The win on the $3,500 buy-in event was worth $over $600,000 to the winner
Kevin Nee captured the spotlight at the Seminole Hard Rock Rock’ N’ Roll Poker Open, winning the Championship event for his first World Poker Tour title and a career-best payout of $605,100. The $3,500 tournament drew an impressive 1,224 entries, building a prize pool of nearly $4 million and easily surpassing its guarantee. Nee’s victory marks a major milestone for the Pennsylvania player, whose previous best result was a modest WSOP Main Event cash earlier in the year.
The final table brought together a mix of seasoned pros and rising talents. Aram Zobian secured third place for $295,000, adding another strong finish to his résumé. Chad Eveslage, a four-time bracelet winner and two-time WPT champion, aimed for a third Tour title but exited in fourth after losing a key all-in. Local hopeful Hyndi Khomutetsky and New Yorker Anthony Merlo rounded out the lineup, with Khomutetsky’s run ending after a tough river card flipped her lead into a knockout.
Joel Gola entered the final day as chip leader despite missing part of Day 2 for his granddaughter’s birthday, and he carried that momentum deep into play. His run ended in second place after a dramatic heads-up hand that lasted only one deal. Gola three-bet shoved with king-jack suited, and Nee called holding A-2 of spades. A flush on the flop sealed the championship for Nee almost instantly.
The event also produced cashes for notable names including Joey Weissman, Chance Kornuth, Rainer Kempe, and Shannon Shorr. With the RRPO in the books, the WPT now shifts to Las Vegas for the highly anticipated WPT World Championship at Wynn, where another massive field is expected.
