Event 18: AK No Good For Queen

$2500 + $200 Double Play NL Championship

Alex Great Run Ends

Just back from break and we lose back to back players on table 2. First Lee Kirsch (Cold Spring Harbor, NY) runs into pocket aces, then it's defending champion Alex Queen (Bethlehem, PA) who hits the rail.

Queen puts his last 110k all in with AK against the JJ of Yury Parad (Chicago, IL), but can't connect and is out in 47th place. "We'll see you next time," he says while heading out of the Poker Room.

46 players remain and play is now hand-for-hand as we're one spot from the money.

Event 18: Little Action

$2500 + $200 Double Play NL Championship

Since returning from dinner break at 8:20 the field has only dropped 10 players in three hours.

On the last hand before break, chip leader Adam Cook bets 63k into a nice sized pot and James St. Hilaire goes into the tank. 5 minutes into the dinner break clock, Hilaire reluctantly folds.

Cook now has 807k and is followed by Bart Dowling (605k) and Mark Wahba (520k) as the top three stacks. Cook and Wahba are both on table 5.

49 players remain (45 cash) and when play resumes blinds will be 4k/8k/500 ante.

Event 20: Dirty Dozen

$500 + $60 6-Max NL

The remaining 12 players are on the final 2 tables. Wazir Baksh (Queens, NY) is still the chip leader with 452k. Ian Polomo is also in the field.

Event 18: Royal Sweat

$2500 + $200 Double Play NL Championship

Matt Glantz (Lafayette Hill, PA) has K♦ K♣ and is all in against his opponent who has a shorter stack while holding A♠ J♠.

The flop is a monster K♠ Q♠ K♥ giving Glantz quad kings, but he still has to sweat the royal flush draw.

Glantz' opponent needs the 10♠, and the poker gods we're awfully close as the turn and river are 10♥, 10♦.

Glantz survives the sweat and we're now down to 49 players, three from the bubble, four from the money.

Event 18: Final 6 Tables

$2500 + $200 Double Play NL Championship

Tournament Arena

The first elimination after the break sets the field at 54 players and we're down to 6 tables, which are all now in the tournament area of the Poker Room.

Normally there are 9 tables in this section, but three were removed for the stadium bleachers.

Joanne Monteavaro (New York, NY) is glad to be moved from the last outer table and says she sets small goals and making into the tournament area has been accomplished.

Next step is to cash as we're nine from the money.

Event 18: Speed Limit

$2500 + $200 Double Play NL Championship

The field is down to 55 players as Jason Deutsch (Staten Island, NY) busts a player holding 99 vs KK. Deutsch flops a set of nines and finds out it's the last 9 in the deck as another player says he folded a nine.

Players are on a 10 minute color up break as the black (100 chips) are being removed from play. Play resumes with Level 19 (3k/6k/5oo ante) as we're still 10 spots from the money.

Event 18: Dentale Doubles Through Eriquezzo

$2500 + $200 Double Play NL Championship

Dentale & Eriquezzo

Mike Dentale (Brooklyn, NY) and Ryan Eriquezzo (Danbury, CT) have been side-by-side all day with Eriquezzo sitting to Dentale's left.

After Eriquezzo three-bets preflop, they both check the flop of J♣ 9♥ K♦. The turn is the 8♥, Eriquezzo bets 45k, Dentale calls. The river is the 4♦ and Eriquezzo moves all-in for Dentale's last 133k.

Dentale goes into one of his patented speeches on how "he's about to get coolered." He shows Eriquezzo 8♦ 8♣ and debates out loud if he wants to go out on this hand and is partially convinced that Eriquezzo flopped a bigger set.

After about a minute, Dentale calls and Eriquezzo says, "good call," and mucks. The hand takes Dentale to more than 400k, while Eriquezzo drops to about 400k as well.

Event 18: Aces Hold

$2500 + $200 Double Play NL Championship

Mike Noda (Philadelphia, PA) and Wai Cheng (Paramus, NJ) see a flop of 10♠ 6♦ 7♥. Cheng moves all in and Noda snap calls.

Noda: A♥ A♦
Cheng: A♠ 10♦

Cheng doesn't get any help on the turn or river as Noda's pocket aces doubles him to 300k, while Cheng drops to 130k.

Event 18: Queen Moves in Again

$2500 + $200 Double Play NL Championship

Defending Borgata Spring Poker Open Champion Alex Queen (Bethlehem, PA) has moved all in twice in three hands. His stack is at 70k and both times the table folds. Queen is well below the chip average of 235k and only has 15 big blinds as Level 18 (2.5k/5k/400 ante) continues.

Event 20: Bubble Breaks

$500 + $60 6-Max NL

The field has been thinning rapidly since returning from dinner break and Taylor Shpur (Witherbee, NY) breaks the bubble when he puts the big blind all in with Q♣ 9♥.

The BB calls with only 8k behind (blinds 2k/4k) and has 7♥ 3♣.

