Championship: Pro Bags Bonus, Melkersen Second

$2,500 + $200 Championship Deep Stack Double Play NLH (Re-Entry) 

Arthur Pro 

Chip Leader

When the dust settled, it was Arthur Pro (Dallas, TX) who bagged the biggest stack of 252k and the $3,000 bonus after Day 1A of the Borgata Fall Poker Open.  Second place goes to Mike Melkersen (New Market, VA) who finishes just ahead of Vimy Ha (Brooklyn, NY) by less than 3k in chips.

"They called our table the 'table of death,' and I did all the killing," said Pro, who was moved off Table 5 and had to adjust his game the last few levels.  "I was the big stack and running over the table, but had to shift gears when I got here."

'Here,' is Table 3 where Pro was joined by Ha, who also had a big stack.

"Just short," said Va as he agonized while counting the last of his green (25) chips knowing he was only at 212,600, shy of Melkersen's 215,300.

Melkersen had the chip lead on dinner break, but suffered a few hits and fell into second place.

While Melkersen and Ha are seasoned regulars, each with a tournament win, Pro is looking for his first Borgata cash, but he's no stranger here.

"I'm home for the holidays," said Pro who grew up in Philadelphia before moving to Texas.  "I got to have dinner with my dad and got the bonus, the trip can't get any better."

Pro, who doesn't play as much as his last name suggests, says that poker is a hobby but is a "serious hobby" and he plays a lot.

72 players from Day 1A bagged an average stack of 71k (71 bb) with blinds going to 500/1k/100 ante when they return for Tuesday's Day 2.

The Championship Event continues 11 am Monday with Day 1B. Those survivors merge with those who advanced from Day 1A.

Tony & Arthur Pro on Dinner Break

(photo provided)

Championship: Day 1A Bag & Tag

$2,500 + $200  Championship Deep Stack Double Play NLH (Re-Entry)

Day 1A Complete

1A Entries: ~170
Players Remaining: 72
Average Stack: 71k (71 bb)
Next Blinds: 500/1k/100 ante

Big Stacks Chip Counts

Arthur Pro 252,300
Mike Melkersen 215,300
Vimy Ha 212,600
Matt Stout 161,800
Fernando Diaz 156,700
Muhammad Abdel-Rahi 137,900
Paul Volpe 134,500
Mark Rose 130,400
Cliff Josephy 125,600
Matt Glantz 122,000
Knowlton Atterbeary 113,800
Andrew Brokos 110,500
Tony Abi-Yaghi 107,100
Satish Gorrela 100,600
Mattew Siberzweig 100,000

Check back after 10 am for full list

Championship: Four More Hands

$2,500 + $200  Championship Deep Stack Double Play NLH (Re-Entry)

Level 8: 400/800/100 ante

Each table is dealing four more hands to conclude play for the night.  Right in front of media row Table 5 continues to be the table of death.

During the last four hands, three players bust out and they finish the night 6-handed.  There were a steady stream of bustouts from here all day including Chris Reslock and Gary Ackerman.

A potential big stack for the end of night bonus Arthur Pro (Dallas, TX) was on Table 5, but was moved across the room. The big stacks are looking for $3,000 as chip leader and $1,500 for the second biggest stack.

Event 12 Slideshow

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

May not work on mobile devices. Click here for direct link.

Event 12 Recap

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

The wild scene at any six-max tournament got even more crazy three-handed at the Borgata Fall Poker Open.  The big chip swings, double-ups and and survivals all led to Sardor Gaziev (North Brunswick, NJ) winning the title.

On the final hand, Gaziev's K♣ 9♣ held against Richard Corley's (Brooklyn, NY) Q♥ 9♥, one of the few times the best hand won.

"You need skill and a little luck (to win a tournament), but I had a lot of luck when we were heads up," said Gaziev who won his first Borgata trophy and $30,463.

Twice Gaziev was one card from elimination, but was saved by the river both times.

He first survived on a double-paired board that counterfeited Corley's pocket 3s and allowed Gaziev's Ace-kicker to play.  He then split a pot when one of his 15 chop outs hit the river.

"He played well," said Corley who refused to blame the deck for his runner-up finish which beat his previous best Borgata result. "It's higher than 4th," he said about his finish in the 2012 Borgata Spring Poker Open, "but I don't have a trophy yet."

Jon Sorscher (Lynbrook, NY) was looking for his second career trophy, but was victimized in the three-handed fire works. He had Aces cracked by Gaziev and dropped to less than 5 big blinds before building back only to be have Gaziev cripple him again.

"I didn't have any expectations three-handed," said Sorscher who won his first title in the 2012 Borgata Winter Poker Open. "The way the chips were flying, anything could happen."

The two-day tournament began with 237 entries for buy-ins that totaled $118,500.  The top 27 made the money with the final 18 returning for Day 2.

