Monday, June 3, 2013

Borgata Summer Poker "Opens It's Doors"

The 8th Annual Borgata Summer Poker Open begins in less than 24 hours, and continues to grow in popularity among the "East Coast" tournament players. While players from all over the world congregate at the Rio in Las Vegas for the 2013 WSOP, the Borgata Summer Poker Open ("BSPO") attracts staggering numbers from the right coast. The one consistent throughout the seven years that have passed, is the jump start so many players we now know have gotten during the BSPO.

Within the backyard of so many different geographic poker hot spots, and only a short drive or plane ride from others, the Borgata Summer Poker Open is no longer an "alternative" to the WSOP.   It's become the better option for so many players, for so many different reasons. Whether it's the proximity to home for the players, great structures, or financially accessible tournament buy-ins, we're seeing more and more grinders choose this tournament series.

I've been following poker since I was in college (1998-2002), and I happened to take some time to research the history of the Borgata Summer Poker Open. This is where I saw the handful of well known tournament pros who used this summer series as a key stepping stone to successful careers:

Bianco (2006)
Ben Bianco (Franklin, NY): Ben had two major cashes under his belt before the 2006 BSPO (1st Annual) $5,000 NL Championship Event. Bianco would go on to finish 4th for $60,750 in that event, raising his earnings to just over $150,000. Ben would go on to record over 25 more major cashes, including a huge win in the opening event of the 2012 Borgata Poker Open ($500 NL), for just under $310,000. Bianco has become a staple during these seasonal series, and has raised his career earnings to over $780,000 since that fateful day in July.

Allen Bari (West Orange, NJ):  Allen had about 20 recorded tournament cashes prior to the 2008 BSPO $5,000 NL Championship Event, none of which were ones to overlook. But it wasn't until after his win in the event, which sent him home over $500,000 richer, did we see Bari's career really take off. Allen has since landed just under 20 cashes in the WSOP, including a bracelet in 2011 (and just under $800,000 for that bracelet event win). Bari's career earnings are over $2,700,000, two million of which came after his win on that June day. In an interesting side note to that championship event, who finished runner-up to Bari? None other than Borgata tournament regular Vinny Pahuja, who himself was having a budding playing career, but no cash close to the $280,000 he took home that day. Pahuja now has over $1,400,000 in career earnings, and speaks very highly of the Borgata Poker Room and it's tournaments.

Daniel Chan (New York, NY):  It's not only the championship event which makes players careers, as was the case with Daniel Chan. Chan won the $500 NL (6-Max) Event in the 2009 BSPO, taking home $29,000 (his largest cash to that date). Daniel has gone on to career earnings of just under $400,000, and an astounding 29 cashes in Borgata events!!!! Who was runner up in that event?  Jeff Wicker (Philadelphia, PA) finished second to Chan, and has a poker career none can thumb their nose at.

Fishberg (2008)
Gregory Fishberg (Willow Grove, PA):  The player many call "Fish" had two cashes for $9,000 going into the 2007 BSPO. Greg then proceeded to finish runner up in the 2007 BSPO $750 NL Hold'em Event ($37,000), take home the trophy in the 2008 BSPO $1,000 NL Hold'em Event ($115,000), and then one more in 2010 when he won the $500 NL Hold'em Event ($84,000) during that summer's open. "Fish" now has just under $500,000 in career earnings, his last being in the opening event of this year's Borgata Spring Poker Open. Fishberg seems to like the summer season for poker, and will be no stranger during this upcoming series.

Austen Johnson (Woodsboro, MD):  Johnson's first career recorded tournament cash was in the 2011 Borgata Summer Poker Open. Not a bad way to break the ice, as he won the opening event of the series ($350 NL Hold'em - $100,000 Guarantee) for just under $65,000. Johnson then parlayed that win into a third place finish in the $2,500 NL Championship Event of the same series ($73,000). Austen has just under $200,000 in career earnings, and although he has taken 2013 off to concentrate on business ventures, we look forward to seeing him in the near future.

The Borgata Summer Poker Open isn't "easier" than any other tournament series during the year. We can all agree that ANY poker tournament is a difficult feat to win. One thing though that comes from the BSPO is the emergence of some great names, and we look forward to documenting those names and tournaments over the next few weeks.

