Borgata Winter Poker Open 2011

Championship Recap (Event 21)

2011-02-05T06:50:00.009-05:00

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

Vadim Shlez (Manalapan, NJ)
$533,210

Solid as a rock, that's how Vadim Shlez (Manalapan, NJ) played in the Championship Event of the Borgata Winter Open to win the title. Shlez defeated LJ Sande (New Haven, CT) heads up to take home the $533,210 first prize.

"I don't know how I'm talking right now, I'm kind of speechless," said the 6 year poker pro, "It means a lot, but I don't know what it means yet because it hasn't sunk in yet."

Shlez, with his Siberian rock card protector, was able to overcome a final table short stack of just 11 big blinds, that saw the final four players trade chips for 4 1/2 hours. The key hand came when Trevor Savage (Thorofare, NJ) moved all in with 5 3 off suit, but ran into Shlez's pocket kings.

"I don't know how I came back," said the Ukraine born player, "at that point it seemed dim, but I never lost confidence in my decisions and in myself."

The hand propelled Shlez to an average stack and after Bobby Suer (Dana Point, CA) was knocked out by Savage in fourth place ($156,286), Shlez continued to apply pressure on the remaining short stacks. Shlez finished off Savage in third place ($189,611) to set up a 4 to 1 chip advantage over Sande.

"He's an amazing player" said Sande, who earned $310,273 for second place, "He made excellent reads and all the right plays. The chip deficit was just too hard to overcome."

The Championship Event began with 718 players and the field included a dozen WSOP Bracelet holders including Michael Mizrachi, Gavin Smith and Vanessa Selbst. Smith made the deepest run (21st/$12,181), while Selbst helped the women take center stage early in the tournament.

Selbst and Roslyn Quarto (Edison, NJ) were not only the last two woman remaining in the field, but were both in the top 10 in chips after Day 2 with Quarto leading the way. Selbst was eliminated Day 3 when she flopped a straight and was eliminated by quads.

Quarto stayed near the top of the chip counts heading into Day 4, but was coolered by several big hands and finished 23rd ($12,181). Other Borgata regulars who made deep runs included Tony Campagna (Manorville, NY - 13th/$20,685), Steve Ryan (New York , NY - 7th/$82,740) and Gil Sacks (Bala Cynwyd, PA - 5th/$126,407).

But in the end it was Shlez who took home the biggest piece of the $2,369,400 total buy-in and who had a strong rooting section including his girlfriend Julie Lisichkina who gave him the sentimental rock.

"When we first met I told her about poker and how I needed some valuable thing to serve as a card protector. This rock was important to her right before that and it symbolizes our relationship and is more than a card protector."

Shlez already had plans move to Las Vegas before playing in the Borgata Championship Event, and now the extra half million dollars will make it a lot easier to head west.

Shlez (left) with Girlfriend Lisichkina (bottom - center)

and friends Zviad Izoria & Kathryn Dougherty

Sentimental Rock

Champion - Vadim Shlez (Final Hand)

2011-02-05T06:46:00.002-05:00

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

With a commanding chip lead it only takes Vadim Shlez 15 minutes to beat LJ Sande in heads up play to take down the Borgata Winter Open Championship and the more than $500,000 first prize.

The final hand:

Shlez: A♠ 8♥
Sande: K♠ 7♠

Flop: A♣ 5♥ 4♠ (Shlez pair of aces)

Turn: 10♥
River: 2♥

Once Shlez flops an ace, Sande is drawing slim and the tournament is over. Shlez takes down the title, while Sande finishes second for $310,273.

2nd Place - LJ Sande

2011-02-05T06:45:00.000-05:00

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

LJ Sande (New Haven, CT)
$310,273

LJ Sande's run is over when on the final hand his K♠ 7♠ loses to the A♠ 8♥ of Vadim Shlez.

"I definitely wanted first, obviously, but I also didn't want to fall short of second for sure," says Shlez, who at 25 years old was the youngest player at the final table. "I played the best I could, but the chip deficit was too much to overcome."

Sande, who was out chipped 4 to 1 in heads, has been playing professionally for five years and $310,273 is his largest career cash. Twice during the short heads up play, Sande had big hands, pocket kings and pocket aces, but couldn't get a call when he moved all-in.

Prior to the Championship Event, Sande's biggest score was a $38,000 win in 2009. Earlier in the Borgata Winter Poker Open, Sande finished 19th in Event 1 ($3,213).

Event 26 Recap

2011-02-05T05:04:00.003-05:00

$200 + $30 No Limit Hold'em (1 Re-entry)

He, arguably, played in the most events during the Borgata Winter Poker Open, and in his last attempt to earn a trophy, James Boyle (Havre de Grace, MD) won the final event of the series.

"People were joking with me that I thought I'm still playing for points," said the two year pro, who during the series earned enough PPI Play for the Main points to earn a free entry into the Championship Event. "Since I was here playing, I might as well win it," he added after securing the $12,873 first prize.

Boyle negotiated his way through 237 entries as the field chased the $47,400 total buy-in. In the end it was his favorite hand, K♠ 8♠, that secured the victory.

"I played my heart out and to walk away with the final trophy means a lot," said Boyle, who picked up his 4th cash of the series. "In the end this was a great way to finish another great Borgata series."

Boyle was joined at the final table by Hamilton Dimaya (Saddle Brooke, NJ) who won Event 22 earlier this week ($19,993) and Jesse Dara (New York, NY) who the 2009 Borgata Summer Open $1k event for $73,000. Other Borgata regulars who cashed included Howard Wolper (Atlantic City, NJ) and Joanne Leban (New York, NY).

For Leban it was another frustrating finish as it was the second straight tournament that she finished 11th ($598), and just missed playing at the final table.

But in the end it was Boyle who was the last man standing after playing in what he estimates was a total of 20 events during the 17 day Borgata Poker Open.

Event 26 Champion: James Boyle

2011-02-05T03:55:00.001-05:00

$200 + $30 No Limit Hold'em (1 Re-entry)

James Boyle (Havre de Grace, MD)

$12,873

After the first final table elimination James Boyle does something wild and crazy with K♠ 8♠. The players all stay out of his way and he takes down the title. The rest of the remaining players fall in line.

