Event 1 Final Results

Borgata Spring Poker Open

Event 1: $350 + $50 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em

April 13 - 14, 2011

Entries: 727

Total Buy-In: $254,450

FINAL RESULTS

1. MICHAEL DENTALE (BROOKLYN, NY): $57,267

2. DAVID HECK (COLTS NECK, NJ): $33,320

3. MARIANO PEREZ (HILLSBOROUGH, NJ): $20,362

4. JAMES HAYDUK (JOHNSTOWN, PA): $16,784

5. JOHN ZOLDAK (STATEN ISLAND, NY): $13,575

6. ANDREW KLEIN (OCEAN, NJ): $11,107

7. KRZYSZTOF PERKA (RIDGEWOOD, NY): $8,885

8. ALBERTINO MORIELLO (SPRINGFIELD, NJ): $6,787

9. DEMETRIOS GEORGOUS (LITTLE FALLS, NJ): $4,690

10. DYLAN MICH (TUCKERTON, NJ): $3,085

11. MATTHEW KLECKNER (COPLAY, PA): $3,085

12. DAVID URIE (BETHLEHEM, PA): $3,085

13. MICHAEL BUTTACAVOLI (VENTNOR, NJ): $2,221

14. DANIEL OLARNICK (NEW YORK, NY): $2,221

15. KIAN KIARASH (NEW YORK, NY): $2,221

16. THOMAS BALLA (BELLEROSE, NY): $1,530

17. CHII CHING SUN (MERRICK, NY): $1,530

18. WILTON CLARK (MORRISTOWN, NJ): $1,530

19. ELDAR MARKOVICH (FAIR LAWN, NJ): $1,308

20. EDWARD HWANG (MAYS LANDING, NJ): $1,308

21. MICHAEL SICA JR (N BRUNSWICK, NJ): $1,308

22. ELLIOTT ZAYDMAN (GLEN ROCK, NJ): $1,308

23. MICHAEL DICHIARO (HOBOKEN, NJ): $1,308

24. TIMOTHY DOUGHERTY (FRESH MEADOWS, NY): $1,308

25. LANA MAIER (BOUND BROOK, NJ): $1,308

26. ANTHONY MAIO (JAMISON, PA): $1,308

27. JULIAN MIRANDA (UNION CITY, NJ): $1,308

28. RALPH DEANGELUS (BERLIN, MD): $1,160

29. JOSEPH UDINE (VOORHEES, NJ): $1,160

30. ALEXEY PENYEVSKIY (BROOKLYN, NY): $1,160

31. TODD THROCKMORTON (BARBOURSVILLE, VA): $1,160

32. THOMAS MACARI (CENTEREACH, NY): $1,160

33. EUGENE MORGOVSKY (BROOKLYN, NY): $1,160

34. LAURENCE GOLDSTEIN (MEDFORD, NY): $1,160

35. EDMOND MCCARTHY (SOUDERTON, PA): $1,160

36. NASHAAT ANTONIOUS (REDINGTON SHORES, FL): $1,160

37. ADAM AGAEV (BROOKLYN, NY): $1,037

38. ERIC RONDON (BAYSHORE, NY): $1,037

39. BERNARD CASANOVA (FARMINGVILLE, NY): $1,037

40. ALEX LUKATSKY (BROOKLYN, NY): $1,037

41. ILYA DYMENT (BROOKLYN, NY): $1,037

42. MYLES GLYNN (ASTORIA QUEEN, NY): $1,037

43. JOSEPH CRAMER (CARLISLE, PA): $1,037

44. MARK LLORENTE (LONG ISLAND CITY, NY): $1,037

45. JAMES KAPLAN (BOCA RATON, FL): $1,037

46. DAVID TRAN (ANNANDALE, VA): $913

47. ROSARIO MARRUSO (STATEN ISLAND, NY): $913

48. JOSEPH COHEN (PHILADELPHIA, PA): $913

49. THOMAS DIANTONIO (PHILADELPHIA, PA): $913

50. ALLEN HOPKINS (MADISON HEIGHTS, VA): $913

51. HUGH BARTLETT (BOHEMIA, NY): $913

52. EDWARD BETLOW (MORRIS PLAINS, NJ): $913

53. RICARDO FESTEJO (EGG HARBOR TWP, NJ): $913

54. IOANNIS DINOS (ASTORIA, NY): $913

55. JOSEPH LACHIANA (BARDONIA, NY): $814

56. ABUL MOBORROD (VENTNOR CITY, NJ): $814

57. CHRISTOPHER GAGG (LAKE GROVE, NY): $814

58. DAVID BLACK (ROBBINSVILLE, NJ): $814

59. PAUL RELYEA (BRKLYN, NY): $814

60. DAVID ZEITLIN (BROOKLYN, NY): $814

61. PETER CHIARULLI (BROOKLYN, NY): $814

62. KENNETH BROWN (SHAMONG, NJ): $814

63. CHARLES JONES (PITTSBURGH, PA): $814

64. JOHN RABEL (VIRGINIA BCH, VA): $716

65. LEANNE ROSENBLATT (BRIGANTINE, NJ): $716

66. FRANK DEFUSO (READING, PA): $716

67. WILLIAM MCGROARTY (BARDONIA, NY): $716

68. ERIC HERNANDEZ (BELLMORE, NY): $716

69. KHOA VAN (WILKES BARRE, PA): $716

70. KARL HELD (FOREST HILLS, NY): $716

71. JOHN DEGEORGE (TOMS RIVER, NJ): $716

72. ANDREW POWDERLY (REISTERSTOWN, MD): $716

Event 2 Recap

Event 2: $300 + $50 No Limit Hold-em

263 players entered the field to try and win their share of the $78,900 total buy in for Event 2.

Action started at 11am and each player started with 10,000 in chips with levels starting at 30 minutes then increasing to 40 for levels 11 and up.

