$3,500 Championship No Limit Hold’em

Level 4: Blinds 100/200/25 ante
Entries: 54

The trip from St. Petersburg to Tampa is an easy 30 minute drive across the Howard Frankland Bridge, unless your “Comrade” Elliott  Zaydman.  The Russian born poker player started his journey from the “other” St. Pete nearly 30 years ago.

“Its a very nice property, says Zaydman who’s playing Day 1B of the Summer Poker Open Championship. “Good restaurants, I’ve already checked out the spa.”

Zaydman is one of several players who are back in Florida after spending time at the World Series of Poker.

“I believe people need a break, I need a break, a month is too much,” says Zaydman who felt he burned out last year at the WSOP. “I didn’t play my best, it’s too much.”

Zaydman mapped out a different summer schedule and a trip to Tampa was in the cards.

“Play a few (WSOP) events, disappear and then go back for the main,” he says of his poker calendar.

“I already had planned on taking a break, so this fit the schedule,” says Zaydman who recently doubled his stack after having Aces cracked by a set of Queens earlier today.

While this is Zaydman’s first time playing in Tampa, he’s no stranger to Seminole Hard Rock poker. He earned his Championship seat this spring through Hollywood’s  Daily Tournament Leaderboard promotion.

In addition to that success, Zaydman’s off to a good start to the year with ten cashes. He finished 18th in the Seminole Hard Rock Showdown Championship Event ($30,000) and was 4th ($21,000) in the $560 event of the Lucky Hearts Poker Open at Coconut Creek, which is where he now lives.

“Go home, play tennis, chill out and come here,” says Zaydman who is fresh off a cash in the Seniors Event at the World Series.

Zaydman left Russia 30 years ago and picked up the nickname “Comrade” when he started playing Stud poker in Atlantic City.  He recently moved to South Florida and is retired from the computer software industry.

While Zaydman has more than $250,000 in career recorded tournament earnings, poker is only a hobby.

“I’m playing well and feel good about my game,” he says.

Zaydman’s next play is tonight’s dinner break. “I have my eye on  Rock N’ Raw, I hear the sushi is very good.”