$1500 + $150 + $500 Bounty Big Stack NLH
It's a tie for the chip lead at 200,000 chips. Both players with 200K in front of them can be found in The Event Center at table 5.
Ken Adams is in seat-3 looking diagonally at Alex Venovski in seat 8 and both can brag they have the most in the room. Of course things can change quickly around here, like the weather in (insert your home town).
As for the rest of the field, so far the only other stack I saw gaining ground on Ken and Alex is Jim Welsh (Kissimmee, FL) who has 180,000.
If you see Jim make sure to wish him a happy birthday - it's today.
"I'm usually not lucky but today I have been so I guess it's a birthday gift" laughed Jim.
As we chatted I said "I'll be here until 2am" which lead another player to chime in, "hopefully we will be too."
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Event 16: Head Count
$1500 + $150 + $500 Bounty Big Stack NLH
Down to 71 players now at 8 tables. Blinds have just gone up to 600/1,200 with 200 antes for level 11.
Average stack is about 69k which comes to about 57 big blinds.
Play will continue until close to 2am when the remaining players bag & tag their chips for the night.
Ken Adams' got moved again when his table broke. He's now at table 5 and over 200k in chips.
Down to 71 players now at 8 tables. Blinds have just gone up to 600/1,200 with 200 antes for level 11.
Average stack is about 69k which comes to about 57 big blinds.
Play will continue until close to 2am when the remaining players bag & tag their chips for the night.
Ken Adams' got moved again when his table broke. He's now at table 5 and over 200k in chips.
Event 17: Table-One Pair
$350 + $50 Big Stack NLH
Edwin Lau & Marguerite Spagnuolo
Edwin Lau & Marguerite SpagnuoloNo strangers to Borgata Poker or each other, Edwin Lau & Marguerite Spagnuolo have been seated next to each other at Table 1 since the event began. Everyone else is gone while Lau & Spagnuolo managed to survive the talkative table.
Marguerite was sweating her friend Darlene Jackson last night who made the final table in Event 14. Hmm, I don't see Darlene returning the favoring and railing Marguerite. Just saying...
Another Table 1 casualty fell right before my eyes.
Opponent 1 re-shoved all in for 60,000 total, at risk.
Opponent 2 tanks a bit then calls and tables A-K.
99 vs. AK.
As soon as the flop shows Q-A-2, Opponent 1 hangs his head, stands up, gets his jacket, and looks away ready to exit.
Just as the turn card 10 hits the felt, Edwin says, "Oh Wow!" pretending a nine fell giving his boy a set. Opponent 1 looks to the felt expecting to see a nine and extend his tournament life - instead he sees the ten and is the butt of a joke. The timing was right on and the table did laugh. Actually, Opponent 1 laughed too - what a good sport.
Another Queen on the river sent him packing, for real this time.
Players chirped out, "that was wrong" as they all laughed.
67 players remain - 36 get paid.
Average stack is 119,104.
Playing this until it's over folks.
Marguerite was sweating her friend Darlene Jackson last night who made the final table in Event 14. Hmm, I don't see Darlene returning the favoring and railing Marguerite. Just saying...
Another Table 1 casualty fell right before my eyes.
Opponent 1 re-shoved all in for 60,000 total, at risk.
Opponent 2 tanks a bit then calls and tables A-K.
99 vs. AK.
As soon as the flop shows Q-A-2, Opponent 1 hangs his head, stands up, gets his jacket, and looks away ready to exit.
Just as the turn card 10 hits the felt, Edwin says, "Oh Wow!" pretending a nine fell giving his boy a set. Opponent 1 looks to the felt expecting to see a nine and extend his tournament life - instead he sees the ten and is the butt of a joke. The timing was right on and the table did laugh. Actually, Opponent 1 laughed too - what a good sport.
Another Queen on the river sent him packing, for real this time.
Players chirped out, "that was wrong" as they all laughed.
67 players remain - 36 get paid.
Average stack is 119,104.
Playing this until it's over folks.
Event 16: Busted - Harder
$1500 + $150 + $500 Bounty Big Stack NLH
Christian Harder has had a rough day. Never seemed to get any traction.
He just busted out, tweeting:
"Busto 2k. Got it in as a big favorite on the turn and lost."
Christian won the $3k Heads-Up event yesterday, good for over $59,000, so he'll be all right.
Christian Harder has had a rough day. Never seemed to get any traction.
Christian Harder
He just busted out, tweeting:
"Busto 2k. Got it in as a big favorite on the turn and lost."
Christian won the $3k Heads-Up event yesterday, good for over $59,000, so he'll be all right.
Event 16: Last Woman Sitting
$1500 + $150 + $500 Bounty Big Stack NLH
Heather Sue Mercer was one of only a handful of women who played this event and she is, and has been, the last woman sitting for quite a while.
She's currently got about 70k, which is a little above average at this point.
They're currently playing 500/1,000 with 100 antes, so she's in good shape with about 70 big blinds.
Heather Sue finished 4th in event 2, the $350 NLH Black Chip Bounty event, cashing for more than $12,000.
Heather Sue Mercer was one of only a handful of women who played this event and she is, and has been, the last woman sitting for quite a while.
Heather Sue Mercer
She's currently got about 70k, which is a little above average at this point.
They're currently playing 500/1,000 with 100 antes, so she's in good shape with about 70 big blinds.
Heather Sue finished 4th in event 2, the $350 NLH Black Chip Bounty event, cashing for more than $12,000.
Event 17: Graduation Gift
$350 + $50 Big Stack NLH
Matthew Smith - 360,000
Smith's A♦ J♦ vs. Opponent's A♣ 8♥
All the chips get in on a flop of 10♦ 8♦ 3♣
Our young gun drawing to a diamond or a Jack and hits his flush on the turn for a sweet scoop.
Another player at the table must want Matthew to call his stack off again with draws as he said, "Free Chips" as I was leaving - aiming to dig at the former South Carolina Gamecock.
Hey, where's May Siu's controversial t-shirt when we need it?
Matthew Smith - 360,000Matthew Smith is amongst the chip leaders after knocking out a player who had a near equal amount of stacks.
A nice graduation gift for the University of South Carolina recent graduate.
It's Smith's second time at Borgata as he's made the trip up from Ft. Lauderdale.
A nice graduation gift for the University of South Carolina recent graduate.
It's Smith's second time at Borgata as he's made the trip up from Ft. Lauderdale.
Smith's A♦ J♦ vs. Opponent's A♣ 8♥
All the chips get in on a flop of 10♦ 8♦ 3♣
Our young gun drawing to a diamond or a Jack and hits his flush on the turn for a sweet scoop.
Another player at the table must want Matthew to call his stack off again with draws as he said, "Free Chips" as I was leaving - aiming to dig at the former South Carolina Gamecock.
Hey, where's May Siu's controversial t-shirt when we need it?
Event 16: 81 Remain
$1500 + $150 + $500 Bounty Big Stack NLH
Jonathan Little (bb) called a short-stack's all-in holding K8 suited. The short-stack was ahead with pocket Jacks. The board ran clean until the river, when a King fell.
Jonathan took the pot and his first bounty chip of the day.
With that player's elimination they were down to 81 players.
Another level is done and players are taking a break while the green 25 chips are colored up.
Jonathan Little (bb) called a short-stack's all-in holding K8 suited. The short-stack was ahead with pocket Jacks. The board ran clean until the river, when a King fell.
Jonathan took the pot and his first bounty chip of the day.
With that player's elimination they were down to 81 players.
Another level is done and players are taking a break while the green 25 chips are colored up.
Event 16: Chip Counts
$1500 + $150 + $500 Bounty Big Stack NLH
Some rough chip counts for an assortment of players:
Feming Chan - 110k
John Racener - 90k
Todd Terry - 70k
Vinny Pahuja - 55k
'Action' Bob Hwang - 45k
Eugene Todd - 45k
Jeremy McLaughlin - 35k
Christian Harder - 25k
Cornell Cimpan - 20k
Feming Chan
Some rough chip counts for an assortment of players:
Feming Chan - 110k
John Racener - 90k
Todd Terry - 70k
Vinny Pahuja - 55k
'Action' Bob Hwang - 45k
Eugene Todd - 45k
Jeremy McLaughlin - 35k
Christian Harder - 25k
Cornell Cimpan - 20k
Event 17: Colleen Mean Fighting Machine
$350 + $50 Big Stack NLH
Colleen Lewis (Brick, NJ) Triples Up
Colleen Lewis will take all your chips with a smile. Borgata is her casino but is only to play every so often, trying to come in for a hit and run. Looking down at bullets when you only have 14,000 left will certainly help her cause. Colleen triples up to 48,000.
