Thursday, November 17, 2011

Event 15: Zinno MoveZ on

$1500 + $150 Heads Up No Limit Hold'em

Anthony Zinno
Anthony Zinno (Boston, MA) sweeps Feming Chan (W. Windsor, NJ) 2 games to none in the best of three series to advance to the Elite 8 and earn a min cash of $3,638.

The last match of the night is Darren Elias vs Jesse Yaginuma, as they're playing the rubber match after splitting the first two games.

Event 15: Two Still Going

$1500 + $150 Heads Up No Limit Hold'em

Zinno (right) folds to Chan
Some early bird grinders who arrived at Borgata at 11 am for the heads up draw are now night owls 12 hours later.

Two Sweet 16 matches continue as the four players are battling to make the money.

Anthony Zinno leads Feming Chan 1-0 in the best of three as game two continues. And it's tied at 1 between Darren Elias vs Jesse Yaginuma.

Yaginuma won this event in September 2009.

Winners get the min cash of $3,638.

Zinno & Yaginuma

Event 15: Two More Advance

$1500 + $150 Heads Up No Limit Hold'em

Olivier Busquet
2009 Borgata Poker Open Champion Olivier Busquet (New York, NY) defeats Dave Inselberg (Long Beach, NY) to advance to the Elite 8 and guarantees himself at least $3,638

Randy Feder (Plainview, NY) also moves on with a win over Tom Cope (Westport, CT) and gets the same min cash.

Both players return Friday to play in the quarterfinals and still have a shot at the $29,098 top prize.

Randy Feder

Event 13 Recap

$400 + $50 H.O.R.S.E.

Post-time for the HORSE event was pushed back an hour due to the massive field in the 11am tournament, but the HORSEs were off and running in good form, just an hour late.  There were 104 entries for this event, making the total purse $41,600.  The final 18 would get a peice of the pie with the eventual winner taking $12,107.

Among the notables entering this event were Chris Reslock, Larry Gold, Glenn Engelbert, Bill "Bumperino" Munley, Charlie Brahmi, Lonnie Heimowitz, Bill Blanda, Guy Tull, and Miami John Cernuto.   Also in the field was Omaha H/L, Event 9 winner Barry Levy ($13,153).

Thirty-five players survived day one and returned to continue play on Thursday.  Louis Russo (Brooklyn, NY) was the chip leader coming into day two, with Barry Levy (Brooklyn, NY) in second with 124,800.  

Russo ended up finishing in 4th place earning $3,228.  Guy Tull (Annapolis, MD) was in the middle of the pack coming into day two and at one point was down to a single blue 5,000 chip, but he held on and came back to finish 3rd ($3,833) and book his third cash during this Open series.

Lonnie Heimowitz (Monticello, NY) was also in the middle of the pack at the start of day two, but became the chip leader with 9 players remaining. He dropped down to third place three-handed but started the heads-up battle with Hi/Lo specialist Barry Levy with a 2 to 1 chip advantage.

Despite starting the day second in chips, Barry Levy was the short-stack for a while and at one point was down to only 18,000 chips.  "I knew I was going to win it. I wasn't happy with my chip count but knew I was gonna win" said Levy.  He came all the way back and beat Heimowitz heads-up to take the title, his second of this series.

Levy took home his second engraved Borgata trophy along with $12,107 for first place (the first time a single player has won two main events during one Open tournament series).  Lonnie Heimowitz finished in 2nd Place earning $6,658.

Event 13: 1st Place - Levy

$400 + $50 H.O.R.S.E

Barry Levy (Brooklyn, NY)
$12,107

Deja vu all over again. Unofficially, this is the first time someone has won two titles/trophies in the same Borgata Poker Open Series. What a run for Barry Levy who took 1st Place in Monday's Omaha and now 1st Place in H.O.R.S.E. He can use both tropies as book-ends.

Barry started the day with 124,800 which was second in the tournament. He dropped down to 16,000 after dinner but never felt like he was going to lose. "I knew I was going to win it. I wasn't happy with my chip count but knew I was gonna win" said Barry who plays best from the felt.

During heads up play against Lonnie Heimowitz Barry began a 2 to 1 chip dog. Barry was as short as 100,000 at the final table. Still, nobody counted him out. After a hidden stud full-house, he doubled up with Lonnie and took control. Barry tore up the field in Omaha and Hi-Lo which was his bread and butter.

Barry has a big fan club following his success on the Borgata Poker Blog and Ilya Dyment rooted live from the rail.

Three handed, Barry was nice enough to talk to me for a moment and the floor mucked his hand. It seemed like from that moment on Barry took off and went on a heater.

Congratulations again to Borgata's first two-time Series Champion - Barry Levy.

Omaha & H.O.R.S.E. Champion Barry Levy

Event 13: 2nd Place - Heimowitz

$400 + $50 H.O.R.S.E

Lonnie Heimowitz (Monticello, NY)
$6,658

Lonnie Himowitz started today with 37,000 and was the the chip leader with 9 players remaining. He dropped down to third place three-handed but started the heads-up battle with a 2 to 1 chip advantage.

After about an hour of heads-up play Lonnie lost his stack on stud as Barry Levy flipped over a full house. One of Borgata's bests, Qianwen dealt the final hand with nail polish that matched the 5000 light blue chips.

Great run for Lonnie who is no stranger to H.O.R.S.E. events although this is the first time he has played against Barry Levy.

Lonnie Heimowitz finished in 2nd Place earning $6,658.

Event 14: Two Tables

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

The eliminations of Melad Marji (Oneida, NY) and Bryan Leskowitz (Leominster, MA) in 20th and 19th places respectively has the final 18 players redrawing for seats at the final two tables.

Both players take home $767.

Event 15: Defending Champ Gone

$1500 + $150 Heads Up No Limit Hold'em

UnCharder Territory
There won't be a repeat performance for Christian Harder (Annapolis, MD) who loses to his good friend Denis Gnidash (Fairlawn, NJ) in the Sweet 16. Harder who was the heads up champion in September ($62,00), couldn't get anything going as Gnidash sweeps the best of three match.

Gnidash earns a min cash of $3,638 and is still alive for the $29,098 first prize.

Also in the round of 16, Michael McNeil beats DJ Mossey.

Event 14: Bustage

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

20 players remain and two more bust-outs before the final 18 (2 table) redraw.

The following players are out of the tournament and earn $767 for their day of poker.

Place-Name

21 Norman Rodriguez (Poinciana, FL)
22 Roman Valerstein (Newtown, PA)
23 Norman Carey (New Brunswick, NJ)
24 Joseph Cramer (Carlisle, PA)
25 Adam Kott (Livingston, NJ)
26 Dylan Schlich (Cayce, SC)
27 Joe Manganiello (Cranford, NJ)

Event 15: Payouts

$1500 + $150 Heads Up No Limit Hold'em

Entries: 50
Total Buy-In: $75,000

Place-Amount

1 $29,098
2 $14,550
3-4 $7,275
5-8 $3,638

Event 13: 3rd Place - Tull

$400 + $50 H.O.R.S.E

Guy Tull (Annapolis, MD)
$3,833

What a fantastic Fall Poker Open for Guy Tull. In this tournament he was literally down to a chip and a chair. From one 5000 chip to a third place finish for $3,833.

