 2022 Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open Hollywood, FL
Hard Rock Poker Open in Hollywood FL has been smashing records for a long time. This year, they have elevated it once again. First, they set a new record in Florida for the largest field size in tournament poker. The opening event hosted 7,703 entries. The prior record was in November 2021 for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Poker Open opening event – 6,196 entries.
The second smashed record involves Women – so far, the SHRPO has had four women take down 1st place spots in the series. We aren’t sure if this is a record for an open series everywhere, but it definitely is for Seminole Hard Rock.
The Four Women to Break the Record Are: (Photos Courtesy of Seminole Hard Rock)
Event 11 – $400 Pot Limit Omaha 8
Entries: 124
Prize Pool: $41,540
Event 11 of the 2022 Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open was a $400 Pot-Limit Omaha 8 (Re-Entry). A field of 124 entries created a prize pool of $41,540. A three-way deal took place, and as the chip leader it was Sheila O’Connor who was the official Event 11 winner, earning $10,000 for the victory.
“This is my home casino, even though it’s two hours away,” said O’Connor afterward. “I live in Fort Myers Beach, but I like to play cash here. I never really play PLO8, just PLO, but I came in second once here, so it’s nice to win the trophy this time.”
Event 12 – $300 Ladies No Limit Hold’em
Entries: 66
Prize Pool: $17,160
When Mica Lamar showed up to the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open on Saturday afternoon, there were two events she wanted to play — the $300 Ladies Event, and the $400 Deep Stack.
Lamar figured she could start with the Ladies Event, and if she didn’t make the final table, she could just slide into the final starting flight of the $400 Deep Stack. She cut it close, arriving just before registration closed for the Ladies Event around 5:15 pm.
“I was the very last person to register for the Ladies Event,” said Lamar. “So I got here just in time. Last in, last out.”
Event 13 – $400 Deep Stack No-Limit Hold’em
Entries: 505
Prize Pool: $169,175
Event 13 of the 2022 Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open was a $400 Deep Stack No-Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry). A field of 505 entries generated a prize pool of $169,175, more than tripling the guarantee.
A seven-way deal took place at the final table, and as the chip leader, it was Donna Stutts who was the official champion for $19,197.
Event 16 – $600 Turbo No-Limit Hold’em
Entries: 100
Prize Pool: $53,000
Event 16 of the 2022 Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open was a $600 Turbo No-Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry). The tournament drew 100 entries, producing a prize pool of $53,000.
A four-way deal took place at the final table, and as the chip leader, it was Jennifer Borsini who was the official winner for $12,500.
We asked a couple of the winners what their experience was like playing these events and Mica Lamar who won the ladies event said:
“It was an Amazing experience. Definitely playing the ladies was a lot of fun. We even had a toast at the final table. Playing the Ladies can always be a little more challenging at times as I always say, I prefer to play men than woman as we are very tricky at times – I usually only see very passive or very aggressive female players- not much of an in between which makes you have to make more adjustments at the ladies events. But definitely a fun experience. As for playing at the Hard Rock Hollywood always love it here and they always have amazing events with great turnouts.”
Jennifer Borsini who won the $600 NLHE Turbo shared:
“The experience was incredible, I was running pretty badly in my earlier tournaments, and decided last minute to play the turbo, and it was such a wild ride. This was my first major win and biggest live cash, so it means so much to me. I’m incredibly happy with how I played, and it’s just so amazing to secure a trophy and of course the win!”
WPA is thrilled at the attention being brought to the women who are having success on the tables. It helps all women to aspire for success and for players everywhere to understand women take this game we love seriously. When women such as these winners succeed, it is success for all woman who play. Congratulations to each of them and to all the women who have cashed in the series!