2021 Seminole Hard Rock ‘N’ Roll Poker Open
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Hollywood, Florida
Event 4
$400 H.O.R.S.E. (Re-Entry)
Entries: 115
Prize Pool:  $38,525
November 18, 2021

Sal Pipitone started the final table of Event 4 as the chipleader, knocked out the first two players in the first five minutes, and never gave up the chip lead on his way to a heads-up chop with David Shmuel to win the title, the trophy, and $9,068.

“It went as smoothly as can be,” said Pipitone. “I just made a lot of hands, and I feel like I played them as well as I could. I ran good, obviously, and I maintained the chip lead the whole way.”

Surprisingly, even though Pipitone has been playing poker for a very long time, this is his first ever trip to the Seminole Hard Rock, and his first time playing poker in the state of Florida.

“A lot of people speak highly of this place [Seminole][Hard][Rock][Hollywood], so I was looking forward to coming here. I was in Vegas for 10 days, and a buddy of mine brought this series up, and I said, you know what? There’s four mixed tournaments in a row, so I’ve got to finally get down to Florida and give it a shot.”

Even with the chip lead, it wasn’t a cake walk for Pipitone.

“David [Shmuel] played very well,” said Pipitone, “and he put a lot of pressure on me, especially in the stud games. Stud Hi and Limit Hold’em are probably my weaker games, and he definitely knew how to put the pressure on. I don’t know if I would have made the chop if it wasn’t him. If it was somebody else, I think I would have just played.”

Pipitone will be back the next two days to play more mixed games, but then he plans to return home for Thanksgiving and skip the WPT Seminole Rock ‘n’ Roll Poker Open — “I’m not much of a hold’em player these days,” said Pipitone.

That’s okay, because no matter what happens the next few days, Pipitone is already going home with a Rock ‘n’ Roll Poker Open trophy.

Final Results:

* Indicates results of a heads-up deal.