The hand that crippled Guy was when his K-K-K was run down by Lonnie's straight. Lonnie scooped the hi and low and doubled up.

Guy's final hand was in holdem when his A-7 lost to Lonnie's 3-3 in a race coin flip situation.

That's three cashes for Guy - congratulations.

Guy Tull finished in 3rd Place earning $3,833.

Event 13: Top Three Battle It Out

$400 + $50 H.O.R.S.E

Barry scoops a nice pot against Lonnie Heimowitz. In a stud hand Lonnie had Aces us. Barry continued betting and Lonnie kept flatting. On the river, Lonnie fired and Barry called.

Barry caught trip queens on the river and took down a nice pot against Lonnie's two pair.

Barry Levy has 900,000.
Lonnie Heimowitz 400,000.
Guy Tull 200,000.

As you can imagine the action changes quickly. Barry and Guy have traded stack sizes twice in the last couple rounds.

Event 14: Payouts

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

Entries: 251
Total Buy-In: $87,850

Place - Amount

1st $23,861
2nd $14,060
3rd $8,095
4th $6,562
5th $5,113
6th $4,261
7th $3,409
8th $2,556
9th $1,704
10-12 $1,108
13-15 $937
16-18 $852
19-27 $767

Event 15: Third Round Update

$1500 + $150 Heads Up No Limit Hold'em

Queen & Kerstetter
Alex Queen and Jamie Kerstetter are the first two players to win their third round matches and by advancing to the Elite 8 are guaranteed a min cash of $3,638 before playing each other in Friday's match.

Kerstetter is the first woman to cash in a Borgata heads up tournament and is still in the running for the $29,098 first prize. Queen, who won the 2010 Borgata Spring Poker Open ($356,00), is friends with Kerstetter and says, "we're friends tonight, foes tomorrow."

Third Round Results

Jamie Kerstetter def Jamil Wakil
Alex Queen def Cliff Ziff

Matches in Progress

Darren Elias vs Jesse Yaginuma
DJ Mossey vs Michael McNeil

Anthony Zinno vs Feming Chan
Tom Cope vs Randy Feder

Christian Harder vs Denis Gnidash
Dave Inselberg vs Olivier Busquet

Event 13: 4th Place - Russo

$400 + $50 H.O.R.S.E

Louis Russo (Brooklyn, NY)
$3,228

In an omaha hi/lo hand Louis had all his chips in with three pair and lost to Lonnie Heimowitz straight. Louis - 4-9-J-5 vs. Lonnie's K-7-6-2 on a board of 8-5-J-9-7.

Russo plays a lot of the mix game tournaments at Borgata and was playing this one for his wife Denise, son Vin, and friends Tom & Tonya.

Louis Russo finished in 4th Place earning $3,228.

Event 13: Sunny Four-Cast

$400 + $50 H.O.R.S.E

Final four horsemen continue play after dinner.

At the end of a Stud hi/lo or better round Barry Levy dusts off half in stack in back to back hands.

He built most of it back in Holdem.

Current chip counts include:
Barry Levy....450,000
Guy Tull.........400,000
Lonnie Heimowitz.....200,000
Louis Russo...............500,000

Guy told me he was down to one 5000 chip and built back to make the final table.

This is Guy's third deep run during the Fall Poker Open.

All blue 5000 chips on the table.

Event 14: Bubble Breaks

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

Just after the dinner break, three quick eliminations and they're in the money. Short stack Stuart Nelson (Atlantic, NC) didn't survive and is on the rail.

Joe Manganiello (Cranford, NJ) had less than 6 big blinds coming back from break, but he hangs on and is the first player to cash; he finishes in 27th place. He busts with K 7 against the pocket aces of Johannsy Joseph (Spring Valley, NY).

Manganiello turns two pairs, but is counterfeited on the river when the board pairs to give Joseph a higher two pairs.

Manganiello finishes in 27th place, earning $767.

Event 15: Second Round Complete

$1500 + $150 Heads Up No Limit Hold'em

Here are the players moving on to the Sweet 16, where the winner's play for the the money. All players in the Elite 8 are guaranteed $3,638, while the champion takes hom $29,098.

Second Round Results

Darren Elias def Dan Pignataro
Jesse Yaginuma def Travis Greenawalt
DJ Mossey def Jacob Toole
Michael McNeil def Jonas Bendikas
Anthony Zinno def Yaron Reuven
Feming Chan def Nick Petrangelo
Tom Cope def Chalie Hook
Randy Feder def Akash Seth
Jamil Wakil def Srinivas Reddy
Jamie Kerstetter def Dan Colman
Cliff Ziff def Adam Gerber
Alex Queen def Eracles Panayiotou
Christian Harder def Thomas Pomponio
Denis Gnidash def Travis Chapman
Dave Inselberg def Orson Young
Olivier Busquet def Bobby Oboodi

Event 13: Dinner Time Chip Counts

$400 + $50 H.O.R.S.E

The final four decided to take a dinner break, so they will be dining until play resumes at 8:30pm.

Here are the chip counts:

Seat - Player - Chips
4 - Barry Levy - 666k
1 - Guy Tull - 430k
3 - Lonnie Heimowitz - 253k
2 - Louis Russo - 230k

Event 14: Dinner Break

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

Arnold Armed & Ready

Pearce Arnold (Washington DC) has been on a heater since moving to his new table and says he's doubled his stack from 150k to 320k (107 BB) to take over the chip lead.

Arnold busts Joe Isabella (Egg Harbor Twp., NJ) just before dinner break when Arnold's A J hits an ace on the river to outrace Isabella's pocket 6s. The bust-out along with one other elimination sends the remaining 30 players (100k avg./33 BB) on dinner break.

Normally we track the big stacks, but because we're just three spots from the money, here's a look at those who may have a time time enjoying dinner.
Short Stacks

Stuart Nelson (Atlantic, NC) 9,600 (3 BB)
Joe Manganiello (Cranford, NJ) 19,600
Joe Cramer (Carlisle, PA) 21,200

Blinds are 1,500/3k/400 ante when play resumes at 8:15 pm.

Event 13: 5th Place - Kim

$400 + $50 H.O.R.S.E

Playing Omaha Hi/Lo:

Guy Tull got quartered in a pot against Lonnie Heimowitz, who took three-quarters of the pot.

Playing Razz: 

 Jong Man Kim (Silver Spring, MD)
$2,421

Jong Man Kim got his last chips in the middle against Louis Russo.  When the cards ran out, Louis took the pot.

