Friday, November 9, 2012

Event 1: Dropping Fast

$500 + 60 Deepstack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Alex 'Jedi' Nepomnyaschiy flopped a set of 9s to crack pocket Kings, sending another player to the rail.  Alex chipped up to ~140k.

Down to 10 tables in the Poker Room with 100 players still alive.  Added to the seven tables in the Signature Room, that makes the total players remaining on day 1B about 165.

Average stack is ~ 124k.

Just a few minutes remain in level 15, then they'll head to level 16, which is the last one of the night.

Event 1: Hero Call from Chan

$500 + 60 Deepstack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

On the river with a board of A J T 5 8, (no flush possible) the player in the cutoff moved all-in for 126,500.

Daniel Chan

Daniel Chan (New York, NY) tanked for a couple of minutes, then made a hero call, showing A7 suited for just a pair of Aces with weak kicker.

His opponent tried to muck, but tournament rules require called all-in hands to be tabled.  The dealer flipped over his cards, showing pocket 9s.

With that pot, Daniel chipped up to ~525k, in contention for the chip lead.

Event 1: Gluckman A Lucky Man

$500 + 60 Deepstack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Harvey Gluckman has continued his trend upwards, as he busts another player with a lucky river card.  He's watched his stack grow from dinner from 50,000 to just over 230,000.  Seven tables remain in the Signature Room, but from the looks of it, the race for the $3,000 bonus is definitely in the main poker room.

Event 1: Tweet Time

$500 + 60 Deepstack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Level 15:  Blinds 1,500/3,000 with 400 ante.

Play has resumed.  They will play two levels, then bag for the night.

The chip leader at that time will claim a $3,000 bonus, so the rush to claim the bonus is on!

Here are the latest Tweets from the field:

bruce frank ‏@misterflop
95k ish at almost end of 1200 2400 blinds. Strange table where king high wins a 100k pot. Break followed by 2 levels

Luke Vrabel ‏@bdbeatslayer
Up to 90k goin to the last 2 levels of the night

chris grove ‏@cgrove24
115k at break. 1500/3000 next. 2 more levels for tonite.

Phil Weast ‏@Prowannabe
2 levels left. Sitting on 340k and chip leader of day 1b gets $3k bonus. I am among leaders. Let's gooooo!!!

Pierre Deissler ‏@PierreDeissler
114k. Last two levs. 3k bb.

Event 3: Level Up, Entrants Down

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

We are starting to see some players drop, as 54 players of the original 71 now remain.  Players are in Level 11, with limits at 1k/2k.  The chip leader among the bunch sits just under 70,000, while the chip average is about 27,000.

Event 1: New Chip Leader

$500 + 60 Deepstack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

 Hamid Kashvari

Hamid Kashvari (New York, NY) has vaulted the other big stacks to claim the chip lead.  He's up to about 530k.

The clock ran out on level 14 and players are enjoying a 15 minute break.

On the last hand before break, Dan Wach took a big hit.  On a board of J 7 7 x, he bet enough to cover his opponent and was called.  Dan's 75 (trip 7s) were crushed by pocket Jacks (Jacks-full).

Event 1: Big Stacks Get Bigger

$500 + 60 Deepstack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Dan Wach's table broke and he's been moved to a new seat.  He's grown his stack to ~420k and still holds the lead here in the Poker Room.

James Giura has also been growing his stacks.  He's up to about 400k and second in chips.

12 tables remain here in the poker room.

Event 1: Weast Coast Love

$500 + 60 Deepstack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Phil Weast

Phil Weast (Tampa, FL) call Florida home, and has seen some recent success playing in that state's tournament circuit.  Weast got off to a fast start today, and had seen a solid upward trend since dinner.  He is the chip leader in the Signature Room, sitting with over 270,000.

Event 3: Payouts

Borgata Fall Poker Open

Event 3: $400 + 50 H.O.R.S.E.
November 9-10, 2012

Entries: 71
Total Buy-In: $28,400

PAYOUTS

  1. $9,643
  2. $5,234
  3. $3,306
  4. $2,479
  5. $1,928
  6. $1,653
  7. $1,377
  8. $1,102
  9. $826

Event 1: Brutal Busts

$500 + 60 Deepstack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)  

Level 14:  Blinds 1,200/2,400 with 300 ante.

Mike Dentale (Brooklyn, NY) was all-in pre-flop holding pocket Queens.

Avdo Djokovic (Staten Island, NY) looked him up with AK. 

The board ran clean for Mike, until the ubiquitous Ace on the river, giving Avdo a bigger pair and the pot.  Mike reported to the rail.

Tom McGarry (Atlantic City, NJ) was all-in with AQ and had his opponent's KQ dominated.

Then a Queen hit the flop, followed by a King on the turn, sending Tom to the rail.

Also gone (or long-gone):

Mike Marder
Steve Eyzerovich
Phong 'VIP' Nguyen
Gregg Miller
John Hinds
Scott Baumstein
Jamie Kerstetter
Lana O'Brien
David Zeitlin

Event 3: Early To The Finish Line

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

Most of the field still remains in the tournament, but two notables to miss the finish are Helen Ellis and "Miami" John Cernuto.

