$300 CSOP/Jeff Conine Celebrity Event (Re-Entry)
Structure | Prizes
Level 9: 500/1,000 with a 100 ante
Players Remaining: 153 of 307

The field has just returned from their break, and registration is now closed for this event. The turnout of 307 entries represents the largest in the history of the Conine Poker Challenge.

During the break, a silent auction was held to further bolster the charity pool, with items on offer including cruise and travel packages, sports memorabilia, and VIP experiences.

There were also two $1,000 bonuses awarded, one to the chip leader and one to the player who entered the most times. The “chip loser” if you will.

Patrick Eskandar was on the good end of the chip race, thanks to a big pot he dragged on the last hand before break. The other bonus goes to Jonathan Cronin, whose six entries were the most ambitious effort this evening.

$300 CSOP/Jeff Conine Celebrity Event (Re-Entry)
Structure | Prizes
Level 8: 400/800 with a 100 ante
Entries: 305

The largest pot so far erupted on the last hand before the first break.

On a flop, the player in the small blind bet 3,000, and Patrick Eskandar raised to 6,000 a couple seats over. The small blind clicked it back to 9,000, and Eskander four-bet. “Sixteen thousand five hundred twenty-five,” he announced, then cut the requisite chips into the pot. The small blind called.

The turn was the , and the small blind led out again for 9,000. Eskandar shoved, and his opponent called all in for about 30,000 to put himself at risk.

Small blind:
Eskandar:

Eskandar’s set of fives had the pot already locked up, and the meaningless completed the board on the river.

With that haul, Eskandar steals the chip lead at the tape, and he’ll almost certainly be the recipient of the $1,000 bonus once the stacks are verified.

Patrick Eskandar – 103,400

$300 CSOP/Jeff Conine Celebrity Event (Re-Entry)
Structure | Prizes
Level 7: 300/600 with a 75 ante
Entries: 292

There were three players involved on the turn of a board, and John Gorsuch was first to act from the small blind. He bet 2,000 into a pot of just more than that, and local radio personality Kimmy B called next to act in the big blind. Jessica Dawley moved all in on the other side of the table, and Gorcush called all in for just less to put himself at risk. Kimmy B did the same for her last 4,225, so she was at risk, too.

Gorsuch: (set of nines)
Kimmy B: (gutshot straight draw)
Dawley: (king-high straight)

Gorsuch needed the board to pair to stay alive, and Kimmy B needed to find a miracle three-outer.

“She’s going to hit the king, for sure,” Dawley predicted the future.

Sure enough, the landed on the river, and an uproar ensued. Kimmy B tripled up, Dawley essentially broke even on the exchange, and Gorsuch was sent back to the cashier for another registration ticket.

Kimmy B – 15,000
Jessica Dawley – 7,000

$300 CSOP/Jeff Conine Celebrity Event (Re-Entry)
Structure | Prizes
Level 3: 75/150
Entries: 261

Jeff Conine is, obviously, a huge part of the reason this tournament exists, so it only seems right to tell you a little bit about the man behind this event.

Conine the Baseball Player

The 51-year-old is affectionately known as “Mr. Miami” around these parts, thanks to two separate stints with the hometown Florida Marlins of Major League Baseball.

As an inaugural member of the expansion club in 1993, Conine helped his team win a World Series title five years later, and he returned to the team later in his career to deliver a second title to his adopted home city in 2003. The two-time All-Star ended his career as a .285 hitter with 214 home runs and 1,071 runs batted in over the course of more than 2,000 games played.

As he retired from the field, Conine rejoined the Marlins once again in 2008, this time as a member of the front office and the special assistant to the team President. He still makes his home in Miami, and his life after baseball includes a great deal of charity work, as well.

Conine the Fund Raiser

In 2012, Conine started the Conine Poker Classic to raise money for charity. It drew more than 230 entries last year, which was the largest turnout to date.

This season, Conine and company partnered with Matt Stout’s Charity Series of Poker and the fine folks here at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood, and it’s been a resounding success so far. With close to 300 entries already, this is already the largest-ever Conine Poker Classic, guaranteed to set a new high-water mark for money raised.

This year’s Classic benefits the Conine Clubhouse at the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital.

About the Conine Clubhouse

The Conine Clubhouse is a free-of-charge home away from home for families while their children are patients at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood, Florida. More than 9,000 families have called the Conine Clubhouse their home at a most important time in their lives.

The Conine Clubhouse provides all amenities and is supported through events such as the Jeff Conine Celebrity Poker Classic, the Conine All-Star Golf Classic and community partners.

$300 CSOP/Jeff Conine Celebrity Event (Re-Entry)
Structure | Prizes
Level 3: 75/150
Entries: 260

Among those in the early action here in the Jeff Conine Celebrity Poker Classic presented by the Seminole Hard Rock and the Charity Series of Poker is none other than Matt Stout.