Event 26: 2nd Place - Jesse Dara

2011-02-05T03:50:00.001-05:00

$200 + $30 No Limit Hold'em (1 Re-entry)

2nd Place - Jesse Dara (New York, NY)

$7,586

Event 26: 3rd Place - Frank DiRe

2011-02-05T03:45:00.000-05:00

$200 + $30 No Limit Hold'em (1 Re-entry)

Frank DiRe (Columbus, NJ)

$4,367

Event 26: 4th Place - Hamilton Dimaya

2011-02-05T03:40:00.000-05:00

$200 + $30 No Limit Hold'em (1 Re-entry)

Hamilton Dimaya (Saddle Brooke, NJ)
$3,540

Event 26: 5th Place - Cosimo Farinola

2011-02-05T03:35:00.000-05:00

$200 + $30 No Limit Hold'em (1 Re-entry)

Cosimo Farinola (Las Vegas, NV)
$2,758

Event 26: 6th Place - Pasquale Calabria

2011-02-05T03:30:00.001-05:00

$200 + $30 No Limit Hold'em (1 Re-entry)

6th Place - Pasquale Calabria (Hillsdale, NJ)

$2,298

Event 26: 7th Place - Richard Sarkisian

2011-02-05T03:25:00.000-05:00

$200 + $30 No Limit Hold'em (1 Re-entry)

Richard Sarkisian (Sicklerville, NJ)
$1,839

Event 26: 8th Place - Chris George

2011-02-05T03:20:00.003-05:00

$200 + $30 No Limit Hold'em (1 Re-entry)

Chris George (New York, NY)

$1,379

Event 26: 9th Place - David Eisenstein

2011-02-05T03:15:00.000-05:00

$200 + $30 No Limit Hold'em (1 Re-entry)

David Eisenstein (Freehold, NJ)
$920

Event 26: 10th Place - Andrew DeFrancesco

2011-02-05T03:10:00.002-05:00

$200 + $30 No Limit Hold'em (1 Re-entry)

Andrew DeFrancesco
$598

Andrew DeFrancesco moves all in with AQ vs the KJ of Jesse Dara. De Franceso's in great shape to double up with a flop of Q 9 10 to hit a pair of queens. But running cards gives Dara a straight when an 8 hits the turn, followed by a 7 on the river.

Dara wins the hand with a jack high straight and DeFrancesco is out in 10th place for $598.

Event 26: Final Table

2011-02-05T03:00:00.000-05:00

$200 + $30 No Limit Hold'em (1 Re-entry)

Seat-Name-Chip Count

1 Frank DiRe (Columbus, NJ) 270k
2 Chris George (New York, NY) 90k
3 Hamilton Dimaya (Saddle Brooke, NJ) 189k
4 Jesse Dara (New York, NY) 405k
5 Cosimo Farinola (Las Vegas, NV) 150k
6 Andrew DeFrancesco (Brooklyn, NY) 170k
7 Pasquale Calabria (Hillsdale, NJ) 180k
8 David Eisenstein (Freehold, NJ) 170k
9 James Boyle (Havre de Grace, MD) 400k
10 Richard Sarkisian (Sicklerville, NJ) 270k

Event 26: Unlucky 11

2011-02-05T02:45:00.003-05:00

$200 + $30 No Limit Hold'em (1 Re-entry)

Jacks Jolt Joanne Again

For the second straight night, Joanne Leban (New York, NY) is not only the last woman standing, but she's also the final table bubble with back-to-back 11th place finishes.

"This is unbelievable, what do I have to do (to catch a break)," says Leban. "At least I gave my chips to James, " referring to James Boyle, who's one of the chip leaders heading to the final table with 400k.

Adding insult to injury, Leban's undoing in both tournaments is pocket jacks. Thursday night she lost with pocket jacks, while in this event she has A♣ Q♣ but loses her last 90k when Boyle wins the hand with J♥ J♦.

Leban earns $598 for her 11th place finish.

Champion - Vadim Shlez

2011-02-05T01:05:00.004-05:00

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

Vadim Shlez (Manalapan, NJ)
$533,210

Turn: 10♥
River: 2♥

Once Shlez flops an ace, Sande is drawing slim and the tournament is over. Shlez takes down the title, while Sande finishes second for $310,273.

2nd Place - LJ Sande

2011-02-05T01:00:00.003-05:00

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

LJ Sande (New Haven, CT)
$310,273

Trophy Time

2011-02-05T00:50:00.000-05:00

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

Vadim Shlez (17 million chips) vs LJ Sande (4.5 million) for the Borgata Winter Open Title and the the $533,210 first prize. The trophy is on the table and the cards are in the air!

Shlez (left) vs Sande

3rd Place - Trevor Savage

2011-02-05T00:45:00.005-05:00

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

Trevor Savage (Thorofare, NJ)

$189,611

Trevor Savage moves all-in with pocket 8s against the pocket jacks of Vadim Shlez.

Savage: 8♠ 8♣
Shlez: J♠ J♦

Board: K♥ 2♠ 10♠ 7♠ 3♠

Shlez wins the hand with a jack high flush and Savage is out in 3rd place. Shlez adds to his commanding chip against LJ Sande as heads up play is imminent.

Savage has been a poker pro for 6 years and the third place, $189,611 finish is his best career cash. Before this tournament his best pay day was also a third place finish, coming in the 2009 Borgata Poker Open $500 event, good for $36,000.

4th Place - Bobby Suer

2011-02-05T00:16:00.008-05:00

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

Bobby Suer (Dana Point, CA)

$156,286

After four and-a-half hours with out an elimination, the blinds are forcing the action.

Bobby Suer is down to 1.6 million chips and is all-in with Q♣ 8♥ vs the Q♠ 10♦ of Trevor Savage. There's no help on the board and Suer is out in 4th place.

"I played very good poker," says the 5 year poker pro, "unfortunately the blinds got so high it came down to who got lucky and won the coin flips."

Suer's 4th place, $156,000 finish adds to his more than $1 million in career earnings. His success includes two top 10 finishes in WPT events, featuring a second place in 2009. Suer also made a deep run during the 2009 WPT Borgata Poker Open with a 25th place finish ($12,765).

The married father of four children is a former radiologist, who lists his kids as he greatest accomplishment outside of poker.

Jack It Up

2011-02-04T23:55:00.002-05:00

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

Players are back from a 10 minute break and the blinds going up are a bigger story than the chip counts. Blinds are now 150k/300k/30k ante.

Chip Counts (in millions)

Vadim Shlez 8.9
Trevor Savage 5.1
Bobby Suer 3.3
LJ Sande 4

Savage Doubles Through Shlez

2011-02-04T23:27:00.006-05:00

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

Trevor Savage moves all-in for 2.25 million, Vadim Shlez calls.

Savage: AK
Shlez: AJ

Ace-king is good for Savage and the chips continue to go round and round.

With blinds at 120k/240k/30k ante, any player with 2.5 million chips barely has 10 big blinds.

10 minutes left before the next break.

Final Four

Event 26: Black Jack

2011-02-04T23:00:00.003-05:00

$200 + $30 No Limit Hold'em (1 Re-entry)

21 players remain as there's a steady stream to the cage.

Still in the running for the $12,873 first prize:

James Boyle
Howard Wolper
Joanne Leban
Jesse Dara
Hamilton Dimaya

Shlez Doubles Through Savage

2011-02-04T22:29:00.003-05:00

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

The chips are all-in preflop and Shlez is at risk for 2.75 million

Shlez: KK
Savage: 5 3 off suit

The board runs clean and Shlez doubles to more than 5 million, Savage is cut in half to less than 4 million.

Another Break

2011-02-04T22:22:00.004-05:00

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

It's been quiet since the only post dinner break elimination. While there hasn't been any double ups in a while, there have been decent pots that swing the chip stacks.

Chip Counts (in millions)

Bobby Suez 8.4
Trevor Savage 6
LJ Sande 5
Vadim Shleth 2.7

Blinds are 120k/240k/30k ante.

Event 26: Bubble Breaks

2011-02-04T22:05:00.002-05:00

$200 + $30 No Limit Hold'em (1 Re-entry)

The top 27 players are in the money and a new chip leader has emerged.

