Poker
August 16, 2017

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Announces the Champion of the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open

Australia’s Martin Kozlov Wins the Series Finale for $754,083

 HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (Aug. 16, 2017) – For the third consecutive year, the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open (SHRPO) concluded with the crowning of The Big 4 champions at Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla. The quartet of winners earned more than $1.8 million, with Martin Kozlov headlining the day as the SHRPO Champion pocketing $754,083.

Kozlov is a 30-year-old professional poker player from Melbourne, Australia. His SHRPO Championship victory came during the early morning hours of Wednesday when Kozlov claimed his second major title in the last 14 months. The six-figure score moved his career earnings to more than $2.6 million and rendered his eighth tournament cash of 2017.

The Big 4 is a collection of four-tournament finales that feature staggered structures, timed so the events play out alongside one another. Unique to South Florida, 2017 marks the third year of the one-of-a-kind finisher. In all, Tuesday’s play saw more than $5.8 million earned between the four final tables which featured 35 players between them.

This year’s $3 million guaranteed SHRPO Championship drew 887 entries, resulting in a year-over-year increase, and a total prize pool of $4.3 million.

SHRPO Championship Final Table Results:

1st: Martin Kozlov (Melbourne, Aus.) $754,083

2nd: Dylan Drazen (Wilton Manors, Fla.) $528,322

3rd: Matt Berkey (Las Vegas, Nev.) $341,618

4th: Yi Chi Li (Jacksonville, Fla.) $252,481

5th: Michael Aron (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.) $191,437

6th: Aaron Mermelstein (Philadelphia, Penn.) $152,547

7th: Adam Levy (Los Angeles, Calif.) $126,305

8th: Luke Brereton (Prestbury, UK) $100,408

9th: Joe Kuether (Las Vegas, Nev.) $75,413

In addition to Kozlov, the other Big 4 winners were:

  • John Andress (Berkeley, Calif.), winning the $25,500 High Roller for $801,450
  • Alex Foxen (Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.), winning the $2,650 Freeze-Out for $204,600
  • Brian Altman (Boston, Mass.), winning the $1,100 Re-Entry for $118,157

This year’s tournament boasted combined prize pool guarantees of $6.5 million. With more than 2,000 overall entries, total cash payouts exceeded the guarantee, topping out at more than $8.8 million. The play down of all four events was streamed online by Poker Night in America, as well as filmed for later airing on CBS Sports Network.

For the fourth year in a row, SHRPO preliminary events featured a Charity Series of Poker (CSOP) tournament. This year’s installment supported The Jeff Conine Celebrity Poker Classic benefitting the Conine Clubhouse, a home-away-from-home where families of children under care at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital can stay for free as long as necessary. The event drew 307 entries, marking its largest turnout in The Jeff Conine’s Celebrity Poker Classic’s six-year history. The event raised nearly $70,000 for the charity and kicked off with an exclusive player party at Kuro, the resort’s new-style Japanese restaurant.

The conclusion of The Big 4 wrapped the SHRPO which kicked off August 3 and featured 18 primary events.

About Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is South Florida’s iconic entertainment destination located minutes from Fort Lauderdale’s world-famous beach. The AAA Four Diamond-rated resort features 469 luxury guest rooms and suites, award-winning restaurants, a lagoon-style pool and Beach Club Bar & Grill, a Hard Rock-inspired spa, premium meeting and convention space and a 5,500-seat Hard Rock Live concert arena. The casino offers more than 100 table games, 2,000 of the most popular slots and a poker room. Fine dining options include Council Oak Steaks & Seafood, the resort’s signature steakhouse, and Kuro, a luxe and socially vibrant restaurant offering new-style Japanese cuisine. In the heart of the hotel is L Bar, a sophisticated, contemporary lounge showcasing handcrafted classic cocktails with a twist. Contemporary and casual eateries, include Blue Plate, the hotel’s 24-hour diner-inspired restaurant; Constant Grind, a gourmet coffee and pastry shop; and the ever-famous Hard Rock Cafe – Hollywood, part of Hard Rock’s 178 globally recognized rock ‘n’ roll restaurants.

For more information, call 800-937-0010, visit us online at www.seminolehardrockhollywood.com, or follow us on Facebook: @SeminoleHardRockHollywood, Twitter: @HardRockHolly, Instagram: @HardRockHolly

About Seminole Hard Rock Poker

Seminole Hard Rock Poker encompasses four major poker series held annually at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. In August 2013, the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open (SHRPO) was introduced to poker players around the world and featured a $10 million guarantee championship, the largest guarantee in history. In addition to the SHRPO, Seminole Hard Rock Poker series’ includes the Seminole Hard Rock Lucky Hearts Poker Open (January), Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown (April) and Seminole Hard Rock “Rock ‘N’ Roll” Poker Open (November). All four series fall under the SHRPO umbrella with tournament news, live updates and championship live streaming. Visit www.SHRPO.com. Join the conversation at #SHRPO, and tag us @SHRPO.