Event 12 Recap (Day 1A)

$170 + $30 Deep Stack Double Play NLH (2 Re-entry)

One of the more intriguing events of the Borgata Winter Poker Open is the Deep Stack Double Play featuring a $100,000 guaranteed prize pool, 25,000 starting chips and 6 chances to enter the tournament. This two day event, that features two starting days, got underway with 462 entries for Day 1A and concluded with 69 players remaining (167k avg.).*

Julio Estevez (Hackensack, NJ) bagged and tagged the largest stack of the night with 501k, while only a handful of players have more than 300k. Estevez surged to the lead after the dinner break when he flopped a couple of sets. "Since they opened the doors I've been coming to Borgata," said the gas station owner who's referring to when the casino first opened in 2003.

Also ending the day with top 5 chip counts are several recognizable names to Borgata regulars.

Barry Leventhal (Brooklyn, NY - 440k): 7th place finisher ($69,000) in the 2008 Summer Open Main Event

Steven Curtin (Charlotte, NC - 374k): several Borgata cashes including a $400 event win ($26,000) in the 2010 Winter Open

Nicole Rowe (Salisbury Mills, NY - 429k): two Borgata cashes in the 2009 Poker Open, including 2nd place in the Ladies Event ($12,000)

The Day 1A players return Thursday for Day 2 as they wait for Wednesday's Day 1B field to play its 16 levels. Players who busted Tuesday still have their shot at the $100,000 guaranteed prize pool and can use their Double Play opportunity Wednesday where they can re-enter twice (3 total).

Estevez says he'll check on his stations, but will still be thinking about his big stack. "Poker is always on my mind," he said, and is thankful his family allows him to play. "We talked about playing more poker this year. My wife trusts me and am glad to have the chance to win."

Day 1B starts 11 am Wednesday where the Event Center will be packed again for week two of the Winter Open.

* Check after 9 am for chip counts