Event 5 Recap

PLO ($300 + $50, 1 re-entry)

The Pot Limit Omaha High tournament began at high noon and wrapped up at 11:30pm. Players were allowed to re-enter one time.

64 players took their shot at the $19,200 total buy-in where nine players cashed with the top prize awarded at $6,518 along with the very stylish 2011 Borgata Spring Poker Open trophy.

Some notables included Freddie Rouhani (Gaithersburg, MD), a Borgata regular with a WSOP Bracelet (2008, Omaha/Stud H/L) and more than $1.6 million in career earnings. He joined the likes of Chris Reslock (Atlantic City, NJ), who is also a WSOP Bracelet holder (2007, Stud).

Another threat was Shelby Ehrlich (NYC) who turned out to be the only woman in the field so she automatically earns the last woman standing honors.

Final table of ten formed right around dinner time and included: 1 Josh Wasserman (Middletown, NJ), 2 Hung Truong (Freehold, NJ), 3 Andrew Klivan (NYC), 4 Willy McMahon (Cedar Grove, NJ), 5 Justin Zacks (NYC), 6 Bryce Fox (Pittsburgh, PA), 7 Anthony Luong (Jersey City, NJ), 8 Brian Eckstrom (Marlton, NJ), 9 Chris Sorrentino (Brooklyn, NY), and
10 Jeremy Schofer (Washington, DC).

On the second hand of the final table, the bubble breaks and the final 9 players are in the money.

Chris Sorrentino (Brooklyn, NY) was the bubble boy in 10th place when Andrew Klivan (NYC) knocked him out with trip 10s.

Then on the last hand before dinner, Andrew Klivan busted out in 9th place for a min cash. Ironically, then on the first hand after dinner, Bryce Fox busted in 8th place.

Some subplots we followed were Anthony Luong trying to rebuild his bankroll after losing a small fortune recently. Another touching story included Willy McMahon who is looking to get a bookend trophy like the one he won last year in this exact Spring Poker Open event.

Brian Eckstrom took 7th while Anthony Luong took 6th.

Josh Wasserman was the most talkative at the table keeping everyone laughing. He enjoyed 5th place for $1,304.

The final four stood strong for over an hour passing chips back and forth although Justin Zacks seemed to always have the overall chip lead.

Third place of $2,232 went to leaving and heads up.

Second place prize of $3,539 was awarded to attorney Jeremy Schofer but the big winner in Event 5 was Justin Zacks who won the trophy along with $6,581.

Justin gave the field a forty minute head-start then stood in the top three for most of the day.

Once 18 players remained, Justin became the chip leader and never looked back.

Justin, who is in the field of finance, will have $6,581 to invest or add to his bank.

Congrats again to our Champion Justin Zacks.

Event 4: 17th Place - DeFilippo

$500 + $60 NL

Marcelia Keene opened for 15k, Doug Rosen kicked it up to 37k, then Joe DeFilippo moved all in for less (about 28k).  Marcelia called and the flop came A 8 6.  Marcelia checked, Doug moved in, and Marcelia folded.

 Joe DeFilippo

Joe held KQ and had whiffed the flop.  Doug held pocket Queens and left Joe drawing slim.  The last two were bricks and Joe was toast.

Joe DeFilippo finished in 17h place, picking up $1,419 for his efforts.

Event 4: 18th Place - DiChiaro

$500 + $60 NL

Jon Sorscher raised to 10,500 utg, then Marc Lunenfeld shoved for ~48k more from utg+1.  Jon called, showing pocket Kings.  Marc held the boss pair, pocket Aces.

The board changed nothing and Marc doubled up.  Jon was left with ~135k.

Michael DiChiaro moved in utg+1 and action folded around to Tony Antonious in the big blind, who called.  Michael's AJ was racing against Tony's pocket 5s.

 Michael DiChiaro

The flop came A 6 4, giving the lead to Michael with a pair of Aces.  Turn was a 3, which gave Tony a gutshot.  The river was...a 2, giving Tony the straight and the pot.

Michael DiChiaro finished in 18th place, taking home $1,419.

Event 5: Justin Zacks - 1st Place

PLO ($300 + $50, 1 re-entry)

Justin Zacks - 1st Place - $6,518

We have an Event 5 Pot Limit Omaha - High winner and his name is Justin Zacks, a finance specialist in NY.

Congratulations to Justin who outlasted a field of 64 players to take home the trophy and $6,518.

The day started at noon but Justin didn't show up until 12:40pm. Not on purpose, just took longer to get to Borgata Hotel & Spa then he thought.

A key hand early on came when Justin busted out a player who flopped a straight. Justin turned a full-house and garnered a ton of chips.

He was second in chips with 18 players left when tables condensed and he tangled with the chip leader. Justin flopped a set while the chip leader represented a straight. Justin looked him up correctly.

That dance led to Justin taking over the chip lead and really never looking back.

His friend and poker bro Gordon Eng offered moral support once Justin made the final table.

"I like to play mix, stud, pot limit when I get bored with No Limit," said Justin.

I asked Justin what he was gonna do with the money and he replied, "probably play higher tournaments".

You could see that other players at the table knew Justin to be a good player, showing fear and respect.

Event 5: Jeremy Schofer - 2nd Place

PLO ($300 + $50, 1 re-entry)

Jeremy Schofer - 2nd Place - $3,539

After approximately fifteen hands of heads up action against Justin Zacks, Jeremy Schofer's final hand was edged out. Both players flopped three aces and both had more outs.

Justin Zacks had Schofer covered and called Jeremy's all in on the flop.

Schofer held 7-10-9-A and Zacks had A-6-5-2

Board ran A-3-A-8-4 giving Justin Zacks the straight and the win

Throughout the final table, Jeremy Schofer hung in there winning key all-in hands while taking down blinds when needed.

At the end of the final hand Zacks complimented Jeremy, saying, "you were the last person I wanted to play heads up".

Jeremy's day job? He's an attorney. Surprisingly there was no plea bargaining at the final table.

