$3300 + $200 WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship NLH
A quality field turned out for Day 1A of the Borgata Winter Poker Open as 397 entries began their quest for the $2 Million Guaranteed prize pool.
Luis Vazquez (Taunton, MA) bagged and tagged the chip lead and the $5,000 bonus with 182k. He finished ahead of Martin Matranca (Miami, FL) who earned $3,500 for his 166k second place stack.
"It's nice," said Matranca who has experience at Borgata, "but I want first place and all the chips." He won a trophy and $49,000 during the 2012 Borgata Poker Open in September.
Ray Qartomy (Huntington Beach, CA) is another familiar face in the chip counts. He was third with 161k and finished 16th in this Championship event last year for $15,000.
Another familiar name who finished with more than 100k was three time WSOP bracelet winner Matt Matros (128k), he was joined by Jared Jaffee, Stan Jablonski and Lee Childs who all bagged ~123k.
209 players finished the day with an average stack of 57k (95 bb) and they return Tuesday for Day 2.
Day 1B is set for 11 am Monday in the Event Center.
Check back after 9 am for a complete list of Day 1A chip counts
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Championship: Vazquez Grabs Bonus at the Wire
$3300 + $200 WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship NLH
As the final hands unfold, Luis Vazquez (Taunton, MA) goes from ~160k to chip leader at 187,075 to claim the $5,000 bonus.
"I bet every street and he kept calling," says Vazquez who shows AQ for top pair-top kicker to pick up an additional 27k.
Vazquez finishes ahead of Martin Mantranca (Miami, FL) who settles for second place with 166,350 and the $3,500 runner-up bonus.
"Crazy, insane," says Mantranca, who had been one of the big stacks most of the day.
While Vazquez used a slow and steady approach to build his stack, Mantranca says he was up to 75k after just three hands. "Anyone who had my cards would have gotten chips," says Mantranca, "I flopped four sets."
Vazquez and Mantranca have Monday off and return Tuesday for Day 2.
Vazquez the Victor
As the final hands unfold, Luis Vazquez (Taunton, MA) goes from ~160k to chip leader at 187,075 to claim the $5,000 bonus.
"I bet every street and he kept calling," says Vazquez who shows AQ for top pair-top kicker to pick up an additional 27k.
Vazquez finishes ahead of Martin Mantranca (Miami, FL) who settles for second place with 166,350 and the $3,500 runner-up bonus.
"Crazy, insane," says Mantranca, who had been one of the big stacks most of the day.
While Vazquez used a slow and steady approach to build his stack, Mantranca says he was up to 75k after just three hands. "Anyone who had my cards would have gotten chips," says Mantranca, "I flopped four sets."
Vazquez and Mantranca have Monday off and return Tuesday for Day 2.
Championship: RIP.....Late Night Busts
$3300 + $200 WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship NLH
brock parker @brock_parker
Busted 88 to 99 for my last 18k. Hope they are nicer tmw
Vinny Pahuja @vinpahuja
Bust JJ < AQ w 30 mins left in the day. Try again tmrw
David D'Alesandro @doubledave22
Ehhhh busted A9s vs croll on AJ62A rainbow in a 3bet pot where i thought better aces wouldnt be flatting. He had AJ tho :/
brock parker @brock_parker
Busted 88 to 99 for my last 18k. Hope they are nicer tmw
Vinny Pahuja @vinpahuja
Bust JJ < AQ w 30 mins left in the day. Try again tmrw
David D'Alesandro @doubledave22
Ehhhh busted A9s vs croll on AJ62A rainbow in a 3bet pot where i thought better aces wouldnt be flatting. He had AJ tho :/
Championship: Eye on the Prize
$3300 + $200 WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship NLH
With less than 30 minutes to go there aren't any monster stacks, so players in the 150k-170k range are in the running for the end of night bonuses.
Martin Matranca (Miami, FL) is at 167k and knows he's in contention for the end of night bonuses.
Day 1A chip leader takes home $5,000, while the second biggest stack earns $3,500.
Matranca Calm, Cool & Collected
With less than 30 minutes to go there aren't any monster stacks, so players in the 150k-170k range are in the running for the end of night bonuses.
Martin Matranca (Miami, FL) is at 167k and knows he's in contention for the end of night bonuses.
Day 1A chip leader takes home $5,000, while the second biggest stack earns $3,500.
Championship: Twitter Deaths
$3300 + $200 WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship NLH
Busted 2 bullets today @worldpokertour @borgata not a hole went right. Good thing have more ammunition for tomorrow. #ishouldbeattheprobowl
— Noah j Schwartz (@noahjschwartz) January 28, 2013
And I bust the last level of the night. Gl everyone!
— Christine Brewer (@CBrewer_09) January 28, 2013
Championship: Last Level of the Night
$3300 + $200 WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship NLH
Level 8 (250/500/50 ante) is underway and currently 250 players remain (of 397 starting) with an average stack of 48k (96 bb).
Recent Tweet Counts
Kevin Saul 81k
Tim Reilly 57k
Joe Cappuccio 50k
Busted
Noah Schwartz
Shawn Cunix
Level 8 (250/500/50 ante) is underway and currently 250 players remain (of 397 starting) with an average stack of 48k (96 bb).
Recent Tweet Counts
Kevin Saul 81k
Tim Reilly 57k
Joe Cappuccio 50k
Busted
Noah Schwartz
Shawn Cunix
Championship: Ory Beats Uri
$3300 + $200 WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship NLH
A hand between longtime friends is one of the more improbable run outs you'll see.
Ory Hen and Uri Kadosh traveled from Hollywood, FL to Borgata only to be at the same table and all in on a flop of K Q 9.
Hen: KK (set of kings)
Kadosh: KQ (top two pair)
Kadosh (minus straight chop outs) has less than 1% chance to win the hand and hits the miracle.
Queen-queen on the turn and river gives Kadosh quad queens for the winner.
"He runs better than I do," says Hen who sends his buddy a 14k double-up. Hen dropped to 55k at the time, but has since run his stack to 90k.
Kadosh (left) with Quad Queens to Beat Hen
A hand between longtime friends is one of the more improbable run outs you'll see.
Ory Hen and Uri Kadosh traveled from Hollywood, FL to Borgata only to be at the same table and all in on a flop of K Q 9.
Hen: KK (set of kings)
Kadosh: KQ (top two pair)
Kadosh (minus straight chop outs) has less than 1% chance to win the hand and hits the miracle.
Queen-queen on the turn and river gives Kadosh quad queens for the winner.
"He runs better than I do," says Hen who sends his buddy a 14k double-up. Hen dropped to 55k at the time, but has since run his stack to 90k.
Interview with Ryan Eriquezzo
Thanks to Jeanine Deeb and the WPT Live Updates crew, check out the video with Ryan Eriquezzo as he navigates his way through the Borgata Winter Poker Open Day 1A field:
Follow Ryan Eriquezzo on his blog
Follow Ryan Eriquezzo on his blog
Championship: Rail Babes
$3300 + $200 WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship NLH
Taya Kuznetsova and Britney Billian are Borgata regulars and hanging on the rail here in the Event Center.
Kuznetsova is set to play a Sit-and-Go before playing in Day 1B.
Billian unfortunately busted trying to satellite into the Championship event, so she's watching her boyfriend Terry Grimes play Day 1A
Level 7 (200/400/50 ante) continues.
Taya & Britney
Taya Kuznetsova and Britney Billian are Borgata regulars and hanging on the rail here in the Event Center.
Kuznetsova is set to play a Sit-and-Go before playing in Day 1B.
Billian unfortunately busted trying to satellite into the Championship event, so she's watching her boyfriend Terry Grimes play Day 1A
Level 7 (200/400/50 ante) continues.
Championship: More Big Stacks
$3300 + $200 WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship NLH
Here's a look at some other players who are putting themselves in position to make a run at the end $5,000 bonus for the end of night chip leader; runner-up gets $3,500.
Here's a look at some other players who are putting themselves in position to make a run at the end $5,000 bonus for the end of night chip leader; runner-up gets $3,500.
Jared Jaffee (Brooklyn, NY)
115k
Stan Jablonski (Las Vegas, NV)
110k
Travis Robertson (Quebec, Canada)
105k
Championship: Back in Action
$3300 + $200 WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship NLH
Play resumes with Ray Qartomy (Huntington Beach, CA) as the chip leader with 168k.
Level 7 200/400/50 is underway, but doesn't include Allen "Chainsaw" Kessler, who busted just before dinner break. Kessler's enjoying gelato in front of media row and says he'll be back in the field Monday for Day 1B.
Ray Qartomy
Chip Leader
Play resumes with Ray Qartomy (Huntington Beach, CA) as the chip leader with 168k.
Level 7 200/400/50 is underway, but doesn't include Allen "Chainsaw" Kessler, who busted just before dinner break. Kessler's enjoying gelato in front of media row and says he'll be back in the field Monday for Day 1B.
Championship: Tweet Counts
$3300 + $200 WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship NLH
Players tweeting their chip counts at the start of dinner break:
Marsha Wolak 90k
Ari Engel 74k
Ryan Eriquezzo 72k
Trevor Savage 63k
Josh Templeton 57k
Shawn Cunix 55k
Patrick Ricci 55k
Matt Waxman 54k
Lee Childs 53k
Chrstine Brewer 46k
Kyle Burnside 45k
David Stefanski 44k
Roman Valerstein 41k
Joe Hanrahan 41k
Joe Cappuccio 34k
Todd Terry 29k
Brock Parker 26k
Rob Brown 24k
David D'Alesandro 19k
Vinny Pahjua 10k
Players tweeting their chip counts at the start of dinner break:
Marsha Wolak 90k
Ari Engel 74k
Ryan Eriquezzo 72k
Trevor Savage 63k
Josh Templeton 57k
Shawn Cunix 55k
Patrick Ricci 55k
Matt Waxman 54k
Lee Childs 53k
Chrstine Brewer 46k
Kyle Burnside 45k
David Stefanski 44k
Roman Valerstein 41k
Joe Hanrahan 41k
Joe Cappuccio 34k
Todd Terry 29k
Brock Parker 26k
Rob Brown 24k
David D'Alesandro 19k
Vinny Pahjua 10k
Championship: Dinner Club
$3300 + $200 WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship NLH
After 6 grueling levels of poker (8 hours total), dinner break is upon us.
Players are off for 75 minutes before returning for two more levels.
Play resumes at 8:30 pm.
Bon Appétit!
After 6 grueling levels of poker (8 hours total), dinner break is upon us.
Players are off for 75 minutes before returning for two more levels.
Play resumes at 8:30 pm.
Bon Appétit!
Championship: AA vs KK, and KK Folds
$3300 + $200 WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship NLH
When 2012 WPT Borgata Poker Open Champion Ben Hamnett ($819,000 win in Sept.), opens the betting, he had no idea of the chaos that would ensue.
