2023 Tampa Signature Poker Series
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Tampa, Florida
Event 3
$400 Pot Limit Omaha 8 (Re-Entry)
Entries: 103
Prize Pool: $34,505
September 7, 2023

Nick Kost made it two nights in a row that a local poker professional won the title at the 2023 SPS. Kost topped a field of 103 entries to take home the trophy in the $400 PLO O8 tournament against a talented field of mixed-game players. His toughest match was waiting at the end of the tournament when he faced AJ Kelsall heads-up for the tournament title. Kost faced more than a 2:1 chip disadvantage to start that final battle, but he persevered to seize the day and the SPS trophy along with $9,665 in prize money up top.

Here is what former World Series of Poker gold bracelet winner had to say shortly after his victory tonight: “It feels great man, it’s been a minute since I’ve won anything.  I’ve done well this year, but I haven’t won a trophy or won a tournament in a long time.”

“AJ got me in the dealer’s choice at the World Series, so he clipped me there, so I got him back. He doesn’t make any mistakes, so you’re scratching and clawing for whatever you can. I got a couple of situations where I got baled out on half the pot, and then I scooped him and that was it,” said Kost about the heads-up final.

Kost knew that the final match was gong to be a battle after Kelsall made a metaphor that you wouldn’t give up and chop on the 16th hole if you were all tied in golf – and that’s the fun part. Here is what Kost had to say about the final stages of the tournament: “I knew with those four guys, especially the final three, that we were going to play for that trophy. Plus, [Kelsall] had side bets, so you have a little bit of a situation where it’s endgame. For me, when you get to  the final table it’s endgame, you have to figure out the top three and win it. It’s been a minute, I’ve had a lot of seconds the last few years, so it’s nice to get a first.”

The winner’s interview finished with Kost talking about what he enjoys about his home-court advantage here at Seminole Hard Rock Tampa. Here is what he had to say: “I mostly play mixed, so it’s nice. It’s good to see that they’re doing it at a lot of series. Obviously Hollywood is good too, I love it. I live in St. Pete so this is perfect for me, and it’s a good setup too. I like how the poker room is just separate. Easy in and out, the player pool is decent for PLO cash, and if they have these a few times a year it’s a plus for me. I travel a lot, but it’s nice to be 20 minutes from the tournament instead of at an Airbnb.”

1st: Nick Kost – $9,665 + SPS trophy
2nd: AJ Kelsall – $6,450
3rd: Terry Mackie – $4,380
4th: Donald Maloney – $3,080
5th: Peter Walsworth – $2,250
6th: Mike Collins – $1,710
7th: Mike Tadlock – $1,360
8th: Lewis Gallo – $1,120
9th: Samuel Silverman – $970
10th: Allen Kessler – $970
11th: James Hall – $850
12th: Jonathan Gold – $850
13th: Likang Berninger – $850