Event 6: Recap

$1,000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em

Event #6 kicked off the first 5-figure buy-in of Borgata's Poker Open series. Notable poker pros and WSOP bracelet winners all showed up for the first premier event.

With 219 hopefuls vying for the first place prize, the likes of Jason Young, Mike "Little Man" Sica, Adam "Lippy" Lippert, Vinny Pahuja, Cornell Cimpan and Victor Ramdin rounded out the field.

Helen Ellis (Manhattan, NY) earns the title of last woman standing, but it was Tommy Lee who earned the title of Borgata Champion.

Lee played loose-aggressive for the majority of Day 2, "he never took his foot off the gas pedal," said one of his tablemates.

Lee's fast-paced style served him well, he walked away with $59,477 and the Borgata trophy.

Event 6: Tom (Lee) Takes Title

$1,000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em

Event #6
Number of Entrants: 219
Total Buy-In: $219,000

The last hand ended in style, a suck-out for all the chips
and all the money.

Both players get all the chips in the middle preflop,
Tom Lee (A♥ 4♥) vs Simon Lam (A♣ Q♣ ).

The flop comes 4♠4♦K♠ and Borgata crowns a new Champion.

CHAMPION

Tom Lee
1st Place - $59,477

Simon Lam
2nd Place - $35,051

Event 8: Chip Leaders

$350 + $50 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Sung Kim (Toronto, Canada)
Chip Leader - 590k

Tony Antonious (Tampa, FL)
2nd in Chips - 465k

Sung Kim (Toronto, Canada) has been on a roller coaster since the dinner break, up and down
all night. After having the chip lead on the dinner break, he was at risk, but survived an all-in, and is now back on top.

110 players remain with an average stack of 132k (33 BB).

Level 15 (2k/4k/400 ante) is underway.

Beverages, Cocktails

Coffee, Tea, Soda, Beer?

Oxana
Borgata Babe / Cocktail Waitress

Event 6: Heads-Up

$1,000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em

Heads-Up play begins...

The final two players are fighting for the $59,477 first place prize, the Borgata trophy and Blue Shark Optic sunglasses.

Good luck to both players.

Event #6
Number of Entrants: 219
Players remaining: 2
Total Buy-In: $219,000

Current Chip Stacks (Heads-Up):
Tom Lee - 2,550,000
Simon Lam - 825,000

Event 6: Mooney makes Money

$1,000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em

Brian Mooney (Middle Village, NY)
3rd Place - $20,181

Event 9: Chip Leaders

$400 + $50 H.O.R.S.E.

Oar using Boats to Take Chip Lead

Mike Oar (Alexandria, VA) and Bo Toft (Yardley, PA) are the two big stacks as 48 players remain with an average stack of 48k.

Both players are at the same table as Oar has the slight lead with 100k, while Toft is right behind him with 95k.

When looking at career results Toft has more than $500,000 in career earnings including 6 Borgata cashes, while Oar has $3,000 in tournament results, none at Borgata.

Event 6: Entourage

$1,000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em

Friends and family have crowded the rail in Borgata's Event Center to cheer on Brooklyn native, Simon Lam.

Current Chip Stacks (3-handed):

Tom Lee - 2,450,000
Simon Lam - 670,000
Brian Mooney - 290,000

Loyal Supporters / Railbirds of Simon Lam

Remembering 9/11

Jason Perrone

"Chaotic and frantic," are the words Jason Perrone (Long Island City, NY) uses to describe the moments and days after the tragic fall of the World Trade Center Twin Towers ten years ago. As a New York City firefighter Perrone was on the scene hours after the collapse.

"It was horrible, but guys were willing to give up there lives to save one or two people," he says on the anniversary of 9/11, the worst terrorist attack on American soil.

"Lots of dirt, steel and paper," says the 41-year old who's using Borgata poker to help break up the intensity of all the reminders during this milestone day. Small in stature, Perrone says he was used primarily to dig through small holes and voids to find, "anything I could," while debris continued to fall from where the towers once stood.

Police, firefighters, rescue workers and volunteers worked around the clock and Perrone says people were sleeping at Ground Zero as "every firefighter in New York" was there. But his prolonged exposure in the rubble came at a price as Perrone was forced to retire in 2004 after developing bronchitis and sever asthma.

"I was getting sick every year," he says after inhaling the toxic cloud filled with asbestos and other toxins. Perrone collects a pension through the World Trade Center (WTC) Disability Law after he failed mandatory lung tests.

"When you lose your career you lose yourself because that's what you do," he says after a ten year career. "You become depressed and you don't even know that's what you're feeling," Perrone says, adding that he mostly misses the camaraderie of working at Engine 307 in the Jackson Heights section of Queens, NY.

"It's like going to work with your best friends everyday," he says while building his chip stack early in the day with premium cards. "I've had aces twice, hit a set with jacks and my good hands have held up."

Since retiring Perrone has gotten a degree in Italian, has been traveling to Rome and is now thinking of going back for his MBA.

More than 3,000 people died that fateful day, and Perrone was fortunate that other than some trainees he met while going through the academy, he didn't lose anybody close to him.

While he didn't make through this no limit tournament, Perrone will always remember 9/11 and how it's impacted all of our lives.

