Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Double-Ups, Blinds Up

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

Andrew Badecker doubles 1.1 million through Tom Maguire.

Badecker: 8 8
Maguire: A K

Flop: A-J-8

Badecker's set of 8s keeps him alive and drops Maguire to 400k.

Maguire then doubles through Cliff Josephy with AJ vs Josephy's pocket 7s. Maguire hits an ace on the turn to take 505k to more than one million while Josephy drops to 2.5 million.

Blinds up, 30k/60k/5k ante.

10th Place - Wertz

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

Joe Wertz (Montoursville, PA)
$21,044

Joe Wertz looks down at A-10 in the big blind and jams his last 600,000. Snap call from Mike Linster (Island Park, NJ) who tables A-K.

Joe sees a ten in the window and is feeling good until a king spikes the turn.

Joe made the final table of ten but is the first player out.

He finished 2nd in the 2010 Borgata Winter Open deepstack tournament.

Mike Linster is now up to 4,000,000 and looking to carve up the other players like a Thanksgiving Day turkey.

Joe Wertz finishes in 10th place earning $21,044.

Top Ten

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

Final Table

Seat-Name-Chip Count

1 Joe Wertz (Mountoursville, PA) 785k
2 Cliff Josephy (Muttontown, NY) 2 million
3 Tom Maguire (Florham Park, NJ) 1.2 million
4 Thang Van Nguyen (McLean, VA) 1.8 million
5 Mike Linster (Island Park, NY) 2.5 million
6 Peter Park (Jersey City, NJ) 1.8 million
7 Mike Devinksy (Middletown, NJ) 2.9 million
8 Ari Albilia (Syosset, NY) 4.6 million
9 Freddy Rouhani (Brigantine, NJ) 1.7 million
10 Andrew Badecker (Vernon, CT) 1.5 million

11th Place - Peters

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

Art Peters (Brick, NJ)
$21,044

Mike Linster raises UTG to 100k and Art Peters completes from the big blind and checks dark.

Flop: J♣ 9♣ 4♣
Linster bets 200k, Peters moves all in for 900k total, and Linster calls.

Linster: K♣ J (top pair, flush draw)
Peters: 8♣ 10♣ (open ended straight flush draw)

Turn: 2♣ (Linster better flush)

River: 4

Peters was live to the Q♣ and 7♣, but when he misses the straight flush he's out in 11th place for $21,044.

Linster wins the 2 million chip pot and sends the remaining 10 players to the final table.

Mikey Sucks Out Again

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

For two days, Nick Manfredo has been shouting out a quote - "Mikey sucks out again", referring to Mike Linster's ability to catch every card he needs. Mandredo is on the rail watching.

Fresh off his tournament saving Queen on the river last level, Mike does it again.

On the button jam holding Q-J and runs into Mike Devinsky UTG holding A-A.

Linster sees the aces and sighs. Devinsky says, "It ain't over yet."

Sure enough the board runs out: 9-7-J-6-Q.

After hitting the miracle two-pair, again Linster celebrates and tells the table, "You guys can't win this tournament".

Mike Linster doubles his 890,000 stack.

Chip Counts

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

Chip Counts:

1. Ari Albilia.................4,500,000
2. Mike Devinsky........3,400,000
3. Tony Nguyen...........2,200,000
4. Cliff Josephy.............2,100,000
5. Tom Maguire............1,200,000
6. Freddy Rou................1,100,000
7. Peter Park..................1,800,000
8. Andrew Badecker..........1,400,000
9. Art Peters.......................880,000
10. Michael Linster...............700,000
11. Joe Wertz..........................670,000

Gentlemen are still on two tables.

Break is over and the next 1 hour and fifteen minute blind level begins.

Total Buy-In - $1,675,000

4-Bet Shove Before Break

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

Peter Park opens from the cutoff to 90k
Mike Linster 3-bets to 220k from the button
Mike Devinksy tanks from the small blind and folds
Park moves all in for 1.4 million and has Linster covered
Clock hits zero and the other nine players are on a 10 minute break

Linster can't believe Park has 4-bet shoved on the last hand before break. "If I fold will you show," asks Linster. Park nods yes.

After a couple of minutes of wondering if Park has AK, Linster folds.

Park shows J♠ J and Linster says, "you had the best hand, I had eights."

Park breathes a sigh of relief and was hoping that Linster didn't have pocket queens.

All eleven players are on break as the orange (1k) chips are removed from play. Blinds moving up to 25k/50k/5k ante.

We're Jammin'

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

Cliff Josephy (Muttontown, NY) seems to have one main gear which is ALL-IN. He's been shipping all his chips in pre-flop more than the other players at the table.

Andrew Badecker folded more than once on Cliff's shoves. The last time Cliff jammed he showed 10-10.

In this big hand, Andrew raised and Cliff shipped his 995,000. Andrew had 9-9 and called.

Off to the races with Cliff's A-Q vs. Andrew's 9-9.

Board ran: 4-Q-4-6-8.

Andrew takes a huge hit to his stack and Cliff doubles up close to two million.

Break quickly approaching. Chip counts coming...

12th Place - Olivieri

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

Nick Olivieri (Staten Island, NY)
$21,044

After being crippled by Michael Linster's hitting his Queen on the river, Nick Olivieri chose to shove his last 290,000 in the small blind holding J-9 off.

Devinsky called in the big blind tabling J-10 off.

On a flop of J-10-8, Devinsky hits top two but Olivieri picks up the open ended straight draw.

Runner-runner 6-6 spelled defeat for Nick who did manage to make it to the next pay level jump. Congratulations on your 12th Place cash.

Nick Olivieri finished in 12th place earning $21,044.

13th Place - Spinella

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

Anthony Spinella (Waxhaw, NC)
$15,378

Anthony Spinella was short stacked in the small blind holding K-10. He had 650,000 or 15 bigs and decided to shove.

Mike Devinsky had deuces in the big blind and called.

Board ran: A-A-3-A-4.

Devinsky withthe full house and the knock-out. If another Ace hits the river, he loses the pot.

