Thursday, January 19, 2012

Event 1: 29th Place - Williams

$500 +$60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Frank Williams has survived several all-ins today, but his luck just ran out.

He got his last chips in with AJ offsuit, but ran into a player holding AQ.  The board ran dry -- K 8 5 6 2 -- and the best hand held up. 

Frank busted out in 29th place ($3,361).

Another player busted out just as the level was ending.

The blinds went up to 40k/80k with 10k antes. 

With 27 players left, they're down to three tables.  The next nine players to go will each earn $3,997.

Event 3: Stud Stats

$350 + $50 Seven Card Stud

Play has picked up with only 22 players remaining, chips are flying
and short stacks struggling.

The last 3 tables will play until 16 players are left or 2am,
which ever comes first.

Chipleaders:

John Myung (Vienna, VA) - 76,000
Robert Gray (Silver Spring, MD) - 68,000
Michael Smith (Philadelphia, PA) - 61,000

Event 1: 33rd Place - Zulauf

$500 +$60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

On a flop of A T 3 with two hearts, Kevin Zulauf (bb) led out for 150k.  Erin Graham Jr. (utg+1) raised 400k on top.

Kevin shoved and Erin called.

Kevin held T3 offsuit and had flopped to pair.  Erin held AQ offsuit and had top pair. 

The turn was the Jack of hearts, giving Erin a gutshot straight draw and a flush draw, needing a King or a heart.

River was an offsuit King, completing the straight for Erin.  He took the pot, chipping up to 4.2 million, good for the chip lead.

Kevin was eliminated in 33rd place ($3,361).

Event 1: Action Galore

$500 +$60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

After the player in seat 4 shoved, Adam Faherty shoved over the top.  Everyone else got out of the way and the all-in player tabled KT off.  Adam was ahead with AQ suited.  The board came 3 3 2 4 5 and Adam improved to a wheel.

He chipped up to ~2.2 million while sending another player to the rail.

Frank Williams got his last ~400k in the middle with KT and ran into pocket Jacks.  A King on the river gave Frank the bigger pair and the double-up.

33 players remain.

Event 2: In the Money

$350 + $50 + $100 Black Chip Bounty NLH

With a string of bustouts and fast play on the bubble, our remaining 43 players are in the money.

The last 5 tables will fight for their share of the $153,488 prizepool.

Chipleaders:

Greg Glassman - 419,000
Eli Loewenthal - 404,000
Vinny Pahuja - 341,000
Andrew Klein - 339,000

Event 2: Girl Power

$350 + $50 + $100 Black Chip Bounty NLH

Cathy Dever (198,000) and Marsha Wolak (91,000) are the lucky ladies still alive in Event #2. Good luck down the stretch girls.

Event 1: 36 Remain

$500 +$60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Play resumed after the break with blinds of 30k/60k and 5k antes.

Joe Rice was the next player to depart.  He finished in 37th place ($2,861).

Table 5 was broken so they're now at 4 tables - 36 players.  The next nine players to bust out will each collect $3,361.


Event 1: Break Time Leaderboard

$500 +$60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry) 

Another level is done and they're taking a break to color up the 1k chips.

37 players remain.  Average stack is 1.265 million.

Paul Leon is the chip leader with 3.5 million.  He picked up 1.2 million of that just before the break when his pocket Aces held up against AK.

Other stacks 2 million and above
Erin Graham Jr. - 2.55 million
George Leandrou - 2.5 million
David Penna - 2.3 million
Josh Wood - 2 million
Will Failla - 2 million

Event 2: Out in Front

$350 + $50 + $100 Black Chip Bounty NLH

With only 59 players left, these two young guns are out in front.
The average stack is $111,864 with only 7 tables remaining.



Chipleader
Matthew Wantman - 323,000 chips



2nd in Chips
Elo Loewenthal - 313,000 chips

Event 3: Stunned, Stud

$350 + $50 Seven Card Stud

The local, recreational 7 card stud player looks on in shock
as he takes over the chip lead.

Michael Smith (Philadelphia, PA) sits with 54,000 chips
and only 4 tables remaining.



Event 1: Last Lady Leaves

$500 +$60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Dmitry Tsin doubled through Kevin Zulauf.  Dmitry held QJ and was racing against Kevin's pocket Tens.  A Jack on the river shipped the double to Dmitry.

David Penna raised, then seat 4 moved all-in.  David called, showing AK.  His opponent held pocket 8s.  Penna flopped both an Ace and a King to take the pot, chipping up to ~2.5 million.  Another player reported to the rail.

Sherri Moores survived one all in when her T5 suited caught three Tens on the board for Quads, but she was still very short.  She busted out soon after in 42nd place ($2,861).

Sherri was the last woman sitting, so with her departure, it is all testosterone from here on.