Event 6: Coinflip

$1,000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em

Event #6
Number of Entrants: 219
Players remaining: 3
Total Buy-In: $219,000
Avg. Stack: $822,500
1st place prize: $59,477

Hand History:
Blinds: 10,000/20,000/3,000a
Button: Tom Lee (785,000 chips)
Big Blind: Ketan Pandya - (695,000 chips)

Tom opens from the button to 50,000 with Q♥J♠,
Ketan re-raises 120,000 from the small blind with 9♣ 9♠,
Tom moves all-in for another 735,000,
Ketan tank-calls.

Flop: K♠K♦5♦
Turn:10♥
River:A♠

Ketan Pandya (4th Place) - $16,357

Current Chip Stacks (3-handed):
Tom Lee - 1,500,000
Simon Lam - 1,450,000
Brian Mooney - 278,000

Event 8: Sunday Night Poker

$350 + $50 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Back from break and ready to gamble...

Event #8
Number of Entries: 580
Players remaining: 160
Total Buy-In: $203,000

Notables still alive after the Dinner Break:
James "Suits" Salters
Barry Levanthal
Nancy Martin
John Myung
Gordon Eng
Cornell Cimpan
Gina "Ginevil" Cannone
Mike "Little Man" Sica

Event 8: Post Time

$350 + $50 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Carlos Craving a Double Up

The HORSE short stacks are itching to get back on the track including Carlos Juarez (Jenkintown, PA) who's down to 6,200 chips. His strategy is to "double up" and to do it quickly.

The on-line editor and the remaining 85 players are staring at 1k/2k limits as the cards are back in the air.

Event 6: Dinner Break

$1,000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em

1-hour Dinner Break

Event #6
Number of Entrants: 219
Players remaining: 4
Total Buy-In: $219,000

Chip Counts:
Tom Lee - 850,000
Simon Lam - 1,350,000
Ketan Pandya - 670,000
Brian Mooney - 359,000

Event 8: Patriotism

$350 + $50 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Hahn-oring America

On the 10 year anniversary of 9/11 everyone at Borgata has the events of that day and the aftermath on their minds. Mike Hahn (Indianapolis, IN) is a former on-line player making his first trip to the Event Center and is showing his American pride with a patriotic hat.

He doesn't have any personal connections to the collapse of the World Trade Center Twin Towers, but wanted to do something to remember the victims and those who assisted in the rescue and clean up.

Hahn is sitting with 110k (69 BB) as level 11 (800/1,600/200 ante) is underway

Borgata Hair Raisers

Joseph & Jacobs

Tale of the Tape:

Name: Johanssy Joseph
Location: Spring Valley, NY
Event: NL Deep Stack
Occupation: Poker Pro
Hair Style: High & Tight
Last Hair Cut: August 2010 (13 months)

Combing for Answers: "I told a friend of mine I was letting it grow until I hit a big score. I'm staying with it until it gets too crazy."

Name: Stephen Jacobs
Location: Elberon, NJ
Event: H.O.R.S.E
Occupation: Retired Chemist
Hair Style: Naturally "Whatever"
Last Hair Cut: July 2011 (8 weeks)

Combing for Answers: "I learned when I was 19 (years old) that my hair was tougher than I was. It's more interesting than I am so I follow it around and pick up whatever it leaves behind."

Event 6: Status Quo

$1,000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em  

Chips are still moving around the table.  There has yet to be another all-in that has been called.

Simon Lam is still the chip leader.

Here's a reminder what's at stake:

Place - Amount

1st $59,477
2nd $35,051
3rd $20,181
4th $16,357

Event 9: Hay is for Horses

$400 + $50 H.O.R.S.E.

The players are hitting the feedbags for a 1 hr dinner break. Pete Iovino (Woodbridge, NJ) is now 3 furlongs ahead of the field with 74k as he continues his sick run.

He's picked up 60k in the last hour.

Football & Poker

NFL Sunday at Borgata
(follow us on Twitter @BorgataPoker)

Ben Roethlisberger

Pittsburgh Steelers

Clinton Portis

Washington Redskins

Mark Bavaro
NY Giants

Darrelle Revis
NJ Jets

Derrick Mason
Baltimore Ravens

Event 6: 5th Place - Bolotin

$1,000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em  

Brian Mooney shoved and got looked up by Tom Lee.  Brian held 98 off and was behind Tom's AT.  The flop came A 8 3 giving each a pair, but leaving Tom in the lead.  Then another 8 on the turn gave Brian trips.  Once the river bricked, Brian doubled up to ~335k.

 Alex Bolotin

Tom Lee opened for 35k, then Alex Bolotin moved all-in.  Tom called, showing pocket Aces.  Alex held KQ off.  The board came J J 4 J 4 and Tom took the pot.

Alex Bolotin (Brooklyn, NY) took 5th place and $12,746.

Event 8: Chowing Down

$350 + $50 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Sung Kim (Toronto, Canada) is the unofficial chip leader with 360k as the 195 remaining players are on dinner break.

Play resumes at 8:15 pm.

Event 6: Play Resumed

$1,000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em   

Alex Bolotin returned and play resumed five-handed with blinds of 8k/16k with 2k antes.

Alex was the small blind on the first hand and when action folded to him, he moved all-in and took the pot.

On the next hand, Alex was on the button and raised to 35k, taking another pot.

Then the final five settled in and starting moving blinds and antes around the table.

Event 9: Chip Leaders

$400 + $50 H.O.R.S.E.