Anthony Spinella finished in 13th Place earning $15,378.

Linster Does It Again

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

Michael Linster (Island Park, NJ) jams in the small blind holding K-Q. Nick Olivieri (Staten Island, NY) wakes up to A-K in the big blind. "I ran into a cooler" says Linster.

Flop comes down three clubs - J-K-4.

Linster needs a Queen or his tournament is over. Brick on the turn but a Queen on the river.

Michael leaps off his chair celebrating with the scoop.

He's up to 878,000 and Olivieri is crippled to 310,000.

14th Place - Zeitlin

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

Dave Zeitlin (Brooklyn, NY)
$15,378.

End of the road for Dave Zeitlin who was in the small blind and got his remaining 450,000 in good tabling 9-9. UTG, Ari Albilia thought for five seconds then made the call holding K-10 of hearts.

Disaster flop for Zeitlin who watches Ari hit both his cards. Dave did pick up a gut-shot needing the J but couldn't connect on the turn or river.

Flop: 10 - K - Q
Turn: 7
River: 3

Ari Albilia is up over 4,000,000.

Dave Zeitlin finished in 14th place earning $15,378.

Devinsky Dazzles

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

Mike Devinsky takes down a huge pot and shows the 4 of hearts.

Mike opens for 70,000 and Peter Park 3-bets to 170,000. Mike 4-bets to 270,000 and Peter calls.

Flop falls 6-3-5 rainbow.

Mike bets 175,000, Peter raises to 400,000 and Mike shoves his last 1,000,000 causing Peter to snap fold.

Devinsky showed the 4 of hearts and scooped. After winning another hand since, he's up to 2.5 million.

15th Place - Hwang

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

Bob Hwang (Barnegat, NJ)
$15,378

Hwang opens to 180k
Andrew Badecker makes it 400
Hwang moves all in for 1 million total
Badecker snap calls

Hwang: A♠ K♠
Badecker K K♣

Hwang is in bad shape and when the board runs out 6-2-J-K-4, Badecker's set of kings takes the
2.4 million chip pot and he now has 3.1 million.

Hwang is out in 15th place earning $15,378.


Event 21: Don't Doubt Thomas

$250 + $30 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Thomas McGarry - 400,000 - Chip Leader

Thomas McGarry (Hazlet, NJ) leads the remaining 34 players with a huge stack of 400,000.

McGarry grew his stack from 170,000 to 340,000 after his A-K saw a flop of A-J-8 and Opponent's A-Q was betting into him.

Turn card Q had Thomas in a world of hurt. All the chips got in the middle and McGarry was drawing thin but had outs.

River 10 shipped the pot to Thomas who held Broadway.

Top 27 make the money. 27th Place - $561. 1st Place - $17,450.

Playing Event 21 until it's over tonight.

Ari Takes Chip Lead, JohnnyBax Loses Big Pot

Ari Albilia and Cliff Josephy, AKA JohnnyBax, are in a 2.4 million chip pot and when Josephy calls the 2/3 pot river bet he sees the bad news.

Albilia with a turned set of 10s rakes the pot as Josephy mucks.

Alibilia takes the chip lead with 3.3 million, while JohnnyBax drops to 650k.

Event 21: Chip Czar

$250 + $30 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry)


John Almenzar - 360,000

John Almenzar (North Bergen, NJ) is 2nd in chips overall and #1 at his table.

One hand before dinner break catapulted his stack.

John had 5-5 up against A-K and A-Q. Flop gave him a set and his Opponent's top pair. One man got away while the other stacked-off to John.

Play has resumed with blinds at 4000 / 8000 and 500 antes.

16th Place - Massey

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

Aaron Massey (Elmwood Park, IL)
$11,331

Just after returning from dinner break Massey is UTG and shoves 236k (8 BB) and Mike Devinsky calls.

Massey: J 8
Devinsky: 5♣ 5

Massey can't win the race and is out in 16th place for $11,331.

Fast Food

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

The remaining 16 players are on a 30 minute dinner break. Tournament officials want to keep things moving so play doesn't go too long into Thanksgiving morning.

On the last hand before break, Peter Park wins a one million chip pot as Mike Devinsky folds to a river bet. Park now has 2.4 million and is the big stack on table 1. On table 2 three players are in the 2-2.1 million range.

Chip Stacks (in millions)

Peter Park 2.4
Cliff Josephy 2.1
Andrew Badecker 2.1
Thang Van Nguyen 2.0

The average stack is 1.3 million (42 BB) and when play resumes at 7:45 pm blinds will be 15k/30k/4k ante.

17th Place - Napolitano

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

Vinny Napolitano (Brooklyn, NY)
$11,331



On a rainbow board of 9-8-2, Napolitano moves all in for 275k and Nick Olivieri snap calls with pocket 2s for a set. Napolitano is drawing thin with K J and is out in 17th place for $11,331.

18th Place - Spitzberg

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

Paul Spitzberg (Tenafly, NJ)
$11,331


Joe Wertz opens the pot with pocket 7s and Spitzberg jams 450k. After a brief tank Wertz is against KQ offsuit.

The board brings three diamonds and gives Spitzberg a sweat with a four flush draw, but the river bricks and he's out in 18th place for $11,331.

Final Two Tables

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

WPT Title Holder Kevin Saul on the Rail
Supporting Friend Aaron Massey

Table 1

Seat-Name

1 Aaron Massey (Elmwood Park, IL)
2 Vinny Napolitano (Brooklyn, NY)
3 Art Peters (Brick, NJ)
4 Peter Park (Jersey City, NJ)
5 Mike Linster (Island Park, NY)
6 Nick Olivieri (Staten Island, NY)
7 Anthony Spinella (Waxhaw, NC)
8 Mike Devinksy (Middletown, NJ)
9 Freddy Rouhani (Brigantine, NJ)


Table 2

Seat-Name

1 Dave Zeitlin (Brooklyn, NY)
2 Andrew Badecker (Vernon, CT)
3 Paul Spitzberg (Tenafly, NJ)
4 Ari Albilia (Syosset, NY)
5 Tom Maguire (Florham Park, NJ)
6 Cliff Josephy (Muttontown, NY)
7 Thang Van Nguyen (McLean, VA)
8 Joe Wertz (Mountoursville, PA)
9 Bob Hwang (Barnegat, NJ)

19th Place - Burgess

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

Jerry Burgess (Louisburg, NC) is out in 19th place earning him $8,903.