Event 1: Shasho Shafted

$500 +$60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Kevin Zulauf doubled through Sherri Moores when his Jacks-full beat her 9s-full,  Kevin doubled to ~2 million and Sherri was left with less than 300k.

Michael Shasho opened utg and action folded around to Erin Graham Jr. in the small blind.  Erin shoved all-in and Michael called.  Erin tabled AK suited.  Michael said "I didn't think he had anything" and threw his cards on the table -- KJ offsuit.

 Erin Graham Jr.

The flop came K Q J and Michael took the lead with two pair, but then a Ten came on the turn, giving Eric the broadway straight.  The river was a brick.

The stacks were close and had to be counted down.  Michael had 985k and Erin had him covered with 987k.

Michael finished in 45th place ($2,861).  Erin doubled up to ~2 million.

Event 3: Studs playing Stud

$350 + $50 Seven Card Stud

Entries: 69
Players remaining: 47
Total Buy-In: $34,500

Notables still alive:

Chris Reslock
David Rosenau
Nicky Frangos
Charlie Townsend
'Miami John' Cernuto

Event 1: Double, Double

$500 +$60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Blinds are up to 25k/50k with 5k antes.

David Inselberg was all in on the flop with pocket 7s after flopping a set.  Matthew Croker had pocket 9s (overpair).  The last two changed nothing and David doubled up to ~1.6 million.  Matthew was left with ~300k.

Down to 45 players, so they're breaking table 6, which was David's and Matthew's table.

Joe Rice doubled up through Dmitry Tsin when his AT caught a Ten on the river to beat Dmitry's bigger Ace.  Joe is now up to 1.1 million.

Event 2: Back from Dinner

$350 + $50 + $100 Black Chip Bounty NLH

87 players remaining

Chip-Leaders:
Josh Shmerl (Chicago, IL) 244k
Greg Glassman (Brooklyn, NY) 222k
Robbie Phillips (Georgetown, MA) 201k

Table 6
Steve "the Wrecking Ball" Fiorentini has QQ cracked by 1010,
while Vinny Pahuja is on cruise control with 136,000 chips.

Table 7
Big name pro on the grind, Paul "the Truth" Darden has chipped up
after Dinner Break.

Table 2
Borgata regulars and seasoned tournament veterans, David Zeitlin
and John Lakatosh, look to mix it up with the shrinking field.

Table 4
Self proclaimed 'Championship Artist' Howard Wolper puckers his lips and looks for a spot to double up.

Event 1: New Chip Leader

$500 +$60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Josh Wood (Manhattan, NY) got involved in a pot with chip leader Matthew Croker.  Josh held 76 suited and turned a flush.

 Josh Wood

All the chips went in the middle and Matthew was trailing with two pair.

No boat on the river and Josh doubled up in a huge pot.  He's now got ~2.4 million.

Matthew was left with ~1 million.

46 players remain.

Event 1: Lots of Action

$500 +$60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

On a flop of Q J 7 rainbow, seat 4 (mp) fired 110k.  Eugene Fouksman (button) raised to 250k.  After giving it some thought, his opponent called.  Turn was another 7 and seat 4 checked.  Eugene bet 400k.  Seat 4 shoved.  Eugene let it go.

Over on table 5, Dmitry Tsin opened for 110k on the button.  Kevin Zulauf (bb) checked out Dmitry's remaining chips (between 600k and 700k) and then announced he was all-in.  Dmitry let it go.

Down to 48 players now.  Average stack is 975k (24 big blinds).

Event 1: Back in Action

$500 +$60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Players are back from dinner and cards are back in the air.

Blinds are 20k/40k with 4k antes.

52 players remain and are guaranteed to leave with at least $2,453.

Event 1: Dinner Time

$500 +$60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

A couple more players busted out right before the end of the level and the dinner break.

52 remain and have taken off for an hour away from the grind.  Average stack is 900k.

Matthew Croker is the chip leader with ~2.2 million.

Will 'the thrill' Failla is up to ~1.5 million.

David Inselberg is holding on with ~560k.

Fabrizio Sarra (Whitestone, NY) is the short-stack with 190k.

Play will resume at about 8:30pm.

Event 2: Dinner Break

$350 + $50 + $100 Black Chip Bounty NLH

Three players top the 200k chip mark as the 87 remaining players are on a one hour dinner break.

Josh Shmerl (Chicago, IL) 244k & 11 bounties
Greg Glassman (Brooklyn, NY) 222k & 8 bounties
Robbie Phillips (Georgetown, MA) 201k & 9 bounties

Glassman had the chip lead, but on the final hand before break shipped 34k in a double-up.

The average stack is 76k (32 BB) and we're just 33 spots from the money.

Event 3, Seven Card Stud players are also on a one hour dinner break.  Both tournaments resume at  8:30 pm.

