Event 4: Money Bubble

$500 + $60 No Limit Hold'em

Number of Entries: 334
Players remaining: 39
Total Buy-In: $167,000

East Coast tournament regular, Dave Fox, is one of 39 remaining players getting closer to the cash in Event #4.

Just 3 more eliminations and we're 'In the Money'.

Dave Fox (Coram, NY)

Event 5: Money Bubble

$400 + $50 Pot Limit Omaha 8B

Inching closer to the Money Bubble...

Number of Entries: 136
Players remaining: 22
Total Buy-In: $54,400
Avg. Stack - 74,181 chips

Chip-Counts:
Kevin Chen - 297,000
Matt Kaplan - 134,000
Mike Nifosi - 119,000
Lonnie Heimowitz - 102,000
Dave Johnston - 98,000
John McCarthy - 96,000

iTunes

From the floor of Borgata's beautiful Event Center,
we asked some of the players "What's on your iPod?"

Here's the music of choice from players still competing in Event #4.

Dean Tran - Toni Braxton
Scott Wardell - Jim Croce (Bad Bad Leroy Brown)
Randy Pfiefer - Mac Miller
'Muffins' Mazzeo - Avicii (house music)
Steve Miller - Drake

Event 5: Reslock Rail-Roaded

$400 + $50 Pot Limit Omaha 8B

With 25 players still alive and 7 more to go to the money, Chris Reslock found himself all-in against two opponents. 

They got it all in on the turn and Chris had the nut low draw with one pair.  He missed his low, but made a second pair on the river.  Too bad one opponent had a better two pair hand.

Chris reported to the rail in 25th place.

24 remain.  Average is 68k.  Six more must go to reach the money and the end of day one.

Event 5: Last Ladies

$400 + $50 Pot Limit Omaha 8B

Number of Entries: 136
Players remaining: 26
Total Buy-In: $54,400

Robin Lee (New Haven, CT) and Deborah Linzer (Long Island, NY) are both short-stacked and trying to hang on.

The last 2 ladies left in the field need a double-up.

With only 3 tables remaining, the shrinking field will be 'In the Money' soon.
The last 18 players receive prize money.

Event 5: 27 Omaholics Remain

$400 + $50 Pot Limit Omaha 8B

They're down to 27 players and busy coloring up the black 100 chips during the break.

Average stack is 60k.

Kevin Chen is still the chip leader with 255k.

 Brian Bayley

Brian Bayley (Wilmington, DE) is second in chips with ~235k.

Former chip leader Chris Reslock is stalled at ~70k.

After the break, play will resume with blinds of 1k/2k.

Event 4: Top Stacks

$500 + $60 No Limit Hold'em

Number of Entries: 334
Players remaining: 59
Total Buy-In: $167,000

Top Chip Counts:
'Muffins' Mazzeo - 181,000
Dean Metzger - 161,000
Randy Pfeifer - 148,000
'Karate' Mike Santoro - 142,000
Huong Dang - 139,000
Serge Kapchits - 103,500
Paul Darden - 100,000

Event 4: Muffins

$500 + $60 No Limit Hold'em

We have a new Chipleader in Event #4.

Matt 'Muffins' Mazzeo moves into the top spot after busting Anthony Moore.

The New York native sits on a mountain stack of 174,000 chips.

Borgata Twitter

For added coverage and updated tweets, follow @BorgataPoker.

Don't forget to use #BWO2012 to stay connected.

Here's some random tweets from players still alive in
Events 4, 5 and the 7pm Survivor:

@Flashgordon227
80 left, top 36 money, 1st is over 40k, sitting at avg stack of 50k

@WiLDmAn_75
80 left at borgata, $500 from 334. 36 pay. Have like 45k at 600 1200 200. 42k for first.

@Mikunbelievable
Running clubs. We have to chop.

@HokieGreg
9 hrs into $500 mtt. Avg stake. 2 tough players to left sucks. 75 of starting 330ish remaining.

Event 5: Back from Dinner Break

$400 + $50 Pot Limit Omaha 8B

Number of Entries: 136
Players remaining: 36
Total Buy-In: $54,400

Chris Reslock is on cruise control in Event #5.

The former Atlantic City cab driver is no stranger to deep runs in Borgata Omaha events, look for this poker veteran to grow chips as the field shrinks.

Event 4: Back from Dinner Break

$500 + $60 No Limit Hold'em

Number of Entries: 334
Players remaining: 74
Total Buy-In: $167,000

Players enjoyed the delicious pizza, soft pretzels and hot-dogs available in the Event Center.

Familiar faces still alive after the Dinner Break:

Matt 'Muffins' Mazzeo
Josh Brikis
Gordon Eng
'Joey the B' Brooks
Paul 'the Truth' Darden
Anthony Moore

Event 5: Payouts

$400 + $50 Pot Limit Omaha 8B 

Entries: 136
Total Buy-In: $54,400

PAYOUTS:
1: $15,832
2: $8,707
3: $5,013
4: $4,221
5: $3,166
6: $2,638
7: $2,111
8: $1,583
9: $1,187
10 - 12: $1,055
13 - 15: $923
16 - 18: $792

Event 4: Payouts

$500 + $60 No Limit Hold'em

Entries:  334
Total Buy-In: $167,000

PAYOUTS:
1: $43,734
2: $24,299
3: $15,065
4: $12,149
5: $9,395
6: $7,938
7: $6,399
8: $4,779
9: $3,240
10 - 12: $2,106
13 - 15: $1,620
16 - 18: $1,377
19 - 27: $1,215
28 - 36: $972

Event 4: Dinner Time Tweets

$500 + $60 No Limit Hold'em 

78 remaining players took off for a one-hour dinner break.  They will return at about 9pm to continue play.

The chip lead is too close to call, but it could be 'Karate' Mike Santoro, who has about 130k.

