Leaderboard Final

Borgata Fall Poker Open Leaderboard - Final Results

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

Winners are:
1. MICHAEL MICHNIK (HOLLYWOOD, FL):
    $3,500 entry into Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship event (January 29 - February 3, 2012)

2. HARRY KOROTKI (OWINGS MILLS, MD)
    Apple iPod Touch

3. MICHAEL LYDON (MIDDLE VILLAGE, NY)
    Apple iPod Touch

4. STEVEN RODRIGUEZ (STATEN ISLAND, NY)
    Apple iPod Touch

5. JOHN MCGUINNESS (TOMS RIVER, NJ)
    Keurig coffee maker

6. AMANDA MUSUMECI (PHILADELPHIA, PA)
    Keurig coffee maker

7. ERIC DOERR (NEWARK, DE)
    Keurig coffee maker

8. DANIEL DAGOSTINO (BELLEVILLE, NJ)
    Nikon digital camera

9. LANA OBRIEN (ENGLISHTOWN, NJ)
    Nikon digital camera

10. AUSTEN JOHNSON (WOODSBORO, MD)
      Nikon digital camera

Below are the top 200 scores for the Borgata Fall Poker Open Leaderboard*
(Final Results from all Borgata Fall Poker Open events)

516.275 PTS:  MICHAEL MICHNIK (HOLLYWOOD, FL)

416.138 PTS:  HARRY KOROTKI (OWINGS MILLS, MD)

414.475 PTS:  MICHAEL LYDON (MIDDLE VILLAGE, NY)

370.700 PTS:  STEVEN RODRIGUEZ (STATEN ISLAND, NY)

366.113 PTS:  JOHN MCGUINNESS (TOMS RIVER, NJ)

361.775 PTS:  AMANDA MUSUMECI (PHILADELPHIA, PA)

343.625 PTS:  ERIC DOERR (NEWARK, DE)

329.413 PTS:  DANIEL DAGOSTINO (BELLEVILLE, NJ)

329.100 PTS:  LANA OBRIEN (ENGLISHTOWN, NJ)

322.385 PTS:  AUSTEN JOHNSON (WOODSBORO, MD)

312.320 PTS:  JOHN DELROSSI (MANTUA, NJ)

312.000 PTS:  BARRY LEVY (BROOKLYN, NY)

296.348 PTS:  MARK SYKES (HAMDEN, CT)

294.500 PTS:  ANDREW BADECKER (VERNON, CT)

288.350 PTS:  ILYA VASSERMAN (HUNTINGDON VY, PA)

285.925 PTS:  ROBERT BROWN (MILFORD, NH)

281.525 PTS:  SUNG HA KIM (CLIFFSIDE PARK, NJ)

279.475 PTS:  JOHANSSY JOSEPH (SPRING VALLEY, NY)

277.763 PTS:  THOMAS FORMICHELLA (BROOKLYN, NY)

270.825 PTS:  ARIEL ALBILIA (SYOSSET, NY)

Championship Event Recap

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

Andrew Badecker 2011 Borgata Fall Poker Open Champion

The inaugural Borgata Fall Poker Open Championship's high caliber field was highlighted with three WSOP bracelet holders at the final table. In the end, it's young pro Andrew Badecker (Vernon, CT), who won the event and the $388,657 first prize.

Badecker outlasted bracelet winners Freddy Rouhani and Cliff "JohnnyBax" Josephy and the rest of the 670 total entries to take home the coveted Borgata trophy early Thanksgiving morning.

"Borgata is hands down my most run good casino," said the 24 year old, who won a title in the September 2010 Borgata Poker Open, "I've never had a losing trip here."

Badecker defeated Tony Nguyen (McLean, VA) heads up as he started with a 2 to 1 chip lead and never let the rookie poker player double-up. Badecker eliminated Nguyen with king high holding K♠ 2♦.

"This is my first year playing," said the engineer, who earned $218,531 for his three days of work. "I'm really happy coming in second considering I was short stacked all the way to the final table."

Outside of Rouhani (Brigantine, NJ) 7th/$59,084 and Cliff Josephy (Muttontown, NY) 6th/$73,653, Badecker's biggest final table threat was Ari Albilia (Syosset, NY) who had the chip lead most of the way. But Alibilia went out 3rd/$137,594 after he was crippled by Nguyen's full house before being eliminated by Badecker.

Day 3 began with 63 players fighting for their piece of the $1,675,000 total buy-in, as everyone was in the money. The eliminations were at a steady clip until the final 10 grinded towards the serious turkey.

After Joe Wertz (Mountoursville, PA) finished 10th/$21,044, there were three knock outs on three consecutive hands that started with Tom Maguire (Florham Park, NJ) in 9th/$30,756, followed by Mike Linster (Island Park, NY) 8th/$44,516, and Rouhani.