David Eisenstein is up to 235k and says he won a 140k pot when his AQ beat pocket 9s.

A reminder of what they're playing for.

Place-Amount

1 $12,873
2 $7,586
3 $4,367
4 $3,540
5 $2,758
6 $2,298
7 $1,839
8 $1,379
9 $920
10-12 $598
13-15 $506
16-18 $460
19-27 $414

Savage Doubles Through Sande

2011-02-04T21:50:00.001-05:00

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

LJ Sande raises from the button, Trevor Savage is all-in for a little less than 2 million. Sande tanks and calls with A 9 vs Savage's KK. The kings hold and Savage goes to 3.5 million.

Savage moves all-in several more times without a call and twice Sande show s the same A 9 he just lost with.

Sande Doubles Through Suer

2011-02-04T21:26:00.003-05:00

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

The board is 9♥ 4♥ 10♠ 4♣ K♦ and on the river LJ Sande moves all-in for 2.7 million

Bobby Suer counts down his stack and see he'll have 5.5 left if he loses the hand. Suer makes the call and quickly turns over A♦ K♣ , for top pair, top kicker, but is beat by the Q♠ J♠ as Sande hits the straight.

Sande doubles to 5.4 million, while Suer drops to 5.5 million.

Event 26: Back from Break

2011-02-04T21:14:00.005-05:00

$200 + $30 No Limit Hold'em (1 Re-entry)

As play resumes in the last trophy event, the field is down to 31 players, just three from the bubble and four away from the money.

The top two stacks continue to be Brandon Guss and Mark Stafford who are at the same table.

Stafford Watches Chip Leader Guss Stack More Chips

Suer Still Sizzling

2011-02-04T21:04:00.002-05:00

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

There's a big pot brewing and the board is 4♠ 7♥ J♥ 3♠ A♦.

Bobby Suer quickly moves all-in on the river and has Vadim Shlez covered. Shlez mucks and Suer takes his stack to more than 10 million chips.

Back from Break/Chip Counts

2011-02-04T20:56:00.003-05:00

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

Savage Secures the Hoody

Count in Millions

Bobby Suer 6.9
Vadim Shlez 6.4
LJ Sande 6.0
Trevor Savage 2.8

Blinds are 100k/200k/20k ante

Last Hand Before Break

2011-02-04T20:51:00.003-05:00

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

From the cutoff LJ Sande leads out for 350k
Trevor Savage from the button makes it 875k
Sande Calls

Flop: Q♥ 10♦ 8♦

Check, Check

Turn: A♠

Check, Check

River: 6♥

Sande bets 700k and Savage calls.

Sande shows 8 ♣ 10 ♣ for two pairs, Savage mucks.

Savage, the former chip leader, is now the short stack with less than 3 million.

Suer Doubles and More

2011-02-04T20:33:00.003-05:00

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

Bobby Suer doubles through Trevor Savage and now has 3.2 million chips.

The flop is 2♦ J♣ J♥

Suer checks
Savage bets 350k
Suer raises to 800k
Savage moves all-in
Suer calls

Savage: J♣ Q♥ (trip jacks)
Suer: 9♣ 2♣ (two pairs)

Turn: K♣ (Savage picks up flush draw)

River: 8♦

Suer dodges a club on the river and doubles his stack to 4 million.

On the very next hand Suer and and LJ Sande go to the river and Sande has the higher straight for another 3.5 million chip pot and has gone from 2 million to 7.5 million in back to back hands.

Suer (left) Wins a Pot from Sande

Rough Chip Count Update

2011-02-04T20:15:00.000-05:00

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

With four players remaining, the leaderboard has taken another shakeup.

Vadim Shlez has reclaimed the chip lead with ~7.7 million.

Trevor Savage is second with ~6 million.

LJ Sande is third with ~5.5 million.

Bobby Suer is fourth with ~2.3 million.

5th Place - Gil Sacks

2011-02-04T19:59:00.000-05:00

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

Gil Sacks got his chips in against LJ Sande.

Gil Sacks

Gil held AK and was racing against LJ's pocket 6s. The board came T 8 4 3 J and LJ's pair held up. The stacks had to be counted down, but in the end, LJ had him covered.

Gil Sacks finished in 5th place, earning $126,407.

Gil was the oldest player at this final table and did very well, outlasting some much younger opponents. He's retired and lives in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania.

This is Gil's biggest score to date, but he won a $200 No Limit event during the 2010 Borgata Summer Open, good for $28,077. In September 2007, he played the $5k WPT Championship during the Borgata Summer Open and finished 14th, taking home $21,905.

For his greatest accomplishment outside of poker, he says "I'm still alive."

Event 26: Dinner Break

2011-02-04T19:45:00.002-05:00

$200 + $30 No Limit Hold'em (1 Re-entry)

Here's a look at various chip counts as players are on a one hour dinner break. Three stacks top the 100k mark.

Chip Leaders:

Brandon Guss 197k
Mark Stafford 173k
Hamilton Dimaya 112k

Various Stacks:

Robert Scott Fisher 89k
Calabria Pasquale 80k (up from 9k)
Glenn Faegenburg 75k
James Boyle 65k
Willis Robert 55k
Joseph Gillies 45k
Matt Damon 43k
Richard Sarkisian 43k
George Reid 26k (AKA as anonymous when QQ was cracked by AK)
Anthony Casale 9,300 ("write it down so when I come back to win you'll have a story."

35 players remain with an average stack of 68k

Play resumes at 8:45 pm

Savage Ships it to Suer

2011-02-04T19:40:00.000-05:00

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

Bobby Suer moved in from the button and Trevor Savage called the 1.39 million (total) from the big blind. Bobby held A3 off and was ahead of Trevor's QJ offsuit. The board came 9 7 3 9 5 and Bobby doubled up to ~2.8 million.

Play Has Resumed

2011-02-04T19:27:00.004-05:00

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

The final five players (well, four of them) have returned from dinner break and resumed play with blinds of 80k/160k and 10k antes.

Chip leader Trevor Savage has not yet returned. Blinds and antes are being posted for him.

(Trevor returned after missing a couple of hands.)

Event 26: Featured Table

2011-02-04T18:46:00.003-05:00

$200 + $30 No Limit Hold'em (1 Re-entry)

Borgata regulars James Boyle, Patti Haggerty and Howard Wolper are all at the same table.

Boyle, who was the PPI Points Leader heading into the Championship Event says, "this is my last tournament," of course this is the last event of the Borgata Winter Open.

On a board of 3♣ Q♠ 9♥ 8♦ K♣, Joe Gillies (Philadelphia, PA) moves all-in for 15k, Haggerty tanks and calls. Gillies shows J♦ 10♣ for the rivered straight and now has 60k.

Haggerty is left short and is out shortly after that, her replacement? Joanne Leban (New York, NY) who bubbled the final table in Event 25, finishing 11th.

Truly this is the featured group as players are gearing up for the 7:30 pm dinner break.

Savage Beats Sande Before Dinner

2011-02-04T18:24:00.000-05:00

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

On the last hand before the dinner break, LJ Sande (cutoff) got involved with Trevor Savage (button). At the river the board read Q J 7 2 Q (no flush possible). LJ checked, Trevor bet 560k into the million-dollar pot. LJ tanked until time ran out in the level, then called. Trevor showed AJ for two pair. LJ mucked.