Blinds 100/200/25 ante
Hamnett 525k
Jared Jaffee 1,400
Anonymous 3,800
Andre Nyffeler 6,200
Hamnett folds
Jaffee 25k
Anonymous all in
Nyffeler folds
Jaffee calls
Jaffee: AA
Anonymous: KK
Nyffeler says he folded KK and is glad he did.
The aces hold for Jaffee and he takes his stack to 120k and is one of the big stacks.
When 2012 WPT Borgata Poker Open Champion Ben Hamnett ($819,000 win in Sept.), opens the betting, he had no idea of the chaos that would ensue.
Blinds 100/200/25 ante
Hamnett 525k
Jared Jaffee 1,400
Anonymous 3,800
Andre Nyffeler 6,200
Hamnett folds
Jaffee 25k
Anonymous all in
Nyffeler folds
Jaffee calls
Jaffee: AA
Anonymous: KK
Nyffeler says he folded KK and is glad he did.
The aces hold for Jaffee and he takes his stack to 120k and is one of the big stacks.
Championship: Still More Faces
$3300 + $200 WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship NLH
Level 6: Blinds 150/300 with 25.
This will be the last level before dinner break, which will be from about 7:15 pm to 8:30pm (75 minutes).
More faces appearing in the crowd:
Dan O'Brien
Aaron Overton
Joshua Mancuso
Jeremy Ausmus
Ravi 'Rags' Raghavan
Ben Hamnett
Steve Dannenmann
Rick Rossetti
Erik Cajelais
Matthew Waxman
Jacob Bazeley
Level 6: Blinds 150/300 with 25.
This will be the last level before dinner break, which will be from about 7:15 pm to 8:30pm (75 minutes).
More faces appearing in the crowd:
Dan O'Brien
Aaron Overton
Joshua Mancuso
Jeremy Ausmus
Ravi 'Rags' Raghavan
Ben Hamnett
Steve Dannenmann
Rick Rossetti
Erik Cajelais
Matthew Waxman
Jacob Bazeley
Championship: Charder Flight to Rail
$3300 + $200 WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship NLH
Christian "Charder" Harder (Annapolis, MD), Igor Zektser (Los Angeles, CA) and Mike Borovetz (Pittsburgh,PA) see a flop of 6♠ 9♣ J♣ and all three players check.
Turn: 5♣
Harder bets 4k (11k behind)
Zektser raises to 8k
Borovetz folds
Harder moves all in
Zektser calls
Harder: J♦ 9♦ (two pair)
Zektser: A♣ A♦ (over pair, flush draw)
River: 4♣
Zektser flush on the river sends Harder to the rail and we'll expect to see him back in the field, if not today, for Day 1B
Zektser is up to 40k.
Christian "Charder" Harder (Annapolis, MD), Igor Zektser (Los Angeles, CA) and Mike Borovetz (Pittsburgh,PA) see a flop of 6♠ 9♣ J♣ and all three players check.
Turn: 5♣
Harder bets 4k (11k behind)
Zektser raises to 8k
Borovetz folds
Harder moves all in
Zektser calls
Harder: J♦ 9♦ (two pair)
Zektser: A♣ A♦ (over pair, flush draw)
River: 4♣
Zektser flush on the river sends Harder to the rail and we'll expect to see him back in the field, if not today, for Day 1B
Zektser is up to 40k.
Sexton's Sit-N-Go
$3300 + $200 WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship NLH
WPT Announcer Mike Sexton is hosting a $350 + $40 sit-n-go single table tournament here in the Event Center.
The winner will get $3,500 (enough to enter the Championship event tomorrow) and a special prize from the WPT: a WPT Poker Chip Set!
Borgata runs Sit-and-go tournaments daily, based on availability.
WPT Announcer Mike Sexton is hosting a $350 + $40 sit-n-go single table tournament here in the Event Center.
Mike Sexton playing host to nine hopefuls
The winner will get $3,500 (enough to enter the Championship event tomorrow) and a special prize from the WPT: a WPT Poker Chip Set!
Borgata runs Sit-and-go tournaments daily, based on availability.
Championship: Late Reg Table
$3300 + $200 WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship NLH
This killer table was created by players registering late:
Faraz Jaka
Jared Hamby
Matt Matros
Eric Panayiotou
Paul Volpe
Manh Nguyen
Anthony Gregg
Nick Mitchell took the empty five seat after this photo was taken.
Table 34
This killer table was created by players registering late:
Faraz Jaka
Jared Hamby
Matt Matros
Eric Panayiotou
Paul Volpe
Manh Nguyen
Anthony Gregg
Nick Mitchell took the empty five seat after this photo was taken.
Chamionship: Caruso's Aces Cracked
$3300 + $200 WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship NLH
Anthony Caruso (Medford, NJ) got his chips in good with pocket Aces, getting action from Mohsin Charania (Des Planes, IL) who had pocket Kings.
The King on the flop meant the end of Anthony's day...until he returned to the table and asked the dealer for a re-entry ticket.
Remaining on table 37 with Mohsin are
Baruch Thaler
Amnon Filipi
Anthony Caruso (Medford, NJ) got his chips in good with pocket Aces, getting action from Mohsin Charania (Des Planes, IL) who had pocket Kings.
The King on the flop meant the end of Anthony's day...until he returned to the table and asked the dealer for a re-entry ticket.
Remaining on table 37 with Mohsin are
Baruch Thaler
Amnon Filipi
Championship: Bracelet Buddies
$3300 + $200 WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship NLH
Table 12 has developed into another tough lineup. Terry Grimes was at this table, but busted out and re-entered, landing elsewhere.
Currently at table 12 are
Blake Purvis
Action Bob Hwang
David Fox
Brian Lemke
Marsha Wolak
Brian Lemke and Marsha Wolak each have WSOP bracelets and they are, coincidentally, seated next to each other.
Brian also has two Borgata Open titles, the second of which he won just a few days ago.
Table 12
Table 12 has developed into another tough lineup. Terry Grimes was at this table, but busted out and re-entered, landing elsewhere.
Currently at table 12 are
Blake Purvis
Action Bob Hwang
David Fox
Brian Lemke
Marsha Wolak
Brian Lemke and Marsha Wolak each have WSOP bracelets and they are, coincidentally, seated next to each other.
Brian also has two Borgata Open titles, the second of which he won just a few days ago.
Championship: Keep On Chirpin'
$3300 + $200 WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship NLH
Level 5: Blinds 100/200 with 25 ante.
Players are back in action.
Got some Tweets late, but better late than never! Keep those Tweets coming!! #BWPO
Roman Valerstein @GrimeRat420
41.6k 100-200
Robert Hwang @ActionBobNJ
50k second break. 100-200/25.
Ari Engel @realAriEngel
39k going to 1/200 25a in borgata $3500 wpt
David Stefanski @DaveStefanski
35k 2nd break..going to 100/200 25
Amanda Musumeci @TheReaLMander
37k on 2nd brk.... slowly building... 100/200/25
Tim Reilly @TimReillyPoker
Just back from second break with 59k at 100/200/25 in the WPT Main @BorgataPoker my table is either really good players or really bad.
Tyler Patterson @TylerPoker
2nd break 67k. Quick out the gate
Christine Brewer @CBrewer_09
50k coming back from second break
Level 5: Blinds 100/200 with 25 ante.
Players are back in action.
Got some Tweets late, but better late than never! Keep those Tweets coming!! #BWPO
Roman Valerstein @GrimeRat420
41.6k 100-200
Robert Hwang @ActionBobNJ
50k second break. 100-200/25.
Ari Engel @realAriEngel
39k going to 1/200 25a in borgata $3500 wpt
David Stefanski @DaveStefanski
35k 2nd break..going to 100/200 25
Amanda Musumeci @TheReaLMander
37k on 2nd brk.... slowly building... 100/200/25
Tim Reilly @TimReillyPoker
Just back from second break with 59k at 100/200/25 in the WPT Main @BorgataPoker my table is either really good players or really bad.
Tyler Patterson @TylerPoker
2nd break 67k. Quick out the gate
Christine Brewer @CBrewer_09
50k coming back from second break
Championship: Break Two Tweets
$3300 + $200 WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship NLH
End of level and time for another break.
Here's what the players have to chirp about:
Marsha Wolak @marshawolak
Up to approx 90 k from 30 k 2 nd break. Won 23 k from guy trying to bluff. When will they ever learn? Hopefully never!!!!
James St. Hilaire @JamesStHilaire
Halfway through day 1, running good playing good 56k going to 1-200/25 I believe.
Todd Terry @toddbterry
32875 #WPTBorgata
Patrick Ricci @pricci21
31,125 at second break.
Rob Brown @RobBrownPro
On 2nd break have 25k #FeelingGood #PlayingGood #LoveMyTable
Ryan Eriquezzo @RyanEriquezzo
73k at second break. Goin back to 100 200 25
chicagocards1 @chicagocards1
Easy table over 50k after first break
Joe Cappuccio @poochpoker
25,500 100/200/25 @WorldPokerTour @BorgataPoker
Kevin Saul @BeL0WaB0Ve
Went down to 10k, then dbld w TT vs KK aipf. Decided to get out of line here and there and start clowning these fools. 38.6k after lvl 4
Josh Templeton @the_dude_3
Lost a few hands. Back down to 30k. Standard stuff. Good playin by George and Tony tho. #100bbs
Shawn Cunix @CunixShawn
Have $32000 after fourth level
summers mike @summerspro
2nd break 45700 coming back to 100-200 25ante #bwoitm
Lee Childs @leechilds
53k 2nd break @BorgataPoker 200/25 next up. #BWOITM
Gags30 @Gags30poker
36k going to 100/200/25
Joe Hanrahan @Totsssss
Have 47.5k going into 100/200/25
Artyem Perlov @ArtyemPerlov
Second break. 22k from 30k ss. @WorldPokerTour @BorgataPoker #afterbreakheater
Adam Cook @AdamNCook
37k on second break. #wptborgata
Aaron Massey @nevermissmassey
Made 2nd break. #wptborgata
End of level and time for another break.
Here's what the players have to chirp about:
Marsha Wolak @marshawolak
Up to approx 90 k from 30 k 2 nd break. Won 23 k from guy trying to bluff. When will they ever learn? Hopefully never!!!!
James St. Hilaire @JamesStHilaire
Halfway through day 1, running good playing good 56k going to 1-200/25 I believe.
Todd Terry @toddbterry
32875 #WPTBorgata
Patrick Ricci @pricci21
31,125 at second break.
