Thursday, April 5, 2012

Event 2: Midnight Poker

$350 + $50 + $100 Black Chip Bounty NLH

Play was suspended because of an inadvertent mucked hand, Borgata floor staff quickly resolved the issue and players are back on the grind. The mood is tense and the table talk has stopped as 29 players fight for $30,159 and the Borgata trophy.

Top 5 Chip-Counts:

Manh Nguyen - 429,000
Ryan Hemmel - 407,500
Bernie Liberati - 343,000
Ed Lyston - 321,000
Mike Borovetz - 303,500

Event 1: 7th Place - Primavera

$500 + $60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)       

Joseph Primavera (Brooklyn, NY)
$17,923

In a battle of the blinds, Philip Sam (bb) was all-in with A7 against Brian Lemke's J4.

The board came A 9 2 7 Q and Philip doubled up to ~3.4 million. 

Then it was Joseph Primavera's turn.  He got his last chips in holding AQ, getting action from Brian's pocket 7s.

The board ran out 9 4 2 K K and Brian collected yet another pot.

Joseph finished 7th for $17,923.

Six players remain.  Average is 4.3 million (36 big blinds).

Event 1: 8th Place - Hubbard

$500 + $60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)       

Ramon Hubbard (Brooklyn, NY)
$13,632
 
Ramon Hubbard made his last stand with AT, but needed help to survive against Justin Sousa's pocket Jacks.

The board ran out 7 2 2 3 8 and brought nothing for Ramon.  He busted out in 8th place.

Justin chipped up to ~3.9 million.

Event 3: Horsing Around

$400 + $50 H.O.R.S.E.

Number of Entrants: 80
Players remaining: 51

Current Game: RAZZ
Blinds: 1,000/2,000
Ante: 200
Bring In: 300

Notable stack sizes:

Elia Ahmadian - 39,000
"Miami" John Cernuto - 32,300
Bo Toft - 22,000
Chris Reslock - 21,500
Larry Gold - 9,500

Event 1: 9th Place - Pearlman

$500 + $60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)       

Akiva Pearlman (Providence RI)
$9,340

Akiva Pearlman got all-in holding pocket 7s against Brian Lemke's QJ.

A Queen on the flop left Akiva in need of a 2-outer 7.

The final board was Q 5 4 4 A and Brian's big stack got bigger.  He's now got over 10 million.

Akiva Pearlman finished 9th for $9,340.

Blinds are up to 60k/120k with 20k antes.  With 8 players remaining, the average is 3.25 million (27 big blinds).

Event 2: Cifelli with Chips

$350 + $50 + $100 Black Chip Bounty NLH

Giulio Cifelli leads the field with 423,000 chips, the 4 tables remaining are on a 15-minute break.

CHIPLEADER
Giulio Cifelli (Hopewell, NJ)

Event 1: Chop Chop

$500 + $60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Akiva Pearlman opened for 235k, then Jong Man Kim raised to 750k on the button.

Akiva tanked for a couple of minutes, then folded. Kim showed pocket Aces.

A few hands later, Philip Sam was all in and ahead with AK against Brian Lemke's A8.

The board came J 6 3 6 3 and they had to chop the pot.

Philip was all in again later with pocket 6s against pocket deuces. He missed another double-up when the board double-paired Jacks and Tens, forcing another chop.

Event 1: 10th Place - Ross

$500 + $60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)        

Tommy Ross (Brooklyn, NY)
$6,059

Tommy Ross got his last chips in good holding pocket 5s, but was racing against the 8 of chip leader Brian Lemke.

An 8 on the flop gave Brian the bigger pair and the pot.

Tommy will get $6,059 for 10th place.

Event 2: Big Stacks

$350 + $50 + $100 Black Chip Bounty NLH

Number of Entrants: 329
Players remaining: 30

Top 3 Chip-Counts:

Giulio Cifelli (Hopewell, NJ) - 423,000
Gordon McKenzie (Baltimore, MD) - 358,000
Kurt Paeper (Long Island, NY) - 342,000

Event 1: Final Table Lineup & Chip Counts

$500 + $60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)        

Shortly after moving to the final table, the level expired and players took a break.

Play resumed with blinds of 50k/100k and 10k antes.  Average stack is 2.6 million (26 big blinds).

Here are some very rough chip counts with new seat assignments:

Seat - Player - Chips (in millions)
1 - Brian Lemke - 7.0
2 - Akiva Pearlman - 3.0
3 - Philip Sam - 3.0
4 - Joseph Primavera - 1.5
5 - Justin Sousa - 4.3
6 - Ramon Hubbard - 1.5
7 - Jong Man Kim - 1.9
8 - Tommy Ross - 0.9
9 - Joe Daddario - 1.3
10 - Eric Doerr - 2.3

Event 3: Persian Diversion

$400 + $50 H.O.R.S.E.

Al "the Persian Diversion" Navidi (Centerville, NY) is still in the hunt with 63 players left in the first mixed game format of the Spring Open. Al dons his WSOP circuit ring on one of the outer tables, we'll see if his luck continues here at Borgata.

"Good structure, but the blinds and antes are in now...nothing mattered before".

Event 1: 11th Place - David

$500 + $60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)       

 Nick David (Manchester, NH)
$6,059

Nick David got his last chips in holding AQ on the button, but Brian Lemke's was the big blind and held AK.  Big Slick held up for the Big Stack and he collected yet another pot.

Nick David finished in 11th place, earning $6,059.

Ten players remain, so they stopped the clock draw for seats and move to the final table.

Event 1: 12th Place - Grilla

$500 + $60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)        

Luigi Grilla (Ventnor, NJ)
$6,059

 Luigi Grilla made his last stand with A7, but ran into Eric Doerr's AK suited. 

The better Ace held up and Eric chipped up to ~1.6 million.

Luigi will depart with $6,059 for 12th place.

11 players remain.  Average stack is 2.37 million (30 big blinds).

Event 2: Shout-Out

$350 + $50 + $100 Black Chip Bounty NLH

"In the Money" shout-out:

To: AJ and Chris
From: Anthony Sintagata

"Mommy hates poker, but Daddy is bringing home the money"

Anthony Sintagata (Queens, NY)

Event 2: Bubble Broken

$350 + $50 + $100 Black Chip Bounty NLH

The Bubble has broken in Event #2.

Congratulations players, you're in the money.

All players on a 15-minute break.

Number of Entries: 329
Players remaining: 36

PAYOUTS:

1st - $30,159
2nd - $16,754
3rd - $10,388
4th - $8,377
5th - $6,478
6th - $5,473
7th - $4,412
8th - $3,295
9th - $2,234
10-12th - $1,452
13-15th - $1,117
16-18th - $949
19-27th - $838
28-36th - $670

Event 1: 13th Place - Bowles

$500 + $60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)        

Joe Bowles (Newtown, PA)
$4,292

Joe Bowles raised and got called by Brian Lemke in the big blind. 

The flop was all clubs and Joe got all his chips in the middle against the chip leader. 

Joe had K6 with the King for clubs for the flush draw, but Brian held T9 suited in clubs for the made flush.

The last two changed nothing and Brian collected another pot.  He's up to ~6 million.

Joe Bowles (Newtown, PA) finished in 13th place ($4,292).

Event 1: 15th - Chen; 14th - Caruso

$500 + $60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)       

 Dean Chen

Akiva Primavera's pocket Queens were good to bust Dean Chen (Ellenville, NY) in 15th place.  Dean will collect $4,292.

Brian Lemke raised utg, Anthony Caruso 3-bet, then Brian moved in.  Anthony called, showing AQ suited in diamonds.  Brian was racing with pocket 6s.

 Anthony Caruso

The board came J 7 2 7 K -- with four clubs -- and Brian's pocket 6s were good.  He chipped up to ~5.2 million.

Anthony Caruso (Medford, NJ) finished in 14th place ($4,292).

13 players remain.  Average is now 2 million (25 big blinds).

Event 2: Bubble Watch

$350 + $50 + $100 Black Chip Bounty NLH

With 37 players remaining, Event #2 is officially on the bubble. Crowds gathered around seasoned tournament pro, John Lakatosh, who was all-in and hoping to stay alive.

The Borgata regualar flopped top pair with KJ, scooped the pot and told the onlookers "go away vultures, nothing to see here".

"The Bubble" puts big stack bullies and short stack survival to the test.

Event 2: Giant Killer

$350 + $50 + $100 Black Chip Bounty NLH

Event #2 has a new Chipleader, the "Giant Killer".

Gordon McKenzie (Baltimore, MD) leads the field after busting two of the most recognizable names in the field. The Maryland native sent Mike "Little Man" Sica and Will "the Thrill" Failla to the rail to earn the top spot. His plan the rest of the way "nothing stupid, play solid".

CHIPLEADER
Gordon McKenzie (Baltimore, MD)

Event 1: 16th Place - Totanes

$500 + $60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)      

Raul Totanes (Brooklyn, NY) got his last chips in holding KQ offsuit.

Nick David looked him up with A8 offsuit.

 Raul Totanes

The board came A 8 6 2 5 and Nick took the pot.

Raul will take home $2,777 for finishing 16th.

Event 3: From the Stable

$400 + $50 H.O.R.S.E.

Top 3 Chip-Counts:
Tom Savitsky (Absecon, NJ) - 42,000
Justin Finberg (Pittsburgh, PA) - 33,000
Jon Bascom (Edison, NJ) - 27,500

Notables still alive:
"Miami" John Cernuto
Chris Reslock
Bo Toft
Howard Crash

Event 1: 17th Place - Henrici

$500 + $60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)       

Anthony Caruso opened for a raise and got one caller before Jason Henrici (Old Tappan, NJ) moved all-in.  Anthony called and the other player opted out.

Jason's pocket 3s were way behind Anthony's pocket 5s.  The board made no difference and Anthony collected the pot.

Jason Henrici will collect $2,777 for finishing in 17th place.

 Blinds have increased to 40k/80k with 10k antes.

16 players remain.  Average stack is 1.63 million (20 big blinds).

Event 1: Daddario Doubles-Up Dean

$500 + $60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)      

17 players remain.  Average stack is 1.53 million (25 big blinds).

Dean Chen was all-in with 87 off against Joe Daddario's AK.  An 8 on the flop gave Dean the pair he needed to double up to about 1.4 million.

Joe was left short-stacked.

Event 2: Lady Profile

$350 + $50 + $100 Black Chip Bounty NLH

With a shrinking field size and 5-figure payout in Event #2, Nancy Martin becomes the only lady left in the field.

She's no stranger to deep runs and final tables, the lucky lady has posted an impressive resume over the last two years at Borgata.

The Nancy Martin File:

Fall Poker Open - NL Event
46th - $777

Fall Poker Open - Ladies Event
14th - $390

WPT Poker Open - NL Big Stack
28th - $762

WPT Poker Open - NL Deepstack
10th - $7,999

Deepstack Re-Entry - NL Hold em'
12th - $2,711

Double Play - NL Hold Em'
39th - $1,742

Winter Open - NL Deepstack
35th - $1,340

Deepstack Extravaganza - NL Hold Em'
21st - $6,203

Event 2: Back from Dinner

$350 + $50 + $100 Black Chip Bounty NLH

The Richard Stockton College student told us "I got a gift with QQ vs 10/7 offsuit to chip up over 200k".

The Event #2 Chipleader currently sits with 250,000 and has a post Dinner Break plan. "I'm going to stay aggressive, but not wreckless".


CHIPLEADER
Tom Pomponio (Manahawkin, NJ)

Event 1: 18th Place - Luciano

$500 + $60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)       

Apparently Rocco Luciano (Philadelphia, PA) couldn't come back from the bad beat he took after dinner.  He was dispatched in 18th place ($2,777).

 Rocco Luciano

After Brian Lemke raised, Joseph Primavera moved all-in.  Brian gave it some thought, then made the call with AT suited. 

Joseph's pocket Kings were way ahead.  The board changed nothing and Joseph doubled up to over 1.5 million.

Brian is still the chip leader with ~4.3 million.

Event 1: Ramon Rocks Rocco

$500 + $60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)      

Play resumed after dinner with blinds of 30k/60k and 5k antes.

In early action, Dean Chen got his pocket Kings cracked -- again.

Ramon Hubbard was all-in and behind with AQ against Rocco Luciano's AK.  A Queen on the flop gave the lead to Ramon. 

By the river, Ramon had improved to a flush.  He doubled up to ~2.2 million.  Rocco was left with ~700k.

2010 Borgata Poker Open champion Dwyte Pilgrim was on the rail, supporting his friend Ramon and caught his double-up.  "He's the one that got me started playing this game" Dwyte said.

Event 1: Final 18

$500 + $60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)      

Here's the seating for the final two tables:

Table 1
Luigi Grilla
Justin Sousa
Akiva Pearlman
Eric Doerr
Dean Chen
Rocco Luciano
Joe Daddario
Jong Man Kim
Ramon Hubbard

Table 2
Anthony Caruso
Joe Bowles
Tommy Ross
Nick David
Philip Sam
Brian Lemke
Raul Totanes
Joseph Primavera
Jason Henrici

Event 2: Payouts

$350 + $50 + $100 Black Chip Bounty NLH

With a field less than 50 players, Event #2 will play down to a winner tonight.
Borgata is ready to crown a Spring Poker Open Champion.

Number of Entries: 329
Players remaining: 49

PAYOUTS:

1st - $30,159
2nd - $16,754
3rd - $10,388
4th - $8,377
5th - $6,478
6th - $5,473
7th - $4,412
8th - $3,295
9th - $2,234
10-12th - $1,452
13-15th - $1,117
16-18th - $949
19-27th - $838
28-36th - $670

Event 3: HORSE Payouts

$400 + $50 H.O.R.S.E.

With a late start and early Dinner Break, the Mixed Game field has only lost 2 players. Day 1 play continues until 2am or "the money" whichever comes last.

Number of Entries: 80
Players remaining: 78

PAYOUTS:

1st - $10,863
2nd - $5,893
3rd - $3, 725
4th - $2,794
5th - $2,173
6th - $1,862
7th - $1,552
8th - $1,242
9th - $931

Event 1: Dinner Time Chip Counts

$500 + $60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)      

Approximate chip counts as of the dinner break:

Brian Lemke - 4.6 million
Rocco Luciano - 3.1 million
Philip Sam - 2.6 million
Akiva Pearlman - 2 million
Dean Chen - 1.6 million
Tommy Ross - 1.4 million
Ramon Hubbard - 1.2 million
Anthony Caruso - 1.2 million
Jong Man Kim - 1.2 million
Joe Bowles - 1.2 million
Joe Daddario - 1.1 million
Jason Henrici - 1 million
Eric Doerr - 950k
Joseph Primavera - 900k
Luigi Grilla - 700k
Nick David - 650k
Raul Totanes - 600k
Justin Sousa - 500k

Average stack is 1.45 million.

Event 2: Big Stacks

$350 + $50 + $100 Black Chip Bounty NLH

The chip leader is Tom Pomponio (Manahawkin, NJ) with 240k (60 BB).

The rest of the big stacks are on table 4 including Tom McCann (Allentown, PA) who takes down his 4th bounty ($400) on the last hand before break.

Tom McCann - 207k
2nd in Chips
Table 4

Tom McCann (Allentown, PA) 207k
Bryan Bindert (Wenonah, NJ) 190k
Hamilton Dimaya (Saddle Brooke, NJ) 182k
Oscar Castagna (New York, NY) 130k

49 players remain with an average stack of 101k (25 BB) as action resumes with blinds at 2k/4k/400 ante.

Event 1: 19th Place - Papola

$500 + $60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)      

On the last hands before dinner break:

Jong Man Kim was all-in holding 87 suited against the pocket Kings of Dean Chen.

The board came A 7 4 T 8 and Kim made two pair to crack those Kings.  He doubled up.

On another table, Jeff Papola was all-in, sending Akiva Pearlman deep into the tank.  The clock was called but before his time expired, Akiva made the call.

Jeff held pocket 4s and was way behind Akiva's pocket Jacks.  The board came A 8 7 5 A and the Jacks were good.  Akiva took the pot.

Jeff Papola will take $2,272 for his 19th place finish.

The final 18 are off for a one hour dinner break.  When they return at about 8:20pm, the first order of business will be a redraw and move to the final two tables.

Event 2: Borgata Babes Catch a Break

$350 + $50 + $100 Black Chip Bounty NLH

Gosia & Kaitlin

The 49 remaining players are on dinner break which means the Borgata Babes have a few less tables to worry about for the next hour. The top 36 cash, so 13 will be suffering indigestion soon after their return.

Play resumes at 8:45 pm.

Event 1: Three More Bounced

$500 + $60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)     

22nd - Michael Lake (Shade Gap, PA)
21st - Leonard Warren (Gofftown, NH)

Both earned $2,272.

Chris Rich (N Massapequa, NJ) shoved his 20bb stack in utg holding AT, but ran into Philip Sam's AK.  The bigger Ace held up for Philip to claim the pot.

Chris will claim $2,272 for his 20th place finish.

19 players remain.  Average stack is now 1.37 million.

Event 1: Another Pair Disappear

$500 + $60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)     

Brian O'Donoghue (Bayside, NY) got his stack in good with pocket Queens against the pocket Tens of Dean Chen.  When four spades hit the board, however, it was Dean's T♠ that made the flush to take the pot.

Brian finished in 24th place.

 Jeff Spence (King of Prussia, PA) was next to go in 23rd place.

Both will pick up $2,272 on their way out.

Event 1: Down Two More

$500 + $60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)    

Blinds are up to 25k/50k with 5k antes.

Chris Kuzmicki (Jamiaca, NY) busted out in 26th place.

Greg Glassman (Brooklyn, NY) got his last chips in with KQ against AJ.  The board ran dry and Ace-high was good.

Greg busted out in 25th place.

Both players earned $2,272 for their efforts.

Event 2: No Thrill for Will

$350 + $50 + $100 Black Chip Bounty NLH

 Failla Fails to Connect with Suited Connectors

Will "the Thrill" Failla (Commack, NY) has been red hot the last eight months, but the streak isn't continuing at Borgata.  Failla's on the rail when he ships 15 bigs from the small blind after Gordon McKenzie (Baltimore, MD) raises from the button.

McKenzie's pocket kings hold against 5 7 suited, as Failla sends 30k across the table.  Failla has more than $1 million in tournament earnings since August, 2011, which includes two victories.

McKenzie now has 85k.

Event 1: Suckout City

$500 + $60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)    

Justin Sousa and Tommy Ross managed to get their whole stacks in the middle pre-flop.  Tommy was way ahead with pocket Tens.  Justin held pocket 2s.

The board ran out K K 9 5 2 and Justin caught his 2-outer on the river to double-up. 

Tommy may have been tilting when he got all-in on the next hand holding AJ.  He was dominated by Robert Boyko's AQ.

Then the board came 5 2 2 9 J and Tommy caught his 3-outer on the river.  The stacks were close and had to be counted down, but Robert was covered and busted.

Robert Boyko (Yonkers, NY) finished in 27th place ($2,272).

Event 1: 28th Place - Zimmet

$500 + $60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)    

Two more goners, each earning $1,969:

30th - Pablo Lujan (Perth Amboy, NJ)
29th - Nicholas Menture (Keansburg, NJ)

 Jay Zimmet

Jay Zimmet (Manalapan, NJ) moved his short-stack all-in early and action folded around to Chris Rich in the big blind, who called.

Jay was ahead with A5 offsuit.  Chris held 4♣3♣.

Jay increased his lead when an Ace flopped, but the third club came on the river and gave Chris a flush.  He chipped up to about 1.1 mllion.

Jay finished in 28th place ($1,969).

Event 2: Chip Leaders/Break Time

$350 + $50 + $100 Black Chip Bounty NLH

Grouchy or Not, Oscar Leads

The big stacks are well past 100k with Oscar Castagna (New York, NY) leading the way at 147k. Right behind him are John Lakatosh (Red Lion, PA) - 130k, followed by Mirsad Kovaci (Allentown, PA) - 125k and Anthony Santagata (Queens, NY) - 110k.

Lakatosh has 6 bounties for $600 and is free rolling the rest of the way.

72 players remain (9-handed play) with an average stack of 69k (29 BB) as play resumes with blinds at 1,200/2,400/300 ante.

Bountiful Day for Lakatosh

Event 1: Chip Counts

$500 + $60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)   

Play resumed with blinds of 20k/40k with 4k antes.

As of the break, Brian Lemke still leads the field with 3.6 million.

Some other random counts:

Joe Bowles - 1.5 million
Rocco Luciano - 1.4 million
John Sousa - 1.3 million
Anthony Caruso - 1.25 million
Jeff Papola - 1 million
Greg Glassman - 940k
Eric Doerr - 525k
Jay Zimmet - 300k

Event 1: Break Time

$500 + $60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)  

Three more goners will each pick up $1,969 on the way out:

33rd - Griffin Ludwig (Redding, CT)
32nd - Seth Berger (Malvern, PA)
31st - Lawno James (Hartford, CT)

Level 25 came to an end with 30 players remaining.  Most were rewarded with a 15 minute break.

 Greg Glassman sends Justin Sousa deep into the tank

However, Greg Glassman was all-in on a flop of  T 7 3 rainbow.  Justin Sousa was in the tank for several minutes, extending into the break.

Justin eventually folded with about 10 minutes left in the break.

Event 3: No Wey Out

$400 + $50 H.O.R.S.E.

Wey Stuck Between (L-R) Finberg, Jerome & Schiffman

Charles Wey (Warren, NJ) has the worst seat in the tournament as three of the players at his table were at the final table in this event during the 2012 Borgata Winter Poker Open.

Jeff Jerome (Philadelphia, PA 5th/$3,000), Ron Schiffman (Cherry Hill, NJ 7th/$2,000), and Justin Finberg (Pittsburgh, PA 9th/$1,000) are all back together again as the most popular mixed game rolls on.



Event 1: Two More Out The Door

$500 + $60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)  

Two more players have reported to the rail, collecting $1,969 for their efforts:

35th - Anthony Zinno (Cranston, RI)
34th - Tim Little (Cheverly, MD)

33 players remain.  Average is789k.

Event 1: 36th Place - Troia

$500 + $60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)  

Shortly after arriving at table two, Jeff Papola dispatched Salvatore Troia (Sicklerville, NJ) in 36th place ($1,969). 

 Jeff Papola (far left) with his eyes on Brian Lemke's mountain of chips

Jeff is up to ~1.4 million.

With 35 players remaining, the average is now ~744k.

Event 3: Horse Faces

$400 + $50 H.O.R.S.E.

Cernuto & Reslock

The HORSE field has a lot of the usual suspects including two WSOP bracelet holders sitting side-by-side.  Chris Reslock is on the left of "Miami" John Cernuto and between the two of them they have four bracelets.

While Cernuto has more jewelry (3 bracelets) and Reslock has position, the tiebreaker may come down to Borgata experience.  Reslock has the advantage as an Atlantic City native, but more importantly he won this event in January taking home $14,000.

Cernuto and Reslock have a combined $6.1 million in career tournament earnings.

Other Faces in the Crowd:

Larry Gold
Cathy Dever
Bo Toft
Rathe Miller
Bill "Bumperino" Munley
Glenn Engelbert
Tim D'Alessandro
Justin Finberg
Ron "Shifty" Schiffman
Jeff Jerome

Event 1: Final Four (Tables)

$500 + $60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)  

Blinds are up to 15k/30k with 4k antes.

With Antoine White's (Middle River, MD) departure in 37th place ($1,767) table 5 was broken and the final 36 players settled into the final four tables. 

Once again, the two remaining WSOP bracelet holders have landed at the same table.  Jeff Papola drew seat 7 at table 2, where Brian Lemke resides in seat 2.

Brian's stack is up to over 3 million.

Event 1: Eyzerovich Ejected

$500 + $60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry) 

Vyacheslav Eyzerovich (hijack) and chip leader Brian Lemke (button) tangle in a pot.

On the flop of 9♣ 8 4, Vyacheslav led out for 80k.  Brian raised to 300k.  Vyacheslav tanked for a bit, then folded.

Brian made the courtesy show of A9 -- couldn't have hit that flop any harder!

Vyacheslav was left with about 200k and he moved in on the next hand.  Brian said "call", then Salvatore Troia (bb) said "call" as he moved all his chips in.

All three players tabled their hands, then someone pointed out that Sal said "call", but he had more chips than Vyacheslav.  Since Brian had also just called, they were technically not all in.

In any case, the hands were tabled:

Sal  - AK
Brian - A♣Q♠
Vyacheslav - J9

The board ran out 9 4 2 5 K with no diamonds, so Sal tripled up to ~660k with the best hand.  

Vyacheslav was all-in for 196k and although Sal had a little more than 220k, he only collected 196k from Brian due to the "call", rather than "all-in".

Vyacheslav Eyzerovich busted out in 38th place, earning $1,767.

Brian was left with about 2.7 million.

Event 1: More Departures

$500 + $60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry) 

Four more out the door. 

Earning $1,767:

42nd - Alex ODessky (Brooklyn, NY)
41st - Ben Turnberg (Springfield, MA)
40th - Edward Franklin (New Canaan, CT)
39th - Chad Helmer (Allentown, PA)

Brian Lemke has reclaimed the chip lead with over 3 million chips.

Event 2: Still Grinding

$350 + $50 + $100 Black Chip Bounty NLH

Recognizable faces still in field as players are on a 10 minute break to color up the green (25) chips.

Mike Linster
Joe Liberta
John Lakatosh
Saad Ghanem
Will Failla
Mike Sica
Dave Heck
John Allan Hinds
Nancy Martin
Julie Cornelius
Lee Kirsch
Dave Goldstein
Roman Valerstein

150 players remain with an average stack of 33k (28 BB) as blinds are going up to 600/1,200/200 ante.

Event 1: Luciano Leads Lemke

$500 + $60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

As of the break, it appeared that Rocco Luciano still had a slight lead over Brian Lemke.  Rocco had 1.985 million, while Brian was right around 1.9 million.

Play resumed after the break with blinds of 12k/24k and 3k antes.

With 42 players remaining, the average stack is almost 620k.


Event 2: Halfway Home

$350 + $50 + $100 Black Chip Bounty NLH

The field of 329 has been cut in half as 160 players remain.

One killer table features two-time WPT title holder Will "the Thrill" Failla, WSOP bracelet winner Mike "Little Man' Sica, and Julie Cornelius, who jumped into this tournament after cashing in Event 1.

The average stack is 31k (31 BB) as blinds are up to 500/1k/100 ante.

Event 1: Latest Departures

$500 + $60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

End of level and time for a break.  The remaining 42 players are taking a 15 minute respite from the fury of the felt.

Here are the most recent departures:

Earning $1,565:
54th -  Anthony Maio (Jameson, PA)
53rd - Michael Rees (Bellmore, NY)
52nd - Victor Paulino (Dedham, MA)
51st - Christopher Shumate (Ft. Wayne, IN)
50th - Jerry Scotto (Cherry Hill, NJ)
49th - Ara Melikian (Scarsdale, NY)
48th - Seth Cohen (New York, NY)
47th - Harvey Layton (Devon, PA)
46th - Adam Cook (Glen Burnie, MD)

Earning $1,767:
45th - Jean Brilliant (Woodhaven, NY)
44th - Scott Shoyer (Flourtown, PA)
43rd - William Miller (Sratford, CT)











Event 1: Who's On Top?

$500 + $60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

47 players are still in the hunt for the top prize of $111,076.

The top two stacks at the start of the day have traded spots.  Rocco Luciano is in the lead with over 1.8 million.

Brian Lemke is second with ~1.7 million.

About 20 minutes remain in level 23 with blinds of 10k/20k and 3k antes.

Event 3: Picking HORSES

$400 + $50 H.O.R.S.E.

The Kentucky Derby is still a month a way, but there are plenty of horses running at Borgata.  And it's a appropriate that the tournament tables are set up right outside the Racebook

The five HORSE games:

H: Hold'em
O: Omaha 8B
R: Razz
S: Stud (High)
E: Eight or better (8B), Seven-card stud (High/Low)

Players are settling in with 15k stacks as play begins in minutes. Levels are 40 minutes each and this is a two-day event.

Event 1: Sousa Sailing Along

$500 + $60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Just-in Time for a Deep Run

As the field shrinks the big stacks continue to grow past 1.5 million including Justin Sousa (Seabrook, NH). He was 6th to start the day with 651k and is now a top three stack.

Sousa says his big score comes when he got good odds to call a preflop raise with K♠ 4♠ and hit a king against pocket 9s.  It was a one million chip pot as Sousa keeps building his stack as 50 players remain.

Event 1: Notable Eliminations

$500 + $60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Didn't catch the bustouts, but two notables are on the rail.  WSOP Main Event Champion Robert Varkonyi finishes 58th, while the last woman standing Julie Cornelius is out 80th

Robert Varkonyi (Great Neck, NY)
58th Place - $1,414

Julie Cornelius (Rockvile, MD)
80th  Place - $1,060

Event 1: Missed Draw = Double Up

$500 + $60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Alek Odessky (600k to begin the hand) misses a flush draw, but hits a three-outer to double up and vault into the top five with a 1.2 million chip pot.

Odessky and chip leader Brian Lemke (1.8 million to start), both see a
flop of 2♣ 3♣ 3♠.

Odessky checks
Lemke bets 93k
Odessky reraises to 193k
Lemke moves all in
Odessky snap calls

Odessky: J♣ 8♣ (jack high, flush draw)
Lemke: K J (king high)

Turn: 3 (Lemke still leads, jack chops the pot) 

River: 8♠

The river gives Odeskky a full house (3s full of 8s) to stay alive and double his stack.  Both players are now at 1.2 million, which is just behind chip leader Roco Luciano's 1.3 million.

Event 1: Field of 64

$500 + $60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

64 players remain with average stack of 406k (25 BB) and there's a handful of players who are in the 1.1 million-1.3 million chip range.  Rocco Luciano (Philadelphia, PA) has the slight edge with 1.3 million after beginning the day in second place with 886k.

Brian Lemke (Norristown, PA) who started with the chip lead ran his stack to 1.8 million, but just doubled up Alek Odessky (Brooklyn, NY), who is now up to 1.2 million, while Lemke drops to about the same.

Players are just back from a break and play resumes with blinds at 8k/16k/2k ante.

Event 2: Grinding Along

$350 + $50 + $100 Black Chip Bounty NLH

More than 300 players are in the field with 26 tables in the Signature Room.  The overflow crowd is in the Poker Room and includes James "Suits" Salters and Abe Korotki who are at the same table.

Level 5 (150/300) continues.

Event 1: Late Arrival, Early Exit

$500 + $60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Dan the Man, Cashes Again

Dan Buzgon (Marlton, NJ) has been on a Borgata hot streak since finish third ($335,000) in the 2011 WPT Borgata Poker Open and today he adds another Borgata cash.  He returns to a short stack a few hands into play and is quickly out the door finishing 92nd ($1,010).

In addition to September's big score, Buzgon added a second place finish ($56,000) in the October Deep Stack and another $5,000 cash in last month's Deep Stack.

Event 1: ITM = In the Money

$500 + $60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Viking Bob Makes the Money

The first player to cash in the Borgata Spring Poker Open is Bob Haavind (Boston, MA) who returned with only 12 BB.  Haavind is all in with pocket 6s, but is up against pocket jacks and when his opponent hits the higher straight (7 8 9 10 on board), his day is done.

"I went into mad Viking mode," says the retired editor/publisher on surviving the Day 1 bubble. "I'd move all in and everybody would fold." 

Eliminations have been fast and furious as the Haavind and the 100 returning players are guaranteed at least $1,010 as they chase the Event 1 trophy and first place prize of $111,076.

Event 1: Day 2 Restart

$500 + $60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Three bracelet holders, including Roberty Varkonyi the 2002 WSOP Main Event champion, are still in the running for the $111,076 first place prize.  The chip leader is 2009 bracelet winner Brian Lemke who has 1.3 million and is half a million chips clear of the field which includes Jeff Papola, who won his bracelet in 2010.

The 100 returning players are all in the money for a min cash of $1,010 after surviving the early morning bubble.

The average stack is 260k (26 BB) as blinds resume at 10k/20k/1k ante.  Shuffle up and Deal!

Event 2: Nut Straight

350 + $50 + $100 Black Chip Bounty NLH

Bret Painter (Macedonia, OH) gets straight to the point and his nut straight earns him a $100 bounty.  Painter's opponent has a lower straight and is drawing for a chop when the chips are all in on the turn.

Painter's K J are the nuts and he more than doubles his 25k stack as a third player gets out of the way.
"It's a whole lot easier when you're playing with your wife's money," jokes Painter, "of course I'd never say that to her face."

Painter makes multiple trips a year to Borgata from his Cleveland suburb and is looking for a better day after busting in Event 1 yesterday.

Event 2: What's Up Gorilla?

$350 + $50 + $100 Black Chip Bounty NLH

The early list of those stopping by media row to say hello:

Dwyte Pilgrim
John Allan Hinds
Larry Gold
Al Riccobono
Cathy Dever 
Nancy Martin
Martha Patella
Leonardo Palermo
"Lucky" Lee Kirsch
Pete Ciampa
Eric "Chick Parm" Siegel

And one of our favorites Mike "Little Man" Sica, who always says, "Monsooon!" in reference to the late Gorilla Monsoon who was a WWF ring announcer and former heavy weight wrestler.


Event 2: Back in Action

$350 + $50 + $100 Black Chip Bounty NLH

After hitting the money in Event 1 early this morning, players who aren't fortunate to be playing for the $111,000+ first prize are back in the Signature Room for Event 2.

This is a one day tournament where players start with 15k in chips and levels are 30 minutes long (Level 11+/40 min.).   But the big draw is that there's a $100 bounty on every players head.  A couple of knock outs and you're free rolling the rest of the way.

Cards are in the air!

Event 1 - Day 2 Seat Assignments

Borgata Spring Poker Open
Event 1: $500 + $60 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em
April 4 - 5, 2012

Entries: 1,041
Total Buy-In: $520,500

START OF DAY 2 SEAT ASSIGNMENTS:
T01 | S01 - JOSEPH DADDARIO:  212,000
T01 | S02 - WAYNE LEWIS:  140,000
T01 | S03 - GRIFFIN LUDWIG:  270,000
T01 | S04 - JULIEN CHAMOUN:  152,000
T01 | S05 - MICHAEL REES:  83,000
T01 | S06 - JAMES SALTERS:  312,000
T01 | S07 - MICHAEL COLOGNA:  107,000
T01 | S08 - ROCCO LUCIANO:  866,000
T01 | S09 - PHILLIP PHAN:  125,000

T02 | S01 - ADAM COOK:  519,000
T02 | S02 - BRIAN LEMKE:  1,330,000
T02 | S03 - AKIVA PEARLMAN:  71,000
T02 | S04 - JONATHAN HILTON:  70,000
T02 | S05 - JULIE CORNELIUS:  193,000
T02 | S06 - HO VAN NGUYEN:  86,000
T02 | S07 - ALEKSANDR ODESSKY:  535,000
T02 | S08 - ARA MELIKIAN:  193,000
T02 | S09 - EDWARD EDWARDS:  226,000
T02 | S10 - RICARDO VELASCO:  110,000

T03 | S01 - BRIAN MOONEY:  180,000
T03 | S02 - PHILIP SAM:  431,000
T03 | S03 - JAY ZIMMET:  87,000
T03 | S04 - JONG MAN KIM:  289,000
T03 | S05 - LAWRENCE ABRAMS:  210,000
T03 | S06 - BRIAN ODONOGHUE:  499,000
T03 | S07 - NICHOLAS MENTURE:  325,000
T03 | S08 - LAWNO JAMES:  250,000
T03 | S09 - RAUL TOTANES:  433,000

T04 | S01 - MARK FIOCCO:  137,000
T04 | S02 - ARTHUR BRESSLER:  111,000
T04 | S03 - GREGORY GLASSMAN:  231,000
T04 | S04 - SETH COHEN:  48,000
T04 | S05 - IVAN KATZ:  69,000
T04 | S06 - JUSTIN KADET:  41,000
T04 | S07 - JEFFREY GURFINKEL:  181,000
T04 | S08 - MICKAEL MORGOUSKY:  703,000
T04 | S09 - WILLIAM MILLER:  169,000

T05 | S01 - VICTOR PAULINO:  51,000
T05 | S02 - LUIGI GRILLA:  243,000
T05 | S03 - SCOTT SHOYER:  167,000
T05 | S04 - TONY ESPOSITO:  74,000
T05 | S05 - ALOK ARORA:  258,000
T05 | S06 - EDWARD FRANKLIN:  179,000
T05 | S07 - ANTHONY CARUSO:  475,000
T05 | S08 - FINIAN ANUFORO:  650,000
T05 | S09 - CHUNG CHIA:  125,000

T06 | S01 - SALVATORE BUSACCA:  216,000
T06 | S02 - STEVE CHA:  174,000
T06 | S03 - JEFFREY SPENCE:  320,000
T06 | S04 - PABLO LUJAN:  690,000
T06 | S05 - ALFRED ZACCAGNINO:  43,000
T06 | S06 - SETH BERGER:  836,000
T06 | S07 - MICHAEL LAKE:  366,000
T06 | S08 - LEONARD WARREN:  205,000
T06 | S09 - ROBERT HAAVIND:  122,000

T07 | S01 - BENJAMIN TURNBERG:  133,000
T07 | S02 - SALVATORE TROIA:  570,000
T07 | S03 - SAZAN LUSHA:  65,000
T07 | S04 - TIMOTHY LITTLE:  369,000
T07 | S05 - VYACHESLAV EYZEROVICH:  259,000
T07 | S06 - JOSEPH PRIMAVERA:  289,000
T07 | S07 - DANIEL BUZGON:  101,000
T07 | S08 - CHRISTOPHER KUZMICKI:  259,000
T07 | S09 - STEVEN WAGNER:  97,000

T08 | S01 - FELIX ORTIZ:  150,000
T08 | S02 - JASON HENRICI:  435,000
T08 | S03 - MICHAEL NEWMAN:  209,000
T08 | S04 - CHRISTOPHER SHUMATE:  410,000
T08 | S05 - SILVIO MANTUANO:  102,000
T08 | S06 - ROBERT BOYKO:  410,000
T08 | S07 - JERRY SCOTTO:  614,000
T08 | S08 - ERIC DOERR:  187,000
T08 | S09 - ROBERT VARKONYI:  140,000

T09 | S01 - HANOCH GUTTMAN:  217,000
T09 | S02 - ANTHONY MAIO:  179,000
T09 | S03 - NICHOLAS DAVID:  166,000
T09 | S04 - JUSTIN SOUSA:  651,000
T09 | S05 - CLAUDIUS FERRIS:  122,000
T09 | S06 - ANTOINE WHITE:  126,000
T09 | S07 - HARVEY LAYTON:  97,000
T09 | S08 - JOSHUA SUPSAK:  200,000
T09 | S09 - JEAN BRILLANT:  335,000

T10 | S01 - CHRISTOPHER HORTER:  218,000
T10 | S02 - JOSEPH BOWLES:  301,000
T10 | S03 - JAMES MORTON:  59,000
T10 | S04 - CHAD HELMER:  260,000
T10 | S05 - DAVID KIM:  153,000
T10 | S06 - ANTHONY ZINNO:  448,000
T10 | S07 - RAMON HUBBARD:  75,000
T10 | S08 - SUNGWOO TAE:  324,000
T10 | S09 - JONATHAN COHEN:  58,000

T11 | S01 - ZACHARY CAULDER:  350,000
T11 | S02 - CHRISTOPHER RICH:  413,000
T11 | S03 - MIKHAIL VOLOSHEN:  223,000
T11 | S04 - THOMAS ROSS:  79,000
T11 | S05 - CHAO LIN:  340,000
T11 | S06 - DEAN CHEN:  468,000
T11 | S07 - JEFFREY PAPOLA:  142,000
T11 | S08 - NISSIM BENJAMIN:  37,000
T11 | S09 - CHRISTOPHER LEE:  46,000

Event 1 - Start of Day 2 Chip Counts

Borgata Spring Poker Open
Event 1:  $500 + $60 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em
April 4 - 5, 2012

Entries:  1,041
Total Buy-In:  $520,500

START OF DAY 2 CHIP COUNT LEADERS:
1. BRIAN LEMKE (NORRISTOWN, PA):  1,330,000
2. ROCCO LUCIANO (PHILADELPHIA, PA):  866,000
3. SETH BERGER (MALVERN, PA):  836,000
4. MICKAEL MORGOUSKY (BROOKLYN, NY):  703,000
5. PABLO LUJAN (PERTH AMBOY, NJ):  690,000
6. JUSTIN SOUSA (SEABROOK NH, NH):  651,000
7. FINIAN ANUFORO (BROCKTON, MA):  650,000
8. JERRY SCOTTO (CHERRY HILL, NJ):  614,000
9. SALVATORE TROIA (SICKLERVILLE, NJ):  570,000
10. ALEKSANDR ODESSKY (BROOKLYN, NY):  535,000
11. ADAM COOK (GLEN BURNIE, MD):  519,000
12. BRIAN ODONOGHUE (BAYSIDE, NY):  499,000
13. ANTHONY CARUSO (MEDFORD, NJ):  475,000
14. DEAN CHEN (ELLENVILLE, NY):  468,000
15. ANTHONY ZINNO (CRANSTON, RI):  448,000
16. JASON HENRICI (OLD TAPPAN, NJ):  435,000
17. RAUL TOTANES (BROOKLYN, NY):  433,000
18. PHILIP SAM (SAN JOSE, CA):  431,000
19. CHRISTOPHER RICH (N MASSAPEQUA, NY):  413,000
20. ROBERT BOYKO (YONKERS, NY):  410,000

Thursday, April 5

TODAY'S EVENTS (THE SIGNATURE ROOM & POKER ROOM)
REGISTER IN POKER ROOM


11AM: Event 2 - $350 + $50 + $100 Black Chip Bounty NLH 
  • Players start with 15,000 in tournament chips 
  • Levels 1-10: will last 30 minutes each | Levels 11+: will last 40 minutes each
  • 1-Day event
3 PM:  Event 3 - $400 + $50 H.O.R.S.E.
  • Players start with 15,000 in tournament chips 
  • Levels will last 40 minutes each
  • 2-Day event
7 PM:  Event 23 - $100 + $20 + $100 Black Chip Bounty NLH
  • Players start with 12,000 in tournament chips 
  • Levels will last 25 minutes each
  • This is a Bounty tournament. Players must  have their Bounty Chip clearly displayed on the table in order to remain active in tournament.
  • 1-Day event

      Event 1: End of Day 1 Chip Counts

      $500 + $60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)  

      With 100 players remaining, the average stack is 260k.

      Brian Lemke is the chip leader with 1.330 million.

      Here are some of the other big stacks:
      Seth Berger - 836k
      Mickael Morgousky - 703k
      Pablo Lujan - 690k
      Justin Sousa - 651k
      Jerry Scotto - 614k

      Last Lady Julie Cornelius bagged 193k.

      The full list of players returning for day two will be posted in the morning.

      Event 1: In The Money!

      $500 + $60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)   

      After a few more hands, they were down to 101 and the money bubble.

      A short-stack was all-in and ahead with AQ.  The bigger stack held A5 suited.  A 5 on the flop spelled the end of the short-stack.

      With that bust-out, they were down to 100 players, all of which are in the money and guaranteed to pick up at least $1,010.

      Those 100 players are now bagging their chips for the night.   They will return at noon Thursday for day two.

      Event 1: Hand-For-Hand

      $500 + $60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)  

      Blinds went up to 5k/10k with 1k antes for level 20.

      With 103 players remaining, (three from the money) they began hand-for-hand play as it appeared there were some players stalling.

      A short-stack was all-in holding KQ but ran into Adam Cook's AQ.  The best hand held up and the short-stack was busted.  Adam collected the pot.

      102 players remain, two from the money.


      Event 1: Last Woman Sitting

      $500 + $60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)  

      Table 13 broke and Julie Cornelius got moved -- to the same table as Connie Rinaldi.

      Then Connie busted out, making Julie our Last Woman Sitting in this event.

      With Connie's departure, the player count dropped to 105, leaving just five players to go to reach the money.

      12 tables remain.  Average stack is ~248k.

      Brian Lemke is up to ~1.2 million.

      Event 1: Last Ladies

      $500 + $60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)  

      Out of the 116 remaining players, only two of them are women.

       Julie Cornelius & Connie Rinaldi

      Connie Rinaldi (Long Island, NY) has about ~250k.

      Julie Cornelius (Rockville, MD) has about 170k.

      Average is ~225k.

      Connie is coming off a win in the $250 Bounty Deep Stack event at Foxwoods last month ($12,326).

      Julie finished 8th in event 2, Black Chip Bounty event,  ($5,322) and had two other cashes during the 2012 Borgata Winter Open.

      Event 1: Break!

      $500 + $60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)  

      On a flop of 9 7 6, a short-stack was all-in against Jerry Scotto's big stack.

      The shortie held pocket 9s and was way ahead.  Jerry held pocket 8s and had flopped an open-ender.

      "Ten!" called Jerry.  Sure enough, an Ten hit the board, completing the straight for Jerry.

      Another player reported to the rail and Jerry's big stack got bigger (about 670k).

      Level 18 completed and players took a break.

      Play resumed with level 19, blinds 4k/8k with 1k antes.

      Event 1: One Mirrion Chips

       $500 + $60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)  

      Brian Lemke has just crested the One-Million-Chip mark with 1.025 million.

      Jeff Papola is still sitting patiently on Brian's right, with about 210k.

      Jeff Papola & Brian Lemke

      All 14 tables are now 9-handed.  125 players remain (Average is 208k).

      Event 1: 135 Rermain

      $500 + $60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)  

      Brian Lemke continues to accumulate chips.  He's up to 925k and well ahead of the field.

      They're down to 14 tables and are going 9-handed as players bust out.

      Lana O'Brien, (Englishtown, NJ) who won the Ladies event here during the 2011 Fall Open, (while 9 months pregnant) was one of those bust-outs.  She ran her pocket 8s into pocket Aces.

      135 players remain.  Average stack is ~193k.

      Event 1: Lemke Leads (Again)

      $500 + $60 Deep Stack NLH (Re-Entry)  

      Brian Lemke has reclaimed the chip lead.  He's up to 720k.

      Jerry Scotto is second with ~650k.

      Blinds are up to 3k/6k with 500 antes.

      142 players remain.

      Only 100 get paid.