Pete Picking up Chips

Pete Iovino (Woodbridge, NJ) has been on a heater the last two rotations of NL and Omaha going from 15k to 51k. "I've had so many good hands in the last 20 minutes I can't remember them all. It's exciting."

The green (25) chips are being removed from play as level 10 (800/1600 limits) is underway.

Chip Leaders

Pete Iovino (Woodbridge, NJ) 51k
Samer Sedhom (Jersey City, NJ) 49k
Justin "Z" (Jersey City, NJ) 39k

Event 6: Chip Counts

 $1,000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em  

Another level expired and the final five are taking a break.  (Actually, four of them are taking a break.  Alex Bolotin has been MIA for most of the previous level already.  He's been blinding off.)

Here are some stack-size estimates:

Simon Lam - 1.6 million
Ketan Pandya - 630k
Tom Lee - 500k
Brian Mooney - 300k
Alex Bolotin - 270k

Event 6: 6th Place - Laufer

$1,000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em  

David opened for 31k on the button and Simon Lam raised to 80k from the small blind.  David called and the flop came Q Q J.  All the chips went in the middle.  David held J9 suited for two pair, but Simon had pocket Aces.  The last two came 9 5 and Simon doubled up to ~1 million.

David was left with ~130k.

David then opened for ~100k and Simon called.  The flop was all small cards and David put the last of his chips in.  Simon called showing AT for Ace-high.  David was behind with QJ.  The last two changed nothing and David was busted.

David (PA) finished in 6th place, earning $10,622.

Event 6: Laufer Doubles; Lee Doubles

$1,000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em  

Tom Lee opened for 30k on the button, then David Laufer moved in for 235k from the small blind.  Simon Lam called from the big blind and Tom Lee decided to bow out of the battle.

David held pocket 8s and was ahead.  Simon held AJ.  The board came Q Q 4 Q T and David doubled up.

On a flop of Q J T with two hearts, all the chips went in.  Tom Lee had QJ for two pair.  Ketan Patel had KJ of hearts for middle pair with open-ended straight-flush draw.

Somehow Tom faded all those outs and doubled through Ketan.  Tom's now up to ~600k.

The chips are starting to redistribute themselves around the table.

Event 8: Chip Leaders

$350 + $50 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Williamson with the Lead

Jeremy Williamson (Lititz, PA) is the chip leader with 240k as the green (25) chips are removed from play. He says he scored a 90k pot when his KQ hit Broadway in a three-way pot that knocked out one player.

260 players remain of the 580 entries and the average stack is 56k (56 BB).

Level 9 (500/1000/100 ante) is underway.

Big Stacks

Name-Chip Count

Jeremy Williamson (Lititz, PA) 240k
Peter Ciampa (Elmont, NY) 200k
Angelo Sideras (Astoria, NY) 165k
Sung Kim (Toronto, Canada) 165k
Kevin Lee (Elwood Park, NJ) 164k
Kris Bradshaw (Jackson, MI) 160k
Matt Diggs (Baltimore, MD) 150k
Tom Phillips (Paramus, NJ) 130k
Mike Hahn (Indianapolis, IN) 125k
Joe Liberta (Berlin, NJ) 125k
Scott Yoon (Falls Church, VA) 119k

Event 6: Final Six

$1,000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em  

Another level expired and play continued with blinds of 6k/12k with 2k antes.

Here are some rough chip counts:
Ketan Pandya - 1.2 million
Simon Lam - 800k
Brian Mooney - 390k
Tom Lee - 330k
Alex Bolotin - 290k
David Laufer - 260k

Event 6: 7th - Smith

$1,000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em  

Ketan Pandya opened for 24k and then Alex Smith raised to ~50k.  After a little thought, Ketan announced he was all-in.

 Alex Smith

Alex called, showing AK.   Ketan held pocket 6s.

The board came J 7 5 8 9 and Ketan improved to a straight.  That pot put him over 1 million chips.

Alex Smith (Highland Park, NJ) finished in 7th place, picking up $8,497.

Event 9: Payouts

$400 + $50 H.O.R.S.E.

Entries: 123
Total Buy-In: $49,200

Place - Amount

1st $14,319
2nd $7,874
3rd $4,534
4th $3,818
5th $2,863
6th $2,386
7th $1,909
8th $1,432
9th $1,074
10-12 $954
13-15 $835
16-18 $716

Event 6: 9th - Pitti; 8th - Derosa

$1,000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em  

On a Queen-high flop, Joe Pitti got all his chips in holding pocket 9s.  Unfortunately for Joe, his opponent held AQ.

 Joe Pitti

Joe Pitti (East Meadow, NY)  finished in 9th place, earning $4,249.

 Anthony Derosa

Anthony Derosa made his last stand with A2, only to run into the AQ of Alex Bolotin.

Anthony Derosa (Plainview, NY) finished in 8th place ($6,373).

Event 8: Payouts

$350 + $50 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Entries: 580
Total Buy-In: $196,910

Place - Amount

1st $49,029
2nd $27,565
3rd $17,720
4th $14,078
5th $11,027
6th $9,058
7th $7,187
8th $5,612
9th $3,938
10-12 $2,560
13-15 $1,969
16-18 $1,477
19-27 $1,083
28-36 $985
37-45 $886
46-54 $788

Event 6: 10th Place - Mataya

$1,000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em 

Play resumed after the break with blinds of 5k/10k with 1k antes.

Alex Smith opened for 22k, Scott Mataya called, then Ketan Panda raised to 60k straight.  Alex opted out, but Scott called.

