Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Event 7: Bubble Time

$260 + $40 Deepest Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

They're down to 46 players, which means it's bubble time.  Average stack is 480k

After a break, they're returning to blinds of 15k/30k with 3k ante.

Event 5: 5th Place - Silberstein

$350 + $50 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry)  

Ken Silberstein (Edison, NJ)
$8,863

Joe Wertz opened for 180k, then Ken Silberstein jammed, then Eric Suarez jammed.

Joe got out of the pot.

Ken:  A8 suited
Eric: 77

Board:  K 6 5 J K

Eric's pair was good for a double-up to ~1.8 million.

Ken was left with ~300k.

Soon after he was all-in against Mitchell Mantin.

Ken:  J3 suited
Mitchell:  44

Mitchell flopped a set, but Ken caught runner-runner to make a wheel.  He doubled up to ~320k.

Then Ken was all-in against Eric Suarez.

Ken: AQ suited
Eric: AT

Board:  8 5 2 9 8 with back-door diamonds

Ken made a flush (not that he needed it) to double up to ~600k.

Then Ken was all-in against Earl King.

Ken:  AK
Earl:  KK

The board change nothing and Earl took the pot.

Ken took 5th place and $8,863.

Event 8: Where Are My Chips?

$300 + 40 Seniors NL Hold'em (Re-Entry)

After a slight chip discrepancy during the break, we are now back in action, with the blinds increasing to 5,000/10,000/1,000.  The chip average of 178,000 is just under eighteen big blinds.

Event 8: Break Time

$300 + 40 Seniors NL Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Players are going on break, and here are your updated chip counts:


  1. Arthur Bressler (210,000)
  2. Steve Gill (65,000)
  3. Jim Plate (220,000)
  4. Dennis Blinderman (170,000)
  5. Steve Coppola (100,000)
  6. Mike Stein (240,000)

Event 5: Final Five Chip Counts

$350 + $50 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry)  

Players are back from break.

Blinds 40k/80k with 10k ante.

Rough counts as of the break:

Joe Wertz - 3.15 million
Mitchell Mantin - 2.3 million
Earl King - 1.45 million
Eric Suarez - 1.25 million
Ken Silberstein - 1.1 million

Event 8: The Tables Are Turned

$300 + 40 Seniors NL Hold'em (Re-Entry)

With the blinds at 4,000/8,000, Jim Plate opened UTG for 32,000, and watched as the action would fold all the way around to chip leader Steve Gill in the big blind.  Gill took a few moments before declaring himself all-in (having Plate well covered).  Plate immediately made the call, and the hands would be tabled:

Gill: 8 8           Plate: A A

Flop: 10 K K 

Turn: J

River: 5

Plate's total count was 131,000, and the chip leader would be knocked down by more than half, while Jim plate would take a grip on the chip lead with just over 268,000.

Event 5: 6th Place - Mazza

$350 + $50 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry)  

Gene Mazza (Elizabeth, NJ)
$7,386

On the last hand of the level, Gene Mazza was all-in pre-flop against Earl King.

Gene:  KJ offsuit
Earl:  99

Board:  9 7 3 6 T

Gene flopped a flush draw, but didn't improve.  Earl took the pot with a set of 92.

Gene Mazz finished in 6th place, earning $7,386.

End of level and time for a color-up break.

Event 8: The High And The Low

$300 + 40 Seniors NL Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Even after busting Michael Ahrens, Steve Coppola finds himself as the shortest stack left at the final table (60,000).  Arthur Bressler is currently second in chips with 190,000, while Steve Gill heads this table with over 250,000.

Event 5: Chips Swirling Around the Felt

$350 + $50 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry)  

The final six players are pushing blinds and antes around the felt.

Gene Mazza has been all-in twice without getting called.  Each time he added 120k to his stack.

Event 8: 7th Place - Ahrens ($1,295)

$300 + 40 Seniors NL Hold'em (Re-Entry)


Michael Ahrens (Springfield, NJ)
7th Place - $1,295

Michael Ahrens (Springfield, NJ) was the second shortest stack at the table during the previous level, but doubled through Arthur Bressler to gain a little life.  Over the next thirty minutes he'd be doing a lot of folding, and once again found himself with less than ten big blinds.  After Steve Coppola opened UTG, the action would then fold around to Ahrens in the big blind.  Ahrens went all-in for his remaining chips and Steve would make the call.  It was a straight move by Michael with 10 4 (off), and he'd have two live cards against Cappola's K Q.  Ahrens would find no help and end up in seventh place, taking home $1,295.

Event 8: All The Jokes

$300 + 40 Seniors NL Hold'em (Re-Entry)

The seniors left at the final table all seem to have a sense of humor, making the jokes that you'd expect to hear at this event.  Jim Plate telling the rest of the table, "This better move along, my nurse is picking me up at 11:00."  Dennis Blinderman asks his neighbor Michael Ahrens, "Do you have any warm milk?"

It's nice to see that these guys can smile and laugh at the one liners, but each one of these players is serious, and all quality poker players.

Event 8: Blinds Up

$300 + 40 Seniors NL Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Blinds have just gone up to 4,000/8,000/1,000, and the chip average of 152,000 is just below twenty big blinds.  These gentleman would all like the trophy and $9,000 for first place, so their steady pace will be sure to continue from here on out.

Event 5: Lead Change

$350 + $50 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry) 

Blinds up!  Blinds 30k/60k with 5k ante.

Mitchell Mantin was in the lead with ~2.4 million.

Joe Wertz was second with ~2.2 million.

The these two tangled in a battle of the blinds.

The flop was K T 7 with two diamonds.

Joe (sb) bet 205k and Mitchell (bb) called.

Turn was an offsuit King.  Joe bet 310k and Mitchell folded.

After that hand, the lead reversed.