Table three is now down as the final 18 players are on two tables.

Kings Hold x 2 = Gomes 21st, Berger 20th

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

Two more are on the rail as pocket kings hold twice.

Seth Gomes (New York, NY) loses his last half million chips to Mike Devinsky when his 66 is dominated by KK. Gomes is out in 21st place.

That's followed by Bob Hwang knocking out Alex Berger (New York, NY) with cowboys vs AQ. Berger sends 600k to Hwang as he finishes in 20th place.

Gomes and Berger both earn $8,903.

Players are on a 15 minute break; play resumes with blinds 12k/24k/3k ante.

Event 21: Chip Leader

$250 + $30 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Players Gift Chip Lead to Spencer

Last Main Event is also going on in the Poker Room where 257 entries are going after the first place prize of $17,450.

The chip leader is Brian Spencer (Tinton Falls, NJ) who has 160k (53 BB). The other big stack is Brian Adragna (East Meadow, NY) who's at 130k.

74 players remain with an average stack of 69k (23 BB).

Blinds are 1,500/3k/400 ante.

Down to 21

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

Just like that -- another five players have hit the rail.

Each of these players will pick up $8,903:

Place - Player (Hometown) 
26 - MATTHEW BURNITZ (CHESTBROOK, PA)
25 -  FRANK WALKER (ROCKAWAY PARK, NY)
24 -  SAKIP SHEHU (BROOKLYN, NY)
23 -  COREY LIEBLEIN (SANDS POINT, NY)
22 -  WILLIAM RIGLER (AVONDALE, PA) 

21 Players remain.  Average stack is 957k.

27th Place - Steve Ryan

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

Steve Ryan got his last chips in with KQ, but ran into a pot contested between Peter Park and Arthur Peters.  Arthur ended up with a set and all the chips and Steve ended up with 27th place.

He'll collect $8,903 for his efforts.

Cliff Josephy and Anthony Spinella are side-by side on table two and both have over a million chips.  They were involved in a pot and got to the river with a board of K 8 7 T A.  Cliff led out for 100k.  Anthony kicked it up to 400k.  Cliff shoved and Anthony snap-called.

Of course then they both rolled over QJ for the nuts and split the pot.

36th - 28th Places

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

Each of these players will pick up $7,932:

Place - Player (Hometown)
36 - WILLIAM ONEIL (BERWYN HEIGHTS, MD)
35 - TODD TERRY (HOBOKEN, NJ)
34 - JOHN MYUNG (VIENNA, VA)
33 - SACHIN RAMRAKHANI (FORT LEE, NJ) - 225,000
32 - ALEXANDER QUEEN (BETHLEHEM, PA)
31 - PAUL SCATURRO (OLD BRIDGE, NJ)
30 - VASILLIOS HRISAFINIS (BRICK, NJ)
29 - SCOTT BLACKMAN (EGG HARBOR TWP, NJ)
28 - YAT CHENG (BROOKLYN, NY)

Redraw at 27

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

And just like that, four more players busted out.

Scott Blackman got his chips in with A3 off and ran into the AQ of Cliff Josephy.  The best hand held up and Cliff chipped up to about 1.6 million.  Scott finished 29th.

Level 23 concluded and following the redraw for the final three tables, play resumed with level 24, blinds 10k/20k with 2k antes.

Leaderboard

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

There have been some big pots moving around the felt, but no one else has busted out.

The current chip leaders are:

Thang Van Nguyen - 1.7 million
Cliff Josephy - 1.35 million
Paul Spitzberg - 1.3 million
Anthony Spinella - 1.25 million
Joe Wertz - 1.2 million

31 players remain.

Big Pots

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

On the river with a board of Q85Q2, Corey Lieblein fired 45k.  Cliff Josephy popped it for another 200k on top.  Corey thought briefly, then called.

Cliff rolled over two black 8s for 8s full of queens.  Corey mucked.  With that pot, Cliff chipped up to ~1.2 million.

Andrew Badecker shoved for 380k from the small blind after Vasillios Hrisafinis raised.  Andrew's A7 caught a 7 on the turn to beat Vasillios' pocket 4s and Andrew doubled up to ~780k.

More Departures

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

Todd Terry got his last chips in with A8, but ran into pocket Tens.  Todd finished 35th ($7,932).

After Paul Spitzberg opened up early, action folded to Alex Queen on the button.  He shoved.  Paul called, showing AK off.  Alex was dominated with AJ offsuit.

The board fell 9 9 5 2 7 and Paul's hand was good.  He chipped up to ~1.3 million.

Alex Queen finished in 32nd place ($7,932).

Break Time Tweets

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

Here are some tweets from the championship players, sent during the break.

toddbterry Todd Terry
110k. AKs < AA aipf.

SugDpoker David Zeitlin
517k going to 8k-16k. 35 players remain.

JohnnyBaxPoker Cliff Josephy
824k going to 8k-16k/200. 35 left. Avg around 575k.

nevermissmassey Aaron Massey
Break. 211k 35 players left blinds 8-1600 grinding for my life out here but I've got all the heart. Destiny lies within the next 2 levels

SteveRyanPoker Steve Ryan
Break. Im sure some of these other phenomenal players deserve to win. But I think my brother would have wanted me to win :)

Break Time Leaderboard

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

End of level 22 and time for a break.  35 players will enjoy 15 minutes away from the felt.

William O'Neil is not one of them.  He busted out in 36th place ($7,932).

Chip leaders as of break:

Thang Van Nguyen - 1.5 million
Joe Wertz - 1.35 million
Anthony Spinella - 1 million

Play resumed after the break with level 23, blinds 8k/16k with 2k antes.

