Seminole Hard Rock Tampa Spring Poker Open
Event 8: $1,650 WPT Regional Championship No Limit Hold’em
March 14-16, 2014

Entries: 261
Prize Pool: $391,500

RECAP
A case of boredom and restlessness earned Jean Gaspard $109,613 and the WPT Seminole Hard Rock Tampa Championship No Limit Hold’em title.

“I was just feeling a little bored at home in Las Vegas,” said Gaspard after his win in the early hours of Monday morning. “There are so many distractions out there. My buddy told me about this tournament and I just hopped on a flight and came out here to play it.”

The 42 year-old poker pro already has over $1.2 million in live career tournament earnings to his name, but felt that his game was lacking a little bit because of the distractions that are available in in Sin City.

“I told my girlfriend that I’m flying out to Tampa and I’m going to win this tournament,” said Gaspard. “I’ve felt really good playing here. I’ve been really focused. The last time I felt this focused was in New Orleans when I won my ring.”

Gaspard came into the final day as the chip leader after cruising through the third of three starting flights for the event. He carried that momentum into Sunday and entered the final table as one of the biggest stacks.

Gaspard never got too short at the final table and ended up playing heads-up for the title against local poker professional and World Series of Poker bracelet winner, Chris Dombrowski.

The heads-up match lasted about an hour and at the start of the match, Dombrowski was facing a slight chip disadvantage. The momentum seemed to change though when Dombrowski rivered the nut flush and won a big pot. Dombrowski took the chip lead with that hand and then grinded out a 4-to-1 chip lead over the Last Vegas pro.

“I tried to put him on tilt,” said Gaspard about his table talk that started when he was trailing in chips. “I was throwing everything at him, but nothing worked. That kid plays good.”

Gaspard regained the chip lead when he got all in on a flop of with against Dombrowski’s . Gaspard found another jack on the turn and he never looked back from there.

He won a few hands without showdown after that and then they got the last chips in the middle preflop with Gaspard holding the best of it with pocket fives against Dombrowski’s pocket threes. The board didn’t offer any help to Dombrowski and Gaspard took earned himself a six-figure payday.

FINAL RESULTS

Main Event Schedule

$1,650 No Limit Hold’em WPT Championship

Level 30: 50,000/100,000/15,000

Jean Gaspard raised to 250,000 on the button and Chris Dombrowski (pictured) moved all in from the big blind. Gaspard called and the cards were turned face-up.

Gaspard was had a commanding lead in the hand with his against Dombrowski’s .

The board ran out and Gaspard eliminates the Dombrowski in second place.

Dombrowski adds $64,598 to his bank account and a second place finish to his resume, which already includes a World Series of Poker Bracelet.

Gaspard takes home the trophy, the guitar, and the $109,613 that goes along with it.

$1,650 No Limit Hold’em WPT Championship

The players have declined taking a 10 minute break and will go straight into the next level. The blinds have been increased to 50,000/100,000 with a 15,000 ante.

$1,650 No Limit Hold’em WPT Championship

Level 29: 40,000/80,000/10,000

Chris Dombrowski limps in on the button and Jean Gaspard checks his option.

The flop is and Gaspard checks. Dombrowski bets 85,000 and Gaspard check-raises all in for 1,340,000. Dombrowski quickly calls and is in good shape with his against Gaspard’s .

The turn was the and Gaspard finds a third jack to take the lead. The river is the and Gaspard doubles up to scoop the pot. Gaspard is sitting with 2,850,000 and has a slight chip advantage on Dombrowski.

$1,650 No Limit Hold’em WPT Championship

Level 29: 40,000/80,000/10,000

Jean Gaspard raised to 250,000 on the button and Chris Dombrowski defends his big blind.

The flop is and both players check. The turn is the and Dombrowski leads out for 280,000. Gaspard calls and the river is the . Dombrowski bets 590,000 and Gaspard takes a few moments before calling.

Dombrowski tables , good for the nut flush and Gaspard flicks his cards a few times before sending his hand into the muck.

Dombrowski climbs to 3,500,000 with the pot and Gaspard slips to 2,200,000.

$1,650 No Limit Hold’em WPT Championship

Level 29: 40,000/80,000/10,000

Jean Gaspard raised to 160,000 and Chris Dombrowski defended his big blind. Both players check a flop of and the fell on the turn.

Dombrowski checks again and Gaspard bets 125,000. Dombrowski calls and the is the river card. Dombrowski check-calls 300,000 from Gaspard mucks when he sees Gaspard’s .

$1,650 No Limit Hold’em WPT Championship

Level 29: 40,000/80,000/10,000

Chris Dombrowski raised and Barbara Cardin (pictured) moved all in for her last 615,000. Dombrowski called and the cards were turned face-up.

Dombrowski was in the lead with and was up against Cardin’s . The board ran out and Cardin was eliminated in third place.

Chris Dombrowski and Jean Gaspard are now heads-up for the title.

$1,650 No Limit Hold’em WPT Championship

The blinds have been increased to 40,000/80,000 with a 10,000 ante. There are three players remaining.

$1,650 No Limit Hold’em WPT Championship

Level 28: 30,000/60,000/10,000

Barbara Cardin called from the small blind and Jean Gaspard checked his option in the big blind.

The flop came and Cardin check-called 75,000 from Gaspard. They checked down the turn and river as the dealer peeled off the and the .

Gaspard took the pot with and Cardin mucked her hand.

$1,650 No Limit Hold’em WPT Championship

The players are back and the blinds have gone up to 30,000/60,000 with a 10,000 ante.