$250 Big Stack No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry)
December 14-16, 2014
Entries: 218
Prize Pool: $50,000

RECAP

Manny Minaya and John Pappas, two long-time regulars of the Seminole Hard Rock Tampa Poker Room, were heads up for Event 7 of the Winter Poker Open.  But the action was short as Minaya capitalized on his 4:1 chip lead to win the title, trophy and $13,535 first place prize.

“To lose to Manny is an honor and a privilege,” said Pappas, who earned $7,978 as runner-up.  “He’s one of the best tournament players I know.”

Minaya’s winning hand was against Pappas’ open-ended straight draw on a flop. Minaya’s pair of Jacks held and it earned him a win in his home casino.

“This isn’t my biggest win, but it’s nice because it’s local,” said Minaya who now has six career victories, his first here, and more than $1.4 million in career recorded tournament earnings.

While heads up didn’t last long, the final four of Minaya, Pappas, Richard Hope and John Holley traded chips for nearly two hours.

Holley, who shipped a double-up to Pappas, eventually became the short stack and busted 4th. Minaya then eliminated Hope in third place to hold 80% of the chips on the final hand.

218 entries started this event and 34 players returned for Day 2 looking for a piece of the $50,000 prize pool. Local grinder Wally Maddah (Tampa, FL) went out in 29th place, the double-bubble, while Wade Whidden (Valrico, FL) was the bubble-boy, one spot from the money as the top 27 cashed.

The last woman sitting was Ok Haselton, who finished 10th, while two Brazilians, Paulo Castro (7th) and Josias Santos (8th) also reached the final table. John Ripstra (9th), Gabriel Tudorache (6th) and Marcu Seitz (5th) rounded out the final ten.

“After I get a lot of chips I just play my game,” said Minaya, who also earned a $1,650 seat into the Championship Event (Dec. 18-21) as well as the custom Hard Rock guitar. “I like to see a lot of flops, but won’t play big pots unless I have a monster.”

When he’s not at the poker table, Minaya works in the bill collection business. Pappas is also well known in Tampa as an influential business man.

Final Results