45th - 37th Places

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

Each of these players will pick up $6,313:

Place - Player (Hometown)
45 - NICHOLAS MANFREDO (LEVITTOWN, NY)
44 - SEAN KNITTER (JENKINTOWN, PA)
43 - LAWRENCE SHARP (NORTH WHALES, PA)
42 - NICHOLAS PETICCA (WALLINGFORD, PA)
41 - ADAM BITKER (NEW HAVEN, CT)
40 - SIROUS JAMSHIDI (BROOMALL, PA)
39 - GIORGI KITESASHVILI (TBILISI, GEO)
38 - SCOTT WARDELL (TABERNACLE, NJ)
37 - STEVEN RODRIGUEZ (STATEN ISLAND, NY)

Down to 36

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

In another battle of the blinds, Joe Wertz shoved from the small and Scott Wardell called all-in from the big.

Joe had A2 and was dominated by Scott's A7.  Then the board came 9 5 3 2 A and Joe claimed the pot with Aces-up. 

Not a nice thing to do to your former roommate.  Scott was okay with it though as he collected his paperwork for 38th place.

Steven Rodriguez got his chips in the middle on the turn with a board of 9 9 3 6, holding 76 suited for two pair.  His opponent had pocket 6s and had turned the full boat.  Steven was tossed in 37th place.

Steven had a good run during this series with four cashes, two of which were 3rd place finishes.

36 players remain at four tables.

The Deets Are In the Tweets

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

Some of the latest Tweets from players in the championship event:


SteveRyanPoker Steve Ryan
Good sweats with fellow new yorkers Sach and Dave Z. All Grindin 45 left

nevermissmassey Aaron Massey
360k 45 left at 6-12k were doin it

ArgentinaBoy Alex Queen
Just won kk to jj aipf back up to 400k, 43 left avg is 450k

JohnnyBaxPoker Cliff Josephy
Lost 600k+ pot with AA v AK allin pre. Got about 700k now.

SugDpoker David Zeitlin
Got almost a full double with JJ vs AK, got 300k now. 39 players left.

54th - 46th Places

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

Each of these players will pick up $6,313:

Place - Player (Hometown)
54 - CHARLES FUREY (BRIDGEWATER, NJ)
53 - EUGENE JUERGENS (BRIGHTON, MI)
52 - PETER IPPOLITO (E MEADOW, NY)
51 - LEONID LERNER (BROOKLYN, NY)
50 - ROBERT CHUNG-SHUI (NEW YORK, NY)
49 - ELI LOEWENTHAL (CARMEL, IN)
48 - ANNAND 'Victor' RAMDIN (LAS VEGAS, NV)
47 - JOHN ANDRESS (DOYLESTOWN, PA)
46 - CHRISTOPHER GROVE (BROOKLYN PARK, MD)

Blinds Up, Table Down

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

Blinds are up to 6k/12k with 1k antes.

Chris Grove was all-in with pocket 4s and was racing against AQ... he lost the race and finished in 46th place.

Table 6 broke and they're now at five tables of nine -- 45 players remain.  The next nine to go will earn $7,123.

Table 1 is now home to Sirous Jamshidi, Alex Queen, Freddy Rouhani, Paul Spitzberg, Todd Terry, and David Zeitlin.

More Action

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

In a battle of the blinds, Victor Ramdin (sb) was all-in with AJ suited against Steven Rodriguez' pocket Tens.  Victor flopped the world with a Royal draw, but missed all his outs on the last two.

Victor finished in 48th place.

Alex Queen was all-in with pocket 9s against Todd Terry's AJ offsuit.  An Ace on the river shipped the double-up to Todd, who is up to ~490k.   Alex was left with ~180k.

More Departures

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

Leonid Lerner got his chips in from the button with pocket Kings, but ran into Joe Wertz' pocket Aces.  The Aces held up and Leonid was busted in 51st place.  Joe chipped up to ~900k.

Eli Loewenthal had a rough day today.  His last hand was all-in with AK against pocket Queens.  Eli flopped a King, but then a Queen hit the turn.  Eli was busted in 49th place.

63rd - 55th Places

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

These guys each earned $5,504 for their efforts:


Place - Player (Hometown)

63 - BRIAN LEE (GROTON, MA)
62 - SUNG HA KIM (CLIFFSIDE PARK, NJ)
61 - JOSEPH DITTMAR (HICKSVILLE, NY)
60 - JONATHAN HAMILTON (WARWICK, NY)
59 - JOSEPH CAPPUCCIO (HAMMONTON, NJ)
58 - LEONARDO PALERMO (TOMS RIVER, NJ)
57 - GANESH LETCHUMANAN (FALLS CHURCH, VA)
56 - JACK BARNES (BRICK, NJ)
55 - ARKADIY TSINIS (LAS VEGAS, NV)

Eleven Gone in 25 Minutes

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

Somebody lit a fire under these guys.  25 minutes into the 5k/10k level, we've lost 11 players.  All the placements will be posted when I can catch up with them, but here are some of the stories:

Leonardo Palermo shoved with pocket 7s, running into pocket Jacks.  The Jacks held and Leonardo busted out in 58th place.

Anthony Spinella crippled Arkadiy Tsinis when his 87 out-flopped Arkadiy's AK.  Arkadiy then shoved the next hand with QJ and Anthony looked him up with A8.  The best hand held and Arkadiy was busted.

Eugene Juergens got all-in pre-flop with pocket 3s against the pocket Queens of Cliff Josephy.  The Queens held up and Eugene was busted in 53rd place.  Cliff chipped up to ~800k.

Tsinis Leaves Knitter Short

  $2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

After a raise from Sean Knitter, Arkadiy Tsinis 3-bet an additional 25k from the big blind.

Sean called and the flop came K K 7.  Arkadiy fired 15k and Sean called.

Turn was a 5.  Arkadiy fired 25k and Sean called.

 Arkadiy Tsinis waits while Sean Knitter tanks

River was an 8 and Arkadiy moved in.  Sean tanked, then let it go.  He was left wtih only about 140k.

