Anthony Guagliardo Defeats His Former Backer Heads-Up to Win His First WSOP Circuit Ring

2020 WSOP Circuit – February
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Tampa, Florida
Event 11
$400 No Limit Hold’em Turbo (Re-Entry)
Entries:  247
Prize Pool:  $81,510
February 15, 2020

Event 11 Champion Anthony Guagliardo
Event 11 Champion Anthony Guagliardo

Anthony Guagliardo outlasted a field of 247 entries — including his former backer Steven Pellingra — to win his first WSOP Circuit ring in Event #11, $400 No Limit Hold’em Turbo.

“It feels great,” said Guagliardo after his victory. “Especially getting heads-up with my old backer, who got me started out. This was surreal.”

Guagliardo came into the final table seventh in chips, but caught a break in the first hand.

“In the first hand at the final table, I had queens and cracked aces,” said Guagliardo. “There were so many times I was almost out the door and got lucky. You’ve got to get lucky to win turbos.”

Two-time WSOP bracelet winner Loni Harwood finished third, falling just a little short of winning would have been her sixth WSOP Circuit ring.

“She’s really tough,” Guagliardo said about Harwood. “She played great, and put me to a lot of tough decisions. I definitely respect her game a lot.”

Guagliardo has been playing here at Seminole Hard Rock Tampa since he was 18 years old, and appreciates the recent expansion.

“I love it,” said Guagliardo. “And the turnout for this was incredible. I look forward to playing more Circuit stops.”


Final Table Results:

1st:  Anthony Guagliardo  –  $18,417 + WSOP Circuit Ring
2nd:  Steven Pellingra  –  $11,382
3rd:  Loni Harwood  –  $8,142
4th:  Anthony Michelakis  –  $5,932
5th:  Mitchell Ellis  –  $4,403
6th:  Jason Barnett  –  $3,331
7th:  Christopher Green  –  $2,570
8th:  Paul Strolberg  –  $2,022
9th:  Blake Barousse  –  $1,623
10th:  Kevin Blewitt  –  $1,330