Exclusive Offers for Tournament Participants

Present your Borgata Summer Poker Open Tournament Receipt and receive the following offers:
  • 15% off Roma, The Metropolitan, Bread+Butter, Borgata Buffet, Tony Luke's and Lettuce Head
    (Sun - Sat)
  • 15% off Wolfgang Puck American Grille, Fornelletto and Izakaya
    (Sun - Fri)
  • Special hotel rates available during tournament for participants, based upon availability

Exclusions apply. Management reserves all rights. Only valid June 4-21, 2013 at Borgata. Tax and gratuity not included. Must present tournament receipt along with valid identification at time of purchase/service to receive offers. Offers not transferable. Food and Beverage: offers are not valid in conjunction with other promotions; valid for participant only; and must surrender blue tournament receipt at time of redemption.  
Hotel Room: reservation must be made in advance to receive special rates. Must present tournament receipt at checkout to receive tournament rate quoted at time of reservation. Subject to availability, change or cancellation.  Certain restrictions apply.

Enter for a Chance to Win a Seat

Enter for a chance to win a seat into the Borgata Summer Poker Open Championship event

Enter now through Thursday, June 13, 2013 at 11:59 pm (EST).

GRAND PRIZE:
$2,700 Entry into Borgata Summer  Poker Open Championship event June 16 - 20, 2013*
Winner must choose starting date for tournament: Sunday, June 16 (Day 1A) or Monday, June 17 (Day 1B).

Borgata Summer Poker Open

Borgata Summer Poker Open tournament series
June 4 - 20, 2013


The 8th annual Borgata Summer Poker Open tournament series kicks off with a $300,000 Guaranteed Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em event and concludes with the $1/2 Million Guaranteed Borgata Summer Poker Open Championship event (June 16 - 20).  The entire tournament series will take place in the Borgata poker room.

In addition, the 18-day tournament series teatures many of Borgata's popular tournaments including Deep Stack, Bounty, Six-Max, Pot Limit Omaha, Ladies and Seniors (50+) events. Plus many qualifying events to get you into the Championship!  (Borgata Summer Poker Open Schedule of events)

Borgata has maintained our signature structure, with 30,000 in starting chips for the $2,700 buy-in Championship event - which again is a Double Play/Re-Entry format. This format allows players to register for either Day 1A (Sunday, June 16) or Day 1B (Monday, June 17) with the ability to Re-Enter the tournament if they bust out prior to Level 6. If a player is eliminated on Day 1A, he/she will have the opportunity to register for Day 1B.

Borgata will also pay the Chip Leader at the end of Day 1A and the Chip Leader at the end of Day 1B each $3,000 CASH. The player finishing second behind the chip leader at the end of Day 1A and Day 1B will each win $2,000 CASH.

GUARANTEED $1/2 MILLION PRIZE POOL FOR THE
BORGATA SUMMER POKER OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT

On-Site Registration in the Poker Room
  • June 3:                   Noon until Midnight
  • June 4 - 17:            8AM until Midnight (daily)
  • June 18- 21:           9AM until 9PM (daily)

The Borgata Summer Poker Open is our third series of the year -- our annual schedule is comprised of five major tournament series each year:  Borgata Winter Poker Open (January), Borgata Spring Poker Open (April), Borgata Summer Poker Open (June), Borgata Poker Open (September) and Borgata Fall Poker Open (November). Thank you for your support to help bolster a poker program unrivaled on the East Coast!

Follow the Borgata Blog, as our respected team and invited guests provide insights and coverage of the Borgata Spring Poker Open. The core team of Jeff, Kaelaine, and Matt are compensated by Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa to provide coverage. Other guests are not directly compensated by Borgata. 

BRING YOUR GAME!

8th Annual Borgata Summer Poker Open

8th Annual Borgata Summer Poker Open tournament series (June 4 - 21) in the poker room.

Borgata Summer Poker Open Championship (June 16 - 20):
  • Day 1A:  Sunday, June 16 - 11AM
  • Day 1B:  Monday, June 17 - 11AM
  • Day 2:  Tuesday, June 18 - 12PM
  • Day 3:  Wednesday, June 19 - 12PM
  • Day 4:  Thursday, June 20 - 12PM (Final Table)
    $1/2 Million Guaranteed Prize Pool
*Special hotel rates available for tournament participants starting at:

  • $89   Sun - Thu
  • $159 Fri
  • $249 Sat

For hotel reservations, call 609.317.1000.
*Tournament rates subject to availability.  Rates based on Borgata Classic room with 1 King bed.

Must have a valid ID** and My Borgata card to play in the tournament. All tournaments are no-refund tournaments. Please check your receipt before leaving the window. Must be 21 or older. Subject to change or cancellation. Seating may be limited.

For full tournament details, call 609.317.7412

**US Drivers License, US Non-drivers License, Domestic or Foreign Passports are acceptable forms of valid ID.