A short break was taken to color up the 500 purple chips.

Play resumed with level 21, blinds 5k/10k with 1k antes.

Kiteashvili Doubles Thru Linster

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

Short-stacked Giorgi Kitesashvili was all-in pre-flop, getting called by big stack Michael Linster. 

Michael hoped his pocket 3s were racing against overcards, but they weren't.  Giorgi held pocket Aces.

The board came T 6 6 2 J  and Giorgi doubled up.


Championship Finale Has Begun

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

Today is the third and final day of the Borgata Fall Poker Open Championship event, which is taking place in the Poker Room.

63 players are returning and all are guaranteed to leave with at least $5,504.  Of course they're all shooting for the top prize of $388,657.

Play resumed with blinds of 4k/8k with 500 antes.  15 minutes remain in this level.

Cards are in the air!

Event 21: More Faces

$250 + $30 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Blinds are up to 75/150 for level 3.

Late registration for this event is allowed through the end of the re-entry period, which means late arrivals can get in until about 1:20pm.

More familiar faces:
Andrew Interdonato
Brian Haveson
Matthew Piccolo
Tim Ulmer

Event 21: Familiar Faces

$250 + $30 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Even though it is the day before Thanksgiving and the busiest travel day of the year, there are still quite a few regulars here playing.

15 tables are in action, with the 10 seat reserved for the early re-entries.

Among those playing are
Mickey Woll
Eric Siegel
Ta Wey
Bob Santilli
Michael Shasho
Svetlana Gromenkova
Howard Wolper

Event 21: Underway

 $250 + $30 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

The final main event of the 2011 Borgata Fall Poker Open is underway!

Today's event is a Big Stack, so players began with 20,000 chips.

It is also a re-entry event, which means that players who bust out during the first 6 levels may re-enter as many times as they like.

Levels 1-8 are 20 minutes long.  Beginning with level 9, they increase to 30 minutes.

Level 1 blinds are 25/50.

Wednesday, November 23

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


11AM: Event 21 - $250 + $30 Big Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
  • Players start with 20,000 in tournament chips 
  • Players that "bust" within the first 6 Levels may Re-Enter (unlimited Re-Entries) 
  • Levels 1-8: each will last 20 minutes  | Levels 9+: each will last 30 minutes
  • 1-Day event



12PM: Event 19 - $2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP Double Play NLH
$1,000,000 GUARANTEED

  • Day 3 - Wednesday, November 23 at 12PM


6PM: Event 46 - $100 + $20 + $25 Green Chip Bounty No Limit Hold'em
  • Players start with 10,000 in tournament chips 
  • This is a Bounty tournament.  Players must have their Bounty chip clearly displayed on table in order to remain active in tournament. 
  • Levels will last 20 minutes 
  • 1-Day event

    Start of Day 3 Table Assignments

    Borgata Fall Poker Open Championship
    $2500 + $200 Double Play No Limit Hold'em
    November 20-23, 2011

    Entries: 670
    Total Buy-In: $1,675,000

    Players Remaining: 63
    Average Stack: 319k

     T   | S:    NAME -  CHIP COUNT 

    01 | 01: SIROUS JAMSHIDI (BROOMALL, PA) - 79,000
    01 | 02: BRIAN LEE (GROTON, MA) - 214,500
    01 | 03: JERRY BURGESS (LOUISBURG, NC) - 209,000
    01 | 04: PAUL SCATURRO (OLD BRIDGE, NJ) - 103,000
    01 | 05: FARZAD ROUHANI (BRIGANTINE, NJ) - 433,500
    01 | 06: JOHN ANDRESS (DOYLESTOWN, PA) - 305,500
    01 | 07: TODD TERRY (HOBOKEN, NJ) - 411,500
    01 | 08: SCOTT BLACKMAN (EGG HARBOR TWP, NJ) - 175,000
    01 | 09: FRANK WALKER (ROCKAWAY PARK, NY) - 471,500

    02 | 01: JOSEPH CAPPUCCIO (HAMMONTON, NJ) - 195,000
    02 | 02: ARTHUR PETERS (BRICK, NJ) - 238,500
    02 | 03: CHARLES FUREY (BRIDGEWATER, NJ) - 128,000
    02 | 04: ARKADIY TSINIS (LAS VEGAS, NV) - 242,500
    02 | 05: ANTHONY SPINELLA (WAXHAW, NC) - 149,500
    02 | 06: SEAN KNITTER (JENKINTOWN, PA) - 215,000
    02 | 07: VASILLIOS HRISAFINIS (BRICK, NJ) - 419,000
    02 | 08: YAT CHENG (BROOKLYN, NY) - 766,000
    02 | 09: NICHOLAS PETICCA (WALLINGFORD, PA) - 117,000

    03 | 01: ADAM BITKER (NEW HAVEN, CT) - 444,000
    03 | 02: SCOTT WARDELL (TABERNACLE, NJ) - 264,000
    03 | 03: JACK BARNES (BRICK, NJ) - 90,050
    03 | 04: NICHOLAS MANFREDO (LEVITTOWN, NY) - 369,500
    03 | 05: AARON MASSEY (ELMWOOD PARK, IL) - 188,500
    03 | 06: ELI LOEWENTHAL (CARMEL, IN) - 340,500
    03 | 07: CLIFF JOSEPHY (MUTTONTOWN, NY) - 495,500
    03 | 08: LEONID LERNER (BROOKLYN, NY) - 256,500
    03 | 09: JOSEPH WERTZ (MONTOURSVILLE, PA) - 673,000

    04 | 01: WILLIAM ONEIL (BERWYN HEIGHTS, MD) - 527,000
    04 | 02: ARIEL ALBILIA (SYOSSET, NY) - 175,000
    04 | 03: SACHIN RAMRAKHANI (FORT LEE, NJ) - 225,000
    04 | 04: COREY LIEBLEIN (SANDS POINT, NY) - 134,000
    04 | 05: SAKIP SHEHU (BROOKLYN, NY) - 289,500
    04 | 06: JOSEPH DITTMAR (HICKSVILLE, NY) - 323,500
    04 | 07: LEONARDO PALERMO (TOMS RIVER, NJ) - 159,000
    04 | 08: LAWRENCE SHARP (NORTH WHALES, PA) - 220,500
    04 | 09: STEVE RYAN (NEW YORK, NY) - 193,000