Familiar faces included Gordon Eng, Howard Wolper, James “Suits” Salters, Al Riccobono, Steve Ryan, Dao Bui, Dennis Zollo, & John Harvilla.

David Sesso was the clear chip leader with 128,000 before everyone broke for dinner.

Adam Brody (Melville, NY) was the last man standing out of his 7 friends who also played in Event 2 today. Brody finished 12^th.

Our final table of ten included, Peter Ciampa, Star Moore, Joe Hanrahan, Joe Defilippo, Frank Gangemi, Gill Sacks, Daniel Chan, Jordan Zucker, Kris Nunziato, & John DeGeorge.

With giant blinds, most of our quality players were off to the races.

John DeGeorge's scored $3,827 for 6^th place and also cashed in event 1.

The top five seemed to tumble quickly and fell in the following order:

Jordon Zucker 5^th - $4,592

Kris Nunziata 4^th - $5,892

Star Moore 3^rd - $7,270 Star was the shortest stack when the bubble burst.

Second place went to Frank Gangemi who took home $12,628 but our big winner was veteran Borgata player Gill Sacks who had the chip lead for the majority of the day.

Gill had to hit runner, runner for a miracle flush early on just to make what would become an historic run.

Gill sacked away $21,429 for his days worth of work and added the 2011 Spring Poker Open trophy to his mantle of many other poker achievements.

Event 3 Recap

7-Card Stud ($300 + $50)

Seven Card Stud tournament began at 12pm. Each player started with 10,000 in chips with levels lasting 30 minutes.

Right off the bat certain players or “stud-specialists” stood out. Borgata regular Chris Reslock with $1.8 million in career earnings, 21 wins, and a WSOP bracelet was one of the favorites.

Another veteran, Charlie Townsend would play well but not make the final table or cash.

Then there was fan favorite Joe Marttine who hasn’t played poker in 7 years due to a poker injury/coma he suffered after playing 48 hours straight.

Amongst the 47 entries and $14,100 total buy-in, Diana Seidman from NY held the chip lead prior to dinner break with 34,000 then went on to become the last woman standing along with making the final table.

Our final table of eight included, Mike Duong, Diana Seidman, Bill Bumpereno, Mike Chobor, Leonard Begelman, James Paluszek, Joseph Loguidice, and Robert Cohen.

Third place prize of $2,052 went to Mike Duong which pitted James “Mailman” Paluszek heads-up versus his stud rival, Bill "Bumpereno" Munley.

After being severely short stacked, then knocking out player after player, James “Mailman” Paluszek from Philadelphia was felted by Bumpereno.

James took home $3,419 for second place and Bill Munley earned $6,154 for first.

In a Charlie Sheen “winning” moment, with a beauty on each arm, Bill credited his two Villanova girlfriends Cathy & Rene for railing him at the last minute to take home the hardware – what a STUD!

Event 2: Gill Sacks - 1st Place

$300 + $50 NL

Gill Sacks - 1st Place - $21,429

Gill Sacks is your Event 2 winner.

He enjoyed the chip lead throughout the final table but admits he had his ups and downs throughout the tournament. "I got lucky early. Had to hit runner runner flush with my tournament life on the line" Gill explained.

His luck continued in other key hands when he seemed to flop sets or turn sets almost at will.

Gill stuffed his wallet full of $21,429 of well earned cold cash.

So Gill will add the 2011 Borgata Spring Poker Open trophy to his mantle which is probably filling up at this point.

Sacks, who had a lot to say all day at the table to lots of players, didn't have too much to say to me. He did tell me he was very tired, perhaps out of gas.