Some early dinner break tweets:


SugDpoker David Zeitlin
And busted. Pretty annoying day as far as poker tourneys go. Playing my last event for at least couple of months tmrw. #BWO2012

JBrikis Josh Brikis
Down to 20k at dinner

markbeenyc mark bee
Dinner break.. @BorgataPoker 75k..above avg..wpo #4 time for some food!

Flashgordon227 Gordon Eng
50k ish at dinner

HokieGreg Greg Tiller
9 hrs into $500 mtt. Avg stake. 2 tough players to left sucks. 75 of starting 330ish remaining. Dinner break.

Event 5: Dinner Time Chip Leader

$400 + $50 Pot Limit Omaha 8B 

Omaha Hi/Lo players are getting restless as the minutes tick down to the 8pm dinner break. 

Leonardo Palermo was the short-stack and all-in in a three-way confrontation.  He ended up getting quartered, having to split the low with another player.  He's still alive, but lost chips on the hand.

 Kevin Chen

Chris Reslock is no longer leading the field in chips.  Kevin Chen (NY) is sitting at the opposite end of Chris' table and he is now sitting behind the largest stack in the field:  125k.

38 players remain and they'll enjoy a one-hour dinner break, returning at about 9pm.

Event 4: Nine Tables Remain

$500 + $60 No Limit Hold'em

Level 11 has just begun with blinds of 600/1,200 and 200 antes.  Levels are now 50 minutes long for the remainder of the tournament.

Nine tables remain leaving 90 or fewer players in the hunt.

Only the final 36 will get paid.

WSOP bracelet holder and winner of the Six Max Purple Chip Bounty event during the Fall Open in November, Jeff Papola, is lurking over on table two.  'Karate' Mike Santoro is sharing that particular patch of felt.

Event 4: Table Talk

$500 + $60 No Limit Hold'em

Blinds are up to 500/1,000 with 100 antes (level 10).

Some interesting match-ups in the room.

 Keith Crowder & David Fox

Keith Crowder,  David Fox, and May Siu are sharing the felt on table 7.

Paul Darden and Mark Baatz are both at table 6.

Bob Hwang, Bill Blanda and Josh Brikis were all at table 11, but that table has been disbanded and they've been scatterred in the room.

Ten tables remain.

Event 3 Champion: Rosenau

 $350 + $50 Seven Card Stud

David Rosenau (Absecon, NJ)

$12,716 

Rosenau's ace kicker is the difference between first and second place as he defeats John Myung heads up.  The pivotal hand is when both players had split queens, but Rosenau's ace gives him the pot and 3/4 of the chips in play before winning the tournament.
 

Rosenau was down to one chip on day one, but not only rallies to make the money, but wins the title and the Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship trophy.

David Rosenau is the Event 3 Champion and takes home $12,716 for the win.

Event 3: 2nd Place - Myung

$350 + $50 Seven Card Stud

 John Myung (Vienna, VA)

$7,362

Myung had the chip lead when heads up play began, but the momentum swung in David Rosenau's favor when both players had a pair of queens and Myung had the weaker kicker.  Myung, who got lucky on 7th street three times at the final table, felt like he was free rolling and is happy with his runner-up finish.

Myung only entered the tournament after busting out of Event 2 (NL) earlier in the day. He takes home $7,362 for his second place finish.

Event 5: Reslock Reclaims Lead

$400 + $50 Pot Limit Omaha 8B

Six tables remain and they are just returning from break.

Level 9 blinds are 500/1,000.

Chris Reslock has reclaimed the chip lead with ~75k.  Defending Champ Barry Levy is clinging to life with about 3k.

 Chris Reslock

Chris had been up to 80k, but got quartered in a pot.  He had the nut low and a wheel, but his opponent had the same low and a flush.

Event 4: Tough Table Gets Tougher

$500 + $60 No Limit Hold'em

Harry Korotki has joined Gordon Eng, David Zeitling, and Vinny Pahuja at table 5.  Harry won the $500 Purple Chip Bounty event at the Fall Open in November ($39,804 plus a bunch of $500 bounties).

 Gordon Eng & Harry Korotki

Harry was just all-in on a flop of K 6 3.  When his opponent saw Harry's pocket Kings (top set) he dropped his cards onto the muck. 

Harry collected the pot and doubled up to ~26k.

Event 4: Tales From the Twitter-Verse

$500 + $60 No Limit Hold'em 

Level 9 is in progress with blinds of 400/800 and 75 antes.

Table 13 has broken and those players were scattered into empty seats around the room.

Twelve tables remain (120 players).

Here are a few tweets from the recent break:

markbeenyc mark bee
Torture had stopped..up to 73k @BorgataPoker wpo #3 tougher table though...lets build..

Flashgordon227 Gordon Eng
32k going to 400 800. 40bbs

SugDpoker David Zeitlin
Bled chips for 2 hrs straight, 15k going to 400-800... Not pretty

Event 3: 3rd Place - DiLauro

$350 + $50 Seven Card Stud

Richard DiLauro (Cherry Hill, NJ)

$4,016

DiLauro misses a 7th street flush draw and is knocked out by John Myung, who wins the hand with two pairs.

Myung, who's survived several all ins is now the chip leader with 500k and heads up against David Rosenau (335k), who is also on a free roll after barely surviving Day 1.

"Anytime you get into the money it's a good thing," says DiLauro, who's retired from the trucking industry.  He says Borgata is his "second home" and plays stud poker here twice a week.

Richard DiLauro earns $4,016 for his third place finish.

Event 5: New Chip Leader

$400 + $50 Pot Limit Omaha 8B

Blinds are up to 400/800 for level 8.

Just before the blinds went up, a bit hand went down on table on. 

On the flop of Q J 6 rainbow, seat 7 was all-in for 11k.  Eric Judge (Clark Summit, PA) raised the pot to isolate and the other player in the pot folded.