Mike Rodriguez (Ledgewood, NJ) says "nicely done" as his wired sevens go down in flames. Mike says he's been beating up on Colleen all day and was happy to see her win one with her tournament at risk.
Board ran: 6-3-8-J-6
Third Opponent mucked after seeing Colleen's hand.
"Nice to get aces there. I was so nervous" laughed Colleen.
Lewis finished 2nd in the Ladies Event during the 2009 Borgata Summer Poker Open.
Break coming up at the end of this level.
Colleen Lewis (Brick, NJ) Triples UpColleen Lewis will take all your chips with a smile. Borgata is her casino but is only to play every so often, trying to come in for a hit and run. Looking down at bullets when you only have 14,000 left will certainly help her cause. Colleen triples up to 48,000.
Mike Rodriguez (Ledgewood, NJ) says "nicely done" as his wired sevens go down in flames. Mike says he's been beating up on Colleen all day and was happy to see her win one with her tournament at risk.
Board ran: 6-3-8-J-6
Third Opponent mucked after seeing Colleen's hand.
"Nice to get aces there. I was so nervous" laughed Colleen.
Lewis finished 2nd in the Ladies Event during the 2009 Borgata Summer Poker Open.
Break coming up at the end of this level.
Event 16: Making Moves, On the Move
$1500 + $150 + $500 Bounty Big Stack NLH
Cornell Cimpan raised, then folded to an all-in shove. Cornell showed the pocket 9s he was folding. Then his opponent showed his pocket 3s.
Cornell Cimpan
It appears that the player on table two, seat 1, is the chip leader with about 190k. He wants to remain anonymous, for now.
Table 11 is gone so 10 tables are left. Ken Adams was then moved from table 10 to table 9 to balance, so he is no longer seated left of Jonathan Little. Now he's seated left of Christian Harder and two seats right of Eugene Todd.
Event 17: Malkotsis Making Moves
$350 + $50 Big Stack NLH
Spyros Malkotsis - 120,000
I asked the table if there were any enemies here, if anyone had a nemesis? Spyros Malkotsis (Long Island, NY) immediately quipped back, "yeah, the deck".
Before receiving a new address, Spyros was lovin Table 21, at least from 6:30-7:30. "I was down to 5400 chips and since the start couldn't get past the starting 20,000" explained Malkotisis.
Then in one hour's time he hit a heater and shot up from 5400 to 120,000. The biggest double up came when he rivered a flush up against a big pair.
Hey, sounds like the deck isn't your nemesis after-all, at least for now.
Spyros said he'll see all our blog readers at the final table, so stay here to see if his prediction pans out.
83 Players remain.
Average chip stack: 96,144
Spyros Malkotsis - 120,000I asked the table if there were any enemies here, if anyone had a nemesis? Spyros Malkotsis (Long Island, NY) immediately quipped back, "yeah, the deck".
Before receiving a new address, Spyros was lovin Table 21, at least from 6:30-7:30. "I was down to 5400 chips and since the start couldn't get past the starting 20,000" explained Malkotisis.
Then in one hour's time he hit a heater and shot up from 5400 to 120,000. The biggest double up came when he rivered a flush up against a big pair.
Hey, sounds like the deck isn't your nemesis after-all, at least for now.
Spyros said he'll see all our blog readers at the final table, so stay here to see if his prediction pans out.
83 Players remain.
Average chip stack: 96,144
Event 16: Latest from the Twitter-verse
$1500 + $150 + $500 Bounty Big Stack NLH
Here are the latest tweets from players still in this event:
Here are the latest tweets from players still in this event:
TreMomey
Trevor Savage
Out, utg raise 1.2k feming
calls mp I make it 3.8k w kk btn cold call bb cold call utg call fem
calls lol. J97r we all ch to btn who
TreMomey
Trevor Savage
Bets 4.2k bb calls others fold I jam 31.5k more btn folds bb calls w 910, 9 on turn gg got me one bounty tho!
Dinner break is over. 6 more 1-hr levels to play tonight. 113 of 246 players left. Avg stack about 42K. I have about 155K
AK loses to AQ to put me at 70k.. down to 33k..blinds 300 600
Event 17: Payouts
$350 + $50 Big Stack NLH
Entries: 398
Total Buy-In: $139,300
Place - Amount
1st ..............$36,483
2nd .............$20,268
3rd ..............$12,566
4th ..............$10,134
5th ..............$ 7,837
6th ..............$ 6,621
7th ..............$ 5,337
8th ..............$ 3,986
9th ..............$2,702
10-12 ..........$1,757
13-15 ..........$1,351
16-18 ..........$1,149
19-27 ..........$1,013
28-36 ..........$ 811
This one-day tournament will finish tonight.
Entries: 398
Total Buy-In: $139,300
Place - Amount
1st ..............$36,483
2nd .............$20,268
3rd ..............$12,566
4th ..............$10,134
5th ..............$ 7,837
6th ..............$ 6,621
7th ..............$ 5,337
8th ..............$ 3,986
9th ..............$2,702
10-12 ..........$1,757
13-15 ..........$1,351
16-18 ..........$1,149
19-27 ..........$1,013
28-36 ..........$ 811
This one-day tournament will finish tonight.
Event 16: D'Angelo Done
$1500 + $150 + $500 Bounty Big Stack NLH
John Racener opened for a raise and Ryan D'Angelo three-bet. Aziz Muinde (Philadelphia, PA) moved in.
John folded, but Ryan called all-in, showing AK suited. Aziz held pocket Queens.
The Queens held up and Aziz collected the pot and Ryan's bounty chip. He's up to ~100k.
Ryan headed for the exit.
John Racener opened for a raise and Ryan D'Angelo three-bet. Aziz Muinde (Philadelphia, PA) moved in.
Aziz Muinde
John folded, but Ryan called all-in, showing AK suited. Aziz held pocket Queens.
The Queens held up and Aziz collected the pot and Ryan's bounty chip. He's up to ~100k.
Ryan headed for the exit.
Event 15 Recap
$350 + $50 Pot Limit Omaha H/L
The PLO H/L championship came down to a battle of the big stacks and when Tommy Blank (Stamford, CT) stacks the final chip he takes the title and the $12,222 first prize. He outlasts the field of 120 players who ponied up a total of $42,000 of buy-in money and battled over two days.
Blank asserted himself as the chip leader with 40 players left and maintained a top stack the rest of the way. In the end he finished just ahead of Zelig Flaschstatz (Queens, NY), who took home $6,772 as runner-up.
The most bizarre part of the tournament happened as the bubble broke at the end of Day 1 when Douglas Hamshaw (Marlborough, NH) walked away from a winning hand and thought he busted from the tournament. He was tracked down on the casino floor and was told that he had tripled-up and actually made the money.
"I had just lost a big pot and had so few chips that I cashed it in mentally," said Hamshaw, who's account can be read here. "The lesson is stay until the hand is really over."
When play resumed Day 2, Hamshaw's new life was short lived as he was the first to cash with an 18th place finish ($611). Day 1 chip leader Eddie Espino (Piscataway, NJ) couldn't get anything going and his elimination (11th/$815) set the final table.
Most of the notable players failed to make the money including Event 9 (HORSE/$14,319) Champion Jeffrey Duvall (London, England) and WSOP bracelet holder Chris Reslock (Atlantic City, NJ). Other PLO specialists included Bill Seymour, James Boyd, and Dr. Will Noyes.
The biggest names to cash were Brian Woods (Baltimore, MD) the 2010 Borgata Winter Poker Open Event 1 winner for $100,000, who finished 8th/$1,222 in this event and Larry Gold (Medford, NY), who has multiple Borgata cashes including a second place finish in the Borgata Winter Poker Open HOSE event.
But in the end its Blank who wins it "for the beans." He's been playing poker professionally for nine years and says he "moved into" Borgata three months ago where you can find him daily in the high limit room playing games as high as $300/$600.
The PLO H/L championship came down to a battle of the big stacks and when Tommy Blank (Stamford, CT) stacks the final chip he takes the title and the $12,222 first prize. He outlasts the field of 120 players who ponied up a total of $42,000 of buy-in money and battled over two days.
Blank asserted himself as the chip leader with 40 players left and maintained a top stack the rest of the way. In the end he finished just ahead of Zelig Flaschstatz (Queens, NY), who took home $6,772 as runner-up.
The most bizarre part of the tournament happened as the bubble broke at the end of Day 1 when Douglas Hamshaw (Marlborough, NH) walked away from a winning hand and thought he busted from the tournament. He was tracked down on the casino floor and was told that he had tripled-up and actually made the money.
"I had just lost a big pot and had so few chips that I cashed it in mentally," said Hamshaw, who's account can be read here. "The lesson is stay until the hand is really over."
