Event 23: Ilya Vasserman - 9th Place

$300 +$50

Ilya Vasserman - 9th Place - $1,126

Ilya was pretty upset and rightfully so. He got his 100,000 stack in with the best possible two hole cards - AA.

JJ big stack makes the call as does Pawel Kulpa.

Flop fell: Q-8-7.

Pawel went all in and big stack JJ called.

Turn bricked but another Queen smashed the river giving Pawel the main pot and the side pot.

Aces cracked.

That's how this table has been. A lot of all in's and the big pairs getting cracked.

Event 23: Mark Gordon - 10th Place

$300 +$50

Mark Gordon - 10th Place - $1,001

Mark Gordon was short stacked and decided to shove with 3-4 hearts.

He ran into the monster chip stack of Antonio Savarese who proudly turned over K-K.

Mark saw a 3 on the flop along with three clubs, but never connected on the turn and ran into another king on the river.

"No chips, no choice" said Mark as he took his ousting well.

Bag & Tag

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

Unofficial Top Chip Stacks*

Name-Chip Count

Roslyn	Quarto	450,200
Jack	Schanbacher	400,500
Robert	Courtney	340,700
Derek	Buonano	329,000
Vanessa	Selbst	296,700
Dan	Shiff	278,500
Mirsad	Kovaci	278,000
Ken	Smaron	272,300
Kwan Fu	Cheung	259,000
Tom	Hu	254,200

Notables

Will	Jaffe	236,700
Ken	Goldin	228,300
Scott	Einiger	211,100
Mike	Leah	170,000
Josh	Brikis	164,100
Steve	Ryan	163,500
Tony	Campagna	150,000
Gavin	Smith	146,000
Chalie	Hook	121,000
Mike	Beasley	118,200
Eric	Doerr	118,100
Brian	Lemke	99,500
Eric	Siegel	70,000
Will	Failla	64,600
Dave	Inselberg	27,800

* Official list will be posted after 9 am

Royalty

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

Osagyefo Greene Flops Royal Flush

Osagyefo Green held Q-J of diamonds and saw the Mother of all flops possible.

10-K-A of diamonds.

Greene tried to remain calm but I'm sure he was ready to leap out of his seat.

According to John Myung, who was also in the hand, "I thought he was Hollywooding too much on the turn".

John said to Green, "I think you have the royal" I fold.

Greene tabled the royal and John claimed to have folded a set of Aces, even showing one ace.

This was the first flopped royal for Greene but not his first royal flush.

Strong Finish

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

Campagna Tags a Heavy Bag

A couple of players at table 1 are finishing strong, including WSOP Bracelet holder Vanessa Selbst who's closing in on 300k in chips.

"She's been killing it the last couple of hands," says Borgata regular Tony Campagna (Manorville, NY), who's no lightweight as he finishes the night with 150k.

Campagna, who was a runner-up during the 2008 Summer Poker Open ($39,000), is a muscular guy who loves to do Arnold Schwarzenegger impersonations and then quickly shifts into the new gym commercial character, "I lift things up and put them down!"

The final five hands of the night are wrapping up.

Event 23: Three Way All In Weeeeeeeeeeeee

$300 +$50

Wow, what a hand.

Richard Logue shoves his short stack all in for 23,000 holding K-10.

Mark Gordon looks down at A-K of diamonds and isolates with an all-in shove of his own.

Then Doug Adkins wakes up to K-K and ships it, risking his tournament.

Doug had K-K earlier and a woman with K-Q snap called her only to find runner, runner for the straight. So once again Doug's taking a shot with the best hand. Every King was flipped pre-flop on the felt.

Doug felt some sweat on the flop as it fell 7-Q-J giving Richard Logue an open ended straight draw.

2 on the turn was innocent enough.

But the Ace on the river would take all of Doug's dough as Mark Gordon's A-K had him covered.

Logue, who hit broadway, was happy to triple up and could only muster out one word to sum it all up, "Lucky".

As Adkins walked up to get his 14th place $876 prize money, all he could say was, "Unreal".

Nosed Out

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

Mike "The Nose" Castaldo (Palisades, NY) has been grinding a short stack all day and with 50k gets pocket kings. The blinds are 1k/2k/300 ante and Castaldo simply wants to take down the blinds and antes so he makes it 25k to go.

Brian Lemke (Norristown, PA), who starts the hand with 70k comes over the top and puts Castaldo all-in. Castaldo calls and see he's ahead against AK, but an ace in the window ends his tournament.

"I'm sick right now," says Castaldo, "I played the best I could all day."

Min Bet

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

On a board of J J 3 A 10, Matt Berkey (Las Vegas, NV) bets the minimum 2k into a 50k pot. Josh Field chuckles, knowing that he has to pay Berkey off and makes the call.

Berkey shows 10 9 for two pairs, Field tables A K for a higher two pairs to win the pot.
Mike Beasley (Hollywood, FL) laughs and says, "I love that bet."

Last level of the night winding down as less than 200 players remain.

Papola Bear Weathers Storm

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

Jeff Papola was short as low as 14,000 but now sits behind a stack of 280,000.

"I coolered Matt Waxman earlier in a big hand" said Papola.

Jeff finished in 8th place for the Card Player 2010 Player of The Year.

He made a fantastic 7th Place run in the 2010 Borgata Poker Open last September just missing our WPT final TV table.

Jeff, the TV bubble cashed $118,408.

We'll see if he can finish as well or even better this time.

Shock And Awe And Muffins

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

Matt "Muffins" Mazzeo

Matt Mazzeo started the day with 61,000 and that was courtesy of back to back big hands at the very end of yesterday's play. Matt caught A-K and K-K to strike out the side and close out the night.

Today he's patiently built his stack up to 200,000.

"It's getting interesting" said Muffins. "I'm trying to shock the world" exclaimed the NY cookie baker.

I told Matt, "You live for this stuff".

He laughed and answered back, "I really do".

Aces Cracked by River Jack

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

Derek Buonano (Tolland, CT) just arrived at the table when he mixes it up with Bill Klevitz (New York, NY).

After healthy preflop action the flop is 8 9 10 and Buonano leads out, Klevitz comes over the top and is all-in and Buonano snap calls.

Buonano: AA
Klevitz: QQ

The turn is a blank, but the river is a jack to give Klevitz a straight and the nearly 400k chip pot.
Buonano is down to less than 5k and out the next hand.

Brikis Finds River

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

Josh Brikis - 216,000

Spoke with Josh Brikis whose big hand after dinner brought his grand chip total up to 216,000.

Opponent in mid-position opened for 40,000 and Josh woke up to pocket Kings. He calls from the small blind hoping Eric in the BB would ship his entire stack (30,000 more).

Flop of 3-5-6 gets Big Blind to go all in, with Josh the only caller.

Big tables a set of threes and Josh's Kings are drawing to two outs.

Brikis bricks the turn but makes a big splash on the river as one of his kings hits the felt.

"If I run good a couple more days I'll be happy" said Brikis.

212 players remain on 24 tables.

Average Chip stack - 101,603

Event 23: New Chip Leader Trans-action

$300 +$50

Tony Tran (Ben Salem, PA) is up to 310,000 making him far and above the chip leader.

Tony's K-K found a full-house on a board of A-K-A-8-A.

Opponent's pocket fours didn't have a chance.

Tony has made the cash and now is looking forward to the $15,015 first place prize.

Big Stacks

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

Roslyn Quarto (Edison, NJ) continues to lead the field with 440k in chips, Allan Vrooman (Greenville, NC), has emerged with a top 5 stack with 380k.

Level 13 (800/1600/200 ante) is winding down, which means anyone with the original 30k starting stack will only have 15 big blinds during the last level of the night.

Event 23: Bubble Boy Carbone-d

$300 +$50

Vincent Carbone was passing his hat around and not everybody wanted to hold his hat so they gave his hat back to him empty. Turned out a couple of players didn't want to throw the bubble a bone.

Unfortunately, Carbone went all in the next hand and lost his 9-9 vs. A-K race when Opponent's Ace and King hit the board.

Vincent goes home with nothing as he is the bubble.

Top 18 cash and V-bone went out 19th.

Vincent took it as well as one could - he stuck around to talk to us, which we appreciate.

Event 23: No Win For Edwin

$300 +$50

Edwin Lau ran into one of the chip leaders, Antonio Savarse.

Lau got his money all-in pre-flop good holding QQ.

Antonio had A-4 and hit an Ace on the flop.

Savarse grows his stack 30,000 while Edwin finds Exit.

Edwin is the double bubble.

"Two away from the cash. I could have easily cashed if he didn't call" said a disappointed Lau.

Self Proclaimed Donk

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

Seat Open.

Saw a Player walking the plank grumbling so I had to investigate.

Andrew Gold (Brooklyn, NY) just told me he was embarrassed to take-down a pot and take out a player.

"I made a DONK call, you can quote me...I'm not proud," said Gold.

Gold's K-9 vs. Opponent's K-Q on a K-9-2 flop.

K-Q shipped remaining 26,000 and Gold quietly called, a little embarrassed.

Bracelet Holder Shares Table with Buddy

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

Lemke (left) and Kupiec (right) Watch the Action

Brian Lemke (Norristown, PA) is one of the WSOP bracelet holders still in the field. Lemke grew up around the game and today's action feels like a home game as buddy Matt Kupiec (Phoenixville, PA) was moved to the table earlier in the day.