Event 1: Wach Takes the Lead

$500 + 60 Deepstack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)  

I arrived at table 33 to find Dan Wach (Boonton, NJ) all-in for 73,300 on the turn.

The board showed 962♠8♠.

The player in seat ten was in the tank, then finally called.

 Dan Wach

Dan had pocket Tens, an overpair to the board.

His opponent held Q9 offsuit for top pair.  He needed a Queen or a 9 to bust Dan.

River was the 4 and Dan doubled up to ~340k, good for the chip lead.

Dan's table has been very active, which is not surprising considering he shares it with these players:

Alik Sitnyakovsky
Alex "Jedi" Nepomnyaschiy 
Jonas Wexler

Event 1: "I'll Be Here Tomorrow!"

$500 + 60 Deepstack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Harvey Gluckman

A bold statement from Harvey Gluckman (Basking Ridge, NJ), but after tripling up in a 160,000 pot, his chances are pretty good to last.  Gluckman had the two players who were all-in covered, but not by much.  All the money got in the middle on the flop:

Flop: Q♣ 4♣ 6

Gluckman: K♣ J♣   Player X: 6♣ 7♣    Player Y: K♠ K

Turn: A♣

River: 9

Gluckman spikes the nut flush on the turn, and sends both players packing.

Event 1: Clearing Out The Room

$500 + 60 Deepstack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

The Signature Room now hosts eight tables from this event, and they are breaking quickly.  "Seat Open," is the saying after dinner, as players are dropping at a steady pace.  Our earlier chip leader Sanjay Sinha (Atlanta, GA) found himself involved in a sizable pot, but had to fold to his opponents bet, dropping Sinha to about 230,000.

Event 1: Queens Good to Queen

$500 + 60 Deepstack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)  

On the turn with a board of Q 9 6 5, all the chips went in the middle.

Alex Queen Makes Queens-full

Alex Queen (Bethlehem, PA) flopped top set with his pocket Queens.  His opponent was the short-stack and was holding 87 for the current nuts -- a turned straight.

Just as he asked the dealer not to pair the board, another 6 landed on the river, giving Alex Queens full and the pot, sending his opponent to the rail.

Alex, the 2010 Borgata Spring Poker Open Champion, chipped up to ~115k.

Event 1: Back in Action

$500 + 60 Deepstack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)  

Level 13:  Blinds 1k/2k with 300 ante.

Players have returned and are getting back to business.

Sixteen tables are active in the Poker Room and ten tables still working over in the Signature Room, leaving about 260 players still in the hunt today.

Average stack is about 79k.

Event 3: Horses Coming Back

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

The players are returning from dinner shortly, and they will be coming back to Level 9 with limits at 600/1200.

Event 1: Dinner Time!

$500 + 60 Deepstack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry) 

At the end of level 12, players were rewarded with a one hour dinner break (and a $10 dinner voucher).

Play will resume at 9:15pm.

Event 1: Giura Gathering Chips

$500 + 60 Deepstack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

James Giura

James Giura (Dover, NJ) is gathering his chips over on table 44.  He's up to ~260k and most likely the chip leader here in the Poker Room.

He's two seats left of the other big stack, Jerome Hall, so there could be fireworks brewing on this table.

Event 3: Horses Off To Dinner

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

The players from this event are on their way to dinner, and will return in an hour.   It's early in the proverbial "race," but both Brian Nichols and Bumpereno Munley lead with just over 25,000.

Event 1: Turnover at Table 32

$500 + 60 Deepstack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Table 32 has been a tough one all day.

Mike 'Little Man' Sica (N Brunswick, NJ) was there, but busted out and re-entered, landing at a different table.

Cherish Andrews (Brigantine, NJ) was there, but has also departed.

Alex Rocha (S Setauket, NY) arrived and has now departed.

Eric 'clownfish' Doerr (Newark, DE) was moved to table 32 when his table broke.

Same thing with Ibra Ibraomovich (Brooklyn, NY).

Pierre Deissler (Mt Laurel, NJ) and John Lakatosh (Red Lion, PA) have been there all day, watching as the other players come and go.

Also at table 32:  Elliot Zaydman (Glen Rock, NJ).


***  Ibra Ibraimovich busted out soon after this was posted, so more turnover for table 32!

Event 1: New Shooter!!

$500 + 60 Deepstack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

It's a common occurrence for players to walk up to the media table, whether in the main poker room or the signature room and ask, "Do you know what the chip leader has?"  That $3,000 bonus for the Day 1A and 1B chip leaders is difficult to ignore.  

While Paul Bausch sits in the main poker room with 250,000, over here in the signature room it's Sanjay Sinha (Atlanta, GA) sitting with 248,000.  These numbers aren't as significant an hour before dinner, but it's not a bad spot to be in with only a handful of levels coming back.

