2025 WPT Poker Showdown Championship: Final Table Set After Record-Breaking Series at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood

Hollywood, FL – 11 April 2025 – The 2025 WPT Poker Showdown Championship at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood concluded its main phase on 9 April after a hugely successful three-week series. Running from 19 March to 9 April, the event featured 74 trophy events, drew over 20,000 entries, and awarded more than $20 million in total prize pools, marking the fifth time in the series’ history it surpassed the 20,000-entry milestone.

The marquee WPT Poker Showdown Championship drew 1,755 entries, generating a prize pool of $5.6 million, nearly doubling the $3 million guarantee. The tournament now moves to its climactic televised final table on 29 May in Las Vegas, where six finalists will battle for the $776,000 top prize and a seat in the WPT World Championship.

Final Table Lineup & Chip Counts

• Seat 1: Art Peacock – 27,150,000 (109 BB)

• Seat 2: Jeffery Fritz – 16,150,000 (65 BB)

• Seat 3: Mitchell Hynam – 2,000,000 (8 BB)

• Seat 4: Jared Hemingway – 11,150,000 (45 BB)

• Seat 5: Daniel Marcus – 22,150,000 (89 BB)

• Seat 6: Mihai Niste – 8,650,000 (35 BB)

Remaining Payouts

• 1st: $776,000 (includes WPT World Championship seat)

• 2nd: $515,000

• 3rd: $380,000

• 4th: $285,000

• 5th: $215,000

• 6th: $164,000

Highlight Event Winners

• Michael Newman (Nanuet, NY) took down the opening $400 Deep Stack NLH, earning $103,274 from a 4,265-entry field.

• Femi Fashakin (Orlando, FL) won the $600 Deep Stack NLH for $156,565.

• Jake Cody (Rochdale, England) claimed victory in the $2,200 Deep Stack NLH, banking $93,900.

• Cherish Andrews (Chambersburg, PA) dominated the $25,500 High-Roller, winning $408,265.

• Jonathan Jaffe (Longmeadow, MA) secured the $10,000 Heads-Up NLH title and $100,000.

• Brek Schutten (Grand Rapids, MI) triumphed in the $5,000 Deep Stack Eight-Handed, taking home $185,400.

Charity Spotlight

In addition to high-stakes action, the series honored the late Larry Frank with the Larry Frank Memorial Charity Event, benefiting Make-A-Wish Southern Florida. The event saw over 140 participants and raised more than $24,000 in cash and prizes. Matthew Zarcadoolas (Fort Lauderdale, FL) won $6,000 plus a $3,500 seat in the WPT Showdown Championship.

With the final table just weeks away, the poker world now turns its attention to Las Vegas, where one of the six remaining players will be crowned the next WPT champion.

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Final table for 2025 WPT Poker Showdown Championship

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood concluded its 2025 Poker Showdown on Wednesday, 9 April following a successful three-week run. The Poker Showdown kicked off on Wednesday, 19 March and saw 74 trophy events and more than 20,000 total entries, the fifth time in series history crossing the 20,000 entry mark. The tournament awarded more than $20 million in prize pools.
With 1,755 entries in the WPT Poker Showdown Championship, the final prize pool is more than $5.6 million, easily exceeding the $3 million guarantee. The field is down to its final six players who will reconvene on Thursday, 29 May in Las Vegas for a televised final table.

Championship Final Table with Chip Counts:

- Seat 1: Art Peacock – 27,150,000 (109 bb)
- Seat 2: Jeffery Fritz – 16,150,000 (65 bb)
- Seat 3: Mitchell Hynam – 2,000,000 (8 bb)
- Seat 4: Jared Hemingway – 11,150,000 (45 bb)
- Seat 5: Daniel Marcus – 22,150,000 (89 bb)
- Seat 6: Mihai Niste – 8,650,000 (35 bb)

Remaining Payouts:

1st: $776,000 (includes a seat in WPT World Championship)
2nd: $515,000
3rd: $380,000
4th: $285,000
5th: $215,000
6th: $164,000

The series opening event, $400 Deep Stack No Limit Hold ‘em, drew 4,265 entries, creating a total prize pool of more than $1.4 million. Michael Newman of Nanuet, N.Y. won the opener, earning $103,274.

