Event 2 Recap

$350 + $50 + 100 NLH Black Chip Bounty

It was cupcakes vs cookies as two bakers battled at the final table, but in the end it was Dennis Roitman (Brooklyn, NY) who took home the largest piece of cake.

"It's a big accomplishment for me," said Roitman, the New York bakery owner, "I never make it this deep. Usually I bust out right after the bubble breaks. This is exciting."

Roitman beat Jerry Payne (Centerville, OH) heads-up to clinch his first career live tournament win and take home $43,359. Roitman won the final coin flip with A♦ J♥ to beat Payne's pocket 5s.

"I didn't care about the money, I really wanted the win," said Payne, who was one of the chip leaders most of Day 2. Payne, who earned $24,382 for his runner-up finish, added that he played better in this tournament than his 2010 WSOP Main Event 42nd place finish.

The final table featured an inordinate number of suck outs and double-ups that had players trading chips all night. The biggest miracle came during 5-handed play when Heather Mercer (New York, NY) hit a one-outer against Angelo Pistone (Hicksville, NY) to stay alive.

Mercer (4th/$12,453), whose on-line bakery specializes in cookies, finished just behind Pistone (3rd/$15,675), who is a full-time pro.

The field began with 513 players who put up $179,550 in total buy-ins and featured WSOP bracelet holder Mike "Little Man" Sica. Other familiar faces included 2011 Borgata Spring Poker Open Champion Russell Crane and Dave Inselberg, who had a WPT televised runner-up finish in 2010.

Payne (Centerville, OH) was the chip leader heading into Day 2 as 23 players returned for a shot at the title. One of his biggest threats was Ryan Eriquezzo (Danbury, CT), who was third in chips
to start the day.

But Eriquezzo, who won the 6-max in the 2011 Winter Poker Open, found his 13th Borgata cash to be unlucky as his pocket jacks were cracked by a set of 6s. He finished a disappointing 21st for $958.

Rounding out the top 5 was Eugene Kleyman (Brooklyn, NY) who finished 5th for $9,753, but it was Roitman who had the winning recipe.

"I haven't played in awhile because of work," said Kleyman who praised everyone at the final table especially Payne. "He's a great player and one of the best players I've played with in a long time."