 Eric Judge

Seat 7 tabled AAA2 and was hanging his tournament life on his pair of Aces and back-door low draw and diamond flush draw.

Eric tabled QJ54 with two hearts.  He was ahead with top two pair.

The last two cards were running hearts, giving Eric the flush and the pot.  Seat 7 was busted.

Eric chipped up to ~70k, good for the chip lead.

Chris Reslock is up to ~55k.

Event 4: Chipping Up

$500 + $60 No Limit Hold'em 

Miguel Borrero was all-in on the flop with a gutshot and a flush draw.  He was almost even money against an opponent holding top pair.

Unfortunately for Miguel, he whiffed the last two and was busted.

The current chip leader is a player who prefers to remain anonymous and un-photographed.  He's got about 155k.

 Josh Brikis & Phong 'VIP' Nguyen

Josh Brikis is at the same table and doing well with 102k.  Also at table 13 are 'VIP' Phong Nguyen and 'Action' Bob Hwang.

Another break is in progress at the conclusion of level 8.

Thirteen tables are still active.

Event 3: 4th Place - Gray

$350 + $50 Seven Card Stud

 "A Game" Rob Gray (Atlantic City, NJ) 

$2,677

"Can't win with jacks," says a despondent Gray after being knocked out against the wired queens of David Rosenau.  Gray had split jacks and catches some bad luck when Rosenau was forced to open the action with the low card.

Rosenau has more than 400k and half the chips in play, while John Myung and Rick DiLauro are still alive with the short stacks.

Rob Gray takes home $2,677 for his fourth place finish.

Event 4: Early Departures

$500 + $60 No Limit Hold'em

Blinds are up to 300/600 with 75 antes in level 8.

Many regulars have had a rough go today.  These folks are already looking for something else to do for the rest of the day:

Austen Johnson
Mike Dentale
Christian Harder
Amanda Musumeci
Aaron Steury
Ryan Eriquezzo
Larry Gold

Event 5: Early Leaders

$400 + $50 Pot Limit Omaha 8B

On the river with a board of 6 5 4 6 4 (no flush) Chris Reslock fired 16k, putting his opponent in the tank.  He got the crying call and tabled A2xx for the nut low.  His opponent had a 6 for trips to take the high half.  Chris took the low (split pot).

That was the last hand of level 6 and players are taking a break.

Chris Reslock is the chip leader with 53k.  Edward Mehnert is a close second with 50k.

After the break, play will resume with level 7 and blinds of 300/600.  Eight tables remain active.

Event 3: 5th Place - Tryba

$350 + $50 Seven Card Stud

Chris Tryba (Las Vegas, NV)

$2,343

Tryba busts when he and David Rosenau hit two pairs on seventh street, but Rosenau's kings and queens are best.  Tryba started the hand with 82k and had a pair of jacks with a flush draw, but didn't catch up.

Tryba is a true grinder, traveling the country looking for the best action.  He has nearly $1 million in career earnings and his biggest career win came here at Borgata when he took down the 2011 March Deep Stack ($500,000 Guarantee) earning him $131,000.

Tryba says he's playing "everything," while staying through the rest of the Borgata Winter Poker Open.

Chris Tryba earns $2,343 for his 5th place finish.

Event 4: Interesting Tables

$500 + $60 No Limit Hold'em

Seventeen tables are still active and as players are moved around the room, some interesting match-ups are developing.

Table 8 is hosting quite a collection of poker talent:
Ray Shackelford
Larry Gold
Lucky Lee Kirsh (winner of event 30 yesterday)
Mike Woods

Lucky Lee Kirsch

Table 5 is heavily loaded with poker experience:
Gordon Eng
David Zeitlin
Vinny Pahuja (24th in event 2 yesterday)
Matt Brady

Event 4: Break Time Tweets

$500 + $60 No Limit Hold'em

At the end of level 6, players enjoyed a break and shared some Tweets with the Twitter-verse:

SugDpoker David Zeitlin
35k at 3rd break after coolering the bejesus out of my buddy @ryaneriquezzo

PompYouUp Tom Pomponio
18k going into 300/600 in borgata #fb

tworedducks larry goldstein
20bb going to 250/500. Grinding below avg since level 2. Gonna have to showdown best hand soon

markbeenyc mark bee
Couldnt be on a better game..but getting tortured...


After the break, play resumed with level 7, blinds 250/500 with 50 antes.

Event 5: PLOdding Along

$400 + $50 Pot Limit Omaha 8B

When table ten broke, defending champion Barry Levy was moved over to table 8 to join 'Miami' John Cernuto.

John just busted out of the 7-Card Stud tournament, where he finished 6th ($2,008) a couple of hours ago, and joined this event, already in progress.

Nine tables remain leaving 90 players, 89 of whom are trying to unseat Barry, the master of the split pot games.

Event 3: Still Five Handed

$350+ $50 Seven Card Stud

"Miami" John Cernuto's elimination two hours ago means the remaining five players are entering their third level of play.

John Myung continues to hang around after hitting 7th street three times to stay alive when he was all in and at risk.

Myung, Rick DiLauro & Chris Tryba are the short stacks (less than 100k), while David Rosenau & "A Game" Rob Gray are the chip leaders, both more than 200k.

The average stack is 167k (7 big bets).  Limits are now 12k/24k.

Event 3: Chip Counts

$350 + $50 Seven Card Stud

Players are on a 15 minute break; when play resumes the limits will be 10k/20k

Seat-Name-Chip Count

1 John Myung (Vienna, VA) 66k
2
3
4 Rick Dilauro (Cherry Hill, NJ) 82k
5
6 David Rosenau (Absecon, NJ) 271k
7 Robert Gray (Atlantic City, NJ) 227k
8 Chris Tryba (Las Vegas, NV) 189k

Event 4: Big Stacks

 $500 + $60 No Limit Hold'em

Brady, Kern and Eriquezzo

Scanning the room, any player with more than 40k is a a top 10 stack. John Kern, despite being sandwiched by pros Matt Brady (7k) and Ryan Eriquezzo (33k) is hte chip leader with 55k.