    05 | 01: JOHN MYUNG (VIENNA, VA) - 737,000
    05 | 02: WILLIAM RIGLER (AVONDALE, PA) - 399,000
    05 | 03: ANDREW BADECKER (VERNON, CT) - 591,000
    05 | 04: SETH GOMES (NEW YORK, NY) - 356,500
    05 | 05: THOMAS MAGUIRE (FLORHAM PARK, NJ) - 240,500
    05 | 06: ALEXANDER BERGER (NEW YORK, NY) - 142,000
    05 | 07: MATTHEW BURNITZ (CHESTBROOK, PA) - 344,000
    05 | 08: MICHAEL DEVINSKY (MIDDLETOWN, NJ) - 651,000
    05 | 09: GANESH LETCHUMANAN (FALLS CHURCH, VA) - 120,500

    06 | 01: CHRISTOPHER GROVE (BROOKLYN PARK, MD) - 260,500
    06 | 02: PAUL SPITZBERG (TENAFLY, NJ) - 792,000
    06 | 03: THANG VAN NGUYEN (MCLEAN, VA) - 645,000
    06 | 04: ROBERT CHUNG-SHUI (NEW YORK, NY) - 141,500
    06 | 05: ANNAND RAMDIN (LAS VEGAS, NV) - 226,500
    06 | 06: STEVEN RODRIGUEZ (STATEN ISLAND, NY) - 156,500
    06 | 07: PETER IPPOLITO (E MEADOW, NY) - 228,000
    06 | 08: VINCENT NAPOLITANO (BROOKLYN, NY) - 290,000
    06 | 09: DAVID ZEITLIN (BROOKLYN, NY) - 500,000

    07 | 01: JONATHAN HAMILTON (WARWICK, NY) - 90,000
    07 | 02: ALEXANDER QUEEN (BETHLEHEM, PA) - 426,500
    07 | 03: GIORGI KITESASHVILI (TBILISI, GEO) - 108,500
    07 | 04: SUNG HA KIM (CLIFFSIDE PARK, NJ) - 51,500
    07 | 05: PETER PARK (JERSEY CITY, NJ) - 340,500
    07 | 06: NICHOLAS OLIVIERI (STATEN ISLAND, NY) - 232,500
    07 | 07: MICHAEL LINSTER (ISLAND PARK, NY) - 663,000
    07 | 08: ROBERT HWANG (BARNEGAT, NJ) - 728,500
    07 | 09: EUGENE JUERGENS (BRIGHTON, MI) - 423,000

    Noon Restart

    $2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

    There was conflicting information as to the time of the Day 3 restart. Tournament Director Tab Duchateau has declared that the chase for the $388,657 starts at high noon!

    Look for a full list of chip counts and seat assignments after 9 am.

    End of Day 2 Chip Counts (Big Stacks)

    $2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

    Remaining 63 players have all made the cash and will return tomorrow at noon to play the Championship Event out until it concludes.

    When we return there will be fifteen minutes left where the blinds will be 4000 / 8000 with a 500 ante. Ave stack - 319,000 (40 BB)

    Player...........................Chips
    1. Paul Spitzberg................... 792,000
    2. Yat Cheng......................... 766,000
    3. John Myung..................... 737,000
    4. Action Bob Hwang........... 728,500
    5. Joseph Wertz................... 673,000
    6. Mike Linster.................... 663,000
    7. Mike Devinsky................. 651,000
    8. Thang "Tony" Nguyen...... 645,000
    9. Andrew Badecker............ 591,000
    10. David Zeitlin.................. 500,000
    11. Cliff Joseph................... 495,000

    Notable Stacks:

    Freddy Rouhani.................... 433,000
    Alex Queen.......................... 426,000
    Todd Terry........................... 411,500
    Eli Lowenthal....................... 340,500
    Victor Ramdin...................... 226,500
    Sean Knitter........................ 215,000
    Joe Cappuccio...................... 195,000
    Steve Ryan.......................... 193,000
    Barkley Hamilton................... 90,000
    Sirous Jamshidi.................... 79,000

    Bubble Bursts - It's Over For Tonight

    $2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

    After 30 minutes of hand for hand action, it took a cooler to end play for the night.

    Paul Darden got his last 302,000 in good with A-A vs. Action Bob Hwang's Q-Q.

    Action Bob sees a Queen in the window which ultimately sends poker pro Darden to the rail as the tournament bubble without any money. Darden has a WSOP bracelet but will not add a 2011 Borgata Fall Poker Open Championship to his already impressive resume.

    Board runs out: 6-8-Q-7-J.

    Hwang admitted he got lucky as he bagged and tagged 728,500.

    That's poker!

    63rd Place will receive $5,504 and 1st Place earns a whopping $388,657.

    Monster Pot

    $2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

    John Myung (Vienna, VA) soars up to 800,000 after the two big stacks at the table tango on a board of A-A-K-3-K. John vs. Sung Ha Kim (Cliffside Park, NJ).

    When the river K hit, John bet 60,000. Sung cut out 60,000 then went into the tank. He stood up and stretched. He raised another 80,000 leaving only 80,000 behind. John quickly pushed all-in.

    Sung folded and John didn't have to show. He scooped a monster pot and is now amongst the chip leaders as the bubble looms.

    Start of Day-2 chip-leader, Andrew Interdonato is out as his 99 falls to A-J.

    Event 20 Recap

    $270 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty NLH

    They came from as far away as Hawaii, California, Minnesota, and Florida to play in the tournament, but the winner only needed to take a short elevator ride from his Borgata hotel room to win Event 20 of the Borgata Fall Poker Open.

