Saturday, April 14, 2012

Event 16: Quads For Straughn

$1000 + $90 Six-Max NL (Re-Entry)

Pelham Straughn - 6666

Pelham Straughn (Washington, DC) flops quads and c-bet it. That move is probably what got him paid off on the river.

Opponent held K 10 for the nut-flush and had a big decision to make. As he was about to make a strong fold, Pelham says, "It's only 9500 more". The call was made and Straughn tabled 6-6 for quads.

"You talked me into it" admitted the beaten player who was short stacked to 10,700 then tripled up with AA the very next hand.

Still 20 players on four tables - everybody can taste the money and don't want to blow it.

Event 14: Heads-Up Continues

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

Blinds:  10k/20k, 3k ante 

Both players put 120k in pre-flop.  The flop fell A K 9 rainbow.

Vinny bet 120k and Alex folded.  After a bit of cajoling, Vinny showed -- T4 suited.

Alex was down to under 300k and on the next hand, got all-in pre-flop holding AT off, racing against Vinny's pocket 6s.

The board came K J 9 Q J and Alex made a straight to take the pot, doubling up to ~600k.

That leaves Vinny with 2.4 million.

End of level and players are taking a ten minute break.

Event 16: Twenty Strong

$1000 + $90 Six-Max NL (Re-Entry)

Richard Corley (Brooklyn, NY) - 170,000

Richard Corley adds 44,300 to his stack and a knock-out after his 10-10 holds against Opponent's 9-9.

Two black 9-9's shoved pre and Corley's two red tens called.

Board: 7-7-K-7-Q

Twenty players remain. One away from the 19th Place Bubble.

Event 14: Pahuja Making Progress

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

Blinds:  10k/20k, 3k ante 

Vinny Pahuja is starting to gain some ground on Alex Rocha.

On the turn with a board of A T T T, Alex checked, Vinny bet 50k, and Alex folded.

On a flop of 5 4 4, Vinny bet 60k and Alex called.  Turn was a Queen and both checked.  River was a 6 and Vinny bet 125k.  Alex folded.

Vinny opened for 40k and Alex called.  Flop was J 6 2.  Both checked. 

Turn was a 9.  Alex bet 60k and Vinny called. 

River was a Queen and both checked. 

Alex said "Deuce" and Vinny said "Six" showing K6 for the bigger pair.  Alex mucked and Vinny picked up another pot.

Alex is down to about 550k; Vinny is up to ~2.45 million.

Event 16: Big Hand & Bust

$1000 + $90 Six-Max NL (Re-Entry)

David Kim - Stacking Up

David Kim flops a set with Carlos Chadha (Washington, DC) flopping top pair and a straight flush gutshot.

Kim 5♣5 vs. Chadha 8 9

Board: 5 6 8♠ Q♣ 3

Turn & river runs clean sending Carlos to the rail in 23rd Place. Carlos is an on-line poker pro. After Black Friday he took up a residency in Canada so he could continue his career. He says hi to his wife and two dogs in DC.

22 Players remain. Top 18 get the cake.

Event 14: Heads-Up Continues

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

Blinds:  10k/20k, 3k ante 

They've been battling heads up for a while now and not much has changed.

Vinny Pahuja's hovering between 2.3 and 2.2 million, while Alex Rocha is hovering between 700k and 800k.

Event 14: 3rd Place - Buzgon

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

Dan Buzgon (Marlton, NJ) 
$13,823 

Blinds:  8k/16k, 2k ante

Dan Buzgon got all-in, again, against the chip leader, Vinny Pahuja, again.

This time Vinny was ahead with AT and Dan had KQ.

The board came J 5 3 J 4 and Ace-high was good, again.  Vinny took the pot.

Dan Buzgon, who finished 3rd in the 2011 Borgata Poker Open WPT Championship (over $335k), finished 3rd again here today, earning $13,823.  This is his third cash during this Borgata Spring Poker Open.

Dan's TV appearance on the World Poker Tour on Fox Sport Net has been airing for the past couple of weeks.  When I asked if he watched, he said "Yes, but I don't remember a thing".

Blinds Up:  10k/20k, 3k ante

Event 16: Schmidt Springs Forward

$1000 + $90 Six-Max NL (Re-Entry)

Brian Schmidt (Philadelphia, PA) - 210,000

Brian is an amateur player in a room full of pros. He's been quietly flying under the radar and getting lucky at the right times.

Schmidt writes and designs on-line advertising software.

As we condense to four tables, Brian finds a new zipcode playing with pros Mike Leah, Harry Korotki, and Ken Aldridge (Pleasant Garden, NC).

Event 14: Buzgon Doubles

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

Blinds:  8k/16k, 2k ante

Dan Buzgon got all-in for 331k against chip leader Vinny Pahuja.

Dan's A8 off was ahead of Vinny's KQ suited.

The board came T 8 5 T 9 and Dan took the pot with Ace-high, doubling up to over 670k.

Vinny still leads with over 1.4 million.  Alex Rocha has about 850k.

Event 16: Bubble Looming

$1000 + $90 Six-Max NL (Re-Entry)

Down to 25 players after Harry Korotki (Owing Mills, MD) spikes a set of tens on the river against Opponent's QQ.

Seconds after the river hit, Opponent stood up and said,"Thought I was gonna lose that one...I was due." And another one bites the dust.

With that hand, Harry is up to 190,000. Harry looking to better his 13th Place six-max finish in the 2011 Borgata Fall Poker Open. In that series he also took down a holdem Event to the tune of $39,804.

Seven away from the bubble. Paying out the top 18.

Total Buy-In - $156,000

Min cash...$1,513.

Event 14: 4th Place - Nair

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

Jay Nair (Redmond, WA)
$11,640

Blinds:  8k/16k, 2k ante

Jay Nair opened for 33k from the small blind, then Vinny Pahuja 3-bet to 78k from the big.

Jay shoved and Vinny called.

Jay had AJ offsuit.  Vinny had pocket Aces.

The board came T T T 7 7 putting a full house on the board, but Vinny's boat was bigger and Jay was sunk.

