Seminole Hard Rock Tampa Summer Poker Open
Event 13: $1,650 Six Max Purple Chip Bounty NLH (Re-Entry)
June 10-11, 2014
Total Prize Pool: $32,500
RECAP
The largest buy-in to date of the Seminole Hard Rock Tampa Summer Poker Open featured a quality field, with several local grinders in contention for player of the series. But while four players looked to increase their standing in the Tournament Leaderboard promotion, it’s Joe Gibbons (Tampa, FL) who collected his first summer cash in a trophy event.
Gibbons ended a heads up marathon with James “Ping Pang” Kerr (Lakeland, FL) when his 
out floped Kerr’s 
and rivered two pairs on the winning hand.
“It’s great that I won in my backyard with all the people I know,” said Gibbons who won $14,625, along with 8 bounties for another $4,000.
Kerr, who began the day 4th on the overall leaderboard, earned $8,450 as runner-up and was denied his second win of the series.
“You play for first or you don’t play,” said Kerr who won Event 9 for $20,250. “I’d like to play again for another $14,000.”
Third place finisher Joe Williams added to his leaderboard total (6th overall) with his third final table and third cash of the series. Meanwhile two other players, Wally Maddah (7th in points) and Andrew Lomans (12th) each made the final table, but failed to cash.
Maddah was the first player eliminated on Day 2 as the final seven players returned to play for the $32,500 prize pool. Ryan Van Sanford went out 6th, follwed by Lomans who bubbled the money in 5th place.
That’s when Gibbons took over the final table. He knocked out Evan Panesis in 4th, Williams in 3rd, and finally Kerr after the two traded chips for two hours in heads up play.
“I’m looking to go deep in the main (Championship Event),” said Gibbons, “to win it would be great.”
In addition to the money, Gibbons won the signature guitar and his second seat into the Championship Event (June 12-18). Gibbons, a five-year poker pro, won his first seat in a satellite last week.
FINAL RESULTS
1st Joe Gibbons (Tampa, Fl) $14,625
2nd James “Ping Pang” Kerr (Lakeland, FL) $8,450
3rd Joe Williams (Benton City, FL) $5,525
4th Evan Panesis (Boston, MA) $3,900