    Jimmy Bergen (Eldersburg, MD) outlasted the 223 player field thanks to a pivotal river card while playing 4-handed that clinched the title and the $16,353 first prize.

    "I didn't even know there was tournament until 10 minutes before it started," said Bergen, who was still in town after he busted from the Championship Event. "We were going to get up and leave when he (friend Ari Eiblum) said this was today."

    Bergen was the chip leader on the key hand when he called the all in bet of Ron Vitello (Cherry Hill, NJ) who was the second biggest stack. Bergen's pocket 5s was dominated by pocket 7s, but he hit a straight on the river to take a commanding chip lead and the title.

    "That was the whole tournament right there," said Bergen, who cashed in this year's WSOP Main Event. He finished ahead of Tyler Chen (Piscataway, NJ) 2nd/$9,637, Nissam Benjamin (Brooklyn, NY) 3rd/$5,548, and Vitello 4th/$4,497.

    For Vitello, a WSOP circuit ring winner, it was a disappointing finish after he had 500k in chips on the money bubble, 1/5 of the chips in play. He carried the big stack to the final table, but Vitello's fate was sealed when the 8♠ hit the river to end his day.

    The geographically diverse field featured many players who made the money including Ronald Spain (Plymouth, MN) 27th and Kevin Sullivan (Los Angeles, CA) 26th, who both earned $526. While Bundhit Intachai (Waipahu, HI) 20th and Timothy Bryan (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) 18th both took home $584.

    The entries also included two players who were eliminated from Day 2 of the Championship Event and quickly entered the tournament, but neither Ari Engel nor Mike Melkersen cashed.

    Other successful Borgata regulars who contributed to the $60,210 total buy-in, but didn't cash, included Event 14 winner Johannsy Joseph, Dave Inselberg, Ryan Eriquezzo, Adam Lippert, Matt Mazzeo, Mike Summers, Patti Barsanti-Chou and Howard Wolper.

    The rest of the final table included Lawrence Payden (Chester Springs, PA) 5th/$3,504, Alan Haddy (Oakland, NJ) 6th/$2,920, Alfred Benecke (Brooklyn, NY) 7th/$2,336, Vick Harris (Forest Hills, NY) 8th/$1,752, Wayne Wolff (Middlesex, NJ) 9th/$1,168, and Ilya Vasserman (Huntingdon, NY) 10th/759.

    Alli Schultz (Upper Saddle River, NJ) was the last woman standing and finished 14th ($642).

    But she and the rest of the field couldn't overcome Bergen who was an ace magnet.

    "I got a lot of good cards, especially at the final table," he said. "I must have had an ace at least 50 times. They (Chen & Benjamin) were laughing and asked if I had an ace and I showed it every time.

    "I played good cards, used my position and didn't get sucked on too many times," said Bergen, who also took home the coveted Borgata trophy.

    Another Straight For Spitzberg

    $2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

    Paul Spitzberg (5♣ 8) turns a straight at the same time Nicholas Manfredo hits a set of fours.

    Board ran Q♠ 6 7 4♠ A♠ .

    Nicholas bets the river and Paul only calls, afraid of the spades.

    Manfredo was happy to dodge a bullet as he would have dusted off even more chips if Paul jammed.

    Paul up to 600,000 and Nicholas down to 460,000.

    No Nit Burnitz

    $2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

    Matthew Burnitz - 800,000

    The tallest guy in the room now has the most chips and his name is Matthew Burnitz (Chestbrook, PA).

    "I had 12,000 for eight hours on Day 1" said Matthew whose patience has paid off.

    He's been shifted around to five or six different tables overall, now settling in at table 1 in seat 9.

    Burnitz just playing his game and picking his spots and getting paid off on his big hands.

    Table Threeeeeeeeeee

    $2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

    Andrew Badecker's table broke up and he got a new zipcode over at table 3, seat 8. Warning to Andrew, this is a major suck-out table. Guy in the five seat got it in with Q-4 against Q-J. He calls for a "four on the flop" and BOOM, there it is.

    Also at table 3 is Andrew Interdonato still nursing a below-average stack after starting the day as the overall chip leader.

    Nicholas Manfredo began Day-2 with 199,200 and now sits in seat-2 with 640,000.

    8 tables remain and this tournament is starting to feel real to many of the players as the money approaches.

    Top 63 get their share of some serious cash.

    Event 20 Champion: Bergen

    $270 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty NLH

    Jimmy Bergen (Eldersburg, MD)
    $16,353

    Event 20: 2nd Place - Chen

    $270 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty NLH

    Tyler Chen (New York, NY)
    $9,637

    Event 20: 3rd Place Benjamin's

    $270 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty NLH

    Nissam Benjamin (Brooklyn, NY)
    $5,548

    Event 20: 4th Place - Vitello

    $270 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty NLH

    Ron Vitello (Cherry Hill, NJ)
    $4,497

    Event 20: Clinching Hand

    $270 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty NLH

    Chen, Bergen, & Benjamin

    The biggest hand of the tournament comes on the first hand of a new level.

    Blinds: 30k/60k/5k ante

    Stacks:


    Jimmy Bergen 1.2 million
    Ron Vitello 710k
    Tyler Chen 400k
    Nissam Benjamin 350k

    Action:


    Bergen raises from the button, Vitello moves all in, and Bergen calls.

    Bergen: 5♠ 5
    Vitello: 7♠ 7

    Flop: 9 6 4♠ (Vitello leads)

    Turn: 7♣

    Despite hitting a set, this is the second worse scenario for Vitello as it gives Bergen an open ended straight draw. Bergen goes from two outs (5♣ 5) to eight outs, as any 4 or 8 gives him a straight.

    River: 8♠

    And with that Bergen hits a straight on the river to knock Vitello (Cherry Hill, NJ) out in 4th place ($4,497).

    Bergen has 2 million of the 2.7 million chips in play and one hand later takes down the tournament.

    "That was the whole tournament right there," says Bergen who wins the title.

    Tyler Chen (New York, NY) finishes 2nd for $9,637, while Nissam Benjamin (Brooklyn, NY) takes third and $5,548.