Big Stacks:

John Kern (Harrisburg, PA) 55k
Greg Tiller (Richmond, VA) 47k
Warren Wiggins (Randallstown, MD) 46k

220 players remain with an average stack of 18k (45 BB).

Level 6 (200/400/50 ante) is underway.

Borgata Tournament Leaderboard Update

Borgata Winter Poker Open Leaderboard
By participating in any Borgata Winter Poker Open event (January 18 - February 3, 2012), players earn points based upon the Borgata Poker Tournament Leaderboard Formula.

Below are the top scores for the 2012 Borgata Winter Poker Open Leaderboard*(Final Results from events 1, 2, 29, 30, 31)

367.500 PTS:  EMANUEL FAILLA (SMITHTOWN, NY)

245.000 PTS:  ADAM FAHERTY (LOWELL, MA)

242.125 PTS:  JONATHAN SORSCHER (LYNBROOK, NY)

226.700 PTS:  SRIDHAR CHEBROLU (ELLICOTT CITY, MD)

212.300 PTS:  JAMES GETTINGER (NEW YORK, NY)

178.300 PTS:  LEE KIRSCH (COLD SPG HBR, NY)

175.000 PTS:  RYAN DION (BLACKWOOD, NJ)

168.700 PTS:  GREGORY GLASSMAN (BROOKLYN, NY)

165.175 PTS:  DENNIS WILBER (PATCHOGUE, NY)

163.800 PTS:  THOMAS HOGLUND (NEW BEDFORD, MA)

158.220 PTS:  MICHAEL LINSTER (ISLAND PARK, NY)

155.900 PTS:  ADAM SANDERS (ATLANTIC HGTS, NJ)

154.000 PTS:  MARK BORGES (GLEN ROCK, NJ)

133.000 PTS:  MARK HOPKINS (CRANBURY, NJ)

125.160 PTS:  REAL VILLENEUVE (MONTREAL, CAN)

123.220 PTS:  JONATHAN SONDEJ (CHESAPEAKE, VA)

115.500 PTS:  EUGENE FOUKSMAN (MANALAPAN, NJ)

114.820 PTS:  MANN LUK (MAULDIN, SC)

113.225 PTS:  ILYA VASSERMAN (HUNTINGDON VY, PA)

112.375 PTS:  KENNETH ZUSPAN (MIDDLEPORT, OH)

111.550 PTS:  ERIC SIEGEL (BELLMORE, NY)

108.205 PTS:  JOSEPH OPIE (FAIR HAVEN, NJ)

108.000 PTS:  ROBERT SANTILLI (JACKSON, NJ)

105.000 PTS:  BEN GELLER (FAR ROCKAWAY, NY)

101.500 PTS:  WILLIAMS WATCHMAN (RENO, NV)

Numbers Game

With registration closing on Events 4 (NL) & 5 (PLO) the numbers are more clear. There's more than 300 players in the hold'em tournament, while PLO has more than 125. 

The prize pool and payouts will be verified and posted in the next few hours.

Event 3: 6th Place - Cernuto

$350 + $50 Seven Card Stud

"Miami" John Cernuto (Las Vegas, NV)

$2,008

Cernuto, the three time WSOP bracelet holder, struggled to get anything going throughout the tournament, but still managed another final table to his impressive resume.  "I couldn't get on track," he said.  "I always seemed to be running into a hand and I was never comfortable. It was awkward."

Cernuto's sends his last 50k in chips to chip leader Rob Gray who had split aces and hit two pairs on sixth street.  Cerunto's kings up are second best and after filling out his paper work jumps right into the PLO tournament which he's already registered for.

This is the 256th cash of Cernuto's career that includes 38 titles and $4.4 million in tournament earnings.  Meanwhile, Gray now has more than 1/3 of the chips in play and is up to 300k as five players remain.

Miami "John" Cernuto takes home $2,008 for his 6th place finish.

Event 3: 7th Place - Miller

$350 + $50 Seven Card Stud

Rathe Miller (Philadelphia, PA) 

$1,339

Miller says he ran into aces up three times late in the tournament, including a pivotal hand against "Miami" John Cernuto that knocked his stack from 100k to 40k.

Miller is a Borgata regular and professional player who also does some freelance writing for the Philadelphia Inquirer.  Weight loss is one project he's working on and may inspire a book.

"I've lost 20 pounds the last two months and want to a lose another 30," he says.

Miller was profiled in the Borgata blog last summer for his weight loss challenge, but didn't get any takers.  "I had a lot of interest, but everyone backed out."

Rathe Miller earns $1,339 for his 7th place finish.

Event 5: May the Fours be with You

$400 + $50 Pot Limit Omaha 8B

David Israelitie (Washington, DC) turns pocket 4s into quad 4s on the turn to take a nice sized pot against Rick Mix (Leesburg, VA). 

Israelite is up to 25k, while Mix is hanging by a thread.

Event 4: More Familiar Faces

$500 + $60 No Limit Hold'em

Jamie Kerstetter

Others in the Field:

Jamie Kerstetter
Mike Dentale
Josh Brikis
Mike "Little Man" Sica
James "Suits" Salters
Alex "Jedi" Nepomnyaschiy
Joe Liberta
Christian Harder
Matt "Muffins" Mazzeo
Steve "Wreckin' Ball" Fiorentini
Dave Fox
Action "Bob" Hwang
John Lakatosh

Event 3: 8th Place - Polson

$350 + $50 Seven Card Stud

Al Polson (Williamsburg, VA)

$1,004

Al Polson's tournament ends when he picks up two pairs, jacks and tens, on his first four cards, but the short stack is rundown by Chris Tryba who ends up with a higher two pairs.

