$250 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Hyper aggressive play and a quality field are two staples in any six-max tournament, but it's a newbie to the format who won Event 9 of the Borgata Fall Poker Open.
Matt Gunter (Baltimore, MD) beat Rocco Luciano (Philadelphia, PA) heads up to win the title and the trophy when his AQ held against AJ.
"It's
hard to believe I actually won," said Gunter, who won $16,017 in his first six-max event. "I'm a nit in
a six-max body."
Gunter said he had "no chips" the first six levels, but when his KK busted 99 for his first $100 bounty of the tournament, he shifted gears. "You learn to adapt," said the 25-year old, who considers himself a semi-professional player.
One hand that epitomized the sheer aggression of the format came between Luciano and Gunter at the final two tables in a 1.2 million chip pot. Both were all in with AK while holding 60 bb that resulted in a chop, but not before Luciano picked up a flush draw free roll that was for 1/3 of the chips in play.
Luciano's runner-up finish was his second final table of the series after an 8th place finish in Event 6 (Big Stack, $100k Guarantee) for
$5,460. "Back-to-back final tables, I'm playing pretty well," said Luciano, who earned 12 $100 bounties along the way, "I hope I can keep it going in the main (Championship Event)."
And while Luciano and Gunter are more seasoned players, third place finisher Pete Corda (Washington Twp. NJ) was just happy to be there. "I'm not like these guys," said Corda, a pharmacy owner, "It was a good experience," he said, "It was awesome."
The final table also featured heavy hitters Ari Engel (6th) and Joe Liberta (7th), who each have Borgata trophies, while Norm Michalek (5th) earned his 12 Borgata cash. Rounding out the the final table was Andrew Zhu (4th).
The field featured 259 entries and total buy-ins of $64,750. Recoginzable names in the top 18 (final three tables) included Kyle Bowker (11th), Patti Haggerty (14th) and "Action" Bob Hwang (15th).
This was Hwang's second big cash of the series after his runner-up finish in Event 3 (Deep Stack $100,000 Guarantee) for $30,158. And Haggerty continues to impress with another deep run after
coming in 16th place in Event 1 ($1 Million Guarantee - 2,899 entries) for $7,213.
Cashing 24th was Joe McKeehen who won Event 7 ($450 entry) for $30,963.
But the day belonged to Gunter who admitted he was "nervous on the way over," and
decided to play after making a final table at one of the side tournaments of the series.
"I came to play the $230s (Events 6 & 8)," said Gunter, "but after the nightly (7 pm), decided to
stay and try this out."
Final Table Results
Entries: 259
Total Buy-In: $64,750
Place-Name-Payout
1st Matt Gunter (Baltimore, MD) $16,017
2nd Rocco Luciano (Philadelphia, PA) $9,515
3rd Pete Corda (Washington Twp. NJ) $7,223
4th Andrew Zhu (S. Plainfield, NJ) $5,810
5th Norm Michalek (Westfield, NJ) $4,554
6th Ari Engel (Las Vegas, NV) $3,297
7th Joe Liberta (Berlin, NJ) $2,512
Friday, November 22, 2013
Event 9 Winner - Gunter
$250 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Blinds 20k/40k/4k ante
Blinds 20k/40k/4k ante
Matt Gunter (Baltimore, MD)
$16,017
Matt Gunter opens to 95k
Rocco Luciano makes it 220k
Gunter 4-bets to 550k
Luciano moves all in and is at risk for 1.8 million
Gunter calls
Gunter: AQ
Luciano: AJ
The board is A 5 4 3 7 and with that Gunter's pair of Aces, Queen kicker is best as he wins the tournament and trophy.
"It's hard to believe I actually won," says Gunter, who is a 25-year old who plays poker semi-professionally. "This was the first 6-max I ever played," and added, "I was nervous on the way over."
This is Gunter's second career Borgata final table and largest career cash. He finished in fifth place in an event during the 2012 Borgata Spring Poker Open.
Event 9: 2nd Place - Luciano
Blinds 20k/40k/4k ante
Rocco Luciano (Philadelphia, PA)
$9,515
Rocco Luciano's second final table at the Borgata Fall Poker Open is a runner-up finish to Matt Gunter. On the final hand Luciano's AJ doesn't improve against AQ and he earns $9,515 for second place.
"Back-to-back final tables, I'm playing pretty well," says Luciano who finished in 8th place in Event 6 (Big Stack, $100k Guarantee) for $5,460. "I hope I can keep it going in the main (Championship Event)."
Luciano is a full time pro and has a WSOP circuit on his resume.
Event 9: 3rd Place - Corda
$250 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Blinds 20k/40k/4k ante
Matt Gunter opens to 100k, Rocco Luciano makes it 275k, Pete Corda calls, Luciano 3-bets all in for
1.25 million, Luciano folds and Corda tank-calls.
Gunter: AK
Corda: AQ
There's no help on the board for Corda who sends 1.1 million to Gunter.
Corda, who is a pharmacy owner and plays poker recreationally, finishes in third place for $7,223.
"It was a good experience," he says, "It was awesome."
Heads Up Chip Counts
Matt Gunter 2.25 million
Rocco Luciano 1.65 million
Blinds 20k/40k/4k ante
Pete Corda (Washington Twp. NJ)
$7,223
Matt Gunter opens to 100k, Rocco Luciano makes it 275k, Pete Corda calls, Luciano 3-bets all in for
1.25 million, Luciano folds and Corda tank-calls.
Gunter: AK
Corda: AQ
There's no help on the board for Corda who sends 1.1 million to Gunter.
Corda, who is a pharmacy owner and plays poker recreationally, finishes in third place for $7,223.
"It was a good experience," he says, "It was awesome."
Heads Up Chip Counts
Matt Gunter 2.25 million
Rocco Luciano 1.65 million
Event 9: Back to Square One
$250 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Blinds 15k/30k/4k ante
The final three have been trading chips for the last 90 minutes and are back to where they where when three-handed play began. All three players are right around the chip average of 1.3 million.
Final Three Chip Counts
Matt Gunter 1.4 million (47 bb)
Pete Corda 1.3 million (43 bb)
Rocco Luciano 1.2 million (40 bb)
Blinds 15k/30k/4k ante
(l-r) Gunter, Dealer Ross, Luciano and Corda
The final three have been trading chips for the last 90 minutes and are back to where they where when three-handed play began. All three players are right around the chip average of 1.3 million.
Final Three Chip Counts
Matt Gunter 1.4 million (47 bb)
Pete Corda 1.3 million (43 bb)
Rocco Luciano 1.2 million (40 bb)
Event 9: Blinds Up, Gunter Building
$250 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Blinds 12k/24k/3k ante
Since the elimination of Andrew Zhu in fourth place, Matt Gunter is slowly building his stack and is up to nearly 2 million. Rocco Luciano is below 1 million, while Pete Corda is at 1.1 million.
And they play on.
Blinds 12k/24k/3k ante
Since the elimination of Andrew Zhu in fourth place, Matt Gunter is slowly building his stack and is up to nearly 2 million. Rocco Luciano is below 1 million, while Pete Corda is at 1.1 million.
And they play on.
Event 9: 4th Place - Zhu
Blinds 10k/20k/3k ante
Andrew Zhu (S. Plainfield, NJ)
$5,810
Andrew Zhu loses a coin flip to Pete Corda for 475k when his pocket 9s don't hold against AK.
Corda flops an Ace to take his chip stack to 1.3 million.
Prior to his elimination Zhu was surpirsed that Rocco Luciano called a 235k final bet when Luciano rivered a pair of 5s for the winner.
Zhu finishes in 4th place for $5,810.
Final Three Chip Counts
Rocco Luciano 1.4 million (70 bb)
Pete Corda 1.3 million (65 bb)
Matt Gunter 1.2 million (60 bb)
Final Three Chip Counts
Rocco Luciano 1.4 million (70 bb)
Pete Corda 1.3 million (65 bb)
Matt Gunter 1.2 million (60 bb)
Event 9: 5th Place - Michalek
$250 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Blinds 8k/16k/2k ante
Blinds 8k/16k/2k ante
Norm Michalek (Westfield, NJ)
$4,554
Norm Michalek loses half his stack to Rocco Luciano when Luciano hits runner-runner two pairs.
Michalek is down to 125k and all in with KQ against the AJ of Andrew Zhu and doesn't improve.
Michalek adds $4,554 to his bankroll with a 5th place finish.
Event 9: Up All Night
$250 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Blinds 8k/16k/2k ante
In a last minute change of heart and the final five players agree to turn this into a one-day tournament.
