Seminole Casino Coconut Creek
Coconut Creek, Fla.
2016 Coco Poker Showdown
Event #4
$240 Omaha 8/Stud 8
Entries: 36
Prize Pool: $10,000
January 25, 2016

Coconut Creek, Fla. (January 25, 2016) — Leslie Pelton beat out a tough field in Event 4 of the Coco Poker Showdown, a $240 buy-in Omaha 8/stud 8 tournament, at Seminole Casino Coconut Creek Monday. The event drew an intimate field of 36 entries as Joseph Patalano, Chris Ivens, Hoyt Verner and others took to the South Florida felt. Pelton was victorous following a three-way, even chop that saw her chip lead earn her the top spot while Lewis Brant took 2nd and Georges Boyadjian 3rd. The trio of finishers each went home with a $2,387 payday.

Patalano, Ivens and Verner were notbale participants because of their past achievements in the area. Patalano was the only player to earn the multi-bag bonus in Event 1 of the series opener just a few days ago. In addition to pocketing the bonus money, he finished 45th in the 1,156-player field. Ivens and Verner, meanwhile, drew some attention after final tabling the $250 HORSE event at the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Lucky Hearts Poker Open about a week ago. Verner got the best of it, finishing third while Ivens finished 7th. This time around, none of the three left with much of a story. Patalano and Verner were alive late, but busted well short of the final table while Ivens went home with the unenviable honor of being the tournament’s bubble boy.

Following the victory, Pelton’s tournament resume boasts two cashes, both wins at Coconut Creek. Her first came in a recurring event barely a month ago. Her most recent score more than doubles that prize and goes down as her biggest poker accomplishment to date.

Pelton is originally from Utah but now resides in Pompano Beach, Fla. She is self-employed.

Event 4 Final results:

1st: Leslie Pelton – $2,387
2nd: Lewis Brant – $2,387
3rd: Georges Boyadjian – $2,387
4th: Jacabo Milhem – $1,025
5th: Chris Damick – $780
6th: Leticia Galinis – $585
7th: Rocco Vito – $450