Event 22: Bubble Master Strikes Again

$1,000 + $90 Six-Max No Limit Hold'em

Will "The Thrill" Failla Busts Bubble

Congratulations to Will Failla (Commack, NY) who busts his career 75th lifetime bubble and sends the remaining 30 players into the $262,500 Total Buy-In.

Failla got his 10-10 in against Ben Geller's K-Q on a flop that connects hard with both players.

Board ran: J-10-2-5-3.

Will "The Thrill" lives up to his name.

Failla has ~200,000 chips. Another cash for Failla can only help him to maintain his overall Leaderboard totals in the top spot. Although, Thomas Hoglund is on his heels in 2nd as he's still in the tournament and will also cash.

Bubble lasted about 7 hands before bursting.

Do the math - 6 players per table times five tables = 30 players remaining.

We're playing until 2am when players will bag and tag then return tomorrow for conclusion.

Event 20: Big Swings Heads Up

$1,500 + $150 + $500 Purple Chip Bounty NLHE

Heads up continues with a couple of big swings.

1) Back and forth pre-flop raising ends with all the chips going in the middle.

Brock Parker has Manh Nguyen two to one in chips after his 10-10 held up for 1.25 million against Nguyen's 8-8.

Brock takes the lead of 2.5 million to Manh's 1 million.

2) Ten minutes later, the swing goes the other way.

Manh double thru Brock after his 99 finds a straight on a board of 8-5-J-Q-10.

This is a match worthy to be on TV. Good stuff from both players who are in it to win it.

Event 22: Fourrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

$1,000 + $90 Six-Max No Limit Hold'em

Carlos Avalos (Lakeridge, VA)

Crazy hand ends with Carlos Avalos needing a non-heart 4 for the win and he hits it.

Opponent jams a board of 5♣6♥9♥5♥ causing Carlos to go deep freeze.

It would cost him 103,900 and he had another 60,000 behind.

Finally Carlos called. Opponent tabled A♥6♣ for the pair and the nut flush draw.

Carlos showed 4♥4♦ and was not happy he was so far behind.
Carlos' hearts were dead and he needed a miracle 4. Boom - just like that he got the 4♠.

The kid he felted was furious. He stood up and said Carlos had been doing that to him all day. He had him dominated again and again lost - this time for his entire tournament. Not gonna lie, it was hard to watch...but great for the blog.

We're going hand for hand as 31 players remain.

One away from the money people.

Event 20: Final Two on Break

$1,500 + $150 + $500 Purple Chip Bounty NLHE

Manh Nguyen & Brock Parker Heads Up

They reached the end of the level and took off for a break.

Chip counts
Manh Nguyen - 2.113 million
Brock Parker - 1.387 million

When play resumes, blinds will be 8k/16k with 2k antes.

Event 20: 3rd Place - Brikis

$1,500 + $150 + $500 Purple Chip Bounty NLHE  

 Josh Brikis (Murrysville, PA)

$24,189

Josh Brikis was all-in with AJ against the AK of Manh Nguyen.

The bigger Ace held up and Manh collected yet another pot and bounty.

Josh will collect $24,189 for third place.

Event 22: Silent But Deadly

$1,000 + $90 Six-Max No Limit Hold'em

Just met Julian Schulman (Nyack, NY). He's at table three with Matt Maccaroni and Ben Geller.

Julian has sort of flown under the radar all day but now I can't ignore his chip stack as it's one of the largest in the room.

Table 1 has nicknamed him "The Silent Assassin".

Matt Maccaroni explained it like this, "all these young aggressive animals are around him and he keeps ripping us apart like a ninja".

Ben Geller said Julian hasn't said a word and continues to take down pots.

He just scooped one off of Ben. Julian flopped a set of fives and Geller turned an Ace. Geller paid him off but the pot wasn't out of control - about 20,000.

Julian is up to 280,000.

Jerry Maher is still the cl with 333,000 and Travis Greenawalt has around 200,000.

Julian is like Clint Eastwood in El Camino - just givin the young guns trouble.