Jay Nair finished in 4th place, earning $11,640.

Vinny Pahuja is now the chip leader with 1.4 million.


Event 16: Break & Chips

$1000 + $90 Six-Max NL (Re-Entry)

Twenty-nine remaining players return from their ten minute break and are now faced with 1000 / 2000 blinds with 300 antes.

The top two in chips include:
Anthony Maio (Bucks County, PA) - 395,00
Mike Leah (Las Vegas, NV) - 221,000

Carlos Chadha has 125,000 and is at the same table as Anthony Maio. The two got involved earlier on an interesting board. Flop was 888 followed by 66. Carlos was first to bet the river 15,000 which opened the door for Anthony to re-pop 29,800 more.

Carlos tanked hard and long. Anthony called a clock causing Carlos to insta-fold (if one can insta-fold after five minutes).

Jamie Kerstetter is at the same table looking to make the money or make some moves with her 60,000 stack.

Event 14: Stuck At Four

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

Blinds Up:  8k/16k, 2k ante

Back from break and back in action.

Still four players.  Average is 750k.

Steve Dannenmann spreads the love as he comes over to check up on the final table when his event (event 16,  $1000 + $90 Six-Max NL) is on break.

Event 16: The Steve Show

$1000 + $90 Six-Max NL (Re-Entry)

Steve Dannenmann Makin It Happen

If you don't like Steve Dannenmann, you don't like poker. In so many respects, he is poker. Always has a funny story to tell and uses his personality to read players and take down pots.

Take this hand that just went down. Steve hits a diamond flush on the river and is determined to get paid off by an Opponent in the tank.

Other players gather around, the floor gathers, the guy's friend, Travell is wathching, I'm taking notes...

Steve says, "You ain't folding now...not with all this going down...you never had this many friends....he's done." Sure enough the player calls and Steve shows 9-7 for the flush.

Player claims two pair and said he never put Steve on the flush.

His Buffalo buddy Travell gives it to him from the rail, "Why did you call? He was beggin you to call?"

Lot of laughing as all took it well. Pure poker entertainment!

A couple hands later the same two mixed it up and Steve knocked him out. J-10 vs. K-9.

Another table is breaking - down to five.

Event 14: Break Time Chip Counts

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

Blinds: 6k/12, 2k ante  

On the last hand of the level, Jay Nair opened for 27k on the button.  Vinny Pahuja 3-bet another 51k on top.  Jay let it go.

Break Time -- time to count the chips:

Alex Rocha - 980k
Vinny Pahuja - 760k
Jay Nair - 640k
Dan Buzgon - 615k

Event 16: Chadha's Stock Rising

$1000 + $90 Six-Max NL (Re-Entry)

Carlos Chadha (Washington, DC) gets KK and they hold up for a knock-out punch.

Carlos KK vs. 10-10.

All the chips tumble in on a flop of 2-7-Q. Opponent jams and Chadha calls.

The finance industry trader is now up to 180,000.

Also at Table-3 is Jamie Kerstetter who is the Last Woman remaining in the field. Jamie is no stranger to that title.

37 Players remain.

Event 14: Chips Movin' Round

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

Blinds: 6k/12, 2k ante 

The final four are pushing chips around the table.

Alex Rocha took a small pot from Jay Nair.

Vinny Pahuja took a small pot from Alex.

Vinny 3-bet Dan Buzgon pre-flop to take it down.

Still four players.  Average stack is 750k.  Rough chip counts:

Alex Rocha - 1.15 million
Jay Nair - 650k
Dan Buzgon - 630k
Vinny Pahuja - 580k

Event 16: Table Down

$1000 + $90 Six-Max NL (Re-Entry)

A table just broke in the Signature room so we're down to 7.

Witnessing a lot of all in races throughout.

Dannenmann chops a big pot as both players table A-Q.

Joe Liberta knocks out the Opponent to his left after rivering a full house.

Joe flipped 7-7 on a K-Q-J-Q-7 board. Opponent had A-K.

"Pretty standard hand" says Joe.

Event 14: Pahuja Doubles

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

Blinds: 6k/12, 2k ante 

Jay Nair (button) opened for  27k.  Vinny Pahuja (sb) moved all-in.  Jay called, showing pocket 7s.  Vinny had pocket 8s.  The board came Q 4 3 K J and Vinny's pair held up for the double-up to ~550k.

Jay dropped down to ~930k, surrendering the chip lead to Alex Rocha, who is still over 1 million.

Event 16: Purple Mountain Majesty

$1000 + $90 Six-Max NL (Re-Entry)

Anthony Maio (Bucks County, PA) - 280,000

Anthony Maio is the chip leader and seems to be playing his fair share of pots.

No tells from Anthony who Unabombs his hoodie to keep all guessing.

46 Players remain - top 18 make the money.

Event 14: 5th Place - Nguyen

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

Manh Nguyen (Munhall, PA) 
$8,730 

Blinds: 5k/10, 1k ante 

On a flop of K♣65♣, Jay Nair (sb) checked.  Manh Nguyen (cutoff) bet 60k.  Jay called.  Turn was the T♠.  Jay checked again.  Manh asked what he had behind (400k) then bet 300k.  Jay announced all-in and Manh called.

Jay had K♠6♣ and had flopped two pair.  Manh had 8♣7♣ and had flopped an open-ender with flush draw.

River was the Q and Jay doubled up.  Manh was left with only 55k.

Manh was utg on the next hand and all-in for 54k after anteing.  Jay called from the button.

Manh had J♠6♠.  Jay had A7.

The flop came 99♠8♠ giving Manh a flush draw.  Turn was the A♠ completing the flush, but giving Jay Aces-up.  River was the 9♣, giving Jay 9s-full-of-Aces for the boat, sinking Manh's flush.

Manh Nguyen finished in 5th place, earning $8,730.

Jay is up to ~1.2 million, good for the chip lead.

Blinds Up: 6k/12k, 2k ante

Event 14: Rocha Reclaims Lead

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

Blinds: 5k/10, 1k ante 

Dan Buzgon and Jay Nair tangled in another pot which Jay claimed, sending Jay back up to 540k and Dan back down to 450k.