With the average stack at 777k (65 bb) there's a wide range of opinions of how long before we crown a winner. Pete Corda thinks they'll be wrapped in "an hour-and-a-half."
"No way," says chip leader Matt Gunter, "We'll be playing heads up at 7 (am)."
We'll set the over/under for tournament completion at 6 am.
Blinds 8k/16k/2k ante
In a last minute change of heart and the final five players agree to turn this into a one-day tournament.
With the average stack at 777k (65 bb) there's a wide range of opinions of how long before we crown a winner. Pete Corda thinks they'll be wrapped in "an hour-and-a-half."
"No way," says chip leader Matt Gunter, "We'll be playing heads up at 7 (am)."
We'll set the over/under for tournament completion at 6 am.
Event 9: 6th Place - Engel
$250 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Level 18: Blinds 6k/12k/2k ante
Level 18: Blinds 6k/12k/2k ante
Ari Engel (Las Vegas, NV)
$3,297
Ari Engel is all in for 220k with T7 against the pocket 9s of Rocco Luciano.
The 9s hold and Engel is out in 6th place for $3,297.
Event 9: Corda Doubles Through Luciano
$250 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Level 18: Blinds 6k/12k/2k ante
Norm Michalek opens to 25k, Rocco Luciano calls, Pete Corda moves all in for 125k, Michalek folds and Luciano makes the crying call.
Luciano: 5♦ 7♦
Corda: 6♦ 6♠
Flop: A♥ 4♦ 3♠ (Luciano gutshot straight draw)
Turn: 6♥ (Luciano straight, Corda set)
River: 3♦
The back and forth run out gives Corda a full house to double-up. The hand drops Luciano to 925k.
This will be the last level of the night and the remaining players will bag and tag at 2:05 am.
Level 18: Blinds 6k/12k/2k ante
Norm Michalek opens to 25k, Rocco Luciano calls, Pete Corda moves all in for 125k, Michalek folds and Luciano makes the crying call.
Luciano: 5♦ 7♦
Corda: 6♦ 6♠
Flop: A♥ 4♦ 3♠ (Luciano gutshot straight draw)
Turn: 6♥ (Luciano straight, Corda set)
River: 3♦
The back and forth run out gives Corda a full house to double-up. The hand drops Luciano to 925k.
This will be the last level of the night and the remaining players will bag and tag at 2:05 am.
Event 9: 7th Place - Liberta
$250 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Level 18: Blinds 6k/12k/2k ante
Joe Liberta moves all in for 169k with AK and Andrew Zhu calls with JT suited after limping UTG.
Zhu spikes a Jack on the river for the winning pair and sends Liberta home in 7th place for $2,512.
Level 18: Blinds 6k/12k/2k ante
Joe Liberta (Berlin, NJ)
$2,512
Joe Liberta moves all in for 169k with AK and Andrew Zhu calls with JT suited after limping UTG.
Zhu spikes a Jack on the river for the winning pair and sends Liberta home in 7th place for $2,512.
Event 9: Final Table
$250 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Level 18: Blinds 5k/10k/1k ante
Seat-Name-Chip Count
1 Rocco Luciano 900k
2 Pete Corda 320k
3 Ari Engel 600k
4 Andrew Zhu 200k
5 Matt Gunter 1.3 million
6 Joe Liberta 200k
7 Norm Michalek 450k
Remaining Prize Pool
Place Payout
1 $16,017
2 $9,515
3 $7,223
4 $5,810
5 $4,554
6 $3,297
7 $2,512
Level 18: Blinds 5k/10k/1k ante
1 in 7 Shot at $16,017
Seat-Name-Chip Count
1 Rocco Luciano 900k
2 Pete Corda 320k
3 Ari Engel 600k
4 Andrew Zhu 200k
5 Matt Gunter 1.3 million
6 Joe Liberta 200k
7 Norm Michalek 450k
Remaining Prize Pool
Place Payout
1 $16,017
2 $9,515
3 $7,223
4 $5,810
5 $4,554
6 $3,297
7 $2,512
Event 9: 8th Place - Zaikansky
$250 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Level 18: Blinds 5k/10k/1k ante
Level 18: Blinds 5k/10k/1k ante
Arthur Zaikansky (Astoria, NY)
$1,727
On a flop of J 5 4, Arthur Zaikansky bets 30k. Rocco Luciano moves all in and Zaikansky calls for 160k more.
Zaikansky: J5 (two pairs)
Luciano: J8 (top pair)
Turn: 4 (Zaikansky still leads)
River: 8
Luciano hits a higher two pair on the river to get the knockout and $100 bounty.
Zaikansky finishes in 8th place for $1,727.
The remaining 7 players are redrawing for final table seats.
Event 9: 9th Place - Mironenko
Level 18: Blinds 5k/10k/1k ante
Mikhail Mironenko (Brooklyn, NY)
$942
Mironenko is out in 9th place for $942.
Mikhail Mironenko is all in with KJ against the AK of Matt Gunter who flops an Ace to win the hand. Gunter extends his chip lead to 1.2 million.
Mironenko is out in 9th place for $942.
Event 9: 10th Place - Bonita
$250 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Level 18: Blinds 5k/10k/1k ante
Level 18: Blinds 5k/10k/1k ante
Michael Bonita (New York, NY)
$785
After shipping a double-up to Joe Liberta that left Michael Bonita short stacked (AK vs A9), Bonita all in with KT against the AJ of Norm Michalek.
Bonita turns a gutter ball Broadway draw, but misses on the river to finish in 10th place for $785.
Event 9: 11th Place - Bowker
$250 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Level 18: Blinds 5k/10k/1k ante
Level 18: Blinds 5k/10k/1k ante
Kyle Bowker (Walton, NY)
$785
$785
Kyle Bowker is way ahead with A7 against the A2 of Arthur Zaikansky, but running ducks take the pot as Zaikansky wins with trip 2s.
Bowker finishes in 11th place, good for a $785.
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Event 9: 12th Place - Zekus
$250 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Level 18: Blinds 4k/8k/1k ante
Brian Zekus (Washington, D.C.) is all in with A9 against Rocco Luciano's A5 for 150k.
Luciano hits a four flush on the river and gets the knockout to take the chip lead with 690k.
Zekus finishes in 12th place for $785.
Level 18: Blinds 4k/8k/1k ante
Brian Zekus (Washington, D.C.) is all in with A9 against Rocco Luciano's A5 for 150k.
Luciano hits a four flush on the river and gets the knockout to take the chip lead with 690k.
Zekus finishes in 12th place for $785.
Event 9: Dirty Dozen Chip Counts
Level 18: Blinds 4k/8k/1k ante
The final 12 playes have average stack of 324k (41 bb)
Table 1
(Clockwise left of dealer)
Ari Engel 357k
Pete Corda 343k
Michael Bonita 154k
Norm Michalek 439k
Joe Liberta 87k
Andrew Zhu 360k
Table 2
(Clockwise left of dealer)
Arthur Zaikansky 380k
Mikhail Mironenko 300k
Kyle Bowker 250k
Matt Gunter 558k
Brian Zekus150k
Rocco Luciano 520k
Event 9: 13th Place - Dombrowski
$250 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Level 17: Blinds 3k/6k/500 ante
Chris Dombrowski (Tampa, FL) puts the last of chips all in with pocket 5s against Norm Michalek's pocket 8s.
The snowmen hold for Michalek and Dombroski heads to the cage to collect $628 for his 13th place finish.
Level 17: Blinds 3k/6k/500 ante
Chris Dombrowski (Tampa, FL) puts the last of chips all in with pocket 5s against Norm Michalek's pocket 8s.
The snowmen hold for Michalek and Dombroski heads to the cage to collect $628 for his 13th place finish.
Event 9: 14th Place - Haggerty
$250 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Level 17: Blinds 3k/6k/500 ante
Patti Haggerty (Scranton, PA) has AK against chip leader Matt Gunter's pocket 4s.
Big slick doesn't improve and Haggerty is out in 14th place for a $628 payday.
Gunter extends his chip lead past 500k (83 bb).
Level 17: Blinds 3k/6k/500 ante
Patti Haggerty (Scranton, PA) has AK against chip leader Matt Gunter's pocket 4s.
Big slick doesn't improve and Haggerty is out in 14th place for a $628 payday.
Gunter extends his chip lead past 500k (83 bb).
Event 9: 15th Place - Hwang
$250 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Level 17: Blinds 3k/6k/500 ante
"Action" Bob Hwang is all in with QT against the AT of Rocco Luciano.