Event 1: Zulauf Triples

$500 +$60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Joe Rice opened for 100k, then Mike Scarborough shoved for 322k total on the button.  Kevin Zulauf (Atlantic City) was in the big blind and he tanked for a bit, then moved in for ~360k total.

Joe called and tabled AJ.  Mike was dominated with KJ.  Kevin held pocket Queens and was out in front.

 Kevin Zulauf

The board came J 9 2 T 8 and Kevin improved to a straight to claim the triple-up.  He's now just over 1 million in chips.

Mike Scarborough was busted (55th place - $2,089).

Birthday Bash at Borgata

In lieu of having the entire Event Center sing Happy Birthday to media star Kaelaine, we'll go with the appropriate blogger version of the song:

♫♪♥♥[̲̅̅H̲̅][̲̅̅A̲̅][̲̅̅P̲̅][̲̅̅P̲̅][̲̅̅Y̲̅] [̲̅̅B̲̅][̲̅̅I̲̅][̲̅̅R̲̅][̲̅̅T̲̅][̲̅̅H̲̅][̲̅̅D̲̅][̲̅̅A̲̅][̲̅̅Y̲̅]♥♥♫♪Happy Birthday to you ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ Happy Birthday to you ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ Happy Birthday !!!!! ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ Happy Birthday to you! ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥

Kaelaine & Marguerite

Special thanks to Marguerite Spagnuolo for providing the cake and for Kelly Armentrout for her special goodies as well.

Happy Birthday Kaelaine!

Event 3: Payouts

$350 + $50 Seven Card Stud

Entries: 69
Total Buy-In: $34,500

Place - Amount

1st $12,716
2nd $7,362
3rd $4,016
4th $2,677
5th $2,343
6th $2,008
7th $1,339
8th $1,004

Event 1: Moores Doubles, Sazon Stacked

$500 +$60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry) 

Sherri Moores was all-in utg+1, then the player on her left raise another 200k on top.  Action folded around to the big blind, who tanked for a couple of minutes.  A call for him would be all-in.

He eventually folded his pocket 7s.  Sherri had pocket Aces and was crushing her opponent's pocket Queens.  The board changed nothing and Sherri doubled up to almost 400k.

A couple of tables over, Christine 'Blaze' Sazon got her last chips in and was busted.  With her departure, Sherri is officially the last woman sitting.

56 players remain.  Average stack is 836k (28 big blinds).

Event 1: Penna Punishes Chip Leader

$500 +$60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Blinds are up to 15k/30k with 4k antes.

A big hand took place over on table one between chip leader Adam Faherty and David Penna (Babylon Village, NY).  Adam raised pre-flop and David called from the big blind.  The flop came K 4 3.

 David Penna

David got all his chips in the middle and after giving it some thought, Adam made the call, tabling KQ for top pair.

David held K3 for two pair.  The last two came A 7 and David doubled up to ~1.4 million.

Adam was left with ~1.8 million and may no longer be the chip leader.

Event 2: Payouts



$350 + $50 + $100 Black Chip Bounty NLH

Entries: 550
Total Buy-In: $192,500

Place - Amount

1st $46,495
2nd $26,142
3rd $16,805
4th $13,351
5th $10,457
6th $8,589
7th $6,815
8th $5,322
9th $3,735
10-12 $2,427
13-15 $1,867
16-18 $1,400
19-27 $1,027
28-36 $934
37-45 $840
46-54 $747

Event 1: Kings of Leon

$500 +$60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

On the flop a short-stacked player was all-in holding pocket Jacks.  Paul Leon held pocket Kings and they were gold.  He chipped up to ~1.8 million.

Another table is gone. 63 players remain on 7 tables.

Adam Faherty still leads with 2.43 million.

Event 3: Killer Table

$350 + $50 Seven Card Stud

Chris Reslock

The field of 69 means that some heavy hitters are bumping elbows at the table.

Clearly the most decorated group includes Chris Reslock (Atlantic City, NJ), "Grandpa" Jay Zimmet (Manalapan, NJ) and Charlie Townsend (Dagsboro, DE).  The three of them have combined for 10 titles in this format, including Reslock's 2007 WSOP bracelet.

Reslock has 6 titles, including one in stud high/low and has $1.7 million in career tournament earnings, while Townsend has 3 titles and $271,000 career winnings.

Zimmet, doesn't have the accolades of the other two ($42,000 winnings), but he has the most recent title. He took down the seven card stud title ($7,200) in last year's inaugural Borgata Fall Poker Open, his second title of 2011 after winning the PLO title ($11,000) in June. 

Also in the field is three time WSOP bracelet holder "Miami" John Cernuto.

Jay Zimmet & Charlie Townsend

Event 1: 68 Players Remain

$500 +$60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Play resumed with blinds of 12k/24k and 3k antes. 71 players are still grinding it out on the felt.