Joe ~ 2.6 million
Mitchell ~ 2.2 million

Event 8: 8th Place - Makaryan ($1,036)

$300 + 40 Seniors NL Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Mike Makaryan
8th Place - $1,036

Mike Makaryan found himself blinded down to 10,000 (less than two big blinds), and finally decided to get it in from middle position.  Things looked promising as it folded around, but once Steve Gill announced all-in from the button, the feeling was Gill had a big hand.  Sure enough Steve would table K K against the A 6 of Makaryan.  Makaryan would flop a wheel draw, giving him four more outs, but could not find any help at all.

Event 8: 9th Place - Eldridge ($777)

$300 + 40 Seniors NL Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Frank Eldridge
9th Place - $777

Frank opened the pot for a raise to 20,000, and the action folded around to Arthur Bressler on the button.  Arthur took a moment before announcing a raise to 48,000, and the action would subsequently fold back to Eldridge.  Frank pushed the rest of his chips in the middle, amounting another 60,000 for Arthur to call, and call is what he did:

Bressler: Q Q              Eldridge: 10 10 

Flop: 5 6 8

Turn: 5

River: Q

Arthur would have the best hand going on, and never relinquish the lead.  He becomes the overwhelming chip leader after that hand, the only player at the table over 200,000 (Bressler holds 260,000).

Event 5: 7th Place - Darrell

$350 + $50 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry)  

Neville Darrell (Sarasota, FL)
$5,909

Neville Darrell (button) opened for ~220k (half his remaining chips). 

Joe Wertz (bb) announced he was all-in.

Neville called, showing pocket 9s.

Joe held AJ.

The board fell A 8 6 8 Q and Joe took the pot.

Neville took 7th place and $5,909.

Event 8: Final Table Time

$300 + 40 Seniors NL Hold'em (Re-Entry)

Here is your final table for Event 8, including updated chip counts:


  1. Arthur Bressler (260,000)
  2. Steve Gill (110,000)
  3. Jim Plate (136,000)
  4. Michael Ahrens (45,000)
  5. Dennis Blinderman (180,000)
  6. Steve Coppola (30,000)
  7. Frank Eldridge (9th Place)
  8. Mike Makaryan (23,000)
  9. Mike Stein (162,000)

Event 8: 10th Place - Lopes (Bubble Boy)

$300 + $40 Seniors NLH (Re-Entry)

Joe "Black Cat" Lopes (West Creek, NJ)
$0
Blinds 3k/6k/500 ante

It doesn't take long for the Seniors to hit the money as Joe Lopes is the unfortunate bubble boy.

Lopes looks at one card and moves all in for 30k and Mike Makaryan calls for almost half of his 70k stack. Mike Stein has both players covered and moves all in on top.

It folds around to Makaryan who goes in the tank and eventually folds.

Lopes: A (the card he saw) 8
Stein: 99

The board runs clean for Stein to bust Lopes in 10th place.  As the hand finishes, Makaryan is frustrated and annoyed saying, "I should have shoveled," instead of calling Lopes' all in.

Makarayn says he folded pockets 10s and would've had the winner.

Lopes doesn't earn any money as bubble boy, but gets a lot of condolences from the remaining nine players.

Event 5: 8th Place - Zelman

$350 + $50 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry) 

Julie Zelman (New York, NY)
$4,509

Mitchell Mantin opened for 145k from the hijack.

Julie Zelman jammed ~600k from the small blind.

Mitchell called, showing pocket Queens.

Julie held AQ.

Board ran out T 7 4 3 7 and was no help to Julie.  She departed in 8th place, earning $4,509.

Event 8: Final Table

$300 + $40 Seniors NLH (Re-Entry) 

With the eliminations of Addison Alston (Berlin, NJ) and Ray Mayronne (Staten Island, NY) in 12th and 11th places respectively, the remaining 10 players are at the final table and one spot from the money.

Seat-Name-Chip Count

1 Arthur Bressler (Manalapan, NJ) 200k
2 Steve Gill (Fountain Inn, SC) 150k
3 Jim Plate (Oakdale, NY) 170k
4 Michael Ahrens (Springfield, NJ) 65k
5 Dennis Blinderman (Hewlett, NY) 155k
6 Steve Coppola (Staten Island, NY) 50k
7 Joe "Black Cat" Lopes (West Creek, NJ) 30k
8 Frank Eldridge (Seaford, DE) 88k
9 Mike Makaryan (Staten Island, NY) 70k
10 Mike Stein (Valley Stream, NY) 80k

Event 7: 9 Handed on 9 Tables

$260 + $40 Deepest Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

81 players remain with an average stack of 273 (27 bb) with blinds at 5k/10k/1k ante.

Alan Nosonchuk (Brooklyn, NY) is still the chip leader and is up to 1.2 million (120 bb)

A look at the big stacks:

Alan Nosonchuk (Brooklyn, NY) 1.2 million
Lou Heins (Falls Church, VA) 900k
Eric Smidinger (Crofton, MD) 850k

Also in the mix is Event 3 winner Mike Hahn (Indianapolis, IN) who is at 650k.

We're now 36 spots from the money as 45 players make the money for a min cash of $557. The top prize is $28,485.

Event 5: Back From Break

$350 + $50 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry)  

Eight players have taken a break and returned to the felt.

Blinds 25k/50k with 5k ante.

Average stack is 1.4 million.

Event 8: Down to 12

$300 + $40 Seniors NLH (Re-Entry)

David Shefter is the first of the short stacks to hit the rail when his KQ is beaten by Mike Makaryn's
A 5 when Makaryn hits a full house.

The remaining 12 players have an average stack of 89k (18 bb) with blinds moving up to 2.5k/5k/500 ante.