Two Borgata regulars made the final table in Tom Dobrilovic (4th) and Mark Sykes (5th), who was looking for his third trophy.

Other notables who cashed included Antonio Walker (8th), Scott Baumstein (11th), Mike Shahso (14th), Nancy Martin (19th), Josh Brikis (20th), Roland Israelashvili (22nd) and Paul Vacchio (24th).

While Gaziev only plays poker "occasionally," he's building a nice resume. This is his 9th Borgata cash and third final table to push his career earnings to more than $150,000.

"It's tough to get one of these," said Gaziev while holding his new hardware. "I'm going home happy, I got the trophy."


Final Table Results

Entries: 237
Total Buy-Ins: $118,500

Place-Name-Payout

1st Sardor Gaziev (North Brunswick, NJ) $30,463
2nd Richard Corley (Brooklyn, NY) $18,104
3rd Jon Sorscher (Lynbrook, NY) $13,793
4th Tom Dobrilovic (W. Nyack, NY) $10,920
5th Mark Sykes (Margate, NJ) $8,621
6th Brandon Fisher (Richmond, VA) $6,322
7th John McGinley (Jersey City, NJ) $4,885

Event 12 Winner - Gaziev

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

Blinds 50k/100k/10k ante 

Sardor Gaziev (North Brunswick, NJ)

$30,463

After getting multiple double-ups to stay alive, Sardor Gaziev defeats Richard Corley heads up to win the title and trophy at the Borgata Fall Poker Open.

Final hand:

Gaziev: K♣ 9♣
Corley: Q♥ 9♥

Flop: K♥ 6♣ 5♦ (Gaziev pair of Kings)

Turn: 10♣ (Corely, gutshot straight draw for 3 outs; Gaziev flush draw)

River: 8♥

Gaziev's pair of Kings is best as he earns $30,463 for the win.

"It's tough to get one of these," says Gaziev while holding his first Borgata trophy.  "You need skill and a little luck, but I had a lot of luck when we were heads up."

Gaziev survived two all ins when the river bailed him out, once for a double-up, the second time in a chopped pot.

Gaziev says he plays poker "occasionally" and this is one of the highlights of his career.  It's his 9th Borgata cash and third final table to push his career earnings to more than $150,000.

Event 12: 2nd Place - Corley

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

Blinds 50k/100k/10k ante

Richard Corley (Brooklyn, NY)

$18,104

Richard Corley is snake bitten heads up, twice he's one card away from winning the tournament, but settles for second place behind Sardor Gaziev.

After shipping a double-up and chopping a second pot on the river, Corley has his pocket Jacks cracked that left him short stacked. The tournament ends when his Q♥ 9♥ doesn't improve against Gaziev's K♣ 9♣.

"He played well," says Corley who refused to blame the deck for his runner-up finish.

Corley works in New York City and says he's only played in four six-max tournaments, but has three cashes, all at Borgata.

"It's higher than 4th," he says about his finish in the 2012 Borgata Spring Poker Open, "but I don't have a trophy yet."

Corley earns $18,104 for second place, his largest career cash.

Championship: Last Level of the Night

$2,500 + $200  Championship Deep Stack Double Play NLH (Re-Entry)

Level 10: 400/800/100 ante

It's a two horse race for the end of night bonuses as Arthur Pro (Dallas, TX) leads with 270k, while Mke Melkersen (New Market, VA) took a hit and dropped to 235k.

There are plenty of stacks in the 125k-150k range including Matt Glantz (Lafayette Hill, PA). Also with more than 100k is Roman Valerstein (Philadelphia, PA) who tweets:

102k at 400-800-100. Shoutout to @AntZinno for hooking up the “little man” bracelet, im now more likely to win pic.twitter.com/fcTfpjgRyH
— Roman Valerstein (@GrimeRat420) November 25, 2013

Event 12: Corley One Card from Win, Sardor Surviving

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

Blinds 40k/80/10k ante

Richard Corley has been one card away from the win twice, but both times, Sardor Gaziev stays alive and then gets a double-up to take the lead.

Survival Hand #1

Gaziev (780k all in) with A8 vs 33, but a double-paired board counterfeits Corley and the Ace kicker plays.

Survival Hand #2

Gaziev (no count all in) with A6 vs A7, but a run out of K Q T 5 J is a chop, both players Ace-high straight.

Double-up

Gaziev (1.26 all in) with A7 vs JJ, flops two pairs to take the chip lead.

Event 12: AJ Chop it Up

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

Blinds 30k/60k/5k ante

Richard Corley and Sardor Gaziev have been playing small pots and there's only been one called all-in in heads up play

Both players have AJ, with Gaziev at risk, and not only do they chop the pot, they don't even use the cards. The board runs out to a 7-high straight.