Kupiec and Lemke went to high school together in Montgomery County and are helping each other out as they play poker full time. As the grind continues during Day 2, neither guy both has been able to get much traction.

Lemke has 60k, while Kupiec is near the starting stack of 32k. Lemke won his bracelet in 2009, while Kupiec won a Borgata event during the November 2010 Fall Series.

Kupiec says they haven't been in many pots together, but won't be afraid to mix it up with Lemke if he has to.

Been Caught Dealing

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

Mike McClendon (Atlantic City, NJ)

I asked Borgata Dealer Mike McClendon if he feels the pressure dealing in one of the biggest tournaments of the year?

Mike - "Yes. You definitely have to bring your A game to the table. If you bring your A game, the players bring their A game. You just take your time and do a good job."

Mike is dealing at table 23 where there are two big stacks.

Chip Leader Is Jacked Up

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

Jack Schanbacher - 350,000

Everyone is back from dinner break and settled in.

Jack Schanbacher (Pittsburgh, PA) started the day with 42,700 but had dipped as low as 19,000 during Level 1.

Jack is the unofficial chip leader with approximately 350,000 round betting discs.

How did Jack accumulate so many chips? "Took down two big pots against Adam "Lippy" Lippert" said Schanbacher.

Level 13: Blinds 800 / 1600 with 200 antes.

28 tables remain with 246 players.

Average chip stack is 87,560

Event 23: Happy 21st Birthday Greg Weber

$300 +$50

Greg Weber Is Legal

What better way to celebrate your 21st birthday than to take the day off and head down to Borgata Winter Poker Open and play in your first ever live poker tournament.

Greg Weber (Howell, NJ) turned 21 today and is looking to cash in Event 23. He's looking good with 80,000 chips.

This on-line player since he was 18, is excited to give live tournament poker a go.

Greg studies Sports Management at Rutgers University.

Biggest hand so far:
Greg's Opponent turned a flush and Greg rivered a boat for the knockout.

Don't tell Greg but 10 Borgata Babes are gonna come out with a small cake and sing happy birthday during the next level.

Nahhh, just kidding.

Hopefully Gregg will score some real cake to dig into.

First place prize - $15,015

Event 23: Done Done With Din Din

$300 +$50

Players are back from dinner and jumping right into Level 14 where the blinds are 1500 / 3000 with 400 antes.

29 Players remain and top 18 make the cake.

Big stacks:
Dan Eichhorn 136,000
Antonio Savarese 120,000
Jim Governa 100,000

Event 23: Dinner Break

$300 +$50

Players are on a one hour dinner break. 29 players remain with an average stack of 58k.

When play resumes at 8:30 pm expect things to tighten up as the money bubble approaches as 18 get paid.

Tweets and Facebook Chip Counts

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

A look at various chip counts from social networking sites:

Josh Brikis 193k
Vanessa Selbst 180k
Manny Patel 92k
Christian Harder 46k
Andy Frankenberger 41k
Todd Terry 41k
Dave Inselberg 32k

Dinner Time!

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship          

The dinner bell has rung and players are making their way out to enjoy 75 minutes away from the felt.  Play will resume at about 8:45pm.

We lost several during the previous level or two:

Jeremy McLaughlin
Matt Matros
Lee Childs
Ryan Eriquezzo
Ian Palomo
Richard Tatalovich
Ronnie Bardah
Al Riccobono
Paul Spitzberg

Creeping Up on Dinner

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship  

With about 8 minutes to go until the dinner break, players seem to have lost interest in the game.  They're anxious to get out of here and relax for a while.

28 tables remain with 252 players.   Average is over 85k.

Roz Quarto is still out in front with ~365k.

Aron Tanks

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

Shannon Sweats the River

Michael Aron (Palm Beach Gardens, FL) began the day as the chip leader with 146k and his biggest test comes from Shannon O'Grady (Fairfax, VA) on a hand before the dinner break.

There's 36k in the pot preflop as they're heads up.

Flop: 8♦ 7♠ K♦

Both players check.

Turn: 9♠

Both players put 40k in the pot.

River: K♣

O'Grady is all-in for 75k and Aron tanks. After several minutes, other players at the table stand and the delay draws a crowd.

"If I fold, will you show?" asks Aron. After a few more minutes, Aron slowly mucks.

O'Grady lets out a sigh of relief and tables A♠ K♠ for trip kings and says he didn't want a call. Aron walks away from the table and the players think he may have folded the best hand.

O'Grady is up to 185k, one of the bigger stacks in the room, while Aron is still above average with 90k.

Michael Aron

Smiley Doubles Up

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship  

Jinhing 'Smiley' Chin (New York, NY) just got all-in and doubled up -- to about 18k.  "My goal is to make it to dinner break, get the voucher" he says.  Smiley's talking about the $10 dinner tickets that are passed out to players remaining in the tournament shortly before the dinner break.

 Jinhing (not so 'Smiley' in this picture) Chin

As I'm passing by table 20 and checking out Josh Brikis' stack, Khiem Nguyen asks "Is he famous or something?". 

Well, if you watch ESPN's coverage of the 2010 WSOP Main Event, you get to see lots of Josh Brikis at the feature table as he made his deep run (finished 55th for over $138k). 

If you play at Borgata, Josh won the $1,500 No Limit event here during the September 2010 Borgata Poker Open ($119k).  I guess it depends on your definition of 'famous'.

Event 23: 3/4 of the Field Gone

$300 +$50

Tables are breaking fast and the big stacks are easy to spot. Tom "Shamrock" Gilligan (NYC via Sligo, Ireland) is the only player with 100k. Here's a look at some of the bigger stacks

Name-Chip Count

Tom "Shamrock" Gilligan (New York, NY) 105k
Dwyte Pilgrim (Brooklyn, NY) 80k
Dan Eichhorn (Las Vegas, NV) 78k
Frank Lomanno (Medina, OH) 75k
Greg Weber (Howell, NJ) 70k
Michael DiMolfetto (Staten Island, NY) 62k

Also in the field is Bill Childs (Pinehurst, NC) who finished 9th in Event 22. The runner up in that event, Angelo Modica (Queens, NY), entered the event just a few hours after finishing heads up play, but is on the rail.

40 players remain (172 started) with an average stack of 43k as they play one more level before the dinner break (approximately 7:30).

Mind Games

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship 

On the turn with a board of 7 4 4 2, Kyle Bowker bet, the player in seat 9 raised, and Kyle let it go, flashing a 7.  In return, his opponent flashed a 2 as he collected the pot.

A couple of tables over, Mike Beasley was in the tank on a flop of K T 2 rainbow.  Seat 3 (who declined to give me his name) had checked, seat 4 bet 2,300, Mike called, then seat 3 check-raised to 8,500.  Seat 4 mucked, then Mike called.  The turn was a 3 and seat 3 moved all in. 

After about a minute of think-time, Mike asked for the count, which was 27,500.  After a couple more minutes in the tank, Mike called, showing KJ.  His opponent rolled over KQ for a better kicker.  River was an irrelevant 4 and Mike was visibly frustrated as the pot was pushed across the table to seat 3.

32 tables remain.  288 players remain.  Average stack is almost 75k.

Chip Stack Potpourri

Borgata Winter Poker Open

Adam "Lippy" Lippert, 100k says, "I'm playing terrible, I just donked off half my chips," this after a 6♥ 9♥ bluff goes bad for 71k. "I was up to 200k four times today."

Christian Harder, with 38k says, "boring day so far."

PPI Notables Dave "Stone Cold" Inselberg (32k) & Eric Siegel (78k) are side-by-side.

Level 11 (500/1k/100 ante) is winding down.

Friendly Foes, Siegel & Inselberg

Zemlyansky Zaps Two

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

On a flop of T 8 4 rainbow, seat 8 moved in, then Steve Dannenmann moved in, then Mike Zemlyansky (Hewlett, NY) called, having both players covered. 

 Mike Zemlyansky

The short stack held T8 suited for two pair and the lead.  Steve held AK off for two overs, and Mike held pocket Aces, which had been out-flopped.

That all changed on the turn, however, when another 4 paired the board, giving Mike Aces-up.  River was a 9 and Mike took the pot, sending both opponents home.

With those two empty seats, they were ready to break another table.  34 remain in action with 306 players.

Free-Rolling Stoner Takes One Out

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship 

Fritz Stoner won his seat in the Borgata's online constest, so he's free-rolling in this event.  He just got into a confrontation with a short-stack, who moved in on a flop of T 8 7.  Fritz called him down with pocket Kings.  The short-stack held pocket Jacks.  Fritz's Kings held up and he picked up the pot, sending another player to the rail.  Fritz is now up to ~90k.

A rail which would be very crowded if busted players actually stayed there.  35 tables remain of the 60 that started today.  That means ~225 players have already gone broke today.  ~315 remain.

Roz Quarto is up to ~360k and continues to build her stack.

Name Game

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

Charles "Chalie" Hook

Poker players can have split personalities as they shift gears and change their game, but this is the first time players have changed their names, sort of.

Dennis Summers (Charlottesville, VA) who finished 3rd in Event 18 ($39k), has always gone by Mike, except in the blog. "Everybody knows me as Mike," he says, and why he didn't emphasize this during several Borgata final tables over the years, "because I didn't want to confuse people."

Another person with a slight name change is Charles Hook (Philadelphia, PA), who won the Borgata 2009 Summer Heads Up title. We've been calling him "Charlie," but he drops the "r" and it's like a Boston pronunciation "Chalie."

"Charles is my first name, but if you call my mom right now, she'll call me Chalie."

So now Dennis is Mike and Charlie is Chalie!

Color Up Break

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship             

End of level ten and players are getting a 15 minute break while the staff colors up the black 100 chips.

Random chip guess-timates:

Louis Russo - 180K
Matt Matros - 40k
Lee Childs - 87k
Feming Chan - 75k
Josh Brikis - 118k
Andy Frankenberger - 15k
Sean Knitter - 160k
Gavin Smith - 100k
Steven Levy - 120k

Play resumed after the break with level 11, blinds of 500/1,000 with 100 antes.

I am a Stoner

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

Fritz Stoner

Fritz Stoner (Lancaster, PA), who won the Borgata on-line contest for the free Championship Event seat, is still in the field. He says he's been running bad as he lost twice with pocket aces, but is maintaining a steady stack at 55k.

Event 23: Payouts

$300 +$50

Entires: 172
Total Buy-In: $51,600

Place-Amount

1 $15,015
2 $8,258
3 $4,755
4 $4,004
5 $3,003
6 $2,503
7 $2,002
8 $1,502
9 $1,126
10-12 $1,001
13-15 $876
16-18 $751

Timoshenko is Toast; Brady is Busted

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship             

 Yevgeniy Timoshenko

Yevgeniy Timoshenko is gone, toast, history.  According to his table-mates, there was an all-in from a short-stack for about 7k and one caller when action reached Yevgeniy.  He shoved for ~46k and got called.  The short-stack held A9, Yevgeniy held AQ off, and the caller held AK.  Yevgeniy flopped a flush draw, but didn't get there and was busted.

Matt Brady got his chips in with AQ against pocket 5s.  A 5 on the flop was bad news and Matt was busted.

Quarto Extends Chip Lead

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship           

Down to 39 tables now and about 350 players.  Average stack is ~61.5k.

Roz Quarto has extended her chip lead.  She's up to ~330k.

Josh Brikis' table has broken and he's landed at table 20 with Miguel Borrero.

True "Double Play"

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

Playing Day 1A means you get an off day before Day 2, unless your Michael Herrera (Miami, FL), who used the time to play in Event 22. And play he did, all day and night until he finally busted in third place at 6:30 am.

"It would have been great if I had gotten first place," he says while taking a cat nap in between the endless string of 7 2 and 9 3 hands. "I got about two hours of sleep and got here an hour late," he days while there was only 4 1/2 hours before the 11 am Day 2 restart.

Herrera says he worked his returning 14k short stack to 30k, but is now back down to 10k, roughly 10 big blinds.

A couple of other Day 1A players are doing the double dip, but none has put in as many hours as Herrera.

Herrera's Grind: Day 2 (left), Hours After 6:30 am Finish

Event 23: 110 Players Remain

$300 + $50 No Limit Hold'em  

Level 7, blinds 300/600 with 75 antes.

They're down to 11 tables now, meaning 110 or fewer players are still in the hunt.  Still waiting on the final numbers, but they should be paying the final 18 players.

Chip Leaders

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship          

When Roz Quarto's table was broken, she landed at table 21 with another big stack, belonging to none other than Kyle Bowker.  As of the last break, Roz has a slight lead with about 220k to Kyle's 213k.  If these big stacks clash, there could be fireworks.

 Kyle Bowker

Meanwhile, it appears Louis Russo is hanging on to third with about 190k.  Michael Aron has edged out Muffins Mazzeo for fourth.  Michael has ~185k to Matt's ~178k.

Back from Break

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

Great Scott, Fatty's in the House

The Fatty's Poker Club in New York City are well represented with Mike "The Nose" Castaldo, Al Riccobono and Scott Eininger all making it to Day 2.

Eininger has run his stack to 100k, while Riccobono is out pocket aces were busted by a flush draw that winds up hitting two pair. When I asked "Big Al" how Mike is doing he said, "just look for the big schnoz, you can't miss it."

Castaldo began the day on table 54, but that's been long gone as the methodical destruction of high number tables continues. A little less than 400 players remain as Level 10 (400/800/75 ante) is underway.

Goners

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship         

These folks have disappeared and are presumed Busto:

Allen Bari
Steve Sung
Alex Bolotin
David Fox
'Action' Bob Hwang
Chris Lindh
Jennifer So
Steven Curtin
Ryan Hughes
Eugene Castro
Farzad Rouhani
Jason DeWitt
James Boyle
Taemee Feuer
Joshua Smith

Buchman, Jamshidi, D'Agostino: Busto

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship        

Before the last break, Eric Buchman got all-in holding pocket Jacks, only to run into Matt 'muffins' Mazzeo's pocket Aces.  The Aces held and Eric was sent packing.  Matt chipped up to ~170k.

Matt sez to say "Hi" to his Mom, so "Hi to Matt's Mom!"

Sirous Jamshidi (who finished 5th in the $2k Heads-Up event a few days ago, is also gone.  His pocket Tens ran into pocket Queens.

John D'Agostino's pocket Aces were cracked by Eric 'clown fish' Doerr, who flopped a flush.  

 Louis Russo

Start of day 2 chip leader Louis Russo is up to ~190k and looking to regain his chip leader status.

On the other end of the scale,  Mike Summers is down to 10,100.  "You need to report this so that when I come back, it will be a great story."  he said.  I did my part Mike, now it's on you.

Event 23: Registration Closed

$300 + $50 No Limit Hold'em 

 Now playing in level 5, blinds 150/300 with 25 antes.

Registration has closed for this event so it will no longer be the second chance tournament for  main event bust-outs.

 John Spadavecchia and Chris Reslock

Where else can you play with WSOP-bracelet-caliber players for $350?  Both Mike 'Little Man' Sica and Chris Reslock have joined this event.  Chris landed at the same table with WSOP-bracelet holder John Spadavecchia.

For such an inexpensive event, it is very bling-heavy!

Also moving over from the main event:  Larry Gold.

Ladies Lead Day Two

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship       

Level 9 blinds 300/600 with 75 antes.  Play has resumed. 

During the break, I got to scope out the stacks.  Roz Quarto is still out in front with ~215k.  Vanessa Selbst is second with 183k.  So the ladies are running #1 and #2 after two levels of play today.

Other random, approximate, chip counts:

Mike Leah - 40k
Adam Lippert - 125k
Lee Childs - 60k
Jeremy McLaughlin - 26k
Todd Terry - 60k
Matt Matros - 47k

Big Names, No Chips

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship       

Roland Israelashvilli was back on table 44 with Mike Gracz, Bo Toft, Anthony Campagna, and Jacobo Fernandez, but he has busted out.

Also gone is Chris Klodnicki.  Pocket Kings were not good to him today.  First his Kings got beat by AQ when the board came AKQA5, then when all-in, his pocket Kings got beat by A9.  As they say online,  "nh", "gg".

Level 8 has ended and players are enjoying another break.

Roz Running Well

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship       

Down to 50 tables now, meaning 450 players remain.  Average stack is almost 48k.

Roslyn 'Roz' Quarto already had a big stack, and while I watched, she raised utg+1 and got action from the small blind.  The flop came Q 9 8 rainbow, her opponent bet 5,200 and Roz called.  Turn was another 9 and he fired 11,200.  Roz tanked for about a minute, then called.

 Ros Quarto

River was a Ten and Roz checked out of turn.  Her opponent took a moment, then announced he was all-in.  She called quickly, showing KJ of hearts for the rivered straight.  He mucked and headed for the rail.  With these chips added to her stack, Roz is up to ~220k.

Finne Not So Fine

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship      

On a flop of T 9 3 with two spades, Timothy Finne got all-in against Josh Brikis.  Timothy held KJ of spades for the flush draw with gutshot and two overs.  Josh held J8 of hearts for the open-ender.  Josh got there and Timothy didn't, so Timothy is now gone...across the room to play in event 23, the $300 + $50 No Limit noon tournament.

Josh Brikis is up to ~90k.

Pasquale Boffice (Manahawkin, NJ) made it to day two and is currently sitting behind about 31k.  Below average, but with 250/500 blinds, he's still got 62 big blinds and room to work. 

 Pasquale Boffice

Pasquale has cashed a couple of times here, but is still looking for his first big score.  His wife is here sweating him from the rail.  They own a couple of restaurants that keep him busy when not playing poker. 

Event 23: Blinds Up

$300 + $50 No Limit Hold'em

They're now playing level three with blinds of 75/150.

There are some familiar faces in this crowd today, a few of which are there because they were playing the main event, but have already busted out.  Blake Purvis and WSOP bracelet holder John Spadavecchia both returned for day two of the main event with short stacks and have already busted out.  They're taking advantage of the noon tournament to get their poker fix.

Also in the field is Borgata tournament regular Marguerite Spagnuolo (Staten Island, NY).

Great turnout for this event with 17 tables currently in action.  Final player count will have to wait until registration closes, but will be about 180.

Level Eight Underway

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship     

Blinds are now up to 250/500 with 50 antes.  Here are some tweets from the break:

fslexcduck Vanessa Selbst

From 22k to 107k first level. Not a bad start to the day

 

realcharder30 Christian Harder

Not a good level. Got owned or they just had it. Like 37k

 

jacksup Matt Matros

Day Two, first break. 22775. @borgatapoker

 

toddbterry Todd Terry

68550 at first break. Lost bunch of small pots.

 

jeremyEARS r. jeremy mclaughlin

ouch! just paid old man off on 5 high turn, river 9 w pkt 66s...prob shud of folded river. a sad 17k remains.

 

petie_bigstacks Josh Smith

flop comes A 8h 7h dude checks I bet 5300 he shoves I call he has pocket aces. down to 4k

Schultz Doubles; Darrell's Big Bluff

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship    

On a flop of 9 4 2, Dean Schultz was all-in against Sheree Bykofsky.  Sheree held pocket Queens, but had been bested on the flop by Dean's pocket 4s, which had flopped a set.  The last two cards were 3 A and Dean doubled up to ~55k.  Sheree was left with only ~250.

 Sheree Bykofsky and Dean Schultz

On the river with a board of Q J 4 6 K, (no flush possible) Neville Darrell bet 15,050 into the sizable pot.  Allan Vrooman tanked for a but, then folded.  Neville showed 32 off for squa-doosh as he chuckled and collected his pot.

End of level seven and players are being rewarded with a 10 minute break.  Breaks after each level today, rather than every two levels.

Event 23: Cards Fly

$300 + $50 No Limit Hold'em

Cards are in the air in front entry (sit and go) section of the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa Event Center where players are still taking their seats for today's other event.

Day 2 of the main event is filling the main floor, so the sit and go area is being used for this tournament.

It's a one-day tournament, starting with 10,000 chips and 30 minute levels.  Play will continue until one player has all the chips.

Level 1 blinds are 25/50.

The Pattern is Full

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship   

The floor of the event center is humming with the constant table chatter, riffling of chips, and the occasional loud exclamation.

 We are blessed here in media area to have Gavin Smith's table (16) and Will 'the Thrill' Failla's table (27) directly in front of us.  Gavin and Will were carrying on a running conversation across the other player's heads. but Gavin is now enjoying a seated massage and that has quieted things down significantly.

Varkonyi Busted by Brikis

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship    

 Robert Varkonyi

2002 WSOP Main Event winner Robert Varkonyi got his last chips in on the flop holding AK suited with the nut flush draw,  Josh Brikis' pocket Aces held up, however, and Robert was relegated to the rail.

Day Two - All Dealers Dealing

Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship   

Players are still arriving and finding their seats for day 2 of the Borgata Winter Open Championship.  With the combined day 1A and 1B fields, there will be more tables in action today than either of the two previous days.

Also the tables are all starting out 9-handed, which means that the 539 returning players will occupy 60 tables at the start of play.

 Andy Frankenberger

A WPT Champion that I missed in the field is Andy Frankenberger.  He won the 2010 Legends of Poker Championship and final-tabled the Festa al Lago Championship, finishing 5th.  He also currently leads the WPT Season IX Player of the Year race.  He returns today with a slightly above average stack of 42,650.

Level 7 with blinds of 200/400 and 50 antes has begun!

Event 21 Championship Chip Counts

Borgata Winter Poker Open
Event 21: $3300 + $200 Championship No Limit Hold'em
January 30 - February 4, 2011

Entries: 718
Total Buy-In: $2,369,400

End of Day 1 Chip Count Leaders:
1. MICHAEL ARON (PALM BCH GDNS, FL): 145,850
2. JOSEPH COUDEN (REYNOLDSBURG, OH): 128,800
3. LOUIS RUSSO (BROOKLYN, NY): 124,275
4. CRAIG BERGERON (FARMINGTON HILLS, MI): 122,400
5. TOM HU (OAKTON, VA): 116,975
6. ERIC DOERR (NEWARK, DE): 107,750
7. DAVID POULTERER (PHILADELPHIA, PA): 107,200
8. DAVID PAREDES (NEW YORK, NY): 103,500
9. KYLE BOWKER (WALTON, NY): 100,950
10. TREVOR SAVAGE (THOROFARE, NJ): 99,950
11. KEYYONG SONG (NORTH WALES, PA): 96,200
12. WILLIAM STRADLEY (BOOTHWYN, PA): 94,400
13. DAVID STEVENS (WILTON, CT): 92,625
14. PETER MALKOUN (BROOKHAVEN, PA): 92,400
15. NEVILLE DARRELL (DEVONSHARE): 91,000
16. VADIM SHLEZ (MANALAPAN, NJ): 90,450
17. STEVEN RUSSELL (COOLVILLE, OH): 90,125
18. WILLIAM HEGER (UNION CITY, NJ): 89,975
19. MIRSAD KOVACI (ALLENTOWN, PA): 88,800
20. MANISH PATEL (BURLINGTON, NJ): 88,225
21. AVDO DJOKOVIC (STATEN ISLAND, NY): 87,100
22. MAX GUREVICH (STATEN ISLAND, NY): 86,175
23. WILL JAFFE (BRIDGEHAMPTON, NY): 85,550
24. DEREK BUONANO (TOLLAND, CT): 84,825
25. HO VAN NGUYEN (PASADENA, MD): 83,700
26. JACK KASHISHIAN (EDGEWATER, NJ): 82,300
27. JASON EDWARDS: 82,050
28. DAVID PETERS (TOLEDO, OH): 81,600
29. SEAN KNITTER (FOX CHASE MNR, PA): 80,975
30. SEAN WALLACE (HORSHAM, PA): 80,550
31. ALEX MUSCARELLA (NEW ROCHELLE, NY): 80,000
32. MICHAEL WALSH (PRT WASHINGTNON, NY): 80,000
33. BRANDON GARRITY (ERIE, PA): 79,075
34. KYLE LOMAN (HAVERHILL, MA): 78,125
35. MICHAEL SCHOULTZ (ARLINGTON, VA): 77,925
36. SUK SUNG (TORRANCE, CA): 77,175
37. SHAHRYAR ESLAMI (VAN NUYS, CA): 76,800
38. TODD TERRY (HOBOKEN, NJ): 76,475
39. NAZIR TYREWALA (SEVERN, MD): 76,000
40. STEVEN LEVY (PEABODY, MA): 75,725
41. JACOB SCHINDLER (BRYN MAWR, PA): 75,300
42. NICHOLAS RICCIARDI (PALM BEACH, FL): 75,275
43. KEVIN CARROLL (BENSALEM, PA): 74,850
44. MOSHE DAHAN (BROOKLYN, NY): 74,550
45. ALON YEHUDAI (BRKLYN, NY): 74,500
46. DARIO D'AGOSTINO (CONCORD, ONTARIO): 74,450
47. STEVE RYAN (NEW YORK, NY): 74,300
48. CHARLES DANIELS (CHESAPEAKE, VA): 74,100
49. ROBERT COURTNEY (MILLBURY, MA): 73,325
50. GAVIN SMITH (LAS VEGAS, NV): 73,075
51. VINEET PAHUJA (HICKSVILLE, NY): 73,075
52. PATRICK LYNCH: 71,550
53. KIM SCHINCO (FREELAND, MI): 70,825
54. JOSEPH CARPENTER (BROOMALL, PA): 70,325
55. MICHAEL GLICK (BALA CYNWYD, PA): 69,975
56. ADAM WESSLEY (WICHITA, KS): 69,500
57. ADAM LIPPERT (BROOKLYN, NY): 69,100
58. DANIEL WACH (BOONTON, NJ): 68,975
59. JONATHAN MOLTUMYR (CLINTON, MD): 68,775
60. OR ABRAMOV (NEW YORK, NY): 68,725
61. PHILIP NEIMAN (FLUSHING, NY): 68,600
62. NIKOLAI SEARS (DAVISBURG, MI): 67,900
63. RYAN KARP (WEST CHESTER, PA): 67,600
64. MATTHEW EHRLICH (WELLINGTON, FL): 67,500
65. CARLESS BOATWRIGHT (WOODBRIDGE, VA): 67,200
66. AYMAN SAWAGED (HAMPTON, NJ): 67,125
67. THOMAS MCGARRY (HAZLET, NJ): 67,125
68. STEPHEN PINTA (POTOMAC, MD): 66,325
69. TINA BERGSTROM (LAS VEGAS, NV): 65,425
70. MICHAEL CAMP (BALTIMORE, MD): 65,375
71. CHARLES CARRIKER (ARLINGTON, VA): 65,350
72. LOUIS LAZZINNARO (LAKE SUCCESS, NY): 65,000
73. JOSEPH PITTI (E MEADOW, NY): 65,000
74. ANTHONY NEWMAN (BROOKLYN, NY): 63,975
75. KENT BEAVER (CHAPEL HILL, NC): 63,650
76. ROHAN SINGH (OZONE PARK, NY): 63,650
77. DAVID ROTCHES (VENTNOR, NJ): 63,550
78. WILLIAM PILOSSOPH (PRESTO, PA): 62,975
79. IAN PALOMO (NEW YORK, NY): 62,400
80. ALLAN VROOMAN (GREENVILLE, NC): 62,300
81. KWAN FUN CHEUNG (LORTON, VA): 62,100
82. ROLAND ISRAELASHVILI (FOREST HILLS, NY): 62,000
83. RUSSELL CRANE (HOWELL, NJ): 61,675
84. ABRAHAM MEVORAH (STATEN ISLAND, NY): 61,325
85. ROSLYN QUARTO (EDISON, NJ): 61,000
86. MATTHEW MAZZEO (E WILLISTON, NY): 61,000
87. ELIA AHMADIAN (CHANTILLY, VA): 60,375
88. NICHOLAS CECI (PEACHTREE, GA): 60,350
89. AARON STEURY (FT WAYNE, IN): 60,325
90. JAMES OCONNOR (EAST SETAUKETT, NY): 60,175
91. CELSO GARCIA (CHARLOTTE, NC): 60,150
92. WALTER TAYLOR (MORRISTOWN, NJ): 60,050
93. BRIAN KIM (MAYS LANDING, NJ): 59,850
94. ANDREW GOLD (BROOKLYN, NY): 59,600
95. JASON SACKLER (MELBOURNE, FL): 59,100
96. BRIAN LEMKE (NORRISTOWN, PA): 58,900
97. DEAN SCHARF (SUFFERN, NY): 58,800
98. DAVID FOX (CORAM, NY): 58,750
99. ALAN HADDY (OAKLAND, NJ): 58,725
100. LEONID LERNER (BROOKLYN, NY): 58,600
101. PAUL VOLPE (WEST CHESTER, PA): 58,600
102. TRAVIS ALLEN (SUFFIELD, CT): 58,475
103. WALTER HARRIS (ST PETERSBURG, FL): 58,250
104. ANTHONY RUBERTO (EVERETT, MA): 58,025
105. EUGENE TODD (BROOKLYN, NY): 57,900
106. KIRRON CHAN (YONKERS, NY): 57,850
107. HOWARD BROWN (VOORHEES, NJ): 57,625
108. JOSEPH ALTOMONTE (WEST PATERSON, NJ): 57,575
109. CHI DO: 57,250
110. MICHAEL MELKERSEN (NEW MARKET, VA): 56,875
111. JEREMIAH CALLAHAN (OYSTER BAY, NY): 56,575
112. JEAN CLAUDE MOUSSA (BOSTON, MA): 56,400
113. ADAM HUI (MARKHAM, CAN): 56,025
114. YAT CHENG (CHARLOTTE, NC): 56,000
115. SCOTT BLACKMAN (WEBSTER, NY): 55,500
116. STEVEN TABB (NEWTON, MA): 55,450
117. MACIEK GRACZ (RALEIGH, NC): 54,375
118. ARTHUR PETERS (BRICK, NJ): 54,225
119. JUSTIN SCHWARTZ (MILFORD, CT): 53,375
120. MATTHEW COHEN (PHILADELPHIA, PA): 53,200
121. TIMOTHY LATOUCH (HATBORO, PA): 53,200
122. JOANNE MONTEAVARO (BRONX, NY): 53,150
123. VICTOR ILYUKHIN (SWTLBN): 53,050
124. DANIEL SHIFF: 52,850
125. LOU GIAMPA (BRONX, NY): 52,725
126. JEFF TIRABASSI (W HENRIETTA, NY): 52,650
127. CHRISTOPHER KLODNICKI (PHILADELPHIA, PA): 52,525
128. STANLEY LEE (WEST HARTFORD, CT): 52,425
129. STEVEN KRASNER (BROOKLYN, NY): 52,000
130. JESSE BANE (HAVRE DE GRACE, MD): 51,925
131. MARK SALINARO (HASTING ON THE HUDSON, NY): 51,900
132. JOSHUA BRIKIS (MURRYSVILLE, PA): 51,850
133. JORDAN SOLOMON (ST DAVIDS, PA): 51,425
134. EDWARD JORDAN (BELLE MEAD, NJ): 51,075
135. MOHAMMAD MUSA AMIN (WOODBRIDGE, VA): 51,075
136. CHRISTOPH LOVETT (MOORESTOWN, NJ): 50,850
137. CHRISTIAN HARDER (ANNAPOLIS, MD): 50,400
138. ADAM BITKER (NEW HAVEN, CT): 50,250
139. FRANK CALO (LIVERPOOL, NY): 50,225
140. FRANCIS CIPRIANO (WATERTOWN, CT): 50,075
141. BRADLEY RADBILL (PHILADELPHIA, PA): 50,050
142. PASQUALE DIGIULIO (PHILADELPHIA, PA): 50,000
143. MICHAEL FORCA (BABYLON, NY): 50,000
144. ROBERT DEPPE (LIMA, OH): 49,900
145. BRIAN LAMANNA (LAS VEGAS, NV): 49,850
146. PAVEL MYNDROV (BROOKLYN, NY): 49,650
147. EMANUEL FAILLA (COMMACK, NY): 49,550
148. GILBERT SACKS (BALA CYNWYD, PA): 49,475
149. AZIZ WEHBEY (WHITEHALL, PA): 49,125
150. RICHARD RICE (FORT LAUDERDALE, FL): 49,000
151. JEREMY MAHER (WARREN, NJ): 48,875
152. JOSEPH NEIMAN (HACKENSACK, NJ): 48,825
153. ARYEH GRUNEWALD (JACKSON, NJ): 48,550
154. EUGENE CASTRO (NEW YORK, NY): 48,525
155. FRANK SCHINCO (FREELAND, MI): 48,150
156. URI KADOSH (DAVIE, FL): 48,000
157. LOUIS LYNCH (SINKING SPGS, PA): 47,750
158. FEMING CHAN (WEST WINDSOR, NJ): 47,700
159. KENNETH HARDING (MASSAPEQUA, NY): 47,600
160. GREGORY MERSON (LAUREL, MD): 47,600
161. MONTY DENNIS (TUCKER, GA): 47,550
162. TIMOTHY FINNE (WESTFIELD, NJ): 47,425
163. MARK REYNOLDS (ELDERSBURG, MD): 47,225
164. ROBERT R STEVANOVSKI (CORNELIUS, NC): 47,200
165. MICHAEL LAVIN (BEVERLY, NJ): 46,750
166. JEFFREY GROSS (BALTIMORE, MD): 46,700
167. JOHN MCGUINNESS (TOMS RIVER, NJ): 46,475
168. SIROUS JAMSHIDI (BROOMALL, PA): 46,400
169. WILLIAM BEASLEY (HOLLYWOOD, FL): 46,325
170. JOEL BIDNICK (EDGEWATER, MD): 46,275
171. MINH TAM NGUYEN (LANCASTER, PA): 46,225
172. BRYAN VEACH (HYDE PARK, NY): 46,200
173. PAWEL SZYSZKO (LINDENHURST, NY): 46,175
174. NICHOLAS HARVALIS (ELMWOOD PK, IL): 46,075
175. ANTHONY CAMPAGNA (MANORVILLE, NY): 45,725
176. MARC DAVIS (ORLANDO, FL): 45,675
177. ANDREW ROSEN (NY, NY): 45,650
178. KYLE P BURNSIDE (MAYS LANDING, NJ): 45,575
179. OMAR SIDER (ARLINGTON, VA): 45,550
180. KRZYSZTOF GOLEBIOWSKI (WINTERVILLE, NC): 45,475
181. KEN ADAMS (WASHINGTON, DC): 45,000
182. EDWARD CORRADO (NAPLES, FL): 44,950
183. FRITZ STONER (LANCASTER, PA): 44,900
184. JONATHAN HAMILTON (WARWICK, NY): 44,825
185. EDDIE GRAVALESE (REVERE, MA): 44,475
186. LUKE VRABEL (W HARTFORD, CT): 44,475
187. JIN HWANG (GAMBRILLS, MD): 44,400
188. STEPHEN SISKA: 44,175
189. CHRISTOPHER LINDH (GOSHEN, NY): 44,100
190. MANUEL DAVIDIAN: 43,775
191. GREGORY MARCUS (MIAMI BEACH, FL): 43,675
192. ROBERT SALTIEL (NEW YORK, NY): 43,550
193. BRADLEY SILVI (HANOVER, PA): 43,150
194. JACOBO FERNANDEZ-HERNANDEZ (BRONX, NY): 43,075
195. MARK SYKES (NEW HAVEN, CT): 43,000
196. GREGORY FISHBERG (WILLOW GROVE, PA): 42,925
197. JACK SCHANBACHER (PITTSBURGH, PA): 42,700
198. WILLIAM ONEIL (BERWYN HEIGHTS, MD): 42,700
199. ANDREW FRANKENBERGER (NEW YORK, NY): 42,650
200. TONY ARMAND (PORT ORANGE, FL): 42,500
201. ERIC WASSERSON (NARBERTH, PA): 42,500
202. ROHAN LONG (WINDSOR, CT): 42,475
203. ROBERT TOFT (YARDLEY, PA): 42,425
204. CARL RESTIFO: 42,400
205. CHRISTOPHER PRASKAC (WILLIAMSTOWN, NJ): 42,350
206. ARA MELIKAN (SCARSDALE, NY): 42,250
207. ROBERT SUER (DANA POINT, CA): 42,250
208. PETER KOCIURUBA (W ISLIP, NY): 42,100
209. JOSEPH RESSLER (NORTH POTOMAC, MD): 41,525
210. LEONARD J 3RD SANDE (NEW HAVEN, CT): 41,500
211. CAMERAN BAHRAMI (POTOMAC, MD): 41,200
212. DANIEL HOWE (BRIGANTINE, NJ): 41,150
213. JOHN SPADAVECCHIA JR (MOORESVILLE, NC): 41,025
214. HEATHER MERCER (NEW YORK, NY): 40,925
215. JASON DEUTSCH (STATEN ISLAND, NY): 40,750
216. DOMENICO BARRETTA (LINCOLN UNIV, PA): 40,575
217. FRANK BONACCI (PITTSBURGH, PA): 40,575
218. SCOTT EINIGER (MONTEBELLO, NY): 40,475
219. GREGORY KOLO (ROCKY RIVER, OH): 40,475
220. BRADLEY KAVANAGH (BERLIN, NJ): 40,450
221. WILLIAM CHILDS (ALEXANDRIA, VA): 40,425
222. ALLEN BARI (W ORANGE, NJ): 40,400
223. JAMES CALDERARO (VENICE, FL): 40,375
224. BRIAN CAMPBELL (BAYONNE, NJ): 40,250
225. MIKHAIL ZEMLYANSKY (HEWLETT, NY): 40,175
226. RYAN MULDOON (RUMSON, NJ): 40,050
227. MATTHEW BRADY (HAVERTOWN, PA): 40,000
228. ALBERT KRUX (FAYETTEVILLE, NY): 40,000
229. CLAUDIUS FERRIS (HOLLIS, NY): 40,000
230. LENNY SPINA (ASTORIA, NY): 40,000
231. JOSEPH CUTLER (BAY SHORE, NY): 39,950
232. HEUNG YOON (WOODBRIDGE, VA): 39,925
233. YUEBIN GUO (BROOKLYN, NY): 39,875
234. MICHAEL LEAH (LAS VEGAS, NV): 39,800
235. MATTHEW KOLODZIEJ (NEW HIDE PARK, NY): 39,625
236. JOSEPH HANRAHAN (AMHERST, NH): 39,550
237. PETER IPPOLITO (E MEADOW, NY): 39,525
238. ANDREW BUECHNER (NEWTOWN SQUARE, PA): 39,175
239. GREGORY WHITING (PHILADELPHIA, PA): 39,175
240. BRIAN LAMKIN (AUSTIN, TX): 39,075
241. OSAGYEFO GREENE (CHARLOTTE, NC): 38,925
242. ROBERT CHUNG-SHUI (NEW YORK, NY): 38,900
243. THOMAS SCHAAF (GERMANY): 38,525
244. RYAN HUGHES (PHOENIX, AZ): 38,350
245. VITOR COELHO (TAMPA, FL): 38,300
246. JEREMY BURLESON (STANLEY, NC): 38,100
247. PATRICK HOUCHINS (RIVA, MD): 37,900
248. PATRICK CARNEY (SCRANTON, PA): 37,825
249. MAYNARD LITTLE (CHARLOTTE, NC): 37,800
250. ATHANASIOS POLYCHRONOPOULOS (EAST HAMPTON, NY): 37,750
251. WILLIAM LOONSTYN (PHILADELPHIA, PA): 37,700
252. JAMES CAPORUSCIO (OAKDALE, NY): 37,425
253. ALEX SANTIAGO (W HARTFORD, CT): 37,350
254. ADINA WINSTON (NEW YORK, NY): 37,325
255. RYAN ERIQUEZZO (DANBURY, CT): 37,200
256. EDWARD PHAM (LANSDALE, PA): 37,025
257. ROBERT HWANG (BARNEGAT, NJ): 37,000
258. ANDRES PADA (CRESSKILL, NJ): 37,000
259. BLAKELY PURVIS (MONTGOMERY, AL): 36,800
260. FARZAD ROUHANI (BRIGANTINE, NJ): 36,800
261. ANDREW LEE (OCEAN TWP, NJ): 36,750
262. NANCY MARTIN (WASHINGTON CROSSING, PA): 36,675
263. PHILIP COLLINS (LAS VEGAS, NV): 36,650
264. KEVIN GUGLIOTTA (LAKE HOPATOONG, NJ): 36,650
265. JOHANNES MUELLER (PITTSFORD, NY): 36,650
266. MAURICE PARADIS (JEWETT CITY, CT): 36,400
267. NOAH SCHWARTZ (SUNNY ISLES BEACH, FL): 36,375
268. JOSHUA BRANDON FORD (RESTON, VA): 36,225
269. YUGESHWAR RAJKUMAR (TEANECK, NJ): 36,200
270. PEDRO MUNOZ (ELIZABETH, NJ): 36,150
271. SHAWN BUSSE (MAASAPEQUA, NY): 36,025
272. THEODORE GOLDBERGH (NEW YORK, NY): 35,725
273. MOHSEN TAYFEH (SEELZE): 35,725
274. KIRKOR TEKNECI (FLUSHING, NY): 35,600
275. CHRISTOPHER OLIVER: 35,350
276. ORSON YOUNG (OCEANPORT, NJ): 35,325
277. MIGUEL BORRERO (JERSEY CITY, NJ): 35,300
278. MICHAEL SHERMAN (GAITHERSBURG, MD): 35,275
279. JOSEPH REDDICK (BRONX, NY): 35,200
280. STEVEN MCNALLY (HENDERSON, NV): 35,200
281. SHANNON OGRADY (FAIRFAX, VA): 35,150
282. DEONARINE ITWARU (S OZONE PARK, NY): 35,000
283. AKIM AKIMOV (PHILADELPHIA, PA): 34,925
284. ALEX SMITH (HIGHLAND PARK, NJ): 34,700
285. BROWNIE GARRETT (VIRGINIA BEACH, VA): 34,575
286. LAWRENCE LAKATOSH (RED LION, PA): 34,500
287. VYACHESLAV BELAKH (BROOKLYN, NY): 34,475
288. CHRIS RESLOCK (ATLANTIC CITY, NJ): 34,225
289. CHRISTOPHER YONKO (NEW YORK, NY): 34,225
290. PAUL BROWN (MARLBORO, NJ): 34,200
291. JESSICA DESANTIS (WESTBURY, NY): 34,200
292. RICHARD LYNDAKER (LOWVILLE, NY): 34,125
293. VINCENT DONOHUE (OLD BRIDGE, NJ): 34,100
294. DENNIS FREDERICK (DREXEL HILL, PA): 34,050
295. DAVID IVERS: 34,050
296. KEITH CROWDER (ELKINS PARK, PA): 34,000
297. JAVIER FERNANDEZ (NEW YORK, NY): 33,875
298. JOSEPH CURCIO (NEW YORK, NY): 33,825
299. ALBERT WINCHESTER (FALLS CHURCH, VA): 33,525
300. CHAD STELL (RALEIGH, NC): 33,525
301. ANTHONY COUSINEAU (DAYTONA BCH, FL): 33,500
302. JOHN ANTHONY CERNUTO (LAS VEGAS, NV): 33,450
303. BRYAN PICCIOLI (ALLEGANY, NY): 33,375
304. DEAN SCHULTZ (STOW, OH): 33,150
305. DAVID INSELBERG (NEW YORK, NY): 33,050
306. ROBERT MCLAUGHLIN (FORT LAUDERDALE, FL): 32,800
307. JOHN MYUNG (VIENNA, VA): 32,800
308. JEREMY WILLIAMS (RALEIGH, NC): 32,750
309. JOHN GORDON: 32,725
310. JARED RUBIN (BRIGHTON, MA): 32,600
311. DANIEL BUZGON (MARLTON, NJ): 32,600
312. DENNIS SUMMERS JR (CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA): 32,400
313. GREGORY DYER (MPLS, MN): 31,850
314. TODD FREEMAN: 31,675
315. PHILLIP REED (WASHINGTON, DC): 31,675
316. TODD BRICK (NEW YORK, NY): 31,600
317. JOSEPH MASCIO (SEWELL, NJ): 31,575
318. LEE WU (HOLMDEL, NJ): 31,400
319. JEFFREY HURWITZ (NEW HAVEN, CT): 31,375
320. SHAWN YESKO (TOMS RIVER, NJ): 31,175
321. KENNETH SMARON (PHILADELPHIA, PA): 31,150
322. FARID JATTIN (MIAMI, FL): 31,025
323. ROBERT WISIAK (RIDGEWOOD, NY): 31,000
324. CHRIS RICHARDSON (DIX HILLS, NY): 31,000
325. JOHN SPADAVECCHIA (LIGHTHSE POINT, FL): 30,425
326. ALFONSO CAMMAROTA (FAIRFIELD, CT): 30,400
327. DAVID SOLOMON (PLAINVIEW, NY): 30,350
328. MICHAEL SWEENEY (SCRANTON, PA): 30,275
329. EUGENE FOUKSMAN (MANALAPAN, NJ): 30,250
330. LARRY RIGGS (MAYSVILLE, NC): 30,075
331. ADAM ADLER (AVENTURA, FL): 30,000
332. ERIC SIEGEL (MELVILLE, NY): 30,000
333. JINHING CHIN (NEW YORK, NY): 30,000
334. GRANT LANG (BROOKFIELD, CT): 29,800
335. SHAWN NOBAKHT (GREENSBORO, NC): 29,550
336. CHRISTIAN IACOBELLIS (RYE, NY): 29,475
337. STEVE BRECHER (RENO, NV): 29,175
338. JOSHUA HILLOCK (PALM, FL): 29,100
339. VINCE ISOLDI (PRESTO, PA): 29,000
340. JAMES SCHAFER (BIRMINGHAM, MI): 28,850
341. ADAM LEVY (LOS ANGELES, CA): 28,825
342. MEIKAT SIU (NEW YORK, NY): 28,800
343. MARK WAHBA (CLEVELAND, OH): 28,775
344. WILLIAM KLEVITZ (NEW YORK, NY): 28,625
345. JERRY BURGESS (LOUISBURG, NC): 28,550
346. JOSEPH CAPPUCCIO (HAMMONTON, NJ): 28,500
347. IVERSON SNUFFER (MILTON, WV): 28,475
348. JOHN MCEWEN (NAZARETH, PA): 28,375
349. JOHN GULINO (BROOKLYN, NY): 28,100
350. ERACLES PANAYIOTOU (TOMS RIVER, NJ): 28,100
351. MATTHEW EZROL: 27,925
352. RONNIE BARDAH (BROCKTON, MA): 27,850
353. BENJAMIN EILERS (RALEIGH, NC): 27,775
354. STEVEN CURTIN (INDIAN TRAIL, NC): 27,725
355. MICHAEL MILLIKIN (EAST LANSING, MI): 27,600
356. ZACHARY GRUNEBERG: 27,550
357. ROMEO MONTANO (EATONTOWN, NJ): 27,450
358. PASQUALE BOFFICE (MANAHAWKIN, NJ): 27,450
359. MATTHEW DAMON (LOS ANGELES, CA): 27,425
360. IRVING RICE (DEL RAY BCH, FL): 27,425
361. JASON DEWITT (DECATUR, GA): 27,350
362. JOSEPH LOPES (WEST CREEK, NJ): 27,275
363. HOA MINH NGUYEN (FAIRFAX, VA): 27,050
364. YEVGENIY TIMOSHENKO: 26,950
365. DAVID CLARKE (BASKING RIDGE, NJ): 26,850
366. SEAN NOLAN (LAS VEGAS, NV): 26,800
367. HARVEY LAYTON (DEVON, PA): 26,225
368. DANIEL KLODOWSKI (WASHINGTON, DC): 26,175
369. NENAD SIMIC (EDISON, NJ): 26,175
370. JAMES ST HILAIRE (GLEN BURNIE, MD): 26,175
371. MATTHEW WAXMAN (PARKLAND, FL): 26,150
372. MICHAEL CASTALDO (PALISADES, NY): 26,100
373. KORI HUNTER (ELLICOTT CITY, MD): 25,925
374. JAMES BOYLE (HAVRE DE GRACE, MD): 25,825
375. TAHA MARUF (MOTIJHEEH): 25,650
376. MICHAEL MELENA (STOW, OH): 25,450
377. ANTHONY PASQUA (HAMILTON, NJ): 25,425
378. JOSHUA SMITH (NEWARK, DE): 25,425
379. JOE WAGNER (ZEBULON, NC): 25,350
380. ERIC BEHAR (CHARLOTTE, NC): 25,200
381. SATURNINO RODRIGUEZ (ROCKLEDGE, FL): 25,150
382. BRANIMIR KRGIN (HARRISON, NY): 25,125
383. JOHN BUGLION (COMMACK, NY): 25,000
384. DAVID ZEITLIN (BROOKLYN, NY): 25,000
385. RICHARD BUNTING (WILLIAMSBURG, VA): 24,850
386. CALEB MEAD (TONAWANDA, NY): 24,800
387. IGOR TIGUY (BOSTON, MA): 24,800
388. ANTHONY BASSANI (CENTEREACH, NY): 24,500
389. LAURENCE GOLDSTEIN (MEDFORD, NY): 24,500
390. WENDY RUBIN (NEW YORK, NY): 24,475
391. JOSHUA MANCUSO (MANDEVILEE, LA): 24,350
392. WILLIAM KAKON (MIAMI, FL): 24,325
393. LONNIE HEIMOWITZ (MONTICELLO, NY): 24,250
394. BASIL CRUM (CROSS LANES, WV): 24,225
395. ARTHUR LIM (GLEN ROCK, NJ): 24,150
396. ARIEL ALBILIA (SYOSSET, NY): 24,100
397. SHEREE BYKOFSKY (ATLANTIC CITY, NJ): 24,050
398. CHARLES TIDMARSH (GREENVILLE, SC): 24,000
399. JEFFREY CHOTIKUL (EHT, NJ): 23,900
400. LEE FAMA (BROOKLYN, NY): 23,900
401. ARMANDO PALACIO (MIAMI, FL): 23,875
402. ALBERT RICCOBONO (OSSINING, NY): 23,825
403. ANTHONY MEEKER (ROCKSVILLE, NY): 23,700
404. JEFFREY COUTROULIS (TAMPA, FL): 23,700
405. THOMAS MILLER (E HAMPTON, NY): 23,675
406. JOSHUA BERGMAN: 23,550
407. KHIEM NGUYEN (WIESBADEN): 23,375
408. JULIAN PARK (STATEN ISLAND, NY): 23,350
409. JOHN ALSPAUGH (SILVER SPRING, MD): 23,300
410. JOHN BORZIO (ROBBINSVILLE, NJ): 23,250
411. LAWRENCE SAHR (HOBOKEN, NJ): 23,200
412. AARON OVERTON (PHILADELHIA, PA): 23,075
413. CHARLES SIZEMORE: 23,050
414. JIM DEFINA (NEW YORK, NY): 22,900
415. ROBERT NICOTRA (WEEHAWKEN, NJ): 22,800
416. JAMES BONFANTI (DIX HILLS, NY): 22,700
417. LEONARDO PALERMO (ORTLEY BEACH, NJ): 22,650
418. THOMAS SHEETS (NORFOLK, VA): 22,550
419. JONAS WEXLER (SOUTHAMPTON, PA): 22,550
420. JOSEPH BRAND (FAIRLAWN, NJ): 22,475
421. MAXWELL MCCURDY (CHARLOTTE, NC): 22,350
422. VANESSA SELBST (NEW HAVEN, CT): 22,225
423. MICHAEL MEREDITH (WESTFIELD, NJ): 22,200
424. STEPHEN RINALDI (OLD FORGE, PA): 22,200
425. RICHARD PELTZ (GIBSONIA, PA): 22,125
426. KEVIN EYRING (WYNDHAM, NH): 22,100
427. ALIDA VELIU (WYCKOFF, NJ): 21,925
428. UKE DAUTI (STANHOPE, NJ): 21,750
429. CHARLES HOOK (PHILADELPHIA, PA): 21,500
430. MATTHEW GAMBINO (WEST BABYLON, NY): 21,400
431. JOSHUA FIELD: 21,125
432. JACK TURCHIO (HOWARD BEACH, NY): 21,025
433. KENNETH WEINER (WELLINGTON, FL): 20,950
434. VERNON MARTIN (SEVERNA PARK, MD): 20,925
435. ROBERT NOCHENSON (POMPTON PLAINS, NJ): 20,775
436. STEVEN DANNENMANN (SEVERN, MD): 20,625
437. GABI HECKER (NEW YORK, NY): 20,500
438. ARTYEM PERLOV (FORT LEE, NJ): 20,500
439. GARY PARCHERT (BOOTHWYN, PA): 20,175
440. DONALD BOIVIN (ANNAPOLIS, MD): 20,100
441. KRISTIN FLETCHER (GASTONIA, NC): 20,025
442. DANIEL FISCHER (GLASSBORO, NJ): 20,000
443. JOSH SPIEGELMAN (PRINCETON, NJ): 19,700
444. FRANK MARTIN (STATEN ISLAND, NY): 19,600
445. CHINMAY PATEL (BRIGANTINE, NJ): 19,600
446. RICHARD MURNICK (MONTCLAIR, NJ): 19,575
447. DEREK SCHOLL (FRANKLIN, TN): 19,475
448. ANNAND RAMDIN (LAS VEGAS, NV): 19,375
449. MARIO BAGO (ASTORIA, NY): 19,325
450. WOOYANG LIN (MORRISTOWN, NJ): 19,300
451. MATTHEW BERKEY (LAS VEGAS, NV): 19,200
452. DONALD DOREY (NORFOLK, VA): 19,075
453. KEVIN KELLY (BROOKLYN, NY): 19,075
454. MARK DICKSTEIN (MORRISTOWN, NJ): 18,825
455. MAX AMJADI (MARMORA, NJ): 18,825
456. BASTIAN FISCHER (DENMOLD): 18,800
457. ROSS MYERS (CUY FALLS, OH): 18,750
458. DAVID STEFANSKI: 18,750
459. RONALD LEE (BROOKLYN, NY): 18,450
460. ROBERT QUIGLEY III (PITTSBURGH, PA): 18,400
461. TAM CHI LY (LANSDALE, PA): 18,350
462. MICHAEL OMELCHUK (BELLPORT, NY): 18,225
463. GINGER LITTLE (CHARLOTTE, NC): 18,200
464. JOSEPH CHAPLIN (ORANGEBURG, NY): 18,000
465. SCOTT WARDELL (BRIGANTINE, NJ): 17,825
466. DAVID HENDERSON (CARMEL, NY): 17,825
467. PAUL SPITZBERG (TENAFLY, NJ): 17,825
468. MICHAEL BUTTACAVOLI (VENTNOR, NJ): 17,800
469. JESSE CHINNI (ELLICOTT CITY, MD): 17,800
470. DICK CARSON (MANSFIELD, MA): 17,700
471. ALEKSANDR BOLOTIN (BROOKLYN, NY): 17,675
472. TERRY GRIMES (NEW ROCHELLE, NY): 17,625
473. EMMANUIL DIGILOV (STATEN ISLAND, NY): 17,500
474. BRIAN ADRAGNA (E MEADOW, NY): 17,375
475. ZACHARY KORIK (NEW YORK, NY): 17,150
476. JESSE ALEXIS COHEN (ARDMORE, PA): 17,075
477. ELLIOTT ZAYDMAN (GLEN ROCK, NJ): 17,050
478. ARKADI KILMAN (BROOKLYN, NY): 16,975
479. MATTHEW KUPIEC (PHILADELPHIA, PA): 16,850
480. LEE KIRSCH (COLD SPG HBR, NY): 16,700
481. MATTHEW MENDEZ (PALM CITY, FL): 16,400
482. TAEMEE FEUER (HARTSDALE, NY): 16,375
483. MONTE HOOVER JR (STEUBENVILLE, OH): 15,875
484. ERIC BUCHMAN (VALLEY STREAM, NY): 15,800
485. OMAR WILLIAMS (DREXEL HILL, PA): 15,750
486. STEPHEN GERBER (CRESSKILL, NJ): 15,675
487. PAUL SHADINGER (VINELAND, NJ): 15,650
488. LAWRENCE SHARP (NORTH WHALES, PA): 15,600
489. DAVID FARAH (FAIRFIELD, NJ): 15,525
490. YEVGENY GANS (SYKESVILLE, MD): 15,400
491. JENNIFER SO (GALLOWAY, NJ): 15,250
492. KENNETH GOLDIN (CLEARWATER, FL): 15,225
493. VASILLIOS HRISAFINIS (BRICK, NJ): 15,175
494. SCOTT MATTE (SYOSSET, NY): 15,025
495. RICHARD TATALOVICH (SCOTTSDALE, AZ): 15,025
496. JOEL GOLA (PHILADELPHIA, PA): 15,000
497. BRIAN FISKE (GREENWICH, CT): 14,900
498. GREG HIMMELBRAND (BAYSIDE, NY): 14,850
499. JEFFREY PAPOLA (NEW YORK, NY): 14,700
500. PATRICIA HAGGERTY (SCRANTON, PA): 14,675
501. MICHAEL SICA JR (N BRUNSWICK, NJ): 14,650
502. BART SEEMEN (SANTA MONICA, CA): 14,350
503. GORDON ENG (CLIFFSIDE PARK, NJ): 14,300
504. JAIME HERRERA (MIAMI, FL): 14,275
505. ORY HEN (COOPER CITY, FL): 14,175
506. GISSEL HEREDIA (WEST NEW JERSEY, NJ): 13,550
507. JOSEPH SIDOTI (PINE ISLAND, NY): 13,500
508. PAUL CIMINO (HOWARD BEACH, NY): 13,150
509. JOSEPH MIGLIANO (OCEANSIDE, NY): 13,000
510. RICHARD DINUNZIO (HIGHLANDS HGTS, OH): 12,750
511. JOHN DAGOSTINO (EGG HARBOR TWP, NJ): 12,625
512. JOHN DIBATTISTA: 12,600
513. MICHAEL SIWEK (NORTH HAVEN, CT): 12,500
514. ROBERT VARKONYI (GREAT NECK, NY): 12,225
515. MOISHE MENDLOWITZ (LAKEWOOD, NJ): 12,100
516. YOUSSEF BEJJANI: 11,950
517. MATTHEW AFFLECK (SEATTLE, WA): 11,700
518. LORNE KANOVER (FARMINGDALE, NY): 11,125
519. HOWARD WOLPER (ATLANTIC CITY, NJ): 11,075
520. LEO WALKER (GAITHERGBURG, MD): 11,000
521. ANTONIO WALKER (WILLINGBORO, NJ): 10,900
522. MICHAEL WEISBROD: 10,800
523. SAMUEL BERNSTEIN (ENGLEWOOD, NJ): 10,775
524. CHARLES ROBINSON (WASHINGTON, DC): 10,600
525. ANDREW GARNOCK (ROSLYN HEIGHTS, NY): 10,550
526. MARIO VITALE (MIAMI, FL): 10,050
527. JOSEPH DIMARTINO (ANSONIA, CT): 10,025
528. ERJON SINO (STATEN ISLAND, NY): 10,000
529. JOHN WHITING (PHILADELPHIA, PA): 10,000
530. NICHOLAS KAMEN (SCARSDALE, NY): 9,850
531. LARRY RIBAUDO (FAIR LAWN, NJ): 9,150
532. JOHN ANDRESS (DOYLESTOWN, PA): 8,475
533. RAUL FERNANDEZ (TOMS RIVER, NJ): 8,350
534. WILLIAM VANWAGNER (CAMPBELL HALL, NY): 8,175
535. MATTHEW MATROS (BROOKLYN, NY): 7,625
536. ZACHARY CLARK: 7,175
537. JAMES VANNEMAN: 7,075
538. MATTHEW KLECKNER (COPLAY, PA): 5,200
539. ALLISON SCHULTZ (NEW YORK, NY): 3,750

Event 22 Final Results

Borgata Winter Poker Open
Event 22: $500 + $60 No Limit Hold'em
January 31, 2011

Entries: 137
Total Buy-In: $68,500

FINAL RESULTS
1. HAMILTON DIMAYA (SADDLE BROOK, NJ): $19,933
2. ANGEL MODICA (ASTORIA, NY): $10,963
3. JAIME HERRERA (MIAMI, FL): $6,312
4. RICHARD CORLEY (BROOKLYN, NY): $5,315
5. MATTHEW SELMAN (BROOKLYN, NY): $3,987
6. RONEN AVRAMOV (GLENDALE, NY): $3,322
7. DAVID GRANDIERI (DANBURY, CT): $2,658
8. JAMES BARAGO (WANTAGH, NY): $1,993
9. WILLIAM CHILDS (SOUTHERN PINES, NC): $1,495
10. PETER MAVRO (LAS VEGAS, NV): $1,329
11. JAMES CONLON (MESSAPEQUA, NY): $1,329
12. DAVID GREEN (HOWELL, NJ): $1,329
13. CHARLES GEIER (SUNNYSIDE, NY): $1,163
14. RICHARD SPIGAI (MIDDLETOWN, NJ): $1,163
15. THOMAS JANOTTI (EFFORT, PA): $1,163
16. MICHAEL CERVONE (MERRICK, NY): $997
17. JEFFREY SPENCE (KING OF PRUSSIA, PA): $997
18. JOHN WHITWORTH (MYRTLE BEACH, SC): $997

Event 22 Recap

$500 + $60

After playing heads up for 75 minutes, Hamilton Dimaya (Saddle Brook, NJ) defeats Angelo Modica (Queens, NY) for the title. Dimaya used A♠ Q♥ to win the title when he hit the 10♥ on the river to complete a straight. It was the second gutterball Dimaya used against Modica to earn the championship.

The day began with 137 players chasing the $68,500 total buy-in including Dwyte Pilgrim, the September 2010 Borgata Poker Open Champion. The Brooklyn, New Yorker made it to the dinner break, but failed to make the money.

Those who did cash and made the final table include Jamie Herrera (Miami, FL) who finished third ($6,312) and is still alive in the Championship Event. Herrera was eliminated at 6:30 am about 4 1/2 hours before Day 2 of the Main resumes (11 am).

Other final table notables included Bill Childs (Pinehurst, NC - 9th/$1,495), who is the father of poker pro Lee Childs, and Pete Mavro (Brooklyn, NY 10th/$1,495), who was the chip leader at the dinner break but failed to get anything going later in the night.

Event 22: Champion - Dimaya

$500 + $60

Hamilton Dimaya (Saddle Brook, NJ)

$19,933

After battling heads up with Angelo Modica for 75 minutes and surviving a grueling 5 1/2 hour final table, Hamilton Dimaya wins the tournament.

On the final hand Dimaya has A♠ Q♥ against the A♣ 3♥ of Modica, but needs another river card to secure the win.

Flop: 5♥ 3♦ K♥ (Modica pair of 3s)
Turn: J♣ (Dimaya with gutter ball straight draw)

As the river is peeling off, Modica says, "keep it clean," but for the second time in heads up play
Dimaya hits his gutter ball when the 10♥ falls on the river to give him an ace high straight.

Event 22: 2nd Place - Modica

$500 + $60

Angelo Modica (Queens, NY)
$10,963