2023 Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Hollywood, Florida
Event 40
$1,100 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)
$100,000 Guaranteed
Entries:  345
Prize Pool:  $334,650
April 26-27, 2023

There were 345 entries in the $1,100 Deep Stack, and after two days of play, it was Carlos Chadha Villamarin who defeated Michael Graffeo heads-up, winning the title, the trophy, and $71,150.

“It feels awesome,” said Villamarin. “It’s my first trophy I’ve ever won live. I mostly play online. I’ve won a plaque, and a picture, and I’ve won some trophies online. But I’ve never won a trophy. So this is my first.”

Villamarin finished Day 1 as the final table chipleader, and he was at or near the chip lead the rest of the way.

“It was kind of smooth sailing,” said Villamarin, “because I was just playing small pots the whole time, and just playing really passive.”

When heads-up play began, Villamarin had more than a 5-to-1 chip lead, but Graffeo doubled up twice to nearly even things up before the final hand, when Graffeo’s pocket jacks failed to hold up against Villamarin’s — an ace on the river won the trophy for Villamarin.

“It was friendly, and everyone was super nice,” said Villamarin about the final table. “It was great playing with a nice, diverse mix of people, and I’m glad that poker brings out all these people. ”