Patrick Mahoney Triumphs at Rock 'N Roll Poker Open for $564,227

The Rock ‘N Roll Poker Open took place at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida from November 16th until 30th, with the hugely popular series culminating in its $3,500 RRPO Championship event. The tournament subsequently fielded 760 competitors to create a prize pool of $2,432,000, with the title ultimately won by 32-year-old Minnesota player Patrick Mahoney for $564,227.
The RRPO Championship attracted a number of pros, with those cashing in at one of its 72 money spots including Keven Stammen in 64th ($7,053), Jacob Bazeley in 60th ($8,026), Natasha Barbour and her husband Jason Mercier in 36th and 35th ($11,430) respectively, John Racener in 20th ($12,890), and Benjamin Keeline in 10th ($30,400).
The final table was then reached on Day 5, with Patrick Mahoney eventually progressing all he way through to three-handed play where he eliminated Upeshka De Silva in 3rd place to go heads-up against Matthew Humphrey for the title.
At this stage, Mahoney enjoyed a 2-to-1 chip lead over his remaining opponent, and just a few hands later both players were all-in preflop with Mahoney’s pocket jacks up against the A-K of Humphrey. The Q-9-6-3-10 board which ensued sealed the deal, and so Humphrey collected $328,320 for his impressive performance, while Patrick Mahoney was crowned the 2016 Seminole Hard Rock Rock ‘N’ Roll Poker Open Main Event champion.
Patrick Mahoney has a degree in Aviation Management, but has been playing poker full-time since graduating. He now boasts $1,359,501 in career earnings since his first live cash back in 2010, and commenting on the seat of his latest victory, the Seminole Hard Rock, stated:
“It’s definitely one of the best places I go. Maybe the best.”
Interestingly, Mahoney only entered the event moments before its registration officially closed as he had been playing in a tournament abroad and was subsequently delayed at customs in Fort Lauderdale. On his very first hand he then doubled up with pocket kings before going on his impressive run.
Final Table Results:
1: Patrick Mahoney $564,227
2: Matthew Humphrey $328,320
3: Upeshka De Silva $200,640
4: Billy Pilossoph $165,376
5: Mark Dube $133,760
6: Bill Jennings $109,440
7: Matthew Zarcadoolas $87,552
8: John Spadavecchia Jr. $66,880
9: Ari Engel $46,208