Alex Rocha (sb) and Manh Nguyen (bb) got involved in a pot.  On the river, the board read 6 5 2 3 6, and Alex bet 103k.  Manh tanked for a minute, then called.

Alex tabled A5 for two pair.  Manh mucked, dropping down to ~600k.  Alex chipped up to over 1 million and reclaimed the chip lead.

Event 14: Buzgon Catches Nair

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

Blinds: 5k/10, 1k ante

Dan Buzgon opened for 22k (cutoff) and got a call from Jay Nair on the button. 

The flop came 8 2 2 and Dan bet.  Jay called.

Turn was an Ace.  Dan bet 37k.  Jay called.

River was a 4.  Dan bet 64k and Jay called, showing AJ suited for Aces-up.  Dan held A8 suited for a better two pair hand to take the pot.

Dan chipped up to ~545k.  Jay dropped down to ~445k.

Event 14: Nair Doubles Thru Nguyen

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

Blinds: 5k/10, 1k ante

Jay Nair opened for 21k utg and Manh Nguyen called from the small blind.  The flop came A9♠5♠ and both players checked.  Turns was the J♣.  Manh fired 33k, Jay raised to 83k, and Manh called.

River was the 8♠.  Manh announced all-in and Jay snap-called, showing A♠K (top/top).  Manh mucked.  Jay doubled up to ~600k.

Event 14: Play Resumes

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

Blinds: 5k/10, 1k ante

The final five are back from dinner and ready to play.

Event 16: Payouts

$1000 + $90 Six-Max NL (Re-Entry)

Entries: 156
Total Buy-In: $156,000

Place - Amount

1st $42,373
2nd $25,043
3rd $19,293
4th $15,132
5th $11,727
6th $8,323
7th $6,431
8th $4,540
9th $3,026
10-12 $2,118
13-18 $1,513

Event 14: Dinner Time Tweets

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

Some Tweets from the final table players over dinner:

Daniel Buzgon ‏ @WiLDmAn_75
Going on dinner 5 handed. 405k going to 5k/10k 1k. 3rd in chips. Won a flip vs @princetendee to bust him. Gonna come back and crush em.

Manh Nguyen ‏ @MunMunny
On dinner break of the 1k event. Got maybe 1.2million. I'm chip leader with 5 players left. #BSO2012

Vinny Pahuja ‏ @vinpahuja
360k on dinner. 5 left. 5/10k blinds when we return. @BorgataPoker 1k

alex rocha ‏ @THE_ALEX_ROCHA
Dinner break. 5 left. Im 2nd in chips with 720k. Chip leader has 1.2 milli. @WiLDmAn_75 and @vinpahuja still in!

Event 16: Dinner Break Details

$1000 + $90 Six-Max NL (Re-Entry)

Players are on a one hour dinner break with play resuming at 8 pm.

Number of Entries: 156
Players Remaining: 58
Chips in Play: 3.12 million

Average Stack: 54k (45 BB)
Big Stack: 191k (159 BB)

Next Blinds: 600/1,200/200 ante

Total Buy-In: $156,000
First Prize: $42,373
Places Paid: 18

Event 14: Dinner Time Chip Counts

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

Here are the chip counts for the final five:

Manh Nguyen - 1.2 million
Alex Rocha - 720k
Dan Buzgon - 405k
Vinny Pahuja - 360k
Jay Nair - 345k

Average stack is 600k.

Event 16: Chow Chips

$1000 + $90 Six-Max NL (Re-Entry)

The last level before dinner is underway with 63 (of 156 starting) players remaining.  The average stack is 50k (50 BB) as blinds are now 500/1k, 100 ante.

Dinner is slated for just before 7 pm and there will be lots of activity on the break as the green (25) chips will be colored up.  When play resumes, the levels be one hour long, up from the current 40 minutes of length.


Event 14: Dinner Time

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

Blinds:  4k/8k, 1k ante  

Blinds and antes are moving around the table.

Jay Nair has been fairly quiet, but he recently picked up some chips.

On a flop of K T 9 with two clubs, Dan Buzgon bet 32k.  Jay moved all-in and Dan let it go.

A little while later, Dan opened for 18k and Jay raised to 45k.  Again Dan let it go.  Jay's up to ~360k.

Another level is done.  The players decided to take dinner early, so they'll be back about 7:30pm to resume play.

Event 16: Building Castles

$1000 + $90 Six-Max NL (Re-Entry)

Leah Laying the Foundation

Mike Leah isn't just using his chips to punish opponents, but he's keeping himself entertained by building walls and castles.

Coming back from the last break Leah is the chip leader with 113k, but on the last hand of the prior level he was feeling generous.  Leah gives Josh Weizer (Philadelphia, PA) a 16k courtesy double-up with slim holdings against Weizer's pocket kings.

Weizer wants his "castle" to be in the photograph, but is told he has some work to do before his designs are part of poker's pantheon of architecture.

Event 14: 6th Place - Smith

$1000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
 
Alex Smith (Highland Park, NJ)
$7,275

Blinds:  4k/8k, 1k ante 

Alex Smith was all-in pre-flop holding QJ and racing against Dan Buzgon's pocket 8s.

The flop came J 9 2 and gave Alex the lead with a pair of Jacks.

Then an 8 on the turn gave Dan a set.

River was a 5 and Dan took the pot.

Alex Smith finished in 6th place earning $7,275.

Event 14: Chips Movin' Round

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

Blinds:  4k/8k, 1k ante 

Alex Rocha opened for 19k (cutoff).  Manh Nguyen called from the button and Dan Buzgon called from the big blind.

The flop was K 9 9 and all three checked.  Turn was a Q and again all checked.  River was a Jack and put three hearts on the board.

Dan checked, Alex bet 29k, Manh called, Dan folded, and Alex showed QJ for Queens-up.  Manh had AQ for a lesser two pair.  Alex collected the pot.

Most pots are taken down pre-flop.