Rob Brown @RobBrownPro
On 2nd break have 25k #FeelingGood #PlayingGood #LoveMyTable
Ryan Eriquezzo @RyanEriquezzo
73k at second break. Goin back to 100 200 25
chicagocards1 @chicagocards1
Easy table over 50k after first break
Joe Cappuccio @poochpoker
25,500 100/200/25 @WorldPokerTour @BorgataPoker
Kevin Saul @BeL0WaB0Ve
Went down to 10k, then dbld w TT vs KK aipf. Decided to get out of line here and there and start clowning these fools. 38.6k after lvl 4
Josh Templeton @the_dude_3
Lost a few hands. Back down to 30k. Standard stuff. Good playin by George and Tony tho. #100bbs
Shawn Cunix @CunixShawn
Have $32000 after fourth level
summers mike @summerspro
2nd break 45700 coming back to 100-200 25ante #bwoitm
Lee Childs @leechilds
53k 2nd break @BorgataPoker 200/25 next up. #BWOITM
Gags30 @Gags30poker
36k going to 100/200/25
Joe Hanrahan @Totsssss
Have 47.5k going into 100/200/25
Artyem Perlov @ArtyemPerlov
Second break. 22k from 30k ss. @WorldPokerTour @BorgataPoker #afterbreakheater
Adam Cook @AdamNCook
37k on second break. #wptborgata
Aaron Massey @nevermissmassey
Made 2nd break. #wptborgata
Championship: Tough Table
$3300 + $200 WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship NLH
Table 11 is looking pretty rough with Mike Linster in the one seat. Mike has two prelim wins during the series, a second, and another cash. He's on fire and has a 270+ point lead over second place in the Borgata Leaderboard.
Also sharing the felt on table 11 are
Brandon Guss
Barry Leventhal
Matt Stout
Sam Taylor
Kevin Saul
Table 11
Table 11 is looking pretty rough with Mike Linster in the one seat. Mike has two prelim wins during the series, a second, and another cash. He's on fire and has a 270+ point lead over second place in the Borgata Leaderboard.
Also sharing the felt on table 11 are
Brandon Guss
Barry Leventhal
Matt Stout
Sam Taylor
Kevin Saul
Championship: Turnovers
$3300 + $200 WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship NLH
The sharks just keep coming (and that won't stop until registration closes after level 6).
WSOP bracelet holder and 2-time Borgata Open winner Jeff Papola has landed at table 31 with:
Ken Silberstein
Christine Brewer
Tyler Patterson
Russell Crane
Allie Prescott and Baruch Thaler have also registered late.
Jonathan Little has busted out for the second time and is done for today. Expect to see him again on day 1B tomorrow.
Chris Bell has also busted -- not sure if re-entering.
The sharks just keep coming (and that won't stop until registration closes after level 6).
WSOP bracelet holder and 2-time Borgata Open winner Jeff Papola has landed at table 31 with:
Ken Silberstein
Christine Brewer
Tyler Patterson
Russell Crane
Allie Prescott and Baruch Thaler have also registered late.
Jonathan Little has busted out for the second time and is done for today. Expect to see him again on day 1B tomorrow.
Chris Bell has also busted -- not sure if re-entering.
Championship: More Arrivals
$3300 + $200 WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship NLH
Darren Elias has is back in and playing at table 22 with
John Lakatosh
Dennis Frederick
Scott Baumstein
Aaron Massey
Adam 'Roothlus' Levy is at table 18 with
Joe Cappuccio
Bob Santilli
James St. Hilaire
Feming Chan
John DiBella
Tom Dobrilovic has landed at table 27 with
Shannon Shorr
Chris Reslock
Darren Elias has is back in and playing at table 22 with
John Lakatosh
Dennis Frederick
Scott Baumstein
Aaron Massey
Adam 'Roothlus' Levy is at table 18 with
Joe Cappuccio
Bob Santilli
James St. Hilaire
Feming Chan
John DiBella
Tom Dobrilovic has landed at table 27 with
Shannon Shorr
Chris Reslock
Championship: Tweet-Ins
$3300 + $200 WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship NLH
Level 4: Blinds 100/200.
Checking in via Twitter:
Jeremy Ausmus @jeremyausmus
Im at the borgata playing day one of the $3500 re entry main event
Adam Levy @Roothlus
Borgata Day 1A today. Have the great @JamesStHilaire at my table but know no one else. Should be fun.
Chris Klodnicki @SLOPPYKLOD
Save bullets. Late reg. Borgata WPT
Level 4: Blinds 100/200.
Checking in via Twitter:
Jeremy Ausmus @jeremyausmus
Im at the borgata playing day one of the $3500 re entry main event
Adam Levy @Roothlus
Borgata Day 1A today. Have the great @JamesStHilaire at my table but know no one else. Should be fun.
Chris Klodnicki @SLOPPYKLOD
Save bullets. Late reg. Borgata WPT
Championship: Ins & Outs
$3300 + $200 WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship NLH
Table 33 has loaded up with these sharks:
Beth Shak
Matt Deluca
Anthony Caruso
Tony Dunst
Andy Frankenberger
These folks have checked out (not sure if re-entering):
Greg Ostrander
Joe Gibbons
Jonathan Little (definitely re-entering)
Table 33 has loaded up with these sharks:
Beth Shak
Matt Deluca
Anthony Caruso
Tony Dunst
Andy Frankenberger
These folks have checked out (not sure if re-entering):
Greg Ostrander
Joe Gibbons
Jonathan Little (definitely re-entering)
Borgata Winter Poker Open Leaderboard Update (1/27)
Borgata Winter Poker Open Leaderboard
By participating in any Borgata Winter Poker Open event (January 15 - February 1, 2013), players earn points based upon the Borgata Winter Poker Tournament Leaderboard Formula.
Below are the top scores for the 2013 Borgata Winter Poker Open Leaderboard*
By participating in any Borgata Winter Poker Open event (January 15 - February 1, 2013), players earn points based upon the Borgata Winter Poker Tournament Leaderboard Formula.
Below are the top scores for the 2013 Borgata Winter Poker Open Leaderboard*
(Final Results from Main Events: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20
Secondary events: 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
780.338: MICHAEL LINSTER
504.000: JOSEPH STIERS
500.715: MICHAEL DENTALE
453.725: GARY LUCCI
446.863: SAMUEL TAYLOR
445.428: TOMASZ GLINIECKI
444.370: ROBERT MIDGETTE
424.075: TOMISLAV DOBRILOVIC
423.863: IVERSON SNUFFER
422.138: BEZHAN HAMDARD
406.250: ELAN BRANAS
396.375: JEFFREY EINSIDLER
394.075: AARON MASSEY
384.338: ROBERT PANITCH
382.200: TANIOS ABI-YAGHI
380.520: ROBERT QUIGLEY III
380.168: MUKUL PAHUJA
368.625: IBRAIM IBRAIMOVIC
364.223: ALAN KRAUT
363.958: H MICHAEL BOROVETZ
360.878: NICHOLAS PALMA
356.588: COLLIN WHYTE
354.325: BARUCH THALER
354.250: PEARCE-CHRISTIAN ARNOLD
349.663: JEFFREY PAPOLA
345.463: GORDON ENG
Secondary events: 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
780.338: MICHAEL LINSTER
504.000: JOSEPH STIERS
500.715: MICHAEL DENTALE
453.725: GARY LUCCI
446.863: SAMUEL TAYLOR
445.428: TOMASZ GLINIECKI
444.370: ROBERT MIDGETTE
424.075: TOMISLAV DOBRILOVIC
423.863: IVERSON SNUFFER
422.138: BEZHAN HAMDARD
406.250: ELAN BRANAS
396.375: JEFFREY EINSIDLER
394.075: AARON MASSEY
384.338: ROBERT PANITCH
382.200: TANIOS ABI-YAGHI
380.520: ROBERT QUIGLEY III
380.168: MUKUL PAHUJA
368.625: IBRAIM IBRAIMOVIC
364.223: ALAN KRAUT
363.958: H MICHAEL BOROVETZ
360.878: NICHOLAS PALMA
356.588: COLLIN WHYTE
354.325: BARUCH THALER
354.250: PEARCE-CHRISTIAN ARNOLD
349.663: JEFFREY PAPOLA
345.463: GORDON ENG
Championship: More Late Arrivals
$3300 + $200 WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship NLH
Still more players arriving and some re-entering.
Table 34 is up and running with
Faraz Jaka
Jared Hamby
Matt Matros
Anthony Gregg
Table 36 is up and running with
Kyle Bowker
Jacob Bazeley
Mohsin Charania
Amnon Filippi
Table 35 was running with
Rob Brown
Kathy Liebert
Jason Koon
but it has broken.
Still more players arriving and some re-entering.
Table 34 is up and running with
Faraz Jaka
Jared Hamby
Matt Matros
Anthony Gregg
Table 36 is up and running with
Kyle Bowker
Jacob Bazeley
Mohsin Charania
Amnon Filippi
Table 35 was running with
Rob Brown
Kathy Liebert
Jason Koon
but it has broken.
Championship: Time to Check the Tweets
$3300 + $200 WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship NLH
Some of the Tweets from the break and beyond:
Jonathan Little @JonathanLittle
No more picks will be accepted in the @3BetClothing contest. I'm at 31k going to 75/150. Not much has happened so far.
Josh Templeton @the_dude_3
First break. Started w 30k. Got around 51k. #quickstart
Shawn Cunix @CunixShawn
I have $49275 at start of third level @noahjschwartz at my table
Kevin Saul @BeL0WaB0Ve
Playin borgata wpt 3500 main event. Not a good start, not a good table draw, at least I can reenter tomorrow if I bust. 18.5k from 30k start
Robert Hwang @ActionBobNJ
30k from 30k start on first break.
Lee Childs @leechilds
31.9k at break. 75/150 next up @BorgataPoker #BWOITM
Joe Cappuccio @poochpoker
24,500 from 30k starting on 1st break. going to 75/150. levels are 75 min.
Trevor Savage @TreMomey
37.8k first break
Patrick Ricci @pricci21
30,050 at break from 30,000 starting stack. 75/150 next up @BorgataPoker #BWOITM
Joe Hanrahan @Totsssss
Have 37k on first break, table is ok.
Ryan Eriquezzo @RyanEriquezzo
57.5 k at first break. Coming back to 75 150
Josh Mancuso @DahJinerat
Blah lost a dumb hand right before break, got 25.5k.. Also darren busted, but charder took his seat, so still a death table sadly
g0lfa @g0lfa
45k chips from 30k starting after two levels, ill take it.
Adam Cook @AdamNCook
Right below starting stack on first break after low point of 24k. 75/150 next. #wptborgata
Roman Valerstein @GrimeRat420
44.3k from 30 at 75-150. Called down lady with 23s on k2397
Amanda Musumeci @TheReaLMander
33k from 30k ss at 75/150...
Ari Engel @realAriEngel
41k from 30k ss at first break of borgata main.
summers mike @summerspro
45k at First break #bwoitm
Tim Reilly @TimReillyPoker
Just back from first break with 37k at 75/150 from 30k starting.
Rhys Jones @floppinhel
Down to 18k from 30 just after 1st break losing 20k to table moron check raising a6 v my ak on a92r. Turn 6 helped.
Manh Nguyen @MunMunny
Just took my seat in main event. Tough table.
Some of the Tweets from the break and beyond:
Jonathan Little @JonathanLittle
No more picks will be accepted in the @3BetClothing contest. I'm at 31k going to 75/150. Not much has happened so far.