"I'm thrilled," says Polson, who owns an executive recruiting firm. "I was down to to 3,300 chips and came back to 90,000. So I'm happy."

Polson makes several trips a year to Borgata and always targets this series and the September Poker Open to play both tournaments and cash games. He's sticking around for a few more tournaments and will keep an eye on his son who's playing in the PLO event.

As for business, Polson says he's seen a turnaround in the economy the last six months. "People are hiring like crazy, but I deal mostly with manufacturing which is always steady. Right now it's pretty hot."

Polson, the 9th place finisher in the Seven Card Stud tournament, takes home $1,004.

Event 5: PLO - People Lovin' Omaha

$400 + $50 Pot Limit Omaha 8B

Barry Levy (Brooklyn, NY) is back to continue his Borgata hot streak. Levy won back-to-back titles in last year's Borgata Fall Poker Open, including this event for $13,000.  He also took down the HORSE event for another $12,000.

Other familiar faces playing PLO include three-time WSOP circuit ring winner Brent Keller, Dave Grubb and Leonardo Palermo.

Event 5: PLO on the Go

$400 + $50 Pot Limit Omaha 8B

At the front of the Event Center is the third and final tournament hitting the tables today.  This is the first of three Omaha tournaments on the Borgata Winter Poker Open schedule.

This is a two-day tournament where players get 12k in chips and levels are 45 minutes long.  Blinds start at 25/50 and PLO is off and running.

Event 3: Gang's All Here

$350 + $50 Seven Card Stud

Stud Final Table

Floor tournament supervisor Ryan (far right) has the cards in the air with 20 minutes on the clock for the remainder of this level (limits 4k/8k).  A reminder of what they're playing for:

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 3: Great Eight

$350 + $50 Seven Card Stud

The final eight players return at noon to play for the $12,716 first place prize.  All eight are in the money and are guaranteed at least $1,004.

Robert Gray is the chip leader with 192k (24 big bets) as limits are 4k/8k.

Seat-Name-Chip Count

1 John Myung (Vienna, VA) 150,000
2 Al Polson (Williamsburg, VA) 86,500
3 Rathe Miller (Philadelphia, PA) 76,500
4 Richard Dilauro (Cherry Hill, NJ) 84,000
5 "Miami" John Cernuto (Las Vegas, NV) 95,500
6 David Rosenau (Absecon, NJ) 78,500
7 Robert Gray (Atlantic City, NJ) 192,000
8 Christopher Tryba (Las Vegas, NV) 72,000

Event 4: Friendly Faces

$500 + $60 No Limit Hold'em

Eriquezzo, Singh, Siu & Gold

Table 25 is bright eyed and bushy tailed with a several "good mornings" and a "hey," as we scope out the field.

Here's a list of early arrivals:

Ryan Eriquezzo
Rohan Singh
May Siu
Larry Gold
Nick Frangos
Nachman Berlin
Cathy Dever
Gordon Eng
Jerry Maher
Austen Johnson
Dave Zeitlin
Sheree Bykofsky

Event 4: Poker Never Sleeps

$500 + $60 No Limit Hold'em

Less  than two hours after crowning champions in Event 1 and Event 2, the Event Center doors are open and grinders who missed the big pay days are back looking for their own victory and a Borgata Winter Poker Open trophy.

This tournament starts with 12k in tournament chips and levels are 45 minutes to start (Level 11+/50 min.).  Blinds are 25/50 and the cards are in the air!

Event 2 Champion: Sorscher

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

Jon Sorscher (Lynbrook, NY)
$46,495

Jon Sorscher, the young tournament pro, cracked QQ early in the day and never looked back.

Solid play and feel-based poker helped this up and coming poker pro get in the Winner's Circle.

Sorsher takes home $46,495 as the Event 2 Champion.

Event 2: 2nd Place - Glassman

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

Greg Glassman (Brooklyn, NY)

$26,142

Greg Glassman makes a solid run and was 'bulletproof' for most of the day.

Glassman takes home $26,142 for his runner-up finish.

Event 2: 3rd Place - Santilli

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

Robert Santilli (Jackson, NJ)
$16,805

 

Robert Santilli, the Borgata veteran carved through the Final Table and played a short stack for most of the day.

Sanitilli takes home $16,805 for his third place finish.

Event 2: 4th - Loewenthal, 5th - Opie

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

High blinds and short stacks have pushed the action.

Recent Eliminations:

4th - Eli Loewenthal - $13,351
5th - Joseph Opie - $10,457

Friday, January 20

Today's Events (Event Center)

11AM: Event 4 - $500 + $60 No Limit Hold'em

• Players start with 12,000 in tournament chips 
• Levels 1-10: will last 45 minutes each | Levels 11+: will last 50 minutes each 
• 2-Day event

12PM: Event 5 - $400 + $50 Pot Limit Omaha 8B

• Players start with 12,000 in tournament chips 
• Levels will last 45 minutes each 
• 2-Day event

4PM: Event 32 - $300 + $50 Survivor NLH 

• Players start with 12,000 in tournament chips 
• Levels will last 30 minutes each 
• Approximately 1 in 10 will win $3,000 Cash  
• 1-Day event 

7PM: Event 33 - $100 + $20 + $100 Black Chip Bounty NLH

• Players start with 25,000 in tournament chips 
• Levels 1-15: will last 15 minutes each  | Levels 16+: will last 30 minutes each
• This is a Bounty tournament.  Players must have their Bounty Chip clearly displayed on the table in order to remain active in the tournament. 
• 1-Day event

Event 2: 6th Place - Wantman

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

Matt Wantman picked his spots well, but falls short at the end.

The 'feel player' busts in 6th place for $8,589.