Event 1: Bausch Building

$500 + 60 Deepstack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

The Poker Room is down to only 18 tables remaining (about 180 players).

Paul Bausch

Paul Bausch (New York, NY) has the biggest stack among them with about 250k.

The big stack at the end of the night earns a $3,000 bonus.  Last night's winner, Jordan Ludwick (Cherry Hill, NY) bagged 625,000 chips.

Currently in Level 12:  Blinds 800/1,600 with 200 ante.  They'll finish this level and take a one hour dinner break (about 8:15pm).

Event 1: Travell-ing Upwards

$500 + 60 Deepstack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Travell Thomas

Travell Thomas (Buffalo, NY) sports his WSOP Circuit ring to his table mates, and is no stranger to deep runs in events like this.  Travell most recent cash at the Borgata was in the Borgata Spring Open, where he won the $400 + 50 Six Max No Limit Hold'em event.  That win netted him just under $26,000, bumping his career earnings to $175,000.

Thomas sits with about 140,000 right now, and is one of the bigger stacks in the room.  

This will be the last level before dinner, and players will take an hour to feed their hunger.  Dinner break should begin at approximately 8:15.

Event 1: Hall Hauling Chips

$500 + $60 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Jerome Hall

Jerome Hall (St Marys, GA) has built his stack up to ~240k, making himself one of the chip leaders here in the Poker Room

20 tables remain active here, with more tables across the hall in the Signature Room.

Event 3: Level 6 Begins


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

Level 6 begins with the limits increasing to 300/600.  Limits events always move along at a snail's pace, but add in the mixture of games, and we won't see any dropping until after dinner break.  Players will be on dinner at 8:00 pm according to the structure sheet, and will be back after an hour.

Event 1: Demone Up & Down

$500 + $60 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Joe Demone

Joe Demone (S Amboy, NJ) was up to ~200k and one of the big stacks here in the Poker Room, but then he ran into some trouble and is back down to ~150k.

They're down to 21 tables in the Poker Room as players are departing quickly.

Event 1:Keiko Catches Flush

$500 + $60 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Towarazako (right) Counts Chips While her Opponent Waits

On a board of 4♠ 5h 7♠ 2 a player open shoves 22k and Keiko Lim Towarazako (Bronx, NY via Japan) goes in the tank and eventually calls.

Towarazako: A♠ K♠ (flush draw, two over cards)
Opponent: 10♣ 7♣ (top pair).

River: 5♠ (Towarazako flush).

Towarazako hits the flush and her opponent is a little annoyed saying, "you were gonna fold until the camera got here."

Towarazako smiles, apologizes and scoops the pot.

Level 11 (600/1,200/200 ante) is underway as levels are now 50 minutes long.

Event 3: The Doc-tor's In

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

David "Doc" Arsht

It was only five months ago when David "Doc" Arsht (Radnor, PA) was handling his newest piece of jewelry, a World Series of Poker bracelet.  Doc won Event 13 ($1,500 Limit), taking home just under $212,000 along with the bracelet.  Five days later he bubbled the final table of the $1,500 H.O.R.S.E. event, and left Las Vegas padding his career earnings to $280,000.

Arsht is no stranger to these parts, and can be found playing in one of the numerous mixed games at the Borgata Poker Room.  As we were taking his picture, one of the other players at the table chimed in, "He may have a bracelet, but he doesn't have one in HORSE."  That may be true, but Doc wouldn't mind adding a trophy for this event (just as prestigious).

Event 1: Oh No Quadzilla!!!

$500 + $60 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Level 11:   Blinds 600/1,200 with 200 ante.

During the previous level, a roar went up from table 47.   A short-stacked player was all-in pre-flop and ahead with pocket Tens.

Cullen 'H' Hofmann

Cullen 'H' Hofmann (Forest Hill, MD) had him covered, but was way behind with pocket 7s.

The short-stack took a bigger lead when the flop came Q T 4, giving him a set.

Then the last two, unbelievably, ran out 7 7, giving Cullen a lower set and then the one-outer for Quads on the river.  Cullen chipped up to ~40k.

His stunned opponent stopped to take a picture of the board with his phone, then walked away.

Event 1: Thinning the Field

$500 + $60 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Greg "Bock" at Borgata

Tables in the Signature Room are falling fast as we're down to 13 remaining.  The big stack here (not counting the Poker Room) is Greg Bock (New York, NY) who has 153k.

Bock recently returned to the Borgata poker tables after taking 16 months off.  He had a hot streak in 2009 when he had two final tables during the Borgata Summer Poker Open, including a 10th place finish in the Championship Event ($16,000) runner-up in the H.O.S.E ($11,000).

Bock followed that up with a win in the October Double Play for $77,000.


Event 1: Time to Check the Tweets

$500 + $60 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Here are some player Tweets from the last break:

David Zeitlin ‏@SugDpoker
Hanging around with 22k going to 500-1k. Where my double at?