Alex Smith moved all-in, but got no takers.

Still six players.

Event 16: Chip Leaders

$1000 + $90 Six-Max NL (Re-Entry)

Name-Chip Count

Mike Leah (Las Vegas, NV via Canada-"eh") 113k
Jason Deutsch (Staten Island, NY) 96k
Ken Aldridge (Pleasant Garden, NC) 92k
Mickey Woll (Manahawin, NJ) 87k
Vic Cianelli (Pittsburgh, PA) 84k

Players are back from a 10 minute break. 72 (of 156) players remain with an average stack of 42k (53 BB) as blinds are now 400/800, 75 ante.

Event 14: Chip Counts

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

Blinds Up:  4k/8k, 1k ante

Play has resumed.  Here are the chip counts as of the break:

Manh Nguyen - 1.045 million
Alex Rocha - 835k
Dan Buzgon - 395k
Vinny Pahuja - 265k
Jay Nair - 250k
Alex Smith - 220k

Average stack is 500k (83 big blinds).

Event 14: 7th Place - Elkerdawy

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

Mohamed Elkerdawy (Brigantine, NJ)
$5,820

Blinds:  3k/6k, 500 ante 

Alex Rocha opened on the button for 13,500.  Manh Nguyen called from the small blind.

Then Mohamed Elkerdawy moved all-in for ~140k more from the big blind.

Alex folded, but Manh made the call, showing pocket 3s.  Mohamed was racing with A4.  The board bricked off J 7 5 T Q and Manh took the pot -- and the chip lead with over 1 million.

Mohamed will take $5,820 for 7th place.

End of level and time for a break.

Event 14: Nguyen Gets a Piece of Rocha

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

Blinds:  3k/6k, 500 ante

Alex Rocha (hijack) raised to 13,500.  Manh Nguyen (cutoff) called and Jay Nair (bb) came along for the flop:  5 5 2.

Jay checked, Alex bet 27k, Manh called, and Jay folded.

Turn was a 6.  Alex checked.  Manh bet 42k.  Alex called.

River was another 2.  Both players checked.  Manh showed AQ (Ace kicker with two pair on board). Alex mucked.

Event 14: Fear the Hat

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

 Rocha Rocking the Lid

Final table chip leader Alex Rocha took poker off for 6 months and he's back with a vengeance and a new look.

"I found it in the closet," says Rocha about his winter cap with faux fur ear flaps, "I don't know where it came from. I just wanted to look like a tool."

So far so good, as Rocha now has two final tables at the Borgata Spring Poker Open, including his 6th place/$5,856 finish in the Event 4 Big Stack.

"I wanted to be a clown and look extra gimmicky," he says on his return to poker.  "Like someone who doesn't know what they're doing."

Rocha says the image has worked to his advantage as players are more apt to call his bets and he can actually play a tighter game than it appears.

He wants you to call him a "tool" and a "clown," but more importantly he wants you to call him when he's holding the nuts.

Event 14: 8th Place - Hwang

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

'Action' Bob Hwang (Barnegat, NJ)
$4,365

Blinds:  3k/6k, 500 ante 

Action Bob Hwang moved in for his last ~75k and got looked up by Vinny Pahuja in the big blind. 

Bob's pocket 2s were crushed by Vinny's pocket Tens. 

The board brought no help for Bob.  He finished in 8th place ($4,365).

Event 14: 9th Place - Camuso

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

Laura Camuso (Woburne, MA)
$3,274

Blinds:  2,500/5,000, 500 ante

Laura Camuso moved in utg and Alex Rocha called utg+2.  Everyone else folded.

Laura had pocket Jacks.  Alex had her crushed with pocket Kings.

The board ran out K 9 7 J 3 and both players improved to a set, but Alex's was boss.

Laura Camuso finished 9th place ($3,274).

Event 14: 10th Place - Boyle

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

James Boyle (Havre de Grace, MD)
$2,910

Blinds:  2,500/5,000, 500 ante 

Manh Nguyen opened for 12,500 and James Boyle moved in for his last ~150k.  Manh called, showing pocket 8s.  James was racing with AQ.

An 8 on the flop gave Manh a set and the pot.

James Boyle will pick up $2,910 for 10th place.

Event 14: Rocha Out-Kicks Elkerdawy

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

Blinds:  2,500/5,000, 500 ante  

Mohamed Elkerdawy opened for 11,500 utg and got a call from Alex Rocha (button). 

The flop came A 9 9 and both players checked. 

Turn was a 2.  Mohamed led out for 16k and Alex called. 

River was an 8.  Mohamed bet 26k.  Alex called.

Mohamed showed AT for Aces-up.  Alex showed AJ for Aces-up with a better kicked to take the pot.

Event 16: Teaching Them a Lesson

$1000 + $90 Six-Max NL (Re-Entry)

Ken Cans Three Players in Two Hands

Retired teacher and WSOP bracelet holder Ken Aldridge (Pleasant Garden, NC) is running well and with three recent knockouts has the chip lead.

"Teach" Aldridge first flops a set of 8s on a board of K J 8 and is all in against two players.  The bigger stack (32k) has K J for top two pairs, while the shorter stack (10k) has Q 10 for an open ended straight draw.

Aldridge survives the turn and river and takes down a 75k pot with the double knockout.

On the next hand his run-good continues when he flops another set against Chirag Patel (Laurel, MD) who's holding AK on a king high board.  "This guy is incredible," says Patel after shipping 30k to Aldridge on his knockout.

Aldridge, who is now up to 115k, has $948,000 in career tournament earnings including a 2009 bracelet in a 6-max tournament.

"I think my age gives me a bit of an advantage," says the 60 year-old.  "Players expect me to sit around and only play the nuts and sometimes I do."

He feels another advantage comes from his days in the classroom.  "I've been reading these young kids for 29 years," he says.  "I have an idea of what they're feeling."

Aldridge is playing in his first Borgata Spring Poker Open event and is staying sharp for an upcoming tournament that has an unprecedented buy-in of $1 million.  If he can attract enough investors, not only will he play for what will be a record breaking prize pool, but help some worthy causes along the way.

