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♣6♥5♣, 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 A♥7♥.

The flop came 9♥9♠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 A♦9♠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.