They're heading towards a ten minute break.

Heads Up Chip Counts

Richard Corley 2.1 million
Sardor Gaziev 1.4 million

Championship: 170 Unoffical Day 1A Entries

$2,500 + $200  Championship Deep Stack Double Play NLH (Re-Entry)

Level 9: 300/600/75 ante

The three empty seats on dinner break were filled by two re-entries and a new player, so that puts the remaining players at 90 (of ~170 entries) with registration closed for Day 1A.

One player sticking around is Nicholas Palma (Bronx, NY) who tweets:

Came back positive from dinner and double to 29k first hand! One of the strangest hands I've been a part of. Time to finish the night strong
— nicholas palma (@nicholas_palma) November 25, 2013

Event 12: 3rd Place - Sorscher

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

Blinds 30k/60k/5k ante

Jon Sorscher (Lynbrook, NY)

$13,793

Jon Sorscher's chip stack was all over the map after the dinner break and he eventually busts in third place.

Sorscher had his Aces cracked by Sardor Gaziev which left him with only 195k, but after two double-ups including with AA against A3, he's back to 800k and in the mix.

But an unlucky 7 on the river cripples Sorscher, again by Gaziev.

Sorscher: AJ

Gaziev: T9

Flop: A J 8 (Sorscher two pairs, Gaziev OE straight draw)

Turn: 2

River: 7

The river gives Gaziev a Jack-high straight and a 660k double-up. The hand leaves Sorscher with 330k (6 bb) and is eventually knocked out by Richard Corley.

"I feel pretty good," says Sorscher, who began Day 2 as the chip leader. "I got my chips in with the best hand," he says about the AA and AJ hands that crippled him.

Sorscher is out in third place for $13,793. He and his wife Connie can't play the Championship Event and are heading back to New York.

Heads Up Chip Counts

Richard Corley: 2.3 million

Sardor Gaziev 1.2 million

Championship: Twitter Chirp Counts

$2,500 + $200  Championship Deep Stack Double Play NLH (Re-Entry)

Dinner Break, Play Resumes 9:05 pm

Mike Melersen 252k
Todd Breyfogle 132k
Cliff Josephy 116k
Jordan Ludwick 72k
Brock Parker 60k
Anna Khait 45k
Joe McKeehen 39k
Kevin McColgan 24k
Joe Kuether 15k
Nicholas Palma 14k

Event 12: Three Way Action

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

Blinds 25k/50k/5k ante

 (l-r) Corley, Gaziev & Sorscher with Jon's Wife Connie in the Background

Richard Corley, Sardor Gaziev and Jon Sorscher are back from dinner and playing for the trophy.

Remaining Prize Pool

1st      $30,463
2nd     $18,104
3rd      $13,793

Championship: 2012 Flashback

$2,500 + $200  Championship Deep Stack Double Play NLH (Re-Entry)

Dinner Break, Play Resumes 9:05 pm

2012 Day 1A Chip Leader Vinny Pahjua

The chip leader last year at the end of Day 1A was Vinny Pahuja with 411k, with Matt Stout second at 350k. They earned the end of night bonuses, something today's field will focus on over the last two hours of play.

Championship: Dinner Break

$2,500 + $200  Championship Deep Stack Double Play NLH (Re-Entry)

Dinner Break, Play Resumes 9:05 pm

Players are on a 75 minute dinner break and registration is open until play resumes with Level 9 (300/600/75 ante).

The big stack is Mike Melkersen who's up to 252k (420 bb).

The field is down to 87 players of 169 entries and the average stack is 58k (97 bb).

They'll play two more levels after dinner with a bag and tag at ~11 pm.

Championship: Sharkslayerr Stacking Chips

$2,500 + $200 Championship Deep Stack Double Play NLH (Re-Entry)

Level 8: 250/500/50 ante

After cashing in 12th place ($1,437) in the six-max, Todd Breyfogle (Hopkins, MN) jumps into the Championship Event and runs his stack to 130k heading to dinner break.

Here's his update on Twitter:
 
Todd Breyfogle ‏@sharkslayerr 

 Just went on a massive heater flopping stones going all in guys paying me off been all in 6 times 6-6

Event 12: Dinner Break

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

Next Blinds: 25k/50k/5k ante

The final three players are on dinner break with play resuming at 8:15 pm.

Sardor Gaziev has been very active and playing bigger pots with Richard Corley, while the hands Jon Sorscher has been in have been on the smaller side.

Chip Counts

Sardor Gaziev 1.415 million (28 bb)
Jon Sorscher 1.185 million (24 bb)
Richard Corley 970k (19 bb)

Championship: Ha!, Cracks Aces, No Joke - Chip Leader

$2,500 + $200  Championship Deep Stack Double Play NLH (Re-Entry)

Level 8: 250/500/50 ante

Vimy Ha

Borgata trophy winner Vimy Ha (Brooklyn, NY) is now one one of the big stacks at 185k after adding 25k when he cracks pocket aces.  Ha not only flops a set of queens, but hits a four-flush on the river.

