Cincinnati Kid: Jake Bazeley Wins 2015 Seminole Hard Rock Rock ‘n’ Roll Poker Open
The 2015 Seminole Hard Rock Rock 'n' Roll Poker Open Championship Event came to a close on Wednesday night, with Ohio native Jake Bazeley winning the tournament to earn the $568,687 and the largest score of his live poker career. Bazeley topped a field of 766 entries in the $3,500 buy-in tournament and now boasts over $3.15 million in career live tournament earnings.
Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Hometown | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jake Bazeley | Cincinnati, OH | $568,687 |
| 2 | David Prociak | Orlando, FL | $330,912 |
| 3 | Joshua Gibson | Fort Myers, FL | $202,224 |
| 4 | Martin Carnero | Davie, FL | $166,682 |
| 5 | Marvin Rettenmaier | Leonburg, Germany | $134,816 |
| 6 | Jessica Dawley | Jeffersonville, IN | $110,304 |
| 7 | Nipun Java | New Dehli, India | $88,243 |
| 8 | Peter Walsworth | Sarasota, FL | $67,048 |
| 9 | Dylan Drazen | New York, NY | $46,573 |
| 10 | Matt Stout | Clifton, NJ | $30,640 |
Bazeley has been around the game for several years now, often seen donning the apparel of a Cincinnati, Ohio, sports team to represent his home city. His first live cash on record was all the way back in 2008, and a victory this big and this prominent has been a long time in the making.
In order to achieve the feat, Bazeley had to Orlando, Florida's defeat David Prociak in heads-up play after he fought his way through a final table that included the likes of Nipun Java, Jessica Dawley, Marvin Rettenmaier, and Matt Stout.
"That was definitely a made-for-TV heads-up," Bazeley told SHRPO.com reporters when asked his duel with Prociak. "It seemed like we got it all in six or seven times, and the short stack always won. It was just one of those crazy things."
Crazy it may have been, but for Bazeley the victory meant a bit more than him winning a few all-in pots to get there. It's not easy being a live tournament grinder such as Bazeley, but he;s toughed it out for several years now and this win will serve as icing on the cake for someone who has consistently put in the time and effort that it takes to win.
While it's only his second major live tournament victory, Bazeley told SHRPO.com reporters that this is the one that really counts.
"I think there’s something to be said for the luck factor of winning one," he said. "I think the second one kind of gives you a little more respect. I know everyone around me respects me, but you get some titles, you get a little bit more love, you know? It's just a little bit nicer."
According to the event's live updates, on the final hand Bazeley moved all in from the button with the blinds up to 300,000/600,000/100,000. Prociak made the call with the 3♦3♠, and Bazeley tabled two overs with the K♠4♦. Although Prociak held through the A♦Q♦9♥ flop and 7♥ turn, the 4♥ on the river delivered the Bazeley with the triumph. Prociak was eliminated in second place for $330,912.
The Championship Event came with a $2 million guaranteed prize pool, but thanks to the overwhelming turnout that South Florida poker often provides, nearly $2.5 million in prize money was generated from the 766 entries. Amongst those to finish in the money were Ryan Fair(13th - $22,061), Aaron Massey (17th - $15,197), Mark Herm (21st - $12,991), Harrison Gimbel (23rd - $12,991), Jason Mercier (29th - $11,521), and Nick Yunis (31st - $11,521).
*Photo courtesy of SHRPO.com.
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