Hwang doesn't improve and is out in 15th place, taking home $628.
Level 17: Blinds 3k/6k/500 ante
"Action" Bob Hwang is all in with QT against the AT of Rocco Luciano.
Hwang doesn't improve and is out in 15th place, taking home $628.
Event 9: Gunter Leads, Approaching 500k
$250 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Level 17: Blinds 3k/6k/500 ante
Matt Gunter (Baltimore, MD) is the chip leader with 475k.
The 15 remaining players have an average stack of 259k (43 bb) as blinds are up.
Level 17: Blinds 3k/6k/500 ante
Matt Gunter (Baltimore, MD) is the chip leader with 475k.
The 15 remaining players have an average stack of 259k (43 bb) as blinds are up.
Event 9: 16th Place - Bowman
$250 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Level 16: Blinds 2.5k/5k/500 ante
On a two spade flop Peter Bowman (Phoenix, AZ) has the best hand and better flush draw, K♠ 9♠ against Pete Corda's 6♠ 4♠ , but when a 4 hits the river, Corda wins the hand.
Bowman is out in 16th place, earning $628.
Level 16: Blinds 2.5k/5k/500 ante
On a two spade flop Peter Bowman (Phoenix, AZ) has the best hand and better flush draw, K♠ 9♠ against Pete Corda's 6♠ 4♠ , but when a 4 hits the river, Corda wins the hand.
Bowman is out in 16th place, earning $628.
Event 9: 17th Place - Deeter
$250 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Level 16: Blinds 2.5k/5k/500 ante
Trevor Deeter (Langhorne, PA) doesn't improve with T9 against the AJ of Arthur Zaikansky.
Deeter is out in 17th place for $628.
Level 16: Blinds 2.5k/5k/500 ante
Trevor Deeter (Langhorne, PA) doesn't improve with T9 against the AJ of Arthur Zaikansky.
Deeter is out in 17th place for $628.
Event 9: 18th Place - Rotches
$250 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Level 16: Blinds 2.5k/5k/500 ante
On the flop of 10♦ 2♠ 6♦, David Rotches (Ventnor, NJ) is all in and at risk against Rocco Luciano & Brian Zekus.
Rotches: 8♣ 9♣ (gutshot straight draw)
Luciano: A♣ 10♥ (top pair, top kicker)
Zekus: K♦ 7♦ (flush draw)
Turn: 2♦ (Zekus, winning flush)
River: 5♠
Zekus' flush gets him a double-up through Luciano and knocks out Rotches.
Rotches earns $628 for his 18th place finish.
Level 16: Blinds 2.5k/5k/500 ante
On the flop of 10♦ 2♠ 6♦, David Rotches (Ventnor, NJ) is all in and at risk against Rocco Luciano & Brian Zekus.
Rotches: 8♣ 9♣ (gutshot straight draw)
Luciano: A♣ 10♥ (top pair, top kicker)
Zekus: K♦ 7♦ (flush draw)
Turn: 2♦ (Zekus, winning flush)
River: 5♠
Zekus' flush gets him a double-up through Luciano and knocks out Rotches.
Rotches earns $628 for his 18th place finish.
Event 9: 19th-24th Places ($471)
$250 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
19th Attilio Bitondo (Great Neck, NY)
20th Miguel Borrero (Jersey City, NJ)
21st David Heck (Colts Neck, NJ)
22nd Eddie Blumenthal (Madison, WI)
23rd Charles Ignacio (Woodbridge, NJ)
24th Joe McKeehen (North Wales, PA)
25th Greg Whiting (Philadelphia, PA)
19th Attilio Bitondo (Great Neck, NY)
20th Miguel Borrero (Jersey City, NJ)
21st David Heck (Colts Neck, NJ)
22nd Eddie Blumenthal (Madison, WI)
23rd Charles Ignacio (Woodbridge, NJ)
24th Joe McKeehen (North Wales, PA)
25th Greg Whiting (Philadelphia, PA)
Event 9: Final Three Tables
$250 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Level 16: Blinds 2.5k/5k/500 ante
Table 1
Ari Engel
Pete Corda
Michael Bonita
Peter Bowman
Joe Liberta
Andrew Zhu
Table 2
Arthur Zaikansky
David Rotches
Trevor Deeter
Action Bob Hwang
Brian Zekus
Rocco Luciano
Table 3
Matt Gunter
Chris Dombrowski
Kyle Bowker
Mikhail Mironenko
Norm Michalek
Patti Haggerty
Level 16: Blinds 2.5k/5k/500 ante
Table 1
Ari Engel
Pete Corda
Michael Bonita
Peter Bowman
Joe Liberta
Andrew Zhu
Table 2
Arthur Zaikansky
David Rotches
Trevor Deeter
Action Bob Hwang
Brian Zekus
Rocco Luciano
Table 3
Matt Gunter
Chris Dombrowski
Kyle Bowker
Mikhail Mironenko
Norm Michalek
Patti Haggerty
Event 9: Bitondo Bows Out in 19th Place
$250 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Level 15: Blinds 2k/4k/400 ante
On the last hand of the level Attilio Bitondo (Great Neck, NY) is all in on a board of J 6 5 7 with two pairs (J7) against a set of 6s for Michael Bonito (New City, NY).
Bitondo doesn't improve on the river and is out in 19th place for $471.
The remaining 18 players are on a color-up break and when they return will do a redraw for the final three tables.
Level 15: Blinds 2k/4k/400 ante
On the last hand of the level Attilio Bitondo (Great Neck, NY) is all in on a board of J 6 5 7 with two pairs (J7) against a set of 6s for Michael Bonito (New City, NY).
Bitondo doesn't improve on the river and is out in 19th place for $471.
The remaining 18 players are on a color-up break and when they return will do a redraw for the final three tables.
Event 9: Table 4, Seat 5 - Open, Again
$250 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Level 15: Blinds 2k/4k/400 ante
David Heck's (Colts Neck, NJ) elimination creates room for Miguel Borrero (Jersey City, NJ) who proceeds to bust on his first hand on Table 4.
Heck is crippled when he hits the under boat against Matt Gunter (Baltimore, MD) to ship a 120k double-up. Heck is down to 33k, gets a triple-up, but then ships 100k+ to Patti Haggerty who hits a set of 10s against Heck's AQ.
Heck (21st) and Borrero (20th) each earn $471.
Level 15: Blinds 2k/4k/400 ante
David Heck's (Colts Neck, NJ) elimination creates room for Miguel Borrero (Jersey City, NJ) who proceeds to bust on his first hand on Table 4.
Heck is crippled when he hits the under boat against Matt Gunter (Baltimore, MD) to ship a 120k double-up. Heck is down to 33k, gets a triple-up, but then ships 100k+ to Patti Haggerty who hits a set of 10s against Heck's AQ.
Heck (21st) and Borrero (20th) each earn $471.
Event 9: Luciano Takes out Two
$250 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Level 15: Blinds 2k/4k/400 ante
Rocco Luciano takes out two players on Table 1 and is now up to 300k.
First, Charles Ignacio (Woodbridge, NJ) runs AQ into Luciano's AK for 50k and then Luciano adds 60k with JJ against the 33 of Eddie Blumenthal (Madison, WI). Both Ignacio (23rd) and Blumenthal (22nd) earn $471.
This is Blumenthal's third cash of the series.
Blumenthal Balling at Borgata:
Event 3 ($400 entry) - 9th place, $4224
Event 8 ($230 entry) - 14th place, $1,536
Event 9: ($280 entry) - 22nd place, $471
Level 15: Blinds 2k/4k/400 ante
Rocco Luciano takes out two players on Table 1 and is now up to 300k.
First, Charles Ignacio (Woodbridge, NJ) runs AQ into Luciano's AK for 50k and then Luciano adds 60k with JJ against the 33 of Eddie Blumenthal (Madison, WI). Both Ignacio (23rd) and Blumenthal (22nd) earn $471.
This is Blumenthal's third cash of the series.
Blumenthal Balling at Borgata:
Event 3 ($400 entry) - 9th place, $4224
Event 8 ($230 entry) - 14th place, $1,536
Event 9: ($280 entry) - 22nd place, $471
Event 9: Table 2, Seat 6 - Open, Again
$250 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Level 14: Blinds 1,500/3,000/400 ante
Greg Whiting (Philadelphia, PA) puts his last 125k all in with a King-high flush draw against the AQ of Ari Engel who flops a pair of Aces. Whiting bricks out and sends Whiting home in 25th place.
The elimination means we're down to four tables and as Joe McKeehen (North Wales, PA) replaces Whiting in seat 6 on Table 2, Engel is quick to tell him that he knocked out, "the last person there."