Another Borgata stalwart Mike Melkersen (New Market, VA) is in the 185k range. Melkersen has five Borgata final tables on his resume, including a win in July's Deep Stack Double Play for $87,000. Melkersen ($260,000 and Ha ($300,000) have combined tournament earnings of $560,000.

Earlier chip leader Arthur Pro (Dallas, TX) is still in the mix at 170k.  While he's new to Borgata, Pro has been on the rise in 2013 including a runner-up finish at the WSOP for nearly $500,000.

This is the last level before the 7:51 dinner break and players were reminded by Tournament Director Tab Duchateau that the end of night chip leader gets a $3,000 bonus, while second place earns $1,500.

Mike Melkersen

Championship: Poker Fish Out of Day 1A

$2,500 + $200 Championship Deep Stack Double Play NLH (Re-Entry) 

 Level 7: 200/400/50 ante

Busted day 1a of Borgata, got in ~38k @ 200/400 with 89dd on 883 vs @JohnnyBaxPoker KK and he rivers a king Day 1b tomorrow
— Darryll Fish (@DarryllFish) November 24, 2013

Tough table, made a good call.. At 80k @BorgataPoker
— Anna Khait (@Annakhait) November 24, 2013

Out. AJ < QQ on J high board, then QQ < AA aipf for last 36 BBs. #BorgataME
— Todd Terry (@toddbterry) November 24, 2013

Event 12: 4th Place - Dobrilovic

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

Blinds 15k/30k/4k ante

 Tom Dobrilovic (W. Nyack, NY) 

$10,920

"Ace-King is not his friend," says one bystander just after Tom Dobrilovic's elimination.

Dobrilovic first sends a double-up to Richard Corley when his AK doesn't improve against pocket 7s, then the two tangle again.

Dobrilovic is all in with big slick for 315k from the button and Corley calls from the SB with QQ.

The board runs out 8-high and Dobrilovic loses a second straight flip to finish in fourth place for $10,920.

The final three players are all in the 1 million chip range as they play for the big money.

Remaining Players

Richard Corley
Sardor Gaziev
Jon Sorscher

Remaining Prize Pool

1st      $30,463
2nd     $18,104
3rd      $13,793

Event 12: 5th Place - Sykes

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

15k/30k/4k ante

Mark Sykes (Margate, NJ)

$8,621

Mark Sykes opens to 60k, Sardor Gaziev makes it 150k, Sykes 4-bets all in for 650k and Gaziev calls.

Sykes 88 doesn't improve against QQ and he's out in 5th place for $8,621.

Sykes shakes his head and laments that he shoved. "It was an obvious spot," says Sykes, "I should've known what he had.

Championship: Borgata No Limit Numbers Game

$2,500 + $200  Championship Deep Stack Double Play NLH (Re-Entry)

Level 7: 200/400/50 ante

There are 159 entries so far on Day 1A and ~108 players are in the field.  The average stack is currently 44k (110 bb) and entry is open through dinner break which will end at ~9:05 pm.

Event 12: 6th Place - Fisher

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

Blinds 12k/24k/3k ante
 

Brandon Fisher (Richmond, VA) 

$6,322

Brandon Fisher moves all in for 150k with AT and is at risk against the suited A5 of Tom Dobrilovic.

Dobrilovic flops a 5 and rivers the nut flush to take his stack to 850k.

Fisher is out in 6th place for $6,322 and says, "I like six-max, it takes me back to my on-line days."

Championship: 1A Photo Slideshow

 

May not work on mobile devices. Click here for direct link.

Championship: Lots of Familar Faces

$2,500 + $200  Championship Deep Stack Double Play NLH (Re-Entry)

End of Level 6:  Blinds 150/300/25 ante 

End of level and time for a break.

Familiar faces among the remaining twelve tables:

Table 1
Arhur Peters
Joe 'the Jeweler' Gola
Roman Valerstein

Table 2
Anthony Zinno
Anna Khait
Matt Stout
Joe McKeehen
Matt Glantz

Table 3
Lyle Diamond
Mark Rose
Christian Harder
Pasquale Boffice
Michael Sukonik
Gary Ackerman

Table 4
Cliff Josephy
Michael Drabot
Darryll Fish
Jeremy McLaughlin
Paul Volpe

Table 5
Nick Palma
Frank Reina
Todd Breyfogle
Arthur Pro
Robert Ida

Table 6
Andrew Brokos
Tony Abi-Yaghi
Rob Hanes
Alex Queen
Darren Elias
Orson Young

