Daniel Piela Victorious At Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown

Daniel Piela has won the first event of the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown, after besting a huge field of 1,966 players on his way to capturing the title and pocketing the top prize of $144,294.
Daniel Piela’s previous biggest tournament cash was a mere $4,997, with the mortgage industry worker having earned just $8,200 from live cashes. Interestingly, Piela said he was visiting friends in Florida when he decided to enter a couple of events at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood, Florida. After taking down the $560 Deep Stack No Limit Hold’em tournament, the 42-year-old Illinois man, commented:
“I thought I would stay through the $350 [Event 8, beginning on Wednesday]. I might stay for the Main Event now..It was really tough at times. I was short stacked a lot, especially going into the final table, but patience.. it just took a lot of patience to get through it.”
At least a couple of notable pros reached the final table of nine, with Darryll Fish eventually eliminated in 8th for $23,856, and Chad Brown in 5th for $52,185.
After Ngoc “Angel” Vu was sent to the rail in 4th ($62,622) the remaining three players struck a deal in which Piela received $144,294, Michael Ortiz would get $113,515 and Bryan Green $101,012. The final hand then saw big stack Daniel Piela (A-A) all-in preflop against Bryan Green with pocket kings, and Michael Ortiz with Q-5. The dealer subsequently put out an A-10-7-7-Q board, to end the competition and hand Piela the championship title.
Commenting on his time spent at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino, Piela, said: “It was a great experience. I had a lot of fun, people are really friendly here, and I just had a really good time.”
Final Table Results:
1 Daniel Piela  $144,294*
2 Michael Ortiz $113,515*
3 Bryan Green   $101,012*
4 Ngoc Vu        $62,622
5 Chad Brown     $52,185
6 Irwin Block    $42,245
7 Robert Hodson  $32,802
8 Darryll Fish   $23,856
9 Jon Gaviao     $17,395