 Scott Mataya

The flop was 8 6 6 with two clubs.  Ketan gave it some thought, eyed Scott's stack, and bet 68k.  Scott thought for a few moments, then announced he was all-in.  Ketan snap-called, showing pocket Aces.  Scott rolled over pocket 5s. 

The last two came A 3 and Ketan took the pot with Aces-full.

Scott Mataya (Morris Plains, NJ) took 10th and $2,762.

Event 6: Break from the Grind

$1,000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em  

Play seems to have tightened up now that they're back at a fully populated table.

Simon Lam took a pot from Anthony Derosa with AJ. 

Simon Lam took a pot from David Laufer with AJ.

Simon's big stack gets bigger.

On a flop of Q T 9, Brian Mooney check-raises Alex Smith all-in.  Alex surrendered.

Another level is over and players are taking a break.

Event 6: Final Table Chip Counts

$1,000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em 

Here are the final ten with some rough chip counts from shortly after play resumed:


Seat - Player - Chips
1 - Tom Lee - 190k
2 - Alex Smith - 370k
3 - David Laufer - 340k
4 - Anthony Derosa - 150k
5 - Scott Mataya - 270k
6 - Simon Lam - 600k
7 - Joe Pitti - 320k
8 - Alex Bolotin - 210k
9 - Ketan Pandya - 455k
10 - Brian Mooney - 240k

Average stack is ~329k.

Event 6: 11th Place - Palomo

$1,000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em  

Blinds are up to 4k/8k with 1k antes.

Ian Palomo and Simon Lam got all their chips in the middle pre-flop. 

 Ian Palomo

Ian had pocket 9s and was a big dog against Simon's pocket Queens.

The board changed nothing and after the stacks were counted down, Ian was covered and eliminated.

Ian Palomo (New York, NY)  finished in 11th place, earning $2,762.

The final ten drew seats and moved to a single table, where play continued.

Event 6: 12th Place - Berman

$1,000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em 

On a flop of J T 4, Scott Mataya (sb) bet 27k.  Scott Berman (button) gave it some thought, then moved all-in for another 53k on top. 

Scott Berman

After taking some think-time of his own, Mataya opted to call.  Berman was ahead with pocket 7s.  Mataya held A4 off for a pair of 4s. 

Another Jack fell on the turn and changed nothing.  Then another 4 came on the river, giving Mataya 4s full of Jacks.  Berman was stunned as he left the table.

Scott Berman (Davis, CA) finished in 12th place, earning $2,762.

Event 6: 13th Place - Kovaci

$1,000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em  

Mirsad Kovaci moved is last 35k in and got called by Anthony Derosa in the big blind.  Mirsad held 98 suited and was at least drawing live against Anthony's K5 off.

 Mirsad Kovaci

The flop came Q 7 6 and looked good for Mirsad, giving him more outs with an open-ender, but the last two came running Kings, shipping the pot to Anthony.

Mirsad Kovaci (Allentown, PA) finished in 13th place, taking home $2,337.

Event 8: Registration Closing

$350 + $50 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Level 6 is in the books and there's only 10 minutes left to re-enter the tournament. Players have the option to forfeit or "surrender" their chips and grab a fresh 25k stack.

With more than 500 players in the field, the $100,000 guarantee has easily been reached.

Level 7 (150/300/75) signifies the end of the re-entry tournament and player are now on their own.

Event 6: 14th Place - Pfeifer

$1,000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em  

After Ketan Pandya opened for a raise, Ian Palomo flatted, then Randall Pfeifer moved his short-stack in.  Ketan folded (showed 88 after action completed) and Ian called.

 Randall Pfeifer

Randall held AK and was racing against Ian's pocket 7s.  The board changed nothing and Ian took the pot.

Randall Pfeifer (Hamburg, NY) took 14th place and $2,337.

Event 6: 15th Place - Apicella

$1,000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em 

Mirsad Kovaci picks off a river bluff from Alex Smith with second pair.

After a raise and two callers, Tom Lee raised and squeezed everyone off their hands.

Daniel Apicella

Daniel Apicella (Hightstown, NJ) got his last chips in against Alex Bolotin, only to see that Alex held AK for the nut straight.  Daniel was busted in 15th place, earning $2,337.

Event 9: Defending Champ?

$400 + $50 H.O.R.S.E.

Stann & Englebert

The last two Borgata HOSE winners are in the field as Glenn Englebert (Summer Poker Open) and "Hollywood" Dave Stann (Spring Poker Open) are looking to take down the casino's first HORSE tournament.

Englebert (Erial, NJ) is the closest thing to a defending champion in an inaugural event, but he can always lay claim to being the last HOSE winner now that the game on the extinct list.

"Everytime I win a tournament they stop having it," says Englebert who won the Limit event in the Winter Poker Open which is no longer on the schedule. "It's okay because I like Razz," noting the "R" in HORSE.

"It just made this tournament easier for me to win," says Stann, "Razz is my favorite game."

When he realized he won't be known as the last HOSE winner in Borgata history he's quick to say that he won the last one he played.

More than 100 players are in the HORSE field as the cage verifies the official count and prize pool.

Event 6 : Chip Counts

$1,000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em 

After the break, play resumed with blinds of 3k/6k with 500 antes.

Here are some rough chip counts for the final 16, as of the break.