Josh Templeton @the_dude_3
First break. Started w 30k. Got around 51k. #quickstart
Shawn Cunix @CunixShawn
I have $49275 at start of third level @noahjschwartz at my table
Kevin Saul @BeL0WaB0Ve
Playin borgata wpt 3500 main event. Not a good start, not a good table draw, at least I can reenter tomorrow if I bust. 18.5k from 30k start
Robert Hwang @ActionBobNJ
30k from 30k start on first break.
Lee Childs @leechilds
31.9k at break. 75/150 next up @BorgataPoker #BWOITM
Joe Cappuccio @poochpoker
24,500 from 30k starting on 1st break. going to 75/150. levels are 75 min.
Trevor Savage @TreMomey
37.8k first break
Patrick Ricci @pricci21
30,050 at break from 30,000 starting stack. 75/150 next up @BorgataPoker #BWOITM
Joe Hanrahan @Totsssss
Have 37k on first break, table is ok.
Ryan Eriquezzo @RyanEriquezzo
57.5 k at first break. Coming back to 75 150
Josh Mancuso @DahJinerat
Blah lost a dumb hand right before break, got 25.5k.. Also darren busted, but charder took his seat, so still a death table sadly
g0lfa @g0lfa
45k chips from 30k starting after two levels, ill take it.
Adam Cook @AdamNCook
Right below starting stack on first break after low point of 24k. 75/150 next. #wptborgata
Roman Valerstein @GrimeRat420
44.3k from 30 at 75-150. Called down lady with 23s on k2397
Amanda Musumeci @TheReaLMander
33k from 30k ss at 75/150...
Ari Engel @realAriEngel
41k from 30k ss at first break of borgata main.
summers mike @summerspro
45k at First break #bwoitm
Tim Reilly @TimReillyPoker
Just back from first break with 37k at 75/150 from 30k starting.
Rhys Jones @floppinhel
Down to 18k from 30 just after 1st break losing 20k to table moron check raising a6 v my ak on a92r. Turn 6 helped.
Manh Nguyen @MunMunny
Just took my seat in main event. Tough table.
Championship: Back From Break
$3300 + $200 WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship NLH
Level 3: Blinds 75/150.
Tables 34 and 35 are up and running with some late arrivals:
Matt Matros
Eric Panayiotou
Manh Nguyen
Kathy Liebert
Jason Koon
Level 3: Blinds 75/150.
Tables 34 and 35 are up and running with some late arrivals:
Matt Matros
Eric Panayiotou
Manh Nguyen
Kathy Liebert
Jason Koon
Championship: Early Chip Leader
$3300 + $200 WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship NLH
End of level 2 and players are enjoying their first break of the day.
Pete 'the plumber' Skyllas (Manhattan, NY) has jumped out to an early chip lead with ~140k.
More familiar faces have popped up:
Christian Harder
Russ Dykshteyn
Adam Cook
Will 'the Thrill' Failla
Mike Linster
Sam Taylor
Kevin Saul
David Inselberg
Mike Devinsky
Nam Le
Daryl Boatwright
Russell Crane
Andy Frankenberger
End of level 2 and players are enjoying their first break of the day.
Pete 'the plumber' Skyllas (Manhattan, NY) has jumped out to an early chip lead with ~140k.
More familiar faces have popped up:
Christian Harder
Russ Dykshteyn
Adam Cook
Will 'the Thrill' Failla
Mike Linster
Sam Taylor
Kevin Saul
David Inselberg
Mike Devinsky
Nam Le
Daryl Boatwright
Russell Crane
Andy Frankenberger
Championship: Gonzo
$3300 + $200 WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship NLH
In addition to Joe DeGeorge and Kyle Bowker, these folks have busted out early (not sure if they plan to re-enter):
Darren Elias
Dwyte Pilgrim
Avdo Djokovic
Wade Woelfel
Noah Schwartz
In addition to Joe DeGeorge and Kyle Bowker, these folks have busted out early (not sure if they plan to re-enter):
Darren Elias
Dwyte Pilgrim
Avdo Djokovic
Wade Woelfel
Noah Schwartz
Championship: Familiar Faces
$3300 + $200 WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship NLH
More players have arrived to fill out the 32 active tables in the Event Center. Here are the ones I spotted:
Mike 'Little Man' Sica
Eric 'Basebaldy' Baldwin
Scott Blackman
Allan Vrooman
Greg Ostrander
Mark Wahba
Matt Brady
Ken 'Teach' Aldridge
Tony Sinishtaj
Irv Gotti
Cherish Andrews
Travis Williams
Mike 'Mad Dog' Shasho
Brandon Guss
Barry Leventhal
Matt Stout
Blake Purvis
Marsha Wolak
Chris Bell
Ray Quartomy
Avdo Djokovic
Abe Korotki
Vinny Pahuja
Anthony Gargano, Jr.
Wade Woelfel
John DiBella
Steve Dannenmann
Mukul Pahuja
Orson Young
Carl Restifo
Dennis Frederick
Aaron Massey
Matt Salsberg
Noah Schwartz
Joshua Templeton
Kyle Burnside
Anthony Zinno
Kate Elliott
Peter Ippolito
More players have arrived to fill out the 32 active tables in the Event Center. Here are the ones I spotted:
Mike 'Little Man' Sica
Eric 'Basebaldy' Baldwin
Scott Blackman
Allan Vrooman
Greg Ostrander
Mark Wahba
Matt Brady
Ken 'Teach' Aldridge
Tony Sinishtaj
Irv Gotti
Cherish Andrews
Travis Williams
Mike 'Mad Dog' Shasho
Brandon Guss
Barry Leventhal
Matt Stout
Blake Purvis
Marsha Wolak
Chris Bell
Ray Quartomy
Avdo Djokovic
Abe Korotki
Vinny Pahuja
Anthony Gargano, Jr.
Wade Woelfel
John DiBella
Steve Dannenmann
Mukul Pahuja
Orson Young
Carl Restifo
Dennis Frederick
Aaron Massey
Matt Salsberg
Noah Schwartz
Joshua Templeton
Kyle Burnside
Anthony Zinno
Kate Elliott
Peter Ippolito
Championship: More Early Action
$3300 + $200 WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship NLH
Also during level 1:
On the turn with a board of J T 4 8 (two clubs) Ryan Eriquezzo (Danbury, CT) and Kyle Bowker (
Walton, NY) get all in.
Ryan had AK for two overs. Kyle had 96 of clubs for flush draw with open ender.
Ryan walked away from the table to chat with someone, confident that his hand would hold up.
River was an offsuit deuce and Ryan took the pot with nut-no-pair. He chipped up to ~60k.
Also during level 1:
On the turn with a board of J T 4 8 (two clubs) Ryan Eriquezzo (Danbury, CT) and Kyle Bowker (
Walton, NY) get all in.
Ryan had AK for two overs. Kyle had 96 of clubs for flush draw with open ender.
Ryan walked away from the table to chat with someone, confident that his hand would hold up.
River was an offsuit deuce and Ryan took the pot with nut-no-pair. He chipped up to ~60k.
Championship: Early Action
$3300 + $200 WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship NLH
Level 2: Blinds 50/100.
During the previous level Christine Brewer (Port Monmouth, NJ) busted Seniors Event winner Joe DeGeorge.
Christine raised preflop, Tyler Patterson 3-bet, Joe called, then Christine four-bet and both called.
The flop was Q 8 8 and Christine led out. Tyler folded (pocket Kings). Joe shoved and Christine called.
Joe had QT for Queens-up. Christine had pocket Aces for Aces-up.
The Aces held up, (despite the King on the river that would have given Tyler Kings-full) and Joe was busted.
Christine is up to 65k, more than double the 30k starting stacks.
Level 2: Blinds 50/100.
During the previous level Christine Brewer (Port Monmouth, NJ) busted Seniors Event winner Joe DeGeorge.
Christine raised preflop, Tyler Patterson 3-bet, Joe called, then Christine four-bet and both called.
The flop was Q 8 8 and Christine led out. Tyler folded (pocket Kings). Joe shoved and Christine called.
Joe had QT for Queens-up. Christine had pocket Aces for Aces-up.
The Aces held up, (despite the King on the river that would have given Tyler Kings-full) and Joe was busted.
Christine is up to 65k, more than double the 30k starting stacks.
Satellite Sunday
For players looking to get into the main event for a discount, they have three options today.
12pm - $700 + $50 Championship Qualifier NLH ~1 in 5 earns a seat
3pm - $350 + $50 Championship Qualifier NLH ~1 in 10 earns a seat
7pm - $500 + $50 Championship Qualifier NLH ~1 in 7 earns a seat
This first has kicked off in the back of the Event Center. Still plenty of time to register!
12pm - $700 + $50 Championship Qualifier NLH ~1 in 5 earns a seat
3pm - $350 + $50 Championship Qualifier NLH ~1 in 10 earns a seat
7pm - $500 + $50 Championship Qualifier NLH ~1 in 7 earns a seat
This first has kicked off in the back of the Event Center. Still plenty of time to register!
Championship: Extras
$3300 + $200 WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship NLH
This event is a re-entry event, which means that players who bust out during the first six levels may chose to re-enter as many times as they like (or that their bankroll allows).
Players who bust out on day 1A may also enter again on day 1B.
There are also bonuses for the end of day 1A and 1B top two in chips. The player with the most chips at the end of day 1 earns a $5,000 bonus. The runner-up earns a $3,500 bonus.
This event is a re-entry event, which means that players who bust out during the first six levels may chose to re-enter as many times as they like (or that their bankroll allows).
Players who bust out on day 1A may also enter again on day 1B.
There are also bonuses for the end of day 1A and 1B top two in chips. The player with the most chips at the end of day 1 earns a $5,000 bonus. The runner-up earns a $3,500 bonus.
Championship: Early Birds
$3300 + $200 WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship NLH
$2 MILLION GUARANTEED
31 tables are running already this morning with plenty of time for late registation (through level six).
Early birds in action here in the Event Center:
Neville Darrell
Vitaly Kovyazin
Darren Elias
Mike Delvecchio
Michael Borovetz
Mickey Woll
Joe Gibbons
Dwyte Pilgrim
Alex Queen
Matt Affleck
Mike Summers
Dave Sanders
Thomas Hoglund
Roman Valerstein
Ray Shackelford
Ed Corrado
Lee Childs
Todd Terry
Action Bob Hwang
Terry Grimes
Tim Reilly
Jerry Payne
Nancy Todd
Alex Bolotin
Roland Israelashvili
Natale Kuey
Jared Jaffee
Ari Engel
Jason Evans
Allen Kessler
Joe Cappuccio
Bob Santilli
James St. Hilaire
Feming Chan
Dan Buzgon
Jeremy 'the Big Dog' Brown
Brock Parker
John Lakatosh
Scott Baumstein
Shawn Cunix
Jonathan Little
Dave Stefanski
John Moore
Greg Fishberg
Shannon Shorr
Chris Reslock
Ryan D'Angelo
Amanda Musumeci
Ken Silberstein
Christine Brewer
Tyler Patterson
Joe DeGeorge
Whew!