Schofer will take home $3,539 for his second place finish.

Event 4: Double, Double

$500 + $60 NL

Marc Lunenfeld moved in for 21,400 from the hijack, then Michael DiChiaro moved in for 38,900 from the small blind.  Marc's A4 offsuit was actually racing against Michael's pocket 2s.  The board came A A Q 8 5 and Marc doubled up, leaving Michael with ~17k.

Michael got all-in on the next hand from the button and got called by Bob Hwang (sb).  Michael's K2 ended up making Broadway on the river and he doubled up.

Blinds moved up to 2,500/5,000 with 500 antes.

Still 18 players.

Event 4: In The Money!

$500 + $60 NL

It took several hands, but eventually Natale Kuey was all-in pre-flop holding AT suited against the AK of John Lee. 

Despite picking up both a straight draw and flush draw by the turn, the river blanked and Natale was busted in 19th place, becoming today's official bubble-boy.

The final 18 players drew for seats and moved to the final two tables.

Event 5: William McMahon - 3rd Place

PLO ($300 + $50, 1 re-entry)

Willy McMahon - 3rd Place - $2,235

Willy was getting short stacked and was all but forced in holding a mediocre hand against Jermey.

A board of 10 J 10 2 10 came all the way down to a nine kicker which Jermey had.

William went out in third place for $2,235.

There will be no repeat for McMahon's second place finish last year. Have to get em next year.

Event 4: It's Bubble Time

 $500 + $60 NL

Chris King (Atlanta, GA) raised on the button and short-stacked Angelo Modica moved all-in from the big blind. 

 Chris King

Chris called, showing pocket Tens.  Angelo was racing with AJ.  The board brought no help for Angelo and he was busted in 20th place.

With his departure, 19 players remain and it is bubble-time.  They will now play hand-for-hand until one more player busts out.

Event 5: Hung "Kevin" Truong - 4th Place

PLO ($300 + $50, 1 re-entry)

Hung "Kevin" Truong - 4th Place - $1,676

Hung found himself up against chip leader Justin who ended up flopping a monster.

Justin was open ended and flopped a set of nines. Hung was drawing very thin and called with only two aces.

Hung will take home $1,676 for his 4th place finish. He didn't want to give any comment on his play or overall day - obviously disappointed.

Event 4: Stuck at 20

$500 + $60 NL

As the level was coming to an end, Harry Piacitelli (Plymouth Meeting, PA) was the short-stack and the big blind.  He moved all-in over the top of an utg raise. 

He was all-in for 8,900 more than the raise and the opener decided to call, showing 87 suited.  Harry was ahead with K9 off. 

The flop came J 4 2 and changed nothing.  Then a 7 came on the turn, giving his opponent a pair.  Harry was 6 outs away from busting. 

Then the river delivered a 9, giving Harry the better pair and the double-up to ~45k.

The 20 remaining players were sent on a break and will return to blinds of 2k/4k with 400 antes.

Average stack is 117k.

Event 4:

$500 + $60 NL

They're down to 20 players now, just two away from the money.  Play is somewhat cautious.

Angelo 'Pinky' Modica is barely hanging on.  He's the shortest stack among the remaining players. 

 Angelo Modica

Angelo finished second in this event during the 2011 Winter Poker Open, earning $10,963, and would like to repeat.

He just moved all-in again, for a total of 17,700, but got no action.  He did collect 6,600 in blinds and antes.

Event 5: Josh Wasserman - 5th Place

PLO ($300 + $50, 1 re-entry)

Josh Wasserman - 5th Place - $1,304

Josh Wasserman talked a big game but he backed it up too.

His fifth place bustout will add $1,304 to his Borgata Bank.

Justin added to his chip leading stack by taking Josh for his remaining 85,000 chips.

Justin Zacks flopped the low end of a straight and bet out.

Wasserman stuck around with an open ended draw that bricked.

So we're down to four players. Hold on to your seats!

Event 4: Play Tightens as Bubble Approaches

$500 + $60 NL

The remaining 23 players are all aware that they are just 5 away from the money.   They've all adjusted their play accordingly and the all-ins are fewer and farther between.

Blinds are up to 1,500/3,000 with 400 antes.

Tony Antonious shipped a double-up to seat 9 earlier when they got it in with AQ against AK and the best hand held up.

He just got some back, however.  Seat 9 raised pre-flop (utg+1) and Tony called from the big blind.  The flop came 9 5 2 rainbow and Tony checked.  Seat 9 bet 18k and Tony check-raised all in.  Seat 9 surrendered, showing AK.  Tony made the courtesy show of 92 (two pair).

Event 4: New Chip Leader

$500 + $60 NL

Tony Hill (Galloway, NJ) has crossed the 200k mark and claimed the chip lead.  He was sitting next to Jordan Shamah (Long Island, NY) who credits Eric Siegel with teaching him how to play.

 Tony Hill and Jordan Shamah

Tony has since been moved to table three with Tony Antonious and Tony Sinishtaj.  In order to differentiate between the Tonys, Tony Hill asked to be called "Good Looking Tony".  Done.

23 players remain...getting close to bubble time!

Event 5: Willy McMahon Returning Trophy Holder

PLO ($300 + $50, 1 re-entry)

Willy McMahon

Willy McMahon officially finished second in this exact event in the 2010 Borgata Spring Poker Open, but dealt his way to the first place trophy.

"Last year my cousin Bob was dieing so I really wanted to win it for him. I didn't care about the money, I just wanted to win the trophy for him. He died the next day at the age of 49," explained a choked up McMahon.

Blinds are 2000 / 4000.

Hung and Justin appear to be first and second in chips.

Event 5: Anthony Luong - 6th Place

PLO ($300 + $50, 1 re-entry)

Anthony Luong - 6th Place - $1,117

Every journey begins with the first step and today Anthony took that step in re-building his bankroll.

He had his eye on first place but will still take home $1,117 for his 6th Place finish.

Anthony ran into the pocket aces of Jeremy Shofer.