Jong Man Kim took 5th place and $2,421.

Event 15: Second Round Results

$1500 + $150 Heads Up No Limit Hold'em

Completed Matches

Jamil Wakil def Srinivas Reddy
Alex Queen def Eracles Panayiotou
Denis Gnidash Travis Chapman
Darren Elias def Dan Pignataro
Jamie Kerstetter def Dan Colman
Dave Inselberg def Orson Young
Michael McNeil def Jonas Bendikas
Donald Mossey def Jacob Toole
Cliff Ziff def Adam Gerber

Event 13: Stuck At Five

$400 + $50 H.O.R.S.E

Playing Stud:

Short-stack Louis Russo doubled through Lonnie Heimowitz -- to about 100k.

Barry Levy took a pot from Guy Tull, leaving Tull with about 160k.

Playing Stud Hi/Lo:

Not much excitement...mostly split pots.

Game is back to Hold'em.  Limits are up to 20k/40k.  Approximate counts:

Barry Levy - 655k
Lonnie Heimowitz - 400k
Guy Tull - 260k
Louis Russo - 150k
Jong Man Kim - 150k

Event 15: WPT Champs Face Off

$1500 + $150 Heads Up No Limit Hold'em

Oboodi & Busquet
The 2011 Borgata Poker Open Champion is going against the 2009 Champ. Bobby Oboodi, who won the WPT televised final table in September is facing off against heads up specialist Olivier Busquet who took the top prize two years ago.

All eyes are on this match, but nobody's watching it more closely than Dave Inselberg who's already won his second round match and awaits the winner in the Sweet 16.

Event 15: First Round Complete

$1500 + $150 Heads Up No Limit Hold'em

Each match took five hours, but in the end it's Nick Petrangelo and Thomas Pomponio who move on to close out the first round.

First Round Results

Nick Petrangelo def Bill Blanda
Thomas Pomponio def Alan Kornblau
Darren Elias def Adel Shakerian
Yaron Reuven def Jesse Cohen
Orson Young def Ryan Eriquezzo
Chalie Hook def Michael Gagliano
Olivier Busquet def Tim Finne
Travis Greenawalt def Michael Deckard
Jacob Toole def Douglas Lovelace
Anthony Zinno def Jeremy McLaughlin
Eracles Panayiotou def Brian Lemke
Denis Gnidash def Steve Ryan
Dave Inselberg def Matthew Weiss
Jamie Kerstetter def Jesse Rockowitz
Adam Gerber def Jason Young
Randy Feder def Michael Hahn
Jesse Yaginuma def Matt Maccaroni
Travis Chapman def Alon Shahar

Event 13: Final Five

$400 + $50 H.O.R.S.E

The final five players have just returned from a break and resumed play with limits of 15k/30k.

Average stack is 312k (10 big bets).

Rough chip counts as of the break:

Barry Levy - 476k
Lonnie Heimowitz - 455k
Guy Tull - 400k
Jong Man Kim - 200k
Louis Russo - 80k

Event 13: 6th Place - Anonymous

$400 + $50 H.O.R.S.E

Playing Hold'em:

Mr. Anonymous got caught bluffing the short-stacked Lonnie Heimowitz.  When Lonnie was all-in, he had to turn over his hand -- 32 off -- and Lonnie doubled up, leaving Mr. Anonymous short.

Mr. Anonymous (Nowheresville, NJ)
$2,018

Most of his chips went to Jong Man Kim on the next hand, but he folded on the turn with only 7k left.

A couple of hands later, Mr. Anonymous was all-in for 7k and was up against the two blinds, who checked down the board of 7 5 5 2 4.

Barry Levy (bb) showed K7 for top pair to take the side pot.  Mr. Anonymous held Q9 suited and was busted in 6th place ($2,018).

Five players remain.

Event 14: Norm!

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

Rodriguez Peers Over at Casey

When you yell, "Norm," at Borgata, two players look up from their chip stacks. Norm Rodriguez (W. Hempstead, NY) and Norm Casey (New Brunswick, NJ) are both at 125k (63 BB) and tied for the chip lead.

Third in chips is Johannsy Joseph (Spring Valley, NY), who has 115k.

One guy who's happy to still be playing is Tom Mullen (Washington, DC), who was down to three big blinds with 3k, but got a triple-up and a double-up to work his way back to 85k.

Currently 50 players remain with an average stack of 60k (30 BB); blinds are 1k/2k/300 ante.

Event 13: 7th Place - Machado

$400 + $50 H.O.R.S.E

Vaughan Machado was short-stacked and could hold on no longer.  He busted out in 7th place ($1,614).

Vaughan Machado (Red Bank, NJ)
$1,614


Six players remain.  Average stack is  260k.

Event 13: 8th Place - Deutchman

$400 + $50 H.O.R.S.E

Playing Stud:

Murray Deutchman showed a set of 6s on the river and despite saying "Aces-up", Guy Tull actually had Aces-full.  He claimed the pot, leaving Murray with just one 5k chip.

That chip went in the pot on the next hand, which was multi-way until 5th street, when Mr. Anonymous got heads-up on the side with Barry Levy.

 Murray Deutchman (Hagerstown, MD)
$1,211

Mr. Anonymous said he had a flush already on 5th street.  Barry had 6's full of Aces, then rolled over his last card and it was another Ace, improving him to Aces-full.

Barry took the pot, chipping up to 425k.  Mr. Anonymous was left with about 50k.  Murray Deutchman was busted in 8th place ($1,211).

Limits are now up to 12k/24k.  Seven players remain.  Average is 222k (less than ten big bets).

Event 15: Former Champ Waits & Waits, &.....

$1500 + $150 Heads Up No Limit Hold'em

Harder (right) Waits with Gnidash while
the Pomponio/Alan Kornblau Match Continues

Christian Harder (Annapolis, MD) won this event in September and is ready to defend is title, but five hours in, he's yet to play a hand.

"This is crazy," says Harder, who's watching college basketball to pass the time. Harder, who had a bye in the first round is waiting for the Thomas Pomponio/Alan Kornblau match to conclude so he can play his first match.

The deep structure and best of three format can lead to marathon matches and Harder isn't the only one waiting. Denis Gnidash is next in line after winning two matches, he'll play in the third round against the winner of Harder vs TBD, but has no idea when that will be.

On the flip side a couple of players have been breezing through the competition.

Darren Elias has already won two matches, while Alex Queen is also into the third round. The 2010 Spring Poker Open Champion had a bye in the first round and only needed one hour to sweep Eracles Panayiotou in the second.

Event 13: 9th Place - J. Chen

$400 + $50 H.O.R.S.E

Jinglen Chen's short stack did not last very long at the final table.  He was busted in 9th place ($908).

Jinglen Chen (Brooklyn, NY)
$908

Lonnie Heimowitz had chipped up to about 380k, good for the chip lead, but then tangled with Jong Man Kim in a hand of 7-Card Stud.