Event 5: 9th Place - Mahoney

$350 + $50 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry) 

John Mahoney (Summit, NJ)
$3,110

John Mahoney got all-in with pocket Tens and was ahead of the pocket 9s of Mitchell Mantin.

Then a 9 hit the flop and Mitchell took the pot with a set.

John took 9th place and $3,110.

Event 5: 10th Place - Miller

$350 + $50 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry) 

Eric Miller (Hicksville, NY)
$2,021

Neville Darrell opened for ~150k, then Eric Miller shoved for ~200k.  Neville called.

Eric:  QQ
Neville:  AT

Board:  A 5 4 T 2

Neville took the pot with two pair.  Eric took 10th place and $2,021.

Event 5: Final Table Lineup & Chip Counts

$350 + $50 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry) 

Blinds still 20k/40k with 4k ante.  Play has resumed.

Here are the final ten with their new seats and rough chip counts:
  1. Earl King - 1.46 million
  2. Neville Darrell - 550k
  3. Eric Suarez - 1.1 million
  4. Joe Wertz - 2.1 million
  5. Eric Miller - 200k
  6. Mitchell Mantin - 1.3 million
  7. Ken Silberstein - 782k
  8. John Mahoney - 430k
  9. Gene Mazza - 900k
  10. Julie Zelman - 420k

Event 8: Baker's Dozen

$300 + $40 Seniors NLH (Re-Entry)

Three players, David Shefter (Reading, PA), Michael Ahrens (Springfield, NJ) & Addison Alston (Berlin, NJ) have less than 10 big blinds as they try to squeak into the money.

The thirteen remaining players vying for the 9 paying spots are:

Table 1
  from Seat 1 (left of dealer)

Mike Makaryan (Staten Island, NY)
Dennis Blinderman (Hewlett, NY)
David Shefter (Reading, PA)
Mike Stein (Valley Stream, NY)
Frank Eldridge (Seaford, DE)
Joe "Black Cat" Lopes (West Creek, NJ)
Michael Ahrens (Springfield, NJ)


 Table 2

from Seat 1 (left of dealer)

Jim Plate (Oakdale, NY)
Ray Mayronne (Staten Island, NY)
Steve Coppola (Staten Island, NY)
Addison Alston (Berlin, NJ)
Steve Gill (Fountain Inn, SC)
Arthur Bressler (Manalapan, NJ)

Event 5: 11th Place - Chestnut

$350 + $50 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Coleem Chestnut (Brooklyn, NY)
$2,021

Blinds up!  20k/40k with 4k ante.

Mitchell Mantin had taken the chip lead with over 1.6 million.

Then John Mahoney doubled through Mitchell with A3 vs. J7.

On the other table, Joe Wertz (sb) was all-in and ahead with pocket Aces.

Coleem Chestnut had him barely covered and was holding A9.

The board came K J 4 T 9 and was not enough.

Joe doubled up to over 2 million and the chip lead.

Coleem was left with less than 40k (1 big blind) and busted out soon after in 11th place ($2,021.)

The final ten are drawing seats and moving to the final table.

Event 5: 12th Place - Nichols

$350 + $50 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Joe Nichols (Nutley, NJ)
$2,021

On the turn with a board of K T 4 6 with two spades, Joe Nichols was all-in against Mitchell Mantin.

Joe:  84 of spades (pair & flush draw)
Mitchell:  KQ (top pair)

River:  offsuit Ace

Mitchell's pair was good for the pot.  He chipped up to over 1.3 million.

Joe busted out in 12th place, earning $2,021.


Coleem Chestnut is back in the chip lead with ~1.5 million.

Earl King is just over 1.3 million, so second is too close to call.

Event 8: Cruising to the Final Table

$300 + $40 Seniors NLH (Re-Entry)

Five quick eliminations since returning from break and we're down to 13 players, three from the final table, four from the money.

The average stack is 82k (27 bb) with one post-dinner level in the books and blinds now 1.5k/3k/400 ante.

Event 5: 13th Place - Gulfraz

$350 + $50 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry) 

Kamran Gulfraz (Flushing, NY)
$1,555

Kamran Gulfraz opened for 100k and Coleem Chestnut jammed.

Kamran called all-in, showing pocket Aces.  Coleen held K7.

The Aces held up and Kamran doubled up to ~1.8 million and the chip lead.

He had spewed some of those chips already, then Collem got all-in pre-flop and Kamran called.

Coleem:  K4 suited
Kamran:  KT suited

Board:  3 3 2 4 8

Coleem caught a 4 on the turn to survive and double-up.  He's back to 600k.  Kamran was left with ~1.5.

Then the same two got all-in again!

Coleem:  AK
Kamran:  T7 off

An Ace on the river sealed another double-up for Coleem.  Kamran was left with ~600k.

He got all-in holding A8 and this time was dominated by Earl King's AJ.

The better hand held up and Earl took the last of Kamran's chips.

Kamran went from 1.8 million chips to busted in about 10 minutes.  He's out in 13th place, earning $1,555.

Event 7: 1 Milly for Nosonchuk

$260 + $40 Deepest Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Nosonchuk - Chip Leader

Players are back from dinner break and the chip leader is Alan Nosonchuk (Brooklyn, NY) with one million, the only player in seven figures.

Blinds are now 3k/6k/500 ante as they continue to grind on towards the money.

Event 5: Back in Action

$350 + $50 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry) 

Blinds 15k/30k with 4k ante.

Thirteen players have returned from dinner and are back on the felt.

Average stack is 818k. 

Event 8: Numbers Game

$300 + $40 Seniors NLH (Re-Entry)

Number of Entries: 89  
Players Remaining: 18
Chips in Play: 1,068,000

Big Stack: 171k (71 bb)
Average Stack: 59k (25 bb)

Play Resumes: 7:50 pm
Next Blinds: 1,200/2,400/300 ante

Total Buy-In: $26,700
First Prize: $9,064
Places Paid: 9
Min Cash: $777

Event 7: Dinner Break

$260 + $40 Deepest Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Players are on dinner break which is also a massive color-up break for tournament officials who are clearing the black (100) and purple (500) chips.