"You'll see me again. Hopefully tomorrow" said Luong as he exited Borgata.

Event 5: Brian Busts

PLO ($300 + $50, 1 re-entry)

Brian Eckstrom - 7th Place - $931

Brian Eckstrom was all in up against Josh Wasserman for his tournament life.

Brian's A♠ K♥ 5♦ Q♥ vs. Josh's K♠ J♠ J♣ 9♦

Board ran K♠ A♦ 6♠ 7♠ 8♥

When the dust settled Wasserman's flush felted Eckstrom.

Brian will take home $931 for his 7th place finish.

Event 4: Hwang Above Average

$500 + $60 NL

Following a break, blinds are up to 1,200/2,400 with 300 antes.

Action Bob Hwang raised to 6k from the cutoff and the player on the button moved in.  After the blinds got out of the way, Bob called, showing AQ offsuit.  The button was ahead with pocket Tens.

Then the board came 7 5 3 7 Q and Bob caught what he needed on the river to take the pot.  He's now up to 89k.

Down to 27 players now at three tables.  (Average is ~87k.)  18 get paid so they're 9 away from the money.

Event 5: Fox Is Skinned

PLO ($300 + $50, 1 re-entry)

Bryce Fox - 8th Place - $745

On the first hand back from dinner break, Bryce Fox is out.

He fell to the hand of Hung Truong after both gentlemen were all in pre-flop.

Bryce turned an ace but Truong rivered second pair.

Fox will enjoy $745 for his eighth place finish.

Event 4: Down to 30

$500 + $60 NL

After a short-stack moved all-in, 'Action' Bob Hwang called from the blind, showing pocket 2s.  The all-in player held KJ suited.  "Best hand I've seen all day" he lamented.

Bob Hwang

The board came 7 7 2 K A and Bob's flopped full house was good for the pot.  He chipped up to ~45k, but is well below average.

Meanwhile, at the other end of Bob's table, Chris Valsamos has re-claimed the chip lead with ~207K.

30 players remain.  Average stack is 78k.

Event 5: Anthony on the Luong Climb Back

PLO ($300 + $50, 1 re-entry)

Anthony Luong just shared a heartfelt story with me that I'm sure many poker players have experienced.

A couple weeks ago he was playing high stakes games and lost his bankroll. He loves the action but realized everything he built up was toppling over quickly.

Today represents step one of his re-building process and plan.

"I figure I'd have a good chance at a tournament like Omaha with a small buy in. I'm a gambler by nature and today represents my rebuilding" said Luong.

So he has a strategy in place and now is looking for a win. We'll know how it all turns out by the end of the night.

Event 5: Dinner Time

PLO ($300 + $50, 1 re-entry)

Our final table down to eight are currently on a forty minute dinner break.

Here are the unofficial chips stacks.

Justin Zacks - 171,000
Hung Truong - 140,000
Josh Wasserman - 131,000
Jeremy Schofer - 65,500
Anthony Luong - 50,500
Willy McMahon - 22,000
Bryce Fox - 19,000
Brian Eckstrom - 16,500

Event 4: 50/50 Time

$500 + $60 NL

Down to four tables of nine players -- 36 remain.

Only 18 get paid. 

This means that they're at the 50/50 point.  50% of the remaining players will get paid, and 50% will leave with nothing.

Blinds are up to 1k/2k with 300 antes.

Average stack is now 65k.

Event 4: Clash of the Tonys

$500 + $60 NL

As I expected, the two big stacks on table three would eventually clash:

On the river, the board read A 9 8 5 A (no flush possible) and Nashaat Antonious (aka Tony) moved all-in from the small blind.  He had about 80k behind.  Tony Sinishtaj (utg) tanked for a couple of minutes, unsure what to do. 

 Nashaat Antonious

Sinishtaj decided to surrender and Antonious collected the sizable pot.  He chipped up to ~196k, good for the chip lead, while Sinishtaj was left with ~65k.

Event 5: In A Klivan Down By The River

PLO ($300 + $50, 1 re-entry)

Andrew Klivan - 9th Place - $559

Andrew Klivan (New York, NY) has three WSOP cashes but today represented his first PLO tournament.

On the last hand before a forty minute dinner break, Andrew picked up 2-A-A-3 and raised most of his 9,000 chips. Jeremy Schofer (Washington, DC) nonchalantly isolated all in and found himself behind holding J-4-10-A.

Board ran 6-2-7-8 and I heard Jeremy shout, I need a nine. As if on cue, the dealer peeled off the nine of hearts giving Schofer the straight and Klivan the bad news.

Andrew has earned $559 for his ninth place finish.

Event 4: Post-Dinner Play Sluggish

$500 + $60 NL

About a half-hour into level 11 with blinds of 800/1,600 and 200 antes.  Players seem a little sluggish after the dinner break.  Very little chatter can he heard -- just the incessant riffling of chips.

Event 5: Final Table

PLO ($300 + $50, 1 re-entry)

Seat-Name

1 Josh Wasserman (Middletown, NJ)
2 Hung Truong (Freehold, NJ)
3 Andrew Klivan (NYC)
4 Willy McMahon (Cedar Grove, NJ)
5 Justin Zacks (NYC)
6 Bryce Fox (Pittsburgh, PA)
7 Anthony Luong (Jersey City, NJ)
8 Brian Eckstrom (Marlton, NJ)
9 Chris Sorrentino (Brooklyn, NY)
10 Jeremy Schofer (Washington, DC)

Event 5: Bubble Breaks

PLO ($300 + $50, 1 re-entry)

On the second hand of the final table, the bubble breaks and the final 9 players are in the money.

Chris Sorrentino (Brooklyn, NY) is the bubble boy when Andrew Klivan (NYC) knocks him out with trip 10s. Both players were extremely short stacked, but Klivan survives to hit the money, while Sorrentino is out in 10th place.

Event 4: New Chip Leader

$500 + $60 NL

Back from dinner and play has resumed with blinds of 800/1,600 and 200 antes.

