2020 Lucky Hearts Poker Open
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Hollywood, Florida
Event 29
$2,200 Deep Stack PLO (Re-Entry)
Entries: 35
Prize Pool: $70,000
January 21-22, 2020
Timothy Banks survived more than two hours of three-handed play against David Prociak and Melisa Singh before building up a big chip lead and winning the trophy in a three-way deal.
“It feels great,” said Banks, who hails from Charlottetown, the capital of Prince Edward Island in Canada. “I’m a PLO player by nature. I play it all the time as a cash game, but I never get to play tournaments because they never have any back home.”
Banks finished fourth in his last two PLO tournaments — the $1,100 PLO in last year’s Lucky Hearts Poker Open, and a $400 PLO event at Coconut Creek last February.
After his success in his last two Pot-Limit Omaha events, Banks said, “I just thought I better give this tournament a shot to see what happens.”
Banks faced some very tough competition at this final table. When play resumed on Wednesday afternoon with the final four players, Andrei Mitsiuk was eliminated in the first five minutes. Then the final three players battled it out for more than two hours.
One of the players battling Banks for the title was David Prociak, who has the career record for most wins here at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood (seven), including five in PLO.
The other was Melisa Singh, who is on an incredible hot streak right now, with 18 final tables and three victories in the past eight months.
“They’re both really good competitors,” said Banks. “They’re young and they’re making a living at it. I’m recreational, so I’m glad to be able to make this deal with them, and get the trophy as well.”
Three-handed play lasted nearly two-and-a-half hours, with all three players holding the chip lead and the short stack at different points. Banks reached the lowest point, with just 40K in chips, but was able to bounce back.
“That’s my style,” said Banks. “I’m like a yo-yo. If I feel that the hand’s there, then I’m putting it all in. If I go home, I go home.”
Eventually, Banks built up a sizeable lead when the average chip stack was about 23 big blinds, and that’s when the three players agreed to an even chop of the remaining prizepool. As chipleader, Banks won the title and the trophy.
Banks wrapped up his winner’s interview by praising the staff. “What impresses me the most about the Seminole Hard Rock is the dealers,” said Banks. “They’re very nice people, and they’re very courteous to others, and I always have a great time here.”
Final Results:
1st: Timothy Banks – $18,484* + LHPO Trophy
2nd: Melisa Singh – $18,483*
3rd: David Prociak – $18,483*
4th: Andrei Mitsiuk – $8,280
5th: Emmanuel Sebag – $6,270
* Indicates a three-way chop.