    Jimmy Bergen (Eldersburg, MD) is the Event 20 champion, earning $16,353 in the victory.

    Event 20: 5th Place - Payden

    $270 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty NLH

    Lawrence Payden (Chester Springs, PA)
    $3,504

    Event 20: 6th Place - Haddy

    $270 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty NLH

    Alan Haddy (Oakland, NJ)
    $2,920

    Failla Falls

    $2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

    Will "The Thrill" Failla started the day with 53,300 and just lost a coin flip for his tournament.

    Will's A-9 vs. Opponent's 2-2 on a board of 9-4-8-4-5.

    After Will departed players commented they thought he had 9 lives.

    They also said he's a tough player to knock-out.

    72 players remain.

    Short Stack Slaughter

    $2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

    Short stacks are dropping like flies.

    I just watched five short stacks at risk lose every race.

    Just like that we're down to 73 players.

    Ten away from the money.

    Once again our chip-leader is Andrew Badecker who has chipped up to 750,000.

    Wertz-Whacker

    $2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

    Joseph Wertz back on top after busting a shorty.

    UTG limps, Joseph makes it 45,000 with K-3 off in the small-blind. UTG calls his stack with 9-9.

    Board runs: 2-4-5-K-8.

    Wertz tops in the room with 700,000.

    Who will be first to a million?

    Tweeter-verse

    $2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

    Players are back and ready for the final money push. 80 remain with an average stack of 251k (42 BB)

    Blinds 3k/6k/500 ante.

    Latest Tweets

    BeatByRags
    Tim Byrd
    Just doubled up to 90 , 84 left, good luck me!!!

    Andrewbadecker
    Andrew badecker
    River Kd bringing back door diamonds and he bets 60k, I call and he has Ace high. 765k now, blinds 3-6k. #building #castles

    Todd Terry
    109k heading to 3k/6k. About 20 away from $.

    Steve Ryan
    Just hit the card of my tournament! JJ doubles thru 88 on an 458 flop. I check jam into dog poop and river BINK :) 215k @ 6k bubble near

    sickallkris chris grove
    Break..220k 3k/6k 500a next. 80 left

    nevermissmassey
    Aaron Massey
    240k avg is 250k 80 left playing down to the money at 63 players

    Eli_Loewenthal
    Eli Loewenthal
    ~360k headed to 3000/6000. 80 left and 63 get paid #borgatafallopen #mainevent

    B-R-E-A-K

    $2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

    Players are on a fifteen minute color-up break.

    100 blacks are coming off the table.

    80 players remain as we get a little closer to making the top 63 and the cash.

    Average stack - 251,250

    670 entered - $1,675,000 Total-Buy In.

    Playing until we reach the money then returning tomorrow to finish it out.

    Steve Ryan Gets There

    $2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

    Table 4 is having the most fun in the room. Victor Ramdin orders beers for the entire table.

    In the midst of all the joking around, Steve Ryan jams his 120,000 stack on a flop of 8-7-4.

    Quick call from Opponent who tables 8-8. Ryan says, "Of course" but doesn't give up.

    Paint peels off and at first looks like a Jack - but it was a Queen.

    Ryan still doesn't give up as he confidently calls for the Jack moments before it spikes the river.

    With his tournament on the line, somehow he got there.

    The players didn't want Ryan to leave as he was in the middle of a story and they all wanted to hear the end. Steve Ryan up to 240,000.

    Drink up table 4, especially you Steve.

    Event 20: 7th Place - Benecke

    $270 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty NLH

    Alfred Benecke (Brooklyn, NY)
    $2,336

    Event 20: 8th Place - Harris

    $270 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty NLH

    Vick Harris (Forest Hills, NY)
    $1,752

    Event 20: 9th Place - Wolff

    $270 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty NLH

    Wayne Wolff (Middlesex, NJ)
    $1,168

    Event 20: 10th Place - Vasserman

    $270 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty NLH

    Ilya Vasserman (Huntingdon, NY)
    $759

    Billy Wins Boatload

    $2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

    Anthony Spinella's stack gets whacked 241,200 after his A-K in the cut-off runs into Billy O'Neil's (Berwyn Heights, MD) K-K in the small blind.

    Six bets pre-flop brings all of Billy's chips at risk.

    Billy was fearful that Anthony had A-A and contemplated folding. "I have Kings" said Spinella before he made the call.

    Board ran: 2-2-6-9-3.

    Billy is now up over 500,000. Pretty good since he began the day with 46,125.

    84 Players remain.

    Getting Closer To The Cash

    $2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

    With 88 players left and a min cash of $5,504 paid for 63rd place, nobody wants to be the bubble. At the same time, short stacks need to double and get back in the mix.

    We're playing through the night/morning until we reach the money.

    Eli Lowenthal has 410,000.
    Sirous Jamshidi still seated to Action Bob Hwang right at Table 7.
    Sirous - 135,000.
    Action Bob - 300,000.

    Mike "Little Man" Sica has left the Signature Room. He gave his friend a couple toothpicks from his canister card protector on his way out.

    Don't forget, first place takes home $388,657 as part of the $1,675,000 Total Buy-In.

    Cowboys Crack Aces

    $2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

    Joseph Wertz - 650,000

    Two big stacks at the table collide pre-flop. A 4-bet by Opponent holding pocket aces followed by an all-in jam by Joseph Wertz holding K-K.

    Wertz was relieved when a king hit the flop.

    Board ran: 10-K-Q-4-5.

    Joseph had his Opponent covered and earned the knock-out along with 250,000 chips.

    He is amongst the chip leaders in the room.

    This Morning's Leader Update

    $2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

    Andrew Interdonato (Washington, DC) started the day as the overall chipleader with 233,755.

    He already won $3000 as the day 1A chip leader.

    He was just all-in with A-10 against a short 35,000 stack holding A-K.

    Interdonato hits runner-runner ten-ten for the scoop and knock-out.

    Andrew is now just south of 100,000 and has a little more breathing room as the cash bubble looms with top 63 getting paid.