The board runs out 6♣ 8♣ 8♠ 10♥ 7♠ and the big blind hits a pair 7s, but it gives Shpur the 10 high straight. Shpur won this event in the 2010 Borgata Winter Poker Open, earning more than $23,000.

The final 18 players are redrawing for seats as they're guaranteed $1,222 as they chase the top prize of $24,444.

Event 18: Bubble Looming

$2500 + $200 Double Play NL Championship

The remaining 59 players (227k avg.) are back from break as the bubble is right around the corner.

The top 45 players cash for a minimum of $5,420 as they chase the top prize of $276,949.

Level 18 (2,500/5k/400 ante) is underway.

Event 18: Chip Leaders at Dinner

$2500 + $200 Double Play NL Championship

Players are on a one hour dinner break as play resumes at 8:20 pm.

Big Stacks

Ryan Eriquezzo 725k
Adam Cook 656
Jeff Cholikul 565
Aaron Overton 500k
May Siu 422
Salah Siraj 417

Notables

Adam Agaev 385k
James St. Hilaire 358k
Matt Matros 334k
Steve Russell 300k
Alex Bolotin 270k
Mike Dentale 260k

Recently Busted

Mike "Little Man" Sica

Event 18: Chop It Up

$2500 + $200 Double Play NL Championship

The board shows a straight 9♥ Q♠ 10♦ 8♣ J♠ with Alex Bolotin and Aaron Overton posturing
for the pot.

Bolotin checks, Overton bets 40,400 and Bolotin calls. Neither player has a king and it's a chopped pot, but the hole cards are interesting:

Bolotin: 9♦ 9♠
Overton: J♥ 10♥

Bolotin flopped a set of nines, while Overton turned the straight and says, "if that jack doesn't come I get value on the river."

Bolotin and Overton are the last two players in the room as the hand spilled over into the dinner break, which is officially underway.

Event 18: Lakatosh, Klier, and Kirsch Double

$2500 + $200 Double Play NL Championship   

On a flop of T 5 3, John Lakatash (Red Lion, PA) was all-in against a player holding AT (top/top).  John held pocket 3s for the set and was way ahead.  The last two came A K and John doubled up to nearly 200k.

Ben Klier and John Lakatosh

Ben Klier was all-in with pocket 7s against a player with pocket Queens.  The flop came A A 7 and Ben took the lead with a full house.  The last two were bricks and Ben doubled up.

'Lucky' Lee Kirsch's pocket Kings held up all-in against pocket Tens.  He doubled up to ~170k.

Players are getting restless as the dinner break is just a few minutes away.

Event 20: Chip Leaders

$500 + $60 6-Max NL

After winning a big pot before the break, Wazir Baksh (Queens, NY) is the chip leader with 280k. 33 players remain with an average stack of 76k. With 18 making the money, it'll be
a dash for the cash when play resumes at 7:50 pm.

Big Stacks

Wazir Baksh 280k
Reggie Franklin 181k
Mark Ioli 140k
Brett Jungblut 127k
Ian Palomo 112k
Angelo Fields 107k
Rich Murnick 102k

Event 18: Power Poker

$2500 + $200 Double Play NL Championship   

Shane Gosline (Bensalem, PA) went to the flop with Matt Matros, on his immediate left in the hijack.  The flop was T T 5 with two diamonds.  Shane checked, Matt bet 25k, Shane check-raised to 70K, and Matt announced he was all-in (having Shane covered).

Shane took a few seconds, then surrendered.  Matt's now up to ~285k.

'Lucky' Lee Kirsch was all-in pre-flop with pocket 8s against a player with AK.  The dealer burned and the door-card on the flop was an Ace. 

It looked like curtains for Lucky Lee, but remember the trend today?  Pairs win the flips. 

An 8 appeared on the river, giving Lee a set and saving him.  He doubled up to ~80k.

Event 20: Big Stacks Collide

$500 + $60 6-Max NL

With only on 5 players at the table, the two big stacks collide before the table breaks.

Mark Ioli (Long Island, NY) has 270k and pocket kings, but is against the pocket aces of Wazir Baksh (Queens, NY) who's sitting with 135k.

Baksh flops a set of aces and Ioli is drawing thin. The turn brings a king, but when the river fails to give Ioli quads, a big chunk of his stack goes to Baksh who doubles into the chip lead with 275k. Ioli is cut in half to 135k.

Event 18: BUNYE (Not Easter Related)

$2500 + $200 Double Play NL Championship  

Bill Gazes scoops a pot and yells "BUNYE!"

(No one has any idea what the heck that means.)

Bill is up to ~140k.

Eight tables remain with 69 players.  45 will get paid.  Average is over 194k.

Event 18: Cook Cracks Leaderboard

$2500 + $200 Double Play NL Championship 

Adam Cook

Adam Cook's pocket Kings busted a player holding pocket Jacks.  With that pot, Adam chipped up to 535k, good for the chip lead.

