Alex Queen - Chip Leader
$5,000 Bonus
The Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship Event got off to a great start as big named pros and a slew of amateurs entered the $2 Million Guaranteed tournament. When the dust settled it was Alex Queen (Bethlehem, PA) who earned a $5,000 bonus for being the Day 1A chip leader.
"It's amazing since I was so close last time," said Queen after just missing the November incentive during the 2011 Fall Poker Open Championship. "I don't come in expecting to be the chip leader. I just play my game and try to build a big stack, if I have the lead that's a bonus."
Queen, the 2010 Borgata Spring Poker Open Champion ($356,000) finished ahead of November Niner Phil Collins (5th, 2011 WSOP Main Event) who bagged 112k and WPT title holder Will "The Thrill" Failla (109k) who has four cashes in this series including a victory in Event 1 for ~$165,000.
Other recognizable names that bagged more than 100k included Matt Glantz, Dave Inselberg, Matt Brady and Charlie Townsend. Day 1A finished with 119 players holding an average stack of 62k.
Queen said he didn't pick up any monster pots, but was fortunate during the 100/200 level when a player moved all in for 15k preflop with a suited A8 against his pocket queens. He also liked that the $5,000 prize, plus the double play option, added some end of day excitement.
"It creates a lot of action," said Queen who will be playing cash games in the Poker Room as he waits for the Tuesday Day 2 restart."It livens up the game."
Queen finished ahead of Michael Borovetz (169k), who has five career wins including a WSOP circuit ring.
Players with Day 1A chips may surrender their stack and start fresh Monday as the Day 1B field is expected to double Sunday's 243 entries.
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