8 players away from the money.

Event 22: Seat Open, Table One

$1,000 + $90 Six-Max No Limit Hold'em

The guys at table-1 have been trading chips back and forth. From hearing their tales from the felt, a whole lots of suck-out cards and three-outters are hitting at a regular clip.

No monster chip stacks here and no knock-outs either, until now.

Mike Ferrell (Cleveland, OH) flops a flush draw and bottom pair with his 3-4 of clubs. That's enough to bet into a dry side pot, causing third Opponent to fold.

The short stack player who was all-in pre after looking at one card (an ace) isn't feeling too good.

Ferrell sweats Opponent's two over cards as the board bricks out and a two three's hold.

Mike drove out from Cleveland to play today and in the 2012 Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship. Players are coming to Borgata from all over the country.

39 players remain and top 30 get part of the whopping $284,000 Total Buy-In.

Event 20: 4th Place - Kerstetter

$1,500 + $150 + $500 Purple Chip Bounty NLHE  

 Jamie Kerstetter (Monroe Twp, NJ)

$20,370

Josh Brikis opened for 30k, Manh Nguyen raised to 80k on the button, then Jamie Kerstetter moved in from the small blind.

Brock Parked folded his big blind and Josh also opted out.

Man called, showing AQ off.  Jamie was behind with KT suited.

The board came J 7 7 5 9 and Manh took the pot with Ace-high, collecting another bounty.

Jamie Kerstetter finished in 4th place, earning $20,370.

Manh leads the final three with about 2.2 million.

Brock Parker has ~800k.  Josh Brikis has about 510k.

Event 22: Tank You, Come Again

$1,000 + $90 Six-Max No Limit Hold'em

Ben Geller Makes Sic Call

Groundhog's Day is in a couple of days which reminds me of the Bill Murray movie where the same thing happens day after day.

Just yesterday Ben Geller was in a Six-Max tournament, in the same exact seat, and in the tank with a decision. Yesterday it was on the money-bubble. Today it's just a big hand.

Board of 2♣ 6♦ 6♣ 7♠ 2♦ is awaiting Geller's decision.

Opponent made his bet and after a huge tank session, the clock has been called.

Ray from the floor counts Geller down. I figured he was gonna fold.
But as Ray announces 3..2...1.., Ben's chips hit the felt just in time.

Ben tabled K♥J♥ . Opponent mucked and Geller scooped.

"Sick call buddy" says Matt Maccaroni.

Geller makes stellar with only King high.
That's why these guys are some of the best in the business.

Think long, think - right!

Event 20: Parker Doubles

$1,500 + $150 + $500 Purple Chip Bounty NLHE 

Brock Parker was all-in pre-flop for 398k against Jamie Kerstetter.

Brock's pocket Jacks were ahead of Jamie's pocket 8s. 

The board changed nothing and Brock doubled up to ~900k.

Jamie was left with ~400k.

Event 20: Stuck at Four

$1,500 + $150 + $500 Purple Chip Bounty NLHE  

The final four are trading pots.

Manh Nguyen opened for 25k and got called by Brock Parker in the small blind.

The flop was K 9 7 -- all spades -- and Brock led out for 35k.  Manh raised to 80k and Brock called. 

Turn was another King.  Both players checked. 

River was the 8 of spades, putting four spades on the board.  Both players checked. 

Brock showed KQ off (no spade) for trip Kings.  Manh showed JT off (no spade) for the straight to take the pot.

Blinds are now 6k/12 with 2k antes.  Approximate chip counts:

Manh Nguyen - 1.6 million
Jamie Kerstetter - 840k
Josh Brikis - 570k
Brock Parker - 480k

Event 22: The Six-Matt

$1,000 + $90 Six-Max No Limit Hold'em

Matt Maccaroni (Hamilton Sq., NJ) - 70,000

Matt Maccaroni loves the six-max. "The fields are tougher, the dynamic is better and it's just more fun" explained Matt.