Stout serves as the President and Founder of the Charity Series of Poker. Setting a good example for all players in the event, Stout promptly dusted off his first buy-in and headed back to the cage for another charitable contribution. He’s in for two entries just two levels into the day.

$300 CSOP/Jeff Conine Celebrity Event (Re-Entry)
Structure | Prizes
Level 2: 50/100
Entries: 249

The ballrooms are packed with celebrities and poker players alike as the Jeff Conine Celebrity Poker Classic presented by Seminole Hard Rock and the Charity Series of Poker is picking up steam midway through Level 2. The atmosphere could only be described as a party with music going and 250 entries already in the game.

If one walked onto the tournament floor at this time, they’d have a hard time believing this crowd has been going since 5pm. That’s when the player party began at Kuro and it featured free drinks and specialty menu items for all tournament players.

$300 CSOP/Jeff Conine Celebrity Event (Re-Entry)
Structure | Prizes
Level 1: 25/50
Entries: 241

After some words from Jeff Conine and Seminole Hard Rock tournament director Tony Burns, cards are officially in the for the Jeff Conine Celebrity Poker Classic.

Event details:

7PM: Event 6 – $300 CSOP/Jeff Conine Celebrity Event (Re-Entry)

• Players begin with 10,000 in chips and 15-minute levels
• Late registration/re-entry available until start of Level 9
• This is a one-day tournament and plays until completion
• Event 6 Structure Sheet

$300 CSOP/Jeff Conine Celebrity Event (Re-Entry)
Structure | Prizes
Level 1: 25/50

It’s just before 7pm local time and action is ramping up to the Jeff Conine Celebrity Poker Classic presented by the Seminole Hard Rock and the Charity Series of Poker. The event benefits the Conine Clubhouse, a home-away-from-home where families of children under care at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital can stay for free as long as necessary.

With a $300 buy-in, the event boasts more than $30,000 in prizes awarded to the final 10 players. In addition, there’s two $1,000 payouts up for grabs — the first goes to the player with the most re-entries, while the second goes to the chip leader at the first break.

Here are the details:

7PM: Event 6 – $300 CSOP/Jeff Conine Celebrity Event (Re-Entry)

• Players begin with 10,000 in chips and 15-minute levels
• Late registration/re-entry available until start of Level 9
• This is a one-day tournament and plays until completion
• Event 6 Structure Sheet

Preceding the festivities was a player party at Kuro featuring free food and drinks beginning at 5pm and running until kickoff.

Updates will be available throughout the event right here at SHRPO.com.

$300 CSOP/Jeff Conine Celebrity Event (Re-Entry)

The Jeff Conine Celebrity Poker Classic is a night of fun and philanthropy, with an opportunity for attendees to take home more than $30,000 in cash and prizes. Best of all, it will improve the lives of children and families coping with serious medical issues.

The 6th annual fundraiser will be held this evening to benefit the Conine Clubhouse, a home-away-from-home where families of children under care at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital can stay for free as long as necessary. The charity event kicks off with an exclusive VIP player party at Kuro Japanese Restaurant from 5 – 7 p.m. prior to the tournament’s start time at 7 p.m. Guests will enjoy live music, cocktails, hors d’ oeuvres and a chance to win more than $30,000 in cash and prizes including a $5,250 seat in the SHRPO $3 Million Guarantee Championship. In addition, there will be two $1,000 bonus payouts. The first will go to the chip leader at the time registration closes while the second will go to the player who has the most re-entries.

The event, hosted by “Mr. Marlin,” Jeff Conine, presented by Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and the Charity Series of Poker, will feature celebrities playing alongside players of all skill levels for a first prize valued at $10,000. Other prizes include vacation and hotel packages, jewelry, and cash totaling more than $20,000. Live and silent auctions of unique items from the worlds of sport and entertainment will also be part of the action.

A $300 donation to the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation reserves a seat for poker and entry to the VIP reception. Those not playing poker can purchase admission to the reception for $100.

Proceeds benefit the Conine Clubhouse, which has provided free lodging to nearly 11,000 families that have had a child hospitalized at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. More than $100,000 was raised at the 2016 event.

“Cindy and I stayed at the clubhouse when our son was younger and know firsthand the importance of being close to the hospital,” said Conine. “It provides all the amenities of a three-star hotel but, more importantly, gives families a temporary place to call home when they need it most.”

“One of the hardest things for a parent is watching their child suffer and having to leave them alone for even the briefest of moments,” said Susan Renneisen, vice president of community affairs and special events for Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. “The Conine Clubhouse is an established and integral part of our community, allowing families the opportunity to stay close to their loved ones in a beautiful and relaxing facility during a difficult time. Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and Charity Series of Poker is honored to support the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation’s fundraising efforts through the Jeff Conine Celebrity Poker Classic.”