Borgata | $500,000 Guaranteed Poker Tournament

Event Wrap Up

2009-05-28T16:32:00.002-04:00

The Borgata was home to yet another great poker tournament. Players showed up from all over the globe to compete in this premier 500k Guaranteed Deep Stack Event. The player-friendly staff and tournament structure at The Borgata are simply unmatched. Another successful event and job well done by Tab and his tournament staff.

Thanks to all those who followed the Borgata Poker Blog. Look for more LIVE poker coverage in upcoming events from The Borgata.

Final Results

2009-05-21T11:02:00.000-04:00

FINAL RESULTS

Borgata $500K Guaranteed Deep Stack
$1500 + $150 No Limit Hold'em
May 17-20, 2009

626 Entries
$939,000 Prize Pool

1. LAWRENCE RAO (FALLSTON, MD): $260,478
2. MICAH RASKIN (OLD WESTBURY, NY): $140,850
3. ERIC DOERR (NEWARK, DE): $72,772
4. JOSHUA BRIKIS (MONROEVILLE, PA): $63,382
5. DANIEL SMETHURST (CHARLOTTE, NC): $53,992
6. STEVEN CHO (DERWOOD, MD): $44,603
7. JEREMY SCHOFER (WASHINGTON, DC): $35,213
8. DREW JOHNSON (BRIDGEWATER, NJ): $25,823
9. ANTONIO CAVEZZA (HUNTINGTON STATION, NY): $18,780
10. H-BARRY TREMBETZKY (TORONTO, CAN): $12,207
11. JAMES ST HILAIRE (GLEN BURNIE, MD): $12,207
12. ADAM BRAGAR (NEW YORK, NY): $12,207
13. MANISH PATEL (BURLINGTON, NJ): $8,921
14. JOHN MCCANN (BOOTHWYN, PA): $8,921
15. MARK REYNOLDS (ELDERSBURG, MD): $8,921
16. SALVATORE SIMEONE (DENVILLE, NJ): $5,634
17. MICHAEL DENTALE (BROOKLYN, NY): $5,634
18. FRED MOSKOWITZ (MORGANVILLE, NJ): $5,634
19. IRAJ RAZMJOU (MCLEAN, VA): $4,226
20. EDWARD JACOBS (HAUPPAUGE, NY): $4,226
21. JOSEPH BROOKS (EGG HARBOR TWP, NJ): $4,226
22. JERRY MAHER (WARREN, NJ): $4,226
23. ANDERSON ALMONTE (BRONX, NY): $4,226
24. RICHARD ROSSETTI (VENTNOR, NJ): $4,226
25. LUIS NARGENTINO (FLORAL PARK, NY): $4,226
26. JERRY BURGESS (LOUISBURG, NC): $4,226
27. ANTONIO WALKER (GREENBELT PG, MD): $4,226
28. IAN SEARING (SMITHTOWN, NY): $3,568
29. JOHN RENZI (BOOTHWYN, PA): $3,568
30. SIROUS JAMSHIDI (BROOMALL, PA): $3,568
31. DONALD MATUSOW (BRYN MAWR, PA): $3,568
32. BRUCE BARTFELD (CHURCHVILLE, MD): $3,568
33. DAVID KING (BROOKLYN, NY): $3,568
34. TAE BAIK (COLMAR, PA): $3,568
35. CARL PION (BRAMPTON, CAN): $3,568
36. JOHN LAKATOSH (RED LION, PA): $3,568
37. MICHAEL DICHIARO (WOODCLIFF LK, NJ): $3,005
38. JARED DIFILIPPO (ORELAND, PA): $3,005
39. FEMING CHAN (WEST WINDSOR, NJ): $3,005
40. JOSEPH CURCIO (YONKERS, NY): $3,005
41. JAMES MAGEE (MASTIC, NY): $3,005
42. TAM CHI LY (LANSDALE, PA): $3,005
43. JOSHUA PAUL (NEW YORK, NY): $3,005
44. DAVID WILLIAMS (WEST READING, PA): $3,005
45. EDWARD BETLOW (MORRIS PLAINS, NJ): $3,005
46. DHARMESH PATEL (PAWTUCKET, RI): $2,629
47. MATTHEW BURNITZ (WILMINGTON, DE): $2,629
48. ROBERT MERULLA (NEW YORK, NY): $2,629
49. ALEX SMITH (HIGHLAND PARK, NJ): $2,629
50. ANTHONY CASAGRANDE (MEDFORD, NY): $2,629
51. JENNIFER SHERWOOD (NEWPORT NEWS, VA): $2,629
52. DEAN JOHNSON (EASTON, PA): $2,629
53. DANIEL MCGOVERN (S GLENS FALLS, NY): $2,629
54. ANTONIO SCHIANO (FARMINGDALE, NJ): $2,629
55. DAVID INSELBERG (NEW YORK, NY): $2,441
56. IAN PALOMO (SAN ANTONIO, TX): $2,441
57. JOHN MCEWEN (NAZARETH, PA): $2,441
58. RICHARD HALL (BRISTOW, VA): $2,441
59. GREGORY FISHBERG (WILLOW GROVE, PA): $2,441
60. SHAKHIN MAMEDOV (BROOKLYN, NY): $2,441
61. MICHAEL MORGOUSKY (BROOKLYN, NY): $2,441
62. CHRISTOPHER BELL (RALEIGH, NC): $2,441
63. ROBERT CERMINARA (MT LAUREL, NJ): $2,441