When play resumed Day 2, Hamshaw's new life was short lived as he was the first to cash with an 18th place finish ($611). Day 1 chip leader Eddie Espino (Piscataway, NJ) couldn't get anything going and his elimination (11th/$815) set the final table.
Most of the notable players failed to make the money including Event 9 (HORSE/$14,319) Champion Jeffrey Duvall (London, England) and WSOP bracelet holder Chris Reslock (Atlantic City, NJ). Other PLO specialists included Bill Seymour, James Boyd, and Dr. Will Noyes.
The biggest names to cash were Brian Woods (Baltimore, MD) the 2010 Borgata Winter Poker Open Event 1 winner for $100,000, who finished 8th/$1,222 in this event and Larry Gold (Medford, NY), who has multiple Borgata cashes including a second place finish in the Borgata Winter Poker Open HOSE event.
But in the end its Blank who wins it "for the beans." He's been playing poker professionally for nine years and says he "moved into" Borgata three months ago where you can find him daily in the high limit room playing games as high as $300/$600.
Event 15 Champion
$350 + $50 Pot Limit Omaha H/L
Blank is the PLO H/L champion as he wins the cash, the trophy and the Blue Shark Optics sunglasses.
Blank has been playing poker professionally for nine years and says he "moved into" Borgata three months ago where you can find him daily in the high limit room playing games as high as $300/$600. He loves to play games like PLO H/L and would like to see them on a more regular basis.
Blank adds that he's the only person at Borgata without a sell phone and doesn't believe in Facebook. He loves the idea of playing poker "for the beans."
Tommy Blank (Stamford, CT)
$12,222
$12,222
Blank is the PLO H/L champion as he wins the cash, the trophy and the Blue Shark Optics sunglasses.
Blank has been playing poker professionally for nine years and says he "moved into" Borgata three months ago where you can find him daily in the high limit room playing games as high as $300/$600. He loves to play games like PLO H/L and would like to see them on a more regular basis.
Blank adds that he's the only person at Borgata without a sell phone and doesn't believe in Facebook. He loves the idea of playing poker "for the beans."
Event 15: 2nd Place - Flaschstatz
$350 + $50 Pot Limit Omaha H/L
Zelig Flaschstatz (Queens, NY)
$6,722
$6,722
A colorful man at the table, but few words away from it, Flaschstatz plays poker for fun and sells retail watches.
Event 17: Dentale Drops Out
$350 + $50 Big Stack NLH
Mikey "Unbelievable" Dentale is done for the day. He shipped his remaining 54,000 chips in with pocket sevens and saw a re-shove from Gene Santora (Long Island, NY) holding A♦-K♦
Gene loved the flop of 2♦ J♦ J♠ and improved after turning the A♠.
Q♣ on the river spelled curtains for Dentale.
Gene is now up to 120,000 in chips and feeling good.
Started the day with 398 players - 10 tables remain all vying for a chunk of the $139,300 prize pool.
Mikey "Unbelievable" Dentale is done for the day. He shipped his remaining 54,000 chips in with pocket sevens and saw a re-shove from Gene Santora (Long Island, NY) holding A♦-K♦
Gene loved the flop of 2♦ J♦ J♠ and improved after turning the A♠.
Q♣ on the river spelled curtains for Dentale.
Gene is now up to 120,000 in chips and feeling good.
Started the day with 398 players - 10 tables remain all vying for a chunk of the $139,300 prize pool.
Event 16: Callahan Collecting
$1500 + $150 + $500 Bounty Big Stack NLH
Jerry Calahan has collected ~165k. When I asked how, it was two key hands. He flopped an open-ended against top pair, and turned a better pair.
Then he had pocket Kings and got another player all-in holding pocket Queens. Jerry's Kings held up and he collected another bounty.
He's now got three purple chips in his pocket, so his buy-in is covered.
Jerry was at table 12, but that table has broken leaving 11 active tables and 99 active players.
Jerry landed at table 1 to the right of Jeremy McLaughlin.
Jerry Calahan has collected ~165k. When I asked how, it was two key hands. He flopped an open-ended against top pair, and turned a better pair.
Jerry Callahan
Then he had pocket Kings and got another player all-in holding pocket Queens. Jerry's Kings held up and he collected another bounty.
He's now got three purple chips in his pocket, so his buy-in is covered.
Jerry was at table 12, but that table has broken leaving 11 active tables and 99 active players.
Jerry landed at table 1 to the right of Jeremy McLaughlin.
PPI Points Challenge
Guest Post:
As the Borgata Poker Open enters its 2nd week, many PPI players have already had success in several events. Vinny Pahuja, Mike Dentale, Gordon Eng and several others have made deep runs in the large field events.
As the WPT Championship Event nears, expect to see many more PPI Pros checking into the TOP destination for poker players.
The Borgata has long been a favorite stop for both local players and those who travel the circuit. The accommodations, night life, restaurants, spa/gym, in combination with the best tournaments and staff are just a few of the reasons you will find such large fields of players from all over the world at any Borgata event.
Check out www.ppipoker.com to see our rosters of players and follow them on their journey to capture poker glory!
Best of luck to all ......
Eric Siegel - Co-Founder, Director of Marketing PPI
Here is the updated PPI Leaderboard:
(Final Results from Events 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,
25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
162.405 PTS: MATTHEW MAZZEO (EAST WILLISTON, NY)
153.563 PTS: JAMES BOYLE (HAVRE DE GRACE, MD)
137.025 PTS: MICHAEL DENTALE (BROOKLYN, NY)
125.620 PTS: VINEET PAHUJA (HICKSVILLE, NY)
116.800 PTS: MICHAEL SICA JR (N BRUNSWICK, NJ)
115.550 PTS: RYAN ERIQUEZZO (DANBURY, CT)
95.225 PTS: ROSLYN QUARTO (EDISON, NJ)
81.700 PTS: ROBERT HWANG (BARNEGAT, NJ)
78.900 PTS: JAMES SALTERS (W HEMPSTEAD, NY)
78.213 PTS: ALBERT RICCOBONO (OSSINING, NY)
58.100 PTS: EUGENE TODD (BROOKLYN, NY)
57.000 PTS: ANTHONY CAMPAGNA (MANORVILLE, NY)
54.900 PTS: GORDON ENG (CLIFFSIDE PARK, NJ)
50.863 PTS: MICHAEL BORCHETTA (LAGRANGEVILLE, NY)
48.600 PTS: IAN PALOMO (NEW YORK, NY)
46.350 PTS: DAVID INSELBERG (LONG BEACH, NY)
44.100 PTS: JASON YOUNG (SUFFERN, NY)
40.050 PTS: ADAM LIPPERT (BROOKLYN, NY)
39.300 PTS: SHEREE BYKOFSKY (ATLANTIC CITY, NJ)
36.413 PTS: MICHAEL CASTALDO (PALISADES, NY)
34.200 PTS: CHRIS RESLOCK (ATLANTIC CITY, NJ)
33.600 PTS: JOSHUA BRIKIS (MURRYSVILLE, PA)
33.588 PTS: GEORGE MEDRANO (REGO PARK, NY)
30.050 PTS: JAMES STENELLA (PIPERSVILLE, PA)
29.550 PTS: ANDREW KLOC (NAUGATUCK, CT)
27.600 PTS: JONATHAN SORSCHER (LYNBROOK, NY)
26.863 PTS: KAREN PEREZ (CHALFONT, PA)
20.500 PTS: JACK SCHANBACHER (PITTSBURGH, PA)
20.200 PTS: JONATHAN WERZ (MELVILLE, NY)
18.675 PTS: KELLY ARMENTROUT (ALEXANDRIA, VA)
18.675 PTS: LISA PICKELL (BRICK, NJ)
16.800 PTS: CHARLES MARCHESE (SHOREHAM, NY)
16.800 PTS: FELIX MOK (BROOKLYN, NY)
16.800 PTS: CONCETTA RINALDI (LYNBROOK, NY)
10.800 PTS: ADAM GERBER (MOORESTOWN, NJ)
10.800 PTS: JAMIE KERSTETTER (MONROE TWP., NJ)
8.400 PTS: BRENT KELLER (HORSHAM, PA)
7.638 PTS: CARL RESTIFO (WARETOWN, NJ)
As the Borgata Poker Open enters its 2nd week, many PPI players have already had success in several events. Vinny Pahuja, Mike Dentale, Gordon Eng and several others have made deep runs in the large field events.
As the WPT Championship Event nears, expect to see many more PPI Pros checking into the TOP destination for poker players.
The Borgata has long been a favorite stop for both local players and those who travel the circuit. The accommodations, night life, restaurants, spa/gym, in combination with the best tournaments and staff are just a few of the reasons you will find such large fields of players from all over the world at any Borgata event.
Check out www.ppipoker.com to see our rosters of players and follow them on their journey to capture poker glory!