Table One
Ian Palomo - 250k
Daniel Apicella - 100k
David Laufer - 510k
Randall Pfeifer - 100k
Alex Bolotin - 145k
Simon Lam - 310k
Ketan Pandya - 340k
Brian Mooney - 255k

Table Two
Anthony Derosa - 200k
Alex Smith - 370k
Scott Berman - 125k
Mirsad Kovaci - 90k
Scott Mataya - 115k
Tom Lee - 165k
Joe Pitti - 150k

Event 6: Break Time!

$1,000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em 

On the last hand of the level, Brian Mooney (cutoff) and Ian Palomo (button) were on the turn with a board of 8 6 2 9,  Brian led for 26k, Ian raised to 67k, and Brian shoved.  Ian surrendered.  Brian showed pocket Queens.

Players took 15 while the black 100 chips were colored up and removed from play.  

Event 9: Razzing the Players

$400 + $50 H.O.R.S.E.

Mary Beth Salmieri (Los Angeles, CA), Mike Esposito (East Hanover, NJ),
and Mike Beaver H.O.R.S.E-ing around

With this being the first Borgata mixed game featuring Razz (ace-to-five low), or low-ball poker, players are glad to see that all the garbage hands they get can reap benefits.

Unless your Mike Beaver (Philadelphia, PA). "It doesn't matter, I get incredible stud hands," says Beaver who folds his starting cards of ace, ace, queen during the Razz rotation. "Actually I get middle cards, not matter what game I play."

What will Borgata include next, Badugi?

In the field:

"Hollywood" Dave Stann
Steve "Wreckin' Ball" Fiorentini
Kim Findura
Gil Sacks
Barry Levy
Bob "Bullet" Demartino
Glen Englebert
Chris Reslock
Ilya Dement
Pete Mavro

Event 6: 16th Place - Marquette

$1,000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em

Robert Marquette (York, PA) made his last stand with A9 offsuit and got action from Anthony Derosa, who held pocket Kings. 

 Robert Marquette

The board fell Ace-less, J 5 2 J 8, and Robert was dispatched.  He finished 16th for $2,124.

Event 6: 17th Place - Ellis

$1,000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em

Blinds are up to 2,500/5,000 with 500 antes. 

Helen Ellis (New York, NY) opened for 15k on the button and Ian Palomo 3-bet to 45k straight from the small blind.  Helen called.

Helen Ellis

On the 8-high flop, Ian checked, Helen shoved, and Ian called, showing pocket Aces.  Helen held pocket Tens and was drawing slim.

She got no save from the last two community cards and was eliminated in 17th place ($2,124).

Event 6: 18th Place - Serrao

$1,000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em

Antonio Serrao (New Rochelle, NY) was busted by Ketan Pandya.  Antonio finished 18th for $2,124.

Tom Lee was all-in for 28k against Joe Pitti.  Tom's pocket Jacks were even-money against Joe's AK.  The board came 8 8 4 3 2 and Tony doubled to ~60k.

Event 6: Two Tables

$1,000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em

Yesniel 'Jessy' Pulido (Pambroke Pines, FL) busted out in 20th place.

Larry Wolf (Annapolis, MD) busted out in 19th place.

Both earned $1,912 for their efforts.

The final 18 players settle into their seats at the final two tables.  The next three players to leave will each earn $2,124.

Event 6: 21st Place - Ramdin

$1,000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em

Matthew Dubyna busted out in 22nd place.

After on limper, Victor Ramdin (Las Vegas, NV) moved in for 57,400.  Randall Pfeifer moved in for 42,100.  The limper folded and Victor showed A9 off.  He was in bad shape against Randall's pocket 9s.  The board was 8 3 2 7 T and Randall doubled up.  Victor was left with ~15k.

He was all-in again on the next hand after a raise from Robert Marquette.  Victor again had A9 offsuit and was up against AQ.  This time four clubs hit the board and Victor had the only club, so he doubled to about 40k.

Didn't last long, however, and he was eliminated in 21st place.

Both these players earned $1,912.

Event 6: 22 Remain

$1,000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em

Tom Lee doubled up when his KQ turned a King to crack the pocket Queens of Matthew Dubyna.

There have been a couple of all-ins and double-ups already today and two players have hit the rail.

Frank Giaramida (N Massapequa, NY) busted out in 24th place.

In a battle of the blinds, Larry Wolf completed the small and Al Riccobono checked his option.

The flop came  8 8 3 and both checked.  Turn was a Ten and Larry checked, Al bet 13k, and Larry called.  River was a 5.  Larry bet 13k, Al raised to 30k, Larry shoved and Al snap-called, showing 85 for 8s-full-of-5s.  Larry showed T8 for 8s-full-of-Tens and the bigger boat.

Al Riccobono (Ossining, NY) finished in 23rd place.

Both departing players earned $1,912.

Event 9: HORSE Off and Running

$400 + $50 H.O.R.S.E.

For the first time ever during a Borgata Open tournament series, HORSE is being played today.  The game of Razz has only recently been approved in New Jersey and this is the first time it is being offered in a mixed game tournament (previously, they had to play HOSE without the R).

Five games are played in rotation, all in Limit format, 8-handed:
Hold'em
Omaha Hi/Lo
Razz
Stud
Eight or Better (Stud Hi/Lo)

Players began with 15,000 chips and levels are 40 minutes long.  The game changes every 8 hands.

Late entries will be allowed through level four.