Just before the dinner break, Chris Valsamos (Long Island, NY) had pocket Aces and was up against a shorter stack who was all-in with QJ suited.

 Chris Valsamos

Although a Jack flopped, he got no further help and was busted.  With that pot, Chris chipped up to ~152k and claimed the chip lead.

As of dinner, looks like John Lee is second with ~115k.  Both Nashaat Antonious and Tony Sinishtaj  have about 111k -- and are both seated at table 3.

Event 5: Final Table

PLO ($300 + $50, 1 re-entry)

After 45 minutes of play on two tables, there's finally an elimination that sends the final 10 players to one table.

That's the good news, the bad news: one of the final 10 won't cash as we're now on the money bubble.

Players are now drawing for their final table seats.

Here's a recap of what they're playing for:

Entries: 64
Total Buy-In: $19,200

Place - Amount

1 $6,518
2 $3,539
3 $2,235
4 $1,676
5 $1,304
6 $1,117
7 $931
8 $745
9 $559

Event 5: Power Shift

PLO ($300 + $50, 1 re-entry)

Just after saying this was Hung Truong's tournament to lose, he takes a hit at the hands of Justin Zacks, the only player at the table who can hurt him

Truong makes a 40k bet on the river and Zacks calls with the winning hand of trip 7s.
Zacks siphons more than 70k from Truong's monster stack and vaults into the chip lead.

Truong is down to 100k, while Zacks jumps to 160k.

Event 4: Dinner Time!

$500 + $60 NL

The dinner bell has rung and 43 players were sent to enjoy the many food options available here at Borgata.  They will return and resume play at about 7:15pm.

Event 5: No Hung Jury

PLO ($300 + $50, 1 re-entry)

Hung Truong (Freehold, NJ) continues to run over the field and Freddie Rouhani is the latest victim. When the cards are tabled Rouhani has KK against Hung's 10 10.

Truong hits a set of 10s, taking Rouhani's last 30k, sending him to the rail. Hung now has 190k and has nearly 30% of the chips in play (650k total), meaning the other remaining 11 players are dividing the rest of the chips.

After Rouhani's elimination, the big stack from the other table, Justin Zacks, is moved to Truong's immediate right. That gives Truong positional advantage over his next closest competitor, who has a shade less than 100k.

There's no "hung jury" on this one, it's Truong's tournament to lose.

Event 4: Devil Duck

$500 + $60 NL

I've seen lots of different card protectors in the 5+ years I've been covering poker tournaments.  All manner of coins and figurines, stones and talismans, all purported to be lucky in some way.  I hardly notice them any more.

But every once in a while, one will catch my eye.

 Devil Duck

Meet the "Devil Duck".  It belongs to Russell Green of Syosset, NY.  "My 7-year-old daughter Kacey gave it to me" he says.  When I asked if is was bringing him luck today, he said "until a few hands ago, it was".

Maybe we can bring the luck back to the duck.

Event 4: ...But Not For Long

$500 + $60 NL   


Another big multi-way all-in over on table five:

Four players had all their chips in the middle pre-flop.  John Lee was way out in front with pocket Kings.  He was up against pocket 9s, AQ, and David Zeitlin's Q9.  John had all three players covered.

The board ran out J 5 3 7 6 and John's pocket Kings were good to scoop the pot and bust three players at once.  David headed for the door.

John Lee chipped up to ~77k.

Event 4: Zeitlin Survives...

$500 + $60 NL


David Zeitlin had two shorter stacks all-in pre-flop. When the hands were tabled, David had AQ and was dominating a Q7 and dominated by AK.

When the flop came Q 8 5, David took the lead with Queens and the player with AK said "That's how I run". Then the last two came 8 K, reversing the lead and he said "Yeah, mutha ..."

The player with Q7 was busted. David still had some chips after losing that hand.

Event 4: Dwyte's Done

$500 + $60 NL   
 
Dwyte Pilgrim won the main event during the Borgata Poker Open here last September, pocketing three-quarters of a million dollars for his victory.

 Dwyte Pilgrim

He won't be adding to his poker resume today, however.  He returned late from the last break, then picked up pocket Queens and got all his chips in the middle. 

He was racing against AK and his Ladies did not hold up.  He's not sure which event will be his next, but we will be seeing him again during the Spring Poker Open.

Event 5: PLOwing Along

PLO ($300 + $50, 1 re-entry)

Hung Doing Well with 125k

The bust outs are happening left and right as the field has been cut to two tables. 17 players remain (9 cash) and Hung Truong (Freehold, NJ) is the chip leader with 125k.

Other big stacks include:

Justin Z 85k
Jeremy Shofer 61k
Joshua Wasserman 45k

Event 4: Chip Leader After Level 8

$500 + $60 NL   

Level 8 is done and 64 players have been sent on a 15 minute break.  The green 25 chips are being colored up and removed from play.

With 2.34 million chips in the room, the average is now over 36,500.

 Tony Sinishtaj

Tony Sinishtaj (Queens, NY) is sitting pretty with about 108k, about three times the average.  Tony is on the immediate left of David Sesso, who was the big stack earlier.  Both Ben Klier and Gordon Eng were at the same table and have busted out.

Nashaat Antonious is the next biggest stack in the room.  He's got about 100k.

Event 4: Gold Triples

$500 + $60 NL   
 
Larry Gold moved his last 6,350 in up front and got one caller in the middle, plus Nashaat Antonious called from the big blind (currently playing 400/800 with 50 antes). 

They checked down the board of 8 6 5 3 K and both players who still had chips showed AQ for nut-no-pair.  Larry happily rolled over his KJ (pair of Kings) to claim the pot and the triple-up!

Event 5: Payouts

PLO ($300 + $50, 1 re-entry)

Entries: 64
Total Buy-In: $19,200

Place - Amount

1 $6,518
2 $3,539
3 $2,235
4 $1,676
5 $1,304
6 $1,117
7 $931
8 $745
9 $559

Event 4: Action Bob Tanks

$500 + $60 NL   
 
'Action' Bob Hwang brought it in for 2k from the hijack, only to see the button move in for ~6,500 and then the small blind shove for a little more.  Bob tanked for a while until someone called for the clock.  Bob surrendered his hand and the other two showed AQ and KQ respectively.

