2015 Seminole Hard Rock “Rock ’n’ Roll Poker Open”
$3,500 Seminole Hard Rock “Rock ‘n’ Roll Poker Open” Championship
$2,000,000 Guarantee
November 27th-December 2nd, 2015
Total Entries: 766
Total Prizepool: $2,451,200
The headline event of the 2015 Seminole Hard Rock “Rock ‘n’ Roll Poker Open” series kicked off on November 27 with the $2,000,000 Guaranteed Championship. The tournament drew 766 entrants to create a prize pool worth $2,451,200 and award $568,687 to the winner.
After six days of action, Jake Bazeley was the last player standing to take home the top prize and the Seminole Hard Rock “Rock ‘n’ Roll Poker Open” trophy. He outlasted a tough final table which included experienced professionals and poised amateurs. They played the final table in front of the cameras for Poker Night in America and it took nearly seven hours to reach a champion.
The first flight of the Championship drew 334 entrants and all but assured hitting the guarantee, which was reached early in the second flight. The 766 total entrants created the biggest Seminole Hard Rock “Rock ‘n’ Roll Poker Open” Championship in history, with players travelling from around the country to get a piece of the action.
The field included seven of the top 11 players on the Florida all-time money list with Harrison Gimbel, John Racener, Noah Schwartz, John Dolan, Matt Waxman, and superstar Jason Mercier. Also on that list is Vanessa Rousso, a fan favorite after recently finishing third on the hit reality TV show, Big Brother.
Oscar-nominated actress Jennifer Tilly was in the field and has become a regular figure at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, FL, along with Weeds writer/producer Matt Salsberg. Tilly was also one of three WSOP Ladies Champions in the field along with Marsha Wolak and Jacquelyn Scott.
Day 2 saw 285 players return with a chance to get a piece of prize pool and it went late into the evening to reach the money bubble. The tournament was 10 hours into the day when Peter Walsworth knocked out a player to put the remaining 72 players in the money.
When they were done for the evening, only 44 were still around with a shot at the title. Day 3 was a quick affair and the field was down to the last two tables after less than three hours of work. Chip leader Ryan Fair was responsible for the early end when he eliminated Ronald Sullivan in 19th place.
Day 4 saw longer action as the remaining 18 players tried to make the televised final table. The last six players were guaranteed at least $100,000 along with a seat in front of the Poker Night in America cameras.
It took three hours to lose the first player at the ten-handed final table, and then the pace quickened until Nipun Java was eliminated on a bad beat in seventh place to close out the night.
The six featured players on the Paradise Live Theater stage were an equal mix of professional poker players and amateurs. David Prociak, Martin Carnero, and Joshua Gibson represented the everyday player while Marvin Rettenmaier, Jake Bazeley, and (last woman standing) Jessica Dawley were pros with big results.
Dawley was the first eliminated at the final table and was quickly followed by Rettenmaier. Bazeley was the short stack at the table but doubled through Carnero and knocked him out on the next hand. It was also Bazeley who set up the final heads up battle when he sent Joshua Gibson out in third.
Heads up play lasted 68 hands with big chip lead swings throughout. Bazeley finally overcame his tough opponent to earn the 2015 Seminole Hard Rock “Rock ‘n’ Roll Poker Open” Championship and the $568,687 top prize. Prociak earned runner-up honors and $330,912 for his efforts.
Bazeley fought hard for this victory. He finished Day 1 with less than a starting stack and was the short stack with 18 players remaining at the start of Day 4. Bazeley was at the bottom of the chip counts several times but battled his way back each time to take home the title.
“Day one I only bagged 24,000 in chips, which is less than starting stack. Day three, going into day four, I was the shortest stack in the tournament, eighteen out of eighteen.” Bazeley commented. “So I had a lot of stuff to overcome, a lot of grinding, a lot of work, and some good luck too.”
“I definitely would say stay focused and never give up, but you just gotta stay positive more than anything.”
“That was definitely a made-for-TV heads-up.” Bazeley said when asked about playing Prociak for the title. “It seemed like we got it all in six or seven times, and the short stack always won. It was just one of those crazy things.”
“This is the best venue to play poker. It has the most pros and amateurs, it’s just a great mix.” Bazeley said of the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, FL.
“They’ve got a lot of money in South Florida and the venue you just can’t beat — restaurants, good atmosphere, and a great poker venue.”
“Guarantees always do play a part for someone who travels and plays poker.” He continued. “So when they guarantee money and stick to it like they always have, it’s very respectable. A lot of people back out of guarantees, so it’s nice.”
This is Bazeley’s second major tournament victory and he’s going to enjoy it.
“I think there’s something to be said for the luck factor of winning one. I think the second one kind of gives you a little more respect.” Bazeley said.
“I know everyone around me respects me, but you get some titles, you get a little bit more love, you know? It’s just a little bit nicer.”
Results:
1st: Jake Bazeley (Cincinnati, OH) $568,687
2nd: David Prociak (Orlando, FL) $330,912
3rd: Joshua Gibson (Fort Myers, FL) $202,224
4th: Martin Carnero (Davie, FL) $166,682
5th: Marvin Rettenmaier (Leonburg, Germany) $134,816
6th: Jessica Dawley (Jeffersonville, IN) $110,304
7th: Nipun Java (New Dehli, India) $88,243
8th: Peter Walsworth (Sarasota, FL) $67,048
9th: Dylan Drazen (New York, NY) $46,573
10th: Matt Stout (Clifton, NJ) $30,640