Sleep well tonight Gill. Go hit the sack Sacks - you earned it!

Event 2: Frank Gangemi - 2nd Place

$300 + $50 NL

Frank Gangemi - 2nd Place - $12,628

Frank seemed to fly under the radar most of the day while amassing a ton of chips in the process.

He played well at the final table and went heads-up with chip leader Gill Sacks.

Frank is off to a great start at Borgata Spring Poker Open as he'll take home $12,628 worth of cake.

Event 2: Star Moore - 3rd Place

$300 + $50 NL

Star Moore - 3rd Place - $7,270

When the guys were playing hand for hand to see who would bubble, Star was sweating the shortest stack at all remaining tables.

With only 22,000 and 28 people left, Star hit some hands and climbed all the way back to a monster stack, a final table, and third place for $7,270.

And yes, Star really is his birth name. Moore certainly played like a star today.

Event 2: Kris Nunziata - 4th Place

$300 + $50 NL

Kris Nunziata - 4th Place - $5,892

$5,892 for Kris Nunziata and his 4th Place finish.

The flashy dresser from West Chester, NY will certainly be back for more Borgata tournaments during the 2011 Spring Poker Open.

Event 2: Jordon Zucker - 5th Place

$300 + $50 NL

Jordon Zucker - 5th Place - $4,592

Jordon Zucker adds $4,592 to his Borgata Bankroll for his 5th place finish.

Event 2: John DeGeorge - 6th Place

$300 + $50 NL

John DeGeorge - 6th Place - $3,827

John DeGeorge doubled with pocket sevens then a couple hands later up against crazy blinds lost with pocket sevens. "My sevens ran into queens" stated DeGeorge who said he had a great time and will be back tomorrow for more.

John has now cashed in the first two events.

Jordan Zucker earned the knock-out.

Another Borgata notable, Leonardo Palermo was rooting his friend on from the rail.

Congratulations to John DeGeorge's 6th place finish for $3,827.

Event 2: 7th Place - Hanrahan

$300 + $50 NL 

Joseph Hanrahan (Amherst, NH) moved all-in and got looked up by Gil Sacks.  Joseph was racing his AQ against Gil's pocket 9s.

 Joseph Hanrahan

The board came T 6 5 4 6 and brought no help for Joseph.  Gil claimed the pot and the clear chip lead.

Joseph Hanrahan claimed 7th place and $3,061.

Event 2: 8th Place - Ciampa

$300 + $50 NL

Pietro Ciampa (Elmont, NY) felt confident moving his last chips in with pocket Queens, but as luck would have it, he ran his Ladies straight into pocket Kings.

 Pietro Ciampa

The flop came K 5 5 and deepend the hole he had to climb out of.  Only running Queens would save him, but that particular thousand-to-one shot didn't come through.

Pietro Ciampa finished in 8th place, taking home $2,296.

Event 3: James "Mailman" Paluszek - 2nd Place

7-Card Stud ($300 + $50)

Two Studs Heads Up

James "Mailman" Paluszek - 2nd Place - $3,419

James Paluszek is no stranger to Stud tournaments or to his heads up opponent, Bill "Bumpereno" Munley.

They've seen each other before at final stud tables all across the country. But today would be the first time the two friendly rivals would face each other heads up.

Both were very excited and vocal about the battle.
Back and forth for a few hands until James "Mailman" Paluszek couldn't finish his route or deliver the goods.

"At one point I was down to 650 chips and climbed all the way back to chipleader" said Paluszek.

He's bringing home his $3,419 second place prize finish to his girlfriend Susan who is following the blog at home.

Event 3: Mike Duong - 3rd Place

7-Card Stud ($300 + $50)

Mike Duong - 3rd Place - $2,052

It was a long day for Mike Duong whose only comment after running into yet another monster from the Mailman was, "I'm going home to get some sleep."

Duong couldn't improve his two pair 88-33 and lost to James' set of tens.

Duong has earned $2,052 for his efforts today.

He survived a couple all in's but alas couldn't survive the final hand.

Event 1 Recap

$350 + $50 DS NL (2 re-entry)                  

The premiere event of the 2011 Borgata Spring Poker Open was the $350 No Limit DeepStack event.   Players who busted out during the first six levels had the opportunity to re-enter twice.  The total number of entries and re-entries came to 727, which generated total buy-ins of $254,450, far surpassing the $100,000 guarantee.

The final 72 players would eventually claim a piece of the prize pool, but it was Borgata regular and tournament professional Mike Dentale who claimed the top prize of of $57,267 and the beautiful trophy.

Mikey 'Unbelievable' Dentale's victory in this event is his first reported WIN in a poker tournament.  He's come close a couple of times and has many final tables, but this is his first-ever first-place finish and his third-largest career cash.