The big stack is at 1 million (167 bb). 122 players remain with an average stack of 181k (30 bb)

Play resumes at 8:15 pm with blinds going to 3k/6k/500 ante.

Event 8: A lot on his Dinner Plate

$300 + $40 Seniors NLH (Re-Entry) 

 Jim & Dorothy
 
Jim Plate and Dorothy Courten-Plate (Oakdale, NY) are back on "speaking terms" and heading to dinner break with Jim holding the chip lead.

"She saw my stack," laughs Jim who is up to 171k (71 bb) after a huge hand before the end of the last level.

Plate calls a 56k river bet shove and tank calls with a pair of 8s while holding A 8. "I didn't have a great hand, but I knew it was better than his."

The table is impressed with the call because of all the action and a draw heavy board.

Dorothy is all smiles despite Jim crippling her in the early levels that led to her elimination. "He taught me everything I know (about poker)," she says with a big smile.

The proud grandparents will enjoy the dinner break knowing Jim is well above the 59k (25 bb) average with just 18 players remaining.

It's been an extra special time for Jim & Dorothy whose daughter Ali LePrade gave birth to twin redheads Johah & Jillian one month ago.

Players are on dinner break until 7:50 pm.

Event 5: 14th Place - Vasserman

$350 + $50 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry) 

Ilya Vasserman (Huntingdon Valley, PA)
$1,555

Ilya Vasserman got his last chips in with AQ and was racing against Earl King's pocket Tens.

The board brought no help for Ilya and he was eliminated in 14th place, earning $1,555.

Event 5: Zelman Doubles Before Dinner

$350 + $50 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry) 

Julie Zelman was all-in pre-flop holding pocket Queens.

Coleem Chestnut was behind with AT.

The board ran out K 6 5 8 7 and Julie doubled up to ~500k.

End of level and players are taking a slightly-more-than-one-hour dinner break.

Play will resume at 8pm.

Event 5: 15th Place - Patel

$350 + $50 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Seetal Patel (Monmouth Junction, NJ)
$1,555

On a flop of A 2 2, Seetal Patel (button) bet ~100k.  Neville Darrell (bb) shoved.

Seetal called, showing AK for Aces-up.

Neville showed 62 suited for trips.

Turn was a 6 giving Neville a full house.

River was an 8 and no help to Seetal.  He busted out in 15th place, earning $1,555.

Event 5: 16th Place - Verkhovsky

$350 + $50 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry) 

Simon Verkhovsky (Ramsey, NJ)
$1,228

Simon Verkhovsky got his last ~170k all-in pre-flop holding A9.

Ilya Vasserman had him covered and out-kicked with AJ.

An Ace on the flop gave both a pair and Simon didn't improve.  Ilya's kicker played and he took the pot.

Simon took 16th place and $1,228.

Event 5: 17th Place - Kim

$350 + $50 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Jo Kim (New Brunswick, NJ)
$1,228

Jo Kim got all-in (about 370k) holding AK.

Mitchell Mantin looked her up with pocket Queens.

The board brought no help for Jo and she busted out in 17th place, earning $1,228.

With her departure, Julie Zelman is now the last woman remaining in this event.  She doubled up a short while ago when her AT suited outran Kamran Gulfraz's AK.  (She flopped a Ten, then back-doored a flush.)


Blinds up!  Blinds 12k/24k with 3k ante.

Event 7: Halfway Home

$260 + $40 Deepest Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

More than half the field is gone as 210 players of 442 entries remain.

The big stacks are approaching 400k (133 bb) including Marc Guieb (Robbinsville, NJ) who hits a royal flush on the turn for a 100k chip pot.

On a board of K Q J, Guieb's opponent flops a set of Kings, but Guieb gets the knockout when the Agives him the royal while holding pocket 10s, including the 10.

Guieb, who admits he doesn't play many tournaments, feels bad for his opponent was ahead and all in preflop with KK vs 10 10.

The average stack is 105k (35 bb) with blinds 1.5k/3k/400 ante.

Event 5: 18th Place - Long

$350 + $50 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Rohan Long (Windsor, CT)
$1,228

Rohan Long got his chips in with pocket 3s and was racing against Earl King's AJ.

By the river, Earl had a full house and Rohan had 18th place ($1,228).

Event 8: Which of These is not Like the Others?

$300 + $40 Seniors NLH (Re-Entry)

(l-r) Mayronne, Hal Stickel (Waretown, NJ),
Anonymous & Steve Coppola (Staten Island, NY)

The Seniors are down to three tables and the chip leader is getting a hard time.

"They keep busting my stones because I turned 50 (years-old) three weeks ago," says Ray Mayronne (Staten Island, NY) who is up to 130k.

"We said he died his hair," says one player suggesting that Mayronne is much older than his dark hair makes him look.

"You want to feel worse, I've been retired for 10 years," he tells them after serving on the police force.

The average stack is 35k (30 bb) with blinds at 600/1,200/200 ante.

Event 5: Double; Double

$350 + $50 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry) 

Eric Miller was all-in and ahead with pocket Kings.  Gene Mazza looked him up with KQ.

The board changed nothing and Eric doubled up.


Blinds up!   10k/20k with 3k ante.


On a flop of K T 3 with two diamonds, Seetal Patel bet, Neville Darrell raised, and Joe Nichols shoved all-in.

Seetal folded, but Neville made the call.

Joe - T7 of diamonds for middle pair with flush draw
Neville - AK for top/top

The last two fell offsuit 8 7 and the river gave Joe two pair and the pot.  He doubled up.