Best of luck to all ......
Eric Siegel - Co-Founder, Director of Marketing PPI
Here is the updated PPI Leaderboard:
(Final Results from Events 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,
25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
162.405 PTS: MATTHEW MAZZEO (EAST WILLISTON, NY)
153.563 PTS: JAMES BOYLE (HAVRE DE GRACE, MD)
137.025 PTS: MICHAEL DENTALE (BROOKLYN, NY)
125.620 PTS: VINEET PAHUJA (HICKSVILLE, NY)
116.800 PTS: MICHAEL SICA JR (N BRUNSWICK, NJ)
115.550 PTS: RYAN ERIQUEZZO (DANBURY, CT)
95.225 PTS: ROSLYN QUARTO (EDISON, NJ)
81.700 PTS: ROBERT HWANG (BARNEGAT, NJ)
78.900 PTS: JAMES SALTERS (W HEMPSTEAD, NY)
78.213 PTS: ALBERT RICCOBONO (OSSINING, NY)
58.100 PTS: EUGENE TODD (BROOKLYN, NY)
57.000 PTS: ANTHONY CAMPAGNA (MANORVILLE, NY)
54.900 PTS: GORDON ENG (CLIFFSIDE PARK, NJ)
50.863 PTS: MICHAEL BORCHETTA (LAGRANGEVILLE, NY)
48.600 PTS: IAN PALOMO (NEW YORK, NY)
46.350 PTS: DAVID INSELBERG (LONG BEACH, NY)
44.100 PTS: JASON YOUNG (SUFFERN, NY)
40.050 PTS: ADAM LIPPERT (BROOKLYN, NY)
39.300 PTS: SHEREE BYKOFSKY (ATLANTIC CITY, NJ)
36.413 PTS: MICHAEL CASTALDO (PALISADES, NY)
34.200 PTS: CHRIS RESLOCK (ATLANTIC CITY, NJ)
33.600 PTS: JOSHUA BRIKIS (MURRYSVILLE, PA)
33.588 PTS: GEORGE MEDRANO (REGO PARK, NY)
30.050 PTS: JAMES STENELLA (PIPERSVILLE, PA)
29.550 PTS: ANDREW KLOC (NAUGATUCK, CT)
27.600 PTS: JONATHAN SORSCHER (LYNBROOK, NY)
26.863 PTS: KAREN PEREZ (CHALFONT, PA)
20.500 PTS: JACK SCHANBACHER (PITTSBURGH, PA)
20.200 PTS: JONATHAN WERZ (MELVILLE, NY)
18.675 PTS: KELLY ARMENTROUT (ALEXANDRIA, VA)
18.675 PTS: LISA PICKELL (BRICK, NJ)
16.800 PTS: CHARLES MARCHESE (SHOREHAM, NY)
16.800 PTS: FELIX MOK (BROOKLYN, NY)
16.800 PTS: CONCETTA RINALDI (LYNBROOK, NY)
10.800 PTS: ADAM GERBER (MOORESTOWN, NJ)
10.800 PTS: JAMIE KERSTETTER (MONROE TWP., NJ)
8.400 PTS: BRENT KELLER (HORSHAM, PA)
7.638 PTS: CARL RESTIFO (WARETOWN, NJ)
Event 17: Big (Chips) Ben Geller
$350 + $50 Big Stack NLH
Ben Geller - 300,000
As Ben Geller's (Long Island, NY) table is breaking up I spoke with him. He's now up to 300,000 but doesn't want to reveal any of his poker acumen as to how he got those chips.
He just overtook Abe Gordon for the tournament chip lead - but only by 10,000.
101 players remain and 36 cash.
Level 13: Blinds are 1200 / 2400 with 300 antes.
Ben Geller - 300,000As Ben Geller's (Long Island, NY) table is breaking up I spoke with him. He's now up to 300,000 but doesn't want to reveal any of his poker acumen as to how he got those chips.
He just overtook Abe Gordon for the tournament chip lead - but only by 10,000.
101 players remain and 36 cash.
Level 13: Blinds are 1200 / 2400 with 300 antes.
Event 16: Papola Punished
$1500 + $150 + $500 Bounty Big Stack NLH
Jeffrey Papola got his chips in the middle holding pocket Jacks. Mike Delvecchio was seated on his right and held pocket Aces.
"You played those Aces to perfection" commented Todd Terry, when Mike was telling me about the hand.
Mike now has Jeffrey's chips and his $500 bounty while Jeffrey has the rest of the night off.
Jeffrey Papola got his chips in the middle holding pocket Jacks. Mike Delvecchio was seated on his right and held pocket Aces.
Mike Delvecchio
"You played those Aces to perfection" commented Todd Terry, when Mike was telling me about the hand.
Mike now has Jeffrey's chips and his $500 bounty while Jeffrey has the rest of the night off.
Event 16: Dinner Break Done
$1500 + $150 + $500 Bounty Big Stack NLH
Players have retaken their seats following the dinner break.
Blind are now 300/600 with 75 antes for level 8.
Cards are in the air.
Players have retaken their seats following the dinner break.
Blind are now 300/600 with 75 antes for level 8.
Cards are in the air.
Leaderboard Update (9/15)
Borgata Poker Open Leaderboard Update
By participating in any Borgata Poker Open event (September 7-23, 2011), players will earn points based upon the Borgata Poker Tournament Leaderboard Formula.
By participating in any Borgata Poker Open event (September 7-23, 2011), players will earn points based upon the Borgata Poker Tournament Leaderboard Formula.
Winners will be announced Monday, September 26:
- 1st Place: $3,500 Entry for Borgata Fall Poker Open (November 9-23, 2011)
- 2nd - 4th Place: Sony Web TV
- 5th - 7th Place: Apple iPod Touch
- 8th - 10th Place: Nikon digital camera
Below are the top scores for the Borgata Poker Open Leaderboard contest through September 14 events*
*(Final Results from events 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
407.638 PTS: BYUNG YOO (NORWOOD, NJ)
352.188 PTS: JAMES BOYLE (HAVRE DE GRACE, MD)
346.500 PTS: VINCENT MAGLIO (REVERE, MA)
330.175 PTS: JOSEPH LIBERTA (BERLIN, NJ)
310.693 PTS: MITCHELL MANTIN (LAS VEGAS, NV)
306.915 PTS: GONZALO VILLARREAL (E HANOVER, NJ)
294.650 PTS: ROBERT CHUNG-SHUI (NEW YORK, NY)
293.750 PTS: MICHAEL WATTERS (MIDDLE VLG, NY)
281.430 PTS: SAAD GHANEM (ROSEDALE, MD)
278.350 PTS: MANH NGUYEN (MUNHALL, PA)
275.508 PTS: MICHAEL HOLM (WOODRIDGE, IL)
269.613 PTS: STANLEY COMBS (BROOKVILLE, OH)
265.088 PTS: TOMASZ GLINIECKI (JACKSON, NJ)
260.615 PTS: TA WEY (HACKENSACK, NJ)
251.880 PTS: MATTHEW MAZZEO (EAST WILLISTON, NY)
Event 15: 3rd Place - Couden
$350 + $50 Pot Limit Omaha H/L
Joe Couden (Columbus, OH)
$3,870
$3,870
Coudon has been a poker pro five years and is feeling the effects of the DOJ Black Friday crackdown on U.S. internet poker. This was his first live PLO H/L tournament and Couden says he navigated a 5k short stack at the Day 1 dinner break all the way to a third place finish.
Event 16: Payouts
$1500 + $150 + $500 Bounty Big Stack NLH
Entries: 246
Total Buy-In: $369,000
Place - Amount
1st $100,225
2nd $59,058
3rd $34,003
4th $27,561
5th $21,476
6th $17,897
7th $14,317
8th $10,738
9th $7,159
10-12 $4,653
13-15 $3,937
16-18 $3,579
19-27 $3,221
Entries: 246
Total Buy-In: $369,000
Place - Amount
1st $100,225
2nd $59,058
3rd $34,003
4th $27,561
5th $21,476
6th $17,897
7th $14,317
8th $10,738
9th $7,159
10-12 $4,653
13-15 $3,937
16-18 $3,579
19-27 $3,221
Event 17: Chow Time
$350 + $50 Big Stack NLH
Of the nearly 400 players in the event, three-quarters of the field is gone as 105 players remain. Here's a look at some of the faces that played in the event as they're on a one hour dinner break.
Of the nearly 400 players in the event, three-quarters of the field is gone as 105 players remain. Here's a look at some of the faces that played in the event as they're on a one hour dinner break.
Natalia Kolmykov (Paramus, NJ)
Katie Huynch (Falls Church, VA)
Nicole DeFrancesco (New Haven, CT)
Kristal Vergara (New City, NY)
Event 16: Dinner Time
$1500 + $150 + $500 Bounty Big Stack NLH
Players have evacuated the tournament area for a one hour dinner break.