"If this happens," says Aldridge, "it'll be a great experience"

Level 6 (200/400, 50 ante) continues.

Event 14: Final Table

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

Blinds (still):  2,500/5,000, 500 ante 

Here's the final table lineup with chip counts:

Seat - Player - Chips
1 - Vinny Pahuja - 250k
2 - Alex Rocha - 719k
3 - Manh Nguyen - 580k
4 - James Boyle - 95k
5 - Mohamed Elkerdawy - 165k
6 - Dan Buzgon - 330k
7 - Bob Hwang - 110k
8 - Jay Nair - 145k
9 - Alex Smith - 360k
10 - Laura Camuso - 120k

Final table action is underway.

Event 14: 11th Place - Fouksman

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

Eugene Fouksman (Manalapan, NJ)
$2,910

Blinds:  2,500/5,000, 500 ante

On the turn with a board of K♠9♣6♣6♠, Eugene Fouksman checked (sb) and Manh Nguyen (utg) bet 28k.  After giving it some thought, Eugene called.

River was the 3♠.  Eugene took a few seconds, then checked.  Manh shoved and Eugene called all-in.

Eugene had K♣T♣ for Kings-up (missed flush draw).

Manh showed AK for Kings-up with top kicker.  He claimed the pot.

Eugene Fouksman finished in 11th place, earning $2,910.

The final ten are taking a break and moving to the final table.

Event 14: 12th Place - Petrangelo

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


 Nick Petrangelo (Feeding Hills, MA)
$2,910

 Blinds:  2,500/5,000 with 500 ante

Nick Petrangelo got his last chips in holding A8, but ran into the AT of Manh Nguyen.  The board bricked completely and Manh took the pot with Ace-Ten-high.

Nick took 12th and $2,910.

Event 14: Vinny Takes a Bite Out of the Chip Leader

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

Blinds:  2,500/5,000, 500 ante

In a battle of the blinds, Alex Rocha raised to 12.500 from the small.

Vinny Pahuja called from the big.

The flop came 7 6 2 rainbow.

Alex bet 18,500.  Vinny flatted.  Turn was another 6.

Alex checked, Vinny bet 28k, and Alex flatted.

River was another 2.  Alex checked.  Vinny took his time, then bet 57,500.  Alex tanked for a couple of minutes, then called.

Vinny showed 64 suited for 6s-full.  Alex mucked.

Event 14: Chip Counts

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

Blinds Up:  2,500/5,000, 500 ante

Approximate chips counts as of the break:

Alex Rocha - 790k  (158 big blinds)
Dan Buzgon - 360k
Manh Nguyen - 335k
Alex Smith - 270k
Jay Nair - 255k
Vinny Pahuja - 240k
Mohamed Elkerdawy - 170k
James Boyle - 160k
Eugene Fouksman - 145k
Bob Hwang - 140k
Laura Camuso - 135k
Nick Petrangelo - 60k (12 big blinds)

Twelve players remain.  Average is 250k (50 big blinds).

Event 14: Quadzilla for Fouksman

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

On a flop of T T T, Nick Petrangelo (cutoff) fired a bet.  Eugene Fouksman (button) flatted.  Turn was a 2 and both players checked.

River was a King.  Nick bet 25,800.  Eugene waited a few seconds, then moved all in.  Nick folded.

"You got the Ten?"  Nick asked.  Eugene smiled, then curled up the corner of one of his cards, revealing the case Ten.

End of level and time for a color-up break.

Event 16: Closing Shop

$1000 + $90 Six-Max NL (Re-Entry)

The registration and re-entry portion of the program is now closed.

Also in the Field

Steve Dannenmann
Mike Dentale
Dave Inselberg
Jeff Papola
Ian Palomo
Matt Mazzeo
Russell Crane
Roman Valerstein
Mike Linster
Joe Liberta
Mickey Woll
Bill Blanda
Miguel Borerro
Anthony Maio
Jamie Kerstetter

Event 14: 13th Place - McMahon

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

John McMahon (Riverdale, NJ)
$2,546

John McMahon loses his last 135k to Dan Buzgon who wakes up with AA.  

McMahon limps with A K and moves all in after Buzgon's raise.  McMahon picks up a couple of draws, but doesn't connect. 

John McMahon is out in 13th place and takes home $2,546.

Buzgon's Tweet:

Poker is easy when guy limp shoves with aks and I have my fav hand. He managed to flop a gutter and back door diamonds.

Event 14: 14th Place - Decker

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

Jason Decker (Clifton Park, NY)
$2,546

Alex Rocha continues to extend his chip lead after flopping a set of jacks against Jason Decker who turned two pairs.  Rocha now has more than 700k while Decker is out in 14th place for $2,546.

Event 14: 15th Place - Cornell

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

Cameron Cornell (Burlington, VT)
$2,546

Cameron Cornell's K♠ K♣ are cracked by Alex Rocha who calls the preflop raise with K Q.

Rocha hits the dream flop of J 4 3and slow plays the second nuts until getting the rest of Cornell's chips on the turn.

Cameron Cornell ships 150k total across the table and is out in 15th place, adding $2,546 to his bankroll.

Event 14: McMahon Doubles Through Fouksman

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

McMahon (left) is All In vs Fouksman

A third club hits the river and John McMahon check-raises all in for 70k. Gene Fouksman mulls it over asks if he's making a move.  "I think I have you beat and I need chips," says McMahon.

Fouksman makes the crying call and McMahon tables the king high flush to double-up his short stack.

Event 14: Work Hard for the Money

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

Players still left in the $1k include heavy hitters Vinny Pahuja, Manh Nguyen, Dan Bugon, James Boyle, Alex Rocha and "Action" Bob Hwang.

The field getting lots of love via Twitter as play is underway.


Gl to my buddies still in the 1k day 2 and James boyle

Yes, glgl and Ty for staying outta my 6max

Event 14: Bang, Bang..Two Gone.

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

On the first hands of the day there are two eliminations, one on each table.