Event 5: Final Two Tables

$350 + $50 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry) 

The final 18 have settled in after the redraw.  Here's the new lineup with rough chip counts:

Table 1
  1. Rohan Long - 150k
  2. Joe Wertz - 600k
  3. Ilya Vasserman - 200k
  4. Ken Silberstein - 1.2 million
  5. Simon Verkhovsky - 160k
  6. Coleem Chestnut - 1.2 million
  7. Kamran Gulfraz - 280k
  8. Earl King - 700k
  9. Julie Zelman - 200k
Table 2
  1. Eric Suarez - 520k
  2. Jo Kim - 211k
  3. Eric Miller - 130k
  4. Joe Nichols - 235k
  5. John Mahoney - 390k
  6. Seetal Patel - 580k
  7. Mitchell Mantin - 450k
  8. Neville Darrell - 900
  9. Gene Mazza - 800k
Average stack is 636k.

Event 5: 19th-27th Places ($964)

$350 + $50 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Place-Name

19th Frank Reina (Elizabeth, NJ)
20th Paul Tarulli (Jamesburg, NJ)
21st Henry Telias (N. Woodmere, NY)
22nd Anthony Magistrale (Brookfield, CT)
23rd Jonathan Kramer (Forest Hills, NY)
24th A. Nonymous (Philadelphia, PA)
25th Callen Wallace (Indiana, PA)
26th Jeffrey Silva (West Chester, PA)
27th Sung Fitzmaurice (Bristol, PA)
28th Jamil Ezzeddine (Springfield, VA)

Event 5: AA vs KK for 900k Pot

$350 + $50 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Blinds 8k/16k/2k ante

Frank Reina (Elizabeth, NJ) raises the button to 41k. Ken Silberstein (Edison, NJ) makes it 105k from the BB, Reina moves all in for 475k, Silberstein calls.

Reina: KK
Silberstein: AA

Silberstein hits an Ace on the flop and Reina never recovers.

"What am I supposed to do," laments Reina after the cooler and his 19th place finish for $964.

Silberstein is now among the chip leaders with 1.2 million as the remaining 18 players are redrawing for seats at the final two tables.

Event 5: 20th Place - Tarulli

$350 + $50 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

On a flop of Q T 8 with two diamonds, Coleem Chestnut bet and Paul Tarulli gave it some thought, then called, leaving only ~130k behind.

Turn was an offsuit 7 and both players checked. 

River was an offsuit Ace.

Coleem shoved, putting Paul to the test for his tournament life. 

Paul decided to call, showing AJ of diamonds for a pair of Aces (busted flush draw).

Coleem rolled over J9 for the flopped straight to take the pot.  He's up to ~1.2 million and the chip lead.

Paul Tarulli busted out in 20th place, earning $964.

Event 5: 28th-36th Places ($855)

$350 + $50 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Place-Name

28th Jamil Ezzeddine (Springfield, VA)
29th Matthew Burnitz (Bear, DE)
30th Jen Lin (Freehold, NJ)
31st Joseph Sheehan (Yonkers, NY)
32nd Adrian Corona (Floral Park, NY)
33rd Richard De Vivo (Forked River, NJ)
34th Kevin Meals (Ridgway, PA)
35th Neal Liptak (York, PA)
36th Jeffrey Einsidler (Bedford, NY)

Event 5: Case Jack Cracks Three

$350 + $50 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

 Paul "The Bandit" Tarulli

Blinds 6k/12k/2k ante

Paul Tarulli (Jamesburg, NJ) moves all in for 140k and when he gets three callers has one foot out the door.

Ricard De Vivo (Forked River, NJ) is all in, as is Kevin Meals (Ridgway, PA) and Neal Liptak (York, PA). It's unclear which hands belonged Meals and Liptak.

Tarulli: JJ
De Vivo: QQ
Meals/Liptak: AK
Liptak/Meals: KJ

De Vivo is poised to win the hand until the river brings the case Jack to give Tarulli a set.

Surprisingly Tarulli has all three covered for the triple knockout.

"I couldn't believe it," says De Vivo, who's in good spirits despite the disappointment.

He's now off to the Deepest Stack event which he played from 11am - Noon before beginning Day 2 play.  "I ran it up to 65 (from 50k starting stack) and my buddy says I still have like 58 (k).

"It's the deepest stack, I knew I'd have chips lift," laughs De Vivo.

Tarulli is now back to an average stack while the other three players head to the pay window.

Here's their order of finish:

Place-Name-Amount

33rd Richard De Vivo (Forked River, NJ)
34th Kevin Meals (Ridgway, PA)
35th Neal Liptak (York, PA)

Event 8 - Payouts

Borgata Summer Poker Open
Event 8: $300 + $40 Seniors (50+) No Limit Hold'em
June 11, 2013

Entries:  89
Total Buy-In:  $26,700

PAYOUTS:
1:  $9,064
2:  $4,921
3:  $3,108
4:  $2,331
5:  $1,813
6:  $1,554
7:  $1,295
8:  $1,036
9:     $777

Event 5: 37th-45th Places ($777)

$350 + $50 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Place-Name

37th Frank Noussis (Falls Church, VA)
38th Ronald Citrenbaum (Brigantine, NJ)
39th Alan Kraut (Doylestown, PA)
40th Edan Sucov (Roslyn, NY)
41st Jeff Wicker (Bristol, PA)
42nd Robert Melo (Howard Beach, NY)
43rd Frank Belasic (Cedar Grove, NJ)
44th Nelsido Restituyo-Hernand (Pleasantville, NJ)
45th Michael Brand (Lahaina, HI)

Event 7 - Payouts

Borgata Summer Poker Open
Event 7: $260 + $40 Deepest Stack No Limit Hold'em
June 11, 2013

Entries:  442
Total Buy-In:  $114,920

PAYOUTS:
1:        $28,485
2:        $16,442
3:        $10,033
4:          $8,082
5:          $6,354
6:          $5,295
7:          $4,236
8:          $3,233
9:          $2,229
10-12:  $1,449
13-15:  $1,115
16-18:     $881
19-27:     $691
28-36:     $613
37-45:     $557

Event 8: Seniors Settle In

$300 + $40 Seniors NLH (Re-Entry)

Registration is officially closed and several players are taking advantage of the first Seniors' event with re-entries.

