Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open
Event 16: $2,200 Six-Max No Limit Hold’em
August 26-27, 2014
Entries: 118
Prizepool: $236,000
RECAP
At the end of two long days of play, Moe Maghraoui came out on top of a three-way chop to claim 1st place, the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open trophy, and custom framed photograph provided by IMPDI. Joe Kuether claimed 2nd place and John DiBella took 3rd.
This event began at 3pm Tuesday and drew a total of 118 players. This was a freeze-out, so no re-entries were allowed. The total prize pool came to $236,000 and it would go to the final twelve players.
At the end of 12 hours on Day 1, only 26 players remained. They returned for Day 2 on Wednesday and after another 12 hours of play, it looked like a third day would be required, but the final three players decided on the chop.
Most notable among players cashing in this event was Matt Stout, who founded the Charity Series of Poker to benefit Habitat for Humanity. Stout made the final table of this event, causing him to miss the charity tournament he helped organize, which was taking place across the room. He finished 7th, just in time to watch the final table of the other event.
Also making the money today were Corey Burbink (4th Place) and Zo Karim (9th Place). Justin Zaki was the unfortunate bubble-boy in this event, finishing 13th and out of the money.
Moe Maghraoui owns a limo company and plays poker semi-professionally. This is his biggest live tournament score to date. He’s been playing tournaments for about 12 years.
Back in June, he earned enough points on the Seminole Hard Rock Tampa Leaderboard during the Summer Poker Open, which got him a $5,300 seat in the $10 Million Guaranteed Championship event, which starts tomorrow. He’s also won a second seat via a satellite, so he’s got two bullets loaded and ready to fire. He’s going to take Thursday off to rest up, then start his Championship quest on Friday.
“Well organized, good tournaments, good fields,” Maghraoui said about the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open. He’s chasing more points for the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Player of the Year Race, so he’ll be here through the end of the series.
FINAL RESULTS
1. MOHAMED MAGHRAOUI (BRANDON, FL): $57,000
2. JOSEPH KUETHER (ELM GROVE, WI): $50,276
3. JOHN DIBELLA (EASTCHESTER, NY): $44,000
4. COREY BURBICK (DAVIE, FL): $21,004
5. TYLER STAFMAN (DAVIE, FL): $15,340
6. LUKE BRERETON (PRESBURY): $11,800
7. MATTHEW STOUT (LAS VEGAS, NV): $7,434
8. ANTHONY MARCH (TAMPA, FL): $7,434
9. ZOHAIR KARIM (ORLANDO, FL): $5,900
10. ANIRUDH SETH (LAS VEGAS, NV): $5,900
11. ELLIOTT ZAYDMAN (COCONUT CREEK, FL): $4,956
12. RUBENS TARZIA (MAPLE, ON): $4,956