Its Over...

2009-05-20T21:51:00.007-04:00

After 3 long days of poker, The Borgata 500k Deep Stack Event ended abruptly and finally crowned a champion. Businessman and full-time poker player, Larry Rao (Baltimore, MD) battled with a short stack through Days 1 and 2, then fought his way to the Final Table and ended up with all the chips. Congratulations Larry, well played sir.

1st - Larry Rao (Baltimore, MD) wins $260,478
2nd - Micah Raskin (Long Island, NJ) wins $140,850
3rd - Eric Doerr (Newark, DE) wins $72,772

Official Final Results coming soon...

The Final Table

2009-05-20T21:22:00.000-04:00

Seat 10 - Barry Trembetzky (Toronto, Canada) Seat 9 - Drew Johnson (Bridgewater, NJ)
Seat 8 - Josh Brikis (Philadelphia, PA)

Seat #7 - Steven Cho (Derwood, MD)

Seat 6 - Daniel Smethurst (Charlotte, NC)

Seat 5 - Jeremy Schofer (Washington, DC)

Seat 4 - Eric Doerr (Newark, DE)

Seat 3 - Micah Raskin (Long Island, NY)

Seat 2 - Larry Rao (Baltimore, MD)

Seat 1 - Tony "Bagels" Cavezza (Huntington Station, NY)

10 Left

2009-05-20T21:06:00.001-04:00

11th - James St. Hilaire (College Park, MD) wins $12,207

No Kicker

2009-05-20T21:03:00.002-04:00

James St. Hilaire (College Park, MD) is crippled and left with only $195k after shoving A8 into the AK of Eric Doerr (Newark, DE). The very next hand, the young kid from College Park was eliminated.

11 players remaining
Avg Chip Stack - $1,707,200

11 Left

2009-05-20T20:57:00.001-04:00

12th - Adam Grabar (New York, NY) wins $12,207

2 Big Hands

2009-05-20T20:54:00.001-04:00

New York City cash game pro and Fordham University grad student, Adam Grabar runs AK into pocket Aces to end his tournament deep on Day 3.

Suited One Gapper

2009-05-20T20:44:00.000-04:00

Larry Rao wins a pot worth $1.8 million with 6h8h when he rivers a straight to steal the pot from high-stakes cash game player Adam Grabar.

Still 12 Left

2009-05-20T20:41:00.000-04:00

Table 2 Table 1

Info Update

2009-05-20T20:25:00.000-04:00

12 players remaining
Avg Chip Stack - $1,565,000

In it to Win it

2009-05-20T20:22:00.002-04:00

Drew Johnson shoves his remaining $760k into the pot with AQ
pre-flop, runs a coinflip vs pocket 10's, flops an Ace and stays alive.