A few hands later McKeehen is gone as Kyle Bowker picks up the $100 bounty.
McKeehen is out in 24th place, this on the heels of yesterday's Event 7 win for $30,963. Today, he and Whiting both earn $471.
Level 14: Blinds 1,500/3,000/400 ante
Greg Whiting (Philadelphia, PA) puts his last 125k all in with a King-high flush draw against the AQ of Ari Engel who flops a pair of Aces. Whiting bricks out and sends Whiting home in 25th place.
The elimination means we're down to four tables and as Joe McKeehen (North Wales, PA) replaces Whiting in seat 6 on Table 2, Engel is quick to tell him that he knocked out, "the last person there."
A few hands later McKeehen is gone as Kyle Bowker picks up the $100 bounty.
McKeehen is out in 24th place, this on the heels of yesterday's Event 7 win for $30,963. Today, he and Whiting both earn $471.
Event 9: Play Resumes
$250 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Level 14: Blinds 1,500/3,000/400 ante
In addition to Andrew Zhu (440k) and Ari Engel (380k) a third player in the 350k-375k range is
Mikhail Mironenko (Brooklyn, NY).
And another 40 minute level is underway.
Level 14: Blinds 1,500/3,000/400 ante
In addition to Andrew Zhu (440k) and Ari Engel (380k) a third player in the 350k-375k range is
Mikhail Mironenko (Brooklyn, NY).
And another 40 minute level is underway.
Event 9: Dinner Time Numbers
$250 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Play resumes at 8:30 with Level 14: Blinds 1,500/3,000/400 ante.
Total Players: 259
Total Buy-In: 64,750
Places Paid: 30
Total Chips In Play: 3,885,000
Players Remaining: 25
Average Stack: 155,400
Andrew Zhu is the chip leader with ~440k.
Looks like Ari Engel is second with 380k.
Play resumes at 8:30 with Level 14: Blinds 1,500/3,000/400 ante.
Total Players: 259
Total Buy-In: 64,750
Places Paid: 30
Total Chips In Play: 3,885,000
Players Remaining: 25
Average Stack: 155,400
Andrew Zhu
Andrew Zhu is the chip leader with ~440k.
Looks like Ari Engel is second with 380k.
Event 9: 30th - 26th Places
$250 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
End of Level 13: Blinds 1,200/2,400/300 ante
End of level 13 and time for dinner. Play will resume at 8:30 pm with level 14 (1,500/3,000/400 ante).
These folks have already cashed out:
Earning $377
30th - Jeff Einseidler (Bedford, NY)
29th - Kevin Buro (N. Plainfield, NJ)
28th - Dan Gilmer (Ashland, OH)
27th - Michael Tauman (Metuchen, NJ)
26th - Stephen Helfeld (New York, NY)
End of Level 13: Blinds 1,200/2,400/300 ante
End of level 13 and time for dinner. Play will resume at 8:30 pm with level 14 (1,500/3,000/400 ante).
These folks have already cashed out:
Earning $377
30th - Jeff Einseidler (Bedford, NY)
29th - Kevin Buro (N. Plainfield, NJ)
28th - Dan Gilmer (Ashland, OH)
27th - Michael Tauman (Metuchen, NJ)
26th - Stephen Helfeld (New York, NY)
Event 9: Bubble Burst
$250 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Level 13: Blinds 1,200/2,400/300 ante
The bubble burst after a couple of hands, so play has returned to normal. Alex Rocha was the bubble-boy for this event:
Some celebratory Tweets:
Level 13: Blinds 1,200/2,400/300 ante
The bubble burst after a couple of hands, so play has returned to normal. Alex Rocha was the bubble-boy for this event:
Stone bubbled the 6max but got 2 dinner vouchers #SoTheresThat
— alex rocha (@THE_ALEX_ROCHA) November 22, 2013
Some celebratory Tweets:
31 left. 16k up top. Hand for hand now. Got 130k at 1200/2400 and three bounties.
— Norman Michalek (@norm_michalek) November 21, 2013
307k and we are itm with 30 left #borgata380bounty
— Ari Engel (@realAriEngel) November 21, 2013
In the money 6 max 30 left
— Patti Haggerty (@Patticakespoker) November 21, 2013
Event 9: Payouts
$250 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Total Entries: 259
Total Buy-In: $64,750
Total Entries: 259
Total Buy-In: $64,750
| Place | Payout |
| 1 | $16,017 |
| 2 | $9,515 |
| 3 | $7,223 |
| 4 | $5,810 |
| 5 | $4,554 |
| 6 | $3,297 |
| 7 | $2,512 |
| 8 | $1,727 |
| 9 | $942 |
| 10 - 12 | $785 |
| 13 -18 | $628 |
| 19 -24 | $471 |
| 25 -30 | $377 |
Event 9: Tweet Outs
$250 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Level 13: Blinds 1,200/2,400/300 ante
Play resumed after the break. This is the last level before dinner.
It is also bubble-time with 31 players remaining. They've playing hand-for-hand until one more is eliminated.
Keep those Tweets coming! #BFPO
Departure Tweets:
Level 13: Blinds 1,200/2,400/300 ante
Play resumed after the break. This is the last level before dinner.
It is also bubble-time with 31 players remaining. They've playing hand-for-hand until one more is eliminated.
Keep those Tweets coming! #BFPO
Departure Tweets:
Out turned 2 pair against a straight.
— Chad Himmelspach (@Spachy) November 21, 2013
Out, 3 bounties. Open aa, a10 flats, floats qjx flop turn king
— Roman Valerstein (@GrimeRat420) November 21, 2013
Event 9: Set Over Set
$250 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
End of Level 12: Blinds 1k/2k/300 ante
End of level and time for a ten minute break.
On a flop of 8 3 2, Charlie Townsend got all his chips in the middle against Andrew Zhu.
Both players had flopped sets. Charlie held pockets 2s and Andrew held pocket 8s.
The last two fell K Q and changed nothing. Charlie was busted. Andrew chipped up to ~230k.
End of Level 12: Blinds 1k/2k/300 ante
End of level and time for a ten minute break.
Charlie Townsend's Ducks No Good
Before the Break:On a flop of 8 3 2, Charlie Townsend got all his chips in the middle against Andrew Zhu.
Both players had flopped sets. Charlie held pockets 2s and Andrew held pocket 8s.
The last two fell K Q and changed nothing. Charlie was busted. Andrew chipped up to ~230k.
Event 9: Kramer Doubles Thru Rotches
$250 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Level 12: Blinds 1k/2k/300 ante
Jim Kramer was all-in for 12,800 and David Rotches looked him up.
Jim: AK off
David: A7 suited
Board: K 3 3 7 A
Jim doubled up to ~30k with two pair. David was still in good shape with over 100k.
Level 12: Blinds 1k/2k/300 ante
David Rotches v. Jim Kramer
Jim Kramer was all-in for 12,800 and David Rotches looked him up.
Jim: AK off
David: A7 suited
Board: K 3 3 7 A
Jim doubled up to ~30k with two pair. David was still in good shape with over 100k.
Event 9: More Goners
$250 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Level 11: Blinds 800/1,200/200 ante
And they're Out Of Here:
Nick Palma
Peter Ippolito
Paul Vacchio
James McKeon
Jordan Ludwick
Joe Mosca
Philip Rinaldi
Tim Little
Robert DeStefano
Dan Heimiller
Alan Vrooman
Bob Haavind
Steven Rodriguez
Level 11: Blinds 800/1,200/200 ante
And they're Out Of Here:
Nick Palma
Peter Ippolito
Paul Vacchio
James McKeon
Jordan Ludwick
Joe Mosca
Philip Rinaldi
Tim Little
Robert DeStefano
Dan Heimiller
Alan Vrooman
Bob Haavind
Steven Rodriguez
Event 9: Engel Leads
$250 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Level 11: Blinds 8k/16k/200 ante
Players are back from their break.
Ari Engel (Las Vegas, NV) is up to ~275k and leads the field. Ari won the $500 Deep Stack NLH here at Borgata during the 2013 Borgata Spring Poker Open for over $26,000.
Down to ten tables as of the break with exactly 59 players remaining.
There were 259 entries, so the average stack is 66k.
Level 11: Blinds 8k/16k/200 ante
Players are back from their break.
Ari Engel
Ari Engel (Las Vegas, NV) is up to ~275k and leads the field. Ari won the $500 Deep Stack NLH here at Borgata during the 2013 Borgata Spring Poker Open for over $26,000.