When Kim fired a bet on the river, Lonnie mucked.  Kim showed him rolled-up Aces.  Kim chipped up to about 310k while Lonnie dropped to about 330k.


Event 15: Still Going

$1500 + $150 Heads Up No Limit Hold'em

Petrangelo & Blanda

Five hours into the heads up tournament and two matches are still going.

Bill Blanda and Thomas Pomponio both won their first games, only to see their opponent rally to tie things up and send it to the rubber match.

Marathon Matches

Bill Blanda vs Nick Petrangelo
Thomas Pomponio vs Alan Kornblau

More First Round Winners

Jamie Kerstetter def Jesse Rockowitz
Adam Gerber def Jason Young
Randy Feder def Michael Hahn
Jesse Yaginuma def Matt Maccaroni
Travis Chapman def Alon Shahar

Event 13: Final Table Chip Counts

$400 + $50 H.O.R.S.E

Here are the final 9 with some rough chip counts, shortly after play resumed:

Seat - Player - Chips
1 - Guy Tull - 260k
2 - Mr. Anonymous - 200k
3 - Louis Russo - 100k
4 - Jong Man Kim - 120k
5 - Vaughan Machado - 90k
6 - Jinglen Chen - 40k
7 - Lonnie Heimowitz - 160k
8 - Barry Levy - 290k
9 - Murray Deutchman - 210k

Event 13: 10th Place - Hofer

$400 + $50 H.O.R.S.E

Playing Razz: 

Danny Hofer was all-in against Louis Rousso and made the best hand to double up -- to about 50k.

 Danny Hofer (Ossining, NY)
$807

Then he was all-in against Barry Levy and did not fare as well.  Barry had a 65-low on 6th street and Danny had paired up twice.

Danny Hofer finished in 10th place, earning $807.

With Danny's departure, nine players remained.  They drew for seats and moved to a single table, where play resumed.

Event 13: Chip Counts


$400 + $50 H.O.R.S.E

Play resumed after the break with limits of 10k/20k.  Approximate chip counts as of the break:

Table One
1 - Mr. Anonymous - 250k
2 - Jong Man Kim - 60k
4 - Vaughan Machado - 100k
6 - Jinglen Chen - 100k
8 - Lonnie Heimowitz - 240k

Table Two
3 - Murray Deutchman - 200k
4 - Guy Tull - 345k
5 - Danny Hofer - 30k
6 - Barry Levy - 180k
7 - Louis Russo - 130k

Average is 156k (almost 8 big bets).

Event 14: Long Way from Home

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

Brown Toast of the Town

Two of the big stacks have traveled a long distance to play at Borgata.

Kenneth Brown (Redondo Beach, CA) says he came from the left coast just to play this series. He's currently the big stack with 100k (83 BB).

And while Karen Harutyunyan (Galloway Twp., NJ) only has a short trip through Atlantic County, his roots are in Armenia, a former republic of the Soviet Union, more than 5,000 miles from tAtlantic City.

Harutyunyan is one of several stacks in the 75k-85k range.

80 players remain with an average stack of 28k (23 BB) as blinds are 600/1,200/200 ante.

Event 13: Two More Put Out to Pasture

$400 + $50 H.O.R.S.E

Mike Gabarick (Easton, PA) busted out in 12th place.

Tom Bessoir (New York , NY) was next to go in 11th place.

Tom Bessoir (11th) and Mike Gabarick (12th)
 $807

Both earned $807 for their finishes.

The final ten completed the level and took off for a ten minute break.

Event 13: 12 HORSEs Stuck In The Mud

$400 + $50 H.O.R.S.E

Limits are up to 8k/16k.

Playing Stud:

Vaughan Machado got his last chips in on 5th street with a pair of Kings and was ahead of his opponent's pair of 9s.  The last two streets changed nothing and Vaughan doubled up.

Playing Stud Hi/Lo:

Murray Deutchman and Guy Tull went to the river and Guy fired the last bet, which Murray called.  Guy produced a club flush (no low) and Murray mucked his hand.  Guy chipped up to about 400k while Murray was down to about 200k.

Still stuck at 12 players.

Event 13: Triple, Double

$400 + $50 H.O.R.S.E

Playing Razz:

Barry Levy was all-in on 3rd street showing an Ace against two opponent who checked it down.  At show-time, Barry had to beat a 9-lo.  He had Q88A on board, 73 in the hole, and was drawing live to a  6, 5, 4, or 2 to survive.

He squeezed his river card and then tossed the 6 on the felt.  He tripled up to about 65k.

On the other table, Jong Man Kim was all-in on 5th street showing 293.  He got the call from Lonnie Heimowitz and caught a King on 6th, but then at showdown, produced 54A for a wheel and the nuts to claim the pot and double up.

Still a dozen players.

Event 15: First Round Continues

$1500 + $150 Heads Up No Limit Hold'em

Yaginuma vs Maccaroni

One of our featured first round match-ups is living up to the hype as Jesse Yaginuma and Matt Maccaroni are tied with one win each heading into the rubber match.

Maccaroni, who lost in the semifinals of the September heads up tournament, took game one, but Yaginuma, who won this event in September of 2009, rallied to take the second.

As several matches continue, here's a look at some first round results:

Chalie Hook def Michael Gagliano
Olivier Busquet def Tim Finne
Travis Greenawalt def Michael Deckard
Jacob Toole def Douglas Lovelace
Anthony Zinno def Jeremy McLaughlin
Brian Lemke def Eracles Panayiotou
Denis Gnidash def Steve Ryan
Dave Inselberg def Matthew Weiss

Event 13: Dirty Dozen

$400 + $50 H.O.R.S.E

Marcus Bower (S Williamsport, PA) busted out in 13th place ($706).

The final twelve continue to battle it out.

In a recent hand of Omaha Hi/Lo, Jong Man Kim flopped the nut flush draw and turned a set, but was unable to improve on the river to beat Jinglen Chen's flopped straight.  Jinglen scooped the pot and chipped up to ~140k.

Event 14: Head Count

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

The starting field is ~250 players and more than half of them have given up their black ($100) bounty chips.

115 players remain with an average stack of 12k (33 BB).

Faces still in the field include: Dave Zeitlin and Leanne Rosenblatt, plus the killer table of Sheree Bykofksy, Larry Gold, and Austen Johnson.

Level 9 (400/800/75 ante).

Event 13: 13 HORSEs In The Running

$400 + $50 H.O.R.S.E

Level complete, break complete, now 13 HORSE-players are back to the felt, playing limits of 6k/12k.