On table 2 short stack Warren Wiggins (Woodstock, MD) open jams 18k with QJ and Nick Petrangelo (Feeding Hills, MA) makes the call with AJ.  Wiggins doesn't catch up and is heading to the cage.

On table 1 Mark Wahba (Cleveland, OH) is all in with AK, but is crushed by Alex Rocha's pocket aces.  The rockets hold and Rocha adds 150k to his chip lead.

Wiggins, the shorter of the two stacks is credited with a 17th place finish, while Wahba is 16th. Both players earn $2,183.

Event 14: Back in Action

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

The 17 remaining players are in the back of the Poker Room and ready to chase down the $43,648 first prize.

Alex Rocha (S. Setauket, NY) is the chip leader with 429k (143 BB), while Warren Wiggins (Woodstock, MD) returns as the short stack with 18k (6 BB).

Blinds resume at 1,500/3k, 400 ante.

Event 16: Déjà Vu All Over Again

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

A couple of players are experience something that Yogi Berra knows all too well, déjà vu. 

Peter Ippolito is at table 5 for the second straight day, but in a different seat.  But Jerry Payne is back at table 4, seat 1.  "Hope I have better luck today," he says with a smile.

Hopefully both players aren't doomed to repeat history as neither cashed in yesterday's $1k tournament.

Event 16: Field Finder

$1000 + $90 Six-Max NL (Re-Entry)

Early Arrivals

Matt Matros
Mike Leah
Jerry Payne
Ted Geier
Alex Queen
Cherish Andrews
Travis Greenawalt
Peter Ippolito
Adam Lippert

And making his first appearance in the Borgata Spring Poker Open is former NFL tightend Ken Dunek, who played on the 1980 Philadelphia Eagles NFC Championship team.

Event 16: $1k Part Deux

$1000 + $90 Six-Max NL (Re-Entry)

This is the second $1k of the series and they're on back-to-back days as we gear up for the Borgata Spring Championship Event (April 15-19).

This time it's a six-max meaning the action is fast and furious with 3, 4 and 5-bet preflop action.

Players start with 20k in chips and levels are 40 minutes each (11+/1 hr.).  It's a two day tournament with re-entry available for the first four levels.

Cards are riffled, cut & on the felt!

Saturday, April 14

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


11AM: Event 16 - $1000 + $90 Six-Max No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
  • Players start with 20,000 in tournament chips 
  • Levels 1-10: will last 40 minutes each | Levels 11+: will last 60 minutes each
  • Players that "bust" within the first 4 Levels may Re-Enter (unlimited re-entries)
  • 2-Day event


12PM:  Event 37 - $135 + $25 Championship Qualifier NLH
  • Players start with 12,000 in tournament chips
  • Levels will last 20 minutes each
  • Approximately 1 in 20 will win entry into $1 Million Guaranteed Borgata Spring Poker Open Championship (April 15-19, 2012)
  • 1-Day event

4 PM:  Event 38 - $540 + $60 Championship Qualifier NLH
  • Players start with 15,000 in tournament chips 
  • Levels 1-10: will last 30 minutes each | Levels 11+: will last 40 minutes each
  • Approximately 1 in 5 will win entry into $1 Million Guaranteed Borgata Spring Poker Open Championship (April 15-19, 2012)
  • 1-Day event

      Event 14 Chip Counts - Day 2

      Borgata Spring Poker Open
      Event 14 - $1000 + $90 No Limit Hold'em
      April 13-14, 2012

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

      START OF DAY 2 SEAT ASSIGNMENTS & CHIP COUNTS:
      T1 | S1 - JASON DECKER (CLIFTON PARK, NY):  46,700
      T1 | S2 - MARK WAHBA (CLEVELAND, OH):  150,000
      T1 | S3 - ROBERT HWANG (BARNEGAT, NJ):  243,800
      T1 | S4 - CAMERON CORNELL (BURLINGTON, VT):  172,000
      T1 | S5 - ALEXANDER ROCHA (S SETAUKET, NY):  429,300
      T1 | S6 - VINEET PAHUJA (HICKSVILLE, NY):  184,500
      T1 | S7 - MOHAMED ELKERDAWY (BRIGANTINE, NJ):  85,900
      T1 | S8 - LAURA CAMUSO (WOBURNE, MA):  87,400
      T1 | S9 - ALEX SMITH (HIGHLAND PARK, NJ):  341,900

      T2 | S1 - JAMES BOYLE (HAVRE DE GRACE, MD):  208,100
      T2 | S2 - MANH NGUYEN (MUNHALL, PA):  332,600
      T2 | S3 - DANIEL BUZGON (MARLTON, NJ):  178,800
      T2 | S4 - JAYAKRISHNAN NAIR (REDMOND, WA):  82,800
      T2 | S5 - WARREN WIGGINS (WOODSTOCK, MD):  17,700
      T2 | S6 - NICHOLAS PETRANGELO (FEEDING HILLS, MA):  140,600
      T2 | S7 - JOHN MCMAHON (RIVERDALE, NJ):  82,500
      T2 | S8 - EUGENE FOUKSMAN (MANALAPAN, NJ):  226,100

      Event 15 Recap

      $350 + $50 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
      Congratulations to our winner, Brian Ballentine (Liverpool, NY) who just beat out Matthew Graham (Huntington, WV) heads-up scoring $29,610.

      Brian ran great practically wire to wire, but ran especially well at the final table. He just kept building on his lead catching two pair or straights seemingly almost at will.  The funny thing was his opponents kept paying him off -- almost as if caught in some sort of poker trance.

      With 323 entries for this one-day tournament all vying for their part of the $113,050 prize pool.  On Friday, April 13th you would expect the field to be very afraid of Borgata regulars, including Jamie Kerstetter, Barry Leventhal, Adam Lippert, Matt "Muffins" Mazzeo, and Larry Gold.

      The day began to wind down as chip leader Travis Greenawalt entered the final table with 500,000.  However, his A-A was cracked by J-3 and Greenawalt exited in 8th place ($3,235).

