Event 1: Recap

$400 + $50 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Borgata kicked off the 2011 Poker Open with a record setting field attracting World Champions and some of poker's biggest names.

Paul Darden, Nick Frangos, Jason Young, Josh Brikis and Robert Varkonyi all took their shot at the $300k guarantee and $140,852 first place prize.

Cash game players couldn't resist and recreational gamblers couldn't sit this one out.

"You can't get any better value than this," was overheard from several players in the field.

Joe Wertz emerged as the early favorite and didn't disappoint by navigating the field and eventually busting in 2nd place.

Early on Day 1, he told the media "I'm running good, watch out Borgata."

Fast forward two days and tons of flop, turn and rivers later. Joe Wertz sat heads-up with young and talented Vincent Maglio, who was described as "playing good, but running great."

The two young pros put on a show for the late-night railbirds, the heads-up battle lasted over an hour. When it was all said and done, Mr. Maglio was holding the Borgata trophy. His efforts earned him his biggest score to date.

Congrats to our first Champion of the series and all the players who made Event #1 such an epic event, stay tuned for more poker as the 2011 Borgata Poker Open moves on.