Marketplace Insiders: Seminole Poker Event Manager Jason Heidenthal

The 2022 World Poker Tour (WPT) Seminole Tricky Rock Poker Showdown kicks off currently and will enjoy down to a last table of 6 April 12. When the final desk has been realized, the remaining gamers will take a break and then fly out to Las Vegas to engage in it down to a winner at the Esports Arena on May perhaps 25.

One particular man who will be there each and every step of the way is 39-calendar year-aged Jason Heidenthal, Poker Event Manager at Seminole Really hard Rock Hotel & On line casino Hollywood.

Falling in Enjoy with Poker

Initially from Coral Springs, Florida, Heidenthal attended Stoneman Douglas Higher University in Parkland adopted by Daytona State School. Regardless of currently being from Florida, Heidenthal is a diehard Buffalo Expenses lover, though he does pull for the Miami Marlins when it arrives to baseball.

“When I’m not at do the job, I take pleasure in doing work on cars and trucks – currently operating on a rebuild with my stepbrother,” Heidenthal informed PokerNews. “Avid foodie who genuinely enjoys hoping out new dining places and cooking. Like a genuine South Floridian, I enjoy going to the seashore.”

Like so quite a few, Heidenthal is a item of the “Poker Boom” thanks to Chris Moneymaker’s unbelievable victory, which was aired to the masses on ESPN.

“Just looking at it made me drop in like with poker, along with a large amount of individuals,” Heidenthal stated. “A group of friends and I received jointly to study the recreation.”

Two several years later, Heidenthal nabbed his initially occupation in the on line casino field dealing poker at Pompano Harness Observe. He did that portion-time for two many years right up until the Isle of Capri was designed in 2007, at which stage poker dealing turned into a full-time position.

“I was mentored under poker area director Mike Smith at the Isle and became a supervisor in 2009. I had the opportunity to perform alongside Tony Burns and ran all the tournaments at the Isle until 2013 when Mike still left to Hanover, Maryland to open Maryland Are living. I joined Mike at Maryland Are living as poker area shift supervisor for the 52-desk poker home.”

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Coming Again to Florida

Heidenthal labored there until eventually 2019 when he had the opportunity to return to South Florida following being supplied the posture of poker tournament manager at Seminole Really hard Rock Hollywood. It was a part remaining vacant just after Tony Burns was promoted.

“Now I have to operate along with an sector icon in Bill Mason,” Heidenthal stated with a smile.
“What Invoice has performed for South Florida poker tournament enjoy is phenomenal, rising the SHRPO manufacturer match soon after tournament and generating our prevent a ought to for any touring poker player.”

The Seminole Tough Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood has developed a nicely-attained name as a scorching place for poker. That is because of in no small part to the workers, from Mason all the way down the chain.

“My poker philosophy as a tournament manager would be to constantly uphold the integrity of the sport at all moments, jogging great thoroughly clean situations,” Heidenthal explained. “With Invoice and Tony, we’re continually altering and evolving our tournaments to preserve gamers coming back, remaining leaders in the poker market. We hear to our players for feedback and building adjustments when we want to, or continuing to carry again the factors that work perfectly – producing certain we are consistently offering the finest solution in the nation.”

He ongoing: “Working at the Tough Rock these previous few decades has been absolutely fantastic in many diverse methods. The Seminole Tribe of Florida and Challenging Rock is dedicated to giving the most effective products, no matter whether it’s the best poker place, the best resort, dining places, leisure, you name it. We all engage in a aspect of a greater job, and the group camaraderie during Seminole Difficult Rock Hollywood is actually unparalleled.”

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When the WPT Arrives to City

There’s no denying that anytime the WPT comes to South Florida, the gamers and major motion comply with. In simple fact, it is this kind of an occasion that ranks as Heidenthal proudest poker accomplishment to day.

My proudest poker accomplishment would have to be Poker Showdown just just one year in the past when the WPT Poker Showdown Principal Party drew 2,482 players to smash the prior report of 1,795 and grow to be the premier WPT Main Event anywhere,” explained Heidenthal. “Seminole Tough Rock Hollywood presents four tournaments a calendar year and 3 of them are with WPT. The electrical power and buzz that arrives with a WPT party is actually incredible. It is been such a good partnership with WPT and we appear forward to continuing rising together with them.”

It was basically a further WPT event at the Seminole Tough Rock that ranks as Heidenthal’s preferred memory.

“The 2020 Blessed Hearts Poker Open up was my very first event here as tournament supervisor is a single that stands out to me,” he explained when questioned about special moments. “Brian Altman arrived out on top rated at the primary celebration for his next WPT Blessed Hearts victory, and considering that then, he’s gained far more at our tournaments and at other individuals. I experienced started in December of 2019 so just a thirty day period later on, we’re undertaking Blessed Hearts and the total experience and memory is so surreal.”

Heidenthal will have the chance to make a different memory this weekend as the WPT Seminole Tough Rock Poker Showdown Key Function is shaping up to be yet another massive 1. PokerNews will be on-web-site to provide tales and information straight from the match ground, so be sure to check out back again through the weekend.

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Executive Editor U.S.

Executive Editor US, PokerNews Podcast co-host & 2013 WSOP Bracelet Winner.