$360 Deep Stack No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry) Level 4: 100/200 with a 25 ante Flight A Entries: 283
Lou Stadler
The entrant count is nearing 300 as the players head into the fourth level of the day to put Event 1 on an easy path towards the $500,000 guaranteed prize pool.
Last year, the Event 1 prize pool went over $800,000 by the time registration closed and local favorite Lou Stadler took home a nice chunk of change from it. He made the final table and finished in fifth place out of the nearly 2,700-entry field to take home more than $42,000.
$360 Deep Stack No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry) Level 3: 75/150 with a 25 ante Flight A Entries: 230
Michael Newman
Michael Newman is among our regular SHRP faces in the crowd today and he has a chance this series to pull off a unique feat. He has nine career titles to his credit, all coming right here, but this is his chance to put down a big mark in another major series.
Newman has taken home a SHRP trophy from each of the last three major series; the first coming during the 2016 Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open $570 NLH Event 15, the second in the 2016 Seminole Hard Rock “Rock ‘N’ Roll Poker Open” $360 Pot Limit Omaha tournament, and finally the 2017 Seminole Hard Rock Lucky Hearts Poker Open $570 Pot Limit Omaha Six-Max event. And Newman said he doesn’t even know that much about Omaha.
If he can capture another title this series, that will make if four in a row. An unofficial SHRP slam of sorts.
$360 Deep Stack No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry) Level 2: 50/100 Flight A Entries: 175
Jeff Kessler
The opening flight of Event 1 is usually the smallest of the six starters, a Thursday morning session before heading into the big weekend. If today’s early numbers are any indication, Event 1 should easily blast apart the $500,000 guaranteed prize pool.
The count is clicking closer to 200 entries in the second level before the clock hits noon. We expect a fine start to the series.
Jeff Kessler is among our early players and we usually don’t see the former SHRP champ this late in the year. Instead of evacuating further north at the start of spring, the 2013 Seminole Hard Rock “Rock ‘N’ Roll Poker Open” Seniors Event winner is here trying to run up his stack.
$360 Deep Stack No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry) Level 1: 25/50 Flight A Entries: 130
Tournament Director Tony Burns
The 2017 Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown is officially underway after Tournament Director Tony Burns issued the “shuffle up and deal” command. After the pre-game instructions, he dedicated the kick off to Seminole Hard Rock Poker team member Sheddy Siddiqui who is dealing with a family tragedy.
Cards are in the air and the big festival is moving.
$360 Deep Stack No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry) Level 1: 25/50
The wait is over and everyone is ready to kick off the 2017 Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown with a huge opening tournament. There are 30 major events (plus another 70+ secondary/satellites) on the schedule and we’re starting things off with a multi-day, big guarantee tournament.
Event 1 has a $360 buy-in with six starting flights over three days and a $500,000 guaranteed prize pool. Flight A kicks off at the top of the hour and we’ll get our first glimpse at the size of the field we can expect.
Players sit down to 20,000 starting stacks and Day 1 levels will run 30 minutes a piece. Late registration is open until the start of Level 9 at 3:30pm and unlimited re-entries are available during that time. They will continue to play through 14 complete levels and those with chips will bag them up for a return on Sunday for Day 2. If players fall short of bagging, the second flight runs later this evening at 6pm.
It will be a nice starting day to the festival and we are starting our non-stop coverage of the series.
$500,000 Guaranteed Prize Pool
Players begin with 20,000 in chips and 30-minute levels
Late registration/re-entry available until start of Level 9
Day 1 will end after Level 14 or Tournament Director discretion
Jason Taylor pictured during the 2016 Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown
Tournament To Take Place During the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown on Wednesday, March 29, 2017
HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (March 7, 2017) – A charity poker tournament presented by Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and the WPT Foundation™ benefiting the Jason Taylor Foundation will take place on Wednesday, March 29, 2017, as part of the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown series. An exclusive player party will be held in the ballrooms from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., and the No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry) tournament will immediately follow. A portion of each $300 buy-in will be donated to help the pro-football legend’s non-profit organization support and create programs that facilitate the personal growth and empowerment of South Florida’s children in need by focusing on improved health care, education and quality of life.
To increase excitement and participation, over $10,000 in prizes will be added to the event, including a $3,500 entry into the $2 Million Guaranteed, WPT® Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown Championship event, and a 4-Day/3-Night Hard Rock Resort Package in Cancun, Mexico, plus $1,000 cash for travel. A silent auction with a variety of specialty items, including a Jason Taylor Golf outing at executive golf clubs, will be held throughout the night.
