Minnesota player wins Seminole hard Rock Poker Open

Patrick Mahoney from Winona, Minnesota walked away with $564,227 after winning first place in the $3,500 buy-in Seminole Hard Rock Rock 'n' Roll Poker Open (RRPO) $2 million guaranteed Championship held 25-30 November 2016 at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. In addition to his cash prize, Mahoney earned a $5,250 seat in the August 2017 Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open Championship. Offering two starting flights, the Championship produced a total of 760 entries, with a total prize pool of $2,432,000.

The 14-tournament series, held in the resort ballrooms, surpassed every major guarantee. Opening day kicked off Wednesday, 16 November with a $360 buy-in Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em $1 million guaranteed, the first event in Florida poker history to offer a seven-figure guarantee at this price point. The event drew 5,018 entries, resulting in a prize pool of $1,505,400 and a new record for the largest playing field in Florida's history.

The series also featured a $50,000 buy-in High Roller structured as a one-day Turbo. The high-stakes tournament drew 21 entries and a prize pool of $1,043,700.

Another first for Seminole Hard Rock Poker was a series of tournaments live streamed by Poker Night in America. Complete with commentary and hole cards, the live streaming comprised of featured tables during the early stages of play and final table coverage during the late stages of play.