Thirteen tables remain (112 players).
Play will resume at about 7:45pm.
Players have evacuated the tournament area for a one hour dinner break.
Thirteen tables remain (112 players).
Play will resume at about 7:45pm.
Event 15: 4th Place - Bennette
$350 + $50 Pot Limit Omaha H/L
Stephen Bennette (Brooklyn, NY)
$3,259
$3,259
Bennette couldn't believe he knocked out two people on the tournament's first hand. "I got lucky on the river," he says when 5th street brings a 4 and he scoops the pot.
Bennette has a consulting business in the mental healthcare field and plays tournaments at Borgata when he gets the chance.
Event 15: 5th Place - Montilla
$350 + $50 Pot Limit Omaha H/L
Vic Montilla (New York, NY)
$2,444
$2,444
Montilla is a financial executive who plays most of his poker in the high limit room. This was his first PLO H/L tournament and says he "loves it." His tournament ends after surviving what he says seems like "30 all ins," throughout the two day event.
Instead of supporting him on the rail, Montilla's wife Daisy was there in spirit as she was spending her time at Borgata playing the slots.
Instead of supporting him on the rail, Montilla's wife Daisy was there in spirit as she was spending her time at Borgata playing the slots.
Event 16: Random Seating
$1500 + $150 + $500 Bounty Big Stack NLH
With the breaking of tables and moving of players in this event, tough tables just get tougher as surviving players from broken tables get moved into empty seats.
This has happened on table 8 and resulted in Todd Terry landing on the immediate left of Jeffrey Papola.
Todd's tournament earnings are approaching 2 million. Jeffrey's WSOP bracelet from 2010 accounts for about a third of his $1.7 million in tournament earnings. These two know how to work their chips, so this will make an interesting match-up.
With the breaking of tables and moving of players in this event, tough tables just get tougher as surviving players from broken tables get moved into empty seats.
Jeffrey Papola and Todd Terry
This has happened on table 8 and resulted in Todd Terry landing on the immediate left of Jeffrey Papola.
Todd's tournament earnings are approaching 2 million. Jeffrey's WSOP bracelet from 2010 accounts for about a third of his $1.7 million in tournament earnings. These two know how to work their chips, so this will make an interesting match-up.
Event 17: Chip Leader
$350 + $50 Big Stack NLH
Nearly 400 players are in the field and Abe Gordon (Lakewood, NJ) emerges as the chip leader with 205k.
Honest Abe Stealing Chips
Nearly 400 players are in the field and Abe Gordon (Lakewood, NJ) emerges as the chip leader with 205k.
Event 16: More Departures
$1500 + $150 + $500 Bounty Big Stack NLH
These folks have vanished into the mist:
Dwyte Pilgrim
Brock Parker
Feming Chan
David Inselberg
Alex Smith
Barry Leventhal
Nick Frangos
David Diaz
David Laufer
Anthony Caruso
Steve Ryan
14 tables remain as the clock is ticking its way towards the dinner break.
These folks have vanished into the mist:
Dwyte Pilgrim
Brock Parker
Feming Chan
David Inselberg
Alex Smith
Barry Leventhal
Nick Frangos
David Diaz
David Laufer
Anthony Caruso
Steve Ryan
14 tables remain as the clock is ticking its way towards the dinner break.
Event 15: 6th Place - Lynch
$350 + $50 Pot Limit Omaha H/L
Lynch is currently a golf assistant at Jumping Brook CC in Neptune, NJ after a career as a regional pro golfer. He plays poker recreationally and loves coming to Borgata.
"Unless you're the best in the world you don't get to play golf against Tiger Woods. Poker isn't like that and at Borgata you never know who's going to be at the table and you may get the chance to play against some of the players you see on tv."
Bobby Lynch (Manalapan, NJ)
$2,037
Lynch is currently a golf assistant at Jumping Brook CC in Neptune, NJ after a career as a regional pro golfer. He plays poker recreationally and loves coming to Borgata.
"Unless you're the best in the world you don't get to play golf against Tiger Woods. Poker isn't like that and at Borgata you never know who's going to be at the table and you may get the chance to play against some of the players you see on tv."
Event 16: Field Update
$1500 + $150 + $500 Bounty Big Stack NLH
Play resumed after the break with blinds of 250/500 with 50 antes.
The first order of business was to break table 16, so 15 tables (135 players) remain.
Average stack is ~36k. That's about 72 big blinds, so an average stack is in good shape at this point.
This will be the last level before they take dinner, which will be about 6:45pm.
Play resumed after the break with blinds of 250/500 with 50 antes.
The first order of business was to break table 16, so 15 tables (135 players) remain.
Average stack is ~36k. That's about 72 big blinds, so an average stack is in good shape at this point.
This will be the last level before they take dinner, which will be about 6:45pm.
Event 16: New Chip Leader
$1500 + $150 + $500 Bounty Big Stack NLH
Sixteen tables remain with about 140 players still in action. They've just wrapped up level 6 and are taking a break.
Looks like Ken Adams has claimed the chip lead with about 170k.
Jonathan Little is seated on Ken's right and is sitting on about 33k. He says the chips are flying at his table, but he can't seem to get any of them.
Over on table one, Steve Dannenmann was all-in with AJ and James Boyle held AK. A King on he flop spelled the end for Steve, who tossed his $500 chip to James saying "you're buying tonight".
Sixteen tables remain with about 140 players still in action. They've just wrapped up level 6 and are taking a break.
Ken Adams
Looks like Ken Adams has claimed the chip lead with about 170k.
Jonathan Little is seated on Ken's right and is sitting on about 33k. He says the chips are flying at his table, but he can't seem to get any of them.
Over on table one, Steve Dannenmann was all-in with AJ and James Boyle held AK. A King on he flop spelled the end for Steve, who tossed his $500 chip to James saying "you're buying tonight".
Event 15: 7th Place - Shackelford
$350 + $50 Pot Limit Omaha H/L
Ray Shackelford (Fredricksburg, VA)
$1,630
Event 16: Bust-a-Tweet
$1500 + $150 + $500 Bounty Big Stack NLH
The lastest bust-outs reported via Twitter:
The lastest bust-outs reported via Twitter:
Got up to 24k then defend 55
and we go 6 ways to flop 457dd. Young aggro kid cbets 1600, old guy
makes it 5k with 6ish behind, I shove
Event 16: Boyle's Bender
$1500 + $150 + $500 Bounty Big Stack NLH
Despite the serious amount of talent in this event, not everyone is maintaining their poker faces.
Over on table one, Steve Dannenmann and James Boyle are doing shots of something unidentified.
James says this is a continuation of the same bender he was on during the WSOP.
He did made one final table during this WSOP, finishing 9th in a $1,500 No Limit Hold'em Event and cashing for over $59,000.
Despite the serious amount of talent in this event, not everyone is maintaining their poker faces.
James Boyle
Over on table one, Steve Dannenmann and James Boyle are doing shots of something unidentified.
James says this is a continuation of the same bender he was on during the WSOP.
He did made one final table during this WSOP, finishing 9th in a $1,500 No Limit Hold'em Event and cashing for over $59,000.
Event 16: Chip Leader
$1500 + $150 + $500 Bounty Big Stack NLH
Kunal Patel (Houston, TX) has emerged as the early chip leader.
He's up to ~92k and seated on table 9 with Eugene Todd.
19 tables remain in action with 171 players. Average stack is about 28k.
Kunal Patel (Houston, TX) has emerged as the early chip leader.
Kunal Patel
He's up to ~92k and seated on table 9 with Eugene Todd.
19 tables remain in action with 171 players. Average stack is about 28k.
Event 17: Witness Protection Program
$350 + $50 Big Stack NLH
Several players who were, emphasis on the past tense, in the $2k bounty tournament are now keeping a low profile in this no limit event. The bust outs from the 11 am include, but aren't limited to:
Mike Dentale
Mike Summers
Austen Johnson
Ryan Eriquezzo
Another familiar face is Larry Gold who's now playing this NL tournament after cashing 14th in the PLO for $713.
Several players who were, emphasis on the past tense, in the $2k bounty tournament are now keeping a low profile in this no limit event. The bust outs from the 11 am include, but aren't limited to:
Mike Dentale
Mike Summers
Austen Johnson
Ryan Eriquezzo
Another familiar face is Larry Gold who's now playing this NL tournament after cashing 14th in the PLO for $713.
