This content was AI generated based on the original article published on https://www.pokernews.com/news/2026/10/seminole-hard-rock-hollywood-regular-nancy-thomas-passes-52656.htm. All credits for the original reporting belong to them.
The poker world is mourning the loss of Nancy Thomas, a well-known regular at the Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood poker room. Her passing was announced this week by friend and fellow player Nancy Birnbaum, who shared a heartfelt tribute on social media.
Birnbaum recalled the warmth Thomas brought to the table, describing how the two women, sharing the same first name, would playfully greet each other with “Hey, Nancy!” during games. She noted that the poker community had lost not just a competitor, but a true friend who made the game special.
According to The Hendon Mob, Thomas amassed $274,731 in lifetime tournament earnings. Her biggest cash came in 2017, when she finished runner-up in the WPTDeepStacks Lucky Hearts Poker Open Event #1, a $360 no-limit hold’em tournament that drew 4,756 entrants. She earned $109,113 for the result, finishing behind eventual champion Jerry Wong.
Tributes poured in from across the poker community following news of her death. Seminole Hard Rock reporter Alan “alcanthang” Rash recalled her warmth, noting she always greeted him with a hug.
Others, including Jill Rukeyser and Reneé Touzalin, remembered Thomas as both a skilled player and a kind, classy individual. Touzalin specifically mentioned the pride Thomas took in her daughter and granddaughter, extending condolences to her family.
Friends and fellow players are set to gather this Sunday at 1:30 p.m. ET to honor Thomas’s memory at Star of David Memorial Gardens Cemetery & Funeral Chapel in North Lauderdale, Florida. PokerNews extends its condolences to her family and friends during this difficult time.
