$125 + $20 + $20 No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry)
Level 9: Blinds 400/800/100 ante

Amie Martini

Amie Martini (Tampa) is another cold weather transplant who’s glad to be playing at the Hard Rock Tampa Winter Poker Open. The Detroit native who says, “Go Sparty!” after Michigan State’s Big Ten title win over previously undefeated Ohio State, is the chip leader with 81k.

The field will play down to 29 players (14% of 206 entries) or 8 minutes left on Level 13 (when play stopped in the first flight), which ever comes first.

$125 + $20 + $20 No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry)
Level 9 : Blinds 400/800/100 ante
70 players remaining, 29k avg (37 bb)

Dealer Le in the Green

Players are just back from break as the green (25) chips have been raced off.

The field is down to seven tables.

$125 + $20 + $20 No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry)
Level 8: Blinds 300/600/75

Wazir Warm and Dry in F-L-A

The weekend snow storm that gripped the East Coast is just another good reason to play in the Seminole Hard Rock Tampa Winter Poker Open tournament series.

Wazir Baksh (St. Cloud), who is originally from Queens, NY, is a familiar face on the tournament circuit in Atlantic City and glad he made the move to Florida three months ago.

Baksh is a businessman who’s taking a break from work and spending more time on poker after moving South. His career resume features 18 cashes for nearly $70,000 and a couple of wins including one for $21,000.

He’s eying a return to the job in 2014, but for now it’s a break from work and from the snow.

$125 + $20 + $20 No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry)
Level 7: Blinds 250/500/50 ante

The two resident WSOP bracelet holders are back today after failing to cash in the Seniors event.  Marsha Wolak (Ft. Lauderdale) and Harold Angle (Sun City Center) are in the field on separate tables.

One of the tougher draws features two players who final tabled the Seniors. Herbert Woodbery (Winter Garden, FL), who finished 10th and Michael Lavington (Bradenton), who was part of the chop that earned him $3,438, are across from each other.

$125 + $20 + $20 No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry)
Level 6: Blinds 200/400/50 ante

Rosetta & Maddah

Of the 12 tables in Action Table 45 is a tough draw.  Two players who chopped Event 1 ($150,000 NL Guarantee), Stephen Diamantas (Tampa) and Bobby Rosetta (Tampa) are here, as is Wally Maddah (Orlando) who final table bubbled the Seniors (Event 5) last night.

Diamantas ($13,038) and Rosetta ($9,526) were part of the 9-way deal, while Maddah’s 11th place finish was a heart breaker. Eventual winner Maroun Akiki (Orlando) flopped a straight against Maddah’s top pair.

$125 + $20 + $20 No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry)
Level 5: Blinds 150/300/25 ante

The numbers for this event continue to impress as the field is close to 400 players and the prize pool at nearly $50,000.

Entries:

Flight 1: 190
Flight 1A: 206
Flight 1B: 7 pm

Total Entries: 396 through two flights

The 11 am flight will play into Level 13 before bagging and tagging at ~6:30 pm, just in time for the third and final flight to take over the room.

$125 + $20 + $20 No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry)
Level 4 : Blinds 100/200/25 ante

Players Smash Guarantee

After 190 entries in the initial flight, the second of three flights is approaching that total as players blow past the $40,000 Guaranteed Prize Pool.

Registration is open until after the first break of the day with the cage closing at ~1:15 pm.

Flight 6B is 7 pm tonight, with all remaining players returning for Day 2 Wednesday at 2 pm.

20th Anniversary Celeberation
Javier, Gardner, Hajaistron & Lyman

In honor of the Poker Room’s 20th Anniversary, the Seminole Hard Rock Tampa family is honoring four invaluable associates who have been here since Day 1.

Congratulations to Rudy Javier, Lue Gardner, Shirley Hajaistron and Teresa Lyman who have helped grow the room to the success it is today.

In addition to honoring the fab four, Hard Rock Tampa is having a Poker Room Appreciation Day for all 250 Team Associates. The highlight is the signing of a solid body electric guitar that will be displayed for years to come.

Thanks to everyone for all their hard work and dedication!

Hajaistron a Hard Rock Original Since ’93