Table 7
Eric Panayiotou
Dan Wach
Kevin McColgan
Mike Sneideman
Jennifer Shahade

Table 8
Tony Sinishtaj
Roland Israelashvili
Mike Melkersen
Alan Vrooman

Table 9
Jordan Ludwick
Jack Barnes
Todd Terry
Russell Thomas
Sam Bernstein

Table 10
Brock Parker
Sam Taylor
Maruti Yarlapati
Chris O'Hara
Sirous Jamshidi

Table 11
Adam Gerber
Ben Bianco

Table 12
Jake Schwartz
Joe Kuether
Jeff Gross
Keith Crowder

Championship: Unlucky 13

$2,500 + $200  Championship Deep Stack Double Play NLH (Re-Entry)

Level 6:  Blinds 150/300/25 ante

Table 13 was heavily loaded with poker talent:

Tony Sinishtaj
Cliff 'JohnnyBax' Josephy
Roland Israelashvili
Arthur Peters
Bart Dowling
Joe McKeehen

That table has broken and those players have scattered around the room.

The remaining 12 tables just got a little bit tougher!

Event 12: Super Six Settling In

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

Blinds 12k/24/2k ante

 Final Table

(Clockwise from Seat 1)

Mark Sykes
Tom Dobrilovic
Brandon Fisher
Richard Corley
Sardor Gaziev
Jon Sorscher

Jon Sorscher continues to lead the chip counts with nearly double the chips of second place Sardor Gaziev.  The average stack is nearly 600k (25 bb) so we're expecting a lot of play over the next few leve

Chip Counts

Jon Sorscher 1.3 million
Sardor Gaziev 715k
Mark Sykes 525k
Richard Corley 415k
Tom Dobrilovic 411k
Brandon Fisher 140k

Championship: Defending Champion

$2,500 + $200  Championship Deep Stack Double Play NLH (Re-Entry)

Level 6:  Blinds 150/300/25 ante

Brock Parker

Brock Parker is here today playing to defend his title.  He won this event last year, early on Thanksgiving Day, along with $372,568.

Championship: Early Chip Leader

$2,500 + $200  Championship Deep Stack Double Play NLH (Re-Entry)

Level 5:  Blinds 100/200/25 ante

Table 5, conveniently located directly in front of the media table, has been the table of death today.  Gary Ackerman and Chris Reslock were at this table, but both have busted out.

Todd Breyfogle, who finished 12th in event 12, entered this event and landed at table 5 in the seat formerly warmed by Chris Reslock.

Arthur Pro - Early Chip Leader

Arthur Pro (Dallas, TX) is seated at table 5 and he's up to ~125k.  He was not aware of the bonuses awarded to the players first and second in chips at the end of days 1A and 1B.

The chip leader after ten levels of play will earn $3,000.  Second in chips gets $1,500.

Now he's aware.

Event 12: 7th Place - McGinley

$500 + $60 Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
   
Blinds: 8k/16k/2k ante  

John McGinley (Jersey City, NJ)

$4,885

After action folded to him on the button, John McGinley shoved for ~200k.

Sardor Gaziev (sb) called.  John's A8 was dominated by Sardor's AK.  The bigger Ace held up and Sardor chipped up to ~935k.

John McGinley busted out in 7th place, earning $4,885.

Event 12: Final Table Chip Counts

$500 + $60 Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
   
Blinds: 8k/16k/2k ante  

Play resumed after the break.  With seven players remaining, the average stack is 508k.

Here's the new lineup with chip counts:

Seat - Player - Chips
1 - Mark Sykes - 485k
2 - Tom Dobrilovic - 559k
3 - Brandon Fisher - 387k
4 - Richard Corley - 232k
5 - John McGinley - 251k
6 - Sardor Gaziev - 624k
7 - Jon Sorscher - 1.134 million

Event 12: 9th - Barnett; 8th - Walker

$500 + $60 Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
   
Blinds: 6k/12k/2k ante 

Jeremy Barnett (Hammonton, NJ)

$2,012

Next to go was Jeremy Barnett, who finished 9th for $2,012.

Antonio Walker (Willingboro, NJ)

$3,448

The final seven moved to the final table with seconds remaining in the level, so they went ahead and took their break before resuming play.

Event 12: 10th Place - Eischens

$500 + $60 Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
   
Blinds: 6k/12k/2k ante 

Terrance Eischens (Shakopee, MN)

$1,437

Terrance Eischens busted out in 10th place, earning $1,437.  Down to nine players at two tables.  When they get to 7, they will move to the final table.

Championship: Out and In Again

$2,500 + $200  Championship Deep Stack Double Play NLH (Re-Entry)

Level 3:  Blinds 100/200

Reigning Borgata Poker Open Champion Anthony Zinno busted out, so he's no longer free-rolling.  He's re-entered on his own dime and is at table 2 with Anna Khait, Matt Stout, and Matt Glantz.