Here's the lineup with rough chip counts:

Table One
1 - Mr. Anonymous - 250k
2 - Jong Man Kim - 110k
3 - Tom Bessoir - 35k
4 - Vaughan Machado - 120k
6 - Jinglen Chen - 110k
8 - Lonnie Heimowitz - 70k

Table Two
1 - Mike Gabarick - 70k
2 - Marcus Bower - 60k
3 - Murray Deutchman - 240k
4 - Guy Tull - 140k
5 - Danny Hofer - 45k
6 - Barry Levy - 100k
7 - Louis Russo - 210k

Total chips in play is 1.56 million.  Average stack is now 120k (that's 10 big bets).

Event 14: Easy Come, Easy Go

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

Lee Childs (Alexandria, VA) busts Joe Cappuccio (Hammonton, NJ) to earn a $100 bounty, but less than an orbit later Childs is crippled.

Childs has K J against Joe Isabella (Egg Harbor Twp., NJ) who holds pocket 8s on a K K 8 flop. Isabella wins the 20k pot with his flopped full house against trip kings, dropping Childs to 5k before hitting the rail.

"I played so well," says Childs, who's now off to play in the 3 pm Championship qualifier (~1 in 20 earn seats), adding "I'm either going to be playing all night or I'll be out fast."

Level 8 (300/600/75 ante) continues.

Borgata Rocks

Jimmie Lee

Jimmie Lee (Voorhees, NJ) is a regular Borgata cash player who's also a musician. Known as the "Jersey Outlaw," Lee has a new album out called Hit the River Running, and says his country rock music is a labor of love.

"The Gambler was more generic", says Lee, referring to Kenny Rogers' hit single, "so it was important for me to a write a song that poker players will get."

The album's title track has lyrics that Lee hopes will ring true with poker players. "You know my hands a shakin' cuz I'm playing a hunch, and I can't quit now cuz I'm in too much."

You can hear this tune and others at www.jimmieleesongs.com.

Event 13: Three HORSEs Return to Stables

$400 + $50 H.O.R.S.E

Three more horses have returned to the stables:

Russ Salzer (Hollywood, FL) - 16th place ($605)
Brian Nichols (Egg Harbor Twp, NJ) - 15th place ($706)
Ilya Dyment (Brooklyn, NY) - 14th place ($706)

Leaving 13 HORSEs in the race for the top prize of $12,107.


Event 13: Two HORSEs Scratched

$400 + $50 H.O.R.S.E

The first to players to bust out in the money are

Colin Maneval (Newton, MA) - 18th place
Justin Fineberg (Pittsburgh, PA) - 17th place

Both will claim $605 for their efforts.

The remaining 16 players drew seats and moved to the final two tables.

Event 13: HORSEs Burst Bubble

$400 + $50 H.O.R.S.E

The money bubble burst just a few minutes ago when Kings-up was facing Jacks-up in a hand of Stud.  A Jack on 7th street gave Jacks-up a boat and the pot and sent the unlucky bubble-boy to the rail.

18 Players remain and are guaranteed to earn at least $605.

Event 15: Early Winners

$1500 + $150 Heads Up No Limit Hold'em

First Round

Darren Elias def Adel Shakerian
Yaron Reuven def Jesse Cohen
Orson Young def Ryan Eriquezzo

Second Round

Jamil Wakil def Srinivas Reddy

This was an early match because both players received a bye into the second round. Wakil is on a four hour break until the third round gets underway at approximately 6 pm.

Event 15: Tough Draw

$1500 + $150 Heads Up No Limit Hold'em

Finne vs Busquet
Full Beard vs 5 o'clock Shadow
Two of the world's best heads up players, Olivier Busquet and Tim Finne, were the last two names picked in the random draw and are facing off in the first round.

Busquet used his skills to overcome a 20 to 1 chip deficit heads up to win the 2009 Borgata Poker Open champion, while Finne, "Highland Fox" on-line, has $1.8 million in internet earnings.

The match features Finne's full beard vs Busquet's 5 o'clock shadow, but Finne is quick to point out that Busquet has a "bit more hair up top,"

It doesn't get any easier for the survivor of this match as they'll face 2011 Borgata Poker Open Champion Bobby Oboodi, who got a bye into the second round.

Event 13: 21 Gun Salute

$400 + $50 H.O.R.S.E

21 players remain as the money bubble looms with 18 cashing.

Murry Deutchman (Hagerstown, MD) is the chip leader with 160k (20 big bets), while Louis Russo (Brooklyn, NY) with 155k, and Ilya Dyment (Brooklyn, NY) 140k are the other big stacks.

The limits are currently 4k/8k.

Entries: 104
Total Buy-In: $41,600

Place - Amount

1st $12,107
2nd $6,658
3rd $3,833
4th $3,228
5th $2,421
6th $2,018
7th $1,614
8th $1,211
9th $908
10-12 $807
13-15 $706
16-18 $605

Event 15: Underway

$1500 + $150 Heads Up No Limit Hold'em

Rockowitz vs Kerstetter

The first round is underway and there are a couple of interesting draws.

Olivier Busquet vs Tim Finne
Adam Gerber vs Jason Young
Christian Harder vs Matt Maccaroni

Jamie Kerstetter is the only woman in the event, she's facing off against Jesse Rockowitz

This is a single elimination format (best 2 of 3 match), with 20k starting chips and 20 minute levels.

1st Round Byes:

Dan Pignataro
Donald Mossey
Michael McNeil
Feming Chan
Tom Cope
Jonas Bendikas
Akash Seth
Jamil Wakil
Srinivas Reddy
Dan Colman
Clifford Ziff
Alex Queen
Christian Harder
Bobby Oboodi

Leaderboard Update (11/17)

Borgata Fall Poker Open Leaderboard Update

By participating in any Borgata Fall Poker Open event (November 9-23, 2011), players will earn points based upon the Borgata Poker Tournament Leaderboard Formula.

