Event 6 Recap

$1000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

The largest buy-in to date of the Borgata Winter Poker Open came down to an seasoned veteran and an occasional player who understood the situation.

In the end, experience won out and Aaron Massey (Elmwood Park, IL) defeated Jacob Neff (Philadelphia, PA) to win the trophy and the $57,326. Massey won it with Q 6 for a pair of sixes, when Neff missed a flush draw.

"This means a lot to me," said Massey after a runner-up finish at the 2012 Borgata Fall Poker Open. "I strive to be the best and I can be by putting in the work. Nobody will ever out work me in a tournament."

Neff, who began the day second in chips, knew he was in for a tough battle, especially when he was on Massey's direct left at the final table.

"These are guys I admire from a far," said Neff, who is a full time therapist and earned his largest career cash of $31,530. "I was never comfortable and felt claustrophobic," he continued, "but I played well and ran well and I'm happy."

"He was outmatched," said the always confident Massey, "you could tell he didn't have the experience I do."

Day 2 began with 18 players returning in the money and was loaded with landmines, including third place finisher Allie Prescott ($800,000+ in career tournament earnings). 

The final table also featured Borgata trophy winner "Action" Bob Hwang (8th) and two time trophy winner Mike Dentale (7th).

There were 197 entries that put up a total buy-in of $197,000 and the field featured Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Miles Austin who was eliminated after the Day 1 dinner break.

Other notables who advanced to Day 2 and made the money included Thomas Hoglund (11th), who was the 2012 Borgata Winter Poker Open Leaderboard winner, and 4th place finisher James Anderson who has more than $750,000 in career tournament earnings.

But it was Massey who overcame the stacked field to win his 6th career title.

"I get validation with the trophy," he said. "That all the hard work pays off."

Final Table Results

Place-Name-Amount

1st Aaron Massey (Elmwood Park, IL) $57,326
2nd Jacob Neff (Philadelphia, PA) $31,530
3rd Allie Prescott (Memphis, TN) $18,154
4th James Anderson  (Wooster, OH) $15,287
5th Dorone Farber (NY, NY) $11,465
6th Sharon Levin  (Davie, FL) $9,555
7th Mike Dentale  (Brooklyn, NY) $7,644
8th Robert Hwang (Barnegat, NJ) $5,733
9th Mark Herm (Philadelphia, PA) $4,300
10th Luke Edwards (Mansfield, OH) $3,822

FINAL RESULTS