Event 1 Champion: Will "the Thrill" Failla

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

Will Failla (Smithtown, NY)
  $165,053

Just 5 months after his WPT win in Los Angeles, local legend and East Coast tournament veteran Will "the Thrill" Failla finds himself in the Winner's Circle once again.

"He dodged the land mines and got value when he had the best hand," said one of his tablemates.

Failla, one of the poker good guys, takes home $165,053 and the Borgata trophy for winning the first event of the Borgata Winter Poker Open.

Event 1: 2nd Place - Faherty

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

Adam Faherty (Lowell, MA)
  $104,463

The chatter never stopped, but the chance at a Borgata poker title did. The fun-loving young kid played loose and fast late, his run ends with a solid 2nd place finish.

Faherty takes home $104,463 as the runner-up in the series kickoff event.

Event 1: 3rd Place - Dion

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

Ryan Dion (Blackwood, NJ)
 $69,311

Ryan Dion's loyal railbirds never left his side, but luck did.

The cagey kid was impressive for his first career tournament and he takes home $69,311 with his third place finish.

Event 2: Less Breakfast, More Poker

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

Event #2 grinds on...

Chip Counts:
Greg Glassman - 2,650,000
Joseph Opie - 888,000
Matt Wantman - 853,000
Robert Santilli 161,000
Eli Loewenthal - 977,000
Jon Sorscher - 1,100,000

Event 1: 4th - Borges, 5th - Hopkins

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

With blinds going up and lots of dead money in the middle,
the bustouts are coming in bunches.

Here's the most recent eliminations:

Mark Borges (Glen Rock)
 $58,773
 

Mark Hopkins (Cranberry, NJ)
 $48,600

Event 1: 6th Place - Fouksman

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

Eugene Fouksman shoves his last 250,000 in the middle with K♠7♣,
he can't fade the Q♣J♠ and his day ends with a 6th place finish.

The Borgata tournament regular earns $39,061 for his deep run on Day #2.


 

Event 2: Last Lady Busts

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

Julie Cornelius (Rockville, MD) earns $5,322 for her deep finish
in Event #2.

She got her money in good before taking a bad beat with JJ,
her runs ends in 8th place.

The West Coast native kept her cool, shook her opponent's hand and tells the Borgata Blog "I tilt internally."

Event 1: The Grind

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

It's been "Raise and take it poker" for the last hour.

Play continues 6 handed with very little post-flop play and lots of yawns.
Good luck to the grinders playing for their share of the $936,500 prizepool.

Event 1: The Thrill

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

The remaining 6 players have officially caught their second wind.

The chatter continues as poker pro and local legend Will "the Thrill" becomes our Chipleader.

Chip-Counts:
Will Failla - 12,600,000
Eugene Fouksman - 11,100,000
Ryan Dion -11,000,000
Mark Borges - 10,500,000
Mark Hopkins - 3,000,000
Adam Faherty - 1,400,000

Late Night Borgata Poker

The Event Center by the numbers:

9 Railbirds
4 Flat Screens (currently watching Sportscenter on mute)
2 Final Tables
1 Security Guard

Event 1: 7th Place - Leon

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

Paul Leon busts 7th, he earns $30,432 for his patient play
and well-timed aggression.

The part-time poker player tells the Borgata Blog his day ended when
"my AJ got sucked out on, his rags hit."

Event 2: Final Table Play

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

Recent Eliminations:
9th - Bella Ortiz - $3,735
10th - Marsha Wolak - $2,427

Greg Glassman only knows one speed and all signs point to him keeping his foot on the gas pedal. Our Chipleader has cruised through most of this tournament, he gained momentum shortly after the Dinner Break and hasn't looked back. The big stack bully currently sits with 2,140,000 chips.

West Coaster, Julie Cornelius, has been impressive in her debut at Borgata. She's chipped up to 478,000 as the only female left in the field.

Event 2: Final Table

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

Recent Eliminations:
11th - Jay Sharon - $2,427
12th - Al Hoffman - $2,427

Final Table (Seat Assignment & Chip Counts)
Seat 1 - Julie Cornelius - 351,000
Seat 2 - Greg Glassman - 2,450,000
Seat 3 - Joseph Opie - 926,000
Seat 4 - Bella Ortiz - 260,000
Seat 5 - Jason Deane - 534,000
Seat 6 - Matt Wantman - 461,000
Seat 7 - Robert Santilli 231,000
Seat 8 - Marsha Wolak - 191,000
Seat 9 - Eli Loewenthal - 482,000
Seat 10 - Jon Sorscher - 497,000

Event 1: Bill busts

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

Recent Elimination:
Bill Watchman busts in 8th place when he runs AJ into AQ,
he earned $22,256 for a solid two days of poker.

Event 1: 10th - Penna; 9th - Thiagarajah

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

David Penna got his chips in with AJ suited, but was dominated by Bill Watchman's AQ.  Bill's hand held up and he took the pot.

David Penna (Babylon Village, NY)

$10,447

David took 10th place and $10,447.

Ragavan 'Rags' Thiagarajah (Marlton, NJ)

$15,897

Rags got his last chips in with KJ but was bested by Mark Borges' A6.  Ragavan 'Rags' Thiagarajah finished in 9th place ($15,897).

Event 1: Final Table Chip Counts

$500 +$60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry) 

Play is underway at the final table.  Here's the lineup and some rough chip counts:

Seat - Player - Chips (in millions)
1 - Rags - 1.1
2 - Adam Faherty - 8.0
3 - David Penna - 1.7
4 - Mark Borges - 5.25
5 - Ryan Dion - 11.0
6 - Eugene Fouksman - 3.2
7 - Bill Watchman - 1.7
8 - Paul Leon - 3.1
9 - Mark Hopkins - 4.5
10 - Will Failla - 6.3

Event 2: Grind

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

Recent Eliminations:

Place - Player - Prize Money
13th - Andrew Klein - $1,867
14th - Leonard Cortellino - $1,867
15th - Dennis Yoder - $1,867
16th - Josh Shmerl - $1,400
17th - Paul Seres - $1,400
18th - John Lakatosh - $1,400

Event 1: 11th Place - Long

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

Eugene Fouksman is making a miraculous comeback.  He has been all-in three times, each time holding Queen-something against a better hand (Ace-something) and each time he has won.