Play grinded to a halt after Mike Devinksy (Middletown, NJ) was eliminated in 5th/$89,031, as 4-handed play lasted two hours before Peter Park (Jersey City, NJ) busted 4th/$111,694.

Badecker's elimination of Park gave him more than half the chips in play as he controlled the tournament the rest of the way.

The event kicked off Sunday and, after two starting days, the entries totaled 670 and featured lots of recognizable names. WPT title holders Will "the Thrill" Failla, Cornel Cimpan, and Kevin Saul were joined by WPT Season IX Player of the year Andy Frankenberger, but none of them made the money.

Notables who cashed included 2010 Borgata Spring Open Champion Alex Queen 32nd/$7,932, 2010 Borgata Summer Open Champion Billy O'Neil, "Action" Bob Hwang 15th/$15,378, Dave Zeitlin 14th/15,378, and Victor Ramdin 48th/$6,313.

Ramdin, who added to his $3.5 million in career earnings, was impressed with the quality of the field and the turnout.

"East Coast poker showed an impressive display," said Ramdin, who held the chip lead part of Day 2. "This many people willing to play right before Thanksgiving shows we love our poker."

And the most dedicated player was Badecker who, after collecting the biggest payday of his career, got a ride for the five hour trip home to celebrate the holiday.

"It's not too often you get the whole family together at one time," he said. "I'm probably going to be a little late, but I think it will be okay as long as a bring the trophy."

Champion - Badecker

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

Andrew Badecker (Vernon, CT)

$388,657

Badecker keeps the pressure on Tony Nguyen and eventually finishes him off with K♠ 2♦ vs 8♣ 9♣.

The board of A♦ A♥ 6♦ Q♥ 7♥ misses both players and Badecker wins with king high to take Nguyen's final 2.3 million chips.

"It feels great," says the 24 year old poker pro. "I've had a really successful year and I'm pretty happy to win it."

Moments after winning the Borgata Fall Poker Open Badecker tweeted:

Andrewbadecker Andrew badecker
SHIP IT! $388,657 my biggest score ever! pic.twitter.com/l40WA2rA

Badecker's Borgata Bounty

2nd Place - Nguyen

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

Tony Nguyen (McLean, VA)
$218,531

Nguyen is a short stack ninja most of Day 3, but finds away to navigate the field and final table to finish runner-up in the Championship Event.

Nguyen was at a 2 to 1 chip disadvantage heads up against Andrew Badecker and never got the double-up he needed to extend the match.

Nguyen finishes in second place and earns $388,657.

Heads Up

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

Trophy (& Turkey) Time!

670 entries in the inaugural Borgata Fall Poker Open Championship Event and we're down to two players. Andrew Badecker (Vernon, CT) and Tony Nguyen (McLean, VA) are heads up for the $388,657 first place prize.

Badecker has nearly a 2 to 1 chip lead as he has 13 million to Nguyen's 7.1 million.

Blinds are 75k/150k/25k ante. The antes are now almost as much as the starting stacks of 30k when the tournament began four days ago.

We're only a few hours away from a Thanksgiving turkey dinner, but who knows how long we'll be from crowning a champion.

3rd Place - Albilia

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

Ari Albilia
$137,594

Albilia gives his final chips to Andrew Badecker, but it's a devastating blow by Tony Nguyen that helps send Albilia to the rail.

On a board of 2♦ 5♦ J♦ J ♥ 3♦ Nguyen bets 1.2 million, Albilia moves all in for 3.8 million total and Nguyen snap calls.

He shows 2♠ 2♣ for a full house and Albilia doesn't show. The hand leaves Albilia with only 500k and is out a few hands later.

Ari Albilia is out in 3rd place earning him $137,594.

5 Million Chip Pot to Andrew Badecker

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

Blinds: 75k/150k/25k ante

With 5 million chips in the pot and the board showing 9♠ 9♥ 3♥ 7♦ 4♦, both Ari Albilia and Andrew Badecker check the river

Badecker shows 3♦ Q♦ for two pairs, 3s and 9s, Albilia studies the board one last time before folding.

Badecker wins the hand and drops to 2.6 million.

4th Place - Park

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

Peter Park (Jersey City, NJ)
$111,694

After two hours of four-handed play there's finally an elimination. On a board of Q♣ 9♣ 5♠ 7♠ Peter Park bets 275k. Andrew Badecker raises to 700k and Park quickly moves all in.

Badecker gets the count of 3.6 million, a little less than half his stack, and makes the call.

Park: 5♣ 4♣ (pair of 5s, flush draw)
Badecker: J♠ 8♠ (flush draw, gutshot straight draw, two overs)

River: K♠

The river gives Badecker the flush and a he now has 12 million of the 20 million chips in play.