Event 6: Back in Action

$1,000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em

24 players have returned to the felt for day two and cards are in the air.

Blinds are 2k/4k with 400 antes.

Levels will be 60 minutes long today.

Event 8: Tournament Regulars

$350 + $50 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry) 

More tournament regulars are turning up and filling in the empty seats.

Table 10 looks very tough with a trio of tournament regulars occupying one end. 

Wooyang Lin, Mike Devinsky, & Frank Gangemi 

Wooyang Lin, Mike Devinsky, and Frank Gangemi are seated together.  I see those three every Borgata Open.  Between them they've logged some serious time on the green felt.

Mike 'Little Man' Sica has arrive and is seated at the same table as Jim Pechac.

Other familiar faces:
Vladimir Peck
Sirous Jamshidi

Event 8: Faces In The Field

$350 + $50 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry) 

There are lots of familiar and unfamiliar faces in the field today, with 44 tables currently in action.  Here are the ones I recognized on my first pass:

James 'Smiley' Chin
Angel 'Pinky' Modica
Kelly Armentrout
James 'Suits' Salters
Tony 'Original Gorilla' Shurilla
Mickey Woll
Ryan Eriquezzo
Tony Antonious
Gordon Eng
Michael Buttacavoli
Sheree Bkofsky
Mike Castaldo
Theen Wey
Austen Johnson
Joseph 'JoeyTheB' Brooks
Paj Patel
Anthony Maio
Gina 'Ginevil' Cannone
Nancy Martin
Mike Dentale
Ta Wey
Alex Torres
Bob Santilli
Mike Kalfa
Wooyang Lin

Event 8: GO!

$350 + $50 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Following a minute of silence in memory of the 10th anniversary of the tragedy of 9/11/2001, tournament director Tab Duchateau gave the directive to "Shuffle Up & Deal!'

Cards are in the air for today's main event!

Blinds start at 25/50.

All tables are dealing as players arrive and find their seats.

Event 8: Ready...Set...

$350 + $50 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Players have begun filing into the Event Center and finding their seats.  Today's 11am event carries a $100,000 guarantee and a very affordable $350 + $50 price tag, which should add up to a great turnout.

Of course we won't know what that turnout is until registration closes, which is after level 6.  Levels are 40 minutes long today and they will get breaks after every three.

Players who bust out during the first six levels may re-enter (as many times as they want).  They just get a re-entry ticket from the dealer at their table and head back to registration.  There is a separate line for re-entries and the ten seat at all tables is being held open for those first re-entering players.

Event 7: Recap

$400 + $50 No Limit Hold'em

The first "Big Stack" No Limit Hold Em event of this year's series didn't disappoint.

Event #7 saw 476 entries chasing an engraved Borgata trophy, Blue Shark Optic sunglasses and the first place prize of $47,190.

East Coast tournament pro, Vinny Pahuja, made a deep run, but failed to collect chips late in the day

He grinded the short stack long after the Dinner Break and eventually busted in 5th place.

Kenny Moyer "flew under the radar" most of the day, but his run-good streak caught fire at just the right time.

Moyer won several consecutive coinflips and bulldozed his way to the Borgata crown, congrats to a well-deserving Champion.

Event 7: Champion

$400 + $50 No Limit Hold'em

Event #7
Number of Entries: 476
Total Buy-In: $190,400

CHAMPION
Kenny Moyer
1st Place - $47,190

Event 7: First Runner-Up

$400 + $50 No Limit Hold'em

Event #7
Number of Entries: 476
Total Buy-In: $190,400

Brian Balamucki
2nd Place - $27,241

Event 6 $1000 + $90 NLH Chip Counts

Borgata Poker Open
Event 6 - $1000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em
September 10-11, 2011

Entries:  219
Total Buy-In:  $219,000

END OF DAY 1 CHIP COUNT LEADERS:

1. DAVID LAUFER (BROOKLYN, NY):  289,200

2. ALEX SMITH (HIGHLAND PARK, NJ):  237,500

3. JOSEPH PITTI (E MEADOW, NY):  235,000

4. MATTHEW DUBYNA (CLINTON, NY):  232,000

5. SCOTT BERMAN (DAVIS, CA):  223,800

6. IAN PALOMO (NEW YORK, NY):  209,000

7. YESNIEL PULIDO (PEMBROKE PINES, FL):  164,000

8. HELEN ELLIS (NEW YORK, NY):  162,800

9. SIMON LAM (BROOKLYN, NY):  156,000

10. RANDALL PFEIFER (CHEEKTOWAGA, NY):  141,500

11. ALEKSANDR BOLOTIN (BROOKLYN, NY):  136,000

12. LAURENCE WOLF (ANNAPOLIS, MD):  131,200

13. MIRSAD KOVACI (ALLENTOWN, PA):  129,400

14. DANIEL APICELLA (HIGHTSTOWN, NJ):  126,800

15. ANNAND RAMDIN (LAS VEGAS, NV):  97,800

16. ANTONIO SERRAO (NEW ROCHELLE, NY):  97,700

17. TOM LEE (DENVER, CO):  92,900

18. SCOTT MATAYA (MORRIS PLAINS, NJ):  84,500

19. BRIAN MOONEY (MIDDLE VILLAGE, NY):  77,400

20. KETAN PANDYA (PISCATAWAY, NJ):  74,900

21. ROBERT MARQUETTE (YORK, PA):  70,100

22. ALBERT RICCOBONO (OSSINING, NY):  63,700

23. FRANK GIARAMIDA (N MASSAPEQUA, NY):  49,000

24. ANTHONY DEROSA (VERONA, NJ):  48,300

Event 7: Heads-Up

$400 + $50 No Limit Hold'em

Heads-Up:
Kenny Moyer (5,515,000) vs Brian Balamucki (3,970,000)