He likes the challenge that the young internet players pose and is figuring out the tough table draw he received. Matt's been at table four the entire day. "It's like the table of death" joked Maccaroni.

Seems like the 6-max is a chance to mix up your game. More min calling, more 3-4-5 betting, and more bluffing.

Matt's currently below average in chips but did survive being as short as ten big blinds before dinner.

Event 20: Kerstetter Doubles

$1,500 + $150 + $500 Purple Chip Bounty NLHE 

Manh Nguyen opened for 24k from the small blind.  Jamie Kerstetter kicked it up to 85k from the big.

Manh announced all-in and Jamie snap-called, showing AJ.  Manh had A9 and was dominated.

The board came K 5 4 8 K and Jamie doubled up to ~950k.

Manh was left with about 1.4 million.

Event 22: Joyful Jerry

$1,000 + $90 Six-Max No Limit Hold'em

Jerry Maher (Warren, NJ) - 255,000

Jerry Maher has increased his chip lead since dinner break.

He got the ball rolling back in the 2nd level when his opponent flopped a nut-flush, and Jerry flopped a set of nines. Quads on the turn gave him the early double-up.

Then right before dinner break Jerry went from 90,000 to 180,000 when he looked down at pocket three's on the button.

Opponent in the small blind decided to make a move with only a gut-shot. Not smart since Jerry flopped a set of threes. Opponent shoved on the turn, Jerry called and faded the gutterball.

Jerry is hoping to smile all the way to the bank and ride his chip lead to the end where a $70,234 pot of gold sits waiting.

48 players remain.

Blinds are 1000 / 2000 with average stack at 88,750.

Event 20: 5th Place - Loehrs

$1,500 + $150 + $500 Purple Chip Bounty NLHE 

Jason Loehrs (Springfield, PA)

$15,278

Jason Loehrs then got his chips in the middle against Brock Parker.

Jason held pocket 9s and was racing against Brock's KQ.

A Queen on the flop was all Brock needed to pick up another bounty chip.

Jason Loehrs finished in 5th place ($15,278).

Manh Nguyen has finally returned from dinner.

Event 22: Pay The Bill

$1,000 + $90 Six-Max No Limit Hold'em

Billy Pilossoph Looking To Win

Last year this tournament was a grueling one day event that ended at 9:30 AM. This year it's stretched out over two-days. That's fine for veteran poker player Billy Pilossoph (Presto, PA).

When the dust settled last Borgata Winter Poker Open (2011), Billy Pilossoph came in third place taking home $32,461.

"This year my goal is to go from third to first" joked Pilossoph.

No stranger to Borgata Poker, Billy just arrived and is playing in his first event. He's really gearing up for and most excited about the Championship Event.

As to what he's been up to besides poker, just hanging out with his two kids.

Billy currently has 105,000 which is 22,000 above average stacks of 83,000.

51 players remain.

Event 20: 6th Place - Valerstein

$1,500 + $150 + $500 Purple Chip Bounty NLHE 

 Roman Valerstein (Newtown, PA)

$12,731

Olympic gold medal swimmer Michael Phelps turned up briefly to watch his friend Josh Brikis play some poker.  He was watching during this hand.

Chip leader Munh Nguyen hasn't returned from dinner break, so he's contributing blinds and antes to the table.

Manh was the big blind on this hand:

Roman Valerstein shoved for 153k utg, then Jason Loehrs shoved on the button, then Josh Brikis called all-in for 248k from the small blind.  The hands were tabled:
Roman: QT off
Jason: AT off
Josh:  KK

The flop came J 9 2, giving Roman some hope with an open-ender, but the last two fell 5 J and no help for Roman.  He was busted in 6th place ($12,731).

Jason was left with about 200k.  Josh more than doubled up to over 650k.  He tweeted this:

Josh Brikis @JBrikis
I credit my rail @MichaelPhelps for letting my kk hold and triple up plus a bounty! 5 left.645k

Event 22: Leaderboard Implications

$1,000 + $90 Six-Max No Limit Hold'em

Thomas Hoglund (New Beford, MA) - 160,000

A nice sub-plot has formed between Thomas Hoglund and Will "The Thrill" Failla.

