Seminole Hard Rock Tampa Spring Poker Open
Event 3: $210  Classic Rockers (50+) No Limit Hold’em
March 9, 2014

Entries: 134
Prize Pool: $23,450

RECAP
Greg McNealy (Pictured) claimed first place  and a $1,650 seat into the Seminole Hard Rock Tampa Spring Poker Open No Limit Hold’em Championship event  after he topped a field of 134 players in the $210 No Limit Hold’em Classic Rockers (50+) event.

McNealy was part of an eight-way chop to take home the prize money and after winning a high-card draw among the three chip leaders, he earned himself a seat into the main event and the first place title.

McNealy is a retired firefighter who spends all of his time traveling around the country playing poker tournaments.

“I’m traveling to Hollywood soon,” said the Valrico, FL native after the win. “I’ve also got a trip to Vegas planned to play some tournaments.”

Winning poker tournaments is nothing new to McNealy, who already has over $28,000 in live tournament earnings to his name with cashes mostly in Las Vegas and Florida.  This one wasn’t easy for him though, as he was very short in the middle stages of the tournament.

“I was down to like 5,300 in chips with like 47 people left,” said McNealy.

After getting all in and doubling up a few times, McNealy rallied to be one of the chip leaders with three tables remaining and never seemed to be short again.

The tournament got cards in the air at noon and it took 17 levels for the players to guarantee themselves a payday.  Brenda Lane , who finished in fourth place, getting a piece of the chop, burst the money bubble when her won a flip against her opponent’s pocket deuces.

From there, the action was fast and loose as players tried to position themselves for the final table.

Pam Osteen and Ron Tosi were eliminated simultaneously in level 18 to leave the tournament with it’s final nine players. Tosi took home 10th place money and Osteen finished in 11th.

Mike Lavington, who was one of the bigger stacks with two tables left, found himself in a bad spot when he doubled up Al McGee. McGee got all in preflop with pocket kings and Lavington called with A-J. Lavington couldn’t find an ace on the board and was left with just 2.5 big blinds. He was eliminated by Jerry Nadeau the very next hand.

After an orbit, the chop negotiations began and after a little hesitation from a few of the players, a deal was reached and McNealy took home the title.

FINAL RESULTS

Main Event Schedule