The board ran out T 4 3 T 8 and the button took the pot with Ace-high (the small blind was left very short).  When the table asked Bob what he folded, he replied "Jack-high" with a chuckle.

Event 4: Payouts

$500 + $60 NL   


Entries: 195
Total Buy-In: $97,500

Place-Amount

1  $28,372
2  $15,604
3    $8,984
4    $7,566
5    $5,674
6    $4,729
7    $3,783
8    $2,837
9    $2,128
10-12  $1,892
13-15  $1,655
16-18  $1,419

Event 4: 99 Players Remain

$500 + $60 NL  

Down to ten tables in today's main event.  99 players remain in action out of the 195 that started the day.

Play seems to have gotten a little slow and it looks like these guys could use a sugar hit.  Thank goodness we media have our own sugar supplier. 

 Ohmigod's P.B. Jammin

Matt 'muffins' Mazzeo has been bringing us goodies from his bakery.  You can read their history at ohmigod.com -- and see their other delicious goodies.  My favorite are the PB Jammin'.

Matt is still hanging on in today's event with a bit above the average of 23k.

Event 4: Extra-Full House

$500 + $60 NL 

On the river with a board of 7 5 5 5 K, seat 2 got all his chips in against David Sesso (Chicago, IL).

Seat 2 held AK against David's pocket 7s.  The dealer started to burn David's hand and he stopped her quickly.

 David Sesso

Seat 2 had 5s full of Kings, but David had 7s full of 5s for the better boat.  David collected the pot, chipping up to nearly 80k while his opponent headed for the exit.

David may have trouble holding onto those newly acquired chips.  He's currently swimming the same green felt as 'Action' Bob Hwang,  Gordon Eng, and 2010 Borgata Poker Open 6th place finisher Ben Klier.

Event 5: Freddie's a Nightmare

PLO ($300 + $50, 1 re-entry)

Rouhani (left) knocks out Gillis

Freddie Rouhani (Gaithersburg, MD) is a Borgata regular with a WSOP Bracelet (2008, Omaha/Stud H/L) and more than $1.6 million in career earnings. Today he shows why he's a contender in the PLO as he knocks out two players on one hand.

On a board of K♣ 3♦ 4♠, Rouhani puts Phil Sheppard (Queens, NY) and George Gillis (Glen Burnie, MD) all-in.

Rouhani tables Q♥ 4♥ 5♥ 3♣ for a flopped two pairs (threes and fours).

The final board is K♣ 3♦ 4♠ Q♦ Q♣ and Rouhani wins it with a full house queens full of fours.

"Sometimes you have to get lucky," says Rouhani, "but what can I say, I flopped two pair."

After the hand the table breaks and 34 players remain. Rouhani is now to the right of Chris Reslock (Atlantic City, NJ), who is also a WSOP Bracelet holder (2007, Stud).

Rouhani is one of the larger stacks with 34k, while Reslock has 21k.

Event 4: Tough Day for the Pros

$500 + $60 NL

It has been a rough day for the pros, in more ways than one.

Roland Israelashvilli started out in this event and managed to suck-out and double-up through Adam Lippert. Roland then busted out himself and crossed the room to play in the PLO tournament that started at noon.

Adam 'Lippy' Lippert must have been distracted about getting his money back from FullTilt and has now busted out himself.

Despite his earlier double-up, Mike Sica has also reported to the rail.

12 tables remain.

Event 4: Sica Doubles Through Lee

$500 + $60 NL

Down to 14 tables now and registration for this event has closed.

Over on table 12, action folded around Mike 'Little Man' Sica in the small blind, who tossed his last 2,325 in the middle.

 Mike Sica & John Lee

John Lee was in the big blind and he snap-called, showing AQ offsuit.  Mike held pocket Tens and was out in front.

The flop came T 7 5 and Mike extended his lead to a set.  John was dead to runner-runner, which didn't come through.  Mike doubled up to ~4,700.

Event 5: First Lady

PLO ($300 + $50, 1 re-entry)

Ehrlich is Every-woman

Often times we highlight the last woman standing in a tournament. Today we honor Shelby Ehrlich (NYC) as the only woman in the field.

"It really does surprise me that I'm the only one here," she says while playing in her first PLO tournament. Ehrlich has played PLO at the cash tables, but was sick of NL hold'em and entered this event as a "change of pace."

Ehrlich was down to the felt and all-in but survives on a chopped pot with both players holding 6 9 for the bottom end of a straight. Not sure how much longer she'll be around, but either way she's both the first and last woman standing.

Event 4: Players Distracted By Online Poker News

$500 + $60 NL

The Poker Room is buzzing with the news about online poker domains being seized by the US government.  The general consensus is that the players are glad they're here playing live here at Borgata where poker is legal, rather than playing online.

"Glad I don't have much money deposited online" came from local pro Bob Hwang.  "This is not good" said David Zeitlin.

Twitter is blowing up with the news, so word is spreading through the room as players get the messages on their smartphones.

Event 5: Horsing Around

PLO ($300 + $50, 1 re-entry)

Getting his "Phil" of the Ponies

No HORSE (or HOSE) today, but Phil LeBlanc (Boston, MA) is still getting his thoroughbred racing fix. The PLO is set up right next to the Racebook, which is perfect for LeBlanc.

"Horses are my main thing, poker I do on the side," he says while studying the next race sheet at Tampa Bay Downs. LeBlanc is here vacationing at Borgata and in between hands is making the short trip to the OTB window.

97.5 The Fanatic Winner

The winner of last night's tournament versus Brian "Baldy" Baldinger sponsored by 97.5 The Fanatic was John Winner (Franklinville, NJ).