Michael Marder ‏@MMarder86
68.4k coming back to 500/1000/100. Not trusting anything the board says til Day 2, but appears I'm about the chip avg, $142k+ FTW #BFPO1

Pierre Deissler ‏@PierreDeissler
Borgata. Level 9. 75k. 500/1000 #tpedge

Alik Sitnyakovsky ‏@KingAlikMJstyle
Super short with14K coming from brake Going to 500/1000 but 14bb is the Nutts Gona Grind it out! need a Hand #stillgrinding #MJ23style #FTW

Luke Vrabel ‏@bdbeatslayer
20 bbs and a dream time to run It up

chris grove ‏@cgrove24
118k on break. 500/1000 next.

Event 3: Back In Action


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

The players have returned from their break, and are coming back to Level 4 with limits for each game at 75/150.  

Event 1: Tough Tables

$500 + $60 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Once again, we're seeing some interesting match-ups developing as players are moved around the room.

Here are some of the tougher tables I've seen:

Table 41
Len Vizirov
John Hinds
Gregg Miller
David 'ColdStone' Inselberg

Table 34
Alex Queen
Maruti Yarlapati
Jimmy Wong

Table 32
Pierre Deissler
Elliott Zaydman
Alex Rocha
John Lakatosh

Table 29
Ibra Ibraimovic
Bruce Yamron
Travis Greenawalt

Event 1: Goodbye Green Chips

$500 + $60 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Players are on their third break of the day as Level 9 (400/800/75 ante) is in the books.  This is a color-up break as the green (25) chips are being removed from play.

Play continues for three more levels and puts the dinner break at just after 8 pm.

Event 3: Taking A Break


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

Players are on their first break of the day, and will be returning to action in 10 minutes.

Event 1: Long Distance Dedication

$500 + $60 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Yossi Skyping and Scooping

A player, who simply goes by Yossi, got a surprising invitation to Skype with his family in Isreal. 

"It's the first time," he says about Skyping at the poker table.  He only talked for a few minutes, but was glad to connect with his wife and two children.

The family sent Yossi some run good vibes as he won one pot while talking over the internet.

Event 3: Teaching Ellis-On


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

Helen Ellis

Helen Ellis (New York, NY) is one of the kindest, soft spoken players you'll find in any tournament.  Once the cards are in the air though, she's also a player to be well respected.  During the most recent Borgata Poker Open in September she final tabled both the Ladies and the H.O.R.S.E. events, and took home 24th place ($16,922) in the BPO WPT Championship Event.

Of her $75,000 career earnings, $7,000 come way of the non no-limit variety, and she's looking to add to that tally today.

Event 1: Crowder Crushed

$500 + $60 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Keith Crowder (Elkins Park, PA) got his money in good on the flop with pocket Jacks, (overpair) against an opponent with top pair on the board.

Then his opponent paired his kicker, making two pair and kicking Keith to the kurb.

No more re-entries means Keith's now got some free time on his hands.

Keith has one Borgata Open title to his credit won during Spring 2010 ($37,079) but he is best known for making the 2009 WPT BPO televised final table.  He finished 5th for $188,126.

Event 1: Lucky Day

$500 + $60 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

 Kane Can't Lose After Hitting Jackpot

The path from Signature Room to the registration window takes you past some slot machines and  Gerard Kane (Seacliff, NJ) couldn't resist.

After busting on his first entry, Kane played a few spins and hit a $1,200 jackpot.  He then proceeded to the re-entry line, registered again and is now free rolling the rest of the way.

Kane is making the most of his second bullet as he now has 130k and agrees sometimes it's better to be lucky than good.

Event 3: WInning With A Heavy Heart


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

The last time William "Bumpereno" Munley was playing in an event at the Borgata it was in September (Event 4 - $350 Seven Card Stud).  On his way to winning the event (and taking home $8,381), he learned via phone that his brother had passed in an accident.  It was very a bittersweet moment for him, as we all could understand.  He penned a brief piece while sitting at the table, and dedicated the win to his brother:

"No farewell words were spoken, no time to say goodbye.  You were gone before we knew it and only God can tell us why.



Event 1: Split Field

$500 + $60 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Because of the size of the day 1B field today, they were split between the Borgata Poker Room and the Signature room, which is across the hall next to Bobby Flay.

30 tables are still active here in the Poker Room, but they're breaking down quickly now that registration is closed.

Event 1: Chip Leader?

$500 + $60 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Baumstein Bombing Pots

With so many players left in the 1431 entry field, it's tough to find a Day 1B chip leader, but
Scott Baumstein (New York, NY) is staking his claim with 180k.

He was unaware of the $3,000 bonus that goes to the end of day chip leader, but Baumstein's ears perked up when he found out.  He proceeded to raise the next couple of hands, which has the table wondering if Baumstein has the goods, or is simply going after the bonus.

Baumstein is no stranger to Borgata with a couple of final tables as part of his $762,000 career tournament earnings.