Winners will be announced Monday, November 28:
  • 1st Place: $3,500 entry into Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship event (January 29 - February 3, 2012) 
  • 2nd - 4th Place: Apple iPod Touch 
  • 5th - 7th Place: Keurig coffee maker 
  • 8th - 10th Place: Nikon digital camera
    Below are the top scores for the Borgata Fall Poker Open Leaderboard contest through November 16th events* (Final Results from events 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
    361.200 PTS:  MICHAEL MICHNIK (HOLLYWOOD, FL)
    361.000 PTS:  MICHAEL LYDON (MIDDLE VILLAGE, NY)
    329.100 PTS:  LANA OBRIEN (ENGLISHTOWN, NJ)
    297.063 PTS:  DANIEL DAGOSTINO (BELLEVILLE, NJ)
    296.348 PTS:  MARK SYKES (HAMDEN, CT)
    294.075 PTS:  AMANDA MUSUMECI (PHILADELPHIA, PA)
    281.150 PTS:  HARRY KOROTKI (OWINGS MILLS, MD)
    258.500 PTS:  EDWARD GRAU (MIDDLE RIVER, MD)
    257.545 PTS:  JOHN DELROSSI (MANTUA, NJ)
    254.500 PTS:  ERIC LISICA (GLEN BURNIE, MD)
    239.400 PTS:  AUSTEN JOHNSON (WOODSBORO, MD)
    238.900 PTS:  ILYA VASSERMAN (HUNTINGDON VY, PA)
    233.575 PTS:  ROBERT BROWN (MILFORD, NH)
    232.450 PTS:  MICHAEL SICA JR (N BRUNSWICK, NJ)
    230.125 PTS:  THOMAS FORMICHELLA (BROOKLYN, NY)
    223.350 PTS:  ERIC DOERR (NEWARK, DE)
    216.000 PTS:  HAYONG ZHOU (BALTIMORE, MD)
    208.625 PTS:  CHARLES BARRETT (DUNKIRK CAL, MD)
    205.815 PTS:  TONY SINISHTAJ (FLUSHING, NY)
    201.775 PTS:  SON NGUYEN (ELKRIDGE, MD)
    201.525 PTS:  ROBERT BAESCH (BERLIN, MD)
    201.175 PTS:  CARLOS COLON (E PATCHOGUE, NY)
    201.115 PTS:  DEAN CHEN (ELLENVILLE, NY)

    Event 13: Saddle Up

    $400 + $50 H.O.R.S.E.

    The 35 returning players are in the Poker Room on four tables. We're just 17 spots from the money as the top 18 cash.

    Louis Russo (Brooklyn, NY) is the chip leader with 142k, but Omaha H/L champion Barry Levy (Brooklyn, NY) is on his heels as the field plays for the $12,107 top prize.

    Cards are in the air!

    Event 15: Draw Poker

    $1500 + $150 Heads Up No Limit Hold'em

    Board Games

    The heads up players are in the Signature watching the random draw for a tournament that brings in a lot of big names.

    Former heads up champions Christian Harder, Jeremy McLaughlin, and Charlie Hook are in the field, along with Borgata Poker Open Champions Bobby Oboodi (2011/$922,000) and Olivier Busquet (2009/$925,000).

    Once the 64-slot bracket style draw is finished the players will settle in for what will be high level, intense poker

    (l-r) Bill Blanda, Dave Inselberg, and Jason Young

    Event 14: Friendly Faces

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

    We're officially past the halfway point of the Borgata Fall Poker Open (8 down, 7 to go) and a lot of the faces we've through the 12 completed Main Events are back in the Poker Room.

    Roll Call

    Gionni Demers
    James Boyle
    Kalid Ali
    Johanssy Joseph
    Larry Gold
    Sheree Bykofsky
    Dave Zeitlin
    Adam Lippert
    Leanne Rosenblatt
    Arkadiy Tsinis
    Austen Johnson
    Nachman Berlin
    Mike Sica

    Level 2 (25/50) is underway

    Event: 14: Bounty Hunter II

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

    The second bounty tournament of the Borgata Fall Poker Open is off and running and the players love the format. In addition to the prize pool, each knock out gets you a black chip ($100) that goes straight to your bankroll.

    The structure is 12k starting chips with 30 minute levels for the first 10 (Levels 11+, 40 min.).

    This is a one-day event, so players are ready for the grind that will take them, if they're lucky and good, well past midnight.

    Cards are in the air with blinds at 25/50!

    Thursday, November 17

    Today's Events (Poker Room/The Signature Room)

    11AM: Event 14 - $350 + $50 + $100 Black Chip Bounty NLH 

    • Players start with 12,000 in tournament chips 
    • Levels 1-10: each will last 30 minutes | Levels 11+: each will last 40 minutes
    • 1-Day event



    12PM: Event 15 - $1500 + $150 Heads Up No Limit Hold'em

    • Players start with 20,000 in tournament chips 
    • Single Elimination (Best 2 of 3 match)
    • Levels will last 20 minutes  
    • 2-Day event



    3PM: Event 35 - $135 + $25 Championship Qualifier NLH
    • Players start with 10,000 in tournament chips 
    • Levels will last 20 minutes each
    • Approximately 1 in 20 will win entry into Borgata Fall Poker Open Championship event
      (Nov 20-23, 2011)
    • 1-Day event


    7PM: Event 36 - $150 + $30 + $25 Green Chip Bounty NLH
    • Players start with 10,000 in tournament chips 
    • This is a Bounty No Limit Hold'em tournament.  Players must have their Bounty Chip clearly displayed in order to remain active in tournament.
    • Levels will last 20 minutes each 
    • 1-Day event

      Event 12 Recap

      $200 + $30 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

      Before 11Am the registration line stretched outside the Poker Room and down the hall as far as the eye could see as 963 Borgata Poker hopefuls entered today's $100,000 guarantee for an affordable $200 + $30 price tag, and 20,000 chips.

      But only one would win it all taking down 19.3 million in tournament chips along with the engraved 2011 Borgata Fall Poker Open trophy. That individual is the human buzzsaw, Edward Grau who drove up from Baltimore MD to play this tournament, then will drive back tomorrow.

      Because Event 12 was a re-entry (until end of Level 8), players who felted during the first 8 levels could have re-entered as many times as they could afford. Edward did not re-buy and claims he didn't even bluff. Guess you don't have to when you pick up KK 99 and AA in back to back to back final table hands. Of course all three hands held up giving Edward more than half the chips on the table.

      With so much interest in this tournament, Tables 1-25 were in the Signature Room and tables 26+ were set up in the Poker Room. All and all a ton of players taking their shot at the gold.

      Familiar Borgata faces and regulars included: Dave Zeitlin, Tony Shurilla, Steven Levy, Howard Wolper, Tommy Colamaria, Jay Johnson, Mickey Woll, Austen Johnson, Wooyang Lin, Lee Childs, Arkadiy Tsinis, Adam Lippert, Lana O'Brien (9 months pregnant and at the top of the Borgata Leaderboard!), Gordon Eng, Larry Gold, Lisa Pickell, Mike "Little Man" Sica, and Andrew Klein.

      One of the fastest bubbles ever as top 90 made the cash. A double knock-out from a man with the nickname "King Kong" (Thomas Ross) sent David Inselberg and the Bubble Boy out in the same hand.

      Fun Last Woman Standing battle between Cherish Andrews (St. Thomas, PA) and Sherry Parks (Henderson, MD). Sherry won the title and also outlasted her husband and brother who were also in Event 12.

      Then there was Danny Dagostino (Belleville, NJ) who would have been out the door if not for his Q-10 finding quads. Danny went on to make the final table where he finished in 2nd Place for 24,755. Danny thanked his Mom and all his friends for their love and support.

      A strong final table of ten set up as the clock struck 3AM. Players included: Thomas Rodriguez, Duane White, Cuong Phung, Danny Dagostino, Dean Chen, Carlos Colon, Vlad Geykhman, Thomas Ross, James McKeon, and Edward Grau.