Other signature event winners include:

- Femi Fashakin (Orlando, Fla.) winning the $600 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry) for $156,565
- Jake Cody (Rochdale, England) winning the $2,200 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry) for $93,900
- Cherish Andrews (Chambersburg, Penn.) winning the $25,500 High-Roller NLH (Re-Entry) for $408,265
- Jonathan Jaffe (Longmeadow, Mass.) winning the $10,000 Heads-Up NLH for $100,000
- Brek Schutten (Grand Rapids, Mich.) winning the $5,000 Deep Stack Eight Handed NLH (Re-Entry) for $185,400

Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown also hosted the “Larry Frank Memorial Charity Event Benefiting Make-A-Wish Southern Florida” on Thursday, 3 April. The charity event was in honor of Larry Frank, with proceeds going to Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida. The event had more than 140 entries and a prize pool of $15,000 + $9,200 in non-cash prizes. Matthew Zarcadoolas of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. won the top prize of $6,000 plus a $3,500 seat in the WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown Championship.

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Winners of 2025 Lucky Hearts Poker Open announced

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood concluded its 2025 Lucky Hearts Poker Open on Wednesday, 22 January. In the headliner event, Martins Adeniya of London, England bested 1,162 entries to take home $512,600 following a two-way deal on his fiancée’s birthday.

“It’s just perfect timing,” said Adeniya after his victory. “I’ve got a baby on the way in April, and I’m getting married in two weeks. The only problem is I’m missing my fiancée’s birthday today.”

The $3,500 LHPO finale boasted a final prize pool of more than $3.7 million, easily exceeding the $2 million guarantee. The last 146 spots were all paid a minimum of $6,400 for a min-cash.

Championship Final Table Results:

1st: Martins Adeniya (London, England) $512,600 (two-way deal)

2nd: Spencer Champlin (Scarborough, Maine) $425,000 (two-way deal)

3rd: Caio De Lucca Sobral (Aventura, Fla.) $275,000

4th: Ryan Hogan (Winter Garden, Fla.) $205,000

5th: Joost Schippers (Utrecht, Netherlands) $156,000

6th: Adam Nattress (Portland, Ore.) $119,000

The 54-event LHPO kicked off on Thursday, 9 January with the $1,000,000 Deep Stack No Limit Hold’em (NLH) opener. With 2,784 entries, the event exceeded the $1 million guaranteed, creating a total prize pool of more than $1.4 million. Fabian Foster (Davenport, Fla.) won the opener earning $141,365 after the final three players agreed to a deal to end the tournament and split the remaining prize pool.

Other signature event winners include:

- Andrew Pichee (St. Louis, Mo.) winning the $2,200 Deep Stack No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry) for $86,000

- Taylor Alex Wilson (Wheeling, W.Va.) winning the $25,500 High Roller No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry) for $511,900

- Thomas Carroll (North Augusta, S.C.) winning the $10,000 Deep Stack No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry) for $179,260

Poker action will return to Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida with Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown Wednesday, 19 March – Tuesday, 8 April, headlined by the $400 Deep Stack series opener with a $1,000,000 guarantee and the $3,500 WPT Poker Showdown Championship boasting a $3 million guarantee.

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Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood hosting poker tournament

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and the World Poker Tour are gearing up for tournament poker action when the Seminole Hard Rock “Rock ‘N’ Roll Poker Open” returns Wednesday, 20 November to Wednesday, 4 December.

The RRPO series features 49 primary events, kicking off with a $400 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry) with a $2 Million Guarantee. The series is also headlined by a $3,500 WPT Rock ‘N’ Roll Championship, boasting a $3 Million Guaranteed prize pool, the largest in RRPO history. The final table for the championship will take place on Wednesday, 4 December and will be live-streamed on WPT.com.

Last year’s RRPO produced record-setting numbers with a 49-event schedule that guaranteed more than $7 million in prize money and generated more than $14 million over the 15-day series. The 2023 RRPO WPT Championship saw 1,447 total entries and a prize pool that topped $4 million making it the largest championship tournament in RRPO history.

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"New Era" in Florida gaming set for next week

Leaders of the Seminole Tribe of Florida and major celebrities are slated to welcome a "New Era" in Florida Gaming beginning Thursday, 7 December, when craps, roulette and retail sports betting debut at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and other Seminole Casinos.

Sofia Vergara, Jon Bon Jovi, Tiësto, Heather Graham, DJ Khaled, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Mike Tyson, Dwyane Wade, Bobbi Althoff, Sarah Hyland, Fat Joe, Ja Rule, Prince Royce, Willy Chirino, Max Weinberg, Xandra, Blaise Matuidi, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit models such as Brooks Nader, Camille Kostek, Jena Sims, Nicole English, Christen Harper, plus many more entertainment and sports celebrities are scheduled to walk the red carpet. Festivities will also include special celebrity guests participating in the first roll of the craps dice, the first spin of the roulette wheel and the first retail sports bet at the Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood. Tickets are also available to the public for special performances by award-winning artists that weekend as well.

