South Florida has always drawn its share of vacationers, retirees, and transplants, but it’s also become a poker destination. This increase in players and tournaments has created a new hotspot for poker that also put a spotlight on some of the great players from the state.

With two of best players in the game hailing from the state,Jason Mercier and Michael Mizrachi, it’s no longer a surprise when other South Florida players take their turn in the spotlight. One of our highlights happened when Marsha Wolak captured the WSOP Ladies Championship in 2011.

South Florida players won several more bracelets this summer during the WSOP. One of the most exciting was Seminole Hard Rock Poker regular Jacquelyn Scott matching Wolak by winning this summer’s Ladies Championship.

Not only was this Scott’s first WSOP bracelet, it was her first ever WSOP cash. This was also Scott’s first shot at the big Ladies-only tournament.

“I played four or five (WSOP) Main Events but never played the ladies tournament. Never cashed.” Scott said.

“I played it because I thought it was time to play a ladies tournament having never played one. So that was a lot fun.”

Scott’s trip to the final table saw her chip count roller coaster over the first two days. She began the final table in the middle of the pack, fifth of ten remaining players, and her strategy was patience.

“Once I made the final table, I decided I really did want to win it. I was going to do everything I could to win it.” Scott explained. “I was going to let the other people bluff each other, play stupid cards. I was going to sit back and watch people fall before I got aggressive.”

“I played my game, played very tight. In the first four hours I probably only played four hands,” she continued. “I was going wait until I was in position with good cards.”

Not only did Scott have the confidence and desire to win the tournament, she also had a big group of friends in the crowd cheering her on including Wolak, three-time WSOP-C winner Nancy Birnbaum, and WPT final table member Abbey Daniels.

“I was surprised how many people were there. It was such a pleasure, it was so heart-warming. I didn’t realize I was so loved.” Scott laughed.

“It was all these people from South Florida and people who work in the industry. That really made me feel good and make me want to win more.”

Scott defeated Hope Williams to capture the title. She continues to work full time as a real estate broker but that doesn’t keep her away the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, her favorite place to play. She has enjoyed success while advancing the game in her home state.

“When we (South Florida poker) first started getting on the map with poker, everybody would come down and kind of make fun and discredit the South Florida players.” Scott said. “I get a kick out of all the (WSOP) bracelets, I guess we’re doing something right.”

Scott supports her poker home and plays her share of Seminole Hard Rock Poker major events.

“It’s close to home, I think they’re run very well.” Scott said. “They provide us with a tremendous amount of tournaments to play and I’ve been playing here since 2008/2009.”

While Scott has yet to capture a major Seminole Hard Rock Poker title, she has three final tables to her credit and it only a matter of time. Until that happens, she’ll keep smiling and having fun playing a game she loves.