Matt Matros held AK against a short-stack all-in with AQ suited.  His opponent flopped a flush draw, but bricked the last two and Matt took the pot.  He's up over 200k.

Blinds are up to 2k/4k with 400 antes for level 17.  They'll go to dinner at the end of this level, which will be at about 7:20pm.

Event 18: 400 Club

$2500 + $200 Double Play NL Championship

75 players remain.  Average stack is almost 179k.

 Lee Kirsch

'Lucky' Lee Kirsch doubled up a short while ago -- to about 50k.  

Aaron Overton is up to ~460k and may have overtaken the chip leaders.

Meikat 'May' Siu is up to ~400k.

Adam Cook (Glen Burnie, MD) is up to ~380k and may be joining the 400k club soon.

Event 20: 46 Players Remain

$500 + $60 6-Max NL

The ever-increasing blinds are up to 800/1,600 with 200 antes for level 11.

Eight tables remain with 46 players still hanging on in the 6-max. 

Average stack is approaching 55k.

Event 18: Overton Picks Off Bluff

$2500 + $200 Double Play NL Championship

On the river with a board of J 7 4 K 5 (no flush possible) Brian Lowinger (sb) moved all-in for 109,700.  Aaron Overton (Philadelphia, PA) tanked for a few minutes.  "You got pocket 7s?" he asked.  Brian just shrugged.

After a bit more think-time, Aaron said "call".  Brian slapped the table and turned over his AT offsuit (Ace-high).  Aaron rolled over AK for top pair to take the pot.  Brian headed for the exit.  He's not smiling any more.

81 players remain at 9 tables.  Average is over 165k.

Event 20: Eleven Tables Alive

$500 + $60 6-Max NL

Eleven tables remain with a handful of empty seats, putting the number of survivors at ~62.

Average stack is about 40k.

Lee Childs is out.  He moved in with his short stack and A8.  Ran into pocket Queens and pocket 9s.  No help for Lee and he is busto.

After nine levels of play and a color-up break, play resumed with level 10 and blinds of 600/1,200 with 200 antes. 

Event 18: No Mo' Ho

$2500 + $200 Double Play NL Championship              

Maria Ho has disappeared.  Her table broke and I don't see her anywhere on the remaining ten tables.

Daniel Buzgon is also gone.  He got short and shoved 85 suited, getting action from a player holding AJ.

Alek Givotovsky, who was basically free-rolling in this event after winning two seats (one in a satellite and one via the Leaderboard Contest) has also busted out.  His last chips went in with pocket 6s, but ran into pocket Kings.

Event 18: Chip Leaders

$2500 + $200 Double Play NL Championship             

Level 16, blinds 1,500/3,000 with 300 antes, is underway.

Big stacks as of the break:

Jeffrey Chotikul - 450k
Ryan Eriquezzo - 420k
James St. Hilaire - 400k

Event 20: Payouts

$500 + $60 6-Max NL 

Entries: 168 
Total Buy-In: $84,000

Place - Amount

1        $24,444
2        $13,444
3          $7,741
4          $6,518
5          $4,889
6          $4,074
7          $3,259
8          $2,444
9         $1,833
10-12  $1,630
13-15  $1,426
16-18  $1,222

Even 18: 50/50 Time

$2500 + $200 Double Play NL Championship            

Down to ten tables now, so only 90 players remain.  45 will get paid, which means it is 50/50 time.   Half of the remaining players will get paid.  The other 50% will leave with nothing.

Table six has become quite crowded with poker talent:
Eric Siegel
Alex Bolotin
Meikat 'May' Siu
Phil Sparta

 Brian Lowinger

Brian Lowinger (Brooklyn, NY) is still smiling.  He smiled all the way through day 1A.  He smiled on day 1B when he wasn't even playing.  And he's still smiling today, despite being moved to table six with some very experienced poker pros.

Event 18: Chotikul Claims Chip Lead

$2500 + $200 Double Play NL Championship           

No coin flip here.

Jeffrey Chotikul (Egg Harbor Twp, NJ) was all-in for 201,600 against Will Heger (Union City, NJ).

Jeffrey had Aces.     Will had Kings.     The board change nothing.

 Jeffrey Chotikul

After shipping 200k+ across the felt, Will was left with less than 16k.  He got it in on the next hand and was busted.

Meanwhile Jeffrey is up to ~410k and probably the chip leader.

Event 18: Clownfish Filleted

$2500 + $200 Double Play NL Championship          

Eric 'clownfish' Doerr flopped two pair and got his chips in, only to discover he was up against a set.

Clownfish has been battered and fried. 

Table 12 is down so 11 tables remain (99 players).  Average stack is about 135k.

Table four is heating up.  Mike Dentale and Ryan Eriquezzo are tangled in a war of words.  Ryan is up and walking away from the table, around the perimeter of the room, and Mike is still yelling across the room "Did you go to college?  Ryan!  Did you go to college?".  Don't know the context of the discussion, but it has attracted a crowd around table four.