In addition to hosting major celebrities and influencers on the red carpet and celebrating the launch of the new casino games, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood plans a combination of mega-events over the course of several days. Among them is a four-day residency of Carbone restaurant at the resort's Italian-American restaurant Cipresso from Thursday, 7 December through Sunday, Dec. 10. Created by renowned chef Mario Carbone, the restaurant pays homage to many of New York's great Italian-American restaurants.

Special guests will join Seminole Tribe of Florida Chairman Marcellus Osceola Jr. and other members of the Seminole Tribal Council, plus Seminole Gaming CEO and Hard Rock International Chairman Jim Allen in a ceremony to commemorate the start of the new games, which were made possible by the Gaming Compact signed and approved by the Tribe and the State of Florida in 2021.

"The Seminole Tribe of Florida is proud to point to a new era in Florida gaming with the unveiling of our new casino games," said Chairman Osceola. "With the addition of craps, roulette and sports betting, we now offer a full complement of casino games and we join the ranks of leading casinos around the world."

"The entertainment, travel and tourism industries, and many more, will see positive economic impact caused by the new casino games," said Seminole Gaming CEO Jim Allen. "They will increase tourism to Florida and boost employment not only at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood, but also at businesses in the areas surrounding this casino complex and others operated by Seminole Gaming throughout Florida."

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Seminole Casino Coconut Creek to host charity poker tournament

Seminole Casino Coconut Creek will host an adrenaline-pumping charity poker tournament to benefit America’s Champions Foundation on Veteran’s Day, Saturday, 11 November, at 1 p.m. in the Coco Poker Room. If you have ever dreamed of knocking out a world-class fighter – this is your chance to do it at the Poker table. Colby “Chaos” Covington will not only be hosting this thrilling showdown but also playing in the tournament.

The tournament will feature $10,000 in prizes and special guest appearances. A $250 buy-in is needed to secure a spot in this epic event. Tournament registration will begin at 9 a.m. in the Coco Poker Room on November 11.

The mission of America’s Champion Foundation is to enhance the lives of Veterans, First Responders & the families of these fallen heroes. America’s Champions Foundation’s commitment is to enhance the lives of those that have pledged their lives to our Great Nation.

“We are thankful that Seminole Gaming and Seminole Casino Coconut Creek have partnered with us to create an amazing poker tournament where past and present service members as well as supporters can come together and further our mission on Veteran’s Day. We can think of no better venue than Coco Poker to host our inaugural event. This event will blend ACF President Colby Covington’s two greatest passions – supporting America’s finest and competitive Poker. We are proud to join Colby and Seminole Gaming in upholding our Nation’s and citizen’s promise to support those that selflessly and tirelessly protect our freedoms and our way of life,” said ACF Executive Officers.

“We’re honored to host this inaugural charity poker tournament for such a great organization,” said Kelly Mautner, Director of Poker. “America’s Champions Foundation is going to do amazing things for America’s finest & we are proud to be a part of that.”

Additionally, guests who would like to donate without going All-in, can opt for a VIP meet and greet with the one and only Colby “Chaos” Covington held in the Poker room from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. separate from the tournament. Tickets will be available at $150 for a meet and greet that includes a photo or $200 for a meet and greet that includes a photo and an autograph. All proceeds from the meet and greet will also benefit America’s Champions Foundation.

Coco Poker is a smoke-free location, complete with 30 tables, tableside dining, a dedicated bar, and South Florida’s only private luxury poker salon. Tournament is pending gaming approval.

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$3.8 million jackpot win at Seminole Hard Rock Casino Hollywood

One lucky Fort Lauderdale resident is going into the weekend a big winner after a night at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood. Ms. Laurie, who wanted her last name withheld, hit a jackpot for $3,854,682 on the IGT Megabucks slots game this morning shortly after midnight. The jackpot marks the highest payout in history for all six Seminole Gaming properties and the largest slot jackpot ever awarded in Florida on an IGT game.

The guest was playing the $1 machine and had wagered a $5 bet before the jackpot was won. She celebrated her 60th birthday last week and was spending the evening at the iconic Guitar Hotel having dinner with friends at Council Oak Steaks & Seafood.

“I am in absolute shock,” she said. “You like to dream big but that’s really big. That’s not even in the ballpark of what you think you can win. That’s a lottery! It still feels like a dream.”

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