Still Alive

2009-05-20T20:18:00.000-04:00

Eric Doerr (Newark, DE) shoves his J3 offsuit and short stack into chipleader Micah Raskin and gets called by KQ, the board comes all baby cards and Doerr rivers a straight to stay alive.

Adam Grabar, Josh Brikis and Micah Raskin remain among the chipleaders.

12 Left

2009-05-20T20:12:00.000-04:00

13th - Manny Patel (Burlington, NJ) wins $8,921
14th - "Juke Box" John (Garnett Valley, PA) wins $8,921

Update Info

2009-05-20T20:09:00.000-04:00

Micah Raskin collects another pot as his AQ eliminates a short-stack with Td4d, Rasskin currently sits with $4.2 million.

Manny Patel loses a coinflip with 44 vs KT and is eliminated.

14 Left

2009-05-20T19:51:00.000-04:00

15th - Mark Reynolds (Eldersburg, MD) wins $8,921.

Suckout City

2009-05-20T19:48:00.000-04:00

Drew Johnson calls off his last 455k with KJ, after Mark Reynolds shoves all-in from the Big Blind. Reynolds, who took 4th in Borgata's last DeepStack Event, shows pocket Kings but loses the pot when Johnson comes from wayyy behind to flop the broadway straight.

Update

2009-05-20T19:42:00.002-04:00

Fordham grad student Adam Grabar wins a coinflip with pocket 8's vs the AK suited of "Juke Box" John and takes his stack over $2 million.

Daniel Smethurst continues to tap the "Stir Stick" as he collects another small pot uncontested from the Big Blind.

15 players remaining
Avg Chip Stack - $1,252,000

AA v 99

2009-05-20T19:36:00.001-04:00

Drew Johnson makes quad Aces after getting AA in preflop vs Mark Reynolds' pocket 9's. A few players have requested another 15-minute break to discuss another possible chop.

Play Finally Resumes

2009-05-20T19:26:00.003-04:00

Play is continuing with 15 players left, no chop has been announced.
Blinds @ - 30,000/60,000/3,000

Back from Dinner

2009-05-20T19:06:00.008-04:00

Players are back from Dinner Break and currently discussing a 15-way chop where each player would receive the same amount of prize money, details coming soon.

Dinner Break

2009-05-20T18:03:00.001-04:00

All players currently on a 1-hour dinner break
Play will resume at 7:15 pm.

Cold Deck

2009-05-20T17:58:00.004-04:00

"Bagels" runs into another cooler when his pocket Kings run into the pocket Aces of "Juke Box" John. The Juke Box rental man from Philly doubles up to $1.4 million.

Large Pot to Micah

2009-05-20T17:45:00.005-04:00

Our first 4-way pot of the day sends more chips to Micah Raskin.
"Juke Box" John, "Bagels" and Adam Grabar get outta' the way when Raskin check-raises the Q-high flop to ship the pot his way.

Break in 12 minutes.

Break Coming Up

2009-05-20T17:40:00.003-04:00

Play is extremely slow as most players have "snugged up" and aren't putting any chips in the pot.

All players will take a 1-hour break in 20 minutes.
15 players remaining.

More Action

2009-05-20T17:09:00.004-04:00

Mark Reynolds shows up with 93 offsuit and gets lucky to flop two pair against the AJ offsuit. Reynolds collects a $1.2 million pot and becomes one of the tournament chipleaders.

"Bagels" Cavezza check-raises the flop with just a flush draw to run a semi-bluff forcing Manny Patel to lay down top pair.

Cho Doubles

2009-05-20T17:02:00.002-04:00

Steven Cho (Derwood, MD) doubles his short stack with pocket Aces and stays alive with 15 players left.

Queen City Kid

2009-05-20T17:00:00.003-04:00

The "lucky Stir Stick" of Daniel Smethurst

has taken his stack to $1.7 million.

