The Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open Comes to a Close

With the conclusion of the 33rd event at the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open, our series has come to an end. An amazing three weeks of poker here at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino saw incredible fields and prize pools that was highlighted by the $10 Million Guaranteed Main Event.Over 2,300 entrants meant that not only was the $10 Million Guarantee met, but it was crushed by almost $2 million. Some of the best poker players from around the world as well as South Florida’s grinders showed up for what ended up being one of the premiere stops in poker this year.

Blair Hinkle began the final table of the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open $10M GTD Championship Event with the chip lead. With a World Series of Poker bracelet under his belt and seven figures in online earnings, Hinkle has shined on poker’s biggest stage before. Second in chips was Justin Bonomo, who has more than $6 million in tournament earnings to his name. It was little surprise that the two chipleaders would find themselves playing for the $1,745,245 first-place prize.

The final table began at a fast pace, as four players fell in the first 58 hands. What followed next was a 165-hand heads-up duel between Hinkle and Bonomo. With career tournament earnings of nearly $10 million between them, both top professionals gave it everything they had for nearly six hours before Hinkle emerged victorious, having fought back from several chip deficits.

On the final hand, with more than a 6-to-1 chip lead, Hinkle called Bonomo’s all-in raise after the turn. Bonomo held top pair with a queen-high straight draw, but was drawing dead against Hinkle’s king-high straight.

Congratulations again to Blair Hinkle, winner of the inaugural Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open Championship Event!

Thanks to all the players, staff and fans who made the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open an unforgettable series.

Stay tuned to SeminoleHardRockPokerOpen.com and @SHRPO on Twitter for updates on all the exciting tournament poker action that will be coming your way in the future.