Park is out in 4th place and takes home $111,694.

Nguyen Doubles Through Badecker

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

Tony Nguyen just won't go away as he doubles 2.2 million through Andrew Badecker. Nguyen holds K Q against Badecker's A 4, and hits trip queens to stay alive.

The four players are now very even in chips with Badecker still holding the lead:

Andrew Badecker (Vernon, CT) 8.2 million (68 BB)
Tony Nguyen (McLean, VA) 4.5 million (38 BB)
Ari Albilia (Syosset, NY) 4 million (33 BB)
Peter Park (Jersey City, NJ) 3.8 million (32 BB)

Blinds 60k/120k/20k

Badecker Chipping Up Through Albilia

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

Andrew Badecker has taken a couple of decent pots from Ari Albilia who folded to river bets. The two have flipped positions as Badecker is at the the 10 million mark, while Albilia is in the 5 million range.

Tony Nguyen and Peter Park continue to be the short stacks with blinds at 60k/120k/20k ante.

Nguyen Clubs Albilia on River

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

Tony Keeps an Eye on the Prize

Tony Nguyen is all in for 1.1 million with A♣ 5♥ vs the 3♣ 3♥ of Ari Albilia.

Flop: K♣ Q♥ 8♣ (Alibila leads with pair of 3s)

Turn: 4♣ (Nguyen picks up flush draw)

River 3♣

Nguyen hits his flush on the river and says, "you know what this is? The nuts," he says with a hearty laugh.

Nguyen stays alive while Albilia continues to hold the chip lead at ~10 million.

Event 21 Recap

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

Event 21 is in the books and your champion is accountant/cellist Daniel Penrith (Washington, DC). Daniel just beat out 257 entries and took home $17,450 along with the Borgata Fall Poker Open trophy.

Event 21 was playing alongside the Championship Event and was a nice final Fall Poker Open tournament for players who busted. Everyone loved the affordable buy-in and generous 20,000 starting stacks. Not to mention if you busted out, you could re-enter within the first six levels.

From 11am all the way to the heads-up, John Almanzar held the chip lead. He shot up to 45,000 early on with AA then never looked back.

Some Borgata familiar faces who entered the field included: Andrew Interdonato, Cuong Phung, Kalid Ali, Matthew Piccolo, Micky Woll, and Ta Wey.

Top 27 were happy to win their share of the $64,250 Total Buy-In.

An interesting final table consisting of Michael Miller, John Almenzar, Patricio Trejo, Moshe Dahari, Brian Spencer, Thomas McGarry, Arturas Tamosiunas, Pavel Krapivin, Daniel Penrith, and Marco Huijgen. Pavel Krapivin finished 3rd for $5,921 after knocking out everybody at the final table. Everytime I looked up Pavel had either K-K or A-A.

Our almost wire to wire chip leader fell heads up in two key hands. First Daniel flopped a set of fives then followed up with a flush. 2nd Place of $10,283 was awarded to John Almenzar.

But your big Thanksgiving Day winner once again was Daniel Penrith who is heading into Philadelphia later today to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner with his family. Congratulations on your huge payday of $17,450. Not a bad day at the office.

Park & Badecker Trade Double-Ups

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

Peter Park and Andrew Badecker trade 2.3 million chips as they double-up each other. First Park's pocket aces hold against 10♣ 9♣, but Park ships it right back when Badecker hits a full house with K♥ 7♥ against Park's AK.

4-handed play continues with blinds 50/100k/15k ante.

Event 21: 1st Place - Penrith

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

Daniel Penrith (Washington, DC)

$17,450

A happy Thanksgiving for Daniel Penrith who just took down Event 21 to the tune of $17,450.

Daniel lives in DC but is home for the holidays in Philadelphia with his family. He thanks all his family and friends for their support and for being the best.

In addition to poker, Daniel is an accountant and plays the cello.

"It was a long-winded journey" said the tired Champion who has been playing holdem since 11am. Daniel was behind when the heads-up started. In just a few hands it was over.

Daniel's set of fives followed by a flush was enough to chop down the perennial chip lead of John Almanzar.

Daniel takes home the Borgata Fall Poker Open trophy in addition to the $17,450 worth of pumpkin pie. Great job!

Daniel Penrith finished in 1st Place earning $17,450.

Final Four Chip Counts

$2500 + $200 CHAMPIONSHIP NLH

Park, Albilia, and Badecker

Blinds 50k/100k/15k ante

Name-Chip Count (in millions)

Ari Albilia (Syosset, NY) 9.6
Andrew Badecker (Vernon, CT) 5.2
Tony Nguyen (McLean, VA) 2.6
Peter Park (Jersey City, NJ) 2.5