Event 3: Brotherly Love


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

 Eric Rivkin
Jason Rivkin

Eric and Jason Rivkin are brothers from East Hampton, NY, and are tournament regulars during our Borgata series.  Most recently they finished 6th and 7th respectively in the 2012 Borgata Poker Open $350 Limit Event.  Jason also final tabled the Omaha Hi/Lo event in that series, and they both hope to final table this event together once again.

Event 1 Payouts

Borgata Fall Poker Open
Event 1: $500 + $60 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
November 8-10, 2012

Entries: 1,431
Total Buy-In: $715,500

PAYOUTS
1:          $143,114
2:          $85,663
3:          $53,118
4:          $44,722
5:          $37,154
6:          $30,136
7:          $23,207
8:          $16,926
9:          $12,178
10 - 12:    $8,050
13 - 15:    $5,367
16 - 18:    $3,647
19 - 27:    $3,041
28 - 36:    $2,559
37 - 45:    $2,188
46 - 54:    $1,892
55 -63:     $1,651
64 - 72:    $1,410
73 - 81:    $1,280
82 - 90:    $1,204
91 - 100:   $1,149
101 - 110:  $1,101
111 - 120:  $1,060
121 - 130:  $1,032
131 - 140:  $1,018

Event 3: "I See Faces Of The Friends That I Recall"


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

There are so many familiar faces in the crowd during this tournament, that the list almost went to the second page of the notepad.  We'll throw out the apology right now for any of the notables not mentioned initially, but we'll catch up as the night goes on.  Here is who we've noticed in the tournament so far:

Glen Englebert (2011 Winter Open H.O.R.S.E. and Limit Event Winner)
Nick Frangos
Bo Toft
Jason Rivkin
Eric Rivkin
Elon Diamond (2012 Borgata Poker Open H.O.R.S.E. Winner)
Helen Ellis
Gil Sacks
Doc Arsht
Billy Coren
Mike Oar
Chris Reslock
"Miami" John Cernuto

Event 1: No More Bullets

$500 + $60 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Twitter is reporting the first couple of casualties since re-entry has closed.

So, yeah, I'm of . KdJd < AhTh / T43hh 3 T. Even if I "had it" I'd've been out. Boggles my mind that he tanked that hard. 

Out of Event 1. Frustrating first two days here. Will regroup for tmrws bounty tourney.

And a bonus tweet referencing the Borgata Poker Promo:


raking chips not leaves ya know!!!

Event 3: (Insert Cliche H.O.R.S.E. Statement Here)

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

We've heard (and read) all of the cliche statements before: "Horses at the gate," "And there off!," "HORSE-ing Around."  So this time we've left it up to you to make up the title for the initial post of this afternoon's event.  The announcement of "cards in the air" has just been made, and there are many familiar faces in the crowd.  This is a two day event, and will conclude in the early hours of Saturday, either at 2:00 am or 16 players.

Event 1: Last Three In

$500 + $60 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Three Musketeers: (l-r) McDaniel, Stanley & Herm

After the break, returning players know that there are no more second (or third, or fourth) chances, as re-entry is closed.

As play continued, the last three players on line were waiting for open seats to take their final shot. The last three in are Brian McDaniel (Sarasota, FL - 2nd entry), Russell Stanley (Bowie, MD - 2nd entry)  and Mark Herm (Philadelphia, PA - 3rd entry).

Once seated, re-entry is officially closed!

 Stanley Seated Last

Event 1: Break Time, Re-entry Closing

$500 + $60 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)


 One Player Gets Ahead Start on the Break

With more than 750 entries on Day 1B, plus the 576 from yesterday's Day 1A, the $500,000 GUARANTEE has easily been surpassed.

The last level for re-entry, Level 6 (200/400/50 ante), is finished and players are now on a 15 minute break.  

Once all the entries are tallied, we'll be pushing 1,400 total for the event. 

Event 1: Called Bluff + Mucked Hand = Win

$500 + $60 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Dan Wach (Boonton, NJ) is stunned to still be playing after he bluffed the last of his 12k stack and was called.

"It's probably the most bizarre hand I've ever played," he says.

After his opponent called, Wach says he quickly tabled 6 7, for 7 high.  The other player looked over the board and mucked his hand, but instantly regretted it.

"He says he folded pocket 10s, but his cards were clearly in the muck," Wach continues.  "I feel a little bad and told him I wasn't trying to angle shoot, but there was no way of knowing what he had for sure."

Wach says he was down to 3k and was trying to reload for one more re-entry, but after the double-up he now has 42k.  Level 6 (200/400/50 ante), the last level for re-entry is underway.

Event 1: Thrilling Arrival

$500 + $60 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Borgata Dealer, Dealing with Failla

Two-time Borgata trophy winner Will "the Thrill" Failla (Commack, NY) is back in the Poker Room and trying to keep his table entertained.

After losing a hand with K 10 against the AK of Mike Volfson (Brooklyn, NY), his loud voice and biting commentary causes confusion at the table, but order is eventually restored.

Failla won an event during the 2012 Borgata Winter Poker Open for $165,000, as well as a 2007 title for $66,00 as part of  his more than $3 million in career tournament earnings.