With that pot, Trevor reclaimed a commanding chip lead. He's up to 8.2 million.

LJ dropped to 3.1 million.

Remaining chip counts:

Vadim Shlez- 6.2 million
Gil Sacks - 2.3 million
Bobby Suer - 2 million

Players have been sent on a 75 minute dinner break. Play will resume at about 7:25pm

Event 26: Payouts

2011-02-04T18:03:00.001-05:00

$200 + $30 No Limit Hold'em (1 Re-entry)

Entries: 237
Total Buy-In: $47,400

Place-Amount

1 $12,873
2 $7,586
3 $4,367
4 $3,540
5 $2,758
6 $2,298
7 $1,839
8 $1,379
9 $920
10-12 $598
13-15 $506
16-18 $460
19-27 $414

Savage Gets Some Back

2011-02-04T17:47:00.000-05:00

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

After LJ Sande opened for 300k, Trevor Savage raised to 850k on the button. LJ tanked for a bit, struggling with the decision, then vigorously mucked his hand, causing one of them to flip over - a Ten.

Sande Chipping Up; Suer Chipping Down

2011-02-04T17:31:00.013-05:00

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

LJ Sande (bb) tangles with big-stack Trevor Savage (utg). At the river, the board read Q T 5 6 3. LJ showed Q9 off for top pair. Trevor mucks. LJ picked up a nice pot, chipping up to ~4.7 million and taking a bite out of the chip leader.

On the next hand, after Bobby Suer raised to 275k on the button, Trevor (bb) announced he was all-in. Bobby gave it some thought, then let it go.

Event 26: 3 Way All-in

2011-02-04T17:15:00.003-05:00

$200 + $30 No Limit Hold'em (1 Re-entry)

Marmol Can't Believe Dara (right) Hit the King

A short stack moves all-in, a player in middle position flat calls, Jesse Dara (New York, NY) moves all-in and the caller stays to put both players at risk.

Short Stack: JJ
Middle Position: QQ
Dara: AK

A king hits the flop and the short stack is gone, while Dara takes his stack to 100k. The third players takes a big hit and is even more frustrated when Ernie Marmol (Brooklyn, NY) says he folded ace-king and got out of the way.

Dara is a Borgata regular who won the 2009 Borgata Summer Open $1k event for $73,000

73 players remain with an average stack of 34k as blinds are 500/1k/100 ante.

Break Time Chip Counts

2011-02-04T16:55:00.002-05:00

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

Another level gone. Players on break. Approximate chip counts:

Trevor Savage - 6 million
Vadim Shlez - 5.7 million
LJ Sande - 3.8 million
Gil Sacks - 3.2 million
Bobby Suer - 2.6 million

Play resumed after the break with blinds of 60k/120k with 10 antes.

Suer Doubles; Savage Takes the Lead

2011-02-04T16:28:00.001-05:00

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

On a flop of K J T, Gil Sacks (bb) bet 600k and Bobby Suer (utg) shoved for another ~1.3 million on top. Gil made the call showing KQ for top pair with open-ended draw. Bobby tabled Q9 for the flopped straight. Gil needed an Ace or 9 just to chop the pot. The last two came Q 3 and Bobby doubled up to ~3.2 million.

Trevor Savage tangled with Vadim Shlez, who paid off Trevor's river bet, only to see that Trevor had made a back-door flush (Vadim did not show). It appears that Trevor has now edged out Vadim for the chip lead. Fresh chip counts coming up at the next break.

Savage Scores

2011-02-04T16:19:00.000-05:00

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

Three players took a flop of A 4 3 rainbow. LJ Sande (bb) checked, Trevor Savage (utg) bet 360k, Vadim took some time, then called, and LJ folded.

Turn was another 4. Both players checked.

River was a King.

Trevor checked, Vadim fired 525k, and Trevor called, showing AJ for Aces-up. Vadim mucked and Trevor picked up the juicy pot.

Event 26: Registration and Re-Entry is Closed

2011-02-04T15:49:00.001-05:00

$200 + $30 No Limit Hold'em (1 Re-entry)

Level 7 has begun with blinds of 300/600 and 75 antes. Levels will now last 40 minutes.

Registration is closed and players will no longer be able to re-enter if they bust out.

13 tables remain with 130 or fewer players.

Break Time Chip Counts

2011-02-04T15:30:00.002-05:00

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

Another level is history and here are chip estimates for the final five:

Vadim Shlez - 7.3 million
LJ Sande - 5.04 million
Gil Sacks - 4.4 million
Trevor Savage - 3.3 million
Bobby Suer - 1.9 million

Play resumed after the break with blinds of 50k/100k with 10k antes.

6th Place - Patrick Carney

2011-02-04T15:09:00.000-05:00

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

Patrick Carney (button) managed to get all-in against Gil Sacks (sb) before the flop.

Patrick Carney

Patrick held AK offsuit. Gil held pocket Aces (again!). The flop came Q J 5, giving Patrick a glimmer of hope with a Broadway draw, but the last two fell 7 K and Gil took the pot.

Patrick Carney finished in 6th place, earning $103,425.

Patrick was born in nearby Philadelphia, but now lives in Galloway, New Jersey. For the last 3-4 years, poker has been his profession, despite graduating from law school.

Prior to today, his biggest finish was in the Borgata Poker Open WPT Championship in September 2008. He finished 14th for $47,500.

7th Place - Steve Ryan

2011-02-04T14:24:00.000-05:00

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

Steve Ryan

Steve Ryan got all-in pre-flop against Gil Sacks (bb). Unfortunately for Steve, Gil held pocket Aces. Steve had Q9 and needed help. He got none as the board came 8 6 4 2 5. "The first hand he plays all day and he runs into Aces" commented LJ Sande.

Steve Ryan finished in 7th place, earning $82,740.

Steve is a poker pro from New York and his biggest cash before today was in September 2008 when he finished 3rd in the $1k No Limit event, earning almost $41,000. He's also won a WSOP Circuit preliminary event.

He's quite a baseball player, too. He played for 13 years and was inducted into the Little League Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

Break Time Chip Counts

2011-02-04T14:00:00.002-05:00

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

End of level and time for another break and another set of chip count estimates:

Vadim Shlez - 5.6 million
LJ Sande - 5 million
Trevor Savage - 3.2 million
Patrick Carney - 3.1 million
Bobby Suer - 2.15 million
Gil Sacks - 1.5 million
Steve Ryan - 1 million

Play resumed after the break with blinds of 40k/80k and 5k antes.

Carney Doubles; Suer Doubles

2011-02-04T13:43:00.000-05:00

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

On the turn with a board of K 4 3 6, Bobby Suer (bb) bet 160k and Patrick Carney (button) moved all-in for 1.235 million more. Bobby tanked for several minutes, then called. Patrick held KJ offsuit for top pair. Bobby held 96 off for second pair. River was a blank and Patrick doubled up to nearly 3 million. Bobby was left with just over 1 million.

Soon after, Bobby was all in for 1.075 million holding pocket 9s against the AK of Vadim Shlez. The board came J T 8 4 T and Bobby doubled up to over 2.2 million.