The most recent hand was Q7 suited against the AK of David Penna.  A Queen on the flop was all he needed to capture his third double-up.

Eugene has gone from 230k all the way back up to ~ 3 million chips during this level.

 Rohan Long (Windsor, CT)
$10,447

Rohan Long shoved his stack on a 8 5 3 flop, holding AK and got called by Adam Faherty, who held J5 for middle pair.  No help for Rohan on the last two and he was busted.

Rohan finished in 11th place ($10,447).

The final ten are drawing seats and moving to the final table.

Event 1: 12th Place - Wood

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

Josh Wood got his chips in holding pocket Jacks, but ran into the pocket Kings of Mark Borges.

 Josh Wood

The Kings held up and Josh was busted.  He will collect $10,447 for 12th place.

Another level expired.  Blinds are now 100k/200k with 30k antes.

11 players remain.  Average is 4.25 million (21 big blinds).

Event 2: Bustouts

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

The following 7 players received $1,027 in prize money.

Recent Eliminations:
19th - Thomas Melton
20th - Ung Somphone
21st - Rashad Maysaud
22nd - John Michael Crowell
23rd - Raymond Ricker
24th - Vinny Pahuja
25th - Robert Phillips

Event 1: Dion Doubles Twice

$500 +$60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry) 

Rags opened for a raise, then Eugene Fouksman 3-bet.  Ryan Dion 4-bet-shoved for 2.395 million straight.  Rags folded, but Eugene made the call.

Ryan tabled AK and had Eugene's AQ dominated.  The board ran out dry and Ryan doubled up to ~5 million.

 Ryan Dion

Eugene dropped below 6 million.

Shortly after, the same two players tangled again.

On a flop of A Q 9 -- all clubs -- and with about a million chips in the pot, Ryan was all-in for 5.065 million.  Eugene had 74 suited in clubs and had flopped a flush.  Ryan held A9 suited in spades for two pair.  He was on the verge of elimination, but then another 9 hit the river giving him a full boat.

Ryan chipped up to ~11.1 million and the chip lead.  Eugene was left with only 230k.

Event 1: 13th Place - Leandrou

$500 +$60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry) 

George Leandrou got his chips in the middle holding QT, but got looked up by Eugene Fouksman.  Eugene had him dominated with AT.

George got no help from the board and reported to the rail in 13th place.  He'll pocket $6,813 for his efforts.

With that pot, Eugene chipped up to around 8 million, good for the chip lead.

Event 3: Bubble Breaks

$350 + $50 Seven Card Stud

We're in the money in Event #3.

Day 1 comes to an end when Michael Smith (Philadelphia, PA)
becomes our unfortunate Bubble Boy.

The players listed below will re-draw for seats
when play continues tomorrow at 12 noon.

John Myung
Al Polson
Rathe Miller
Richard DiLauro
'Miami' John Cernuto
David Rosenau
Michael Smith
Robert Gray
Chris Tryba

Event 1: Final 13 Chip Counts

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

Play resumed after the break with blinds of 80k/160k with 20k antes.

13 players remain.  Average is 3.6 million (22.5 big blinds).

Rough chip counts as of the break (in millions):

Rohan Long - 6.5
Eugene Fouksman - 5
Mark Borges - 4.5
Will Failla - 4.5
Mark Hopkins - 4.5
Josh Wood - 4.3
Rags - 3.8
Ryan Dion - 2.7
David Penna - 2.6
George Leandrou - 2.1
Adam Faherty - 2
Paul Leon - 1.95
Bill Watchman - 1.4

Event 2: Bulletproof Glass

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

While big stacks bully and short stacks try to survive,
the 'Glassman' dodges bullets in Event #2.

Number of Entries: 550
Players remaining: 18

CHIPLEADER
Greg Glassman - 868,500 chips

Event 3: Stud Bubble

$350 + $50 Seven Card Stud

Entries: 69
Players remaining: 9
Total Buy-In: $34,500

Players are on the bubble, play will stop for the night
with 8 players remaining.

Day 2 continues tomorrow, re-start time TBA.

Chipleaders:
Robert Gray - 186,000
John Myung - 161,000
'Miami' Jon Cernuto - 121,000

Event 1: Long Takes Lead

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

Mark Borges opened for 425k.  Josh Wood moved in for 2.27 million.

Mark called and rolled over AQ suited.  Josh held pocket Kings.  Mark caught a Queen on the flop, but it was not enough.  Josh doubled up to ~4.7 million.  Mark was left with ~4.55 million.

With Mark's drop in chips, Rohan Long has claimed the chip lead.  He's up to 6.3 million.

End of level and the final 13 are taking a short break.

Event 3: Stud Field Shrinks

$350 + $50 Seven Card Stud

Entries: 69
Players remaining: 9
Total Buy-In: $34,500

Final Table
seat 1 - John Myung
seat 2 - Al Polson
seat 3 - Rathe Miller
seat 4 - Richard DiLauro
seat 5 - 'Miami' John Cernuto
seat 6 - David Rosenau
seat 7 - Michael Smith
seat 8 - Robert Gray
seat 9 - Chris Tryba

Event 1: 14th Place - Choe

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

Mark Minho Choe got his last 1.2 million chips in good holding pocket Jacks, getting action from a player holding AQ. 

 Minho Choe

Unfortunately for Choe, an Ace flopped.