      The day ended with Brian Ballentine winning the Borgata Spring Poker Open Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em trophy along with a $29,610 payday, as he cut through the final six players like a hot knife through butter. Since Brian is currently in between jobs the money will be put to good use.

      Final Table
      1. Brian Ballentine (Liverpool, NY) $29,610
      2. Matthew Graham (Huntington, WV) $16,449
      3. Richard Silvia (Manhasset, NY) - $10,198
      4. Moran David (New York, NY) - $8,224
      5. James Arvesen (Lebanon, NJ) - $6,560
      6. Mickey Woll (Manahawkin, NJ) - $5,373
      7. Frank DiRe (Columbus, NJ) - $4,332
      8. Travis Greenawalt (Landisville, PA) - $3,235
      9. Robert Morelli (Selden, NY) - 2,193
      10. Andersen Almonte (Bronx, NY) - 1,426

      Event 15: 1st Place - Ballentine

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

      Brian Ballentine (Liverpool, NY)
      $29,610

      Congratulations to Brian Ballentine who dominated the final table and almost went wire to wire in Event 15.

      Every time I looked up Brian had two pair or a straight and his Opponent's kept paying him off.

      Big hand during early levels stacked him up after winning an AK vs QQ race.

      After that it was smooth sailing until he hit a bump losing a 500,000 pot - dropping down to 130,000. Within 30 minutes he built it back up to 500,000 again.

      He crushed the final table and took care of business quickly.

      "People kept giving me chips" said the first time Borgata tournament player.

      His winning had was K-8 vs. Matthew Graham's Q-9 on a 6-A-K-8-J board.

      Event 15: 2nd Place - Graham

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

      Matthew Graham (Parkersburg, WV)
      $16,446

      First time that Matthew Graham ever played in Atlantic City and he just took Borgata for $16,446. He dedicates the score to his little 7-month old at home named Olive.

      Matthew was chip dominated heads-up against monster leader Brian Ballentine but refused to give up. He hung on for 8 hands of heads-up play before falling to Brian again having two pair.

      The kid made a great fold when he got away from K-Q vs. AA. He dropped half his stack going from 85,000 to 45,000 but built back and finished in 2nd.

      Matthew is a recent graduate of Marshall University and a big Pittsburgh Steelers fan.

      Graham will use part of his prize to play in the Championship Event.

      Event 15: 3rd Place - Silvia

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

      Richard Silvia (Manhasset, NY)
      $10,198

      Richard is another victim to Brian Ballentine's lucky streak.

      Richard had 6-6 and was up against Brian's 10-J.

      The river game Richard a small straight and Brian the large.

      Silvia says hi to his kids, Gabrielle & Sydney (Dad did great!).

      Event 15: 4th Place - David

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

      Moran David (New York, NY)
      $8,224

      With K-9, Moran David made a move that proved to be costly. After Brian Ballentine raised the turn, Moran shipped the turn and was drawing dead.

      Ballentine had Q-3 for two pair on a board of 2-A-3-Q-9.

      Ballentine is tearing this final table apart.

      Event 15: 5th Place - Arvesen

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

      James Arvesen (Lebanon, NJ)
      $6,360

      The same river card that gave James Arvesen a set of aces, gave Brian Ballentine a Broadway straight.

      James' AA vs. Brian's Q-J

      Board ran: K-10-6-J-A

      James jammed the river and Brian called.

      Good run for James who the table seemed to respect and enjoy playing with.

      Event 36: Photo Finish

      $200 Buy In + $30 DS Semi-Turbo

      Event 36 is in the books.

      Congrats to Paul Darden the Champion who just earned $9,545.

      The Top Five

      From left to right: Mike Hickman, Frank Ingardia, Kevin McCrea, Paul Darden, & Sal Gagliano

      Event 15: 6th Place - Woll

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

      Mickey Woll (Manahawkin, NJ)
      $5,373

      Borgata Regular, Mickey Woll shipped his stack in the big blind with A-8 of diamonds and was called by Brian Ballentine's A-10.

      A-10 held on a board of 6-K-2-5-6 (no diamonds).

      Woll and his rail headed out in 6th Place earning $5,373.

      Event 15: 7th Place - DiRe

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

      Frank DiRe (Columbus, NJ)
      $4,332

      Frank thanks Mike & Pat who sweated him on the rail.

      Last hand had Frank shipping his last 250,000 in the big blind with Q-10. Moran David called holding A-9 and the hand held.

      Board: 8-8-6-7-J

      When he's not playing poker Frank is a sales manager for a mortgage company.

      "I got lucky early then stayed out of big pots until I needed to" said DiRe who will take home $4,332 for his one day's worth of work.

      Event 15: 8th Place - Greenawalt

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

      Travis Greenawalt (Landisville, PA)
      $3,235

      Travis started the final table with 500,000 but got crippled when his AA got sucked out on by J-3. Travis got all his chips in on the turn leaving his opponent, Richard Silvia, drawing to five outs.

      Board: 2-10-J-7-3

      Silvia soars up to 1.9 million after hand.

      Greenawalt amazingly moved up two spots to 8th Place after the mighty blow.

      Event 15: 9th Place - Morelli

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

      Robert Morelli (Long Island, NY)
      $2,193

      Robert shipped with A-10 and ran into A-J on the button, which held.

      When he's not playing poker Robert works in the Utility industry in Long Island.

      Event 15: 10th Place - Almonte

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

      Anderson "Flow" Almonte (Bronx, NY)
      $1,426

      Rough exit for High School Dean - Anderson "Flow" Almonte who got his 200,000 stack in good with KK only to be run down by Matthew Graham's A-10.

      Board fell J-Q-6-K-9 giving Graham the straight.

      Anderson is up and coming in the poker world and calls himself the "best unluckiest player there is".