Event 18: Hundo for Ho

$2500 + $200 Double Play NL Championship         

After the break, play resumed with level 15, blinds 1,200/2,400 with 300 antes.

On a low flop with two clubs, Maria Ho's AK of clubs is flipping against a short-stack's pocket Queens.  Maria misses all her outs, the Queens hold up, and Maria is back down to ~100k.

(If only she had seen my previous post about the coin-flips going to the pairs today.)

A short-stack with AQ suited was all-in against Wayne Lewis (Galloway, NJ) who held pocket Tens. 

Guess which way this coin flip went? 

The board came 9 7 2 7 5 and the pocket pair held up.  The short-stack was busted and Wayne chipped up to ~60k.

Event 18: Gross Gone

$2500 + $200 Double Play NL Championship        

Jeff Gross lost a big pot with pocket Kings to AQ and was left with ~30k.  He got that in with AQ, only to run into pocket Jacks.

In keeping with the coin-flip trend today, the pocket Jacks held up and Jeff was busted.

Just before the end of the level, Jason Helder (bb) and James St. Hilaire (utg) got involved in a big pot.  At the river, the board was Q♥J♦T♦J♣8♣ and Jason bet ~14k.  James raised to ~57k.  Jason shoved, having James covered.  James thought about it for a couple of minutes, then called.

Jason had 7♠6♠ (zip, nada, squa-doosh).  James held J♠T♠ for Jacks-full to claim the double-up.  He's now got about 360k.  Jason was left with ~100k.

End of level 14 and players are getting a ten minute break.

Down to 12 tables now -- 108 players.  Average stack is ~124k.

Event 18: Flipping Coins

$2500 + $200 Double Play NL Championship

Some days it seems like the coin flips all go the way of the big Ace (AK, AQ, AJ, etc.).  Some days it seems they go the other way, in favor of the big pairs (QQ, JJ, TT). 

Today seems to be one of the latter.

David Thalheim's pocket Queens were flipping against AK -- and the Queens held up, busting his opponent.

On another table, pocket Jacks were flipping against AQ -- and the Jacks held up, doubling up that player.

On table 12, they were flipping actual coins.  A player opened for 4,400, got one caller, then Phil Sparta raised to 17k straight.  The original raiser moved all-in, folding the caller.  Phil tanked for several minutes.  Cotton Snuffer was at the table but not in the hand and offered to flip a coin for Phil to help him decide. 

Eventually the clock was called and before his time expired, Phil opted to fold.

Event 18: Table Four Foursome

$2500 + $200 Double Play NL Championship       

Maria Ho continues to chip up -- no all-ins or double-ups, just chipping away at her opponents.  She's already up to ~240k.

Table 4 has turned into another interesting lineup.  Adam Geyer, Mike Dentale, Ryan Eriquezzo, and Mark Wahba are in the five through eight seats, in that order.

 Table Four

Mark has lost some ground -- he's down to ~320k.  Ryan is up to ~340k.

Adam (hijack) and Mike (cutoff) just tanlged in a pot.  At the river the board was J 9 6 K 8 and both players checked.  Adam showed KQ of spades for top pair (missed both straight and flush draws).  Mike mucked.

Mike Dentale is the owner of AirLite Window Company in Brooklyn, NY.  He won the premiere event of this series along with over $57k.

Adam Geyer, aka Richard Geyer, aka Richard Adam Geyer, is from Austin, TX.  He finished 6th in the $1k NL event, good for over $7k.

Event 20: Name Dropping

$500 + $60 6-Max NL

Lee Childs and Josh Brikis arrived late and joined the fray.

 Lee Childs

I also discovered there are some 6-max tables in the high limit room.

Here are more players I uncovered in this event:

James 'Suits' Salters
David Zeitlin
Wooyang Lin
Patricia Barsanti-Chou
Jesse Cohen
Brandon Vargas
Matt 'muffins' Mazzeo
Paul 'TeamXFactor' Marzarella

Event 18: Table Three Trio

$2500 + $200 Double Play NL Championship      

At the end of level 13, players took a break and have now returned for level 14, blinds 1k/2k with 200 antes.

As players bust out, tables break, and players are moved to balance, sometimes we see some interesting tables develop.  And sometimes we get lucky and they are close to media row.

Table three has become just such a table.  It is right in front of us here in the tournament area in the back of the Poker Room.

 Bill Gazes, Gordon Eng, & Matt Matros

Currently seated at table three are
Will Heger
Bill Gazes
Gordon Eng
Matt Matros

These are definitely some of the more laid-back poker pros out there, but if any fireworks develop, we'll be right on top of it.

Event 18: Phil Phades Outs

$2500 + $200 Double Play NL Championship     

On a flop of Q♣T♠9♠, Phil Sparta was all-in against Miguel Borrero.