With seven players remaining, the average stack is nearly 3.1 million.

8th Place - Osagyefo Greene

2011-02-04T13:36:00.000-05:00

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

Osagyefo Greene opened for 185k on the button and Vadim Shlez called from the small blind. The flop came J♥ 9♣ 4♥ and Vadim checked. Osagyefo bet 325k, Vadim shoved, and Osagyefo called all-in, showing pocket Kings.

Osagyefo Greene

Vadim tabled 9♥8♥ for middle pair with flush draw. The turn was the 4d and changed nothing, but the river delivered the 9♠, giving Vadim trip 9s for the win.

Osagyefo Greene finished in 8th place, earning $63,204.

Osagyefo was born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he still lives today. His finish today is his greatest poker accomplishment in poker. Outside poker, he counts his child as his greatest accomplishment.

Carney Doubles Through Savage

2011-02-04T13:11:00.000-05:00

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

Trevor Savage opened for 135k. Patrick Carney was the small blind and he moved all-in. After Gil Sacks folded his big blind, Trevor called, showing AK off.

Patrick Carney

Patrick was ahead with pocket 8s. The board came 9 6 2 2 T and Patrick doubled up.

Event 26: Familiar Faces

2011-02-04T12:53:00.001-05:00

$200 + $30 No Limit Hold'em (1 Re-entry)

There are lots of Borgata regulars in this event today.

Abe Korotki (far left) and Ed Corrado (far right)

Over on table one are Abe Korotki and Ed Corrado, a couple of tournament veterans.

Also playing today is James Boyle, who already has three cashes during the series and won his seat into the main event via a PPI points contest.

Matt 'muffiins' Mazzeo has a couple of cashes during the series and is back today going for the hat-trick.

Break Time Chip Counts

2011-02-04T12:35:00.002-05:00

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

The level ran out without further fireworks and the eight remaining players were rewarded with a ten minute break. The orange 1k chips were colored up and the pale yellow 100k chips were introduced. Here are the (approximate) chip counts as of the break (in millions):

LJ Sande - 5.61
Vadim Shlez - 4.185
Bobby Suer - 2.9
Trevor Savage - 2.88
Osagyefo Greene - 2.505
Patrick Carney - 1.1
Steve Ryan - 1.095
Gil Sacks - 1.03

Following the break, play resumed with blinds of 30k/60k with 5k antes.

Evevt 26: Underway

2011-02-04T12:08:00.000-05:00

$200 + $30 No Limit Hold'em (1 Re-entry)

Cards are in the air for the final trophy event of the Borgata Winter Poker Open.

Players began with 10,000 chips and blinds of 25/50.

The first six levels are 30 minutes long. During this time, players who bust out may re-enter (but only once). The following levels will be 40 minutes long.

9th Place - Allan Vrooman

2011-02-04T11:54:00.002-05:00

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

After action folded to Trevor Savage in the small blind, he moved all-in. Allan Vrooman called all-in from the big blind, showing A7 off. Trevor held pocket 3s and it was race-time.

Allan Vrooman

The board came K 8 3 2 6 and Trevor flopped a set of crabs to take the pot.

Allan Vrooman finished in 9th place, earning $43,669.

Allan has a few cashes here at Borgata, but this is his first final table in a major event. He's originally from Queens, but now resides down south in Greenville, North Carolina, where he makes a living as a coin and currency dealer.

He lists his greatest accomplishment outside of poker as "killing and skinning a grizzly bear with just a pair of toenail clippers".

10th Place - Tom Hu

2011-02-04T11:36:00.002-05:00

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

Just a few hands into play, we've already seen the first departure.

LJ Sande opened for 110k utg+1, Tom Hu called from the hijack, and Gil Sacks called from the big blind. The flop came 8 4 4 and Gil checked. LJ bet 275k and Tom moved all-in. Gil mucked and LJ asked for the count. It was 678k more to call.

Tom Hu

After a little think-time, LJ made the call, showing pocket Tens. Tom rolled over pocket 9s and was in bad shape, looking for a two-outer to survive.

The last two cards were Q 3 and LJ took the pot with Tens-up.

Tom Hu finished in 10th place, earning $28,729.

Tom is from Oakton, Virginia, and considers poker his profession of the last three years. He used to work in accounting. Although he cashed (31st) in the $2,500 Pot Limit Omaha event at the 2010 WSOP, he considers his greatest poker accomplishment playing next to John Juanda and Tom 'durrr' Dwan in Macau.

Tom is friends with well-known and greatly-feared high-stakes online player Di 'Urindanger' Dang, so he keeps good company, poker-wise.

Cards are in the Air

2011-02-04T11:13:00.000-05:00

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

Play has begun at the final table of the Borgata Winter Poker Open!

Blinds are 25k/50k with 4k antes. Just over 67 minutes remain in this level.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4

2011-02-04T09:00:00.000-05:00

TODAY IN THE POKER ROOM

11A - Event 21: $3,300 + $200 Championship No Limit Holdem
Day 5 - FINAL TABLE

12P - Event 26: $200 + $30 No Limit Hold'em

1 Re-Entry
10,000 in starting chips
Levels 1-6: each will last 30 minutes Levels 7+: each will last 40 minutes
1-day event

6P - Event 59: $100 + $20 No Limit Hold'em

10,000 in starting chips
Levels last 20 minutes
1-day event

Event 25 Final Results

2011-02-04T08:56:00.000-05:00

Borgata Winter Poker Open
Event 25: $260 + $40 No Limit Hold'em
January 3, 2011

Entries: 186
Total Buy-In: $48,360

FINAL RESULTS
1. MARK WAHBA (CLEVELAND, OH): $14,073
2. CHRISTOPHER GROVE (PASADENA, MD): $7,740
3. MARCO JANSEN (MUNCHEN, GER): $4,456
4. MICHAEL MATRONE (MORGANVILLE, NJ): $3,753
5. ONOFRIO REINA (ELIZABETH, NJ): $2,815
6. FRANCIS DOUGHERTY (PHILADELPHIA, PA): $2,346
7. ROBERT BEN AVRAM (CANOGA PARK, CA): $1,876
8. VIMY HA (BROOKLYN, NY): $1,407
9. ABRAHAM GORDON (LAKEWOOD, NJ): $1,055
10. JACK BATTAGLIA (STATEN ISLAND, NY): $938
11. JOANNA LEBAN (NEW YORK, NY): $938
12. ROBERT FETZKO (JOHNSTOWN, PA): $938
13. JEFF SEQUEIRA (RED BANK, NJ): $821
14. MICHAEL SICA JR (N BRUNSWICK, NJ): $821
15. ROBERT HAAVIND (BOSTON, MA): $821
16. PATRICK GAGLIANO (FREEHOLD, NJ): $704
17. GREG RITZER (FREEHOLD, NJ): $704
18. FRANCIS FAZIO JR (CHESTER SPRINGS, PA): $704

Event 25 Recap

2011-02-04T05:14:00.000-05:00

Event 25 started with 186 entries building a Total Buy-in of $48,360.

Players started the day at 12pm with 10,000 chips and were able to Re-Enter during the first six levels.

James Boyle made a deep run as did his friend Mike "Little Man" Sica. Both told us about their weight loss prop bet that will end at the WSOP.