He's been on a tear since August 2011 when he won his first WPT title.


Event 1: Ante Up!

$500 + $60 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)



 Mike Dentale & Dave Zeitlin

The first antes of the day are in play as Level 5 (150/300/25 ante) is underway.

Event 1: Fear the Beards

$500 + $60 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Schlain, Sykes & Ghanem

Adam Schlain (Newport News, VA),John Sykes (Brooklyn, NY) and Saad Ghanem (Rosedale, MD) are some furry familiar faces at Borgata.  All three are sporting the facial hair that will help them stay warm as we head towards another East Coast winter.

Event 1: Break Time Tweets

$500 + $60 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)


sick score. packed a bag of cheerios for abe to eat at babysitter but accidentally left them in my purse! 20k on first break from 25k ss 


my table became nuts. Maniac sat on my left with blind raises etc. New table Rai k9 400. 4 way. Ck fold 976 flop to 1100 & 3000 raise 

Bust. Absolute maniac on my left spiked a three outter on the river, aipf. He called off 20k pf w/ A6o.

 ***********************

On a side note, "Action" Bob Hwang was intrigued by O'Brien's Cheerios tweet and wanted to know if they were plain or Honey Nut, to which Lana replied, "plain. honey nut too sweet."

Event 1: Enjoying the Break

$500 + $60 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

 Priscilla Helping David Kim Work Out the Kinks

Players enjoyed their 15 minute break and our now back to the grind.  David Kim (Flushing, NY) uses the down time to get some message therapy as he currently has a 40k stack.

Level 4 (100/200) is underway.

Event 1: Private Home Game

$500 + $60 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

 (r-l) Spence, Newton, Wach

With 26 tables in the Signature Room and more than that spread out in the Poker Room, table 66 is the place to be.

It's the only table in the high limit area known as the Board Room, "this is the high stakes table, make that the final table," says one player.

"It's definitely quiet and peaceful back here," says Jeff Spence (King of Prussia, PA), who compares the environment to a home game.

Dana Wach (Boonton, NJ) is a Borgata regular, who's at the table and he's joined by "Diamond" Jim Newton (Saddle River, NJ), who's sage advice is, "don't play marginal hands out of position."

Level 3 (75/150) continues as players are just minutes away from their first break of the day.

Event 1: Set of Ladies Head Straight to Rail

$500 + $60 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Patel Picks Up Chips

On a board of Q K 9 6 4, the small blind bets 1,100, Matt Beier (White Plains, NY) makes 3,200 and Nimesh Patel (Parsippany, NJ) moves all in for 15k.

After the SB folds, Beier goes in the tank and makes the call only to see he's beat.

Beier's set of queens is out flopped by Patel who's holding J 10 for a straight.

"That's the worst flop for me," says Beier, who's headed to the re-entry window. "I couldn't get away from it."

Level 3 (75/150) is underway.

Event 1: Featured Table

$500 + $60 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

(l-r) Sica, Nick Palma, Andrews & Deissler


Tbl should be fun with mike sica n cherish. Wheeeee 

We'll call Pierre Deissler the table captain as he was first to arrive and is glad to see "Little Man" Mike Sica and Cherish Andrews.

Event 1: Repeat Customers

$500 + $60 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

A couple of players are kicking themselves after good starts or deep runs on Day 1A and are back for another run at the $500,000 GUARANTEED prize pool.

Mike Borovetz (Pittsburgh, PA) was one of the early chip leaders and ran his stack to 155k by the second break, but he flamed out after "not winning a hand" the rest of the way.

Daryl Boatwright (Sicklerville, NJ) and WSOP bracelet holders Mike "Little Man" Sica (N. Brunswick, NJ) and "Miami" John Cernuto were casualties late Thursday night who are back for Day 1B.

Recognizable Returnees

Mike Borovetz
Daryl Boatwright
Mike "Little Man"Sica
"Miami" John Cernuto
James "Suits" Salters
John Lakatosh
Cornel Cimpan
Christine Brewer
Roman Valerstein
Pierre Deissler
Mike Shasho
Mike Marder
Joe Reddick
Ashlee Reddick

Event 1: First Timers

$500 + $60 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Lots of familiar faces are making their first appearance of the Borgata Fall Poker Open.

A look at some of the players who skipped yesterday, but are ready to go for Day 1B.


Snuck away for the day to play Event 1 of the Borgata Fall Open. Feels like forever since I played a tourney.

Other Familiar Faces 

Cathy Dever
Steve Eyzerovich
Taya Kuznetsova   
Jose Montes
Eric Doerr
Stephanie Hubbard
Steve Ryan

Event 1: Seat Open!

$500 + $60 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

It doesn't take long for the call of "seat open," to be announced in the Poker Room.  On just the third hand of the day, Bruce Yamron (Naples, FL) chases down a straight on the river to knockout a player who flopped a set of 4s.

"Don't worry I won't be here long," he laughs. "I need a lot of chips because I have a game at 1 o'clock," he jokes.