Minho Choe finished in 14th place, earning $6,813.

Event 2: Tale of Two Tables

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

Chipleaders:
Greg Glassman - 767,000
Josh Shmerl - 697,000
Jon Sorscher - 690,000
Joseph Opie - 665,000
Eli Loewenthal - 550,000

Entries: 550
Players remaining: 18
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: Stuck at 14

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

Chips are moving around the tables, but no one else has busted out.

 Rohan Long

Rohan Long doubled up through Paul Leon, then he took a big pot from Adam Faherty.

Rohan is up to over 5.2 million.   Adam is down to ~ 2 million.  Paul is holding on to ~1.7 million.

Still 14 players.  Average stack is 3.3 million (under 28 big blinds).

Event 3: Studs with Skill

$350 + $50 Seven Card Stud

Skilled Stud players David Rosenau, John Myung, 'Miami' John Cernuto and Rathe Miller still alive and well. Play continues until 2am.

Entries: 69
Players remaining: 12
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: 15th Place - Tsin

$500 +$60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry) 

Ryan Dion opened for 300k on the button.  Dmitry Tsin (sb) shoved.

Ryan asked for the count and it was 585k on top.  He gave it some thought, counted out the chips, then made the call.

Dmitry was ahead with AJ offsuit.  Ryan tabled 98 off.

 Dmitry Tsin

The flop came J T 5 -- all spades -- and was all Ryan.  He flopped an open-ended straight draw and since he had the only spade, a flush draw to go with it.

It was over on the turn when the King of spades fell, completing the flush.  Ryan chipped up to ~2 million.

Dmitry Tsin finished in 15th place earning $6,813.

After that hand, blinds went up to 60k/120k with 20k antes.

Event 1: 17th - Raggi; 16th - Hunter

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

Nathan Raggi got his last chips in with pocket 8s, but ran into pocket Jacks.   Nathan finished in 17th place.

 Nathan Raggi & Russ Hunter

Russ Hunter got his stack in with pocket 7s, running into pocket kings.  Russ finished in 16th place.

Both players earned $4,724.

15 players remain.  Average is over 3.1 million.

Event 2: Leading Ladies

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

The last females standing aren't going quietly,
good luck to the last two ladies.

Marsha Wolak (Sarasota, FL) is gaining traction late on Day 1.
The 2011 WSOP Ladies Event Champion sits with 231,00 in Event #2.

Julie Cornelius (Rockville, MD) keeps the 'run good' streak alive.
The East Coast native min-cashed Event #1 and currently sits with 236,000 in Event #2.

Event 1: 18th Place - Graham Jr.

 $500 +$60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

After an opening raise from Mark Hopkins, Erin Graham Jr. moved  his short-stack in.  Mark gave it some thought, then made the call.

 Erin Graham Jr.

Erin was way ahead with pocket Aces.  Mark had QJ.

The board came Q 9 5 T Q and Mark caught trips on the river to take the pot.

Erin Graham Jr. finished in 18th place ($4,724).

Event 1: Final Two Tables

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

18 players returned from break to blind of 50k/100k with 10 antes.

Average stack is 2.6 million -- 26 big blinds.

They did a redraw and moved to the final two tables.  Here's the new lineup with some rough chip counts:

Table 1
Paul Leon - 4.75 million
Josh Wood - 1.6 million
Rags - 4.75 million
Rohan Long - 1.75 million
Minho Choe - 1.7 million
Mark Borges - 6.8 million
Adam Faherty - 4.2 million
Will Failla - 2.8 million
Russ Hunter - 900k

Table 2
David Penna - 3.3 million
Bill Watchman - 1 million
Erin Graham Jr. - 645k
Eugene Fouksman - 1.7 million
George Leandrou - 2.6 million
Ryan Dion - 2.7 million
Nathan Raggi - 1.9 million
Dmitry Tsin - 1.4 million
Mark Hopkins - 2.8 million

Event 3: Poker Veteran

$350 + $50 Seven Card Stud

'Miami' John Cernuto, becomes the overwhelming Chipleader with 20 players left in Borgata's only 7 Card Stud event of the Winter Open.

The long time poker pro has an impressive resume that includes over 5 million in lifetime tournament earnings, along with 49 WSOP cashes for over 1 million.

The friendly Chipleader tells the table, "If I don't win this tournament, call me Pensacola Pete."

Event 1: Latest Departures

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

Matthew Croker got his chips in with KQ, but ran into Mark Hopkins' AK.  The best hand held up.

Matthew finished in 24th place.

David Baker busted out in 23rd place.

 Top:  David Inselberg & Harry Binda Jr.
Bottom:  Scott Schwalich & Iggy Azzara

David Inselberg finished in 22nd place.

Harry Binda Jr. finished in 21st place.

Scott Schwalich finished in 20th place.

Iggy Azzara busted out in 19th place.

All of these players earned $3,997.

End of level and players are taking a break.

Event 2: Big Stack Vinny

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

With over 1 million in lifetime earnings, Vinny Pahuja (New York, NY) becomes the favorite in Borgata's second No Limit Hold Em' event.

The Borgata regular and East Coast tournament veteran has a top 5 chip stack with only 31 players left.

For more Vinny, follow @vinpahuja as Event #2 shrinks to only 3 tables.

Event 1: Yet Another New Chip Leader

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

On the river the board showed A K 9 9 T.  All the chips were in the middle for a massive pot.

 Mark Borges

Erin Graham Jr. held 95 for trip 9s, but Mark Borges held pocket Kings for Kings-full.  Mark doubled up to over 5.3 million chips.  Erin was left with under 1 million.

Event 1: New Chip Leader

$500 +$60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry) 

'Rags' has edged out Erin Graham for the chip lead. 

 Rags

Rags is up to 4.5 million.  Erin has about 4.3 million.