Nancy Thomas, a legend of poker at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood, has passed away

The poker community mourns the loss of Nancy Thomas, a regular participant in tournaments at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood. Her passing is a great loss for all poker enthusiasts.

The poker community was saddened to learn of the passing of Nancy Thomas, a regular participant in tournaments at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood. The news of her passing was shared this week by her close friend and fellow poker player Nancy Birnbaum. Remembering Nancy Thomas: Words from Friends and Colleagues Nancy Birnbaum shared her memories of Nancy Thomas, noting that at the poker table she was not only a competitor but also a source of joy for everyone around her. Birnbaum emphasized that it’s the people, not just the cards and competition, that make poker a special game, and Nancy Thomas was one of those people whose presence always brought pleasure. A special bond between them was created by their shared first name — at the table, they would often greet each other: “Hey, Nancy!” — “Hey, Nancy!”, a memory Birnbaum now cherishes. Birnbaum admitted she would miss those simple but meaningful moments: “It saddens me deeply to think that I’ll never hear her greeting again. Nancy, we will all miss you — your joy, your conversations, and the moments we shared at the poker table. You were part of our poker family, and your absence will be felt by so many.” Nancy Thomas’s Poker Career: Achievements and Records According to The Hendon Mob, Nancy Thomas earned $274,731 in live tournament winnings over her poker career. Her biggest cash was $109,113 for second place in the WPTDeepStacks Lucky Hearts Poker Open 2017, Event #1: $360 NLH . That tournament drew 4,756 entries, and the winner was Jerry Wong. Succeeding in such a large and competitive event is a testament to Nancy Thomas’s high level of skill and her ability to achieve outstanding results in major series. Here are Nancy Thomas’s main achievements according to The Hendon Mob: Total live tournament winnings: $274,731 Best result: 2nd place, $109,113 — WPTDeepStacks Lucky Hearts Poker Open 2017, Event #1: $360 NLH (4,756 entries), finished runner-up to Jerry Wong The Poker Community’s Response and Words of Support The news of Nancy Thomas’s passing resonated widely among players and members of the poker community. Dozens of people expressed their condolences and shared memories of her on social media. Seminole Hard Rock reporter Alan “alcanthang” Rash wrote: “This is very sad. Every time she saw me, she would come over and give me a hug.” Jill Rukeyser noted: “Nancy Thomas was a phenomenal player and an even more wonderful person. She was elegant and kind. May her memory be a blessing to all who were fortunate enough to know her.” Reneé Touzalin added: “This is such a hard loss. She was a true treasure and will be deeply missed. The last time we spoke, she was heading west again, and we promised to meet up. My heart goes out to her family. She spoke with such love and joy about her daughter and granddaughter. My heart is with them.” These words highlight that Nancy Thomas’s contribution to the poker community went far beyond her results at the tables — she was someone who brought people together and made the atmosphere at the table truly special. Saying Goodbye to Nancy Thomas As Nancy Birnbaum shared, poker friends and loved ones will gather to honor Nancy Thomas’s memory on Sunday at 1:30 PM Eastern at the Star of David Memorial Gardens Cemetery & Funeral Chapel in North Lauderdale, Florida. This place was chosen to say farewell to someone who became part of the large Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood poker family. Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood: The Venue and Community Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood is one of Florida’s most renowned poker rooms, regularly hosting major series such as the SHRPO (Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open) and WPTDeepStacks. It was here that Nancy Thomas was a regular tournament participant, becoming a familiar face to many players and staff. Her involvement in the club’s life and her personal qualities made her an integral part of the local community. What This Means for PPPoker Club Players Nancy Thomas’s story is a reminder that poker brings people together not just through competition for prizes, but also through camaraderie, support, and friendship. For PPPoker club players, this is especially relevant: regardless of whether you play online or live, it’s important to value your opponents and tablemates, because it’s the human connections that make poker special. In PPPoker clubs, where players often meet at virtual tables, Nancy Thomas’s example shows how important it is to maintain a friendly atmosphere and mutual respect. This not only enhances the enjoyment of the game but also helps build a strong community where everyone feels like part of a big poker family. Finally, Nancy Thomas’s example inspires us to strive not only for poker achievements but also to leave behind warm memories among colleagues and friends. Try to be the kind of person who is remembered fondly — just as Nancy Thomas is and will be.