Phil held K♥J♥ and had flopped the joint -- King-high straight.

Miguel held Q♠J♠ and had flopped top pair with open-ended straight-flush draw.

The last two came 3♦ 9♣ and were no help for Miguel.  "How do I miss that??" he said.

Phil doubled up to ~165k while Miguel was left with about 15k.

Event 18: Kaufman Katches Kween

$2500 + $200 Double Play NL Championship     

Michael Kaufman was all-in pre-flop with pocket Queens (both red) against a player with pocket Aces (including the club).

The flop came Q T 6 -- all clubs -- and Michael took the lead with a set of Queens, but his opponent picked up the flush draw. 

The last two were offsuit J 6 and Michael doubled up to ~60k. 

As his opponent was lamenting his bad luck, a table-mate pointed out that if they had not gotten all-in pre-flop, it would have all gone in on the flop with top set versus overpair with flush draw.

Event 18: Ho Above Average

$2500 + $200 Double Play NL Championship    

Maria Ho started today with 29,400, below the 30k starting stack.

After struggling all day on day 1A, she must be loving her table draw.  She's already up to ~125k and above average.

Down to 15 nine-handed tables now -- 135 players.  Average stack is just over 99k.

These guys aren't loving anything about day two -- they've busted out:

David Zeitlin
Jesse Cohen
Star Moore
David Rigotti
Ian Palomo
Ted Geier

Event 20: Familiar Faces

$500 + $60 6-Max NL

Many players who returned for day two of the main event, but who have busted out already, have joined the 6-max event to get their tournament fix for the day.   Of course there are also quite a few players who busted out on day 1A or 1B in this event.

Here's a sampling of the faces in the crowd:

Reggie Franklin
Ed Abendschein
Ian Palomo
Dan Spirer
Natale Kuey
Adam Lippert
Ted Geier
Julian Miranda
Frank Gangemi
Sheree Bykofsky
Eric Miller
Mike Summers
Anthony Caruso
Bob Courtney
Taemee Feuer
George Medrano
Michael Shasho

Late registration will be allowed through level 4 (until about 2:15pm) so I expect we will see a few more departures from the main event turn up in this field.

Event 18: Crane Catches Club

$2500 + $200 Double Play NL Championship    

Kalid Ali was all in on the flop with pocket Kings against Russell Crane, who had flopped a club flush draw.

 Russell Crane

Russell's flush came through and Kalid was busted.    Russell is up to ~322k and among the chip leaders.

Mark Wahba is up to ~420k and still leads the field.

Blinds are up to 800/1,600 with 200 antes for level 13.

Event 20: Cards Fly in Six-Max

$2500 + $200 Double Play NL Championship  

The $500 buy-in 6-max tournament is underway in the Poker Room.

Players began with 15,000 chips and blinds of 25/50.

Levels are 30 minutes long.

Play will continue tonight until a winner is declared.

Event 18: So, So, Sick!

$2500 + $200 Double Play NL Championship    

Miguel Borrero limped, Ian Palomo completed the small blind, then David Thalheim raised to 2,500 from the big blind.

Both players called and the flop came K♥T♥3♥.  Ian checked, David fired 9,500, Miguel folded, Ian shoved, and David called all-in.

Ian held 9♥7♥ for the flopped flush.  David held A♥K♠ for top/top with nut-flush-draw.

Turn:  J♥
River:  Q♥

Ian makes a straight-flush to the King, but David makes the Royal flush to take the pot and double up.  He's up to ~100k.  Ian was left with about 2,700.

Event 18: Early Casualties

$2500 + $200 Double Play NL Championship   

These folks have already reported to the rail in the first level:

Michael Lustig
Jennifer So
Farid Jattin
Leonard J Sande III

Event 18: Tables Going 9-Handed

$2500 + $200 Double Play NL Championship   

A few players have already hit the rail early this morning, while we're still waiting for a handful to show up.  (Their chips have been un-bagged and they're being anted and blinded off.)

Tables all started out 10-handed, but as players bust out, tables are being adjusted to 9-handed play.

Everyone is still settling in, getting their first dose of caffeine.  It is mostly quiet, except for the constant chirping of riffling chips.

Event 18: Day Two Underway

$2500 + $200 Double Play NL Championship  

160 returning players, most of them at least, have arrived and un-bagged their chips.

Cards are in the air for day two!

Play is underway with level 12, blinds of 600/1,200 with 100 antes.

Levels are 75 minutes long today and they will play ten levels, putting the end of the day a bit after 1am.

