Kristan Mackiewicz Wins Seneca Fall Poker Event For $11,365

On November 13th, the 2015 Seneca Fall Poker Classic got underway at the Seneca Niagara Casino in Niagara Falls, New York, and is set to run until November 23rd, during which time a total of six events will be played. The first of those tournaments was $200 No-Limit Hold’em event with a $50,000 guaranteed prize pool, although that figure almost doubled after 599 players entered the competition to create a prize pool worth $96,738.
Two days of action later, and it would be 33-year-old special education teacher Kristan Mackiewicz who would emerge a top of the field to capture its trophy, as well as $11,365 in prize money. Following her impressive victory, Mackiewicz now boasts $21,026 in live career earnings, and five tournament titles, all with buy-ins in the $35 to $170 range.
On Day 2 of the $200 Seneca Fall opening event, 90 survivors returned to the fray and by 7.p.m. local time the final table of nine was set. Kristan Mackiewicz then proceeded to eliminate Michael Davis in 9th, and by the time five-handed play was reached the remaining players struck a deal which saw each of them secure at least $10,165 for their efforts, with an extra $5,000 earmarked for the eventual winner.
After the action resumed, Mackiewicz subsequently took out Geoffrey O’Connor in 5th, and Dominic Baranyi in 4th, at which stage just Todd Saffron, Brad Bourne, and Mackiewicz were left in contention. Despite holding a commanding lead, Mackiewicz (Q-Q) then lost a crucial all-in hand against Bourne (A-4) when the dealer laid out a 8-A-7-K-A board, after which the players decided to split the extra $5,000 equally, and simply flip for the title. Fortunately for her, Kristan Mackiewicz won that, too, and so she walked way the victor, whilst securing her fifth career poker tournament title since 2014.
Final Table Results:
1 Kristan Mackiewicz $11,365**
2 Brad Bourne $11,365**
3 Todd Saffron $11,365**
4 Dominic Baranyi $10,165*
5 Geoffrey O’Connor $10,165*
6 Joe Ciffa $3,531
7 Silvio DeRubeis $2,951
8 Kevin Reyes $2,418
9 Michael Davis $2,031