Event 16: Goners
$1500 + $150 + $500 Bounty Big Stack NLH
These folks have already surrendered their bounties and hit the bricks:
Jason Young
Abe Korotki
Matt Afflek
Jeff Madsen
Lee Childs
Manh Nguyen
Ryan Eriquezzo
These folks have already surrendered their bounties and hit the bricks:
Jason Young
Abe Korotki
Matt Afflek
Jeff Madsen
Lee Childs
Manh Nguyen
Ryan Eriquezzo
Event 16: Tweet Time
$1500 + $150 + $500 Bounty Big Stack NLH
Some interesting tweets from this event:
Some interesting tweets from this event:
dckid13
Ken Adams
End of level 4. Back up to 55 000
DahJinerat
Josh Mancuso
Up to 42k, then called down
brikdawg with 2nd pair vs top pair on really wet board that bricked
everything.. 36k going to antes now
JBrikis
Josh Brikis
Got back to starting stack 20k those 2 levels. Decent table going to 100/200 25 now Borgata $1500 +$500 bounty
BenVolpe
Ben Volpe
Down to 13.5 from 20k starting stack. Good table tho...
ArgentinaBoy
Alex Queen
15,500 going to 150/300/25 tables good time to get to work
D_Dayy
Nelson Robinson
Welp I suck, chk-shoved 89hh on 932 into AA (a hand I havn't seen up here yet) #ontothenextone
Event 15: 10th Place - Marshall
$350 + $50 Pot Limit Omaha H/L
Allyn Marshall (Long Branch, NJ)
$815
$815
Event 15: Final Table
$350 + $50 Pot Limit Omaha H/L
Seat-Name-Chip Count
1 Ray Shackelford (Fredricksburg, VA) 84k
2 Tommy Blank (Stamford, CT) 194k
3 Stephen Bennette (Brooklyn, NY) 395k
4 Joe Couden (Columbus, OH) 216k
5 Allyn Marshall (Long Branch, NJ) 70k
6 Vic Montilla (New York, NY) 55k
7 Zelig Flaschstatz (Queens, NY) 169k
8 Jason Staalesen (ALbany, NY) 37k
9 Bobby Lynch (Manalapan, NJ) 103k
10 Brian Woods (Baltimore, MD) 134k
Cards Fly at Final Table
1 Ray Shackelford (Fredricksburg, VA) 84k
2 Tommy Blank (Stamford, CT) 194k
3 Stephen Bennette (Brooklyn, NY) 395k
4 Joe Couden (Columbus, OH) 216k
5 Allyn Marshall (Long Branch, NJ) 70k
6 Vic Montilla (New York, NY) 55k
7 Zelig Flaschstatz (Queens, NY) 169k
8 Jason Staalesen (ALbany, NY) 37k
9 Bobby Lynch (Manalapan, NJ) 103k
10 Brian Woods (Baltimore, MD) 134k
Event 16: More Names
$1500 + $150 + $500 Bounty Big Stack NLH
Registration is now closed. The board says 245 players, but it will be a while before we get official numbers.
John Racener was already registered, but must have decided to sleep late. He's just arrived and taken his seat at table 12 with Bruce Yamron.
More faces who have appeared:
Eugene Todd
Alexander Queen
Daniel Buzgon
George Cicak
Jeff Forrest
Jared Jaffee
Jeff Papola
Jack Schanbacher
Registration is now closed. The board says 245 players, but it will be a while before we get official numbers.
John Racener
John Racener was already registered, but must have decided to sleep late. He's just arrived and taken his seat at table 12 with Bruce Yamron.
More faces who have appeared:
Eugene Todd
Alexander Queen
Daniel Buzgon
George Cicak
Jeff Forrest
Jared Jaffee
Jeff Papola
Jack Schanbacher
Event 16: Terzi Takes It All
$1500 + $150 + $500 Bounty Big Stack NLH
In a big multi-way pot, three players were all-in pre-flop with two players left on the side.
The flop was A K 4 with one heart. Sam Terzi (Great Neck, NY) bet, causing the other player to fold pocket Queens.
The hands were tabled:
Sam Terzi - Pocket Kings for a set and the lead
Vladimir Peck - AK for top two pair
Gary Beller - Pocket Jacks
Austen Johnson - 7♥4♥ for bottom pair.
Turn was the J♥ giving Gary a useless set of Jacks. Austen picked up a flush draw.
River was an offsuit blank, however, and Sam scooped it all, busting three players in the process. He collected three purple chips ($1,500) and has covered his buy-in already.
In a big multi-way pot, three players were all-in pre-flop with two players left on the side.
The flop was A K 4 with one heart. Sam Terzi (Great Neck, NY) bet, causing the other player to fold pocket Queens.
Sam Terzi
The hands were tabled:
Sam Terzi - Pocket Kings for a set and the lead
Vladimir Peck - AK for top two pair
Gary Beller - Pocket Jacks
Austen Johnson - 7♥4♥ for bottom pair.
Turn was the J♥ giving Gary a useless set of Jacks. Austen picked up a flush draw.
River was an offsuit blank, however, and Sam scooped it all, busting three players in the process. He collected three purple chips ($1,500) and has covered his buy-in already.
Event 16: Table Ten Tougher
$1500 + $150 + $500 Bounty Big Stack NLH
Table 10 just got a bit tougher. David Diaz has taken an empty seat along with Jonathan Little, Ken Adams, David Laufer, and Manh Nguyen.
David won his first bracelet this summer at the WSOP in the $1,500 No Limit Hold'em Triple Chance event, along with over $352k. He then finished 379th in the WSOP Main Event for over $30k.
He followed that up a month later with a win at the World Poker Open Main Event for over $139k.
Table 10 just got a bit tougher. David Diaz has taken an empty seat along with Jonathan Little, Ken Adams, David Laufer, and Manh Nguyen.
David Diaz
David won his first bracelet this summer at the WSOP in the $1,500 No Limit Hold'em Triple Chance event, along with over $352k. He then finished 379th in the WSOP Main Event for over $30k.
He followed that up a month later with a win at the World Poker Open Main Event for over $139k.
Event 16: Little Man Lost
$1500 + $150 + $500 Bounty Big Stack NLH
On a flop of A 9 5, there was a three-way all-in. One short-stack had a flush draw. Mike 'Little Man' Sika had A5 for two pair, and Vinny Pahuja had pocket 5s for the set.
The board paired on the river, so Vinny scooped the pot with a full house, busting Little Man and the other player in the process. Vinny collected two purple bounty chips and is up to about 60k.
On a flop of A 9 5, there was a three-way all-in. One short-stack had a flush draw. Mike 'Little Man' Sika had A5 for two pair, and Vinny Pahuja had pocket 5s for the set.
The board paired on the river, so Vinny scooped the pot with a full house, busting Little Man and the other player in the process. Vinny collected two purple bounty chips and is up to about 60k.
Event 16: 233 and Counting
$1500 + $150 + $500 Bounty Big Stack NLH
24 tables are in action (9-hnaded) with late registration still available until the end of the break after level 4 (about 3:20pm).
More faces in the field:
Jason Young
Dwyte Pilgrim
Steve Ryan
Josh Brikis
Athanasios Diakos
John Lakotosh
Nick Frangos
Ryan D'Angelo
Matt Brady
Alek Givotovsky
David Inselberg
Chris Bell
Jerry Callahan
James Boyle
Brock Parker
Trevor Savage
24 tables are in action (9-hnaded) with late registration still available until the end of the break after level 4 (about 3:20pm).
More faces in the field:
Jason Young
Dwyte Pilgrim
Steve Ryan
Josh Brikis
Athanasios Diakos
John Lakotosh
Nick Frangos
Ryan D'Angelo
Matt Brady
Alek Givotovsky
David Inselberg
Chris Bell
Jerry Callahan
James Boyle
Brock Parker
Trevor Savage
Event 16: More Interesting Tables
$1500 + $150 + $500 Bounty Big Stack NLH
Table 10
Roy Winston
Jonathan Little
Ken Adams
David Laufer
Manh Nguyen
(This table is a little less interesting now that Roy Winston, 2007 WPT Borgata Poker Open has busted out.)
Table 17
Darren Elias
Greg Merritt
Feming Chan
Todd Terry
Brent Hanks
Table 10
Roy Winston
Jonathan Little
Ken Adams
David Laufer
Manh Nguyen
(This table is a little less interesting now that Roy Winston, 2007 WPT Borgata Poker Open has busted out.)
Table 17
Darren Elias
Greg Merritt
Feming Chan
Todd Terry
Brent Hanks
Event 16: Crane Doubles
$1500 + $150 + $500 Bounty Big Stack NLH
Russell Crane got his chips in the middle on a flop of A A 2 with two spades. His opponent called with K4 of spades (flush draw).
He was drawing dead, however, as Russell held pocket 2s and had flopped a full house.
Russell doubled up to ~40k.