Yamron's a wily veteran who's a Borgata regular.  He has $636,000 in career tournament earnings with results dating back to 1998 on pokerpages.com 


Event 1: Replay Button

$500 + $60 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Day 1B is off and running and we're looking at the exact same schedule and structure we saw yesterday.

Play will be in both The Signature Room and Poker Room -- and we look to add a lot more entries to the 576 we saw on Day 1A.

This $500,000 GUARANTEED tournament features 25k in chips and levels are 40 minutes long (Level 11+ 50 min.).  Re-entry is available for the first six levels and there's a $3,000 bonus to the end of day chip leader.

Button starts in the one seat as Day 1B is underway!

Friday, November 9

TODAY'S EVENTS (Poker Room & The Signature Room) 

11AM: Event 1B - $500 + $60 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
             $500,000 GUARANTEED 
  • Players start with 25,000 in tournament chips 
  • Levels 1-10: will last 40 minutes each | Levels 11+: will last 50 minutes each 
  • Players may Re-Enter through Level 6 
  • 2-Day event with two starting days.  Day 2 begins Saturday at 12PM
  • $3,000 subtracted from the prize pool and awarded to the chip leader at the end of Day 1A;
    $3,000 subtracted from the prize pool and awarded to the chip leader at the end of Day 1B. 

4PM:  Event 3 - $400 + $50 H.O.R.S.E.
  • Players start with 15,000 in tournament chips
  • Levels 1-10:  will last 30 minutes each | Levels 11+: will last 40 minutes each
  • 2-Day event.  Day 2 begins Saturday at 1PM
7 PM: Event 24 - $200 + $30 No Limit Hold'em
  • Players start with 12,000 in tournament chips 
  • Levels will last 20 minutes each 
  • 1-Day event

Event 1: Day 1A Chip Leaders

Borgata Fall Poker Open
Event 1A:  $500 + $60 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em