Also busted and re-entered:
Sam Bernstein
Neville Darrell

Busted and hasn't re-entered (yet):
Robert Melo

Ari Engel has already busted out twice:

Busted twice in borgata main.. Waiting to play again till tomorrow.
— Ari Engel (@realAriEngel) November 24, 2013

Event 12: Two More Out The Door

$500 + $60 Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
   
Blinds: 5k/10k/1k ante

 Todd Breyfogle & Scott Baumstein

Earning $1,437
12th - Todd Breyfogle (Hopkins, MN)
11th - Scott Baumstein (New York, NY)

Event 12: 13th Place - Gambino

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

Blinds: 4k/8k/1k ante

Matt Gambino (W Babylon, NY)

$1,149

Matt Gambino was the next to depart in 13th place ($1,149).

The final dozen are now at two tables.

Championship: Reigning Champion Has Arrived

$2,500 + $200  Championship Deep Stack Double Play NLH (Re-Entry)

Level 3:  Blinds 75/150

Anthony Zinno won the 2013 Borgata Poker Open Championship two months ago along with $825,099.  He also finished second on the Borgata Leaderboard during that series, which won him a seat in this event, so he's free-rolling here today.

Seated on his left is another familiar face, Jeremy McLaughlin.  Jeremy won the 2010 Borgata Poker Open Heads-Up event.

Event 12: 14th Place - Shasho

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

Blinds: 4k/8k/1k ante

Mike 'Mad Dog' Shasho (Ramsey, NJ)

$1,149

After Richard Corley raised from the button, Mike 'Mad Dog' Shasho jammed from the small blind.

Mike:  JT suited
Richard: AT

The flop of A J x gave both a pair, but Mike needed more help to survive.  He got none, however, and was busted in 14th place ($1,149).

Event 12: Back From Break

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

Blinds: 4k/8k/1k ante

Fourteen players are back from a break.  Average stack is 254k.

Championship: Players Remembering Little Man

$2,500 + $200  Championship Deep Stack Double Play NLH (Re-Entry)

End of Level 2:  Blinds 50/100

Time for a break!

A couple of players in today's field are remembering Mike 'Little Man' Sica:

@SKdaPLaYa I'm at table 2 and forgot my toothpicks if ur at Borgata! #RIPMikeSica
— Matt Stout (@MattStoutPoker) November 24, 2013

Playing the main at @BorgataPoker playing in honor of this little man.. pic.twitter.com/Ow4y7pQVJ8
— Anna Khait (@Annakhait) November 24, 2013

The bracelet shown in Anna's photo was from Anthony Zinno, who had then made in honor of Little Man.

Event 12: 17th - 15th Places

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

Blinds: 3k/6k/500 

 Edmond Petrella, Natale Kuey, & Vincenzo Mazzaferro

Three more out the door:

Earning $1,149
17th - Edmond Petrella (Lumberton, NJ)
16th - Natale Kuey (Bronx, NY)
15th - Vincenzo Mazzaferro (Bellrose, NY)

Championship: Hubbard's Aces Cracked Twice

$2,500 + $200  Championship Deep Stack Double Play NLH (Re-Entry)
$1 Million Guaranteed

Level 2:  Blinds 50/100

Stephanie Hubbard exited the Championship event in "record fashion" according to her Tweet:

Out in record fashion AA<23ss then AA<74cc on a j24 rainbow turn 4 and the guy 4X my turn bet. Worst run of cards I've ever had
— Stephanie Hubbard (@StephHub31) November 24, 2013

Event 12: 18th Place - Himmelspach

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

Blinds: 2,500/5,000/500

Chad Himmelspach (Bismark, ND)

$1,149

Chad Himmelspach got all-in with pocket 5s against the AK off of Jeremy Barnett.  The board ran out with four spades, giving Jeremy the nut flush with his Aces of spades. 

Chad busted out in 18th place earning $1,149.

Event 12: Day 2 Underway

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

Blinds: 2,500/5,000/500 (20 minutes remaining)

The final three tables are in action in the back of The Signature Room.  Here's what they're playing for:

Remaining Prize Pool

Place     Payout

1      $30,463
2      $18,104
3      $13,793
4      $10,920
5      $8,621
6      $6,322
7      $4,885
8      $3,448
9      $2,012
10 - 12 $1,437
13 -18  $1,149

Championship: Checking in via Twitter

$2,500 + $200  Championship Deep Stack Double Play NLH (Re-Entry)
$1 Million Guaranteed

Level 1:  Blinds 25/50 

Keep those Tweets coming!  #BFPO

These folks are checking in early today:

1st one at table, ready to start $2700 borgata main pic.twitter.com/3Nnfh1xKFf
— Ari Engel (@realAriEngel) November 24, 2013