Mike took a month off from poker before this event, foregoing events at Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods.  "I wanted to come in fresh" he said.  Apparently his strategy worked like a charm.

Second-place finisher David Heck had a roughly 2.5 to 1 chip lead at the start of heads-up play, but had to settle for runner-up and $33,320.  Not bad for a purely recreational player.

Third place and $20,362 went to Mario Perez, who started day two 30th in chips of the 43 returning players.

Notable among the large field was Mike 'Little Man' Sica, who won a WSOP bracelet in 2004 (and half a million dollars).  Of the 43 players that made it to day two, Little Man was deep in the pack, 28th in chips and below average.  He managed to hang on and finish in 21st place, claiming $1,308 for his hard work.

Event 3: Joseph Loguidice - 4th Place

7-Card Stud ($300 + $50)

Joseph Loguidice - 4th Place - $1,368

The blinds were just too big for Joseph Loguidice to survive.

He was all in with two nines up against the Mailman's K-J.

Joseph was disappointed to see the Jack hit and his tournament end.

Joseph seemed to have a lot of fun at the table as he wasn't afraid to mix it up with all the other players he's obviously played with before.

Congrats on your $1,368 fourth place finish.

Event 3: Leonard Begelman - 5th Place

7-Card Stud ($300 + $50)

Leonard Begelman - 5th Place - $684

He played well all day and grinded all the way to the final table and a min-cash.

Leonard fell to the hand of James the Mailman but will take home $684 for his efforts.

Event 1: Champion - Mike Dentale

$350 + $50 DS NL (2 re-entry)                 

Mike Dentale's victory in this event is his first reported WIN in a poker tournament.  He's come close a couple of times and has many final tables, but this is his first-ever first-place finish.

 Mikey 'Unbelievable' Dentale

The first-place prize money of $57,267 is his third-largest career cash.  He considers himself a professional poker player (despite owning/running a window company) and is a regular here at Borgata.   To prepare for this series he took a month off, skipping the events at nearby Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods.  "I wanted to come in fresh" he said.

Apparently his strategy worked.  Despite being short-stacked for much of the final table, he never gave up and kept chipping away.  "I never doubled up, it was just grind, grind, grind". 

Mike plans to continue with that strategy, taking tomorrow off to rest, then returning to play the $1k No Limit event on Saturday.

Event 2: Brody Busts With A Smile

$300 + $50 NL

Adam Brody - 12th Place - $995

Adam Brody (Melville, NY) is the last man standing out of his 7 friends who played in Event 2 today. They each through in $100...add that to his 12th place finish and the kid didn't do bad for his first ever live no limit tournament.

Adam's been playing poker for years but this is his first no-limit live event ever.

His home game buddies (who have already driven home) are all part of a Borgata Spring Poker Open home battle (they created) where the winner gets a buy-in to the Championship Event.

Apparently they all chipped in some cash and whoever wins the most BSPO events earns the seat. Brody is in the lead.

Basically he just got blinded out - forced to play 3-4 off which didn't improve.

"I'm definitively gonna continue. Nice payout - good time" said a very pleased Brody.

Event 1: 2nd Place - Heck

$350 + $50 DS NL (2 re-entry)                

Mike Dentale turned up the heat.  In a recent hand, it was limped to the flop of K J 6, where both players checked.  Turn was a Queen and David Heck checked, Mike fired 800k and David called. 

River was another little card and again it went check, 800k, call.  Mike said "King" and David replied "King's good" as he mucked his hand. 

Mike took the lead with over 13 million.  David dropped under 5 million.

 David Heck

The final hand came when Mike limped on the button and David shoved all-in from the big blind.  Mike snap-called, showing AQ offsuit.  David held K9 off and would need help to survive.

The board came T 8 6 2 2 and Mike took the pot and the win with Ace-high.

David Heck (Colts Neck, NJ) finsihed in 2nd place, earning $33,320.

David is a recreational player and has a few cashes to his name, but this is his highest placement ever and largest cash ever.  He sells lasers for a living. 

David will be taking his wife and two kids to Bermuda for vacation next week, so we won't be seeing him again during this series, but I'm sure we'll see his memorable name again in the future.

Event 2: Tension Broken

$300 + $50 NL

Kris Nunziata (West Chester, NY) ships his last 100,000 into a healthy pot, announcing "all-in".

Kris tables 10 10 vs. Opponent's A-K offsuit.

Kris outflops Opponent spiking a set. Ace on the turn gives Nunziata a straight sweat but relief comes as a nine hits the river.

"Thank you brother...Felt like I had the best hand and gotta go with my gut" said Nunziata.

13 players remain.

Blinds are 4000 / 8000 with 1000 ante