They'll play two more levels, then get a dinner break.

Sherri Moores (Wayne, PA) is one of the last two women sitting.  She's holding on with just under 400k.

 Sherri Moores

The other remaining female is Christine 'Blaze' Sazon (Virginia Beach, VA).  She's clinging to about 200k.
 
The 1M club got a little crowded, so the entry requirement has been kicked up to 2 million chips.  Now the lone occupant is chip leader Adam Faherty.
 
Frank Williams is up to 1.75 million.  Eugene Fouksman is up to 1.6 million.

Event 1: Queens Good for Croker

$500 +$60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

On a Jack-high flop, Matthew Croker put his opponent to the test for all his chips.  'Sky Nolimit' tanked for several minutes until the clock was eventually called. 

 Matthew Croker

Before his time expired, Sky called off the last of his chips, showing pocket Tens.

Matthew had him crushed with pocket Queens.

The last two changed nothing and Sky was busted.  He finished in 73rd place.

With that pot, Matthew chipped up to ~1.7 in chips, good for second behind Adam Faherty.

That was the last hand of the level and it was time for another break.

Event 2: New England Connection

$350 + $50 + $100 Black Chip Bounty NLH

Robbie Running Over the Table

With 130 players left, the top two chip stacks are from the New England area.  Robbie Phillips (Georgetown, MA) is the chip leader with 160k, while Lenny Cortellino (Lewiston, ME) is at 140k.

Phillips has 8 knockouts ($100 each), netting him $300 profit after covering his $500 initial investment.

Event 1: Two More Out the Door

$500 +$60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Mark Baatz got his chips in good with pocket Jacks against pocket 7s, but a 7 on the flop meant the end of his tournament.

Start of day 2 chip leader Ryan Merrigan has been on a roller-coaster.  He was all the way down to 51k, then doubled up twice to get back to 400k.

In the end, he got his chips in with QT, but ran into Kings.  Ryan finished in 79th place ($1,681).  Not bad for the 164th alternate!

Event 1: 81 Remain

$500 +$60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Another table has broken, leaving 9 tables and 81 players still in action.  Average stack is 578k (29 big blinds).

As players bust out, the remaining stacks get larger.  Dmitry Tsin and Joe Rice, both at table 5, are both stacking about 1.2 million.

 Dmitry Tsin & Joe Rice

Ryan Merrigan raised, but then Joe Rice shoved on him.  Ryan decided to wait for a better spot and let it go.  Joe showed him pocket Tens.  "I had one over" Ryan said.

Event 3: Final Total

$350 + $50 Seven Card Stud

69 players are in the stud field and the players are currently on break.  Those still in the field include:

Chris Reslock
Bill "Bumperino" Munley
Sirous Jamishidi
Dave Grubb
Charlie Townsend
Glenn Engelbert
"Grandpa" Jay Zimmet
Nick Frangos

The cage is verifying the prize pool and the payouts will be posted shortly.

Event 1: 1M Club Growing

$500 +$60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Table 11 broke, so ten tables remain (90 players).

Blinds are up to 10k/20k with 3k antes.

Three new players have joined the million-chip-club.

Eugene Fouksman is up to 1.11 million.
Matthew Croker is up to 1.03 million.
Frank Williams is up to 1.01 million.

Iggy Azzara (1.1 million) was moved to table 1, two seats to the left of chip leader Adam Faherty.  Adam has extended his lead -- he's now up to 1.9 million.

Event 2: Head Count

$350 + $50 + $100 Black Chip Bounty NLH

The pace of eliminations is picking up pace as the blinds continue to rise.  200 (of 551) players remain and are on a 15 minute green chip (25) color-up break.

The average stack is 33k (33 BB) with blinds now 500/1k/100 ante.

The cage is verifying the total prize pool and the payouts will be released shortly.



Event 1: Turnover in the 1M Club

$500 +$60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Iggy Azzara has joined the million-chip-club with ~1.1 million.

Mike Scarborough has handed his million-chip-club membership card over to Joe Liberta (two seats to Mike's right).  Mike dropped to ~900k and Joe crested 1 million.

 Joe Liberta

While I was watching, Joe opened for a raise, then the big blind 3-bet to 83k.  Joe then 4-bet to more than 200k.  His opponent folded.  With that pot, Joe was up to 1.25 million.

 Adam Faherty

The chip lead, however, now belongs to Adam Faherty.  He's up to 1.7 million over on table 1.

Event 1: Million Chip Club

$500 +$60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Just before the break, a player was all-in on the flop holding pocket 9s.  Mike Scarborough held pocket Aces.  The Aces held up and Mike chipped up to over 1 million.