      NYPD cop Carlos Colon ended up taking home third place prize of $14,946.

      Gotta love these $230 buy-ins. Total Buy-in amounted to $192,600 and Edward Grau got the biggest chunk, taking home $42,044 and the trophy. With 100 people left Edward was down to three big blinds. Goes to show you - never give up.

      Congratulations again to the man of the hour, Edward Grau...now get some sleep everyone!

      Event 12: 1st Place - Grau

      $200 + $30 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

      Edward Grau (Baltimore, MD)
      $42,044.

      Excellent tournament and finish for Edward Grau who just added $42,044 to his Borgata bankroll. The huge payday was accomplished without a re-buy and without a bluff. You heard me - Edward said he was getting so many big hands at the right time that he didn't have to steal.

      "The cards played themselves" said Edward who doubled up at the final table each time on back to back to back wired pairs. First KK held up then 99, then AA. What a sick run.

      What makes the win more incredible is that Grau was down to 3 big blinds with 100 people left in the tournament. Funny thing was 2nd Place Danny Dagostino was equally shorted and the two were right next to each other.

      As they each picked up pot after pot they made a vow to meet up again at the final table. And meet up they did - heads up for all the money.

      Just on a whim Edward decided to drive out from Baltimore yesterday and jump into a Donkament. Good thing he got his butt up here. He'll take Borgata for $42,044 and drive back tomorrow. Talk about a hit and run.

      Great job once again to the amateur poker player I named the human buzzsaw. Players at the table declared his table image the best they've seen in a long time.

      Edward Grau finished in 1st Place earning $42,044.

      Event 12: 2nd Place - Dagostino

      $200 + $30 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

      Danny Dagostino (Belleville, NJ)
      $24,755.

      Congratulations to Danny Dagostino who just scored his biggest all-time Borgata cash to the tune of $24,755. Not bad for a $230 one day investment.

      "Thanks to everyone from Belleville who have been behind me 1000%. All this is for my Mom and my friends. I Love em all." Some emotional sentiments from Danny who just lost heads-up to Edward Grau after ten hands.

      Danny's exit hand was Q-9 drawing thin against A-9.

      He picked up an open-ended straight draw on a J-7-10 flop but couldn't connect on either end.

      Turn A, River J spelled the end of the journey for Dagostino.

      The kid took down a Borgata $200 event last night and now a huge 2nd place finish today.
      Well done!

      I'm sure he won't forget getting quad queens with his tournament life on the line. I thought maybe lady luck would strike again on the final hand but Danny couldn't outluck the human buzzsaw known as Edward Grau.

      Danny Dagostino finished in 2nd Place earning $24,755.

      Event 12: 3rd Place - Colon

      $200 + $30 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

      Carlos Colon (East Patchogue, NY)
      $14,946

      Carlos Colon has a very important day job and he's scheduled to work at 3PM later today.

      Carlos is an NYPD cop. He says hi to his wife Lidiana and kids Christopher & Cristyl. "Daddy's coming hom" said Carlos.

      Carlos had A-10 and jammed. I know I sound like a broken record but Edward Grau woke up to 99 and insta called. Again Edward's hand held up.

      Board ran: 3-7-3-Q-2.

      Carlos Colon finished in 3rd Place earning $14,946.

      Event 12: 4th Place - Chen

      $200 + $30 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

      Dean Chen (Ellenville, NY)
      $12,517.

      Dean ran into the human buzzsaw known as Edward Grau. Dean jammed with K-7 and Edward called holding A-5. Board of 9-Q-6-2-9 send Chen to the rail.

      Dean Chen finished in 4th Place earning $12,517.

      Event 12: 5th Place - White

      $200 + $30 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

      Duane White (Williamsport, PA)
      $10,275

      Edward Grau has been unstoppable. His luck continues as Duane White ships with A-8 on the button and Edward wakes up to pocket rockets. White was covered and exited out in 5th place.

      Board ran:10-4-5-9-2.

      Edward has more than half the chips on the table.

      Duane White finished in 5th Place earning $10,275.

      Event 12: Chip Count Updates

      $200 + $30 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

      Player.....Chip Count
      1. Duane White.......2,750,000
      2. Danny Dagostino...4,400,000
      3. Dean Chen.............3,300,000
      4. Carlos Colon............2,700,000
      5. Edward Grau..........6,000,000

      Still looks like anybody's game.

      Way to go Edward Grau who has 6 million in chips and the current lead.

      Top spot takes home $42,044 - this is some serious money people!

      Event 12: 6th Place - Rodriguez

      $200 + $30 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry)



      Thomas Rodriguez (Brooklyn, NY)
      $8,314

      A fantastic tournament for Thomas Rodriguez who had victory in his sights after his KK found a set against Duane White's AA. Rodriguez rode his monster chip stack to sixth place after a K♠ Q♠ shove ran into Danny Dagostino's A 7 .

      After an ace in the window, Thomas picked up major hope when he was four to a flush on the turn.

      Board ran out: 6♠ 2♣ A♠ 5 3♣ .

      Great guy - great tournament as Thomas brought a lot of fun and excitement to Event 12.

      Thomas Rodriguez finished in 6th Place earning $8,314.

      Event 12: 7th Place - McKeon

      $200 + $30 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

      James McKeon (Locust Valley, NY)
      $6,632

      End of the road for James McKeon who rode the short stack from the final two tables and kept moving up in the money.

      Exit hand for James was his 8-8 vs. Opponent's A-9. An ace popped off giving McKeon the bust.

      James plays a lot of Borgata poker in November and December. He's a tax accountant in the Spring and an Ice-Cream Man in the Summer. James says hi to his nutty-buddy poker pal Andy.

      James McKeon finished in 7th Place earning $6,632.

      Event 12: 8th Place - Phung

      $200 + $30 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

      Cuong Phung (Atlantic City, NJ)
      $5,044

      Cuong enjoyed the chip lead for over an hour after dinner break.

      His demise came on a K-5 shove into Dean Chen's 5-5.

      Cuong Phung finished in 8th Place earning $5,044.

      Event 12: 9th Place - Geykhman

      $200 + $30 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

      Vlad Geykhman (Brooklyn, NY)
      $3,456

      Vlad got his money in good holding Q-Q against A-Q. Once an ace hit the board it was curtains for Vlad. Good run for the Brooklyn Kid.

      Vlad Geykhman finished in 9th Place earning $3,456.

      Event 12: 10th Place - Ross

      $200 + $30 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

      Thomas Ross (Brooklyn, NY)
      $2,242

      Boys were racing but Thomas Ross was at risk. King King Ross had A-K of diamonds up against Danny Dagostino's 9-9.

      Board fell 7-6-3-2.

      Danny had to sweat any diamond on the river, any ace or king.

      Alas once the Queen of clubs hit, our once strong chip leader King Kong fell off the Empire State building and came crashing down.