Will currently is top of the 2012 Borgata Winter Poker Open Leaderboard with 512.268 pts. while Thomas Hoglund is 2nd overall with 501.005 (after 6 cashes so far).

The winner scores a seat to the Spring Poker Open Championship. So there's a lot at stake and this tournament will most likely be a factor.

You can imagine that Thomas is gunning for Will who is also sitting on 160,000. Are you kidding me, both players have the same stack which is fourth best in the room. Both players have been on fire.

In hockey, after an overtime tie they go to a shoot-out. I'd love to see these two move to the same table and duke it out.

We'll keep you posted...

Event 20: Back From Dinner

$1,500 + $150 + $500 Purple Chip Bounty NLHE 

Play has resumed after dinner with level 20, blinds 5k/10k with 1k antes.

Six players remain.  Here's a reminder what they're playing for:

1  $76,387
2  $42,013
3  $24,189
4  $20,370
5  $15,278
6  $12,731

Event 22: Dinner Done

$1,000 + $90 Six-Max No Limit Hold'em

Our 59 remaining players have stuffed their guts and now are hoping to hit some gut shots.

Top stacks in the room include:
Jerry Maher (Warren, NJ) ................... 190,000 chips
Travis Greenawalt (Landisville, PA).... 182,000 chips
David Stefanski (Conn.).......................... 175,000 chips

With ten tables left the average chipstack is 72,203.

We're playing until 2am or the money bubble breaks, then bagging and tagging.

Everyone has their eye on the top prize of $70,234 but would settle for some of the $284,000 Total Buy-In.

PPI Perspective

Borgata Winter Poker Open

It’s Championship Weekend at the Borgata and just when you thought the energy level couldn't get any higher the vibe here at the Borgata Winter Poker Open (BWO) is now at its peak!

The combination of higher buy-in events, satellites into the $2 Million Guaranteed Championship, and top professionals from around the world in attendance has Borgata buzzing with excitement.

PPI (Poker Players International) and our roster of World Class Poker Pro's have been generating some fantastic results throughout the tournament series. Will "The Thrill" Failla took down the record setting first event for more than $160k, while Matt " Muffins " Mazzeo made back-to-back final tables.

Jon Sorscher won event #4, while Chris Reslock locked up the title in the H.O.R.S.E event. Several other PPI Players have cashed in the BWO thus far, including David Inselberg, Jamie Kerstetter, Mike Sica, and Josh Brikis to name a few.

With PPI players like 2010 WSOP Main Event runner up John Racener, Aruba Poker Classic Champion Matt Brady, WSOP Bracelet winner Jason Young, and WSOP final tablist/respected poker instructor Lee Childs, along with many others participating in the $2 Million Guaranteed Championship event, we can expect to see several making deep runs in this prestigious tournament.

The entire Borgata poker staff has done another amazing job at this year's BWO. Just as in years past, everyone is excited about the next tournament series here at the Borgata before the current one even ends. With the Borgata Spring Poker Open (April) and Borgata Summer Poker Open (June) just a few months away, along with the other Guarantee Deep Stack events that the Borgata runs frequently – it’s no wonder that Borgata is the favorite poker destination for players at all levels of experience from around the world.

The PPI Leaderboard is shaping up to be a great race coming down to the stretch few events. The winner will receive a VIP Borgata Package. Standings through Friday, January 28 completed events:

Position-Points-Name

1 - 512.268 | EMANUEL FAILLA
2 - 318.025 | JONATHAN SORSCHER
3 - 293.318 | MATTHEW MAZZEO
4 - 217.463 | LAURENCE GOLDSTEIN
5 - 204.988 | MICHAEL DENTALE
6 - 185.075 | CHRIS RESLOCK
7 - 185.075 | RYAN ERIQUEZZO
8 - 176.975 | VINEET PAHUJA
9 - 173.775 | DAVID INSELBERG
10 - 168.188 | JOSHUA BRIKIS
11 - 152.780 | GEORGE MEDRANO
12 - 140.900 | MARGUERITE SPAGNUOLO
13 - 138.850 | SHEREE BYKOFSKY
14 - 136.000 | JAMES SALTERS
15 - 127.193 | JAMES STENELLA

Event 20: Dinner Break

$1,500 + $150 + $500 Purple Chip Bounty NLHE

The final six are on dinner until about 8:40pm.