Tuesday, April 26

Today's Events in the Poker Room

11AM: Event 18 - $2500 + $200 Borgata Spring Poker Open Championship NLH

• Day 2 starts Tuesday at 11AM
• Day 3 starts Wednesday at 11AM

12PM: Event 20 - $500 + $60 Six Max No Limit Hold'em

• Players start with 15,000 in tournament chips
• Levels last 30 minutes each
• 1-Day event

6PM: Event 50 - $150 + $30 No Limit Hold'em

• Players start with 10,000 in tournament chips
• Levels last 20 minutes each
• 1-day event

Championship Event Chip Leaders

Borgata Spring Poker Open

Event 18: $2500 + $200 Championship No Limit Hold'em

April 24 - 27, 2011

Entries: 447

Total Buy-In: $1,117,500

START OF DAY 2 CHIP LEADERS:

1. MARK WAHBA (CLEVELAND, OH): 345,300

2. ERIC HABER (MUTTON TOWN, NY): 249,700

3. ANDREW BROWN (VALATIE, NY): 224,900

4. BARTLEY DOWLING (NEW YORK, NY): 224,800

5. AARON OVERTON (PHILADELHIA, PA): 221,000

6. JOSEPH BRATTOLE (PARSIPPIANY, NJ): 188,300

7. ADAM COOK (GLEN BURNIE, MD): 186,700

8. JOSEPH LIBERTA (BERLIN, NJ): 183,100

9. RYAN ERIQUEZZO (DANBURY, CT): 176,300

10. MICHAEL DENTALE (BROOKLYN, NY): 176,100

11. SHANE GOSLINE (BENSALEM, PA): 171,000

12. LAWRENCE LAKATOSH (RED LION, PA): 170,600

13. MATTHEW GLANTZ (LAFAYETTE HILL, PA): 170,100

14. ALEX MUSCARELLA (NEW ROCHELLE, NY): 169,000

15. DANIEL CHAN (NEW YORK, NY): 161,500

16. MICHAEL GLICK (BALA CYNWYD, PA): 159,400

17. ALEXANDER QUEEN (BETHLEHEM, PA): 154,500

18. DANIEL BUZGON (MARLTON, NJ): 149,200

19. DONALD BROWNE (BLACKWOOD, NJ): 148,900

20. ALEKSANDR BOLOTIN (BROOKLYN, NY): 147,300

21. PAUL VOLPE (WEST CHESTER, PA): 145,000

22. BRIAN LOWINGER (BROOKLYN, NY): 139,200

23. WAYNE LEWIS (GALLOWAY, NJ): 136,000

24. JASON HELDER (LANCASTER, PA): 134,400

25. JASON DEUTSCH (STATEN ISLAND, NY): 134,300

26. ROBERT SANTILLI (JACKSON, NJ): 133,100

27. ADAM AGAEV (BROOKLYN, NY): 130,400

28. WILLIAM HEGER (UNION CITY, NJ): 129,500

29. FEMING CHAN (WEST WINDSOR, NJ): 128,500

30. RUSSELL CRANE (HOWELL, NJ): 128,400

31. KALID ALI (SILVER SPRING, MD): 127,600

32. EDWARD COTTER (RIVER VALE, NJ): 124,400

33. LUIS URIOSTE (FLUSHING, NY): 123,700

34. CHRISTOPHER KIRKWOOD (BOSTON, MA): 121,400

35. JAMES ST HILAIRE (GLEN BURNIE, MD): 121,200

36. WILLIAM OLIVER (CHARLOTTE, NC): 119,000

37. VICHIEN SIPRAJIM (PASADENA, MD): 118,900

38. BRYAN VEACH (HYDE PARK, NY): 117,100

39. MARK DICKSTEIN (MORRISTOWN, NJ): 110,700

40. JEFFREY CHOTIKUL (EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP, NJ): 110,200

41. JAMES GILBERT (BENSALEM, PA): 108,900

42. DAVID STEFANSKI (EAST LYME CT, CT): 108,600

43. WILL JAFFE (BRIDGEHAMPTON, NY): 108,100

44. ADAM LEVITAN (PHILADELPHIA, PA): 106,200

45. EZRA SCHWARTZ (SPRING VALLEY, NY): 104,600

46. ANTHONY ARNIERI (LUMBERTON, NJ): 104,500

47. SHANKAR PILLAI (COMMACK, NY): 103,800

48. JOHN BOSLEY (NORTH BABYLON, NY): 102,800

49. JOSEPH SWEENEY (NORWICH, CT): 101,500

50. MEIKAT SIU (NEW YORK, NY): 98,200

51. ELLIOTT ZAYDMAN (GLEN ROCK, NJ): 98,000

52. PAUL MARZARELLA (BASKING RIDGE, NJ): 97,300

53. ESFANDIAR DARA (NEW YORK, NY): 96,200

54. GARY SCHOENGOLD (OLNEY, MD): 96,200

55. SYED DIB (BROOKLYN, NY): 95,400

56. ERIC SIEGEL (BELLMORE, NY): 95,000

57. JEREMY STEIN (WASHINGTON, DC): 94,500

58. ROBERT APGAR (POUGHKEEPSIE, NY): 93,800

59. JOSEPH UDINE (VOORHEES, NJ): 93,600