      Thomas had fun and others seemed to enjoy his table image and personality.

      Thomas Ross finished in 10th Place earning $2,242.

      Event 12: Final Table Set

      $200 + $30 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

      Final Table of Ten

      Seat Pos....Player....Chip Counts
      1. Thomas Rodriguez...2,400,000
      2. Duane White.............1,700,000
      3. Cuong Phung..............1,800,000
      4. Danny Dagostino.........2,600,000
      5. Dean Chen....................2,000,000
      6. Carlos Colon..................3,000,000
      7. Vlad Geykhman............2,200,000
      8. Thomas Ross.................1,400,000
      9. James McKeon...............500,000
      10. Edward Grau..................2,000,000

      Congrats to our final table of ten who outlasted 963 players to make it this far.

      Brew some coffee - this might take awhile. Playing it until it's over!

      Event 12: 11th Place - Spevak

      $200 + $30 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

      David Spevak (New York, NY)
      $2,242

      Classic race with David Spevak's A-K clubs vs. wired Jacks. Jacks held on a dry board of 2-7-3-10-10.

      Final table of ten is now set.

      David Spevak finished in 11th Place earning $2,242.

      Event 12: 12th Place - Matrone

      $200 + $30 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

      Mike Matrone (Morganville, NJ)
      $2,242

      It was a good run for Mike Matrone who put his chips in with the best hand (A-4) vs. Opponent's Q-10 suited. Once the queen hit the flop Mike never improved.

      Mike Matrone finished in 12th Place earning $2,242.

      Event 12: 13th Place - Woods

      $200 + $30 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

      Robert Woods (Reisterstown, MD)
      $1,681

      Woods was cripple next to nothing after his 2-2 ran into James McKeon's AA.
      James hit another ace on the board just for good measure.

      Robert Woods finished in 13th Place earning $1,681.

      Event 12: 14th Place - Wong

      $200 + $30 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

      Jimmy Wong (Brooklyn, NY)
      $1,681

      Jimmy Wong finished in 14th Place earning $1,681.

      Event 12: 15th Place - Dennis Bartal

      $200 + $30 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

      Dennis Bartal (Mays Landing, NJ)
      $1,681

      Bartal's A-9 open shove fell short to King Kong's A-J on a board of 8-6-7-10-2.
      Dennis hit his straight but Kong hit a flush with the Jack of spades in his hand.

      Dennis Bartal finished in 15th Place earning $1,681.

      Event 13: Bag & Tag/Chip Counts

      $400 + $50 H.O.R.S.E.

      35 players return at noon to play for the HORSE title and the $12,107 top prize; the top 18 cash.

      Name-Chip Count

      Louis Russo 142,200
      Barry Levy 124,800
      Marcus Bower 113,500
      Colin Maneval 91,200
      Larry St. Jean 87,400
      Justin Finberg 67,000
      Danny Hofer 67,000
      Jimmy Chen 60,500
      Ilya Dyment 60,300
      Tim D'Alessandro 57,500
      Thomas Balla 52,500
      Vaughn Machado 44,100
      Murray Deutchman 42,400
      Michael Gabarick 40,700
      David Eckert 38,700
      Lonnie Heimowitz 37,400
      Jimmy Mitchell 36,500
      Craig Fleischman 36,300
      Jong Kim 31,700
      Helen Ellis 30,500
      Evan Sosler 29,100
      Henry Porcaro 28,900
      Frank Rasile 27,600
      Guy Tull 24,800
      Joshua Cohen 23,700
      Tom Bessoir 22,000
      Stephen Boyer 20,900
      Michael Altman 20,900
      Brian Nichols 19,500
      Peter Ippolito 18,300
      Edward Espino 17,400
      Russ Salzer 15,800
      David Rosenau 13,200
      Richard Daniels 11,900
      Patricia DeLuca 6,200

      Event 13: Russo On His High H.O.R.S.E.

      $400 + $50 H.O.R.S.E.

      Louis Russo - 142,000 - In The Lead

      It took the very last hand of the night to give Louis Russo the End of Day tournament chip lead over Barry Levy.

      Russo won both ends of a three-way Stud hi-lo pot after picking up a straight and a flush.

      Sleep well Louis and we'll see you back to push people around with your big stack tomorrow at noon.

      Good job!

      Event 12: Three Down

      $200 + $30 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

      We lost three players.

      Kevin Mack went out in 18th place for $1,065 after running into a set of sevens from Danny Dagostino.

      Jacob Nelson (Rocky Mountain, NC) busted in 17th place for $1,065 with 9-9 on a 6-7-9 flop. Opponent had A-8 and picked up the straight on the river 10 card. River Q changed nothing.

      Jacob and brother Matt drove up yesterday from NC and will drive back tomorrow morning.
      Nice hit and run for Jacob.

      Andres Castillo got it in good with A-K vs. A-6 but Dean Chen spiked a six on the turn for the knock-out blow. Castillo finished in 16th Place for $1,065. He just missed the next pay-level jump.

      Event 13: Colin Hauling Chips

      $400 + $50 H.O.R.S.E.

      Colin Maneval - 86,000 - Chip Leader

      With 40 players remaining on 6 tables in the Signature room, Colin Maneval sits on top of his high Horse with 86,000.

      Second in chips at a different table is Ilya Dyment with 70,000.

      Omaha Hi/Lo Event winner Barry Levy is short stacked but still alive.

      Players will bag and tag at 1:40 AM then return tomorrow to complete.

      Event 12: Final Two Tables

      $200 + $30 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

      Table 1:
      Seat.....Player.................Chip Counts
      1. Vlad Geykhman.......1,200,000
      2. Jimmy Wong............1,300,000
      3. Mike Matrone..........550,000
      4. Danny Dagostino.......1,000,000
      5. Carlos Colon...............400,000
      6. Thomas Rodriguez.......1,250,000
      7. Duane White..................2,100,000
      8. Kevin Mack....................700,000
      9. Cuong Phung..................600,000

      Table 2:
      Seat.....Player.................Chip Counts
      1. Jacob Nelson..................500,000
      2. Dennis Bartal.................1,200,000
      3. Robert Woods.................1,800,000
      4. Edward Grau..................1,250,000
      5. Dean Chen.......................800,000
      6. David Spevak..................500,000
      7. Andres Castillo................454,000
      8. Thomas Ross......................1,300,000
      9. James McKeon...................500,000

      Congrats to our two final tables.

      18th place earns $1,065.

      1st place gets $42,044 and someone will win it all tonight (or this morning).

      Event 12: Dealing

      $200 + $30 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

      Paul Dealing In The Signature Room


      Borgata Dealer Paul working hard as they remove the 1000 orange chips off the tables during the break.

      Paul was dealing during the September Poker Open WPT event so look for him when the episode is broadcasted.

      All the Borgata floor, dealers and staff are working hard and doing a great job in the Signature Room.