Entries (Day 1A):  576
Players Remaining: 78
Average Chip Stack:  184,600

END OF DAY 1A CHIP LEADERS:
1.  JORDAN LUDWICK (CHERRY HILL, NJ):  625,000
2.  JACOB BRUNDAGE (ARLINGTON, VA):  574,500
3.  MICHAEL ZAGORITES (CHELMSFORD, MA):  548,000
4.  ERIK CAJELAIS (MASCOUCHE, CAN):  460,500
5.  JOHN MORALES (GETTYSBURG, PA):  451,500
6.  BRIAN LEMKE (NORRISTOWN, PA):  409,000
7.  HAO LE (ALDIE, VA):  388,500
8.  FRITZ STONER (LANCASTER, PA):  361,500
9.  RAYMOND MORGAN (NEW YORK, NY):  347,000
10.  FLORENTINO DELEON (JOPPA, MD):  321,600
11.  MICHAEL MURPHY (WILKES BARRE, PA):  311,000
12.  SCOTT WILLIS (MURRELLS INLET, SC):  299,000
13.  GREG POGARSKY (REXFORD, NY):  296,500
14.  JOSEPH LIBERTA (BERLIN, NJ):  273,000
15.  FRANK FICADENTI (SPRINGFIELD, VA):  261,500
16.  IRVING PIMENTEL (ROSLINDALE, MA):  252,500
17.  BRENDAN KASHUBA (OCEAN CITY, MD):  251,000
18.  JOHN LYTLE (RUMSON, NJ):  250,000
19.  TONY SINISHTAJ (FLUSHING, NY):  249,500
20.  SETH BERGER (WOODBURY, NY):  246,500
21.  EDUARD BARENBAUM (MANALAPAN, NJ):  241,000
22.  TIFFANY WILLIAMSON (PLEASANTVILLE, NJ):  236,500
23.  KIJOON PARK (FLUSHING, NY):  235,000
24.  DOUGLAS STEWART (BROOKLYN, NY):  229,500
25.  BRYAN MILLER (BENSALEM, PA):  227,500
26.  DAVID NOVAK (CHERRY HILL, NJ):  226,500
27.  DANIEL LUPO (PHILLIPSBURG, NJ):  208,000
28.  JOSEPH CAVUCCI (ARLINGTON, VA):  201,500
29.  SHAWN BUSSE (MAASAPEQUA, NY):  191,500
30.  BENJAMIN MODO (ROSEDALE, MD):  189,000
31.  MICHAEL THOMPSON (FALL RIVER, MA):  188,000
32.  SIROUS JAMSHIDI (BROOMALL, PA):  183,000
33.  MICHAEL AZZARO (YONKERS, NY):  175,500
34.  JOHN ROTHE (WANTAGH, NY):  167,500
35.  JONATHAN MAKAROWITZ (EAST WINDSOR, NJ):  162,000
36.  JOHN CORNING (SYRACUSE, NY):  159,500
37.  JASON HENRICI (EGG HARBOR TWP, NJ):  159,000
38.  CUONG PHUNG (ATLANTIC CITY, NJ):  157,500
39.  SAID RAHIM (FAIRFAX, VA):  154,500
40.  PETER IPPOLITO (EAST MEADOW, NY):  152,000
41.  TIMOTHY WORLEY (RIDGELY, MD):  146,500
42.  PATRICIA HAGGERTY (SCRANTON, PA):  138,500
43.  THOMAS SAVITSKY (ABSECON, NJ):  138,500
44.  ABRAHAM FARONI (PHILADELPHIA, PA):  136,500
45.  JAMES MCKEON (LATTINGTOWN, NY):  135,000
46.  TJ CREWS (EDGEWATER, MD):  134,000
47.  JOSEPH PITTI (E MEADOW, NY):  130,000
48.  SCOTT WARDELL (TABERNACLE, NJ):  128,600
49.  CHARLES JONES (PITTSBURGH, PA):  125,000
50.  ANTHONY CLEMENTI (BLUE BELL, PA):  121,000
51.  CHII CHING SUN (MERRICK, NY):  118,000
52.  JOSEPH ISABELLA (EGG HARBOR TWP, NJ):  103,000
53.  NHAN NGUYEN (EGG HARBOR TWP, NJ):  98,500
54.  JOSEPH BRIDEAU (BROOKLYN, NY):  96,000
55.  MICHAEL LYDON (WOODSIDE, NY):  96,000
56.  ARTHUR PETERS (BRICK, NJ):  90,500
57.  TOBY KASSER (NEW CITY, NY):  90,000
58.  JOSEPH PITEK (WAYNE, PA):  90,000
59.  JONG MAN KIM (SILVER SPRING, MD):  89,000
60.  JAMES LILLIS (ROBINSVILLE, NJ):  80,000
61.  CARLESS BOATWRIGHT (WOODBRIDGE, VA):  78,000
62.  JOEL FRANK (PRINCETON, NJ):  76,500
63.  JASON DEUTSCH (STATEN ISLAND, NY):  73,500
64.  AARON MERMELSTEIN (PHILADELPHIA, PA):  73,500
65.  MATTHEW BRADY (HAVERTOWN, PA):  68,500
66.  PAUL GREIM (HELMETTA, NJ):  68,200
67.  KEVIN MCCOLGAN (DOUGLASSVILLE, PA):  67,000
68.  STEVEN SAKLAD (HARTSDALE, NY):  62,500
69.  CHARLES CARRIKER (ARLINGTON, VA):  58,500
70.  ANTONIO WALKER (WILLINGBORO, NJ):  58,000
71.  TIMOTHY FARO (GLEN BURNIE, MD):  57,400
72.  PAUL VACCHIO (INWOOD, NY):  54,000
73.  ANTHONY HILL (EGG HBR CITY, NJ):  50,500
74.  FRANK INGARDIA (STATEN ISLAND, NY):  47,000
75.  MICHAEL PETRAK (WAYNE, NJ):  45,500
76.  BEN DAVID CHINNER (ROXBY DOWNS, AUS):  44,000
77.  TONY MANDIA (COMMACK, NY):  25,000
78.  CARMEN LABRUTO (OCEAN CITY, MD):  18,000

Event 1: End of Day 1A Numbers

$500 + $60 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)   

Day 1A is in the books with about 83 players surviving.

One player surrendered his chips and will try again on day 1B.

1A Number of Entries:  576
1A Players Remaining:  83 (estimated)
1A Chips in Play:  14.4 million

1A Average Stack:  173k
1A Big Stack:  625k

Return to Level 17, Blinds: 2,500/5,000, 500 ante on SATURDAY at 12pm.

Friday at 11am is the start of day 1B where we wipe the slate clean and start with fresh bunch of players and a bunch of players trying again after busting out on day 1A.

Event 1: End of Day 1A

$500 + $60 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)  

With ten minutes left on the clock, all tables were told to play three more hands then call it a night.

Jordan Ludwick - End of Day 1A Chip Leader
$3,000

When the dust settled, Jordan Ludwick (Cherry Hill, NJ) was the end of day 1A chip leader with 625,000, which earned him the $3,000 bonus.

It was close but no cigar for Jacob Brundage, who ended the day in second place with 575k.

A complete list of chip counts for the remaining 80-something players will be posted in the morning.

Event 1: Fighting For The Lead

 $500 + $60 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)  

Jordan Ludwick and Jacob Brundage are neck-and-neck with about 500k each, so the lead is too close to call.

John Morales

John Morales (Gettysburg, PA) is a close third with about 460k.

This one is going to come down to the wire.  About ten minutes remain in level 16, which is the last of the night.

80 players remain.  Average stack is 180k.

Event 1: New Chip Leader

 $500 + $60 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry) 

Bruce Frank (Montclair, NJ) got his last chips in with AQ suited, only to run into BOTH pocket Aces and pocket Queens.  His only hope was a flush, which did not materialize.  Bruce was busted.

Jacob Brundage

Those pocket Aces belonged to Jacob Brundage (Arlington, VA).  He's now up to 498k and definitely the chip leader with about 30 minutes left to play.