Another Flip

2009-05-20T16:51:00.003-04:00

With the help of his twin brothers on the rail, Micah Raskin collects a monster pot when his AK rivers an Ace to win a coinflip vs pocket 9's. Paul Rao is crippled and needs help.

Flippin'

2009-05-20T16:44:00.002-04:00

Adam Bragar open to 80k, "Bagels" Cavezza re-raises to 300k from the Big Blind, Bragar moves all-in with AJ offsuit and gets called by the pocket 9's of "Bagels." An ace flops and the tournament favorite loses a big coinflip.

15 Left

2009-05-20T16:41:00.001-04:00

15 players remaining

Blinds @ 20,000/40,000/3,000a

Avg Chip Stack - $1.25 million

Good Guy Gone

2009-05-20T16:34:00.005-04:00

Sal Simone moved in his last 514k with JJ and lost a coinflip to Jeremy Schofer's AK.

16th place - Sal Simeone (Florham Park, NJ) wins $5,634

Tight Play

2009-05-20T16:19:00.003-04:00

Big Stacks Josh Brikis, "Bagels" Cavezza and James St. Hilaire continue to "raise it up" and steal blinds, play has tightened up with only 16 players remaining.

Local Favorite

2009-05-20T16:05:00.005-04:00

"Bagels" Cavezza ships a big pot after putting a bunch of chips in the pot preflop and getting the remainder of his stack in when a 9 hits turn, his opponent folds and Tony "Bagels" shows pocket 9's. "Bagels" has to be the favorite with only 16 players left...with tournament experience and a tons of chips, I hope his boy Eric will follow the blog and Cavezza's march to the Final Table.

Double Up

2009-05-20T15:55:00.005-04:00

James St. Hilaire (College Park, MD) just doubled up through Larry Rao when his A3 outflopped pocket 7's, the short stack stays alive.

Avg Chip Stack - $1.13 million

Update

2009-05-20T15:44:00.007-04:00

Jeremy Schofer (Washington, DC) is all-in and behind with A3 vs AQ, the miracle 3 comes off on 5th street and the kid from our nations' capital scoops the $692k pot.

Sal Simeone is fighting with a short stack, as he sits with close to $700k.

Drew Johnson doubles through Mark Reynolds when his pocket Q's hold up against pocket 10's.
DJ is now strong in chips with over 1.3 million.

Players aren't seeing too many flops as play has slowed down since returning from break.

Back to the Grind

2009-05-20T15:36:00.001-04:00

Players are back from break.
Blinds @ 20,000/40,000/4,000a.
16 players remaining.

One of the Chipleaders

2009-05-20T15:34:00.001-04:00

Manny Patel currently sits with over $1.6 million in chips.

on Break

2009-05-20T15:17:00.003-04:00

"Juxebox John" collects more chips and becomes dangerous, while Josh Brikis, Manny Patel, "Bagels" Cavezza and Barry Trembetzky round out the Chipleaders.

Players currently on a 15-minute break.
16 players remaining.

16 Left

2009-05-20T15:04:00.003-04:00

"Mikey Unbelievable" runs AK into pocket Aces and ends his day.

17th place - Mike Dentale (Brooklyn , NY) wins $5,634

17 Left

2009-05-20T14:56:00.001-04:00

18th place - Fred Moskowitz (Morganville, NJ) wins $5,634

18 Left

2009-05-20T14:44:00.002-04:00

The Chip Racks are out as the remaining 18 players

break down to 2 tables.

Another one Gone

2009-05-20T14:33:00.006-04:00

Edward Jacobs (Long Island, NY) has been eliminated after 3 solid days of play. His pokcet 7's go down to 65 suited and the hard-working DJ is sent back to the city

Brooks Gone

2009-05-20T14:24:00.006-04:00

"Joey TheB" was crippled when his AK lost vs pocket 6's, he shoved the rest of his chips in with Q4 and was sent packing when he couldn't improve vs pocket 3's. The Hometown favorite continues his consistant play with another impressive performance.

