More Than 450 Registered for 2nd Annual Punta Cana Poker Classic… Now Under Way

Players from around the world have gathered in beautiful Punta Cana, Dominican Republic for the second annual Punta Cana Poker Classic, which has just gotten under way at 3 pm local island time (1 hour before Eastern) Wednesday afternoon November 9.

Gambling911.com has been advised that BetDSI.com may be posting odds on which country representative wins the big prize come Sunday.  BetDSI.com was among those that offered qualifiers for this event.  They also sponsored the “first man or woman out” prize, a poker chip set that was awarded relatively fast Wednesday afternoon.

But get this….the player (whose pic we will feature here shortly) ran off to re-register.  That’s right.  For the first three hours, players who were knocked out of the tournament were permitted to re-enter.

Approximately 450 had registered but there were still a number of walk-ins so Gambling911.com will have a more accurate number come Thursday morning. 

Here were your pros in attendance…

The first ever Punta Cana Poker Classic Champion: Peter Cross

Pro Players:

Humberto Brenes

Tatjana Pasalic  (Bodog Pro)

Freddy Torres 

Elliot Peterman 

Amanda Leatherman (Bodog Pro)

Felipe “Improved”  Montenegro

Evelyn Ng (Bodog Pro) 

John Hewitt

The beautiful Punta Cana Hard Rock Hotel and Casino...typical room

Also in attendance, Phil Nagy, who finished second at last year’s Punta Cana Poker Classic and was attempting to take home the “Phil Hellmuth Award” for most second place finishes (Hellmuth had three at this year’s WSOP while Nagy has finished in second place at three Caribbean tournaments to date).

The Punta Cana Hard Rock Hotel and Casino with its 1800 rooms is jam packed, booked full.  Players get to enjoy all-inclusive premium alcohol and a whole host of theme restaurants (pictured above is the fabulous Zen Japanese restaurant).

- Payton O’Brien, Gambling911.com Senior Editor