$2 MILLION GUARANTEED
31 tables are running already this morning with plenty of time for late registation (through level six).
Early birds in action here in the Event Center:
Neville Darrell
Vitaly Kovyazin
Darren Elias
Mike Delvecchio
Michael Borovetz
Mickey Woll
Joe Gibbons
Dwyte Pilgrim
Alex Queen
Matt Affleck
Mike Summers
Dave Sanders
Thomas Hoglund
Roman Valerstein
Ray Shackelford
Ed Corrado
Lee Childs
Todd Terry
Action Bob Hwang
Terry Grimes
Tim Reilly
Jerry Payne
Nancy Todd
Alex Bolotin
Roland Israelashvili
Natale Kuey
Jared Jaffee
Ari Engel
Jason Evans
Allen Kessler
Joe Cappuccio
Bob Santilli
James St. Hilaire
Feming Chan
Dan Buzgon
Jeremy 'the Big Dog' Brown
Brock Parker
John Lakatosh
Scott Baumstein
Shawn Cunix
Jonathan Little
Dave Stefanski
John Moore
Greg Fishberg
Shannon Shorr
Chris Reslock
Ryan D'Angelo
Amanda Musumeci
Ken Silberstein
Christine Brewer
Tyler Patterson
Joe DeGeorge
Whew!
Championship: Underway!
$3300 + $200 WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship NLH
$2 MILLION GUARANTEED
The Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship event is underway!!
The World Poker Tour is back for the second time this season. The final table will be live streamed on the internet (not televised) and the winner will get a $25,500 seat in the WPT Season XI Championship.
Players began with 30,000 chips.
Days 1 & 2 levels are 75 minutes long.
Level 1: Blinds 25/50.
Cards are in the air!
$2 MILLION GUARANTEED
The Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship event is underway!!
Mike Sexton & Tony Dunst with two of the Royal Flush Girls
and the WPT Champions Cup
The World Poker Tour is back for the second time this season. The final table will be live streamed on the internet (not televised) and the winner will get a $25,500 seat in the WPT Season XI Championship.
Players began with 30,000 chips.
Days 1 & 2 levels are 75 minutes long.
Level 1: Blinds 25/50.
Cards are in the air!
Sunday, January 27
TODAY'S EVENTS (Event Center)
11AM: Event 21 - $3300 + $200 WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship NLH
$2 MILLION GUARANTEED
12 PM: Event 48 - $700 + $50 Championship Qualifier NLH
3 PM: Event 49 - $350 + $50 Championship Qualifier NLH
7 PM: Event 50 - $500 + $50 Championship Qualifier NLH
11AM: Event 21 - $3300 + $200 WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship NLH
$2 MILLION GUARANTEED
- Players start with 30,000 in tournament chips
- Day 1 & 2 Levels: will last 75 minutes each | Day 3 & 4 Levels: will last 90 minutes each
- Players may Re-Enter through Level 6
- 5-Day event with two starting days
- $5,000 will be awarded to the chip leader at the end of Day 1A and Day 1B;
$3,500 will be awarded to the player finishing second behind chip leader at the end of Day 1A and Day 1B
12 PM: Event 48 - $700 + $50 Championship Qualifier NLH
- Players start with 15,000 in tournament chips
- Levels 1-10: will last 30 minutes each | Levels 11+: will last 40 minutes each
- Approximately 1 in 5 will win entry into WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship event (Jan 27 - Feb 1)
- 1-Day event
3 PM: Event 49 - $350 + $50 Championship Qualifier NLH
- Players start with 12,000 in tournament chips
- Levels will last 25 minutes each
- Approximately 1 in 10 will win entry into WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship event (Jan 27 - Feb 1)
- 1-Day event
7 PM: Event 50 - $500 + $50 Championship Qualifier NLH
- Players start with 15,000 in tournament chips
- Levels will last 30 minutes each
- Approximately 1 in 7 will win entry into WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship event (Jan 27 - Feb 1)
- 1-Day event
Event 18 Recap
$1000 + $90 Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
A quality field is reduced to three players who wanted to play all night at the Borgata Winter Poker Open, but in the end it's Vimy Ha (Brooklyn, NY) who outlasted Tim Bryan (Centerville, PA) and Seth Berger (Woodbury, NY) for the $81,754 top prize and the trophy.
After playing three hours three-handed and three more hours heads up, Vimy won the title with Q-2 on the final hand.
"It was a good tournament and a great final table" said Ha, who is retail consultant and picked up the largest win of his career and first Borgata Event win ever.
The Day 2 marathon began with all 34 returning players in the money.
An early pivotal hand came when Brock Parker (Silver Spring, MD) doubled-up through Alex Rocha (29th) when both hit a set. Parker road the big stack to the final table, but a string of bad hands knocked him out in 4th place. Parker, the 2012 Borgata Fall Poker Open Champion, sent chips to Berger in a double-up and then lost back-to-back hands to Bryan to set up the three-handed merry-go-round of chips.
"I'm surprised it went that long," said Berger who was eliminated by Ha, "I was pretty card dead three-handed."
The $38,040 Berger earned was his largest career cash and will help the recent UCLA graduate with his aspirations of becoming a full time player.
The final table of seven players had Will Tonking (Flemington, NJ) going out in 7th place, followed by Kyle Frey (New Haven, CT) 6th and Troy Longo (North Haledon, NJ) 5th.
Many recognizable names claimed their spots on the pay sheet. Mike Linster (15th) continued his hot play with his 5th cash of the series, including two Borgata Winter Poker Open trophies for nearly $100,000 in the last week. Other familiar faces in the top 20 included: Jared Jaffee (9th), Steve Scales (10th), Matt Affleck (14th), John Dibella (18th) and Alex Queen (19th).
The tournament began with 344 entries who put up a total buy-in of $344,000. The final 36 players made the money -- including event 6 ($1000 NLH) winner Aaron Massey (32nd), Orson Young (34th) and Kevin Saul (35th).
But in the end it was Vimy Ha who used the deep stacks and one hour long levels to get his poker fix and win the event.
Final Table Results
1st Vimy Ha (Brooklyn, NY) $81,752
2nd Tim Bryan (Centerville, VA) $50,052
3rd Seth Berger (Woodbury, NY) $38,040
4th Brock Parker (Silver Spring, MD) $30,865
5th Troy Longo (North Haledon, NJ) $23,858
6th Kyle Frey (New Haven, CT) $17,185
7th Will Tonking (Flemington, NJ) $12,513
FINAL RESULTS
A quality field is reduced to three players who wanted to play all night at the Borgata Winter Poker Open, but in the end it's Vimy Ha (Brooklyn, NY) who outlasted Tim Bryan (Centerville, PA) and Seth Berger (Woodbury, NY) for the $81,754 top prize and the trophy.
After playing three hours three-handed and three more hours heads up, Vimy won the title with Q-2 on the final hand.
"It was a good tournament and a great final table" said Ha, who is retail consultant and picked up the largest win of his career and first Borgata Event win ever.
The Day 2 marathon began with all 34 returning players in the money.
An early pivotal hand came when Brock Parker (Silver Spring, MD) doubled-up through Alex Rocha (29th) when both hit a set. Parker road the big stack to the final table, but a string of bad hands knocked him out in 4th place. Parker, the 2012 Borgata Fall Poker Open Champion, sent chips to Berger in a double-up and then lost back-to-back hands to Bryan to set up the three-handed merry-go-round of chips.
"I'm surprised it went that long," said Berger who was eliminated by Ha, "I was pretty card dead three-handed."
The $38,040 Berger earned was his largest career cash and will help the recent UCLA graduate with his aspirations of becoming a full time player.
The final table of seven players had Will Tonking (Flemington, NJ) going out in 7th place, followed by Kyle Frey (New Haven, CT) 6th and Troy Longo (North Haledon, NJ) 5th.
Many recognizable names claimed their spots on the pay sheet. Mike Linster (15th) continued his hot play with his 5th cash of the series, including two Borgata Winter Poker Open trophies for nearly $100,000 in the last week. Other familiar faces in the top 20 included: Jared Jaffee (9th), Steve Scales (10th), Matt Affleck (14th), John Dibella (18th) and Alex Queen (19th).
The tournament began with 344 entries who put up a total buy-in of $344,000. The final 36 players made the money -- including event 6 ($1000 NLH) winner Aaron Massey (32nd), Orson Young (34th) and Kevin Saul (35th).
But in the end it was Vimy Ha who used the deep stacks and one hour long levels to get his poker fix and win the event.
Final Table Results
1st Vimy Ha (Brooklyn, NY) $81,752
2nd Tim Bryan (Centerville, VA) $50,052
3rd Seth Berger (Woodbury, NY) $38,040
4th Brock Parker (Silver Spring, MD) $30,865
5th Troy Longo (North Haledon, NJ) $23,858
6th Kyle Frey (New Haven, CT) $17,185
7th Will Tonking (Flemington, NJ) $12,513
FINAL RESULTS
Event 18: 1st Place - Ha
$1000 + $90 Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Vimy Ha - (Brooklyn, NY)
$81,754
Congratulations to Vimy Ha who just won his first ever Borgata Event. He brings home the trophy and $81,754.
Heads-Up play wrapped up at 5:35 am with Vimy's winning cards a modest Q-2 off-suit.
He hit a deuce on the flop and it held vs. 2nd Place finisher, Tim Bryan.
Vimy Q-2 vs. Tim K-7 suited
Winning Board: 3-2-4-9-A
Vimy called Tim a "Damn Good Player" as the chips went back and forth for hours.
Vimy gives a special shout out to Frank Florez who had twins yesterday. As for this huge haul, Vimy already has plans for the $81,754 - "It's going to the AnneMarie College Fund". AnneMarie is Ha's one year old little girl.
Event 18: 2nd Place - Bryan
$1000 + $90 Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Like a heavyweight fight that went 15 rounds, someone had to win. Unfortunately for Tim Bryan, it wasn't him.
The hand that doubled up Vimy Ha and brought Tim's stack back to even was:
Tim's A-5 vs. Vimy's Q-10
Board: Q-3-K-10-9
A few hands later, the one that crippled Tim was when he had 3-2 vs. Vimy's 10-2.
Vimy bet the flop, Tim shoved, and Vimy snapped correctly.
Flop: K-2-10
Turn: 7
River: 10
After the hand, Vimy shouted in relief, "I finally got you". With about 5 big blinds, it would only take two more hands before the match was officially over.
Bryan congratulated his Opponent saying, "Good player, I couldn't put him away".
Both played excellent poker in an exciting heads-up that was fun to follow.
Tim Bryan takes home $50,052 for his 2-day 2nd Place poker feat.
Tim Bryan - (Centerville, VA)
$50,052
Like a heavyweight fight that went 15 rounds, someone had to win. Unfortunately for Tim Bryan, it wasn't him.
