Event 9: Dean Morris Puts the UK on the Board

2015 Winter Poker Open
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tampa
Event #9
$250 Deep Stack No Limit Hold’em
Total Entries: 120
Prize Pool: $23,550
December 14, 2015

Dean Morris

Tampa, FL (December 14, 2015) — Dean Morris of London is the most-recent winner at the 2015 Winter Poker Open. Morris carded the top spot in Event 9, a $250 deep stack no limit hold’em tournament, following a three-way ICM chop that saw Anthony Solares take second and Event 1 winner Steven Bennett place third. Morris pocketed $4,599 as well as the $1,650 WPO Championship seat.

“I did come over for the poker,” Morris said of his travels to the States. “I was going to play some earlier events, but this is the first event I’ve played. I’m going to play the Main, obviously.”

Prior to Event 9, Morris, a 46-year-old managing director of an IT company, claimed 37 career cashes and 10 victories totaling just over $100,000. He boasted cashes in Europe, Tunica and Las Vegas, but never Florida — until now.

“[This][is][the] first time I’ve been to Tampa — or Florida — to play,” Morris said. “It’s been really good. I like the [Seminole] Hard Rock […] I enjoyed it. It was a good game today — nice and friendly.”

Event 9 boasted a $20,000 guarantee that was bested comfortably in Level 5. By the time all was said and done, the 120-entry field accumulated a $23,550 kiddie that paid the top 18 finishers. The in-the-money field was virtual who’s who of WPO standouts. Event 1 winner Bennett took part in the three-way chop while Event 4 winner Eric Wert finished 13th and Event 5 winner Anthony Pellegrini 14th. Others heading home with a payday include John Holley (17th) and Jeremy Costa (18th).

The 2015 WPO runs through December 20th when action concludes with the $1,650/$300,000 guaranteed Main Event. Additional events on the schedule include two, $150 deep stack turbos and the $250 Seniors Event.

Event 9 final results:

1st: Dean Morris – $4,599 + $1,650 WPO Championship seat*
2nd: Anthony Solares – $4,297*
3rd: Steven Bennett – $4,292*
4th: David Pisciotta – $1,884
5th: Tyler Crane – $1,413
6th: J Mike Kennedy – $1,178
7th: James Gibson – $942
8th: Glen Breton – $707
9th: Jeffrey Trudeau, Jr. – $530
10th: Bryce McVay- $471
11th: Enzo Romano – $471
12th: John “Rainman” Dollinger – $471
13th: Eric Wert – $412
14th: Anthony Pellegrini – $412
15th: Richard Ogle – $412
16th: Victor Paulin – $353
17th: John Holley – $353
18th: Jeremy Costa – $353

* -Denotes three-way ICM chop