Down to ten tables as of the break with exactly 59 players remaining.
There were 259 entries, so the average stack is 66k.
Event 9: Down To A Dozen (Tables)
$250 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Level 10: Blinds 800/1,600/200 ante
Once registration closed, tables started breaking down rapidly. Only 12 tables remain, which means fewer than 72 players are still in the hunt.
Goners:
Neville Darrell
Matt Burnitz
Tony Sinishtaj
Joanna Leban
Mark Rose
Grace Sun
Brian O'Donoghue
Sheree Bykofsky
Cotton Snuffer
Sardor Gaziev
Michael Marder
Level 10: Blinds 800/1,600/200 ante
Once registration closed, tables started breaking down rapidly. Only 12 tables remain, which means fewer than 72 players are still in the hunt.
Goners:
Neville Darrell
Matt Burnitz
Tony Sinishtaj
Joanna Leban
Mark Rose
Grace Sun
Brian O'Donoghue
Sheree Bykofsky
Cotton Snuffer
Sardor Gaziev
Michael Marder
Event 9: Rocha Rivers One
$250 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Level 9: Blinds 500/1,000/100 ante
Before the break:
Three-way all-in.
Alex Rocha (sb): J♣T♣ (all in for 11,750)
Gregg Miller (bb): 5♦3♥ (all in for 11,650)
Brian O'Donoghue: K♠Q♠ (has both covered)
Flop: Q♥6♣4♣ - Brian picks up top pair. Gregg gets an open-ended straight-draw. Alex gets a flush draw.
Turn: T♦ - Alex picks up a pair, but needs more.
River: K♣ - Two pair for Brian, but Alex makes his flush to scoop, tripling up.
Gregg busted out.
It should be noted that there are three Borgata Open champions on this table. Joe McKeehen just won his first title last night. Alex Rocha won his Borgata Open trophy in 2011. Brian O'Donoghue has three and won two of them in back-to-back events in September 2012.
Level 9: Blinds 500/1,000/100 ante
Alex Rocha
Before the break:
Three-way all-in.
Alex Rocha (sb): J♣T♣ (all in for 11,750)
Gregg Miller (bb): 5♦3♥ (all in for 11,650)
Brian O'Donoghue: K♠Q♠ (has both covered)
Flop: Q♥6♣4♣ - Brian picks up top pair. Gregg gets an open-ended straight-draw. Alex gets a flush draw.
Turn: T♦ - Alex picks up a pair, but needs more.
River: K♣ - Two pair for Brian, but Alex makes his flush to scoop, tripling up.
Gregg busted out.
It should be noted that there are three Borgata Open champions on this table. Joe McKeehen just won his first title last night. Alex Rocha won his Borgata Open trophy in 2011. Brian O'Donoghue has three and won two of them in back-to-back events in September 2012.
Event 9: Sansone Whiffs Big Time
$250 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Level 9: Blinds 500/1,000/100 ante
Players are back from the break. The green 25 chips have been colored up and removed from play.
On a previous level, James Sansone (Fayetteville, NY) was all-in pre-flop for his bounty life. Roman Valerstein gave it some thought, then called.
James: K♥Q♥
Roman: 5♠5♦
This was as close to a coin flip as you can get, according to the odds calculator on CardPlayer.com, James was 49.39% to win.
Flop: T♠9♥8♥ - James picks up flush draw, gutshot, and with two overs, has 18 outs twice. Now James was the favorite, 64.75%.
Turn: 7♣ - no change. James was still almost 41% to win.
River: A♦
James was busted while Roman chipped up to ~45k.
Level 9: Blinds 500/1,000/100 ante
Players are back from the break. The green 25 chips have been colored up and removed from play.
James Sansone's All-In Moment
On a previous level, James Sansone (Fayetteville, NY) was all-in pre-flop for his bounty life. Roman Valerstein gave it some thought, then called.
James: K♥Q♥
Roman: 5♠5♦
This was as close to a coin flip as you can get, according to the odds calculator on CardPlayer.com, James was 49.39% to win.
Flop: T♠9♥8♥ - James picks up flush draw, gutshot, and with two overs, has 18 outs twice. Now James was the favorite, 64.75%.
Turn: 7♣ - no change. James was still almost 41% to win.
River: A♦
James was busted while Roman chipped up to ~45k.
Roman Valerstein Fades The World
Event 9: Still More Faces
$250 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Level 8: Blinds 400/800/75 ante
More late arrivals or earlier misses:
Shawn Busse
Miguel Borrero
Joe Mosca
Norm Michalek
Richard DeVivo
Harry Korotki
Joe Liberta
Steven Rodriguez
Sardor Gaziev
James Sansone
Kyle Bowker
Russell Crane
The entries and re-entries keep coming here in The Signature Room. This is the last level, however. Registration will close at the end of the break coming up after this level.
Level 8: Blinds 400/800/75 ante
More late arrivals or earlier misses:
Shawn Busse
Miguel Borrero
Joe Mosca
Norm Michalek
Richard DeVivo
Harry Korotki
Joe Liberta
Steven Rodriguez
Sardor Gaziev
James Sansone
Kyle Bowker
Russell Crane
The entries and re-entries keep coming here in The Signature Room. This is the last level, however. Registration will close at the end of the break coming up after this level.
Event 9: Half The Man He Once Was
$250 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Robert DeStafano (Franklin Square, NY) isn't the man he used to be.
Two years ago, Robert tipped the scales at 528 pounds:
Today, he's half the man he used to be after losing 220 pounds following gastric bypass surgery:
Level 7: Blinds 300/600/75
Robert DeStafano (Franklin Square, NY) isn't the man he used to be.
Two years ago, Robert tipped the scales at 528 pounds:
Robert DeStefano - Borgata Blog File Photo, April 2012
Today, he's half the man he used to be after losing 220 pounds following gastric bypass surgery:
Robert DeStefano Today
Event 9: Late Arrivals
$250 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Level 6: Blinds 200/400/50 ante
Joe McKeehen arrived late, but he earned it. He won event 7 (Deepest Stack NLH) late yesterday after a long Day 2 playing down from 27 players to the win ($30,963).
Also among the late arrivals:
Dan Heimiller
Roman Valerstein
Chris Leon
'Action' Bob Hwang
John Del Rossi
Jonas Wexler
Kori Hunter
Alex Rocha
Asher Conniff
Level 6: Blinds 200/400/50 ante
Joe McKeehen arrived late, but he earned it. He won event 7 (Deepest Stack NLH) late yesterday after a long Day 2 playing down from 27 players to the win ($30,963).
Also among the late arrivals:
Dan Heimiller
Roman Valerstein
Chris Leon
'Action' Bob Hwang
John Del Rossi
Jonas Wexler
Kori Hunter
Alex Rocha
Asher Conniff
Event 9: Phung Doubles Thru Zhou
$250 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Level 5: Blinds 150/300/25 ante
Play has resumed following the break.
During an earlier level, Cuong Phung (Atlantic City, NJ) was all-in holding pocket Queens against the AK offsuit of Hayong 'Harry' Zhou (Baltimore, MD).
The flop fell A 8 5 giving Harry a pair of Aces. Then a Queen on the turn gave Cuong a set and when the river blanked, the double-up. Harry still had chips left, so no bounty for Cuong.
Harry busted out later, however. No word yet on if he plans to re-enter.
Level 5: Blinds 150/300/25 ante
Play has resumed following the break.
Cuong Phung & Harry Zhou
During an earlier level, Cuong Phung (Atlantic City, NJ) was all-in holding pocket Queens against the AK offsuit of Hayong 'Harry' Zhou (Baltimore, MD).
The flop fell A 8 5 giving Harry a pair of Aces. Then a Queen on the turn gave Cuong a set and when the river blanked, the double-up. Harry still had chips left, so no bounty for Cuong.
Harry busted out later, however. No word yet on if he plans to re-enter.
Event 9: Bullet #3
$250 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
End of Level 4: Blinds 100/200
End of level 4 and time for the first break of the day.
Philip Rinaldi (Silver Spring, MD) is not having a good day.
He started out on table 15. Busted out.
He re-entered, landing on table 18. Busted out.
As he was leaving, he said he was going to fire bullet #3. This time he landed at table 12.
End of Level 4: Blinds 100/200
End of level 4 and time for the first break of the day.
Philip Rinaldi
Philip Rinaldi (Silver Spring, MD) is not having a good day.
He started out on table 15. Busted out.
He re-entered, landing on table 18. Busted out.
As he was leaving, he said he was going to fire bullet #3. This time he landed at table 12.