$2700 borgata main event today, Table 1 seat 7 and looks like good table draw
— Roman Valerstein (@GrimeRat420) November 24, 2013

Borgat Fall PO Main 30k ss 1hr lvls
— Kevin McColgan (@Bukowski101) November 24, 2013

Ready to go on time in this @BorgataPoker main! #lfg
— Stephanie Hubbard (@StephHub31) November 24, 2013

Playing borgata $2700 main event. 30k starting stack hour levels #focused
— nicholas palma (@nicholas_palma) November 24, 2013

Borgata $2700 $1M 1a. 30k, 60 min, 25/50
— Harrison Gimbel (@Harrison_Gimbel) November 24, 2013

Playing day 1a of borgata main event with darrenelias on my right, barry leventhal on my left, and a pittsburgh reg.
— Andrew Brokos (@thinkingpoker) November 24, 2013

Borgata main event , lets do something here #Franchisejack #BPO
— Jack Long (@franchisejack) November 24, 2013

Day 1a Borgata Fall Open, starting 3 handed with @realAriEngel and a guy who check raised me the first hand
— Darryll Fish (@DarryllFish) November 24, 2013

Borgata! 2700 ME shortly
— brock parker (@brock_parker) November 24, 2013

Championship: Day 1A Underway

$2,500 + $200  Championship Deep Stack Double Play NLH (Re-Entry)
$1 Million Guaranteed

Level 1:  Blinds 25/50

The Championship event is underway here in The Signature Room.

Players began with 30,000 chips and levels are one hour long today.

This is the first of two starting days and players can opt to play either or both.  Players who bag chips on Day 1A can play again on 1B and take their "best" stack into Day 2.

Late registration and re-entry are available through level 8.

Cards are in the air!  

Event 12: Day 2 - Sorted by Table & Seat

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

Total Entries: 237
Total Buy-In: $118,500
Places Paid: 24

Players Remaining: 18
Average Stack: 197,500

Day 2 Players sorted by Table & Seat:

NAME	CHIP COUNT	Table	Seat
ANTONIO WALKER	243,500	1	1
MARK SYKES	268,000	1	2
TODD BREYFOGLE	213,000	1	3
VINCENZO MAZZAFERRO	166,500	1	4
TOMISLAV DOBRILOVIC	172,000	1	5
EDMOND PETRELLA	91,000	1	6
JOHN MCGINLEY	131,000	2	1
JONATHAN SORSCHER	445,500	2	2
CHAD HIMMELSPACH	66,000	2	3
JEREMY BARNETT	99,500	2	4
BRANDON FISHER	259,500	2	5
TERRANCE EISCHENS	268,000	2	6
MATTHEW GAMBINO	276,000	3	1
SCOTT BAUMSTEIN	275,000	3	2
SARDOR GAZIEV	140,000	3	3
RICHARD CORLEY	251,500	3	4
NATALE KUEY	122,500	3	5
MICHAEL SHASHO	90,500	3	6

Event 12: Day 2 - Sorted by Chip Counts

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

Total Entries: 237
Total Buy-In: $118,500
Places Paid: 24

Players Remaining: 18
Average Stack: 197,500

Day 2 Players sorted by CHIP COUNT:

NAME	CHIP COUNT	Table	Seat
JONATHAN SORSCHER	445,500	2	2
MATTHEW GAMBINO	276,000	3	1
SCOTT BAUMSTEIN	275,000	3	2
TERRANCE EISCHENS	268,000	2	6
MARK SYKES	268,000	1	2
BRANDON FISHER	259,500	2	5
RICHARD CORLEY	251,500	3	4
ANTONIO WALKER	243,500	1	1
TODD BREYFOGLE	213,000	1	3
TOMISLAV DOBRILOVIC	172,000	1	5
VINCENZO MAZZAFERRO	166,500	1	4
SARDOR GAZIEV	140,000	3	3
JOHN MCGINLEY	131,000	2	1
NATALE KUEY	122,500	3	5
JEREMY BARNETT	99,500	2	4
EDMOND PETRELLA	91,000	1	6
MICHAEL SHASHO	90,500	3	6
CHAD HIMMELSPACH	66,000	2	3

Event 12: Day 2 - Alphabetical by LAST NAME

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

Total Entries: 237
Total Buy-In: $118,500
Places Paid: 24

Players Remaining: 18
Average Stack: 197,500

Day 2 Players sorted alphabetically by LAST NAME:

NAME	CHIP COUNT	Table	Seat
JEREMY BARNETT	99,500	2	4
SCOTT BAUMSTEIN	275,000	3	2
TODD BREYFOGLE	213,000	1	3
RICHARD CORLEY	251,500	3	4
TOMISLAV DOBRILOVIC	172,000	1	5
TERRANCE EISCHENS	268,000	2	6
BRANDON FISHER	259,500	2	5
MATTHEW GAMBINO	276,000	3	1
SARDOR GAZIEV	140,000	3	3
CHAD HIMMELSPACH	66,000	2	3
NATALE KUEY	122,500	3	5
VINCENZO MAZZAFERRO	166,500	1	4
JOHN MCGINLEY	131,000	2	1
EDMOND PETRELLA	91,000	1	6
MICHAEL SHASHO	90,500	3	6
JONATHAN SORSCHER	445,500	2	2
MARK SYKES	268,000	1	2
ANTONIO WALKER	243,500	1	1

Sunday, November 24th

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

11AM: Event 13 - $2,500 + $200  Championship Deep Stack Double Play NLH (Re-Entry)
$1 Million Guaranteed

• Players start with 30,000 in tournament chips 
• Day 1 Levels will last 60 minutes each | Days 2 & 3 Levels will last 75 minutes each
• Players may register for Day 1A or Day 1B. Players may Re-Enter tournament on Day 1A and/or Day 1B if they bust out prior to the end of Level 8 of that starting day.
• Players participating in multiple Day 1’s may choose their “best” stack for start of Day 2. 
• 3-Day event

 

12PM: Event 38 - $175 + $25 Championship Qualifier No Limit Hold'em (~1 in 15) 

• Players start with 12,000 in tournament chips 
• Levels will last 20 minutes each
• 1-Day event

 
3PM: Event 39 - $540 + $60 Championship Qualifier No Limit Hold'em (~1 in 5) 

• Players start with 15,000 in tournament chips 
• Levels will last 30 minutes each
• 1-Day event

7PM: Event 40 - $270 + $30 Championship Qualifier No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)  (~1 in 10) 

• Players start with 15,000 in tournament chips 
• Levels will last 25 minutes each
• 1-Day event

Event 12: 7th Heaven, Connie Helps Hubby to Chip Lead

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

Connie & Jon

Behind every great man is a great woman, something Jon Sorscher (Lynbrook, NY) can attest to as his wife Connie is directly responsible for him having the end of  Day 1 chip lead.

The couple was all in against each other with Jon at risk holding pocket 7s versus Connie's pocket Tens.

"I called it," smiled Connie after Jon bagged the biggest stack of 446k, "I said, 'Seven on the river,' I knew it was coming."

Jon's set of 7s doubled his 7 bb stack to 15k.

"Being married, it can be tough (at the poker table), so we try and play straight forward,"  said Jon who was true to his word. After Connie open-shoved 14 bb with her pocket pair, Jon could have easily folded.

"I'd be all-in, in that spot against anyone else, so I had to call," he said.

After cutting Connie's stack in half and seeing her eliminated a short time later, Jon took advantage of his good fortune.

"It was pretty smooth sailing," said Jon, "I didn't have any really big hands all day."

Sorscher has 169k more than second in chips Matt Gambino (West Babylon, NY) who finished with 276k.

18 players remain with an average stack of 181k (36 bb) and they return noon Sunday with blinds at 2,500/5k/500 ante. The next payout is $1,137, while the top prize is $35,357.

And whatever place Jon finishes in, Connie should be getting a nice finder's fee.

Event 12: End of Night Chip Counts

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

Blinds: 2,500/5,000/500 (Clock Paused with 20 min. remaining)

Play resumes 12 pm Sunday. Check back after 10 am for a list of the two-table redraw.

Name-Chip Counts

Jonathan Sorscher 445,500 (89 BB)
Matt Gambino 276,000
Scott Baumstein 275,000
Mark Sykes 268,000
Terrance Eischens 268,000
Brandon Fisher 259,500
Richard Corley 251,500
Antonio Walker 243,500
Todd Breyfogle 213,000
AVG STACK 181,000 (36 BB)
Tom Dobrilovic 172,000
Vincenzo Mazzaserro 166,500
Sardor Gaziev 140,000
John McGinley 131,00
Natale Kvey 122,500
Jeremy Barnett 99,500
Edmond Petrella 91,000
Mike Shasho 90,500
Chad Himmelspach 66,000 (13 bb)

Remaining Prize Pool

Place     Payout

1      $30,463
2      $18,104
3      $13,793
4      $10,920
5      $8,621
6      $6,322
7      $4,885
8      $3,448
9      $2,012
10 - 12 $1,437
13 -18  $1,149

Event 12: 19th-24th Places ($862)

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

Place-Name-Payout

19th Nancy Martin (Washington Crossing, PA)
20th Josh Brikis (Pittsburgh, PA)
21st James Karalis (Middletown, NY)
22nd Roland Israelashvili (Forest Hills, NY)
23rd Ryan Blank (Las Vegas, NV)
24th Paul Vacchio (Inwood, NY)