Local man beats the pros at WPT Hollywood Poker Open

Cincinnati resident Mike Scarborough did the unthinkable yesterday as he beat one of the toughest final tables in World Poker Tour History to win his first major poker title, and wrap up one of the most impressive weeks in poker history.

Scarborough defeated recent World Series of Poker Circuit Series winner and high-stakes cash game pro Ali Eslami; 2010 Poker Hall of Fame and 8-time WSOP bracelet winner Erik Seidel -who just happens to be one of the hottest players in poker so far in 2011; 2010 Card Player Magazine Player of the Year Tom “KingsofCards” Marchese; and up and coming cash-game and tournament star William Reynolds on his way to the $273,664 payday, not to mention the $25,000 entry into the season ending WPT Championship.

Perhaps Scarborough’s achievement in the Main event needs even more perspective, considering the young poker player came into the Hollywood Poker Open tournament series with a grand total of four live tournament cashes, but left the tournament series with double that amount: Three of them wins, and the other a runner-up finish! Scarborough’s performance over the past week and a half has been nothing short of unprecedented.

In a press release issued by the WPT, Scarborough said, “This win is just a dream come true.  It means so much more to me to win in my local casino… Playing with Erik Seidel was very intimidating at first.  The first thing that crossed my mind was what if he doubles up again.  But I just told myself to play like you would with anybody else.”
 
The press release went on to note that “Scarborough donated $2,500 from his winnings to the ALS Foundation for a Cure which was matched by an additional $2,500 from The Hollywood Casino.”
 
Here is a look at the Final Table Results from the 2011 WPT Hollywood Poker Open:
1st - Mike Scarborough, $273,664
2nd - Erik Seidel, $155,103
3rd - William Reynolds, $110,788
4th - Tom Marchese, $77,551
5th - Andrew Whetstone, $62,041
6th - Ali Eslami, $50,962

Current WPT Player of the Year Standings (Points):
1. Andy Frankenberger (2,100)
2. Vivek Rajkumar (2,000)
3. Alessio Isaia (1,700)
3. Kia Mohajeri (1,700)
5. Antonio Esfandiari (1,400)
5. Gregory Brooks (1,400)
5. Alexander Kuzmin (1,400)

Visit www.ClubWPT.com to sign up for a free two-week trial or to find more information on membership benefits, alternative means of entry and current prizes, including monthly qualifiers for WPT Main Event seats. No purchase is necessary for the Club sweepstakes and the service is void in states where prohibited.

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