Event #7
Number of Entries: 476
Players remaining: 2
Total Buy-In: $190,400

Recent Eliminations:
3rd - Brandon Vargas (Malverne, NY) - $16,622
4th - Dan Schacher (Lisle, IL) - $13,390

Event 7: No Victory for Vinny

$400 + $50 No Limit Hold'em

Tournamnet Pro Vinny Pahuja grinded a short stack most of the tournament, his run ends in 5th place.

Vinny Pahuja
5th place - $10,527

Event 7: More Final Table Busts

$400 + $50 No Limit Hold'em

Event #7
Number of Entries: 476
Players remaining: 5
Total Buy-In: $190,400

Recent Eliminations:
6th place - Richard Tucker (Charlotte, NC) - $8,773
7th place - Vincent Devita (Bayville, NJ) - $7,018

Chipleader:
Brian Balamucki (Branchburg, NJ) - 3,900,000

Event 7: Missed Draw

$400 + $50 No Limit Hold'em

Inon Hovav (Staten Island, NY) gets his last 600,000 in the middle with 7♠8♠, his flush draw doesnt get there and the New York native is sent home in 8th place.

Inon Hovav (Staten Island, NY)
8th place - $5,356

Event 7: Isabella Busts

$400 + $50 No Limit Hold'em

Brian Balamucki (A♠ 9♠) eliminates Joe Isabella (Q♣9♣) when his top pair fades the flush draw.

The Phillies fan exits in 9th place and collects $3,694 on his way out.

10-minute color up break with 8 players remaining.

Sunday, September 11

Today's Events (Event Center)

11AM: Event 8 - $350 + $50 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

• $100,000 Guaranteed Prize Pool
• Players start with 25,000 in tournament chips 
• Day 1:  Levels will last 40 minutes each |  Day 2:  Levels will last 45 minutes each
• 2-Day event

12PM: Event 9 - $400 + $50 H.O.R.S.E.

• Players start with 15,000 in tournament chips 
• Levels will last 40 minutes each | Final Table Levels will last 50 minutes each 
• 2-Day event

3PM: Event 33 - $200 + $30 No Limit Hold'em

• Players start with 10,000 in tournament chips
• Levels will last 25 minutes each
• 1-Day event

7PM: Event 34 - $125 + $25 + $25 Green Chip Bounty NLH (Re-Entry)

• Players start with 10,000 in tournament chips 
• This is a Bounty Chip tournament.  Players must have their Bounty Chip clearly displayed on the table in order to remain active in the tournament.
• Players that are eliminated within the first 6 Levels may Re-Enter (unlimited Re-Entries)
• Levels will last 20 minutes each 
• 1-Day event

Event 7: First Final Table Bust

$400 + $50 No Limit Hold'em

After orbits of tight play and complaints of fatigue,
we have our first elimination.

Bill Halperin doesn't improve with J♠ 9♦ vs the A♥10♠
of Brandon Vargas and is sent packing in 10th place.

Bill takes home a well-deserved $2,401 for his efforts.

Event 7: Meet the new Chipleader

$400 + $50 No Limit Hold'em

Event #7
Number of Entries: 476
Players remaining: 11
Total Buy-In: $190,400
Avg. Stack: $1,081,000

A message from the Chipleader:
"Jen - it's 6am, I'm bringing home the bacon"

Dan Schacher
1,800,000 chips

Event 7: Payout Post

$400 + $50 No Limit Hold'em

Event #7
Number of Entries: 476
Players remaining: 12
Total Buy-In: $190,400

Payouts:
1st $47,190
2nd $27,241
3rd $16,622
4th $13,390
5th $10,527
6th $8,773
7th $7,018
8th $5,356
9th $3,694
10-12 $2,401

Event 7: My Cousin Vinny

$400 + $50 No Limit Hold'em

Borgata regular and tournament veteran, Vinny Pahuja,
has crawled back into Event #7.

After grinding a short (10-15 big blind) stack most of the tournament, he's in the hunt for another poker title.

Kudos to his loyal railbird for sweating him long after Midnight.

Event #7
Number of Entries: 476
Players remaining: 12
Total Buy-In: $190,400
Avg. Stack: $936,518

Vinny Pahuja (New York, NY)
890,000 chips

Event 7: Late Night Tunes

$400 + $50 No Limit Hold'em

The final 2 tables of Event #7 are enjoying the
background music in Borgata's Event Center.

Playlist:
"Lola" - The Kinks
"Been Caught Stealing" - Jane's Addiction
"Green River" - Creedence Clearwater Revival
"Black Water" - Doobie Brothers

Event 7: Unlucky 13

$400 + $50 No Limit Hold'em

Event #7
Number of Entries: 476
Players remaining: 13
Total Buy-In: $190,400
Avg. Stack: $679,315

The short stacks stay alive...

Table #1
Richard Tucker triples up and stays alive with 5♥5♣

Table #2
Bill Halperin is all-in and doubles up with A♠9♣

Event 7: Added Shout-Out

$400 + $50 No Limit Hold'em

With a top 3 chip stack and travel plans in the works,
Kenny Moyer gives his wife a shout-out via the Borgata Poker Blog.

