SEMINOLE HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO ANNOUNCES THE RETURN OF CHARITY SERIES OF POKER TOURNAMENT DURING THE SEMINOLE HARD ROCK POKER OPEN ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 12 BENEFITING MAXIMUM HOPE FOUNDATION

The Big 4 Finale Will Carry a Combined $7.5 Million in Guaranteed Prize Pools Televised by Poker Night in America on CBS Sports Network

 Hollywood, Fla. (July 20, 2016) – Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla. has announced the Charity Series of Poker (CSOP) will return to the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open (SHRPO) for the third year in a row, and will benefit the Maximum Hope Foundation. On Friday, Aug. 12, at 5 p.m., the CSOP tournament kicks off Championship weekend with an exclusive player party at L Bar located inside the hotel. Guests will enjoy live music, cocktails, hors d’ oeuvres and a chance to win more than $30,000 in cash and prizes. Prizes include a seat in to the following day’s SHRPO $5 Million Guaranteed Championship, a Hard Rock Mexico Package and much more.

Brad Garrett, Maximum Hope Foundation Founder and actor best known for his role as “Robert Barone” on the iconic television series “Everybody Loves Raymond,” will be in attendance at the event and will play in the CSOP tournament starting at 7 p.m. that evening.

The SHRPO will take place July 28 – August 16, 2016. The series schedule features an exciting line-up of tournament play, including the return of “The Big 4” – a four-tournament finale to be played at Hard Rock Live and filmed by Poker Night in America. Television personalities and poker players Ali Nejad and Maria Ho serve as live emcees and provide commentary for all four final tables simultaneously. Televised on CBS Sports Network and live streamed online at www.PokerNight.com, The Big 4 will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 16, carrying a combined $7.5 million in guaranteed prize pools. The 2016 SHRPO Big 4 broadcast will air on Season 5 of Poker Night in America on CBS Sports Network.

 “I am so thankful to the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and the Charity Series of Poker for hosting this amazing event to benefit Maximum Hope Foundation.  I started this non-profit when I realized how lucky I was to have two healthy children, and wanted to help those parents who are wiped out financially while their son or daughter battles to survive,” said Garrett. “I am a big believer in the power of remaining grateful and giving back, and feel truly honored to have found such wonderful like-minded people in Matt Stout and the Hard Rock family.  I look forward to playing in this event and hope you will join me for a great time in support of a great cause.”

 Since Brad Garrett founded Maximum Hope Foundation in the year 2007, more than one thousand families caring for a child with a life-limiting illness have received financial relief when they needed it most.  Children with complex medical diagnoses often endure years of treatment, which can cause a huge financial strain for their families.  They are faced with loss of income and out-of-pocket medical costs that make daily living expenses difficult to meet.  Working diligently with hospital and hospice social workers, Maximum Hope provides financial help for necessities like rent, utilities, groceries, or gas.  The immediate, compassionate assistance we provide allows parents to remain focused on what is most important: their child.

On-site registration for the $5 million Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open is open. For more information and for the full series schedule, please visit www.SHRPO.com. Follow us on Twitter at @SHRPO and @SHRThePokerRoom, #SHRPO.

 Media Contact:

Yaffa Mizrachi, Public Relations Manager

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

E: Yaffa.Mizrachi@SeminoleHardRock.com

C: 954-895-6480, O: 954-327-7504

 About Seminole Hard Rock Poker

Seminole Hard Rock Poker encompasses four major poker series held annually at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, South Florida’s premier destination for fun and entertainment. In August 2013, the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open (SHRPO) was introduced to poker players around the world and featured a $10 million guarantee championship, the largest guarantee in history. In addition to the SHRPO, Seminole Hard Rock Poker series’ includes the Seminole Hard Rock Lucky Hearts Poker Open (January), Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown (April) and Seminole Hard Rock “Rock ‘N’ Roll” Poker Open (November). All four series fall under the SHRPO umbrella with tournament news, live updates and championship live streaming.

About Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, located minutes from Fort Lauderdale’s world-famous beach, features a AAA Four Diamond resort with 469 luxury rooms and suites, award-winning restaurants, high-energy nightlife, a lagoon-style pool and Beach Club, a Hard Rock-inspired spa, and premium meeting and convention space. As South Florida’s premier entertainment destination, Seminole Hard Rock hosts top-name acts at its 5,500–seat Hard Rock Live concert arena and offers more than 100 table games, 2,000 of the most popular slots and a stand-alone poker room. Fine dining options include Council Oak Steaks & Seafood, the resort’s signature steakhouse, and Kuro, a luxe and socially vibrant restaurant offering new-style Japanese cuisine. The resort also features contemporary and casual eateries, including Blue Plate, the hotel’s 24-hour diner-inspired restaurant; Constant Grind, a gourmet coffee and pastry shop; and the ever-famous Hard Rock Cafe – Hollywood, part of Hard Rock’s 155 globally recognized rock ‘n’ roll restaurants.