The hand that doubled up Vimy Ha and brought Tim's stack back to even was:
Tim's A-5 vs. Vimy's Q-10
Board: Q-3-K-10-9
A few hands later, the one that crippled Tim was when he had 3-2 vs. Vimy's 10-2.
Vimy bet the flop, Tim shoved, and Vimy snapped correctly.
Flop: K-2-10
Turn: 7
River: 10
After the hand, Vimy shouted in relief, "I finally got you". With about 5 big blinds, it would only take two more hands before the match was officially over.
Bryan congratulated his Opponent saying, "Good player, I couldn't put him away".
Both played excellent poker in an exciting heads-up that was fun to follow.
Tim Bryan takes home $50,052 for his 2-day 2nd Place poker feat.
Event 20 Recap
$500 + $60 Big Stack Semi-Turbo No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Congratulations to our event 20 champion, Zachary Schwartz (New York, NY) who finally felted Anthony Bocchino (Brooklyn, NY) in a marathon heads-up session that lasted three hours and brought Zachary $45,564 in 1st Place Prize money.
Zachary's girlfriend Patricia stood by her man during the intense one-on-one contest. In fact, Zachary said he's taking some of the prize money to treat his girl to an all-expense paid vacation.
The hand Zachary tagged as his biggest in the tournament quite simply was when he called his opponent down with A-K at the final table. He made the right read and stood by it on a scary board of 10-7-6-5-10. That gutsy call with Big Slick chipped up Schwartz and made him a force for the rest of the night.
A big hand heads up was when Anthony flopped quad deuces and Zachary was able to make a good fold on the river.
First hand was dealt at 11 am with 348 weekend warriors all battling it out for a piece of the $174,000 prize pool. The top 36 cashed thanks to Bob Scofield (Stratford, CT), who busted the bubble after dinner break. Bob won the Omaha event earlier this week, and finished in 19th place today for $1,266.
There were many Borgata regulars amongst the tables, including Ravi "Rags" Raghavan, James Governa, Ylon Schwartz, Travis Greenawalt, Thomas Hoglund, Greg Ostrander, Roman Valerstein, and Will "The Thrill" Failla.
Elan Branas (Forest Hills, NY) was the first player to 180,000 and held the chip lead off an on until the final table where he finished in 3rd Place for $15,697.
But the man who finally got it done was Zachary Schwartz who collected all 6,960,000 chips and took home the Borgata Winter Poker Open Big Stack Semi-Turbo No Limit Hold'em trophy along with his $45,564 payday. Congratulations again to our big winner!
Place - Name - Location - Amount Won
1. Zachary Schwartz (New York, NY) - $45,564
2. Anthony Bocchino (Brooklyn, NY) - $25,317
3. Elan Branas (Forest Hills, NY) - $15,697
4. Thomas Castellano (Staten Island, NY) - $12,659
5. Vitor Coelho (Tampa, FL) - $9,789
6. Rommy Lipman (Brooklyn, NY) - $8,270
7. Jason Andrews (Allison Park, PA) - $6,667
8. Michael Bonita (New York, NY) - $4,979
9. Karl Held (Forest Hills, NY) - $3,376
10. Spiro Markatos (Dix Hills, NY) - $2,194
FINAL RESULTS
Congratulations to our event 20 champion, Zachary Schwartz (New York, NY) who finally felted Anthony Bocchino (Brooklyn, NY) in a marathon heads-up session that lasted three hours and brought Zachary $45,564 in 1st Place Prize money.
Zachary's girlfriend Patricia stood by her man during the intense one-on-one contest. In fact, Zachary said he's taking some of the prize money to treat his girl to an all-expense paid vacation.
The hand Zachary tagged as his biggest in the tournament quite simply was when he called his opponent down with A-K at the final table. He made the right read and stood by it on a scary board of 10-7-6-5-10. That gutsy call with Big Slick chipped up Schwartz and made him a force for the rest of the night.
A big hand heads up was when Anthony flopped quad deuces and Zachary was able to make a good fold on the river.
First hand was dealt at 11 am with 348 weekend warriors all battling it out for a piece of the $174,000 prize pool. The top 36 cashed thanks to Bob Scofield (Stratford, CT), who busted the bubble after dinner break. Bob won the Omaha event earlier this week, and finished in 19th place today for $1,266.
There were many Borgata regulars amongst the tables, including Ravi "Rags" Raghavan, James Governa, Ylon Schwartz, Travis Greenawalt, Thomas Hoglund, Greg Ostrander, Roman Valerstein, and Will "The Thrill" Failla.
Elan Branas (Forest Hills, NY) was the first player to 180,000 and held the chip lead off an on until the final table where he finished in 3rd Place for $15,697.
But the man who finally got it done was Zachary Schwartz who collected all 6,960,000 chips and took home the Borgata Winter Poker Open Big Stack Semi-Turbo No Limit Hold'em trophy along with his $45,564 payday. Congratulations again to our big winner!
Place - Name - Location - Amount Won
1. Zachary Schwartz (New York, NY) - $45,564
2. Anthony Bocchino (Brooklyn, NY) - $25,317
3. Elan Branas (Forest Hills, NY) - $15,697
4. Thomas Castellano (Staten Island, NY) - $12,659
5. Vitor Coelho (Tampa, FL) - $9,789
6. Rommy Lipman (Brooklyn, NY) - $8,270
7. Jason Andrews (Allison Park, PA) - $6,667
8. Michael Bonita (New York, NY) - $4,979
9. Karl Held (Forest Hills, NY) - $3,376
10. Spiro Markatos (Dix Hills, NY) - $2,194
FINAL RESULTS
Event 20: 1st Place - Schwartz
$500 + $60 Big Stack Semi-Turbo No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Zachary Schwartz - (New York, NY)
$45,564
Zachary Schwartz started heads-up play against Anthony Bocchino three hours ago with a 3 to 1 chip disadvantage. He hung in there, making a great fold against Anthony who floppped quad deuces, and basically just kept chipping up when he needed to.
Tournament winning hand was Schwartz A♦
10♠
vs. Bocchino Q♥
10♥
against an 8♦
A♣
3♠
6♦
K♠
board.
So why isn't this kid gonna take a shot at the Championship Event? "I got a meeting at work on Monday" said the Telecom Salesman.
His crew railed him for a good part of the heads-up match. When the tournament ended, his girlfriend Patricia shouted, "You won!" And Zachary announced he was gonna take her out to dinner and on a vacation.
Schwartz takes home $45,564 for his 17.5 hours of impressive, winning, Borgata Poker and the trophy.
Patricia & Zachary
Event 20: 2nd Place - Bocchino
$500 + $60 Big Stack Semi-Turbo No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Anthony had quad deuces heads up, then doubled up when he had KK, but it wasn't enough.
Anthony played a terrific tournament that ended with a hard fought heads-up battle that took almost three-hours.
He had support on the rail from his friend Kevin.
Conatrats to Bocchino who adds $25,317 to his Borgata bankroll.
Anthony Bocchino - (Brooklyn, NY)
$25,317
Anthony had quad deuces heads up, then doubled up when he had KK, but it wasn't enough.
Anthony played a terrific tournament that ended with a hard fought heads-up battle that took almost three-hours.
He had support on the rail from his friend Kevin.
Conatrats to Bocchino who adds $25,317 to his Borgata bankroll.
Event 18: Staying Alive 2
$1000 + $90 Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Blinds 30k/60k/5k ante
Just a few hands after staying alive, Vimy Ha gets another double-up to extend the match.
Tim Bryan 4-bet shoves pocket 6s and Ha calls with pocket jacks.
The board runs out to give Ha a straight and a double-up to 2.1 million. Ha still trails Bryan's 3.1 million.
Blinds 30k/60k/5k ante
Just a few hands after staying alive, Vimy Ha gets another double-up to extend the match.
Tim Bryan 4-bet shoves pocket 6s and Ha calls with pocket jacks.
The board runs out to give Ha a straight and a double-up to 2.1 million. Ha still trails Bryan's 3.1 million.
Event 18: Staying Alive
$1000 + $90 Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Blinds 30k/60k/5k
On a 9 high flop, Tim Bryan tries to finish of Vimy Ha, but can't close the deal.
Ha's pocket kings hold against Bryan 9 6 for top pair.
Ha doubles 700k and is at 1.4 million, but still trails Bryan's 3.8 million.
This is the second time Ha has gotten off the ropes to stay alive.
Blinds 30k/60k/5k
On a 9 high flop, Tim Bryan tries to finish of Vimy Ha, but can't close the deal.
Ha's pocket kings hold against Bryan 9 6 for top pair.
Ha doubles 700k and is at 1.4 million, but still trails Bryan's 3.8 million.
This is the second time Ha has gotten off the ropes to stay alive.
Event 18: Heads Up Enters Third Hour
$1000 + $90 Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Tim Bryan and Vimy Ha are now playing heads up for their third one hour level.
Bryan leads 3.8 million (63 bb) to 1.4 million (23 bb) with blinds now 30k/60k/5k ante.
Tim Bryan and Vimy Ha are now playing heads up for their third one hour level.
Bryan leads 3.8 million (63 bb) to 1.4 million (23 bb) with blinds now 30k/60k/5k ante.
Event 20: Anthony Doubles
$500 + $60 Big Stack Semi-Turbo No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Anthony Bocchino scores a 1.84 million double up with cowboys.
Zachary Schwartz had K-7 and turned a pair.
Schwartz called Anthony's river-shove.
Board: 8-9-J-7-J
Zachary was left with 2,500,000 chips vs. Anthony's 3,800,000
Still anybody's game.
Anthony Bocchino scores a 1.84 million double up with cowboys.
Zachary Schwartz had K-7 and turned a pair.
Schwartz called Anthony's river-shove.
Board: 8-9-J-7-J
Zachary was left with 2,500,000 chips vs. Anthony's 3,800,000
Still anybody's game.
Event 18: Ha Rallies
$1000 + $90 Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
.JPG)
25k/50k/5k ante
After dropping to 1.2 million, Ha chips his way back to 2.2 million.
On a board of 8 4 5 3 2, Ha bets 275k and Tim Bryan calls only to see Ha's A 7 for a rivered straight.
Bryan still leads 3 million to 2.2 million as the level winds down.
.JPG)
Bryan & Ha - Heads Up Battle
After dropping to 1.2 million, Ha chips his way back to 2.2 million.
On a board of 8 4 5 3 2, Ha bets 275k and Tim Bryan calls only to see Ha's A 7 for a rivered straight.
Bryan still leads 3 million to 2.2 million as the level winds down.
Event 18: Aces Pay Off
$1000 + $90 Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Blinds 25k/50k/5k ante
The board is 2♥ 3♣ J♠ A♥ when Vimy Ha bets 100k.
Tim Bryan raises to 350k and Ha calls.
River: 6♣
Ha checks, Bryan bets 510k and Ha tanks.
After several minutes Ha calls and can't believe Bryan's hand: A♣ A♠ for a set of aces.
