Federico Castaing Wins Seniors Title

2016 Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Hollywood
Event #10
$250 Seniors No Limit Hold’em
Total Entries: 161
Prizepool: $33,810

Federico Castaing Takes Home Seniors Title
Federico Castaing Takes Home Seniors Title

Federico Castaing already has a long list of accomplishments in the sport of equestrian and is on the right track to putting together a successful poker career as well.

Castaing took down the $250 Seniors No Limit Hold’em event in the early hours of Friday morning. He bested a field of 161 players to earn the trophy and $9,804.

“It’s my first tournament in America,” said the 55-year-old Argentina native after his win. “I play all the tournaments in South America. There are good players down there and I am learning.”

Castaing’s win in the Seniors event nearly doubles his career tournament earnings, but he already has put together quite a career in the equestrian world.

He was a professional rider for most of his adult life and was on Argentina’s national team in the 1996 Olympic games in Atlanta and earned a silver medal in the Pan-Am games.

Once his riding career was over, Castaing stayed in the equestrian world as a trainer. His nickname on the South American tournament circuit is “The Rider.”

“I’m a trainer of horse jumpers,” said Castaing. “I train horses and people. I used to be a rider and then I got old.”

Castaing flew to Florida as his first stop on an American poker vacation. He left his hometown of Buenos Aires to come to South Florida and play a few tournaments before heading to Las Vegas for the first time.

After playing poker for 30 years and Texas Hold’em for the last seven, Castaing decided it was time to make a trip to the center of the poker world.

“I go to Vegas and play some tournaments and just to vacation. I heard Vegas is a good place,” said Castaing. “I’m going to try it.”

Castaing came into the final table as one of the shorter stacks, but was able to skillfully maneuver his chips and run it up to one of the bigger stacks. With four players left, Castaing almost had half of the chips in play.

There was some talk about a four-handed chop, but it was Castaing who put a stop to those talks and forced the tournament to play out. It worked out for him, earning his first career tournament win and putting some extra cash in his pocket before heading to Vegas.

Here is a look at the final table results:

1st: Federico Castaing – $9,804
2nd: David Hixson – $5,784
3rd: Jay Klitzner – $3,381
4th: Robert Transue – $2,705
5th: Martin Robbins – $2,029
6th: Lisa Teebagy – $1,691
7th: Joe Trudden – $1,352
8th: Mike Parekh – $1,014
9th: Glenn Menne – $761

Seniors Event Final Results