Event 9: More Players Playing
$250 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Level 4: Blinds 100/200
More Familiar Faces and Table Lineups:
Matt Burnitz
Adam Lippert
Neville Darrell
Cuong Phung
Jordan Ludwick
Justin Liberto
Table 12
Larry O'Halloran
Sherree Bykofsky
Table 14
Cotton Snuffer
Robert DeStefano
Table 18
Philip Rinaldi (re-entry)
John DelRossi
Table 21
Rocco Luciano
Nick Palma
Peter Ippolito
Event 9: Seat Open
$250 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Level 3: Blinds 75/150
During the first level of play, Ari Engel and Kevin McColgan got to the river with a board of K K 9 Q 3. Ari was all-in and Kevin gave it some thought, then called, putting his stack of chips directly in front of Ari as if he knew he was losing them.
Ari rolled over JT for the straight and Kevin mucked. Ari took the pot and Kevin's bounty. Kevin took a re-entry ticket, so he'll be back.
Level 3: Blinds 75/150
During the first level of play, Ari Engel and Kevin McColgan got to the river with a board of K K 9 Q 3. Ari was all-in and Kevin gave it some thought, then called, putting his stack of chips directly in front of Ari as if he knew he was losing them.
Ari rolled over JT for the straight and Kevin mucked. Ari took the pot and Kevin's bounty. Kevin took a re-entry ticket, so he'll be back.
Event 8: Players Playing
$250 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Table 2
Alan Vrooman
Mark Rose
Greg Whiting
Table 4
Tony Sinishtaj
David Heck
Table 5
Charlie Townsend
Joanna Leban
Patti Haggerty
Bob Haavind
Table 8
Grace Sun
Michael Marder
She Lok Wong
Michael Tauman
Ralph Massey
Table 10
Ari Engel
Kevin McColgan
Mike Holm
Table 13
Tim Little
Gregg Miller
Brian O'Donoghue
Table 20
James McKeon
Paul Vacchio
Dan Buzgon
Level 2: Blinds 50/100
Table 2
Alan Vrooman
Mark Rose
Greg Whiting
Table 4
Tony Sinishtaj
David Heck
Table 5
Charlie Townsend
Joanna Leban
Patti Haggerty
Bob Haavind
Table 8
Grace Sun
Michael Marder
She Lok Wong
Michael Tauman
Ralph Massey
Table 10
Ari Engel
Kevin McColgan
Mike Holm
Table 13
Tim Little
Gregg Miller
Brian O'Donoghue
Table 20
James McKeon
Paul Vacchio
Dan Buzgon
Event 9: Dealers Dealing
$250 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Today's only main event combines two of the more popular formats: Six-Max and Bounties. Six handed play gives players more time in the action and less time waiting for others to play out hands. Bounties give players a way to cash even if they don't make the money. They get a $100 bounty for every player they bust.
Four bounties = a freeroll in this event, unless you take advantage of the re-entry feature. Late registration and re-entry are available through level 8.
Players started with 15,000 chips and levels 1 - 8 are 30 minutes long. Once registration closes, levels will be 40 minutes long.
This is a two-day event, so they'll play until about 2 am, then bag up for the night.
Level 1: Blinds 25/50
Today's only main event combines two of the more popular formats: Six-Max and Bounties. Six handed play gives players more time in the action and less time waiting for others to play out hands. Bounties give players a way to cash even if they don't make the money. They get a $100 bounty for every player they bust.
Four bounties = a freeroll in this event, unless you take advantage of the re-entry feature. Late registration and re-entry are available through level 8.
Players started with 15,000 chips and levels 1 - 8 are 30 minutes long. Once registration closes, levels will be 40 minutes long.
This is a two-day event, so they'll play until about 2 am, then bag up for the night.
Thursday, November 21st
TODAY'S EVENTS (Poker Room/The Signature Room )
11AM: Event 9 - $250 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
3PM: Event 32 - $200 + $30 Survivor No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry) (~1 in 10 wins $2,000)
7PM: Event 33 - $100 + $20 + $100 Black Chip Bounty No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
11AM: Event 9 - $250 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
- Players start with 15,000 in tournament chips
- Levels 1-8: will last 30 minutes each | Levels 9+: will last 40 minutes each
- Players that bust within the first 8 Levels may Re-Enter (unlimited re-entries)
- 2-Day event
3PM: Event 32 - $200 + $30 Survivor No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry) (~1 in 10 wins $2,000)
- Players start with 15,000 in tournament chips
- Levels 1-10: will last 20 minutes each | Levels 11+: will last 25 minutes each
- Players that bust within the first 6 Levels may Re-Enter (unlimited re-entries)
- 1-Day event
7PM: Event 33 - $100 + $20 + $100 Black Chip Bounty No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
- Players start with 12,000 in tournament chips
- This is a Bounty tournament. Players must have their Bounty chips clearly displayed on table in order to remain active in tournament
- Levels 1-15: will last 20 minutes each | Levels 16+: will last 25 minutes each
- Players that bust within the first 6 Levels may Re-Enter (unlimited re-entries)
- 1-Day event
Event 8: Photo Slideshow
$200 + $30 Big Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
May not work on mobile devices. Click here for direct link.
Event 8 Recap
$200 + $30 Big Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Matt Weiss (Valley Cottage, NY) had the winning recipe against three other players and earned his second Borgata trophy. Weiss, a New York City pizza shop owner, had nearly half the chips in play before getting the rest from Jeff Epstein (2nd), Michael Drabot (3rd) and Ilya Brodetskiy (4th) on the final hand.
"It's my first big cash in years," said Weiss, who earned $39,266 for the win. "I'm pretty stoked about it."
Weiss came to the final table with the big stack and continued to chip up and move in position for the win. On the flip side, Drabot was the short stack of the final ten and worked his way up the ladder to third place.
"Not too bad," said the retired hospital CFO and Borgata regular, "I moved up seven spots," as he earned his largest career cash and 10th at Borgata. And runner-up Jeff Epstein was just as pleased, as his annual pilgrimage to Atlantic City produced a $22,876 payday.
"I always come to Borgata and plan it (the trip) around one of these series'," said the business owner, who almost didn't make the top four. In a key hand against Ray Ross, Epstein hit a miracle straight with pocket 9s to crack pocket Aces.
The hand hurt Ross who eventually finished in fifth place.
"To get his far in any tournament you need a little luck," said Epstein, "it all evens itself out."
The field of 880 entries produced total buy-ins of $176,000 and lots of recognizable names made the money. The list included Joe Opie (8th), Asher Conniff (11th), Joe DiBello (12th) and Mike Marder (20th).
For Wiess, his first Borgata trophy came in the 2012 Borgata Winter Poker Open when he won the heads up tournament. "That meant a lot because that was my thing on-line," said Weiss," who only had a few hours to get to the shop after the tournament's 7 am finish.
Weiss said he used internet earnings to start his business and has less time to play cards. But for one day taking a break from work delivered a tasty win.
Final Table Results
Entries: 880
Total Buy-In: $176,000
Place-Name-Amount
1st Matt Weiss (Valley Cottage, NY) $39,266
2nd Jeff Epstein (Omaha, NE) $22,876
3rd Michael Drabot (Riverside, NY) $13,999
4th Ilya Brodetskiy (Staten Island, NY) $11,524
5th Ray Ross (Philadelphia, PA) $9,390
6th Anthony Merculla (New York, NY) $7,682
7th Mike Bonney (Mays Landing, NJ) $6,146
8th Joe Opie (Fair Haven, NJ) $4,609
9th Scott Love (Philadelphia, PA) $3,244
10th Hang Liao (Pleasantville, NJ) $2,134
Final Results
Matt Weiss (Valley Cottage, NY) had the winning recipe against three other players and earned his second Borgata trophy. Weiss, a New York City pizza shop owner, had nearly half the chips in play before getting the rest from Jeff Epstein (2nd), Michael Drabot (3rd) and Ilya Brodetskiy (4th) on the final hand.
"It's my first big cash in years," said Weiss, who earned $39,266 for the win. "I'm pretty stoked about it."
Weiss came to the final table with the big stack and continued to chip up and move in position for the win. On the flip side, Drabot was the short stack of the final ten and worked his way up the ladder to third place.
"Not too bad," said the retired hospital CFO and Borgata regular, "I moved up seven spots," as he earned his largest career cash and 10th at Borgata. And runner-up Jeff Epstein was just as pleased, as his annual pilgrimage to Atlantic City produced a $22,876 payday.