Randy Spainhour & Mike Scarborough

As of the break, three players were over 1 million chips, and just barely:

Paul Leon - 1.06 million
Mike Scarborough - 1.055 million
Randy Spainhour - 1.03 million

They resumed play with blinds of 8k/16k and 2k antes.

Event 1: 112 Remain

$500 +$60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

On the last hand of the level, David Kim got his last chips in holding KQ offsuit.  Frank Williams (bb) looked him up with pocket Jacks.  A King hit the flop, but there was a Jack right behind it.  Frank took the pot with a set of Jacks.  He chipped up to ~830k.

David Kim finished in 113th place ($1,317).

The remaining 112 players are enjoying a break.

Event 1: New Chip Leader

$500 +$60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Jermaine Reid has dropped below 1 million so it appears that Paul Leon has claimed the chip lead.

 Paul Leon

He's up to 1.07 million.  Looks like he's the sole player over that magical 1-million-chip mark.

Table 14 is down so 13 tables remain (117 players).

Event 1: New Chip Leader

$500 +$60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

After a thorough scan of the remaining 15 tables (9-handed) the only player over 1 million in chips is Jermaine Reid -- who is just over 1 million.

 Jermaine Reid

Ryan Merrigan, who began the day as chip leader with 722,500, is still hovering right around 700k.

Event 2: Crackin' Aces

$350 + $50 + $100 Black Chip Bounty NLH

Makarowitz with a Fist Pump, While Ross Sees his Tournament Flushed

Pocket aces are unkind to Nate Ross (Philadelphia, PA), who's up against Jonathan Makarowitz's (East Windsor, NJ) flush draw.

Ross bets 4k on the flop, Makarowitz raises to 10k and Ross moves all in saying, "I can't fold." Markarowitz is potted committed, tables Q 2, and hits his flush on the turn.

"What are you going to do? Good luck guys," says Ross as he heads to the rail.

 Level 8 (400/800/75 ante) is underway

Event 1: Long Doubled, Agaev Busted

$500 +$60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)
Blinds are up to 6k/12k with 2k antes (level 21).

After seat 1 shoved, Rohan Long moved in for less (217k).  Seat 1 held pocket Kings, but was crushed by Rohan's pocket Aces.  The Aces held up and Rohan doubled.

Adam Agaev got his last chips in with A9 and got called by the big blind, who held J4.  The flop delivered an Ace & a Jack, leaving Adam in the lead, but then another Jack hit the turn, shipping Adam's chips across the felt.  He was busted in 129th place.

128 players remain.  Average stack is almost 366k (30 big blinds).

Event 2: Time to Check the Tweets

$350 + $50 + $100 Black Chip Bounty NLH

Play resumed with level 7 and blinds of 300/600 with 75 antes.

Levels are now 45 minutes long for the remainder of the tournament.

Here are some tweets from the break:

RyanEriquezzo Ryan Eriquezzo
Busto. #tomorrowsanewday

aje221 Austen Johnson
40k w/ 2 bounties. Around 600 entrants. #teammurder

SugDpoker David Zeitlin
Nice heater. 48k and a bounty at 2nd break, although I just folded the best hand in a big pot. I think 250-500 when back.

leechilds Lee Childs
38k from 12k starting. @BorgataPoker event 2 $400+$100 bounty. No bounties yet. Blinds going to 250/500/50 or 300/600/75

PhilPhan99 Jonathan Rice
I have about 18k going to 300-600

JABistro John Allan Hinds
I bink the flush on the turn, up to $33.4k. No bounties though. Happy w/ it, coming back to $300/$600/$75 #teammurder

X18robbase Robby Devries
Level #7 300/600/75 blinds! I just been chipping up! 36k and still no bounties!

Event 2: Michnik Stays Alive

$350 + $50 + $100 Black Chip Bounty NLH

Bounty hunters are down to 36 tables.

Just before his table broke, Michael Michnik put his bounty on the line with KJ offsuit.  The player on his left had pocket Queens and Michael was in bad shape.

Then a King flopped, giving Michael the lead.  He held on to double-up -- to about 5k.  But he's still got that bounty chip!

Michael had two second-place finishes during the Borgata Fall Open in November and collected enough points to win the Leaderboard contest.  He'll be free-rolling the Championship event that starts on Sunday/Monday January 29/30.

Josh Brikis was not so lucky.  He busted out shortly before the end of the level.

They finished level 6 and are now enjoying their second break of the day.

Event 3: Studs on Break

$350 + $50 Seven Card Stud

Ten tables of Stud-ly players are on break after playing the first three levels.

They'll return to level 4 with limits of 100/200.

Event 1: First Cash

$500 +$60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Johnston Just in the Money

After sweating the chip counts, Dave Johnston (Brigantine, NJ) is glad to collect his $1,045 as the first player to cash in the tournament series.

Johnston had pocket 10s against the ace high flush draw, who hit the ace on the turn and the flush on the river.