      Event 15: Final Table Set

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

      Final Table:

      Seat Pos....Player...City...............Chip Counts
      1. Anderson Almonte (Bronx, NY).............200,000
      2. Micky Woll (Manahawkin, NJ)..............1,500,000
      3. Travis Greenawalt (Landisville, PA).......500,000
      4. Richard Silvia (Manhasset, NY).............600,000
      5. James Arvesen (Levanon, NJ)................500,000
      6. Moran David (New York, NJ).................1,600,000
      7. Brian Ballentine (Syracuse, NY).............900,000
      8. Frank DiRe (Columbus, NJ)....................400,000
      9. Robert Morelli (Long Island, NY)............250,000
      10. Matthew Graham (Parkersburg, WV).....900,000

      We'll be playing this until a winner tonight.

      Event 15: Busto

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

      Recent Bust-outs each earning $822
      23 - Leonard Cortellino (Lewiston, ME)
      22 - Andrew Knee (Port St. Lucie, FL)
      21 - Thomas Pomponio (Manahawkin, NJ)
      20 - William Dugan (Ventnor, NJ)
      19 - George Medrano (Grapevine, TX)

      Recent Bust-outs each earning $932
      18 - John Greenwood (Bellmore, NY)
      17 - Alejandro Pena (Centerport, NY)
      16 - David Kim (Flushing, NY)

      Recent Bust-outs each earning $1,097
      15 - Magheifry Ouldcheikh (New Port News, VA)
      14 - Maruti Yarlapati (Pine Brook, NJ)
      13 - Paul Sleeper (Cherry Hill, NJ)

      12- Brian Odonoghue (Bayside, NY) - $1,426
      11 - Gregory Rochester (Deer Park, NY) $1,426

      Event 14: Final Chip Counts

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

      Alex Rocha - Chip Leader - 429,300

      Finally the bubble breaks and play concludes for the night with the top 18 making the money.

      Play resumes tomorrow at noon in Borgata Poker Room.

      1. Alex Rocha.....429,300
      2. Alex Smith.....341,900
      3. Manh Nguyen.....332,600
      4. Action Bob Hwang.....243,800
      5. Eugene Fouksman.....226,100
      6. James Boyle.....208,100
      7. Vinny Pahija.....184,500
      8. Daniel Buzgon.....178,800
      9. Cameron Cornell.....172,000
      10. Mark Wahba.....150,000
      11. Nick Petrangelo.....140,000
      12. Mohamed Elkerdawy.....85,900
      13. Laura Camuso.....84,400
      14. Jay Nair.....82,800
      15. John McMahoa.....82,500
      16. Jason Decker.....46,700
      17. Warren Wiggins.....17,700

      18th Place - Anthony Arnieri - $2,183

      Bubble - Leonardo Palermo

      Final hand of the night sent everyone off with some excitement.

      Palermo jams his short stack with A-J off. Anthony Arnieri jams with two black Kings and barely has Palermo covered. Then James Boyle tanks holding 10J for 40,700 more. Finally he calls.

      Board ran out: Q 8 4♠ 10♠ 5 giving Boyle the flush and the double knock-out.

      Anthony Arnieri - 18th Place - $2,183

      Event 14: Last Woman Standing

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

      Borgata regular Nancy Martin hung on as long as she could but lost her final race of the night failing to cash.

      That leaves one lady left and her name is Laura Camuso (Boston, MA).

      Congratulations to Laura.

      Meanwhile James Boyle is so focused that he can take down pots with only 6 high. Nope, not by a bluff - by pure poker magic.

      The guys at the table told me the hand either went down - bet / call - bet / call - bet / call or Opponent jammed all in and Boyle snap called showing 6-high for the scoop.

      I guess we'll never know the truth.

      Event 15: Chip Leader & Crew

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

      Bethpage Represents

      From left to right, Carlos, Greg Rochester (Long Island, NY), & Black Magic having fun at Borgata. Greg takes a quick break from the table to pose with his pals. He is the chip leader with 818,000.

      Recent bust-outs all earning $658

      36 - Syed Mahmud (Bronx, NY)
      35 - Raphael Wieczarek (Delbrueck)
      34 - Earnest Whistler (Fairfax, VA)
      33 - Subiman Mornuddin (Washington, DC)
      32 - Jeffrey Kulenych (Milford, CT)
      31 - Joseph Opie (Fair Haven, NJ)
      30 - Matthew Fox (Ozone Park, NY)
      29 - Bobby Shasta (E. Meadow NY)
      28 - Mirsad Kovaci (Allentown, PA)

      Recent bust-outs earning $822

      27 -Kevin Sheetz (Lancaster, PA)
      26 - Matthew Doyle (Litchfield Park, AZ)
      25 - Louis Cardillo (Yonkers, NY)
      24 - Ze Chen (Flushing, NY)

      Event 14: Tweets @ 22

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

      Robert Hwang
      165k at 1200-2400. 23 players left paying 18.

      Alex Rocha
      Fairly certain I just broke 300k mark. 23 left. 1k/2k blinds

      Vinny Pahuja
      160k playing 1200/2400. 24 left. 18 paid. Spring Open 1k. James Boyle and Princetendee here now too

      22 Players remain.

      Playing until we hit 18 and the money or this final level of the night concludes.

      We're in our final hour of play with blinds 1200 / 2400 and 300 antes.

      Event 14: Going Going Gone

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

      Alex Rocha stacks up to 430,000 in a three-way pot where he 4-bets QQ and they hold against seat-1's 10-10. Charlie Davis got whacked down a bit in the hand as well.

      The very next hand Charlie Davis looks down at 88 and is snap called by Alex Smith (Highland Park, NJ) who literally just sat down. Alex tabled Q-Q and knocked out Davis.

      Alex is up to 275,000.

      Field is down to 23 Players.

      Everybody is on a ten minute break.

      Event 15: Take A Knee

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

      Andy Knee (Mt. Sinai, NY) - 540,000

      Andy is amongst the chip leaders with 540,000.

      He doubled thru the Opponent to his left for a 250,000 pot. Andy's A-8 ran-down JJ when an ace hit the flop.

      Andy made the WPT TV final table here in 2007 during Season VII.

      29 Players remain in the Poker Room.

      Playing this baby out until it's over tonight/this morning.

      Big stacks have 500,000 - 700,000.

      Leader with 750,000 is Travis Greenawalt (Landisville, PA).