"I always come to Borgata and plan it (the trip) around one of these series'," said the business owner, who almost didn't make the top four. In a key hand against Ray Ross, Epstein hit a miracle straight with pocket 9s to crack pocket Aces.
The hand hurt Ross who eventually finished in fifth place.
"To get his far in any tournament you need a little luck," said Epstein, "it all evens itself out."
The field of 880 entries produced total buy-ins of $176,000 and lots of recognizable names made the money. The list included Joe Opie (8th), Asher Conniff (11th), Joe DiBello (12th) and Mike Marder (20th).
For Wiess, his first Borgata trophy came in the 2012 Borgata Winter Poker Open when he won the heads up tournament. "That meant a lot because that was my thing on-line," said Weiss," who only had a few hours to get to the shop after the tournament's 7 am finish.
Weiss said he used internet earnings to start his business and has less time to play cards. But for one day taking a break from work delivered a tasty win.
Final Table Results
Entries: 880
Total Buy-In: $176,000
Place-Name-Amount
1st Matt Weiss (Valley Cottage, NY) $39,266
2nd Jeff Epstein (Omaha, NE) $22,876
3rd Michael Drabot (Riverside, NY) $13,999
4th Ilya Brodetskiy (Staten Island, NY) $11,524
5th Ray Ross (Philadelphia, PA) $9,390
6th Anthony Merculla (New York, NY) $7,682
7th Mike Bonney (Mays Landing, NJ) $6,146
8th Joe Opie (Fair Haven, NJ) $4,609
9th Scott Love (Philadelphia, PA) $3,244
10th Hang Liao (Pleasantville, NJ) $2,134
Final Results
Event 8 Winner - Weiss
$200 + $30 Big Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Matt Weiss (Valley Cottage, NY)
$39,266
Matt Weiss has nearly half the chips in play when he successfully vanquished the remaining three players. Weiss defeats Jeff Epstein (2nd), Michael Drabot (3rd) and Ilya Brodetskiy (4th), who were all even in chips, in one fell swoop.
Weiss takes home $39,266 for the win and after collecting his money hustled back to New York where he had to work at Pakula's Pizza, the shop he owns in NYC.
"I'm pretty stoked about it," says Weiss after picking up his second Borgata trophy. Weiss won the Heads Up tournament in the 2012 Borgata Winter Poker Open,
Weiss will work the rest of the week and then head back to Borgata to play in the Championship Event.
Event 8: 2nd Place - Epstein
$200 + $30 Big Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Jeff Epstein (Omaha, NE)
$22,876
Jeff Epstein loves Borgata poker so much, he plans a trip here once a year to play in one of the series'. Now he'll love it even more as he finishes in second place.
Epstein is a distant second place to winner Matt Weiss who had 1/2 the chips in play before the final hand. Epstein just nipped Michael Drabot (3rd) and
Ilya Brodetskiy (4th) on the pay sheet.
Epstein, who owns youth basketball training center in Nebraska, earns $22,876 for finishing runner-up.
Event 8: 3rd Place - Drabot
$200 + $30 Big Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Michael Drabot (Riverside, NY)
$13,999
Michael Drabot is a Borgata regular who earns the largest payday of his career with a third place finish. Drabot was neck and neck in chips with runner-up Jeff Epstein and 4th place finisher Ilya Brodetski, but the trio was well behind winner Matt Weiss.
Drabot is a retired hospital CFO and thrilled with his performance, "this is the most I've ever won playing tournament poker," he said about his winnings of $13,999.
Drabot has 12 career cashes, with 10 of them coming at Borgata.
Event 8: 4th Place - Brodetskiy
Ilya Brodetskiy (Staten Island, NY)
$11,524
Ilya Brodetskiy finishes just behind Jeff Epstein (2nd) and Michael Drabot (3rd) for fourth place finish, but is well behind winner Matt Weiss.
Brodetskiy is an accountant who says it's "always tax season," which is one reason why he won't be parlaying his winnings into a buy-in for the Championship Event.
Event 8: 5th Place - Ross
$200 + $30 Big Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Blinds 100k/200k/30k ante
Blinds 100k/200k/30k ante
Ray Ross (Philadelphia, PA)
$9,390
Ray Ross is crippled when his AA is cracked by Jeff Epstein earlier at the final table, builds it back up only to be knocked out by Michael Drabot's JJ.
Against Epstein, the board runs out 8 2 J 7 10 and Ross ships 1.6 million in a double-up when Epstein hits a straight with pocket 9s. On his final hand Ross doesn't improve with A8 against the Jacks.
Ross takes home $9,390 for finishing in 5th place.
Event 8: 6th Place - Merculla
$200 + $30 Big Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Blinds 100k/200k/30k ante
Blinds 100k/200k/30k ante
Anthony Merculla (New York, NY)
$7,682
Anthony Meruclla has 500k (5 bb) when he ships it from the SB with T9, Jeff Epstein looks him up with AK, which holds.
Merculla finishes in 6th place, earning $7,682.
Event 8: 7th Place - Bonney
$200 + $30 Big Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Blinds 80k/160k/20k ante
Blinds 80k/160k/20k ante
Mike Bonney (Mays Landing, NJ)
$6,146
Mike Bonney is down to 400k (< 3 bb) and has J3 against the AK of Jeff Epstein.
Big slick holds for Epstein and Bonney takes home $6,146 for his 7th place finish.
Event 8: 8th Place - Opie
$200 + $30 Big Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Blinds 80k/160k/20k ante
Blinds 80k/160k/20k ante
Joe Opie (Fair Haven, NJ)
$4,609
Joe Opie is all in for 620k and at risk againt Matt Weiss and Jeff Epstein.
Weiss and Epstein check down the side pot until the river when Weiss bets and Epstein folds.
Weiss has a pair of Queens with Q9, while Opie's T8 for a pair 10s is no good as Weiss extends his chip lead to 6 million.
Opie is out in 8th place for $4,609.
Event 8: 9th Place - Love
$200 + $30 Big Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Blinds 60k/120k/20k ante
Blinds 60k/120k/20k ante
Scott Love (Philadelphia, PA)
$3,244
On the last hand of the level, Scott Love is all in for 1.5 million with A9 against the JJ of Michael Drabot. The flop of JJ6 ends all the suspense as Drabot hits quad Jacks.
Love finishes in 9th place for $3,244.
Event 8: Stuck at 9
$200 + $30 Big Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Blinds 60k/120k/10k ante
Play is grinding along with only one called all in at this level. Joe Opie doubles 600k with K2 against the AQ of Michael Drabot when he flops a deuce.
Matt Wiess has chipped up to 4.5 million and is the chip leader 1/4 of the chips in play.
Blinds 60k/120k/10k ante
Play is grinding along with only one called all in at this level. Joe Opie doubles 600k with K2 against the AQ of Michael Drabot when he flops a deuce.
Matt Wiess has chipped up to 4.5 million and is the chip leader 1/4 of the chips in play.
Event 8: 10th Place - Liao
$200 + $30 Big Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Blinds 50k/100k/10k ante
Blinds 50k/100k/10k ante
Hang Liao (Pleasantville, NJ);
$2,134
Hang Liao runs 99 into the AA of Scott Love who gets a 1.5 million double-up. The hand leaves Liao with only 100k and is taken out by the QQ of Michael Drabot
Liao finishes in 10th place for $2,134.