"Wow, how do you get me to pay you off," laments Ha.
Bryan now has a commanding 4 million to 1.2 million chip lead.
Blinds 25k/50k/5k ante
The board is 2♥ 3♣ J♠ A♥ when Vimy Ha bets 100k.
Tim Bryan raises to 350k and Ha calls.
River: 6♣
Ha checks, Bryan bets 510k and Ha tanks.
After several minutes Ha calls and can't believe Bryan's hand: A♣ A♠ for a set of aces.
"Wow, how do you get me to pay you off," laments Ha.
Bryan now has a commanding 4 million to 1.2 million chip lead.
Event 20: Anthony Drops A Deuce Or Four
$500 + $60 Big Stack Semi-Turbo No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Guys have been pretty even in chips but have been seeing flops.
This flop in particular got Anthony's interest. He was holding pocket two's and the flop came down 2-7-2. To make things even sweeter, Zachary was betting into him.
Turncard 4 slowed things down for Zachary who check, called 400,000.
Zachary checked the river 5 and Anthony shipped all in.
Zachary folded and Anthony showed the quads.
How often do you see quads heads-up? You gotta love it!
Guys have been pretty even in chips but have been seeing flops.
This flop in particular got Anthony's interest. He was holding pocket two's and the flop came down 2-7-2. To make things even sweeter, Zachary was betting into him.
Turncard 4 slowed things down for Zachary who check, called 400,000.
Zachary checked the river 5 and Anthony shipped all in.
Zachary folded and Anthony showed the quads.
How often do you see quads heads-up? You gotta love it!
Event 20: Big Hand Heads Up
$500 + $60 Big Stack Semi-Turbo No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
At the start of the hand, Zachary Schwartz had 3,100,000 and Anthony Bocchino had 3,860,000.
1,500,000 of Schwartz chips went in pre-flop, then Anthony jammed the flop.
8-2-9 rainbow.
Zachary tanked then folded. He dusted off 1.5 on the hand and now has 1.6 million.
Total chips in play 6,960,000.
Zachary's rail has returned.
Anthony's friend Kevin (in stripe shirt) is sweatin him.
At the start of the hand, Zachary Schwartz had 3,100,000 and Anthony Bocchino had 3,860,000.
1,500,000 of Schwartz chips went in pre-flop, then Anthony jammed the flop.
8-2-9 rainbow.
Zachary tanked then folded. He dusted off 1.5 on the hand and now has 1.6 million.
Total chips in play 6,960,000.
Zachary's rail has returned.
Anthony's friend Kevin (in stripe shirt) is sweatin him.
Sunday Morning At Borgata
Event 18: "I Think I Messed Up"
$1000 + $90 Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
On the first hand of heads up play, Tim Bryan (1.57 million) and Vimy Ha (3.63 million) get all the chips in the middle.
Blinds 20k/40k/4k ante
Board: 3♥ 5♠ 9♠ A♣
Ha bets 220k.
Bryan raises to 620k (700k behind)
Ha moves all in
Bryan calls
"I think I messed up," says Ha who turns over K♠ 10♠ for a flush draw.
Bryan shows 5♣ 9♣ for two pair.
The river is the 2♦ and Bryan gets the double up and flips the script by taking a 3.1 million to 2.1 million chip lead.
On the first hand of heads up play, Tim Bryan (1.57 million) and Vimy Ha (3.63 million) get all the chips in the middle.
Blinds 20k/40k/4k ante
Board: 3♥ 5♠ 9♠ A♣
Ha bets 220k.
Bryan raises to 620k (700k behind)
Ha moves all in
Bryan calls
"I think I messed up," says Ha who turns over K♠ 10♠ for a flush draw.
Bryan shows 5♣ 9♣ for two pair.
The river is the 2♦ and Bryan gets the double up and flips the script by taking a 3.1 million to 2.1 million chip lead.
Event 18: 3rd Place - Berger
$1000 + $90 Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Blinds 20k/40k/4k ante
Seth Berger was on a yo-yo three-handed and makes his last stand on one of the first hands of the new level.
Berger is all in for 650k with pocket 6s against the A 10 offsuit of Vimy Ha.
Ha hits an ace on the turn and ends Berger's day in 3rd place.
"I can't complain," says Berger, "I was pretty card dead three-handed."
This is Berger's largest career cash and the recent UCLA graduate says the money will help his aspirations of playing poker full time. He'd love to play the Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship event, but a prior commitment will keep him out of the tournament.
Ha has a 2-1 chip lead over Tim Bryan as they begin heads up play.
Seth Berger (Woodbury, NY)
$38,040
Blinds 20k/40k/4k ante
Seth Berger was on a yo-yo three-handed and makes his last stand on one of the first hands of the new level.
Berger is all in for 650k with pocket 6s against the A 10 offsuit of Vimy Ha.
Ha hits an ace on the turn and ends Berger's day in 3rd place.
"I can't complain," says Berger, "I was pretty card dead three-handed."
This is Berger's largest career cash and the recent UCLA graduate says the money will help his aspirations of playing poker full time. He'd love to play the Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship event, but a prior commitment will keep him out of the tournament.
Ha has a 2-1 chip lead over Tim Bryan as they begin heads up play.
Event 20: Heads Up
$500 + $60 Big Stack Semi-Turbo No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
What an exciting match we're witnessing in The Event Center between Anthony Bocchino and Zachary Schwartz.
Winner takes home $45,564.
2nd Gets $25,317.
Anthony has a two to one chip advantage.
Looks like Zachary's entourage has since deserted him.
Blinds are 40,000 / 80,000 with 10,000 antes
Anthony Bocchino vs. Zachary Schwartz
What an exciting match we're witnessing in The Event Center between Anthony Bocchino and Zachary Schwartz.
Winner takes home $45,564.
2nd Gets $25,317.
Anthony has a two to one chip advantage.
Looks like Zachary's entourage has since deserted him.
Blinds are 40,000 / 80,000 with 10,000 antes
Event 20: 3rd Place - Branas
$500 + $60 Big Stack Semi-Turbo No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Nice chunk of change for Elan Branas who adds $15,697 to his Borgata bank.
Cheers to Elan who thanks all his fans reading about him on BorgataPokerBlog.
Last hand had Elan's K-J vs. Anthony Bocchino's A-5.
Anthony raised and Elan shoved pre. Ace held up on a clean board.
With Elan's 3rd Place finish that sends Anthony and Zachary Schwartz heads-up for the title.
Elan Branas - (Forest Hills, NY)
$15,697
Nice chunk of change for Elan Branas who adds $15,697 to his Borgata bank.
Cheers to Elan who thanks all his fans reading about him on BorgataPokerBlog.
Last hand had Elan's K-J vs. Anthony Bocchino's A-5.
Anthony raised and Elan shoved pre. Ace held up on a clean board.
With Elan's 3rd Place finish that sends Anthony and Zachary Schwartz heads-up for the title.
Event 20: 4th Place - Castellano
$500 + $60 Big Stack Semi-Turbo No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Way to go Tommy Castellano who just took home $12,659 for his 4th Place finish at Borgata's Event 20th.
Tommy had his short stack in with A♥ 3 and was called then checked down by Zachary Schwartz A J and Anthony Bocchino's 3 3 .
The flop brought Castellano the nut flush draw but he whiffed the turn and river.
Board: 7♥ 10♥ 6♥ 4♣ 4♠
Tommy runs and owns Bageltime Deli & Catering in Marlboro, NJ. His cousin Lawrence DiCristina railed the final table. Both guys just returned from playing the PCA in the Bahamas.
Here's the story we did on Lawrence and his important poker ruling.
Tommy Castellano - (Staten Island, NY)
$12,659
Way to go Tommy Castellano who just took home $12,659 for his 4th Place finish at Borgata's Event 20th.
Tommy had his short stack in with A♥ 3 and was called then checked down by Zachary Schwartz A J and Anthony Bocchino's 3 3 .
The flop brought Castellano the nut flush draw but he whiffed the turn and river.
Board: 7♥ 10♥ 6♥ 4♣ 4♠
.Hard to believe but 3 3 held up somehow dodging bullets and hearts.
Tommy runs and owns Bageltime Deli & Catering in Marlboro, NJ. His cousin Lawrence DiCristina railed the final table. Both guys just returned from playing the PCA in the Bahamas.
Here's the story we did on Lawrence and his important poker ruling.
Event 20: 5th Place - Coelho
$500 + $60 Big Stack Semi-Turbo No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Vitor was short stacked all day. His patience brought him up pay level after pay level. In the end he ran into the chip suck vacuum known as Anthony Bocchino.
Vitor got it in good with JJ against Bocchino's A-8.
Board ran: A-Q-10-3-3
"Everytime he catches an ace that kid" said Coelho.
Vitor buys Real Estate and is part of the industry. He's also got some impressive cashes including two WPT final tables back to back. Maybe you saw him on the WPT TV telecast. Click to see Vitor's Poker Pages profile and stats.
Of course he'll be playing tomorrow in the Championship.
Vitor Coelho - (Tampa, FL)
$9,789
Vitor was short stacked all day. His patience brought him up pay level after pay level. In the end he ran into the chip suck vacuum known as Anthony Bocchino.
Vitor got it in good with JJ against Bocchino's A-8.
Board ran: A-Q-10-3-3
"Everytime he catches an ace that kid" said Coelho.
Vitor buys Real Estate and is part of the industry. He's also got some impressive cashes including two WPT final tables back to back. Maybe you saw him on the WPT TV telecast. Click to see Vitor's Poker Pages profile and stats.
Of course he'll be playing tomorrow in the Championship.
Event 18: Bryan Gets Ha to Fold
$1000 + $90 Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Blinds 15k/30k/4k ante
On a board of 8♠ 8♦ 6♣ Tim Bryan bets 125k and Vimy Ha calls.
Turn: 3♥
Bryan moves all in for 951k, Ha tanks and folds.
"It would've been the sickest call I ever made," says Ha, "and I think I was right. You might have had
5-9."
The cards remain a mystery, but Ha maintains his chip lead at 3 million.
Bryan is second at 1.1 million, while Seth Berger has chipped back up to 1 million.
Blinds 15k/30k/4k ante
On a board of 8♠ 8♦ 6♣ Tim Bryan bets 125k and Vimy Ha calls.
Turn: 3♥
Bryan moves all in for 951k, Ha tanks and folds.
"It would've been the sickest call I ever made," says Ha, "and I think I was right. You might have had
5-9."
The cards remain a mystery, but Ha maintains his chip lead at 3 million.
Bryan is second at 1.1 million, while Seth Berger has chipped back up to 1 million.
Event 20: 6th Place - Lipman
$500 + $60 Big Stack Semi-Turbo No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Weekend Poker Warrior Rommy Lipman just lost his all-in 500,000 shove to Zachary Schwartz.
Rommy K-Q vs. Zachary A-8
Board ran: A-J-9-J-K
Rommy is in the Medical Supplies business and enjoys playing Borgata on weekends when he's not working.