"Overkill," said Johnston, who added that he was "never folding," pocket 10s on a 9 high board after the flop.

Event 1: Crowned on the River

$500 +$60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Frank Felts Tsinis

Bubble boy Arkadiy Tsinis (Las Vegas, NV) is the victim of a river suck out by Frank Williams (Middle Island, NY).

Tsinis is all in and ahead with AQ against Williams' KQ, but Tsinis' tournament ends when a king hits the river.  He finishes in 181st place and is the official bubble boy of the tournament.

Event 1: Bubbling Over

$500 +$60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

With players falling fast the bubble comes quickly and has floor tournament supervisors Ryan and Jon hustling to get the exact head count.  As the announcement comes that hand-for-hand play will commence, there are multiple bustouts, leaving a couple of players wondering if they made the money.

Unfortunately for Arakadiy Tsinis (Las Vegas, NV) he lost 111k on his final hand compared to Dave Johnston's (Brigantine, NJ) 140k putting Tsinis squarely on the bubble in 181st place, one spot off the money.

That means Johnston is the first player to cash in the 2012 Borgata Winter Poker Open, finishing in 180th place for $1,045.  After collecting his cash, Johnston is eager to jump into Event 2 as registration is still open for the Black Chip Bounty tournament.

Event 1: Late Arrival Blinded Out

$500 +$60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Walton (left) Tells Dril the Bad News

Day 1 short stack Donald Dril was a no show to start the day and when he finally arrived, more than an hour late, he found out that 27k doesn't last as long as it did at the beginning of the tournament.

Jack Walton (Arlington, VA) tells Dril that with blinds at 3k/6k/500 ante his stack only survived two orbits before being blinded out.

No word from Dril on why he was late.

Event 1: First to One Million

$500 +$60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Azzara Assumes the (1st) Position

Ignazio Azzara (Queens, NY) began the day 7th in chips with 555k and is the first player to take his stack to more than 1 million.

Azzara wins a 700k pot and busts a player with a set of 2s against his opponent's AK when an ace flops.  He now has the chip lead with 1.2 million.

Event 1: Notable Grinders

$500 +$60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

As Day 2 resumes, several big names are still alive for the $165,053 first place prize, including WPT title holder Will "The Thrill" Failla.  Here's a look at some notable players still in the hunt.

Position-Name-Chip Count

12. TAEMEE FEUER:  500000
36. DAVID INSELBERG:  329500
44. JERRY PAYNE:  309000
67. ERIC DOERR:  257000
74. EMANUEL FAILLA:  242500
90. MATTHEW GLANTZ:  211000
91. DAVID LAUFER:  206000
93. WADE WOELFEL:  205000
137. JOSEPH BROOKS:  148500
150. DANIEL BUZGON:  127500
152. JEREMY MAHER:  123000
177. MARGUERITE SPAGNUOLO:  97000
183. DAVID FOX:  94000
188. LEONARDO PALERMO:  88000
198. MEIKAT SIU:  76500
202. SIROUS JAMSHIDI:  69500

Event 1: Re-Entry Restart

$500 +$60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

After outlasting 1,653 other entries, the remaining 220 players still have some work to do before they hit the money.

Ryan Merrigan returns as the chip leader with 723k (121 BB) as the top 180 players cash.

The average chip stack is 234k (39 BB) and 13 players return with less than 60k (10 BB) including the three short stacks Deric Senne (35k), Michael Santoro (33k) and Donald Dril (27k), who all have less than 6 BB.

Play resumes with 30 minutes left on level 18 (3k/6k/500 ante); the cards are in the air!

Event 3: Studly Action

$350 + $50 Seven Card Stud

The stud players are in the house and the action is underway.

Bill "Bumperino" Munley (Throop, PA)  is always one of the more colorful characters who's done well at Borgata and he's ready to roll.  He won this event during the 2011 Borgata Spring Open  ($6,100) and was runner-up in the 2009 Summer Open.

This is a two-day tournament where players start with 12k in chips and levels last 40 minutes each.

Event 2: Boat Sinks Boat

$350 + $50 + $100 Black Chip Bounty NLH

Ippolito Turns Away Buglion

Unfortunately there's no re-entry for John Buglion (Long Island, NY) who's out when his full house is beaten by a bigger boat.

Buglion has pocket 2s and flops a set on a board of A-10-2.  Two players call his flop bet and see another ace on the turn.  The action is hot and heavy as Peter Ippolito 4-bet shoves and Buglion calls.

Ippolito turns over A 10 for aces full of 10s and when the case two misses the river Buglion is on the rail with his boat of 2s full of aces.  "I couldn't fold," says Bulgion who's in a relatively good mood, "I had a full house."

