2023 Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Hollywood, Florida
Event 28
$1,100 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)
$100,000 Guaranteed
Entries:  251
Prizepool:  $243,470
August 2-3, 2023

Thursday afternoon saw the conclusion of Event 28, the two-day $1,100 Deep Stack NLH. Action resumed with the final nine players, and it took less than two-and-a-half hours before Mike Graffeo defeated Daniel Swartz heads-up for the title, the trophy, and $55,285.

“I’m thankful to get the win,” said Graffeo. “I’ve had a lot of seconds and thirds lately, so the win feels good.”

This is the fourth trophy for Graffeo in major events here at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood, and he keeps them at a friend’s house.

“Mike Chiappetta has a trophy case,” said Graffeo. “He’s got all my trophies there.”

Graffeo started the final table with a below-average chip stack, but it didn’t take him long to climb the leaderboard.

“I got off to a good start,” said Graffeo. “I flopped a set of eights against Cherish [Andrews] on an ace-high flop, and she put some money in. That got me to like 900,000.” (Click here for details.)

The key moment for Graffeo came with six players left, when he got it all in on the turn against Swartz in the biggest pot of the tournament to that point. (Click here for details.)

“I flopped set over set against [Swartz] in a monster pot,” said Graffeo. “Then I kind of cruised after that. I just picked some spots, and then the last hand was another monster pot — ace-queen vs. kings heads-up. It’s kind of crazy.” (Click here for details.)

As mentioned before, this is the fourth major trophy for Graffeo here at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood. What keeps him coming back?

“This is an amazing place to play,” said Graffeo. “I feel like it’s my home court, and I love to play here. We just got back from Vegas, and now I’m like, ‘Alright, it’s my home field now.’ I’m going to chase some more trophies.”

Results: