Friday, April 13, 2012

Event 14: Update

$1000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Down to three tables with 9 Players at each.

Blinds: 1000 / 2000 with 300 antes.

Dan Buzgon's table is talking more greens than felts - golf greens that is.

27 Players strong - haven't seen a bust-out in quite a while now.

Top 18 get paid - Playing until 2am when we'll bag and tag chips.

Event 14: Random Chip Counts

$1000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

In no particular order...

Vinny Pahuja.....146,000
Alex Rocha......180,000
James Boyle......150,000
Bill Gazes.......40,000
Mark Wahba.......60,000
Laura Camuso.......230,000
Manh Nguyen.....180,000
Charlie Davis......90,000
Dan Buzgon.......170,000

Laura Camuso has increased her chip lead.

Charlie Davis just doubled with 9-7 at risk, all in vs. A-10. Davis hit two more nines on the board.

Before their table broke, Vinny Pahuja cooled off Mark Wahba a bit after hitting a flush vs. Wahba's straight.

Event 15: 36th Place - Mahmud

 $350 + $50 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Blinds: 4k/8k, 1k ante

After a pre-flop raising war, Syed Mahmud (Bronx, NY) was all-in against Mirsad Kovaci (Allentown, PA).

Syed held pocket Jacks and was way behind Mirsad's pocket Aces.

The board changed nothing and Syed was busted in 36th place ($658).

Mirsad chipped up to about 545k.

Event 14: Aces In The Dark

$1000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Mauro Santillo Doubles Up!

It's that time of night when short stacks ship it in and say a prayer.

Mauro got all his chips in from the small blind without even looking.

Nick Petrangelo tabled Q-J off and waited to see what he was up against.

Santillo had no clue either until he flipped not one but two aces.

In fact he spiked another ace on the turn.

Board: 3-6-6-A-8

The table seemed legitimately happy for Mauro who is now up to 24,000.

Event 15: Pfeifer Bubbles

$350 + $50 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Blinds Up: 4k/8k, 1k ante 

At 37 players remaining, they began hand-for-hand play  On the second hand, Randy Pfeifer (Cheektowaga, NY) was all-in holding AJ against a player holding AQ. 

The board came A 9 9 8 3 and Randy was busted, becoming this event's bubble-boy.

Randy was hoping to make another deep run, as he finished 2nd in yesterday's $400 Six Max No Limit event ($14,972).

The final 36 players are now all in the money and guaranteed to leave with at least $658.

Event 14: Davis Dancin'

$1000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Charlie Davis (Salem, MA) - 65,000

Charlie Davis knocks out a player in 37th Place holding two pair.

Davis is fresh off a Foxwoods $2500 Poker Classic score for $110,000 last week.

He told me he was happy to be surviving and that he needed that hand.

Table 6 is breaking up - down to four tables.

Event 15: Schletter Sacked

$350 + $50 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry) 

Blinds: 3k/6k, 500 ante

After Travis Greenawalt raised utg, Dave Schletter (Succasunna, NY) moved in from the button.  Travis called, showing pocket Queens.  Dave had AJ.  Another Queen came on the flop and that was that.


When the chips were counted down, Dave actually had one purple 500 chip left.  He walked away and that chip went into the next pot as his ante and he was busted.

41 players remain.  Average stack is 196k.

Event 14: Table 4 Ready For Action

$1000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Table 4 has some definite chip and star power with Manh Nguyen, Laura Camuso, Bill Gazes, and James Boyle.

When the chips fly, we'll report the hands.

39 players remain.

Top 18 split up the $150,000 Total Buy-In.

Event 15: Chen Reclaims Lead

$350 + $50 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Blinds: 3k/6k, 500 ante

Kevin Chen has reclaimed the chip lead.  He's up to 515k.

Former chip leader Leonard Cortellino was all-in for his last 64k utg.  Everyone folded and he picked up the blinds and antes.

A short-stack was all-in holding Q8 suited against the A5 of George Medrano.  The short-stack flopped a flush draw, but whiffed as the board came A T 3 5 J.  George chipped up to ~170k.

43 players remain.

Event 14: Leaderboard Watch

$1000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Mark Wahba - In the Lead

Mark's week long birthday celebration and poker heater continues in Event 14. His hands are still holding up and he's still running good.

"I have one eye on Manh Nguyen whose still in this tournament" said Wahba.

If Wahba can outlast Manh he's guaranteed to hold his lead. Mark has around 124,000 in this Event.

Leaderboard Winner gets a Borgata Championship Buy-in for the 2012 Summer Poker Open.

461.673 PTS: MARK WAHBA (CLEVELAND, OH)
360.663 PTS: MANH NGUYEN (MUNHALL, PA)

Event 15: Down to 45

$350 + $50 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry) 

Level 17 began with blinds of 3k/6k and 500 antes.

The action continued as briskly as before and five players busted out in the first five minutes of the level.

45 players remain at five tables (9-handed).  Only 36 get paid.  Average stack is 179k.


Event 14: Break

$1000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Penguin Poker

Penguins lose against the Flyers tonight but Joe Shinn's (Cherry Hill, NJ) penguin has always been lucky for him.

Joe has been on thin ice for a couple levels now. Still has a ways to go before the bubble 19th Place.


Event 15: End of Level 16

 $350 + $50 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry) 

Level 16 is done and players are taking a break while the black 100 chips are colored up and removed from play. 

Blinds: 2.5k/5k, 500 ante 

Maruti Yarlapati, Kevin Sheetz, & David Kim, considering the raise

Just before the end of the level, David Kim (Flushing, NY) tangled with Maruti Yarlapati (Pine Brook, NJ).  On the turn, the board was A 4 3 K. 

David bet 32k, then Maruti raised another 40k on top.  David tanked for a couple of minutes, then let it go.

Event 14: Good Call James

$1000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

James Boyle is amongst the chip leaders with 180,000 after knocking out a player.

Opponent shoves on a club heavy flop of 4-8-10. James tanks then calls with 5-5 vs. Opponent's A-Q. Board bricks out and Boyle scoops.

Down to five tables with 41 players.

Ted Geier, Matt Matros, and Joanne Monteavaro have all recently busted.

Blinds: 600 / 1200 with 200 antes.


Event 14: Camuso In Charge

$1000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Laura Camuso (Boston, MA) - 190,000

We have a new tournament chip leader and her name is Laura Camuso. It's Laura's first time at Borgata as she's on a 12 day poker trip.

So far so good. Laura just nearly doubled up after turning two pair with A-Q.

Button called her turn shove holding A-6. Guy was drawing dead then hit the six at the end just to rub it in.

Laura bet every street and got paid off.

Three women left in the tournament (some say we started with three).

Joanne Monteavaro is riding a short stack. Nancy Martin is also short with about 15,000.

Camuso in good shape to be the Last Women Standing and the Last Person Standing.

Event 15: New Chip Leader

$350 + $50 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry) 

Blinds: 2.5k/5k, 500 ante 

George Medrano was involved in a 3-way all-in and his pocket Jack miraculously held up.  He's up to ~140k.

The chip lead keeps moving around, but stays on table 6.  Now it is Kevin Sheetz (Lancaster, PA) who's on top.  He's up to ~465k.

Event 15: Toft Tossed

$350 + $50 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry) 

Blinds Up: 2.5k/5k, 500 ante

Bo Toft got his chips in holding two pair on the turn, but his opponent had made a flush.  Bo reported to the rail.

They can't get out the door fast enough. 

JJ lost a race to KQ when a Queen flopped.  Seat Open.

AK was all-in against KK and couldn't find an Ace.  Seat Open.

Down to 61 players already.

Event 14: Nines Around The Horn

$1000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Eric "Clown Fish" Doer falls to chip leader Alex Rocha. With ten bigs left Eric jams with 9-9 and gets called with K-Q.

Alex loves a board of K-K-4-A-7 and grows his stack to over 150,000. Clown Fish goes out in around 55th Place.

After Eric had 9-9, the next hand Alex (to his left) had 9-9, and the next hand the next player to the left had 9-9.

Event 15: 70 Players Remain

$350 + $50 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry) 

Blinds: 2k/4k, 400 ante

Bo Toft has been found lurking at table 1, back here in front of media row.  He's got about 65k.

 Kevin Chen

Meanwhile, out on table 6, Kevin Chen (New York, NY) has taken the chip lead.  He's up to ~400k and sharing the felt with Leonard Cortellino and David Kim.

Down to 7 tables now, so 70 players remain.  Average is 115k.

Only 36 get paid, so there's still a long way to go.

Event 14: These Guys Are Good

$1000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

58 Players remain on 7 tables in the Signature Room.

Top 18 make the cake with a first place prize of $43,648.

Level 10 blinds at 500 / 1000 with 100 antes.

Field will continue play until 2AM when they'll bag and tag then return tomorrow for the conclusion beginning at 12 noon.

Hefty Total buy-in of $150,000 - this one is fun to watch and I'm sure even more fun to be a part of. Nice warm up for Borgata's upcoming Championship.

Event 14: Back To Back Sets of Aces

$1000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Ireneusz Jozwiak - 80,000

Aren't the odds of being dealt AA back to back something like 144,000 to 1? Well what are the odds of flopping back to back sets of Aces? I've never seen it happen...until now.

Ireneusz Jozwial (Fredrick, MD) just knocked out Dwyte Pilgrim. Dwyte's raised 2500, Ireneusz made it 6000 and Pilgrim shoved another 14,000.

Ireneusz showed AA vs. Dwyte's 10-10.

Ace on the flop spelled the end for Pilgrim.

Jozwiak, originally from Poland, was up to 80,000.

The very next hand, lightening strikes again with another pair of aces and another set.
Again Jozwiak gets paid off. Pretty exciting stuff.

Event 15: Play Resumed

$350 + $50 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry) 

Blinds Up: 2k/4k, 400 ante 

Level 5 is underway.  77 players remain at 8 tables.  Average stack is ~105k.  This is the last 30-minute-long level.

Starting with level 16, they go up to 40 minutes.

Just before the dinner break we lost John Hinds & Roman Valerstein.

Eventt 14: Barnes & Noble

$1000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Jack Barnes (Point Pleasant) scoops a monster pot against former 2nd in chips, Nick Petrangelo who is noble in taking the hit.

Nick flops top two pair from the small blind holding K♣Q♠ while Jack finds hearts with K10.

Flop: Q K 2

The turn brings a 5 and the river a 4 for Jack's flush.

Nick drops 42,600 on the river leaving him with 55,000. Time to re-build.

Event 14: Play Resumes

$1000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

 Rocha Rocking the Hat & Chip Lead

Play resumes with Alex Rocha (Long Island, NY) as the chip leader with 114k.  Right behind him is Nick Petrangelo (Feeding Hills, MA) with 111k.

The green (25) chips have been removed from play as blinds are now 500/1k, 100 ante.

Event 15: Payouts

$350 + $50 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry) 


Entries: 323
Total Buy-In: $113,050

Place - Amount

1st $29,610
2nd $16,449
3rd $10,198
4th $8,224
5th $6,360
6th $5,373
7th $4,332
8th $3,235
9th $2,193
10-12 $1,426
13-15 $1,097
16-18 $932
19-27 $822
28-36 $658

Event 15: Dinner Break Chip Counts

$350 + $50 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)   

End of level 14 and time for a one hour dinner break.  Play will resume at about 8:50pm.

Random rough chip counts:

Mirsad Kovaci - 240k
David Kim - 230k
Brian O'Donoghue - 190k
Leonard Cortellino - 170k
Randy Pfeifer - 140k
Mickey Woll - 130k
Joshua Supsak - 115k
Tom Pomponio - 87k
Jamie Kerstetter - 85k
Travis Greenawalt - 65k
Ara Melikian - 45k
Mike Kalfa - 40k

8 tables remain -- 80 players max.  Average is about 100k.

Event 14: Payouts

$1000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Entries: 150
Total Buy-In: $150,000

Place - Amount

1st $43,648
2nd $24,008
3rd $13,823
4th $11,640
5th $8,730
6th $7,275
7th $5,820
8th $4,365
9th $3,274
10-12 $2,910
13-15 $2,546
16-18 $2,183

Event 15: Linster Licks Two

$350 + $50 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry) 


Blinds Up: 1,500/3,000, 400 ante 

I went to check on table 6 with chip leader Leonard Cortellino -- he's up to ~345k.

Josh Cranfill has busted out and Cherish Andrews has moved to this table.

On a flop of K T 8 -- all clubs -- three players got all their chips in the middle.

 Mike Linster

The shortest stack had A9.  Cherish Andrews was ahead with KQ, (top pair) and Mike Linster had KJ (same pair, inferior kicker) -- and none of them had a club.

The last two gave Mike a back-door straight and he scooped the main and side pots, sending both Cherish and his other opponent to the rail.

Mike chipped up to ~135k.

Event 14: Dinner Break

$1000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Number of Entries:150
Players Remaining: 63
Chips In Play: 3 million

Average Stack: 48k (48 BB)
Big Stack: 114k (114 BB)

Next Blinds: 500/1k, 100 ante

Total Buy-In: $150,000
First Prize: $43,648
Places Paid: 18

Event 15: Guo Lurking

$350 + $50 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry) 


Blinds: 1,200/2,400, 300 ante 

I discovered Yuebin Guo lurking among the remaining 11 tables.  He wasn't wearing his white Poker Stars hat, which is why I didn't spot him earlier. 

Maybe I'm superstitious, but if I won two tournaments in four days, I would keep wearing the same everything.

He's doing well with ~105k.

Average stack is about 77k.

Event 14: Halfway Home

$1000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

More than half the field is gone as 69 (out of 150) players remain.  The average stack is 43k (54 BB) and players are getting restless as the 7:20 pm dinner break is right around the corner.

Level 9 (400/800, 75 ante) continues.

Event 14: Writer's Block

$1000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Matros Raises while Billy Writes

Matt Matros and Bill Gazes each have approximately $2 million in career tournament earnings. But poker isn't the only thing they have in common as both are writers.

Matros' book The Making of a Poker Player was a hit in 2005 and preceded his two WSOP bracelets he won in 2010 and 2011.  But while Matros' writing was about his tales from the table, Gazes is literally writing at the table.

More accurately he's transcribing his "next play" from his "free range chicken scratch," as he hunt and pecks on the keyboard.

Gazes and Matros are side-by-side and both slightly above the 40k chip average.  "We're competing in poker and writing," jokes Gazes.

When Matros is away from the table he's in the midst of writing a novel and calls it a "big project," that's much different than his first hand poker accounts. He adds that poker and writing have a lot of similarities.

"Understanding human nature is instrumental in both pursuits," he says. "Knowing people and how they think and how they respond to stress in different situations is important." 

Matros not only applies that knowledge to developing his fictional characters and plot lines, but to reading players and creating stories at the table.

"Whenever you make a bet you're telling a story. The key is to figure out if the other players are telling the truth."

Event 15: Life in the Twitter-verse

$350 + $50 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)  

Blinds Up: 1,200/2,400, 300 ante 

Players have returned from break and are back in action. Here are their thoughts via Twitter:

Brian O'Donoghue ‏ @Hutch3276
70k on break going to 1200/2400

Joe Cappuccio ‏ @poochpoker
76K 1200/2400/300

John Allan Hinds ‏ @JABistro
77k at the break. Coming back to 1200/2400/300 #teammurder #iwanttoeat #mustholdon

Event 15: Gold Gone

$350 + $50 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)  

Blinds: 1k/2k, 300 ante

Down to 12 tables now (max 120 players remaining).

Players are dropping fast and Larry Gold was one of the recent casualties.  He ran his pocket Kings into pocket Aces and got no help from the board.

Event 15: Cortellino Chipping Up

$350 + $50 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)  

Blinds Up: 1k/2k, 300 ante


 Leonard Cortellino

Over on table 6, Leonard Cortellino (Lewiston, ME) is running over the table.  He's sitting behind a stack of about 265k.

Currently sharing that patch of green with him are Mike Linster, John Cranfill, & Rick Rossetti.

Event 14: Vinny Doubles

$1000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

From the big blind Vinny Pahuja 4-bet slams all in for 20k. The button calls and is ahead with AQ vs Pahuja's A9.  The flop brings a nine and gives Pahuja a double-up.

Shortly after that he busts a player and says, "easy game."

Here's Pahuja's breakdown on Twitter:


Just cold 4 shipped A9 for 40bbs from BB after CanofCorn 3b Genes CO open OTB. Def a good spot and I binked on Corns AQ. EZ game. 70k at 600

Event 15: Shahade Out; Melikian Up

$350 + $50 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry) 

Blinds Up: 800/1,600, 200 ante 

Ara Melikian was then all-in with pocket Kings against a lady holding pocket 8s.  The board bricked out and Ara doubled up to ~80k.

 Ara Melikian

Then Jennifer Shahade got her short-stack all-in holding J9 off and was racing against Ara's pocket 8s.  Once again the board brought bricks and the chess master was headed for the door.

Ara's now up to about 115k.

Event 14: 100k Club

$1000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

 Easy to Kwon-tify Chris' Play

Several players are approaching the 100k chip mark, with Chris Kwon leading the way at 95k.  He says pocket aces helped him to a big stack when his opponent had AK on a king high board to win a 40k pot.

More than 1/3 of the field is gone as 90 (out of 150) players remain with an average stack of 33k (66 BB).

Blinds continue at 200/500, 50 ante.

Winner of Online Contest

Online Winner:  William Server


Event 15: Shahade Up, Woll Down

$350 + $50 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry) 

Blinds Up: 800/1,600, 200 ante

During the previous levetl, Chess Master Jennifer Shahade was in the big blind and took out a shorter stack when her 94 off rivered a straight.  She's got about 10k.

At the same table is Mickey Woll, who was involved in a side pot with Ara Melikian (Scarsdale, NY) with a short-stack all-in.  At the river, the board read Q J 2 4 7.

Ara (bb) moved in for 20,600, sending Mickey into the tank for a couple of minutes.

Mickey decided to fold and Ara showed pocket 2s for the flopped set.  The short-stack mucked and headed for the exit.

Event 14: Boyle Doubles

$1000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

With one foot out the door James Boyle (Havre de Grace, MD) doubles his 20k stack.

Boyle and his opponent are all in on a board of 9 3 4.

Boyle: K 4
Opponent 7 7

Turn: A

River: 4

Boyles trip fours keeps him in the game as he's up to 45k.  His opponent is down to 11k.

Blinds moving up to 250/500/50 ante.

Event 15: Time to Check the Tweets

$350 + $50 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry) 

Blinds Up:  600/1,200, 200 ante

Players are back in action.  Here are some Tweets from the break:

John Allan Hinds ‏ @JABistro
42.8k at the break. Coming back to 600/1200/100 #teammurder

Cherish Andrews ‏ @CherishAndrews
70kish going to 100/600/1200. #bso2012

Joe Cappuccio ‏ @poochpoker
32K 600/1200/200 borgata $400 re


Keep those Tweets coming!  #BSO2012

Event 14: Brock, Back at Borgata

$1000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Brock Parker
2 WSOP Bracelets

It was less than three years ago that Brock Parker won two WSOP bracelets in three days, but in poker that was a long time ago.

"Seems like ancient history," says the full time pro who's playing in his first event of the Borgata Spring Poker Open.  "A lot longer than it actually was."

It was 2009 when Parker was running hot and cashed in back to back WSOP 6-handed events for $779,000.  The Silver Spring, MD resident says he doesn't travel as much as in the past, but is glad to be back at Borgata as he gears up for the Spring Championship Event (April 15-19). 

Parker has multiple Borgata cashes over the years including a 10th place/$66,000 in the 2006 Borgata Poker Open.  If he's going to add to his career winnings, Parker has some work to do with only 12k (24 BB).

"The game's always changing," says Parker when comparing today to three years ago.  "It was starting to be more aggressive back then, but now you see three and four-bets all the time.  Not as much in Atlantic City, but it's here too."

Event 15: Break Time

$350 + $50 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry) 

Level 9 is done and players got a 15 minute break while the green 25 chips are colored up.

Lee Childs has busted out of his second tournament today.  He three-bet from the big blind and got two callers. 

On the flop of T 6 2, he moved in, getting called by both.  One had pocket 5s, but the other had pocket 6s for the set.  The last two brought no help and Lee was busted.

Event 14: Final Table?

$1000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

 Table 2 to the left of Leah (blue shirt)
Pilgrim, Maisano, Buzgon, Somma & Palermo

Mike Leah, Dwyte Pilgrim, Dan Maisano, Dan Buzgon, Mike Somma and Leonardo Palermo would make for a great final table. Instead these heavy hitters are all on grinding on table 2. 

As blogger Bradley once said, "sick table!"

Event 15: Greenawalt Doubles

$350 + $50 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry) 

Blinds: 500/1,000, 100 ante

After seat 2 raised, Travis Greenawalt (Landisville, PA) moved all-in for 16,100.  His opponent called, showing pocket Jacks.  Travis was racing with KQ.

The board came Q 6 4 5 A and Travis doubled up.

 Travis Greenawalt & Andrew Interdonato

Travis finished 2nd in the 2011 Borgata Poker Open $3k Heads-Up event ($30k) and 2nd in the 2011 Borgata Fall Open $500 No Limit event ($22k).  He's still looking for his first win in a Borgata Open event.

Sharing the felt on his table are Andrew Interdonato (Washington, DC) and Wade Woelfel (Mankato, MN).

In the back of the room in front of media row, Mickey Woll (Manahawkin, NJ) is cruising.  He's up to ~88k.

Event 15: Table Twenty Action

$350 + $50 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry) 

Blinds: 400/800, 75 ante

Table 20 is rocking from the action.  Joshua Supsak is seated there and he's up to 125k (the biggest stack is the room, to the best of my knowledge).

Also on table 20 is Mike Marder (Sewell, NJ).  He's on his third entry, hoping the third time is the charm.  Mike finished 3rd during the 2012 Borgata Winter Open in the $500 No Limit event, good for over $15k.

 George Medrano

In between Joshua and Mike is George Medrano, (Rego Park, NY) who finished second in the 2011 Spring Open $1k Six Max ($18,245).

On the river, the board read A J 6 6 4 and George checked.  His opponent bet 5k, George raised to 10k, his opponent shoved all-in, and George called.  His opponent had AQ for aces-up, but George had pocket 4s for the rivered full boat.

George collected the pot, sending his opponent to the rail.  George is now up to ~60k.

Blinds are also up:  500/1k, 100 ante.

Event 15: Supsak Up, Travell Down

$350 + $50 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Blinds Up: 400/800, 75 ante

 Joshua Supsak

Joshua Supsak is challenging Joe Palma for the chip lead.  Joshua is up to ~125k.

Travell Thomas was up late last night (early this morning) as it was about 3:30am when he took the win in yesterday's Six Max tournament ($25,188).

He's back in action today, but may be feeling the strain.  He was in the small blind and on the river, the board showed J5223♣.

Travell bet, only to get raised by his opponent in seat 9.  Travell tanked for a minute, then surrendered.

Event 15: Break Time Tweets

$350 + $50 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Here are some player Tweets from the last break:

Cherish Andrews ‏ @CherishAndrews
Easy game when someone 5bet jams and I have AA. 50k on break. #bso2012

Joe Cappuccio ‏ @poochpoker 
22K 300/600/75 re-entry ending now

John Allan Hinds ‏ @JABistro
Back to 35k at the end of re-entry. Coming back to 300/600/75. Time to do work #peacefullygrinding #teammurder

Lee Childs ‏ @leechilds
24k from 25 starting. Pretty good since I bricked a 21-outer for a big pot.

Brian O'Donoghue ‏ @Hutch3276
34k going to 300/600, reentries over

Roman Valerstein ‏ @GrimeRat420
32.5k at 300-600


Keep those Tweets coming!  #BSO2012

Event 15: Entry/Re-Entry Closed

$350 + $50 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry) 

Level 6 concluded and players took a 10 minute break.  This break is also the end of the registration and re-entry period.

Level 7 is underway with blinds of 300/600 and 75 antes.

With no new players to fill empty seats, tables will start breaking down.  27 are currently active.

Event 15: Early Big Stack

$350 + $50 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry) 

Blinds: 200/400, 50 ante

Adam Lippert just walked past, re-entry ticket in hand, with an unhappy look on his face.

He joined the line of similarly unhappy looking players waiting at the re-entry window.

 Joe Palma

Joe Palma (Bensalem, PA) is up to ~120k early, thanks to his A5 flopping two pair to beat AQ.  Larry Gold is at the same table and said "He almost got me, too."

Event 14: Case Closed

 $1000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Registration is now closed for the $1k, late arrival includes 2x WSOP bracelet holder Brock Parker.

A look at some break time tweets:


I just took my seat in the 1k event. First hand I play I flopped a set. I hope it keeps going like this.


Borgata 1k. 19k at second break. Coming back to 150-300

Having fun in this 1k. Have 31k on second break.

Event 15: Late Arrivals

$350 + $50 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
  
Blinds Up: 200/400, 50 ante

Late arrivals or missed earlier:

Jamie Kerstetter
Mickey Woll
Barry Leventhal
Abe Korotki
Connie Rinaldi
Travell Thomas (winner of 6max yesterday)

This is the last level for late registrations and re-entries.


Leaderboard update (4/13)

Borgata Spring Poker Open Leaderboard
By participating in any Borgata Spring Poker Open event (April 4-20, 2012), players earn points based upon the Borgata Poker Tournament Leaderboard Formula.

Below are the top scores for the 2012 Borgata Spring Poker Open Leaderboard*
(Final Results from events 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)

461.673 PTS:  MARK WAHBA (CLEVELAND, OH)
360.663 PTS:  MANH NGUYEN (MUNHALL, PA)
356.830 PTS:  SUNGWOO TAE (PISCATAWAY, NJ)
325.900 PTS:  BRIAN LEMKE (NORRISTOWN, PA)
316.320 PTS:  YUEBIN GUO (BROOKLYN, NY)
303.475 PTS:  RANDALL PFEIFER (CHEEKTOWAGA, NY)
294.863 PTS:  H MICHAEL BOROVETZ (PITTSBURGH, PA)
275.850 PTS:  MICHAEL DENTALE (BROOKLYN, NY)
267.825 PTS:  TRAVELL THOMAS (BUFFALO, NY)
265.150 PTS:  DARYL BLACK (VOORHEES, NJ)
250.763 PTS:  VYACHESLAV EYZEROVICH (STATEN ISLAND, NY)
241.258 PTS:  JEREMIAH MCKENNA (NORWALK, CT)
232.898 PTS:  JEREMIAH CALLAHAN (OYSTER BAY, NY)
230.740 PTS:  ERIK GORMAN (MATTHEWS, NC)
229.200 PTS:  SEAN PERRY (COLUMBIA, MD)
220.485 PTS:  ERIC SUAREZ (GLEN MILLS, PA)
219.913 PTS:  JUSTIN LIBERTO (FALLSTON HA, MD)
219.550 PTS:  DEAN CHEN (ELLENVILLE, NY)
217.600 PTS:  ROBERT SANTILLI (JACKSON, NJ)
201.250 PTS:  JOSEPH DADDARIO (HAUPPAUGE, NY)

Event 15: Killer Corners

$350 + $50 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Blinds Up: 150/300, 25 ante

Fresh from his bust out of today's $1k event, Lee Child has entered this event and landed at table 26 alongside Rick Rossetti.  Also at that table is Anthony Maio.

 Rick Rossetti, Lee Childs, unsub, & Anthony Maio

In the far corner of the room is table 5, with this collection of poker talent:
Mark Sykes (2 Borgata Open Titles)
Lichen Op (10th in 6max yesterday)
Michael Buttacavoli
Howard Wolper (3 Borgata Open Titles)

Event 15: Familiar Faces

$350 + $50 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Blinds: 100/200

Spotted these familiar faces scattered around the Poker Room:

Jennifer Shahade
Mickael Morgousky
David Kim
Leanne Rosenblatt
Mike Kalfa
Ibraim Ibraimovic
Matt 'muffins' Mazzeo
Vladimir Peck
Roman Valerstein
Wade Woelfel
Mike Linster
Eric Natishvili
Randy Pfeifer (2nd in 6max yesterday)
John Hinds
George Medrano
Sungwoo Tae (winner of event 12)
Mirsad Kovaci
Adam Lippert

28 tables are up and running, with re-entry still available.

Event 14: Attilio the Hun

$1000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

23-year old Joe Dittmar & Attilio Bitondo

"I shouldn't be playing with these young guys," says 83 year-old Attilio Bitondo (New York, NY), "They're crazy, going all in every hand."

While a slight exaggeration, the age disparity between an old school player like Bitondo and the young guns of the internet era is obvious.  He started playing 7-card stud when he was 17 years-old and comes to Borgata "every chance I get" to go up against this hoodie wearing generation.

Bitondo's a fixture during every Borgata series and has multiple cashes over the years including for $5,000 in a 2010 Borgata Poker Open Survivor tournament.

In this event Bitondo quietly shows pocket kings for a full house to knock out a player who rivered a straight.  His stack is now at 50k.

"Long way to go," says the retired carpenter, who loves to nail his competition with big hands.

Triskaidekaphobia

Signature Room & Poker Room

There's been mixed feelings on playing at Table 13 on this Friday the 13th.

"I was excited," says Lee Childs, who was a late arrival to Table 13 in the $1k. Unfortunately Childs is on the rail and now playing the $350.

Childs leaves behind a quiet group that includes Bill Blanda and Matt Matros.  "Wasn't a choice," says "Big Daddy" Blanda, when asked about the superstition of being at the table, but busts a few minutes later.

The fear of the number 13 is called Triskaidekaphobia and, for a group of players who are known to have superstitious tendencies and "favorite" hands, there isn't too much fear going around at Borgata.

Larry Gold, who's playing in the $350, says, "I guess I'll be afraid if someone flops a set of 13s." Then after a pause adds, "I don't even know what that means."

No fears and no problems, except for those who are no longer at Table 13.

Event 15: "Big Pot Here...

$350 + $50 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

...if I call."

Josh Supsak (Westchester, NY), while in the tank, alerts the media to an all-in bet.  As he contemplates making the call on a board of J♣ Q♣ 8 7♣ Supsak says, "I have a flush and I think you have a set."

After another 30 seconds, Suspsak makes the call and despite having a baby flush, with 2♣ 3♣, is even further ahead then he thought as his opponent shows A♠ A.

The river bricks and Supsak wins the 95k pot and is one of the big stacks in the room.

Event 14: Tough Tables

$1000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Palomo & Wahba

A 100+ player field with quality competition means the degree of difficulty goes up a few notches. Some of the tougher tables include:

Table 2

Mike Leah
Dan Buzgon
Ian Palermo

Table 5

Gordon Eng
Ian Palomo
Mark Wahba
Peter Ippolito

Table 7

Anthony Zinno
Travis Greenawalt
Jeremiah McKenna

Table 13

Lee Childs
Matt Matros
Bill Blanda


Event 14: Late Arrivals

$1000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

A couple of notable players are late arrivals including into the $1k field including:

Name-Career Earnings*

Lee Childs ($1.1 million)
Vinny Pahuja ($937,000)
Dave Inselberg ($580,000)
Darren Elias ($492,000)
Mike Dentale ($375,000)

Level 2 is winding down and players heading on a 10 minute break.  Re-entry is open for two more levels.

*as listed by pokerpages.com

Event 15: In the Field

$350 + $50 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Andrew Interdonato
Cherish Andrews
Bob Santilli
Josh Cranfill
Raphael Wieczorek
Josh Supsak
Sara Wasch
and Larry Gold! (in the correct seat/tournament)

Event 15: Lots of Options

$350 + $50 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Those not playing in the $1k have the option of going for the $350 which is underway.

This is a deep stack with 25k in chips and 30 minute levels (16+/40 min each).  This is a one day event and players are buckling up for a long ride.

Larry Gold (Medford, NY) is an early arrival in the Signature Room only to find his seat "taken."  That's because the $350 is in the Poker Room and the player is in the correct seat for the $1k being played in the Signature Room.

"I'm literally shocked," says Gold, who thought the $350 was an 11 am start and that he was actually late.

Event 14: Early Tweets

$1000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

 
1k I hardly recognize anyone nice Ian (Palomo) sits down

Just met up with the rest of the soldiers, and now we're on our way to this Borgata 1k.

Event 14: Steady Arrivals

$1000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Recognizable Faces in the Signature Room

Mike Leah
Dan Buzgon
Ian Polomo
Gordon Eng
Mike Borovetz
Bill Blanda
Dwyte Pilgrim
Leonardo Palermo
Nancy Martin
Bob Hwang
Travis Greenawalt
Peter Ippolito
Eric Doerr
Mike Summers
Mickey Woll
Attilio Bitondo

First Event of the Open

WSOP bracelet holder Matt Matros, Ted Geier & Jerry Payne (not counting his "very short stay" in yesterday's 6-max).

Event 14: Raising the Stakes

$1000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)

The largest buy-in of the Borgata Spring Poker Open is off and running the the $1k re-entry.  This is a precursor to a weekend filled of big money including the start of the Championship Event (April 15-19).

The structure is 20k in chips and 50 minute levels for the first 10 levels (11+/60 min.)

This is a 2-day tournament with re-entry available for the first four levels.

Friday, April 13

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


11AM: Event 14 - $1000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
  • Players start with 20,000 in tournament chips 
  • Levels 1-10: will last 50 minutes each | Levels 11+: will last 60 minutes each
  • 2-Day event
12PM:  Event 15 - $350 + $50 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
  • Players start with 25,000 in tournament chips 
  • Levels 1-15: will last 30 minutes each | Levels 16+: will last 40 minutes each
  • 1-Day event
3 PM:  Event 35 - $270 + $30 Championship Qualifier NLH

  • Players start with 12,000 in tournament chips
  • Levels will last 25 minutes each
  • Approximately 1 in 10 will win entry into $1 Million Guaranteed Borgata Spring Poker Open Championship (April 15-19, 2012)
  • 1-Day event

7 PM:  Event 36 - $200 + $30 Deep Stack Semi-Turbo NLH (Re-Entry)
  • Players start with 25,000 in tournament chips 
  • Levels 1-15: will last 15 minutes each | Levels 16+: will last 30 minutes each
  • Players that "bust" within the first 8 Levels may Re-Enter (unlimited re-entries) 
  • 1-Day event

      Event 13 Recap

      $400 + $50 Six-Max Deep Stack NL
      Once the final table went from 7 players to 6, each man busted out quickly leaving former University of Buffalo football star and collection agency owner Travell Thomas our 6-Max Champion and the winner of $25,188, along with the coveted Borgata trophy.

      The key hand for Travell came after the bubble with 20 players remaining. Pocket kings held up against Q-5 of clubs for a monster 300,000 hand. Travell proved he could talk the talk, and walk the walk.

      He already has a WSOP circuit ring and now a Borgata Spring Poker Open 6-Max title, one of our toughest and most popular events. Play kicked off at 11AM in The Signature Room and finished at 3:30AM in the Poker Room, as 245 players (6 per table) all went after the $98,000 prize pool.

      Many familiar Borgata regulars, including Larry Gold, Dan Buzgon, Travis Greenawalt, Lee Childs, Ian Palomo, and Cathy Devers all made appearances but failed to cash. Mike "Little Man" Sica Jr. nursed a short stack for hours then caught lucky hands when needed to propel him to a 5th Place finish for $7,130.

      2012 Borgata Spring Poker Open leaderboad head, Mark Wahba, adds to his point total with a 17th place finish worth $951.

      But once again the MVP of the 6-Max and winner of all 3.7 million chips plus $25,188 is Travell Thomas.

      Final Table Results

      1. Travell Thomas (Buffalo, NY) - $25,188
      2. Randy Pfeifer (Hamburg, NY) - $14,972
      3. Brian Mooney (Middle Village, NY) - $11,407
      4. Chris Rich (Massapequa, NY) - $9,031
      5. Mike Sica (N. Brunswick, NJ) - $7,130
      6. Melad Marji (Brigantine, NJ) - $5,228

      Event 13: 1st Place - Thomas

      $400 + $50 Six-Max Deep Stack NL



      Travell Thomas & Final Table




      Travell Thomas (Buffalo, NY)
      $25,188


      Last second game winning touchdown catch for Travell Thomas who just took down Event 13.

      "Seneca Niagara Crew Wins Again" exclaimed an excited Travell soon after the victory in Borgata Poker Room.

      Travell is the owner of 4 Collection Agencies - today he collected the $25,188 first place prize and the Borgata trophy.

      He's also a former football wide receiver for the University of Buffalo.

      Travell is working on fumes as he played poker until 2am last night. In fact he wasn't sure he was even gonna play the 6-max, just slipping in at 1pm with his Buffalo friend Randy Pfeifer.

      Incredibly both mates ended up battling heads up for the top spot.

      Congrats again to our Champion Travell Thomas.

      Quick shout out from Travell to T-Meister.

      Event 13: 2nd Place - Pfeifer

      $400 + $50 Six-Max Deep Stack NL

      Randy Pfeifer (Hamburg, NY)
      $14,972

      Randy Pfeifer and Travell Thomas are poker pals back in Buffalo.

      Randy continues his winning ways. He's fresh off a Heartland Poker Tour Championship (HPT).

      Congrats!

      Event 13: 3rd Place - Mooney

      $400 + $50 Six-Max Deep Stack NL

      Brian Mooney (Middle Village, NY)
      $11,407

      Event 13: 4th Place - Rich

      $400 + $50 Six-Max Deep Stack NL

      Chris Rich (Massapequa, NY)
      $9,031

      Event 13: 5th Place - Sica

      $400 + $50 Six-Max Deep Stack NL

      Mike "Little Man" Sica (N. Brunswick, NJ)
      $7,130

      "Peace & Love from Little Man" is what Mike Sica wants to say to all those who support him at home and here at Borgata on the rail.

      "Glad to get here again, I worked hard, and now I'm going to bed" said Mike.

      It was a long day for the 6-Max and Mike's two key double ups after the bubble burst propelled him to the final table.

      Event 13: 6th Place - Marji

      $400 + $50 Six-Max Deep Stack NL

      Melad Marji (Brigantine, NJ)
      $5,228


      Event 13: 7th Place - Akiki

      $400 + $50 Six-Max Deep Stack NL

      Sam Akiki (Allendale, NJ)
      $4,040

      Sam Akiki calls it a night. He was down to four big blinds and shoved with 9-4.
      Brian Mooney calls with 2-3 and hits a 3 on the flop.

      Sam did pick up a gutterball but whiffed.

      We're now down to the final 6 in the 6 Max.

      Event 13: Travell Gelling

      $400 + $50 Six-Max Deep Stack NL

      Travell Thomas ships his last 160,000 with AA and finds a caller in Chris Rich holding 7-7.

      All ladies on the flop gives Travell a full house.

      He's been talking up a storm at the table. With these newfound chips I'm sure he'll be talking even more.

      Blinds are 8,000 / 16,000 with 1000 antes.

      Event 13: Final Table Set

      $400 + $50 Six-Max Deep Stack NL

      Magnificent Seven

      Final Table

      Seat....Player...Chips

      1. Brian Mooney - 740,000
      2. Chris Rich - 600,000
      3. Randy Pfeifer - 760,000
      4. Melad Marji - 450,000
      5. Mike Sica - 370,000
      6. Travell Thomas - 180,000
      7. Sam Akiki - 300,000

      Sam just doubled thru Travell after hitting three sevens.

      Event 13: 8th Place - Faroni

      $400 + $50 Six-Max Deep Stack NL

      Abraham Faroni (Philadelphia, PA)
      $2,852

      Good run for Abraham Faroni comes to an end. He bubbles the final table but still earns $2,852 for his day at the office.

      Exciting final hand gave Abraham a flush draw on the turn.

      Abraham 10♣ J♣ vs. Chris Rich's Q 10.

      Faroni open shoved the button for 120,000 and Chris called.

      Board ran: A K♣ 3 6♣ J

      Rich gets Richer after hitting Broadway on the river for the nuts - he's up to 880,000.

      Congrats to our final table of seven Players.

      Event 13: More Mike Magic

      $400 + $50 Six-Max Deep Stack NL

      Final eight players have left the Signature Room and have settled into the Poker Room.

      Still on the final table bubble.

      Next person who is knocked out will earn $2,852 while the remaining 7 will form a final table.

      Before the move Mike "Little Man" Sica hit a set of sevens and doubled up again.

      Board ran: 5-4-7-Q-3.

      With 400,000 we can no longer call Mike "Little" stacked.

      Event 13: 9th Place - Klevitz

      $400 + $50 Six-Max Deep Stack NL

      William Klevitz (Greenwhich, CT)
      $1,188

      William survived a short stack for hours and kept jumping up the money-board spot by spot.

      With a dwindling stack in the small blind he jammed with Q-3 suited and ran into big blind holding two red tens.

      Melad Marji's tens held and Klevitz exits in 9th Place.

      Event 13: Little Man Doubles

      $400 + $50 Six-Max Deep Stack NL

      Mike "Little Man" Sica finally got the double up he patiently waited for and asked for.

      "I've been treading water for 6 hours" said Sica.

      Mike had 10-10 and jammed. Melad Marji snapped with 7-7.

      Board ran 2-Q-9-8-4.

      A final quote from Mike had him telling the table, "I'm big on made hands".

      Mike with over 200,000 and some breathing room.

      Event 13: 10th Place - Op

      $400 + $50 Six-Max Deep Stack NL

      Lichen Op (Flushing, NY)
      $1,188

      Lichen found his stack getting shorter and shorter. He got it in with the best hand.

      A-2 vs. J-9 from Travell Thomas.

      Travell hit a Jack in the window and Lichen never improved.

      Congrats on your 10th Place finish.

      Event 13: Perfect Ten

      $400 + $50 Six-Max Deep Stack NL

      Down to ten players.

      Table 1:
      1. Travell Thomas - 300,000
      2. William Klevitz - 120,000
      3. Lichen Op - 85,000
      4. Melad Marji - 600,000
      5. Mike Sica - 125,000

      Table 2:
      1. Randy Pfeifer - 320,000
      2. Brian Mooney - 900,000
      3. Abraham Faroni - 300,000
      4. Sam Akiki - 570,000
      5. Chris Rich - 510,000

      Event 13: Jeffrey Jacked

      $400 + $50 Six-Max Deep Stack NL

      Texas In The House

      Jeffrey McAlister (Corpus Christi, TX) finished in 11th Place earning $1,188.

      Tough hand for Jeffrey who is still beating himself up. When the dust settled, the kid had two pair with A-K while his Opponent had flopped a set of sevens.

      Jeffrey tanked for five minutes and knew something just didn't feel right. To add to the mystery, the flop also was spade heavy.

      Good run for McAlister who will go back to playing his guitar on the beach near his hometown.

      Sounds pretty good to me.

      Event 13: Brian Bounced

      $400 + $50 Six-Max Deep Stack NL

      End of the road for Brian Odonoghue from NY who just finished in 12th Place.

      Brian ran into the chip leader and monster stack of Brian Mooney who picked up KK.

      Brian's 7-8 had outs on a J-9-2 flop. Picked up more outs when the 6 hit fourth street.

      Another six on the river sent Odonoghue sailing for the night.

      He'll take home $1,188 for his efforts.