Buglion gets some consolation from friend Mark Sykes (New Haven, CT) who is also at the table.  Buglion, who finished 7th ($10,000) in the Fall Open $1k event, clearly would have re-entered if it were an option after firing two bullets in Event .

Buglion says, he'll "play everything," as he's already looking ahead to the 3 pm Black Chip Bounty tournament ($100 + $20  + $100).

 Sykes & Buglion

Event 2: Familiar Faces

$350 + $50 + $100 Black Chip Bounty NLH

The first pass through the Event Center and here's a list of who's in the field:

Ryan Eriquezzo
Jennifer So
Ted Goldberg
Sheree Bykofsky
Gordon Eng
Lee Childs
Cathy Dever
Dave Zeitin
Steven Rodriguez
Eric Siegel
Austen Johnson
Mike Sica
Anthony Licastro
Patricia Barsanti-Chou


Event 2: Bountiful Day

$350 + $50 + $100 Black Chip Bounty NLH

It's only the second day of the Borgata Winter Poker Open, but the players and staff are already in mid-series form.

The first bounty tournament of the open kicks off today's action, while the stud players are waiting for the noon start along with the remaining 220 players from Wednesday's record setting Event 1.

Event 2 players are taking their seats, with black chip in hand.  They start with 12k in chips, levels are 30 minutes long and blinds start at 25/50.

Button is in the 10 seat and the cards are in the air!

Thursday, January 19

Today's Events (Event Center)

11AM: Event 2 - $350 + $50 + $100 Black Chip Bounty NLH
  • Players start with 12,000 in tournament chips 
  • Levels 1-6: will last 30 minutes each | Levels 7+: will last 45 minutes each 
  • This is a Bounty tournament. Players must have their Bounty Chip clearly displayed on the table in order to remain active in tournament. 
  • 1-Day event

12PM: Event 3 - $350 + $50 Seven Card Stud
  • Players start with 12,000 in tournament chips 
  • Day 1 Levels: will last 40 minutes each | Day 2 Levels: will last 50 minutes each 
  • 2-Day event
3PM: Event 30 - $100 + $20 + $100 Black Chip Bounty NLH 
  • Players start with 12,000 in tournament chips 
  • Levels will last 20 minutes each 
  • This is a Bounty tournament. Players must have their Bounty Chip clearly displayed on the table in order to remain active in tournament. 
  • 1-Day event 
7PM: Event 31 - $150 + $30 Deep Stack Semi-Turbo NLH (Re-Entry)
  • Players start with 25,000 in tournament chips 
  • Levels 1-15: will last 15 minutes each  | Levels 16+: will last 30 minutes each
  • Players may Re-Enter during the first 8 Levels (unlimited Re-Entries) 
  • 1-Day event

        Event 1 - Start of Day 2 Chip Counts

        Borgata Winter Poker Open
        Event 1 - $500 + $60 Deep Stack NLH
        January 18-19, 2012

        Entries:  1,873
        Total Buy-In:  $936,500

        START OF DAY 2 CHIP LEADERS

        1. RYAN MERRIGAN:  722500
        2. HARRY BINDA:  691500
        3. SCOTT SCHWALICH:  679000
        4. PETER DEVITO:  670000
        5. MICHAEL SCARBOROUGH:  652500
        6. DMITRY TSIN:  567500
        7. IGNAZIO AZZARA:  555500
        8. EUGENE FOUKSMAN:  540000
        9. SCOTT LAZEWSKI:  536500
        10. DAVID DAWSON:  510500
        11. JULIO GRAHAM:  507500
        12. TAEMEE FEUER:  500000
        13. HUAN HO:  494500
        14. JAMES OCONNOR:  449500
        15. RYAN DION:  448500
        16. JOSEPH RICE:  441500
        17. RONALD WOJNOSKI:  440000
        18. ADAM AGAEV:  417000
        19. MICHAEL CRAMER:  401500
        20. JOSEPH PITTI:  400000

        Event 1: End of Day One Chip Counts

        $500 +$60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)


        Ryan Merrigan smiles as he bags more chips than anyone else in the room


        Chip Leaders
        Ryan Merrigan - 722,500
        Harry Binda Jr. - 691,500
        Scott Schwalich - 679,000
        Peter DeVito - 670,000
        Mike Scarborough - 652,500

        Event 1: End of Day One

        $500 +$60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

        The clock was stopped at 3am with about 30 minutes remaining in level 18.

        Approximately 230 players are now counting and bagging their chips.  A list of the top chip counts will be posted shortly.

        The full list of remaining players with chip counts will be posted later in the morning.

        Day two begins at noon Thursday here in the Event Center.  Players will get new table and seat assignments for the start of day 2.

        Event 1: Leaderboard Update

        $500 +$60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry) 


        Cards are finally back in the air with 20 minutes remaining to play before they bag up their chips.