Event 8: Final Table
$200 + $30 Big Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Blinds 40k/80k/10k ante
Seat-Name-Chip Count (in millions)
1 Scott Love (Philadelphia, PA) 1.9
2 Joe Opie (Fair Haven, NJ) 1.4
3 Ray Ross (Philadelphia, PA) 1.8
4 Michael Drabot (Riverside, NY) .7
5 Ilya Brodetskiy (Staten Island, NY) 1.7
6 Matt Weiss (Valley Cottage, NY) 2.8
7 Anthony Merculla (New York, NY) 1.5
8 Hang Liao (Pleasantville, NJ) .85
9 Jeff Epstein (Omaha, NE) 2.6
10 Mike Bonney (Mays Landing, NJ) 2.0
Remaining Prize Pool
Place - Amount
1st $39,266
2nd $22,876
3rd $13,999
4th $11,524
5th $9,390
6th $7,682
7th $6,146
8th $4,609
9th $3,244
10th $2,134
1 in 10 shot at $39,266
Blinds 40k/80k/10k ante
Seat-Name-Chip Count (in millions)
1 Scott Love (Philadelphia, PA) 1.9
2 Joe Opie (Fair Haven, NJ) 1.4
3 Ray Ross (Philadelphia, PA) 1.8
4 Michael Drabot (Riverside, NY) .7
5 Ilya Brodetskiy (Staten Island, NY) 1.7
6 Matt Weiss (Valley Cottage, NY) 2.8
7 Anthony Merculla (New York, NY) 1.5
8 Hang Liao (Pleasantville, NJ) .85
9 Jeff Epstein (Omaha, NE) 2.6
10 Mike Bonney (Mays Landing, NJ) 2.0
Remaining Prize Pool
Place - Amount
1st $39,266
2nd $22,876
3rd $13,999
4th $11,524
5th $9,390
6th $7,682
7th $6,146
8th $4,609
9th $3,244
10th $2,134
Event 8: 11th & 12th Places ($2,134)
Blinds 40k/80k/10k ante
11th Place - Asher Conniff (Brooklyn, NY)
12th Place - Joseph DiBello (Cherry Hill, NJ)
Event 8: 13-15th Places ($1,536)
$200 + $30 Big Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Blinds 40k/80k/10k ante
13th Angelo Oddo (Brooklyn, NY)
14th Eddie Blumenthal (Madison, WI)
15th Aristides Santana (Yonkers, NY)
Blinds 40k/80k/10k ante
13th Angelo Oddo (Brooklyn, NY)
14th Eddie Blumenthal (Madison, WI)
15th Aristides Santana (Yonkers, NY)
Angelo Oddo
Eddie Blumenthal
Aristides Santana
Event 8: 16-18th Places ($1,007)
$200 + $30 Big Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Blinds 30k/60k/5k ante
Place-Name
16th Mike Sandler (New York, NY)
17th Paras Lakdawala (Hoboken, NJ)
18th Jeff Cole (Manahawkin, NJ)
Blinds 30k/60k/5k ante
Place-Name
16th Mike Sandler (New York, NY)
17th Paras Lakdawala (Hoboken, NJ)
18th Jeff Cole (Manahawkin, NJ)
Mike Sandler
Paras Lakdawala
Jeff Cole
Event 8: Final Two Tables
$200 + $30 Big Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Blinds 25k/50k/5k ante
Mike Bonney (Mays Landing, NJ) is the chip leader with 18 players remaining. He has 1.9 million (38 bb), while the average stack is 978k (20 bb).
Table 1
Seat-Name
1 Jeff Epstein (Omaha, NE)
2 Aristides Santana (Yonkers, NY)
3 Joseph DiBello (Cherry Hill, NJ)
4 Angelo Oddo (Brooklyn, NY)
5 Matt Weiss (Valley Cottage, NY)
6 Asher Conniff (Brooklyn, NY)
7 Mike Bonney (Mays Landing, NJ)
8 Anthony Merculla (New York, NY)
9 Mike Sandler (New York, NY)
Table 2
Seat-Name
1 Joe Opie (Fair Haven, NJ)
2 Paras Lakdawala (Hoboken, NJ)
3 Eddie Blumenthal (Madison, WI)
4 Scott Love (Philadelphia, PA)
5 Ilya Brodetskiy (Staten Island, NY)
6 Ray Ross (Philadelphia, PA)
7 Michael Drabot (Riverside, NY)
8 Hang Liao (Pleasantville, NJ)
9 Jeff Cole (Manahawkin, NJ)
Blinds 25k/50k/5k ante
Mike Bonney (Mays Landing, NJ) is the chip leader with 18 players remaining. He has 1.9 million (38 bb), while the average stack is 978k (20 bb).
Table 1
Seat-Name
1 Jeff Epstein (Omaha, NE)
2 Aristides Santana (Yonkers, NY)
3 Joseph DiBello (Cherry Hill, NJ)
4 Angelo Oddo (Brooklyn, NY)
5 Matt Weiss (Valley Cottage, NY)
6 Asher Conniff (Brooklyn, NY)
7 Mike Bonney (Mays Landing, NJ)
8 Anthony Merculla (New York, NY)
9 Mike Sandler (New York, NY)
Table 2
Seat-Name
1 Joe Opie (Fair Haven, NJ)
2 Paras Lakdawala (Hoboken, NJ)
3 Eddie Blumenthal (Madison, WI)
4 Scott Love (Philadelphia, PA)
5 Ilya Brodetskiy (Staten Island, NY)
6 Ray Ross (Philadelphia, PA)
7 Michael Drabot (Riverside, NY)
8 Hang Liao (Pleasantville, NJ)
9 Jeff Cole (Manahawkin, NJ)
Event 8: 19-27th Places ($854)
$200 + $30 Big Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Place-Name
19th Jamal Ford (Secaucus, NJ)
20th Michael Marder (Sewell, NJ)
21st Carlos Jewett (Hoboken, NJ)
22nd Jesus Ortiz (Bronx, NY)
23rd David Filarski (Toms River, NJ)
24th Eric Rivkin (East Hampton, NY)
25th Daniel McCallan (Oyster Bay, NY)
26th William Gallagher (Flemington, NJ)
27th Gregory Henkel (Haddonfield, NJ)
Place-Name
19th Jamal Ford (Secaucus, NJ)
20th Michael Marder (Sewell, NJ)
21st Carlos Jewett (Hoboken, NJ)
22nd Jesus Ortiz (Bronx, NY)
23rd David Filarski (Toms River, NJ)
24th Eric Rivkin (East Hampton, NY)
25th Daniel McCallan (Oyster Bay, NY)
26th William Gallagher (Flemington, NJ)
27th Gregory Henkel (Haddonfield, NJ)
Event 8: Back From Break, 23 Remain
$200 + $30 Big Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Blinds 20k/40k/4k ante
Joe Opie and Eddie Blumenthal have company in the one million+ chip club.
Matt Weiss (Valley Cottage, NY), Ray Ross (Philadelphia, PA) and Paras Lakdawala (Hoboken, NJ) all have a milly and are all on the same table. Players are jockeying for position and waiting for the two table redraw.
The average stack is 765 (19 bb)
Chip Counts
Joe Opie 1.5 million
Para Lakdawala 1.5 million
Eddie Blumenthal 1.4 million
Matt Wiess 1.4 million
Ray Ross 1.0 million
Blinds 20k/40k/4k ante
Weiss & Ross
Joe Opie and Eddie Blumenthal have company in the one million+ chip club.
Matt Weiss (Valley Cottage, NY), Ray Ross (Philadelphia, PA) and Paras Lakdawala (Hoboken, NJ) all have a milly and are all on the same table. Players are jockeying for position and waiting for the two table redraw.
The average stack is 765 (19 bb)
Chip Counts
Joe Opie 1.5 million
Para Lakdawala 1.5 million
Eddie Blumenthal 1.4 million
Matt Wiess 1.4 million
Ray Ross 1.0 million
Event 8: Final Three Tables
$200 + $30 Big Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Blinds: 15k/30k/4k ante
880 entries are down to 27 players. The chip leaders are Eddie Blumethal (Madison, WI) and Joe Opie (Fair Haven, NJ) who are both in the 1.5 million chip range and side-by-side.
Blumenthal finished 9th in Event 3 ($400 entry) for $4,224.
The average chip stack is 652k (22 bb). This is a one day tournament and players are prepared for an overnight grind as they chase the $39,266 top prize.
Blinds: 15k/30k/4k ante
Blumenthal & Opie
880 entries are down to 27 players. The chip leaders are Eddie Blumethal (Madison, WI) and Joe Opie (Fair Haven, NJ) who are both in the 1.5 million chip range and side-by-side.
Blumenthal finished 9th in Event 3 ($400 entry) for $4,224.
The average chip stack is 652k (22 bb). This is a one day tournament and players are prepared for an overnight grind as they chase the $39,266 top prize.
Event 8: 28-36th Places ($734)
$200 + $30 Big Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
Place-Name
28th Steven Rosenberg (Bethesda, MD)
29th Carlo Francisco (Secaucus, NJ)
30th Brandon Mueller (Windsor Mill, MD)
31st Brian Balahadia (Jersey City, NJ)
32nd Peter Woodworth (Campbellford, Canada)
33rd William Damato (Folcroft, PA)
34th Jennifer So (Galloway, NJ)
35th Justin Kadet (New York, NY)
36th Anthony Maio (Jamison, PA)
Place-Name
28th Steven Rosenberg (Bethesda, MD)
29th Carlo Francisco (Secaucus, NJ)
30th Brandon Mueller (Windsor Mill, MD)
31st Brian Balahadia (Jersey City, NJ)
32nd Peter Woodworth (Campbellford, Canada)
33rd William Damato (Folcroft, PA)
34th Jennifer So (Galloway, NJ)
35th Justin Kadet (New York, NY)
36th Anthony Maio (Jamison, PA)
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