$3,500 Championship No Limit Hold’em

Level 6: Blinds 200/400/50 ante
129 1C Entries, 339 total

Players needing a break from the Vegas grind are finding a respite at the Seminole Hard Rock Tampa Summer Poker Open. And it’s not just local grinders as two former November Niners are in the field.

“I was planning on taking a break and this fit right into the window for me,” says John Dolan who finished 6th in the 2010 WSOP Main Event.

Also playing Flight C is Dennis Phillips, the recognizable truck driving 2008 Main Event third place finisher.

“I’m familiar with the Seminoles playing down in Miami (Hollywood),” says Phillips who has nearly $6 million in career tournament earnings. “I had some business in Florida and slipped this in. I wrapped up my meetings and came late on the last day, but made it in.”

Both players are using this event as a warm up before returning to Vegas and recognize the benefits of playing in this $1 Million Guaranteed Championship Event.

“A lot of pros aren’t going to make it so there’s great value here, a really good value tournament,” says Dolan who has two cashes at this year’s World Series. His trip to Florida also includes spending time with his girlfriend Ashley and daughter Lillian.

“I hope they continue to have something every couple of months, adds Dolan, “it will be great for Florida poker.”

Phillips agrees and is looking forward to the next Hard Rock series in Hollywood, the $10 Million Guaranteed Championship (August 28 – September 3).

“I know a lot of pros are going to be at EPT Barcelona,” says Phillips, “that’s going to be a big one, and they’ll come straight here (Florida).

“The largest event in Europe and the largest guarantee in the U.S. it’s   going to be a hell of a three week period.”

But for now the focus is on the $1 million up for grabs in Tampa.