Russell won the 2011 Borgata Spring Poker Open Championship and over a quarter of a million dollars back in April.
Russell Crane got his chips in the middle on a flop of A A 2 with two spades. His opponent called with K4 of spades (flush draw).
Russell Crane
He was drawing dead, however, as Russell held pocket 2s and had flopped a full house.
Russell doubled up to ~40k.
Russell won the 2011 Borgata Spring Poker Open Championship and over a quarter of a million dollars back in April.
Event 16: Dentale Done In
$1500 + $150 + $500 Bounty Big Stack NLH
Table 13 just got a little less interesting. Seated there were:
Mike Dentale
Barry Leventhal
Alex Smith
Jesse Cohen
Mike Dentale got his chips in after flopping trip 8s.
Barry Leventhal called him holding pocket Aces, then went runner-runner diamonds to back-door a flush. Barry collected Mike's bounty and Mike reported to the rail.
Table 13 just got a little less interesting. Seated there were:
Mike Dentale
Barry Leventhal
Alex Smith
Jesse Cohen
Mike Dentale got his chips in after flopping trip 8s.
Barry Leventhal
Barry Leventhal called him holding pocket Aces, then went runner-runner diamonds to back-door a flush. Barry collected Mike's bounty and Mike reported to the rail.
Event 16: Interesting Tables
$1500 + $150 + $500 Bounty Big Stack NLH
It would probably be easier to list the players I don't recognize in this event. The buy-in has brought out the top pros around, so all the tables are looking pretty tough.
Here are some interesting tables, for starters:
Table 1
Vladimir Peck
Jeremy McLaughlin
Austen Johnson
Steve Dannenmann
Table 6
Bob Hwang
Cornell Cimpan
Abe Korotki
Matt Afflek
Russell Crane
Table 8
Jeff Madsen
Lee Childs
Anthony Caruso
Gordon Eng
It would probably be easier to list the players I don't recognize in this event. The buy-in has brought out the top pros around, so all the tables are looking pretty tough.
Here are some interesting tables, for starters:
Table 1
Vladimir Peck
Jeremy McLaughlin
Austen Johnson
Steve Dannenmann
Table 6
Bob Hwang
Cornell Cimpan
Abe Korotki
Matt Afflek
Russell Crane
Table 8
Jeff Madsen
Lee Childs
Anthony Caruso
Gordon Eng
Event 17: The Regulars
$350 + $50 Big Stack NLH
This list of Borgata regulars playing in this event include Joanne Monteavaro (Bronx, NY), Marguerite Spagnuolo (Staten Island, NY) and Leonardo Palermo (Toms River, NJ).
Palermo has been quiet this series after cashing three times in the Borgata Winter Poker Open for $55,000 (3rd/4th/14th). While he's yet to cash in September he's quick to point out that he's 6 for 6 in getting a voucher for surviving until the dinner break.
This list of Borgata regulars playing in this event include Joanne Monteavaro (Bronx, NY), Marguerite Spagnuolo (Staten Island, NY) and Leonardo Palermo (Toms River, NJ).
Palermo has been quiet this series after cashing three times in the Borgata Winter Poker Open for $55,000 (3rd/4th/14th). While he's yet to cash in September he's quick to point out that he's 6 for 6 in getting a voucher for surviving until the dinner break.
Event 15: No Miracle Comeback
$350 + $50 Pot Limit Omaha H/L
Douglas Hamshaw (Marlborough, NH), who was rescued from the casino floor to find out he cashed in this event, is the first man down as play resumes on Day 2.
You can read the full account here, but unfortunately there's no fairy tale ending to this strange story.
Hamshaw takes home $611 in 18th place.
Hamshaw Bagging Chips After Day1, First to go on Day 2
18th Place - $611
You can read the full account here, but unfortunately there's no fairy tale ending to this strange story.
Hamshaw takes home $611 in 18th place.
Event 15: Starting Chip Counts
$350 + $50 Pot Limit Omaha H/L
Table 1
Seat-Name-Chip Count
1 Jason Staalesen (ALbany, NY) 74,500
2 Zelig Flaschstatz (Queens, NY) 140k
3 Douglas Hamshaw (Marlborough, NJ)21k
4 Joe Couden (Columbus, OH)78k
5 Joe Patti (Lords Valley, PA) 20,500
6 Robert Renner (Hillsboro, NJ) 92k
7 Tommy Blank (Stamford, CT) 145,500
8 Vic Montilla (New York, NY) 68k
9 Ray Shackelford (Fredricksburg, VA) 44,500
Table 2
Seat-Name-Chip Count
1 Lou Ercolano (Cedar Grove, NJ) 69,500
2 Louie Azakas (Oceanside, NY) 83k
3 Brian Woods (Baltimore, MD) 42,500
4 Eddie Espino (Piscataway, NJ) 176,000
5 Bobby Lynch (Manalapan, NJ) 57,500
6 Stephen Bennette (Brooklyn, NY) 66,500
7 Larry Gold (Medford, NY) 88,500
8 Allyn Marshall (Long Branch, NJ) 135k
9 Neal Levin (East Norriton, PA) 49k
Table 1
Seat-Name-Chip Count
2 Zelig Flaschstatz (Queens, NY) 140k
3 Douglas Hamshaw (Marlborough, NJ)21k
4 Joe Couden (Columbus, OH)78k
5 Joe Patti (Lords Valley, PA) 20,500
6 Robert Renner (Hillsboro, NJ) 92k
7 Tommy Blank (Stamford, CT) 145,500
8 Vic Montilla (New York, NY) 68k
9 Ray Shackelford (Fredricksburg, VA) 44,500
Table 2
Seat-Name-Chip Count
1 Lou Ercolano (Cedar Grove, NJ) 69,500
2 Louie Azakas (Oceanside, NY) 83k
3 Brian Woods (Baltimore, MD) 42,500
4 Eddie Espino (Piscataway, NJ) 176,000
5 Bobby Lynch (Manalapan, NJ) 57,500
6 Stephen Bennette (Brooklyn, NY) 66,500
7 Larry Gold (Medford, NY) 88,500
8 Allyn Marshall (Long Branch, NJ) 135k
9 Neal Levin (East Norriton, PA) 49k
Event 15: Money Grab
$350 + $50 Pot Limit Omaha H/L
Eighteen PLO players are in the house as all 18 remaining players are in the money. Edward Espino (Piscataway, NJ) has the chip lead as the field chases the title and the $12,222 first prize.
Here's what's on the line as the cards are in the air!
Entries: 120
Total Buy-In: $42,000
Place - Amount
1st $12,222
2nd $6,722
3rd $3,870
4th $3,259
5th $2,444
6th $2,037
7th $1,630
8th $1,222
9th $917
10-12 $815
13-15 $713
16-18 $611
Eddie Eager to Play
Eighteen PLO players are in the house as all 18 remaining players are in the money. Edward Espino (Piscataway, NJ) has the chip lead as the field chases the title and the $12,222 first prize.
Here's what's on the line as the cards are in the air!
Entries: 120
Total Buy-In: $42,000
Place - Amount
1st $12,222
2nd $6,722
3rd $3,870
4th $3,259
5th $2,444
6th $2,037
7th $1,630
8th $1,222
9th $917
10-12 $815
13-15 $713
16-18 $611
Event 17: Next Up
$350 + $50 Big Stack NLH
The Event Center is now buzzing with the arrival of the next Main Event as players begin the quest for another championship and the coveted crystal trophy.
This event features 20k in chips and 30 minute levels. Table signs are down, all stacks are out, button starts in the seven seat, blinds are 25/50 and the cards are in the air!
The Event Center is now buzzing with the arrival of the next Main Event as players begin the quest for another championship and the coveted crystal trophy.
This event features 20k in chips and 30 minute levels. Table signs are down, all stacks are out, button starts in the seven seat, blinds are 25/50 and the cards are in the air!
Event 16: First Bounty
$1500 + $150 + $500 Bounty Big Stack NLH
Not even half way through the first level and Ken Adams (Washington, D.C.) already has a bounty and the chip lead.
On a board of Q 9 3 K all the chips are in the middle and Adams turns over the nut straight with J 10. His opponent has two pairs with KQ and still has outs, but when the boat misses the river the player sets sail for the rail.
Adams now has more than 50k as earlier in the level he cracked aces.
No Family Pots for Adams
Not even half way through the first level and Ken Adams (Washington, D.C.) already has a bounty and the chip lead.
On a board of Q 9 3 K all the chips are in the middle and Adams turns over the nut straight with J 10. His opponent has two pairs with KQ and still has outs, but when the boat misses the river the player sets sail for the rail.
Adams now has more than 50k as earlier in the level he cracked aces.