Other notables included Eric "Clownfish" Doerr, Gene Castro, Ryan Eriquezzo, and Chris Reslock.

Top 18 got paid and the bubble drew some excitement with two all-in hands at two tables. When the dust settled, Yeeman Kitzerow was the bubble which made Joanna Leban the Last Woman Standing. Joanna kept climbing up the cash and finished one short of the final table.

Two players each had quad fives, Bob Haavind and Robert Fetzko. Mike "Little Man" Sica finished in 16th place for $704.

Third place went to German born, Marco Jansen for $4,456 and Second Place went to Maryland's favorite son, Chris Grove for $7,740.

But our big winner in first place was Cleveland Ohio's Mark Wahba who will add $14,073 to his bankroll.

Mark is taking the money and running, literally as he left at the 5am conclusion of the tournament to drive 8 hours back home to Cleveland.

Mark was very excited to win and felt he played solid all day which is why he was the chip leader for a good chunk of the match.

Mark is 25 and will use the money to play more poker and try to win more money.

This win came at the right time for Mark who almost didn't play this event. "We were gonna leave this morning then I said, "Let's play one more".

One more Mark did play, and one more did he win.

Event 25: Mark Wahba - 1st Place

2011-02-04T05:06:00.000-05:00

$260 + $40 NL (1 Re-Entry)

Mark Wahba - 1st Place - $14,073

Mark Wahba is the Event 25 first place finisher taking home $14,073.

He was the big stack most of the tournament, made some sick calls, and grinded it out at the final table, waiting for his spots then capitalizing.

Mark was supposed to leave this morning but begged his friend and ride home to play this tournament that started at 12pm. Good thing his friend agreed.

It's now 5am and the tournament is over. Mark is driving home 8 hours to Cleveland right now.

That ride will go much quicker since he has $14,073 to keep him warm and awake.

Mark is a student at Cleveland State University.

Congratulations to our winner Mark Wahba.

Event 25: Chris Grove - 2nd Place

2011-02-04T04:57:00.000-05:00

$260 + $40 NL (1 Re-Entry)

Chris Grove - 2nd Place - $7,740

The big hand for Chris Grove was when his pocket fives found a miracle straight on a board of 7-3-4-8-6.

Chris was way behind chip leader Jansen who had 9-9 going into the five card showdown.

Once Chris won that hand, it was smooth sailing into second for $7,740.

Event 25: Marco Jansen - 3rd Place

2011-02-04T04:53:00.000-05:00

$260 + $40 NL (1 Re-Entry)

Marco Jansen - 3rd Place - $4,456

The German born Marco Jansen was the chip leader for most of the final table.

At one point he had 1.5 million in chips.

His play was taxing at times and he negotiated himself into third place after knocking out several players with big starting hands.

Event 25: Mike Matrone - 4th Place

2011-02-04T04:32:00.000-05:00

$260 + $40 NL (1 Re-Entry)

Mike Matrone - 4th Place - $3,753

Mike Matrone woke up to A-Q of clubs and shipped his stack all in.
Marco Janzen insta-called as he was holding pocket Aces.

Board:J-9-7-6-K.

"The guy woke up to Aces. What can you do?" said Matrone.

Mike's second final table of Borgata Winter Open. Congratulations!

Event 25: Onofrio "Frank" Reina - 5th Place

2011-02-04T04:23:00.001-05:00

$260 + $40 NL (1 Re-Entry)

Onofrio "Frank" Reina - 5th Place - $2,815

Frank got an Ace three hands in a row. He shoved the first two without any callers. The third time he called off his stack up against Marco Janzen's (chip leader) pocket Queens.

Board of: 10 6 J 2 K wasn't what Frank wanted to see as his A-3 didn't connect.

Frank played 4 events during Borgata Winter Poker Open and cashed in two.

He had a lot of fun and I assume will be back.

Event 25: Francis "Doc" Dougherty - 6th Place

2011-02-04T03:42:00.001-05:00

$260 + $40 NL (1 Re-Entry)

Francis "Doc" Dougherty - 6th Place - $2,346

Doc waited for a big hand, looked down at Queens and got it in good.

Unfortunatley Frank Reina played K-10 off and hit a King on the board of:

A-K-3-10-7.

Doc was pretty upset since he had the best hand pre-flop and it didn't hold up.

Event 25: Robert Avram - 7th Place

2011-02-04T02:50:00.002-05:00

$260 + $40 NL (1 Re-Entry)

Robert Avram - 7th Place - $1,876

Robert Avram is out in 7th place at the hand of Mark Wahba's pocket Kings.

Robert held 9♦ 10♦, picked up a ton of outs on the flop, and shoved all in. Wahba called.

Flop: 4♦ 10♣ 7♦

Turn: Brick
River: Brick

Avram scrams for $1,876

Event 25: Ha Not Laughing - 8th Place

2011-02-04T02:42:00.000-05:00

$260 + $40 NL (1 Re-Entry)

Vimy Ha - 8th Place - $1,407

Vimy Ha lead out under the gun with pocket fives and was smooth called by Mike Matrone.

Flop came 6-2-4 so Vinny shoved all in with his pair and gutterball.

Matrone snap calls with 8-8 over pair to the board and wins the pot.

Vimy enjoyed the chip lead during this tournament and now will enjoy $1,407 for 8th place.

Event 25: Abe Out - Gordon Done - 9th Place

2011-02-04T02:38:00.000-05:00

$260 + $40 NL (1 Re-Entry)

Abe Gordon - 9th Place - $1,055

Abe played well throughout Event 25 but just came up short at the final table.

His A-10 all in couldn't run down Opponent's A-J.

Abe will take home $1,055 for his 9th Place finish tonight.

Event 25: Battaglia Busted - 10th Place

2011-02-04T02:29:00.000-05:00

$260 + $40 NL (1 Re-Entry)

Jack Battaglia - 10th Place - $938

What Jack Battaglia accomplished tonight was virtually statistically impossible. He rode a very short stack for over 6 hours all the way to the final table of ten.

He seemed to miraculously get big hands at the right time and when he was all in, he won. Orbit after orbit Jack somehow survived.

Mark Wahba has been playing with him most of the day and agreed that Jack's feat was nothing "short" of spectacular.

His luck ran out when Jack's A-K got called by A-8 and Opponent saw an 8 in the window which held up.

Event 25: Joanna Leban LeBusts - 11th Place

2011-02-04T02:24:00.000-05:00

$260 + $40 NL (1 Re-Entry)

It was nice to meet Joanna Leban tonight who was down as short as seven big blinds with just a few tables to go.

She battled back and played great making the right folds and reads at the right times.

Congratulations as Joanna was our Last Woman Standing.

Got her chips in good with JJ but a bigger stack with A-10 called and spiked an Ace on the flop.

Joanna replayed the hand and her move but with five people at the table there wasn't anything she could do.

Joanna will pocket $938 for her 11th place finish.

Event 25: Fetzko Busto - 12th

2011-02-04T01:49:00.000-05:00

$260 + $40 NL (1 Re-Entry)

Robert Fetzko (Johnstown, PA) had quad fives earlier but ran out of luck when his A-10 ran into a larger stack's A-K. Robert raised pre-flop, A-K shoved and Robert called.