John will play in the Borgata Spring Poker Open Championship Event (April 24-27) with a $500,000 Guaranteed Prize Pool.

Congratulations John ... see you at the tables.

Event 5: PLOdding Along

PLO ($300 + $50, 1 re-entry)

I guess it is too early for anything exciting in this PLO event.  There are currently 6 busy tables with a scattering of empty seats, put the field size somewhere in the 50s.

They're approaching the end of level 3 and will enjoy a break before returning for level 4 with blinds of 75/150.

Players will still be able to enter/re-enter through level four and then registration will be closed.

One playing hoping not to have to re-enter is Shelby Ehrlich.  Shelby is the ONLY woman playing in this event and therefore is the last woman sitting.  She's also in danger of being the first woman eliminated, since she's running short on chips.  If she busts out in the next level, she'll have to decide if she wants to re-enter or find something else to do.

Event 4: More Rounders

$500 + $60 NL

There are currently 18 tables in action with a new table filling up with late entries and about to start.

Late entries will be allowed through the end of level four, which is in progress with blinds of 100/200.

Here are some more regulars that have appered in the field:

Nashaat Antonious
Abe Korotki
Ted Geier
Natale Kuey
James 'Suits' Salters
Ben Klier
Wooyang Lin

Event 4: Featured Table

$500 + $60 NL

Mazzeo (right) posts the small blind as
Dentale (left) and the rest of the table looks on

A new table of late registrants is opening and it's a who's who list of Borgata stalwarts. Event 1 winner Mike Dentale has a seat at a new table, along with Dwyte Pilgrim, the 2010 Borgata Poker Open Champion and Matt "Muffins" Mazzeo, who won a Borgata event during last year's Spring Open.

On one of the first hand played, Mazzeo wins a decent pot on a board of 8♠ 8♣ J♣ 4♦ K♦. After check raising the turn, he bets 2,700 and his opponent folds. "Here ya go sir," Mazzeo says while tabling the 8♥.

Things are friendly now, but we expect a lot of action at this table throughout the day.

The total entrants is closing in on the 200 player mark as level 3 (75/150) is underway.

Event 4: Confused Champion

$500 + $60 NL

Mike Dentale (Brooklyn, NY), fresh off his Event 1 win, is a late comer into the Poker Room and is confused on whether he was playing the PLO or the $560 NL. He had a PLO registration, but sat in the no limit tournament area.

Before he's dealt a hand it's determined that he's truly a NL player and the proper adjustments are made, but he'll have to wait until after the break to start playing.

Level 2 is winding down and players are heading on a 10 minute break.

Event 5: Pot Limit Omaha Underway

PLO ($300 + $50, 1 re-entry)

PLO Off and Running

The first of two Omaha events during the Borgata Spring Poker Open is underway. The field is seated in the corner of the Poker Room near the Racebook, where you can win a jacket every Friday in April.

An interesting twist is the addition of the Re-entry period that's become popular in the No Limit games. Each player can re-enter the tournament once through the first four levels.

Players start with 10,000 chips and levels are 30 minutes long.

The other Omaha tournament is Sunday (4/17) and is a high-low event. Here's a link for a full list of the Spring Open Schedule.

Event 4: Making the Rounds

$500 + $60 NL

A quick scan of the Poker Room and the regulars are slowly finding their seats. They include:

Gordon Eng
Larry Gold
"Action" Bob Hwang
Adam "Lippy" Lippert
Leonardo Palermo
Mike "Little Man" Sica
Dave Zeitlin

Level 2 (50/100) is underway.

Event 4: Back for More

$500 + $60 NL

Gangemi (sitting) Chatting with
Pete Devito (left) & Ciampa

A couple of players from the Event 2 final table are back in action. Frank Gangemi (Long Beach, NY), who finished 2nd ($12,628) and Peter Ciampa (Elmont, NY), 8th/$2,296 are sharing stories from early this morning.

Gangemi says, "we were dragging last night," after finishing in the 2 am hour. "But a trip to the cage gets your adrenaline going and beats a cup of coffee. Right now I'm feeling great."

Tables are starting to fill up as at least 15 are in action.

Borgata Leaderboard Update

BORGATA SPRING POKER OPEN LEADERBOARD

By participating in any Borgata Spring Poker Open event from April 13 – 23 (events 1–17 and 24–46), players will earn points based upon Borgata’s poker tournament leaderboard formula.

Borgata Tournament Leaderboard Points are calculated by multiplying point factors from the following three criteria: Total Event Buy-In, Total Event Entries, and Place Finished.

Below are the top 100 leaders for the Borgata Spring Poker Open Leaderboard contest through April 14 events
(Events 1, 2, 3, 24, 25, 26 & 27)