Event 16: Name Dropping
$1500 + $150 + $500 Bounty Big Stack NLH
In the Field:
Matt Affleck
Matt Brady
Mike Dentale
"Little Man" Mike Sica
Steve Ryan
"Action" Bob Hwang
Mike Summers
Lee Childs
Gordon Eng
Jeremy McLaughlin
The big stack format offers 20k in chips (blinds 25/50) and 60 minute levels.
On the Matts: Brady Says Hello to Affleck
In the Field:
Matt Affleck
Matt Brady
Mike Dentale
"Little Man" Mike Sica
Steve Ryan
"Action" Bob Hwang
Mike Summers
Lee Childs
Gordon Eng
Jeremy McLaughlin
The big stack format offers 20k in chips (blinds 25/50) and 60 minute levels.
Event 16: Big Buy In, BIG Stacks
$1500 + $150 + $500 Bounty Big Stack NLH
The calm before the Championship Event storm is underway as a lot of the heavy hitters are here at Borgata playing in additional Main Events, including today's $500 purple chip bounty.
Roy Winston and Jonathan Little are side-by-side on table 10 as the cards are in the air.
The calm before the Championship Event storm is underway as a lot of the heavy hitters are here at Borgata playing in additional Main Events, including today's $500 purple chip bounty.
Roy Winston and Jonathan Little are side-by-side on table 10 as the cards are in the air.
Thursday, September 15
Today's Events (Event Center)
11AM: Event 16 - $1500 + $150 + $500 Big Stack Purple Chip Bounty NLH
12PM: Event 17 - $350 + $50 Big Stack No Limit Hold'em
3PM: Event 41 - $100 + $20 Championship Qualifier NLH (Re-Entry)
7PM: Event 42 - $150 + $30 No Limit Hold'em
11AM: Event 16 - $1500 + $150 + $500 Big Stack Purple Chip Bounty NLH
- Players start with 20,000 in tournament chips
- This is a Bounty tournament. Players must have their Bounty Chip clearly displayed on the table in order to remain active in tournament.
- Levels 1will last 60 minutes
- 2-Day event
12PM: Event 17 - $350 + $50 Big Stack No Limit Hold'em
- Players start with 20,000 in tournament chips
- Levels 1-10: will last 30 minutes each | Levels 11+: will last 40 minutes each
- 1-Day event
3PM: Event 41 - $100 + $20 Championship Qualifier NLH (Re-Entry)
- Players start with 10,000 in tournament chips
- Levels will last 20 minutes each
- Players that are eliminated within first 6 Levels may Re-Enter (unlimited Re-Entries)
- Approximately 1 in 35 will win entry into the WPT Borgata Poker Open Championship event (September 18-23, 2011)
- 1-Day event
7PM: Event 42 - $150 + $30 No Limit Hold'em
- Players start with 10,000 in tournament chips
- Levels will last 20 minutes each
- 1-Day event
Event 14 Recap
$200 + $30 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)
At 11:00am 1218 players entered The Event Center and slapped down an affordable $200 + $30 to take their shot at winning a piece of the whopping $236,292 Total-Buy In.
Keep in mind this was a deep stack with a Re-Entry so players were given plenty of opportunity and chips (25,000) to really play some poker. The $100,000 guarantee was very nice as well.
At the end of the 19 1/2 hour marathon match, Michael Watters (Queens, NY) was able to win every one of the 30,450,000 chips off a talented, grueling final table.
Tons of Borgata regulars bought into this tournament. Familiar faces such as Mike Summers
Steve Ryan, Niko Markatos, Justin Finberg, Ryan Eriquezzo, Lee Childs, Jonathan Little, Allan Lubin, Chris Valence, James Boyle, Lisa Pickell, Eric 'clownfish' Doerr, Gordon Eng, and Dean Schultz joined the felt.
Gavin Smith made an appearance and put his last chips in holding 5-3 suited on a Q-6-4 flop. Mike 'Little Man' Sica had him covered and bet with A-Q. Gavin missed his draw and was out.
100 players made the cash after Ted Kaplun (Philadelphia, PA) had A-K vs A-K and lost to a flush. Wow, what a sick bubble.
Last Woman Standing was a battle between May Siu and Darlene Jackson. Darlene was down to 5 big blinds after the bubble and made a comeback to take down the LWS and impressively finished in 7th place overall for $8,388. May finished in 18th.
The final table started at the wee hours of the morning and included: Marcello Calabrese, Earl King, Daniel Nolan (CL), Michael Watters, Matthew Piccolo, Jack Sorkin, Darlene Jackson, Chris McCabe, Stephen Mehl, and Dan Dizenzo.
Daniel Nolan lost two key hands and just like that was out in 6th place for $10,515.
3rd place of $18,903 went to Marcello Calabrese whose wife also played in the tournament.
2nd place in the amount of $31,238, after a quick heads up was awarded to Chris McCabe.
But once again your Event 14 Deep Stack winner was Michael Watters who enjoys a huge payday of $51,974. An incredible return on an investment of only $200 + $30.
Perhaps he was destined to win. Congratulations again.
Now go get some sleep!
At 11:00am 1218 players entered The Event Center and slapped down an affordable $200 + $30 to take their shot at winning a piece of the whopping $236,292 Total-Buy In.
Keep in mind this was a deep stack with a Re-Entry so players were given plenty of opportunity and chips (25,000) to really play some poker. The $100,000 guarantee was very nice as well.
At the end of the 19 1/2 hour marathon match, Michael Watters (Queens, NY) was able to win every one of the 30,450,000 chips off a talented, grueling final table.
Tons of Borgata regulars bought into this tournament. Familiar faces such as Mike Summers
Steve Ryan, Niko Markatos, Justin Finberg, Ryan Eriquezzo, Lee Childs, Jonathan Little, Allan Lubin, Chris Valence, James Boyle, Lisa Pickell, Eric 'clownfish' Doerr, Gordon Eng, and Dean Schultz joined the felt.
Gavin Smith made an appearance and put his last chips in holding 5-3 suited on a Q-6-4 flop. Mike 'Little Man' Sica had him covered and bet with A-Q. Gavin missed his draw and was out.
100 players made the cash after Ted Kaplun (Philadelphia, PA) had A-K vs A-K and lost to a flush. Wow, what a sick bubble.
Last Woman Standing was a battle between May Siu and Darlene Jackson. Darlene was down to 5 big blinds after the bubble and made a comeback to take down the LWS and impressively finished in 7th place overall for $8,388. May finished in 18th.
The final table started at the wee hours of the morning and included: Marcello Calabrese, Earl King, Daniel Nolan (CL), Michael Watters, Matthew Piccolo, Jack Sorkin, Darlene Jackson, Chris McCabe, Stephen Mehl, and Dan Dizenzo.
Daniel Nolan lost two key hands and just like that was out in 6th place for $10,515.
3rd place of $18,903 went to Marcello Calabrese whose wife also played in the tournament.
2nd place in the amount of $31,238, after a quick heads up was awarded to Chris McCabe.
But once again your Event 14 Deep Stack winner was Michael Watters who enjoys a huge payday of $51,974. An incredible return on an investment of only $200 + $30.
Perhaps he was destined to win. Congratulations again.
Now go get some sleep!
Event 14: Michael Watters - 1st Place
$200 + $30 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)
Michael Watters - 1st Place - $51,974
Event 14 Champion
Michael Watters - 1st Place - $51,974Once Matthew Piccolo was out the other fell in line very quickly.
Micahel Watters (Queens, NY) held the chip lead after getting what he called the key hand of the tournament for him when he had a set of threes at the final table.
His friend Justin Cillo was on the rail to congratulate his friend and pass on the championship title. Justin won this same tournament in last year's Open Event 13.
"I came to defend his title and did it" exclaimed Watters.
Looking back to the first post I did 12 hours ago for Michael, his tablemate predicted he would win the tournament. Should have put some money on it - would have paid dividends.
And he did it without having to re-buy even once.
Congrats again for outlasting 1218 entries, playing high-level poker for 19 1/2 hours, and taking home the Blue Shark Optics sunglasses, the 2011 Borgata Poker Open trophy, and $51,974.
Micahel Watters (Queens, NY) held the chip lead after getting what he called the key hand of the tournament for him when he had a set of threes at the final table.
His friend Justin Cillo was on the rail to congratulate his friend and pass on the championship title. Justin won this same tournament in last year's Open Event 13.
"I came to defend his title and did it" exclaimed Watters.
Looking back to the first post I did 12 hours ago for Michael, his tablemate predicted he would win the tournament. Should have put some money on it - would have paid dividends.
And he did it without having to re-buy even once.
Congrats again for outlasting 1218 entries, playing high-level poker for 19 1/2 hours, and taking home the Blue Shark Optics sunglasses, the 2011 Borgata Poker Open trophy, and $51,974.
Event 14 Champion
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