60. LAWRENCE ABRAMS (MAHWAH, NJ): 93,500

61. ELIA AHMADIAN (CHANTILLY, VA): 92,400

62. MATTHEW MATROS (BROOKLYN, NY): 92,300

63. ERIC DOERR (NEWARK, DE): 91,700

64. DAVID LAUFER (BROOKLYN, NY): 91,700

65. GENNADI JOSOVICH (MERRICK, NY): 91,000

66. CHRISTIAN FARLEY (WEST DEPTFORD, NJ): 90,400

67. MICHAEL NODA (PHILADELPHIA, PA): 89,300

68. IVERSON SNUFFER (MILTON, WV): 87,900

69. WAI CHENG (PARAMUS, NJ): 86,800

70. BILL GAZES (MIAMI BEACH, FL): 86,100

71. CHRISTOPH LOVETT (MOORESTOWN, NJ): 86,000

72. STEVEN RUSSELL (COOLVILLE, OH): 85,500

73. MATTHEW SILBERZWEIG (ELMONT, NY): 85,000

74. GERALD VANSTRYDONCK (FAIRPORT, NY): 84,300

75. RICHARD GEYER (AUSTIN, TX): 83,400

76. IAN PALOMO (NEW YORK, NY): 82,800

77. PHILIP SARACINO (QUEENS, NY): 81,000

78. DMITRI SOKOLOV (RED BANK, NJ): 80,900

79. JEFFREY GROSS (BALTIMORE, MD): 75,500

80. JAMES CASEMENT JR (SAINT CHARLES, IL): 74,900

81. KIAN KIARASH (NEW YORK, NY): 74,700

82. GARY SCHWARTZ (MASSAPEQUA PARK, NY): 73,000

83. JEFFREY NEVIN (CONGERS, NY): 72,300

84. LUKE VRABEL (W HARTFORD, CT): 68,000

85. DEAN BURKHAMMER (WESTON, WV): 67,700

86. MAXWELL MCCURDY (CHARLOTTE, NC): 67,600

87. JACOB SCHINDLER (BRYN MAWR, PA): 67,500

88. SALAH SIRAJ (NEW YORK, NY): 67,300

89. MIGUEL BORRERO (JERSEY CITY, NJ): 66,700

90. ARMANDO THEN (NEW YORK, NY): 66,400

91. ALEK GIVOTOVSKY (NEW YORK, NY): 65,600

92. FRANK BONACCI (PITTSBURGH, PA): 64,500

93. CALEB MEAD (LIVERPOOL, NY): 61,900

94. NICHOLAS PETRANGELO (FEEDING HILLS, MA): 61,000

95. RAFIQUE AHMED (DIX HILLS, NY): 60,500

96. GORDON ENG (CLIFFSIDE PARK, NJ): 60,400

97. PHILIP SPARTA JR (FAIRFAX, VA): 58,600

98. DAVID ZEITLIN (BROOKLYN, NY): 57,600

99. STEVEN COWLEY (MIDLOTHIAN, VA): 56,000

100. OSCAR CASTAGNA JR. (NEW Y0RK, NY): 55,900

101. JOHN ANDRESS (DOYLESTOWN, PA): 54,500

102. GINA CANNONE (LONG BEACH, NJ): 53,200

103. MICHAEL MEREDITH (WESTFIELD, NJ): 51,200

104. NOURHAN KAILIAN (YORK, PA): 50,600

105. SHAWN BUSSE (MAASAPEQUA, NY): 49,600

106. ANDREW GLAUBERG (TENAFLY, NJ): 48,400

107. TIMOTHY BEGLEY (FREEHOLD, NJ): 47,000

108. YURY PARAD (CHICAGO, IL): 46,900

109. JAMES COLLOPY (NEW YORK, NY): 46,800

110. HEUNG YOON (WOODBRIDGE, VA): 46,700

111. ALEXANDER LIVINGSTON (HALIFAX, CAN): 45,800

112. BENJAMIN JOHNSON (BROOKLYN, NY): 45,100

113. JOHN ALFERA (ARNOLD, PA): 44,800

114. DALE JAMISON (BROOKLYN, NY): 44,700

115. LONNIE HEIMOWITZ (MONTICELLO, NY): 44,600

116. HARVEY LAYTON (DEVON, PA): 44,500

117. ERNEST HOU (FALL RIVER, MA): 43,700

118. DAVID RIGOTTI (CLIFTON, VA): 43,400

119. JOANNE MONTEAVARO (NEW YORK, NY): 43,100

120. DAVID THALHEIM (BOCA RATION, FL): 41,700

121. MATT HEILIGENTHALER (MEDINA, NY): 41,600

122. MICHAEL KAUFMAN (NORTHBOROUGH, MA): 41,500

123. HO VAN NGUYEN (PASADENA, MD): 40,000

124. JOSEPH PITTI (E MEADOW, NY): 40,000

125. JOSEPH BRAND (FAIRLAWN, NJ): 38,800

126. MINH TAM NGUYEN (LANCASTER, PA): 37,600

127. EDWARD PHAM (LANSDALE, PA): 37,000

128. FARID JATTIN (MIAMI, FL): 36,900

129. JESSE ALEXIS COHEN (ARDMORE, PA): 36,400

130. MICHAEL DEPASQUALE (ASTORIA, NY): 36,300

131. NICHOLAS KAMEN (SCARSDALE, NY): 35,400

132. ROSS MALLOR (NEW YORK, NY): 34,600

133. LAWRENCE DIGIOVANNA (BROOKLYN, NY): 34,200

134. OSAGYEFO GREENE (CHARLOTTE, NC): 34,200

