2022 Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Hollywood, Florida
Event 1
$400 Deep Stack No-Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry)
$1,000,000 Guaranteed
Entries:  7,703
Prize Pool:  $2,541,990
July 27 – August 1, 2022

The record for largest poker tournament in Florida history (measured by field size) was set here last November in the first event of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Poker Open, which attracted 6,196 entries.

The Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown kicked off here last Wednesday, and with the same number of starting flights, Event 1 beat that record by more than 1,500 entries, finishing with 7,703.

The largest poker tournament in Florida history deserved an equally impressive prizepool, and the record-setting field more than doubled the $1 million guarantee to create a massive prizepool worth $2,541,990.

There were 772 players who survived the starting flights to finish in the money, and they played for nearly 14 hours on Sunday before stopping for the night with 17 players remaining.

Those 17 returned on Monday afternoon to play to a winner, and after five hours or so, the final five players agreed to a deal to end the tournament and split the remaining prizepool.

The overwhelming chipleader at that point was Andrew Pecina, who had 39% of all the chips in play, more than the next two players combined. As chipleader, Pecina was declared the winner, winning the title, the trophy, and $225,906.

“It feels amazing,” said Pecina. “Phenomenal. Words can’t describe it.”

This was the first time Pecina had ever played a poker tournament here at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood, and he waited until the final starting flight.

“I entered the last flight,” said Pecina. “I was alternate #530. I waited two hours to get in, and I only bought in once.”

Pecina said he played many key hands, but his big turning point likely came on Day 2.

“I was down to one big blind at one point on Day 2,” said Pecina. “But I came back and things just came together.”

Pecina seemed a little overwhelmed by the victory. He had some friends who had been watching the action all day on his way to victory, and they seemed more outwardly exuberant than Pecina. So what’s next for Pecina?

“I’m just going to go celebrate.”

Final Table Results:

* Indicates results of a five-way deal.