When the cards flipped Fetzko saw he was drawing thin and didn't connect on the board.

He'll go out in 12th place for $938.

Players are on the final table bubble and have taken a ten minute break.

Event 25: Sequeira Sequestered - 13th

2011-02-04T01:14:00.002-05:00

$260 + $40 NL (1 Re-Entry)

Jeff Sequeira had 130,000 and lost 116,000 of it when his A-Q got run down by A-9.

His parting hand though was Q-4 up against A-4.

Board: 5-2-A-4-6

Jeff wants me to take his picture not for his 13th Place finish but when he finishes first.

13th Place gives Jeff $821.

Event 25: Sica Shuffles Off - 14th Place

2011-02-04T00:51:00.003-05:00

$260 + $40 NL (1 Re-Entry)

It's mucked around to Mike "Little Man" Sica whose on the Dealer button with A-6.

Mike's short with 50,000 and there's 13,000 in blinds and antes.

He shoves and runs into Aces of Frank Reina.

Aces hold and Mike is out in 14th place for $821.

Good luck on the weight loss bet Mike.

Thanks for being a good sport.

Event 25: Bob Haavind - 15th Place

2011-02-04T00:40:00.000-05:00

$260 + $40 NL (1 Re-Entry)

Bob Haavind - 15th Place - $821

It was a good run for Bob Haavind who took a bad beat when his A-Q flopped an Ace then his Opponent rivered a wheel with pocket 3-3's.

"That was the hand that did me in" said Bob.

After being severely crippled, Bob was forced to shove all in with 9-6 and this time his Opponent had A-Q and the board ran clean.

Bob finished in 15th Place for $821

Event 25: Coolest Protector Of BWO

2011-02-04T00:29:00.000-05:00

$260 + $40 NL (1 Re-Entry)

Frank Reina & "Buddy" striking same pose

He bobbles up and down and talks!

Frank made this card protector he calls, "Buddy" from an old pen.

The marker even talks when you push him saying, "Thank you very, very much. Thank you so much."

We're down to 15 players.

Blinds: 3000 / 6000 with 500 antes.

Event 25: Quadruples Up With Quad Fives

2011-02-04T00:06:00.003-05:00

$260 + $40 NL (1 Re-Entry)

Robert Fetzko (Johnstown, PA)
5-5-5-5

Robert Fetzko has pocket fives and flops a set.

He shoves his last 6,000 into the middle, still up against two players.

Bob Haavind was holding A-Q and another Opponent had Q-6.

Opponent says to Bob, "You might have quad fives again" referring to when Bob had quad fives against Joanna Leban earlier.

"Turns" out it was Robert Fetzko who hit quad 5's this time. Got it on the turn.

He's now up to 140,000, basically quadrupling-up on his quads.

Robert has hit quads before but never this close to the end of a big tournament.

Event 25: Fazio Finito

2011-02-03T23:59:00.004-05:00

$260 + $40 NL (1 Re-Entry)

Frank Fazio Jr. (King of Prussia)

Frank's A-K runs into Bob Haavind's A-A.

Frank pushed for remaining 30,000 and Bob called.

16th place earns Frank $704.

Event 25: Pass The Provolone

2011-02-03T23:32:00.006-05:00

$260 + $40 NL (1 Re-Entry)

While playing hand for hand there are two all-ins at two tables.

Yeeman Kitzerow is all in against Marco Jansen.

Mike "Little Man" Sica's A-J is all in against Bob Haavind's big stack with K-K.

While dealer is counting the chips and waiting for pre-flop action to finish, Kitzerow tables A-2 up against Jansen's 7-9.

Board of K-K-9-8-5 puts Yeeman out. With 26,600 going into the hand it's not official until...

Mike Sica's A-J cracks Haavind's kings as the flop falls: Q-A-4
Meaningless turn card 10 and river 6 doubles up Sica.

That's makes Yeeman the bubble, and Joanna Leban the Last Woman Standing.

Remaining 18 players are in the money.

Sica was so charged up he yelled out, "Finally I can holler from beyond. Pass the provolone!"

Down to two tables of nine.

Blinds: 2500 / 5000 with 400 antes.

Event 25: Stuck

2011-02-03T22:51:00.002-05:00

$260 + $40 NL (1 Re-Entry)

Tournament has been stuck on twenty players for a half-hour.

The shortest stack folded A-Q three times then got lucky with garbage hands.

In the last blind battle shorty flopped a diamond flush holding A-5.

Earlier Frank Reina shipped it with AA and Marco Jansen folded 9-9 pre-flop.

One away from the bubble.

Two away from the money.

Event 25: Chipleader Vimy Ha

2011-02-03T22:15:00.001-05:00

$260 + $40 NL (1 Re-Entry)

Vimy Ha - Chip Leader - 210,000

Closing in on the bubble as Vimy Ha knocks out Tony Antonious and wins a nice side pot in the process.

Scary action flop and turn: Q♠ Q♥ 7♠ 2♠

Antonious was all-in pre. Just big blind Vimy and small blind still battling.

River: 6♥

Vimy had no fear and bet big. Small blind goes in the tank and finally folds.

Vimy tables 6♦ 6♣ . He just rivered a boat.

Antonious had A♠ 5♣ and went out in 22nd place for no cash.

With that pot, Vimy has the undisputed chip lead with 210,000.

Second in chips is Marco Jansen with 175,000.

Event 25: Who Will Be Last Woman Standing?

2011-02-03T21:50:00.000-05:00

$260 + $40 NL (1 Re-Entry)

Joanna Leban (Manhattan, NY) 58,000

Yeeman Kitzerow (Virginia) 53,000

Let the cat fight begin. We're down to two women and both want the title of Last Women Standing.

Joanna seems most confident as she has several of these titles under her belt already.

Yeeman is behind by 5,000 but ready to make some moves.

Both women are at different tables and getting closer to the money.

Event 25: One Sica Prop Bet

2011-02-03T21:15:00.000-05:00

$260 + $40 NL (1 Re-Entry)

Mike "Little Man" Sica & James Boyle
203 lbs. vs. 268 lbs.

James Boyle and Mike Sica are sitting next to each other in Event 25.

The two best friends are looking to help each other out and win some money in the process.

Prop bets have always been part of poker and this one has some meat on it.

The bet: Whoever loses the most weight from December 7th - July 1st (in time for the WSOP at Rio) wins the loot.

A couple months ago, the boys stripped down to their boxers and officially weighed in.
Picture too graphic to show for a family friendly blog. Take my word for it, we'd have to get FCC approval. Big time wardrobe malfunction.

Boyle: 268
Sica: 203

Great bowling scores guys!

Sica said Boyle is laying him 1 1/2 to 1 pounds which means for every 30 pounds Boyle loses, Sica has to lose 20.

I think Jason Young either brokered the deal or is holding the cash, or is just laughing.

Good luck to both "losers" and may the best man win.

Of course if you both drop a ton of weight and eat healthier, you both win.

Event 25: One Punch = Three Knockouts

2011-02-03T20:50:00.000-05:00

$260 + $40 NL (1 Re-Entry)

Fran Doc (Philadelphia, PA)

Frank Reina from Elizabeth, NJ called me over announcing a big hand. Frank wasn't involved so I'm guessing 3-bust-outs on one hand is putting a smile on his face.

