Seminole Hard Rock Poker presents
Lucky Hearts Poker Open at Coconut Creek
$300 Seniors (50+) No Limit Hold’Em
February 5, 2014
Entries: 82
Prize Pool: $21,320
Recap
They might have only been playing for a first place prize of $7,250 but don’t tell that to the 82 entrants of the $300 Seniors (50+) No Limit Hold’Em event. They were here to play some poker and they were taking it as seriously as if they were play for $707,250. And while there were some competitive jabs, the friendly nature of the tournament led to some compelling poker action. In the end, it was a retired former service member/police officer, Grady Yeager that would emerge victorious. This wasn’t Grady’s first time visiting the winner’s circle as it is his fourth recorded career win with his most recent win coming at the 2013 WPT Seminole Hard Rock Showdown Seniors Event in Hollywood.
“I like Seniors Events and HORSE,” said the gracious winner after the tournament, explaining that he has no problem making the 2 1/2 drive from his home in Cape Coral to take part in well run events like the one here at Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Coconut Creek. Quiet at the tables, Yeager used effective play with relentless pressure and a little bit of luck to come out on top. A key hand for him was when he eliminated Julio Fernandez in 9th place with 
when he hit a Queen on the turn to best Julio’s 
.
The play at the table was crazy at times. In one hand, with nine players remaining, there was an under the gun raise from Bob Chow and a total of 7 players would see the flop. “Bunch of gamblers at this table,” Chow surmised. “It’s because it’s almost past our bed time,” joked eventual 6th place finisher Bob Vicars. It was 8 pm.
After Fernandez, it would be Ted “Papa Bear” Transue in 8th place followed by Tim Kegel in 7th place and the aforementioned Vicars in 6th. Albert Balayn would get the rest of his stack in the middle with an open ended straight draw. He was trailing the bottom pair/flush draw that Jim Deleo held and when he was unable to improve was eliminated in 5th place.
When Harry Eisenberg was able to double up with 
against Bob Chow’s 
, the four remaining players were virtually even in chips and they quickly decided to make a deal that led to the frantic push for the trophy. On the last hand of the evening, Yeager and Chow got it all in – Yeager with a weak Ace and Chow with a middling Queen. A Queen would flop and for a moment it looked like Chow would emerge with the trophy but an Ace on the river would change that. “Ah well,” smiled Chow, happy with the $4,000+ dollars he was still taking home.
| PLACE | NAME | FROM | WINNINGS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GRADY YEAGER JR | CAPE CORAL, FL | $4,073 |
| 2 | ROBERT CHOW | SCHAUMBURG, IL | $4,073 |
| 3 | HARRY EISENBERG | WAYLAND, MA | $4,073 |
| 4 | JAMES DELEO | LIGHTHOUSE POINT, FL | $4,072 |
| 5 | ALBERT BALYN | ST BARTHELEMY, | $1,513 |
| 6 | ROBERT VICARS | LANCASTER, CA | $1,172 |
| 7 | TIMOTHY KEGEL | HOLLYWOOD, FL | $938 |
| 8 | ROBERT TRANSUE | NORTH LAUDERDALE, FL | $767 |
| 9 | JULIO FERNANDEZ | MIAMI, FL | $639 |
dodged 14 outs on the river against 
, Albert Balayn moved all in for approximately 30K and was called by Jim Deleo who held 
for bottom pair with the nut flush draw. Balayn had a draw of his own with 
but the turn was the 
and the river was the 
to send the pot to Deleo and in the process send Albert to the rail in 5th place.
as Harry had 
. The flop came 
and Vicars shook his head as the dealer put out the 
turn and the 
river. “Good luck guys,” said Vicars as he patted Harry on the back.
flop but the 
and Julio is our first player eliminated, finishing in 9th place.