"Catherine - pack your bags for Jamaica"

Event 7: Two Tables

$400 + $50 No Limit Hold'em

Event #7
Number of Entries: 476
Players remaining: 18
Total Buy-In: $190,400
Avg. Stack: $626,315

Top 3 Chip Counts:
Kenny Moyer - 1,400,000
Brandon Vargas - 1,400,000
Dan Schacher - 1,050,000

Event 7: New Chipleader

$400 + $50 No Limit Hold'em

With only 23 players left, we have a new Chipleader.

Brandon Vargas takes the top spot with 1,300,000 chips.

Brandon Vargas
Malverne, NY
1,300,000

Event 7: Late Night Shout-Outs

$400 + $50 No Limit Hold'em

Brandon Vargas
"Nina and Sebastian - Daddy says hello"

Bill Patterson
"Venita - I'm protecting my chips"
"Bobby Noel - thanks for the basketball shorts"

Dan Schacher
"Jen - I'm bringing home the title for Java"

Eddie Harari
"Pokerstars - I'm about to deposit"

Event 7: Kings Hold

$400 + $50 No Limit Hold'em

Joe Isabella gets K♦ K♣ to hold up in a 3-way pot,
the Phillies fan and Jersey local fist-pumps
and gets one step closer to the $47,190 top prize.

Event #7
Number of Entries: 476
Players remaining: 23
Total Buy-In: $190,400
Avg. Stack: $517,391

Joe Isabella (Egg Harbor Township, NJ)
750,000 chips

Event 7: Poker After Dark

$400 + $50 No Limit Hold'em

Event #7
Number of Entries: 476
Players remaining: 30
Total Buy-In: $190,400
Avg. Stack: $396,666

Top 5 Chip Counts:
Kenny Moyer - 1,300,000
Brandon Vargas - 862,500
Bill Patterson - 537,000
Dan Schacher - 375,000
Inon Hovav - 371,500

Event 6: Bag and Tag

$1,000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em

The night ended with Victor Ramdin, the only
notable pro left in the field, losing the chiplead with A♣ Q♦.

Day 2 of the 1K continues tomorrow at Noon.

Event #6

Number of Entrants:219
Players remaining: 24
Total Buy-In: $219,000

CHIPLEADER
Dave "DL" Laufer
290,000

2nd in Chips
Joe Pitti
235,000

3rd in Chips
Matt Dubyna

232,000

Event 7: Bubble Broke

$400 + $50 No Limit Hold'em

With 4 straight bustouts, the bubble has broken.

We lost the only woman left in the field, but found a new chipleader.

Event #7

Number of Entries: 476
Players remaining: 38
Total Buy-In: $190,400
Avg. Stack: $313,157

CHIPLEADER
Kenny Moyer (Hatfield, PA) - 1,075,000 chips

Event 6: Last Level

$1,000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em

Play continues for 30 more minutes,
the last 3 tables will return tomorrow at Noon.

Notables still alive:
Victor Ramdin (Pokerstars Pro)
Al Riccobono (PPI Poker Pro)

Event #6
Number of Entrants:219
Players remaining: 25
Total Buy-In: $219,000

Event 7: On the Bubbe

$400 + $50 No Limit Hold'em

CHIPLEADER
Brandon Vargas (Melbourne, NY) - 491,000 chips

Event #7
Number of Entries: 476
Players remaining: 49
Total Buy-In: $190,400

Event 7: Wendy

$400 + $50 No Limit Hold'em

Wendy Rubin (New York, NY) is our last lady standing in Event #7.

The filmaker takes a break from making movies to beat the boys at No Limit Hold Em.

Wendy Rubin (New York, NY)
81,000 chips

Event 6: Last Lady

$1,000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em

Helen Ellis (Manhattan, NY) earns the title of last woman standing.

The fiction writer has navigated the 1K field lone enough to stack 121,000 chips.

Originally from Alabama, she married a New Yorker and relocated to the Northeast.

Good luck to the lady, Roll Tide.

Helen Ellis (Manhattan, NY)
121,000 chips

Event 6: Top Stacks

$1,000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em

The remaining 27 players are chasing:

- 1st place prize of $59,477
- Crystal Borgata Trophy
- Blue Shark Optic Sunglasses

Top 5 Chip Counts:
Matt Dubyna (Utica, NY) - 261,000
Ian Palamo (San Antonio, TX) - 216,000
Alex Smith (Highland, NJ ) - 207,500
Nikolay Volper (Bulgaria) - 198,000
Antonio Serrao (New Rochelle, NY) - 191,000

Event 6: Bubble Broke

$1,000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em

The last 27 players are in the money, unfortunately
Warren Wiggins (Randallstown, MD) is our "Bubble Boy."

Event #6
Number of Entrants:219
Players remaining: 27

Warren Wiggins (Randallstown, MD)
"Bubble Boy" - 28th Place

Event 7: Go Eddie Go

$400 + $50 No Limit Hold'em

Eddie Harari helps solve international computer fraud crimes when he's not stacking chips in Borgata's Event Center.

The government computer hacker from Israel is the Chipleader
with a shrinking field.

Event #7
Number of Entries: 476
Players remaining: 59
Total Buy-In: $190,400

CHIPLEADER - Eddie Harari
331,000