240.000 POINTS: DENTALE, MICHAEL (BROOKLYN, NY)

223.375 POINTS: SABOGALI, ALBERTO (BROOKLYN, NY)

192.000 POINTS: SACKS, GILBERT (BALA CYNWYD, PA)

170.500 POINTS: RAGO, JONATHAN (N BABYLON, NY)

168.000 POINTS: HECK, DAVID (COLTS NECK, NJ)

138.000 POINTS: GANGEMI, FRANK (LONG BEACH, NY)

124.288 POINTS: GANDHI, NIKUNJ (STAMFORD, CT)

123.700 POINTS: KOSAKOWSKI, GARY (NEWARK, NJ)

120.000 POINTS: MUNLEY, WILLIAM (THROOP, PA)

120.000 POINTS: PEREZ, MARIANO (HILLSBOROUGH, NJ)

116.950 POINTS: MOORE, STAR (BROOKLYN, NY)

105.600 POINTS: HAYDUK, JAMES (JOHNSTOWN, PA)

95.750 POINTS: DELUCA, MATTHEW (EAST MEADOWA, NY)

95.350 POINTS: ZUCKER, JORDAN (E ATLANTIC BEACH, NY)

94.418 POINTS: MONTANO, ROMEO (EATONTOWN, NJ)

91.200 POINTS: ZOLDAK, JOHN (STATEN ISLAND, NY)

86.780 POINTS: VOCCIA, DANIEL (WESTHMPTN BCH, NY)

84.000 POINTS: PALUSZEK, JAMES (BENSALEM, PA)

83.400 POINTS: DEGEORGE, JOHN (TOMS RIVER, NJ)

79.200 POINTS: KLEIN, ANDREW (OCEAN, NJ)

79.200 POINTS: NUNZIATA, KRISTOPHER (YONKERS, NY)

77.810 POINTS: RYAN, STEVE (NEW YORK, NY)

74.750 POINTS: TAN, ZHUO (STATEN ISLAND, NY)

72.775 POINTS: MICHAEL, TODD (LANCASTER, PA)

67.200 POINTS: PERKA, KRZYSZTOF (RIDGEWOOD, NY)

65.588 POINTS: FORCA, MICHAEL (BABYLON, NY)

64.518 POINTS: TUERK, SHELDON (MARLBORO, NJ)

62.400 POINTS: HANRAHAN, JOSEPH (AMHERST, NH)

61.938 POINTS: URIOSTE, LUIS (CORONA, NY)

61.498 POINTS: SUH, JUNGMIN (PALISADES PARK, NJ)

60.033 POINTS: CORNING, JOHN (SYRACUSE, NY)

60.000 POINTS: DUONG, MICHAEL (FLUSHING, NY)

57.825 POINTS: COHEN, SETH (NEW YORK, NY)

57.825 POINTS: MUNYON, WILLIAM (ATLANTIC CITY, NJ)

57.600 POINTS: MORIELLO, ALBERTINO (SPRINGFIELD, NJ)

56.810 POINTS: CRONAN, GARY (OWINGS MILLS, MD)

54.825 POINTS: SVEC, RONALD (WALL TWP, NJ)

54.300 POINTS: BAK, TADEUSZ (WALLINGTON, NJ)

54.300 POINTS: MOHR, ROBERT SCOTT (INDIANAPOLIS, IN)

52.875 POINTS: NEYIR, JON (WAYNE, NJ)

52.875 POINTS: WILLIAMS, JAMES (ASHLAND, VA)

52.800 POINTS: LOGUIDICE, JOSEPH (ATALNTIC CITY, NJ)

49.335 POINTS: RAPP, MICHAEL (GALLOWAY, NJ)

49.335 POINTS: RINALDI, DOMINIC (MANORVILLE, NY)

48.000 POINTS: CHAN, DANIEL (NEW YORK, NY)

48.000 POINTS: GEORGOUS, DEMETRIOS (LITTLE FALLS, NJ)

45.825 POINTS: KAHN, ROBERT (EARLYSVILLE, VA)

45.825 POINTS: PATEL, RAHULKUMAR (WOOD BRIDGE, VA)

45.825 POINTS: URBAN, JUDITH (PLYMOUTH MTNG, PA)

45.600 POINTS: BEGELMAN, LEONARD (CHERRY HILL, NJ)

43.588 POINTS: ABENDSCHEIN, EDWARD (MTN LKS, NJ)

43.588 POINTS: EHLERT, KONSTANTI (EDISON, NJ)

43.588 POINTS: GOVERNA, JAMES (RICHBORO, PA)

43.588 POINTS: SURAPANENI, SATISH (NEW YORK, NY)

43.588 POINTS: VASSERMAN, ILYA (HUNTINGDON VY, PA)

43.200 POINTS: CIAMPA, PIETRO (ELMONT, NY)

43.163 POINTS: BUI, DAO (STERLING, VA)

43.000 POINTS: RICE, RICHARD (HAYMARKET, VA)

42.300 POINTS: BELFOURE, DEREK (CLEAR SPRINGS, MD)

42.300 POINTS: DUNMORE, KEITH (DEVONSHIRE, BER)

42.300 POINTS: MASTRANGELO, VINCENT (FARMINGDALE, NY)

41.860 POINTS: FOX, BRYCE (PITTSBURGH, PA)

40.638 POINTS: JONES, CHARLES (PITTSBURGH, PA)

40.475 POINTS: HERNANDEZ, ERIC (BELLMORE, NY)

39.113 POINTS: ANTONIOUS, NASHAAT (REDINGTON SHORES, FL)

38.400 POINTS: MICH, DYLAN (TUCKERTON, NJ)

37.538 POINTS: VERMA, VISHAL (SYOSSET, NY)

37.475 POINTS: SUSSMAN, WILLIAM (RIVERDALE, NY)

36.113 POINTS: BROWN, RONALD (CHARLOTTE, NC)

36.113 POINTS: GOLDBERGER, DAVID (MONROE, NY)

36.113 POINTS: LEBLANC, PHILIP (MARSHALLS, PA)

36.113 POINTS: ROBERTS, LIONEL (SNEADS FERRY, NC)

36.113 POINTS: ADRAGNA, BRIAN (E MEADOW, NY)

36.113 POINTS: BAKSH, WAZIR (QUEENS VILLAGE, NY)

36.113 POINTS: SONDEJ, JONATHAN (CHESAPEAKE, VA)

35.950 POINTS: GOVONI, DARREN (HAYMARKET, VA)

35.950 POINTS: JANNES, EMMANUEL (WEST HEMPSTEAD, NY)

35.950 POINTS: TELIAS, HENRY (N WOODMERE, NY)

35.880 POINTS: SABATINI, JAMES (GLOUCESTERCTY, NJ)

35.688 POINTS: DELAFUENTE, CARLOS (MINEOLA, NY)

35.688 POINTS: LIN, WOOYANG (MORRISTOWN, NJ)

35.688 POINTS: RICHARDONE, FRANK (STATEN ISLAND, NY)

35.525 POINTS: IBRAIMOVIC, IBRAIM (BROOKLYN, NY)

35.525 POINTS: ROSENBERG, GARY (CANADENSIS, PA)

35.525 POINTS: UZAN, EPHRAIM (VALLEY STREAM, NJ)