Dorothy Courten-Plate (Oakdale, NY) is back in after busting from her husband's table during the early rounds. Taking her seat is Mikhail Makaryan (Staten Island, NY) who also re-entered.

"I only played two hands and lost with a flush and a boat," says Makaryan.

Nearly 90 players are in the field as Level 7 (300/600/75 ante) is underway.

Event 5: Belasic Skips Bubble, Makes $$$

$350 + $50 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

 Belasic's Short Stack

The shortest stack, Frank Belasic (Cedar Grove, NJ), takes an unscheduled break and when he returns he's in the money.

"Profitable play," laughs Belasic while holding 11k ( < 2 bb).

After paying the blinds (4k/8k/1k ante), Belasic leaves the table on his button hoping somebody else busts.

Joe Wertz (Brigantine, NJ) does the honor on another table with pocket 8s to send his victim out in 46th place.

The remaining 45 players, including Belasic, are in the money for a min cash of $777.

All eyes are now on the top spot of $39,735.

****3:05 pm Update***

After a triple-up, Belasic busts in 43rd place

Event 5: Kraut Takes Out Marder

$350 + $50 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry) 

On the first hand after the break Alan Kraut (Doylestown, PA) knocks out Michael Marder (Sewell, NJ) and after another elimination play is now hand-for-hand on the money bubble.

46 players remain with 45 getting paid.

Marder runs KJ into the KK of Kraut to just miss the min cash of $777.

Event 5: Three from the $$$

$350 + $50 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry) 

We're just three spots from the money as players are back from the purple (500) chip color-up break.

Just before the break Jo Kim (New Brunswick, NJ) uses AA to bust a player and set the field at 48.

Earl King continues to hold the chip lead with 550k.

Here's a look at the big stacks:

Earl King 550k
Coleem Chestunut 492k
Kamran Gulfraz 420k
Joe Nichols 401k

The average stack is 240k (30 bb) as blinds are now 4k/8k/1k ante.

Event 7: Registration Closes

$260 + $40 Deepest Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Players are on break and even the late registration and re-entries are thrilled as they join the party with 83 bb in a fresh 50k stack.

Entries are well north of 400 as the cage verifies the total count and prize pool.

Play resumes with blinds at 300/600/75 ante.

Event 8: Baracks at Borgata

$300 + $40 Seniors NLH (Re-Entry)

Peter Baracks (Setauket, NY) is back for another Seniors tournament and looking for another cash.

In April's Borgata Spring Poker Open he final tabled with a 7th place finish for $2,000.  Prior to that he had two Seniors' cashes in 2012.

Other recognizable faces in the field include:

Joe "Black Cat" Lopes
Tim Little
"Grandpa" Jay Zimmet
Addison Alston
Jim Plate
Andrew Klein
Arthur Bressler

Event 8: Long Car Ride Home

$300 + $40 Seniors NLH (Re-Entry) 

Alston (right) Telling Tales Before 
Courten-Plate hits the Rail;
Plate (left) & Little Listen

The husband-wife tandem of Jim Plate (Oakdale, NY) and Dorothy Courten-Plate begin the day at the same table, but they may not be traveling home together.

"I had to get her off the table," jokes Jim after he cripples Dorothy's pocket Kings.

Jim makes a big bet on the turn after the board paired and Dorothy reluctantly folds. He shows A 10 for trip 10s.

"Either I had to go or she had to go," he laughs after Dorothy busts a few hands later.

Also on the table is Tim Little (Cheverly, MD), who was seated between the two.

Addison Alston (Berlin, NJ) is keeping the table entertained, while Grandpa Jay Zimmet (Manalapan, NJ) joins the group just as the field heads to break.

Level 3 (75/150) is in the books.

Event 5: Busto

$350 + $50 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry)


A reminder of what's at stake:

Entries:  458
Total Buy-In:  $160,300

PAYOUTS

1:        $39,735
2:        $22,936
3:        $13,994
4:        $11,273
5:          $8,863
6:          $7,386
7:          $5,909
8:          $4,509
9:          $3,110
10-12:   $2,021
13-15:   $1,555
16-18:   $1,228
19-27:     $964
28-36:     $855
37-45:     $777 

Event 5: Birdseye View of Boardroom

$350 + $50 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

Bunkering Down in the Boardroom

Play is slowing down as 61 players remain, 16 from the money.

Level 17 (2,500/5k/500 ante) is underway with the average stack at 188k (38 bb).

Event 7: "Couldn't Pass on Deepest Stack"

$260 + $40 Deepest Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

(r-l) Guieb & Interdonato

Marc Guieb (Robbinsville, NJ) says this is only the second tournament he's ever played and there's only one reason why he's here. "Couldn't pass on the Deepest Stack," he says.

Borgata regular Andrew Interdonato (Washington, D.C.) feels the same way.  "When do you ever get 50k at Borgata," he asks as players return from their first break of the day.

Another person intrigued by the 1,000 big blinds to start is Mimi Castaldi (Washington, D.C.) who had this tournament on her calendar minutes after busting in Sunday's Ladies event.

Level 4 (100/200) is underway and players with a fresh 50k still have 250 bb.

Event 5: Lost Leader

$350 + $50 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

King (center), Silberstein (right) & 
Paul Tarulli (Jamesburg, NJ)

You wouldn't think the chip leader would have any trouble finding his seat, but Earl King (Colts Neck, NJ) is one of the last players to arrive and eventually finds his bag on Table 6.