Rommy Lipman - (Brooklyn, NY)
$8,270
Weekend Poker Warrior Rommy Lipman just lost his all-in 500,000 shove to Zachary Schwartz.
Rommy K-Q vs. Zachary A-8
Board ran: A-J-9-J-K
Rommy is in the Medical Supplies business and enjoys playing Borgata on weekends when he's not working.
Event 18: Berger Bombs River, Ha Makes Tough Call
$1000 + $90 Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Blinds 15k/30k/4k ante
On a board of 5♥ K♠ 9♠ A♠ 10♥, Vimy Ha checks and Seth Berger bets 500k into a 400k pot.
Ha goes in the tank and eventually calls.
Berger shows pocket 7s and Ha has the winner with KQ.
"Wow what a call," says Berger, "my read was right that you didn't have an ace. I don't know how I can get you off that hand."
Berger drops to 800k while Ha jumps his stack to 2.8 million.
Blinds 15k/30k/4k ante
On a board of 5♥ K♠ 9♠ A♠ 10♥, Vimy Ha checks and Seth Berger bets 500k into a 400k pot.
Ha goes in the tank and eventually calls.
Berger shows pocket 7s and Ha has the winner with KQ.
"Wow what a call," says Berger, "my read was right that you didn't have an ace. I don't know how I can get you off that hand."
Berger drops to 800k while Ha jumps his stack to 2.8 million.
Event 20: Six Strong
$500 + $60 Big Stack Semi-Turbo No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
There are six players left competing for the $45,564 top spot prize and the Borgata Event trophy.
Here are chip counts as of the last ten minute break of which Players just returned.
Seat - Name - Chips
1. Anthony Bocchino (Brooklyn, NY) - 2,500,000
2. Tommy Castellano (Staten Island, NY) - 600,000
3. Elan Branas (Queens, NY) - 1,900,000
4. Zachary Schwartz (New York, NY) - 1,000,000
5. Rommy Lipman (Brooklyn, NY) - 560,000
6. Vitor Coelho (Tampa, FL) - 440,000
Vitor is short stacked but confident and ready to make some moves. Sidenote, he's the only player left not from NY.
There are six players left competing for the $45,564 top spot prize and the Borgata Event trophy.
Here are chip counts as of the last ten minute break of which Players just returned.
Seat - Name - Chips
1. Anthony Bocchino (Brooklyn, NY) - 2,500,000
2. Tommy Castellano (Staten Island, NY) - 600,000
3. Elan Branas (Queens, NY) - 1,900,000
4. Zachary Schwartz (New York, NY) - 1,000,000
5. Rommy Lipman (Brooklyn, NY) - 560,000
6. Vitor Coelho (Tampa, FL) - 440,000
Vitor is short stacked but confident and ready to make some moves. Sidenote, he's the only player left not from NY.
Event 20: 7th Place - Andrews
$500 + $60 Big Stack Semi-Turbo No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Jason Andrews got it in good with A-Q up against A♣ 2♣.
Flop was not kind to Andrews who watched three clubs smack the felt giving Anthony Bocchino the nut flush and the monster tournament chip lead of over 3,000,000.
Jason Andrews - (Pittsburgh, PA)
$6,667
Jason Andrews got it in good with A-Q up against A♣ 2♣.
Flop was not kind to Andrews who watched three clubs smack the felt giving Anthony Bocchino the nut flush and the monster tournament chip lead of over 3,000,000.
Event 18: Grind Goes On
$1000 + $90 Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
(l-r) Berger, Bryan & Ha
The final three players, Tim Bryan, Vimy Ha and Seth Berger are still more than 50 blinds deep as they play for the trophy and the remaining prize pool.
1st $81,754
2nd $50,052
3rd $38,040
2nd $50,052
3rd $38,040
Event 20: 8th Place - Bonita
$500 + $60 Big Stack Semi-Turbo No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Michael owns a landscaping business back home. He just took home $4,979 for his one days worth of work.
Exit hand for Bonita had his pocket Jacks run into Opponent's pocket Kings.
Action was all in pre-flop and the cowboys held.
On the rail was friend Dennis with Service dog Jack.
Michael Bonita - (New York, NY)
8th Place - $4,979
8th Place - $4,979
Michael owns a landscaping business back home. He just took home $4,979 for his one days worth of work.
Exit hand for Bonita had his pocket Jacks run into Opponent's pocket Kings.
Action was all in pre-flop and the cowboys held.
On the rail was friend Dennis with Service dog Jack.
I Was In Dogs Playing Poker Painting
Event 18: Break Time - No Change
$1000 + $90 Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
After 100 minutes of trading chips, the results are the same as when play started 3-handed.
"Tim B" Bryan and Vimy Ha are even at 1.9 million, with Seth Berger at 1.4 million.
At one point Ha built his stack to 2.8 million and Berger dropped to 750k, but Berger doubled through Ha and we're back to square one.
Players are on a 10 minute break with blinds going to 15k/30k/4k ante.
Tim Bryan 1.9 million (63 bb)
Vimy Ha 1.9 million (63 bb)
Seth Berger 1.4 million (47 bb)
After 100 minutes of trading chips, the results are the same as when play started 3-handed.
"Tim B" Bryan and Vimy Ha are even at 1.9 million, with Seth Berger at 1.4 million.
At one point Ha built his stack to 2.8 million and Berger dropped to 750k, but Berger doubled through Ha and we're back to square one.
Players are on a 10 minute break with blinds going to 15k/30k/4k ante.
Tim Bryan 1.9 million (63 bb)
Vimy Ha 1.9 million (63 bb)
Seth Berger 1.4 million (47 bb)
Event 20: 9th Place - Held
$500 + $60 Big Stack Semi-Turbo No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Karl jammed with J-Q and Anthony Bocchino said Alright I call but everyone only heard him say alright. He then flipped his cards over and the floor determined they were live and it was a call.
Anthony had A-5 and the flop was a 1200 to 1 5-5-A for a full-house.
Karl simply got up and exited the table & tournament in 9th Place earning $3,376.
Karl Held - (Forest Hills, NY)
$3,376
Karl jammed with J-Q and Anthony Bocchino said Alright I call but everyone only heard him say alright. He then flipped his cards over and the floor determined they were live and it was a call.
Anthony had A-5 and the flop was a 1200 to 1 5-5-A for a full-house.
Karl simply got up and exited the table & tournament in 9th Place earning $3,376.
Event 20: 10th Place - Markatos
$500 + $60 Big Stack Semi-Turbo No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Two sic cooler hands back to back sent Spiro into a spiral.
Hand 1 - He runs his pair of eights into Quad queens of Vitor Coelho.
Hand 2 - He runs AK on the button into Opponent's A-A.
Wow, when it's not meant to be I guess it's not meant to be.
Still a nice cash and final table appearance for Spiro Markatos for $2,194.
Spiro Markatos - (Dix Hills, NY)
$2,194
Two sic cooler hands back to back sent Spiro into a spiral.
Hand 1 - He runs his pair of eights into Quad queens of Vitor Coelho.
Hand 2 - He runs AK on the button into Opponent's A-A.
Wow, when it's not meant to be I guess it's not meant to be.
Still a nice cash and final table appearance for Spiro Markatos for $2,194.
Event 20: Final Table Set
$500 + $60 Big Stack Semi-Turbo No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Seat - Name
1. Anthony Bocchino
2. Karl Held
3. Tommy Castellano
4. Elan Branas
5. Zachary Schwartz
6. Jason Andrews
7. Rommy Lipman
8. Spiro Markatos - 10th Place
9. Michael Bonita
10. Vitor Coelho
Gonna grab chip counts in next break.
Final Table Time
Seat - Name
1. Anthony Bocchino
2. Karl Held
3. Tommy Castellano
4. Elan Branas
5. Zachary Schwartz
6. Jason Andrews
7. Rommy Lipman
8. Spiro Markatos - 10th Place
9. Michael Bonita
10. Vitor Coelho
Gonna grab chip counts in next break.
Event 20: 11th Place - Nagar
$500 + $60 Big Stack Semi-Turbo No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Haim had fun but all good things come to an end.
Nagar shipped his short stack into the middle with 10-J and was called pre by A-3.
Ace in the window caused Haim to cry out, "It's Over".
Haim will be playing in the Championship.
Haim Nagar (Hollywood, FL)
11th Place - $2,194
11th Place - $2,194
Haim had fun but all good things come to an end.
Nagar shipped his short stack into the middle with 10-J and was called pre by A-3.
Ace in the window caused Haim to cry out, "It's Over".
Haim will be playing in the Championship.
Event 20: 12th Place - Antzoulis
$500 + $60 Big Stack Semi-Turbo No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Paul Antzoulis (Maspeth, NY)
12th Place - $2,194
12th Place - $2,194
Event 20: Schwartz Support
$500 + $60 Big Stack Semi-Turbo No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Zachary Schwartz has his crew literally behind him.
They all met in Greenwich, CT but most now live in NY.
Zachary has over 700,000 and 632,727 is average.
Mark, Debbie, Patricia, James
Seated - Zachary Schwartz
Zachary Schwartz has his crew literally behind him.
They all met in Greenwich, CT but most now live in NY.
Zachary has over 700,000 and 632,727 is average.
Event 18: 5th Street Shenanigans
$1000 + $90 Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Earlier in the evening Fifth Street Radio was broadcasting live from Media Row with a plethora of guests.
Host Mark Hoke's lineup included WPT Champion Will Failla and former WSOP final tabelists Lee Childs (7th / 2007) and Steve Dannenmann (2nd / 2005).
It was a wild and crazy time on the eve of the WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship event.
(l-r) Hoke, Failla, Dannenmann & Childs
Earlier in the evening Fifth Street Radio was broadcasting live from Media Row with a plethora of guests.
Host Mark Hoke's lineup included WPT Champion Will Failla and former WSOP final tabelists Lee Childs (7th / 2007) and Steve Dannenmann (2nd / 2005).
It was a wild and crazy time on the eve of the WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship event.
Event 18: Level Up
$1000 + $90 Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Blinds are up to 12k/24k/3k ante with plenty of play.
Tim Bryan and Vimy Ha are both near 2 million chips (83 bb), while Seth Berger is at 1.25 million (52 bb).
Blinds are up to 12k/24k/3k ante with plenty of play.
Tim Bryan and Vimy Ha are both near 2 million chips (83 bb), while Seth Berger is at 1.25 million (52 bb).
Event 20: Elantastic
$500 + $60 Big Stack Semi-Turbo No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Two Thumbs Up For Elan's Stack - 1,300,000
Elan Branas poses with the chip lead as the guys go on a quick ten minute break.
Second in chips, and at the same table, is Rommy Lipman with 800,000.
On a sidenote, Haim Nagar has more than doulbed to 300,000.
"I was down to my last 100,000 not too long ago" explained Haim.
Haim held J-J vs. A-Q.
Q in the window had Haim heading for the exits until he saw a Jack join the flop as well.
12 Players left - average stack is 580,000.
Playing until we have a winner.
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