33.000 POINTS: AGAEV, ADAM (BROOKLYN, NY)

33.000 POINTS: CRAMER, JOSEPH (CARLISLE, PA)

33.000 POINTS: KAPLAN, JAMES (BOCA RATON, FL)

33.000 POINTS: LACHIANA, JOSEPH (BARDONIA, NY)

31.638 POINTS: BETLOW, EDWARD (MORRIS PLAINS, NJ)

31.638 POINTS: GOLDSTEIN, LAURENCE (MEDFORD, NY)

31.638 POINTS: ROSENBLATT, LEANNE (BRIGANTINE, NJ)

31.638 POINTS: TRAN, DAVID (ANNANDALE, VA)

31.638 POINTS: ZAYDMAN, ELLIOTT (GLEN ROCK, NJ)

31.475 POINTS: BALLA, THOMAS (BELLEROSE, NY)

31.475 POINTS: GAGG, CHRISTOPHER (LAKE GROVE, NY)

30.000 POINTS: BROWN, DONALD (WESTBURY, NY)

30.000 POINTS: FARLEY, CHRISTIAN (WEST DEPTFORD, NJ)

30.000 POINTS: HARVILLA, JOHN (MINERSVILLE, PA)

30.000 POINTS: KOSTENKO, ANDREY (SAYREVILLE, NJ)

30.000 POINTS: LILLIS, JAMES (ROBINSVILLE, NJ)

30.000 POINTS: NGUYEN, PHONG THAN (BRISTOW, VA)

30.000 POINTS: SCORCE, ERIC (ALEXANDRIA, VA)

30.000 POINTS: SILBERZWEIG, MATTHEW (ELMONT, NY)

The Points Leader at end of day Saturday, April 23 will win entry into the Borgata Spring Poker Open Championship event.

Winner will be announced Sunday, April 24 and has choice of entering either:
- Day 1A (Sunday, April 24) or
- Day 1B (Monday, April 25)

Event 4: Starting Fresh

$500 +$60 NL

Lucky 13?
John Garry (NYC) hoping for a favorable table draw

After crowning three champions early Friday morning, the slate is clean and another chance to take home a Borgata Main Event trophy is underway.

Players start with 12k in chips and levels are 40 minutes long. Table signs are down, button starts in the two seat and the cards in the air!

Friday, April 15

Today's Events in the Poker Room

11AM: Event 4 - $500 + $60 No Limit Hold'em

• Players start with 12,000 in tournament chips
• Levels last 40 minutes each
• 2-Day event | Day 2 starts at 12P on Saturday

12PM: Event 5 - $300 + $50 Pot Limit Omaha-High (1 Re-Entry)

• Players start with 10,000 in tournament chips
• Levels 1-10 will last 30 minutes | Levels 11+ will last 40 minutes
• Players that bust within the first four (4) Levels may Re-Enter one (1) additional time
• 1-Day event

3PM: Event 28 - $300 + $40 SURVIVOR No Limit Hold'em

• Players start with 10,000 in tournament chips
• Levels last 25 minutes each
• Approximately 1 in 10 will win $3,000 Cash
• 1-Day event

7PM: Event 29 - $200 + $30 No Limit Hold'em

• Players start with 12,000 in tournament chips
• Levels last 20 minutes each
• 1-Day event

Event 3 Final Results

Borgata Spring Poker Open

Event 3: $300 + $50 Seven Card Stud

April 14, 2011

Entries: 47

Total Buy-In: $14,100

FINAL RESULTS

1. WILLIAM MUNLEY (THROOP, PA): $6,154

2. JAMES PALUSZEK (BENSALEM, PA): $3,419

3. MICHAEL DUONG (FLUSHING, NY): $2,052

4. JOSEPH LOGUIDICE (ATALNTIC CITY, NJ): $1,368

5. LEONARD BEGELMAN (CHERRY HILL, NJ): $684

Event 2 Final Results

Borgata Spring Poker Open

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

April 14, 2011

Entries: 263

Total Buy-In: $78,900

FINAL RESULTS

1. GILBERT SACKS (BALA CYNWYD, PA): $21,429

2. FRANK GANGEMI (LONG BEACH, NY): $12,628

3. STAR MOORE (BROOKLYN, NY): $7,270

4. KRISTOPHER NUNZIATA (YONKERS, NY): $5,892

5. JORDAN ZUCKER (E ATLANTIC BEACH, NY): $4,592

6. JOHN DEGEORGE (TOMS RIVER, NJ): $3,827

7. JOSEPH HANRAHAN (AMHERST, NH): $3,061

8. PIETRO CIAMPA (ELMONT, NY): $2,296

9. DANIEL CHAN (NEW YORK, NY): $1,531

10. JOSEPH DEFILIPPO (INDIAN TRAIL, NC): $995

11. MATTHEW SILBERZWEIG (ELMONT, NY): $995

12. ADAM BRODY (MELVILLE, NY): $995

13. JAMES LILLIS (ROBINSVILLE, NJ): $842

14. JOHN HARVILLA (MINERSVILLE, PA): $842

15. RICHARD BRANCATO (LYNDHURST, NJ): $842

16. ERIC SCORCE (ALEXANDRIA, VA): $765

17. DAVID SESSO (SCHAUMBURG, IL): $765

18. PAUL DANIELLE (STATEN ISLAND, NY): $765

19. ROBERT CHUNG-SHUI (NEW YORK, NY): $689

20. STEPHEN REYNOLDS (LITTLE EGG HARBOUR, NJ): $689

21. WILLIAM SUSSMAN (RIVERDALE, NY): $689

22. DONALD BROWN (WESTBURY, NY): $689

23. CHRISTIAN FARLEY (WEST DEPTFORD, NJ): $689

24. ANDREY KOSTENKO (SAYREVILLE, NJ): $689

25. PHONG THAN NGUYEN (BRISTOW, VA): $689

26. CANDICE COHEN (MARLTON, NJ): $689

27. JUSTIN TURNER (MANASSAS, VA): $689