Fran Doc had everyone covered and the best hand.

There were two short stacks that shoved, then Fran, then the big blind had a decision.

Everybody tabled their cards. Fran's KK vs. 99 vs. KJ vs big blind's QQ.

Board fell: J-5-K-6-5

Fran's Full House scooped a 110,000 pot and knocked out three players.

As we get closer to the money everyone still playing is happy with the triple knock-out.

Event 25: Double Up Gift

2011-02-03T20:18:00.003-05:00

$260 + $40 NL (1 Re-Entry)

Robert Avram (Gaithersburg, MD) flopped top two pair when his A-K saw K-8-A.

Opponent had A-4 and came along for the ride.

Turn 7, River 2, gave Avram the much needed and appreciated double up.

Robert, who works and watches his kids when he's not playing poker, got some ribbing from the table. Some started singing happy birthday as they felt he just received a beautiful gift.

Event 21 Day 4 Recap

2011-02-03T19:50:00.018-05:00

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

Two WSOP bracelet holders returned for day four, but Jeffrey Papola was the first to depart in 37th place. Gavin Smith made it all the way to 21st place before busting out.

Or Abramov began the day as chip leader, but things didn't go his way and he was eliminated in 24th place. Roz Quarto led the field most of days two and three, but day four she met her Waterloo and nothing went right for her. The final blow was when her pocket Queens fell to King-Ten. She finished 23rd.

The best-laid plans of mice and men....

The plan for day four was to play five 75-minute levels, with ten minute breaks between each, then take a dinner break at about 6pm. Return from dinner and play until down to the final ten.

Just before the end of the fifth level of the day, Jack Schanbacher busted out in 12th place. With just 11 players remaining, they opted to continue into the next level and keep playing until one more was gone. That one was Matt Ezrol, who busted in 11th place about seven minutes into 25k/50k blind level.

The final ten players bagged and tagged their chips and called it a night. Seats were drawn for the final table and they will resume play at 11am Friday and play until someone has all 21,540,000 chips in play.

These are the final ten players sorted by chip counts:
Seat - Player - Chips
6 - Vadim Shlez - 4.406 million
10 - LJ Sande - 3.723 million
2 - Trevor Savage - 2.913 million
9 - Bobby Suer - 2.680 million
5 - Osagyefo Greene - 2.041 million
8 - Gil Sacks - 1.595 million
1 - Steve Ryan - 1.258 million
7 - Pat Carney - 1.141 million
4 - Tom Hu - 968k
3 - Allan Vrooman - 834k

Here's a reminder what they're playing for:

Place Amount
1 $533,210
2 $310,273
3   $189,611
4   $156,286
5 $126,407
6   $103,425
7   $ 82,740
8   $ 63,204
9   $ 43,669
10 $ 28,729

Event 25: Dinner Break

2011-02-03T19:36:00.002-05:00

$260 + $40 NL (1 Re-Entry)

39 players remain as they compete for the $14,000 top prize. The average stack is 48k and play resumes at 8:15 pm.

Here's what they're playing for:

Entries: 186
Total Buy-In: $48,360

Place-Amount

1 $14,073
2 $7,740
3 $4,456
4 $3,753
5 $2,815
6 $2,346
7 $1,876
8 $1,407
9 $1,055
10-12 $938
13-15 $821
16-18 $704

Final Table Seating and Chip Counts

2011-02-03T18:44:00.005-05:00

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

Vadim Shlez - Chip Leader

The clock was stopped with 1 hour 7:06 minutes remaining in the level. The final ten players bagged and tagged their chips and the staff redrew seats for the final table. They will return at 11am Friday to finish it out and see who walks away with over half a million dollars.

Final Table

Seat - Player - Chips
1 - Steve Ryan - 1.258 million
2 - Trevor Savage - 2.913 million
3 - Allan Vrooman - 834k
4 - Tom Hu - 968k
5 - Osagyefo Greene - 2.041 million
6 - Vadim Shlez - 4.406 million
7 - Pat Carney - 1.141 million
8 - Gil Sacks - 1.595 million
9 - Bobby Suer - 2.680 million
10 - LJ Sande - 3.723 million

11th - Matt Ezrol

2011-02-03T18:25:00.001-05:00

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

The frantic bust outs continue with Matt Ezrol moving all-in (878k) with AK vs the pocket 8s of Trevor Savage.

Savage flops an 8 for a set and sends out Ezrol in 11th place ($28,729) to set the final table.

Matt Ezrol
$28,729

12th - Jack Schanbacher

2011-02-03T18:18:00.001-05:00

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

Jack Schanbacher

Jack Schanbacher got all-in holding pocket 9s against the big stack of Vadim Shlez, who held AK. The board came A 5 3 5 7 and Vadim paired his Ace to take the pot.

Jack Schanbacher finished in 12th place, earning $28,729.

13th - Tony Campagna

2011-02-03T18:16:00.002-05:00

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

Tony Campagna shoved from the hijack for 466k, then Osagyefo Greene called from the cutoff. After the button opted out, Gil Sacks (sb) moved in over the top for another 690k.

Tony Campagna

Osagyefo tanked for several mintues. Eventually Trevor Savage called for the clock. Osagyefo's time ticked away without him acting and his hand was declared dead.

Osagyefo Greene in the tank as Gil Sacks looks on

Tony held pocket 8s and was trailing Gil's pocket Aces. The board came T 4 2 Q 3 and was no help to Tony. He was eliminated in 13th place, earning $20,685.

14th - Aryeh Grunewald

2011-02-03T17:59:00.002-05:00

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

Arey Grunewald moves all in for 600k and is called by Bobby Suer.

Grunewald: J 10
Suer: Q Q

The board brings 4 clubs and Suer wins with a flush, taking his stack to 3.1 million.
Grunewald is out in 14th place ($20,685).

Arey Grunewald
$20,685

15th - Max Gurevich

2011-02-03T17:43:00.006-05:00

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

Max Gurevich
$20,865

Tom Hu opens the betting to 80k (700k behind) and Max Gurevich moves all in for 600k
Hu let's fate decide is fate and flips a nickle. It lands on heads and Hu calls.

Hu: A 7
Gurevich: A 10

Flop: 3 8 7
Turn: 3
River: 3

Hu wins the hand with a full house and takes his stack to 1.3 million, while Gurevich is out in 15th place.

Lucky Nickle for HU (Heads Up!)

Schanbacher Doubles; Grunewald Short

2011-02-03T17:27:00.000-05:00

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

Jack Schanbacher got all-in pre-flop holding KQ and in bad shape against Aryeh Grunewald's dominating AQ. The board came K 7 7 4 9 and Jack doubled up with Kings-up. He's got over 1.5 now, while Aryeh was left with ~300k.

16th - Daniel Buzgon

2011-02-03T17:20:00.001-05:00

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

After Gil Sacks raised on the button, Daniel Buzgon moved his short-stack all-in from the big blind.

Daniel Buzgon

Gil held 87 suited and Daniel was actually ahead with Q6, but the board came A 5 3 3 7 and Gil paired up on the river to take the pot.

Daniel Buzgon finished in 16th place, earning $14,250.