King (315k) sits next to Ken Silberstein (Edison, NJ) who begins the day 5th in chips (275k) and has position.

After a few quick eliminations, table 8 is down and 63 players remain on seven tables, 18 spots from the money.

Event 5: Dash for the Cash

$350 + $50 Big Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

On a day that features three Borgata trophies up for grabs, the Day 2 restart is closest to the money.

69 players return for the their shot at the $39,735 first place prize and are 24 spots from the min cash of lucky $777.

Earl King (Colts Neck, NJ) returns as the chip leader with 315k (79 bb) while 10 players have < 13 bb including the shortest stack Luke Edwards (Mansfield, OH) 35k (9 bb).

The average stack is 132k (33 bb) with play resuming at 2k/4k/400 ante.

Players are settling in and getting ready to make a run for the trophy and framed champions picture.

Event 8: Golden Oldies

$300 + $40 Seniors NLH (Re-Entry) 

Vintage players had a tough choice between the Deepest Stack tournament and their favorite Seniors Event.  This, along with the Ladies Event, is one of the most enjoyable events in the series, and players won't be disappointed with this tournament.

While the Seniors start with significantly less chips (12k vs 50k) the levels are longer and a structure that's appealing all the way around.

Levels are 30 minutes each to start (Levels 16+ / 40 min.) and re-entry is open through Level 6 (~3:30 pm).

Players are filtering in and ready for a fun, competitive day that will end with the coveted Borgata trophy.

Event 7: Altbaum Drops Early Bombs

$260 + $40 Deepest Stack NLH (Re-Entry)


Event 7: 50k (in chips) Guaranteed!

$260 + $40 Deepest Stack NLH (Re-Entry)

In another Borgata first, players are thrilled to play in a tournament that features a 50k starting stack, that's 1000 big blinds!!!

Levels last 25 minute levels to start (Levels 11+ / 30 min.).

Re-entry and late registration is open through Level 6 (~2 pm).

This structure is on the heels of yesterday's inaugural Six-Max Survivor and is another innovative way to keep things fresh, like the All in or Fold event added last year.

It's a one day event and players are looking for heaps of chips at the end of this tournament.

Borgata Summer Poker Open Leaderboard Update (6/11)

Borgata Summer Poker Open Leaderboard
By participating in any Borgata Summer Poker Open event (June 4-21, 2013), players earn points based upon the Borgata Summer Poker Tournament Leaderboard Formula.

Below are the top scores for the 2013 Borgata Summer Poker Open Leaderboard*
(Final Results from Main events: 1, 2, 3, 4 , 6
Secondary events: 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)

312.488:  ADRIAN SILVESCU
312.000:  MICHAEL BONNEY
306.688:  JOHN WHITING
259.325:  GRAESON BURNETTE-PEAKE
254.310:  DAVID EILERS
235.875:  STEVEN POLIMENI
218.400:  KHOI TA
216.000:  ADILBEK KARAGUISHIYEV
210.663:  MICHAEL HAHN
204.475:  SCOTT HILLIER
204.300:  RICHARD DEVIVO
203.975:  ILYA VASSERMAN
203.850:  PAYAM EFTEKHAR JAHROMI
198.538:  JEFFREY GURFINKEL
184.950:  PHILIP RINALDI
182.400:  CHAD POWER
178.113:  MARGUERITE SPAGNUOLO
173.280:  CHRISTIAN FARLEY
173.050:  PAUL VACCHIO
172.800:  RAUL MUNOZ

Event 5 - Start of Day 2 Table Assignments

Borgata Summer Poker Open
Event 5:  $350 + $50 Big Stack No Limit Hold'em
June 9 - 11, 2013

Entries:  458
Total Buy-In:  $160,300

Players Remainnig: 69
Average Chip Stack: 132,000

START OF DAY 2 TABLE ASSIGNMENTS & CHIP COUNTS:
T01 | S01 -  DANIEL WALSH (HOLMDEL, NJ):  165,000
T01 | S02 -  ONOFRIO REINA (ELIZABETH, NJ):  288,200
T01 | S03 -  SEAN WRIGHT (ROBBINSVILLE, NJ):  72,200
T01 | S04 -  JEFFREY WICKER (BRISTOL, PA):  171,400
T01 | S05 -  FRANK BELASIC (CEDAR GROVE, NJ):  41,500
T01 | S06 -  JOSEPH SHEEHAN (YONKERS, NY):  159,700
T01 | S07 -  KAMRAN GULFRAZ (FLUSHING, NY):  275,000
T01 | S08 -  SUNG FITZMAURICE (BRISTOL, PA):  213,000
T01 | S09 -  MICHAEL BRAND (LAHAINA, HI):  124,800

T02 | S01 -  RICHARD MURNICK (MONTCLAIR, NJ):  101,500
T02 | S02 -  GENE MAZZA (ELIZABETH, NJ):  50,000
T02 | S03 -  JEFFREY EINSIDLER (BEDFORD, NY):  81,800
T02 | S04 -  HEONJO KIM (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ):  61,600
T02 | S05 -  NELSIDO RESTITUYO-HERNAND (PLEASANTVILLE, NJ):  123,200
T02 | S06 -  MICHAEL MARDER (SEWELL, NJ):  68,300
T02 | S07 -  JEFFREY SHULTZ (OLMSTED TWP, OH):  40,900
T02 | S08 -  JEFFREY SILVA (WEST CHESTER, PA):  77,600
T02 | S09 -  ALAN KRAUT (DOYLESTOWN, PA):  186,400