        Just before the break, there was some movement among the leaders.

        Mike Scarborough jumped into the lead with 740k.

        Peter Devito chipped up to 680k and second place.

        Also, Adam Gerber busted out when his pocket Jacks ran into pocket Queens.

        Event 1: Color-Up Break Tweets

        $500 +$60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

        The final break of day 1 is underway.  They're coloring up the black 100 chips.

        25 tables remain with a few empty seats -- about 245 players.  Average is ~191k (almost 32 big blinds).

        When play resumes, blinds will be 3k/6k with 500 antes (level 18).

        Here are the latest Tweets:

        markbeenyc mark bee
        155k @BorgataPoker wpo #1...

        PhilPhan99 Jonathan Rice
        Color up break. Im down to 60k goin to 3k-6k. Good news is I have the tightest image of all time. 60 ppl to the cash...should be fun!

        sandler1860 Jerry Payne
        279k on break going to 3k 6k with 500. 240 left paying 180.

        Event 1: Leaderboard

        $500 +$60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry) 

        The big stacks keep getting bigger.

        Dmitry Tsin is up to 590k and appears to still be in the lead.

        Eugene Fouksman is up to 565k and in second.

        Peter Devito has 540k, good for third.

        "They keep giving me their money" said Mad Dog Mike Shasho after he busted another player.  He called an extra 27k from the big blind with 64 suited.  His opponent had him dominated with A6, but a 4 hit the board and Mike busted another one.

        He's up to ~440k.

        Event 1: Tsin Takes Lead

        $500 +$60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

        The blinds went up about 25 minutes ago.  Currently playing in level 17 with blinds of 2,500/5,000 with 500 antes.

        28 tables remain -- 280 players.  Average stack is ~167k (33 big blinds).

        Dmitry Tsin (Brooklyn, NY) has claimed the chip lead with 572k.

         Dmitry Tsin

        He picked up a gift of ~200k on a Queen-high flop when an opponent shoved with KQ.  Dmitry held AQ and busted the guy with his superior kicker.

        Don't know how he's able to stay focused on the game as he's currently sandwiched between Eric Miller on is right and Tommy Colamaria on his left.

        Event 1: Leading Ladies

        $500 +$60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry) 


        A couple of the ladies in the room are doing quite well.  Taemee Feuer (Westbury, NY) is up to 367k.

         Taemee Feuer

        A couple of tables over, Julie Cornelius (Rockville, MD) is sitting behind ~320k.

         Julie Cornelius

        A few more ladies are still holding on, including Marguerite Spagnuolo (Staten Island, NY).

        Event 1: Shasho Stacks Two

        $500 +$60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry) 


        On a flop of 7 7 6, Two shorter stacks are all-in against 'Mad Dog Mike' Shasho.  The shortest stack held 53 off for a gutshot and a prayer.  The other all-in player held KQ for two overs.

        Mad Dog Mike held 96 suited for two pair and the lead. 

        The turn was a 4, giving hope to the short-stack, hitting his gutter-ball, but then another 6 hit the river, giving Mad Dog the full house and the pot.  Mike chipped up to ~415k, busting two players in the process.

        Down to 30 tables -- 300 players.

        Tournament Director Tab Duchateau has announced that play will continue until 3am, then they will call it a night.

        Event 1: Chip Leader from Poker Room

        $500 +$60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)   
        One of the transplanted tables was broken and those players scattered before I got a good look. 

         Peter Devito

        It appears that Peter Devito (Franklin Square, NY) was the biggest stack downstairs.  He's got right around 500k.

        Eugene Fouksman (Brooklyn) moved up with a healthy 300k stack.

        Another table has collapsed leaving 32 tables (320 players).  Average is ~146k.

        Event 1: Back in Action

        $500 +$60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry) 


        Cards are back in the air with blinds of 2k/4k with 400 antes (level 16).

        There are exactly 34 tables in action, leaving 331-340 players still alive.

        Only the last 180 get paid (18 tables).

        They're playing until 2am, or until they reach the money, or until the TD decides to do something else.

        Event 1: Time to Check the Tweets

        $500 +$60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry) 


        Break after level 15.  Some unknown number of players (8 to 10 tables?) are moving up from the poker room.  24 tables still active in event center.

        We'll finally all be in the same room where we can get some solid player counts and find out who the big stacks are.

        SugDpoker David Zeitlin
        165k going to 2k-4k, they're combining rooms or something. Like 360 players left.

        cincykidpoker Mike Scarborough
        Sitting over 300k double average. 370 left paying top 180

        sandler1860 Jerry Payne
        240kish on impromptu break to move us to the main tourney room.

        petegotaplan Peter Lubrano
        At 140k come back to 2k/4k about 350 wombats left! #TimeToRunItUp #outright #TheyAreSoBad