2023 Tampa Signature Poker Series
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Tampa, Florida
Event 19
$1,100 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)
$50,000 Guaranteed
Entries: 48
Prize Pool: $50,000
September 17, 2023

Elliot Smith won the first trophy on the docket of a loaded lineup tonight at the SPS series, and it took his career earnings above $2.5 million. Smith sat down for a conversation after his win, and here is what he had to say about the victory, “Excellent, you know I wasn’t sure I was going to play because I busted the main the day I registered. But i figured hey, you know what, let’s have some fun, so I jumped in.”

“I kind of came in as a middle stack, and I showed up 20 seconds before the first hand was dealt, and I got pocket aces to double against A-Q. That has happened to me multiple times in tournaments, so the moral of the story is show up on time [laughs]. You won’t win the tournament if you miss the first hand,” said Smith when asked about his path to the final table.

He continued, “I had a good stack, and then we had a couple hands on the bubble where I could put some pressure on. I was picking up some fortunate hands and winning some big flips in some key moments.”

“When we were three handed I got all in three times in a row against this one guy, and I just didn’t let it bug me, and eventually the hands worked out where I won a flip versus him and turned it around and the luck changed,” said Smith about one of the toughest stages for him at the final table.

And in regards to the final hand, this was the play-by-play from Smith: “When I was heads-up I limped the big blind, and the other guy made it a 5-x raise and I called. The flop came A-3-2, all spades. I bet small, he raised small, and the turn was another deuce. He led small, I raised small, he called. And then the river came, and it was a king. I ripped it in for like 75%, and he called with 4-3 suited, but I had a flush so it was good.”

Smith concluded the interview with these thoughts that encapsulate the community spirit that has been a part of the SPS series, “I feel like the dealers are exceptionally friendly, and the staff is very friendly. It’s a good atmosphere, so that’s huge. I feel like the level of play has been good, but a lot of people are here to just have fun.”

Final Results:

1st: Elliot Smith – $19,500 + SPS Trophy
2nd: Artem Metaldi – $11,500
3rd: Aaron Thivyanathan – $7,000
4th: Anthony Askey – $5,000
5th: Ludek Sisak – $4,000
6th: George Qiao – $3,000