Here are some rough chip counts:

Manh Nguyen - 1.9 million
Brock Parker 445k
Jamie Kerstetter - 437k
Jason Loehrs - 430k
Josh Brikis - 230k
Roman Valerstsein - 130k

Event 22: Payouts

$1,000 + $90 Six-Max No Limit Hold'em

Entries:  284
Total Buy-In: $284,000

PAYOUTS:
1: $70,234
2: $41,735
3: $31,680
4: $25,482
5: $19,972
6: $14,474
7: $11,019
8: $7,576
9: $4,132
10 - 12: $3,444
13 - 18: $2,755
19 - 24: $2,066
25 - 30: $1,653

Event 20: 7th Place - Deutsch

$1,500 + $150 + $500 Purple Chip Bounty NLHE

 Jason Deutsch (Staten Island, NY)

$10,185

Jason Deutsch got all-in holding AT against big stack Manh Nguyen's Q6 suited.  Jason flopped a Ten, but Manh caught runner-runner two pair to take the pot and collect another bounty.

Jason will pick up $10,185 to go with any bounties he collected along the way.

Six players remain.  Average stack is 583k.

Event 22: Dinner Break

  $1,000 + $90 Six-Max No Limit Hold'em

The remaining 59 players have been sent on a one hour dinner break. 

Play will resume at about 8:30 pm.

Event 20: 8th Place - Leandrou

$1,500 + $150 + $500 Purple Chip Bounty NLHE

 George Leandrou (Glen Cove, NY)

$7,639

A short while ago, George Leandrou was all-in utg for 69k.  Brock Parker looked him up with pocket Jacks.  George had A6 off.

An Ace on the river saved George and he doubled up.

Brock then doubled up through Jason Deutsch with pocket 7s that held up against AQ.

George got his last chips in again a short time later and this time couldn't pull out a save.

He was felted in 8th place, earning $7,639 plus any bounties.

This is George's second deep run during this series.   He finished 13th in event 1, picking up $6,813.

Event 20: 9th Place - Ezrol

$1,500 + $150 + $500 Purple Chip Bounty NLHE

 Matt Ezrol (Coconut Creek, FL)

$5,729

After Manh Nguyen opened for 20k, Matt Ezrol shoved from the small blind.  Manh snap-called, showing pocket Aces.

Matt had A9 off and was way behind.

The board came 7 7 2 J 4 and Man collected the pot and his 6th bounty.

Matt Ezrol will collect $5,729 for his 9th place finish.

Event 20: 10th Place - Link

$1,500 + $150 + $500 Purple Chip Bounty NLHE

Robert Link (Jenkintown, PA)

$5,093

After Brock Parker opened, Robert Link raised.  Jason Loehrs moved in, Brock opted out, and Robert called all in.

Jason was ahead with AK.  Robert's AQ was dominated.

The best hand held up and Jason collected the bounty.

Robert Link finished in 10th place, earning $5,093.

Event 22: Big Stacks

$1,000 + $90 Six-Max No Limit Hold'em

Blinds are 500/1,000 with 100 antes.

Gene Castro is up to about 130k.

Will 'the Thrill' Failla is up to 125k.

After he raised and got three-bet, Travis Greenawalt shoved. His opponent let it go. Travis has about 65k.

Event 20: Stalled at Ten

$1,500 + $150 + $500 Purple Chip Bounty NLHE

Still ten players at this final table. Manh Nguyen leads. He's up to about 940k.

Short stack is George Leandrou with about 85k.

Blinds still 3k/6k with 500 antes.