T03 | S01 -  ANGEL GONZALEZ (RONKONKOMA, NY):  72,700
T03 | S02 -  RONALD CITRENBAUM (BRIGINTINE, NJ):  41,200
T03 | S03 -  LUKE EDWARDS (MANSFIELD, OH):  34,600
T03 | S04 -  NANCY MARTIN (WASHINGTON CROSSING, PA):  59,300
T03 | S05 -  HUNG TRUONG (BROOKLYN, NY):  48,900
T03 | S06 -  JEN LIN (FREEHOLD, NJ):  135,400
T03 | S07 -  SEUNG LEE (FRESH MEADOWS, NY):  35,500
T03 | S08 -  JOSEPH WERTZ (MONTOURSVILLE, PA):  259,600

T04 | S01 -  ADRIAN CORONA (FLORAL PARK, NY):  88,700
T04 | S02 -  RYAN MCKNIGHT (HARRISBURG, PA):  137,700
T04 | S03 -  NICHOLAS PARTENOPE (COLONIA, NJ):  75,800
T04 | S04 -  NEVILLE DARRELL (SARASOTA, FL):  120,500
T04 | S05 -  SEAN KNITTER (PHILADELPHIA, PA):  207,400
T04 | S06 -  ROBERT KLAUS (FLUSHING, NY):  131,300
T04 | S07 -  JOSEPH NICHOLS (NUTLEY, NJ):  251,100
T04 | S08 -  COLEEM CHESTNUT (BROOKLYN, NY):  254,500

T05 | S01 -  FRANK NOUSSIS (FALLS CHURCH, VA):  59,800
T05 | S02 -  HENRY TELIAS (N WOODMERE, NY):  131,000
T05 | S03 -  JOHN MITCHELL (MEDIA, PA):  56,400
T05 | S04 -  PARIS BORDEN (LANSDOWNE, VA):  77,700
T05 | S05 -  ALEXANDER NEMIROVSKIY (BROOKLYN, NY):  115,400
T05 | S06 -  NEAL LIPTAK (YORK, PA):  188,900
T05 | S07 -  MATTHEW BURNITZ (BEAR, DE):  81,400
T05 | S08 -  MITCHELL MANTIN (ATLANTIC CITY, NJ):  179,700
T05 | S09 -  RICHARD DEVIVO (FORKED RIVER, NJ):  124,500
T06 | S01 -  CLAIRE CHIANG (CHANDLER, AZ):  89,200

T06 | S02 -  TONY TRAN (CHARLOTTE, NC):  214,700
T06 | S03 -  JEREMIAH CALLAHAN (OYSTER BAY, NY):  118,800
T06 | S04 -  KEVIN BURO (NO PLAINFIELD, NJ):  170,500
T06 | S05 -  SIMON VERKHOVSKY (RAMSEY, NJ):  171,800
T06 | S06 -  CALEB STONE (GRAHAM, NC):  106,700
T06 | S07 -  PAUL TARULLI (JAMESBURG, NJ):  113,600
T06 | S08 -  EARL KING (COLTS NECK, NJ):  314,500
T06 | S09 -  KENNETH SILBERSTEIN (EDISON, NJ):  274,500

T07 | S01 -  JOSEPH REDDICK (BRONX, NY):  124,900
T07 | S02 -  ROY ARKIN (GREENSBORO, NC):  172,000
T07 | S03 -  JONATHAN KRAMER (FOREST HILL, NY):  103,000
T07 | S04 -  JOHN MAHONEY (SUMMIT, NJ):  273,900
T07 | S05 -  SEETAL PATEL (MONMOUTH JUNCTION, NJ):  81,900
T07 | S06 -  ANTHONY MAGISTRALE (BROOKFIELD, CT):  212,600
T07 | S07 -  ILYA VASSERMAN (HUNTINGDON VY, PA):  88,200
T07 | S08 -  KEVIN MEALS (RIDWAY, PA):  78,800
T07 | S09 -  EDAN SUCOV (ROSLYN, NY):  70,000

T08 | S01 -  LEONID VIZIROV (CHALFONT, PA):  40,700
T08 | S02 -  ERIC MILLER (HICKSVILLE, NY):  42,100
T08 | S03 -  ROHAN LONG (WINDSOR, CT):  125,700
T08 | S04 -  JAMIL EZZEDDINE (SPRINGFIELD, VA):  155,500
T08 | S05 -  CALLEN WALLACE (INDIANA, PA):  280,800
T08 | S06 -  ERIC SUAREZ (GLEN MILLS, PA):  179,200
T08 | S07 -  ROBERT MELO (HOWARD BEACH, NY):  120,400
T08 | S08 -  JULIE ZELMAN (NEW YORK, NY):  170,600

Tuesday, June 10

TODAY'S EVENTS (Poker Room) 

11AM: Event 7 - $260 + $40 Deepest Stack No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
  • Players start with 50,000 in tournament chips 
  • Levels 1-10::  will last 25 minutes each | Levels 11+:  will last 30 minutes each
  • Players may Re-Enter through Level 6
  • 1-Day event

12PM: Event 8 - $300 + $40 Seniors (50+) No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry) 
  • Players start with 12,000 in tournament chips 
  • Levels 1-15:  will last 30 minutes each | Levels 16+:  will last 40 minutes each
  • Players may Re-Enter through Level 6
  • 1-Day event  

4 PM: Event 33 - $200 + $30 Survivor No Limit Hold'em
  • Players start with 15,000 in tournament chips 
  • Levels will last 25 minutes each
  • Approximately 1 in 10 will win $2,000 CASH
  • 1-Day event

7 PM: Event 34 - $100 + $20 + $25 Green Chip Bounty No Limit Hold'em
  • Players start with 12,000 in tournament chips 
  • This is a Bounty tournament.  Players must have their Bounty chips clearly displayed on table in order to remain active in tournament.
  • Levels will last 20 minutes each
  • Players may enter through Level 7 
  • 1-Day event