“We’re excited that the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and WPT Foundation invited us back again. This event was first class last year, and raised a great deal of money to help the young people we serve, and I expect this year’s tournament to be even bigger and better. Not only did our Foundation benefit, but there was some great poker played as well…and I’m not just saying that because I finished in third place!” said Jason Taylor.
The Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown will take place from Thursday, March 16 – Sunday, April 9, and will feature two Season XIV World Poker Tour® Main Tour events – the $3,500WPT® Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown Championship and the $10,000WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Finale. The series will finish up with the historic WPT Tournament of Champions.
Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown satellites will be held at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood throughout the series. Visit https://www.hardrockpoker.com/Win to enter to win a seat in the Championship. To participate, players must obtain a Wild Card at the Player’s Club or in the poker room free of charge. More information, schedule and contest rules can be found at www.SHRPO.com
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Media Contact Yaffa Mizrachi, Director of Public Relations Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino O: 954-327-7504 | C: 954-895-6480 E: yaffa.mizrachi@seminolehardrock.com
About Seminole Hard Rock Poker Seminole Hard Rock Poker (SHRP) is a year-long traveling tournament circuit that is inclusive of four major poker series held annually at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. In August 2013, the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open (SHRPO) was introduced to poker players around the world and featured a $10 million guaranteed championship, the largest guarantee in history. In addition to SHRPO, the Hollywood SHRP series’ include the Seminole Hard Rock Lucky Hearts Poker Open (January), Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown (April) and Seminole Hard Rock “Rock ‘N’ Roll” Poker Open (November). All four series fall under the SHRP umbrella with their championships awarding points toward the SHRP Player of the Year race. The SHRP brand also runs events at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa, Seminole Casino Coconut Creek and Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee. For Hollywood updates, visit www.SHRPO.com. Join the conversation at #SHRPO, and tag us @SHRPO.
About Seminole Hard Rock Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is South Florida’s iconic entertainment destination located minutes from Fort Lauderdale’s world-famous beach. The AAA Four Diamond-rated resort features 469 luxury guest rooms and suites, award-winning restaurants, a lagoon-style pool and Beach Club, a Hard Rock-inspired spa, premium meeting and convention space and a 5,500-seat Hard Rock Live concert arena. The casino offers more than 100 table games, 2,000 of the most popular slots and a stand-alone poker room.
Fine dining options include Council Oak Steaks & Seafood, the resort’s signature steakhouse, and Kuro, a luxe and socially vibrant restaurant offering new-style Japanese cuisine. In the heart of the hotel is L Bar, a sophisticated, contemporary lounge showcasing handcrafted classic cocktails with a twist. Contemporary and casual eateries, include Blue Plate, the hotel’s 24-hour diner-inspired restaurant; Constant Grind, a gourmet coffee and pastry shop; and the ever-famous Hard Rock Cafe – Hollywood, part of Hard Rock’s 167 globally recognized rock ‘n’ roll restaurants.
For more information, call 800-937-0010, visit us online at www.seminolehardrockhollywood.com, or follow us on Facebook: @SeminoleHardRockHollywood, Twitter: @HardRockHolly, Instagram: @HardRockHolly
About Jason Taylor Foundation In July 2004, Miami Dolphins legendary Defensive End and recent Pro Football Hall of Fame class member, Jason Taylor, established the Jason Taylor Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) organization. The Foundation’s mission is to support and create programs that facilitate the personal growth and empowerment of South Florida’s children in need by focusing on improved health care, education and quality of life.
Since opening its doors, the Jason Taylor Foundation has impacted tens of thousands of children through innovative programming including The Jason Taylor Reading Room, The Omari Hardwick bluapple Poetry Network, Louder Than A Bomb Florida, Cool Gear for the School Year, the Jason Taylor Children’s Learning Center and Jason Taylor Scholars, among others. For more information on the Jason Taylor Foundation, please visit the organization’s website at www.JasonTaylorFoundation.org or follow on social media sites including Facebook: www.facebook.com/jasontaylorfoundation or Twitter and Instagram: @jtfoundation99
About WPT Foundation WPT Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to utilizing World Poker Tour’s exceptional international platform to influence positive change on a global scale. The core of WPT Foundation’s fundraising efforts is the ongoing series of philanthropic poker events titled WPT Playing for a Better World. WPT Foundation and its associated charity events help bring awareness and raise critical funds for non-profit programs of excellence. This unprecedented philanthropic effort is dedicated to improving our planet by supporting key charities in regards to human rights, education, world hunger and the environment.
$3,500 buy-in WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown Championship and $10,000 WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Finale Each Feature $2 Million Guarantees and Award Seats into the Season-Ending WPT Tournament of Champions.
HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (Feb. 16, 2017) – Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla. has announced the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown (SHRP Showdown) is slated Thursday, March 16 to Sunday, April 9, 2017. For the second consecutive year, the series runs in partnership with the World Poker Tour, featuring two Season XV events – the $3,500 WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Championship and $10,000 Seminole Hard Rock Poker Finale. Each tournament features a $2 million guarantee and awards-entry into the season-ending Tournament of Champions which runs Friday, April 7 to Sunday, April 9.
“We’re excited to continue to run some of the highest profile events in the world here in South Florida,” said Jason Newman, director of poker marketing for Seminole Gaming. “The success of last year’s $10,000 buy-in WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Finale and $25,500 High Roller allowed us to up the ante for this year’s event with the addition of a $50,000 Super High Roller.”
Highlight events on this year’s schedule include:
$3,500 WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown Championship $2 million guaranteed; live streamed on WPT.com (March 31 – April 5)
$10,000 WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown Finale $2 million guaranteed; live streamed on www.WPT.com (April 2- 6)
$25,500 High Roller $1 million guaranteed (April 4-5)
$50,000 Super High Roller $1 million guaranteed (March 29-30)
$15,000 WPT Tournament of Championship; live streamed on WPT.com and filmed for television (April 7-9)
The $50,000 buy-in Super High Roller is a new addition to the 2017 schedule. The tournament comes on the heels of a $50,000 buy-in High Roller during the 2016 Seminole Hard Rock “Rock ‘N’ Roll Poker Open” which drew more than 20 participants. Joining as a headliner on the 2017 SHRP Showdown schedule are the return of the $25,500 buy-in High Roller as well as the $350 buy-in, $500,000 guaranteed opener and a $570 buy-in, $1 million guaranteed event. Beginning Wednesday, March 29, is a $300 charity tournament benefitting the Jason Taylor Foundation. Half of each buy-in will be donated to the Pro Football Hall of Famer’s non-profit which creates and supports programs that facilitate the personal growth and empowerment of South Florida’s children in need by focusing on improved health care, education and quality of life.
SHRP Showdown series satellites are running now at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood. Players are able to earn their way into the $25,500 High Roller for as little as $80 while $10,000 Finale tickets can be won for $125 and $3,500 Championship seats for $95. The property is also giving away one free Championship seat via an online promotion at www.HardRockPoker.com/Win.
To participate in a tournament, players must obtain a Wild Card at the Player’s Club or in the poker room free of charge. More information, schedule and contest rules can be found at www.SHRPO.com
Seminole Hard Rock Poker Boiler
Seminole Hard Rock Poker (SHRP) is a year-long traveling tournament circuit that is inclusive of four major poker series held annually at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. In August 2013, the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open (SHRPO) was introduced to poker players around the world and featured a $10 million guaranteed championship, the largest guarantee in history. In addition to SHRPO, the Hollywood SHRP series’ include the Seminole Hard Rock Lucky Hearts Poker Open (January), Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown (April) and Seminole Hard Rock “Rock ‘N’ Roll” Poker Open (November). All four series fall under the SHRP umbrella with their championships awarding points toward the SHRP Player of the Year race. The SHRP brand also runs events at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa, Seminole Casino Coconut Creek and Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee. For Hollywood updates, visit www.SHRPO.com. Join the conversation at #SHRPO, and tag us @SHRPO.
About Seminole Hard Rock
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is South Florida’s iconic entertainment destination located minutes from Fort Lauderdale’s world-famous beach. The AAA Four Diamond-rated resort features 469 luxury guest rooms and suites, award-winning restaurants, a lagoon-style pool and Beach Club, a Hard Rock-inspired spa, premium meeting and convention space and a 5,500-seat Hard Rock Live concert arena. The casino offers more than 100 table games, 2,000 of the most popular slots and a stand-alone poker room.
Fine dining options include Council Oak Steaks & Seafood, the resort’s signature steakhouse, and Kuro, a luxe and socially vibrant restaurant offering new-style Japanese cuisine. In the heart of the hotel is L Bar, a sophisticated, contemporary lounge showcasing handcrafted classic cocktails with a twist. Contemporary and casual eateries, include Blue Plate, the hotel’s 24-hour diner-inspired restaurant; Constant Grind, a gourmet coffee and pastry shop; and the ever-famous Hard Rock Cafe – Hollywood, part of Hard Rock’s 167 globally recognized rock ‘n’ roll restaurants.
For more information, call 800-937-0010, visit us online at www.seminolehardrockhollywood.com, or follow us on Facebook: @SeminoleHardRockHollywood, Twitter: @HardRockHolly, Instagram: @HardRockHolly