135. BENJAMIN KLIER (ASTORIA, NY): 34,200

136. CARMEN LABRUTO (OCEAN CITY, MD): 34,100

137. ORSON YOUNG (OCEANPORT, NJ): 33,300

138. JOHANNES MUELLER (PITTSFORD, NY): 33,200

139. ALEX TORRES (CLIFFSIDE PARK, NJ): 32,500

140. BARRY BERGER (NEW YORK, NY): 31,700

141. STAR MOORE (BROOKLYN, NY): 31,400

142. ANGEL MODICA (ASTORIA, NY): 31,100

143. MICHAEL LUSTIG (WEST ORANGE, NJ): 30,800

144. MICHAEL SICA JR (N BRUNSWICK, NJ): 30,500

145. TOMMY GILLIGAN (GLENWOOD LAND, NY): 29,800

146. MARIA TING YU HO (ARCADIA, CA): 29,400

147. DIXIT PATEL (LANGHOREN, PA): 29,400

148. LEE KIRSCH (COLD SPG HBR, NY): 29,300

149. LAURENCE GOLDSTEIN (MEDFORD, NY): 29,000

150. CHARLES GEIER (SUNNYSIDE, NY): 27,900

151. DANIEL KLODOWSKI (WASHINGTON, DC): 27,300

152. THANG VAN NGUYEN (MCLEAN, VA): 26,400

153. DANIEL SANTORO (NO BELLMORE, NY): 25,300

154. JENNIFER SO (GALLOWAY, NJ): 24,400

155. DANNY MUI (NEW YORK, NY): 22,700

156. BRIAN ALI (BROOKLYN, NY): 22,400

157. MICHAEL DUONG (FLUSHING, NY): 19,000

158. RICHARD MURNICK (MONTCLAIR, NJ): 18,000

159. SORIN CRISTEA (JERSEY CITY, NJ): 17,300

160. LEONARD J 3RD SANDE (NEW HAVEN, CT): 7,600

Event 18: Day 1B Unofficial Chip Counts

$2500 + $200 Double Play NL Championship

Name...................Unofficial Chip Lead
1. Mark Wahba.................345,300
2. Eric Haber.....................249,700
3. Bart Dowling.................224,800
4. Aaron Overton.............221,000
5. Joseph Brattole............188,300
6. Adam Cook...................186,700
7. Ryan Eriquezzo............176,300
8. Michael Dentale...........176,100
9. Lawrence Lakatosh.....170,600
10. Matthew Glantz.........170,000

Play has ended for the evening and will resume tomorrow at 11:00 AM in Borgata Poker Room.

123 players remain from Day 1B and will join the 42 from Day 1A.

Average chip stack starting off tomorrow for the combined 165 players will be 81,000.

Chip leader Mark Wahba (345,300) told me, "I feel good and like my chances".

If you have the chip lead, do you sleep well tonight, or does the excitement make zzzz's difficult?

Tomorrow is Moving Day - players looking to Move Up or they might Move Out.

Look for everyone who survives late into the day to make the 1,117,500 Total Buy In.

Top 45 get the cake with a $5,420 min cash.

Don't forget what we're all playing for, the $276,949 Borgata top Championship prize.

Event 18: Way To Go Joe

$2500 + $200 Double Play NL Championship

Joe Brand (Fairlong, NJ)

Joe Brand claps his hands then shoots his arms up towards the heavens.

It's that time of night where if you're short you need to double up and make sure you'll be back for Day 2.

Not a major hand for the blog, but a major hand for Joe.

Joe's J-J gets it all in on the flop after his opponent hits top pair.

J-J vs. Q-10

Board runs: 9-10-4-5-A

Brand is up to 40,000 and tells me, "I guess I'll see you tomorrow".

Event 18: Short Stack Doubles

$2500 + $200 Double Play NL Championship

I caught this hand at showdown when both players were all in.

Luke Vrabel (Las Vegas, NV) showing 10-10 vs. Adam Levican (Philadelphia, PA) A-K.

Levican outflopped Luke on a K-Q-Q flop.

But fourth street dealt down a ten giving Vrabel the Boat. Nine on the river changed nothing.

"I like it" says Luke who doubled up to 60,000 and now is ready to close out the night.