With 21 players remaining, Micah Raskin remains the chipleader with $2.2 million.

Update Info

2009-05-20T14:16:00.002-04:00

22 players remaining

Avg Chip Stack - $894,285

Blinds @ 15,000/30,000/3,000a

Must be Nice

2009-05-20T13:49:00.005-04:00

Adam Bragar flat called a 75k raise and flopped a straight holding 68 of hearts. Jerry Maher (Hoboken, NJ) moved allin on the turn and was emliminated in 23rd place when Adam showed him the bad news.

"I was going to 3-bet him preflop, but I didn't want him to fold, I knew what was coming."

Cavezza loses Chips

2009-05-20T13:40:00.002-04:00

Tony "Bagels" tanks an all-in on the turn after the action has been raised and re-raised. Bagels takes off his headphones and sunglasses before throwing his hand away, when he asks, "Whaddya' have?" the shy newcomer replies, "I don't remeber."

The Final Table awaits...

2009-05-20T13:38:00.003-04:00

22 players currently remaining

KK v JJ

2009-05-20T13:30:00.001-04:00

Larry Rao (Baltimore, MD) eliminated Vincent Rossetti (Ventnor, NJ) when both players flopped set over set. The "unlucky cold deck" sends Rossetti to the rail and puts Rao back in the hunt.

Playing Down

2009-05-20T13:13:00.001-04:00

Micah Raskin (Long Island, NY) has emerged as one of the chipleaders with $1.7 million in his stack.

Elimination

2009-05-20T13:02:00.002-04:00

Luis (Queens, NY) busted in 25th place for $4,226 when A9 sucked out vs his AQ... a good showing from this full-time player new to the tournament scene.

Back from Break

2009-05-20T12:58:00.001-04:00

Blinds @ 12,000/24,000/3,000a
24 players remaining

Day 3 Action Photos

2009-05-20T12:51:00.001-04:00

on Break

2009-05-20T12:45:00.002-04:00

Players currently on a 10-minute break.
24 players remaining
Avg. Stack - $782,500

Update

2009-05-20T12:38:00.003-04:00

Drew Johnson climbs back over 700k in chips after shoving A9 suited into AQ and rivering a flush for the suckout.

"Bagels" Cavezza has been moved to Table 3 where he'll have to battle other tournament big stack Manish Patel.

Update

2009-05-20T12:26:00.002-04:00

Sal Simeone hits a spade on the river to make a flush with AK and scoop a monster pot eliminating "The Bird" with QQ and Antonio Walker with K7.

Anderson Almonte just folded two red 10's face-up after getting re-raised for the rest of his chips.

25 players left
Avg Stack - $751,200

The Fight

2009-05-20T12:16:00.003-04:00

The roped-off tournament area has gained attention, railbirds and random visitors as 3 tables remain and players fight for a spot at the final table.

NC Boy Update

2009-05-20T12:13:00.002-04:00

Wayne Burgess shoves his short stack from the button with K8, Antonio Walker snaps him off in the big blind with AK, but two 8's hit flop and "The Bird" is still flying.

28 players remaining.

From the Rail

2009-05-20T12:06:00.002-04:00

Railbirds sweatin' Josh Brikis (Philadelphia, PA).

Anderson Almonte also has a few boys from the City railing him and sweatin' his every raise.

Info

2009-05-20T11:56:00.000-04:00

29 players remaining.
Avg Chip Stack - $647,586
Blinds @ 10,000/20,000/2,000a

Big Slick

2009-05-20T11:52:00.005-04:00

"I can't fold," says John Renzi as he calls the 375k shove from Sal Simeone holding the suited QJ and gutshot royal flush draw. The spade hits the turn and the proud Dad doubles up, while Renzi's AK hits the muck.

Table 1

2009-05-20T11:41:00.004-04:00

"Joey TheB" Brooks is the short stack on Table 1, he's survived a few all-ins and looks to double-up soon to stay in the hunt.

Table Chipleaders "Mikey Unbelievable" and "Bagels" Cavezza continue to needle Joey and the rest of the table as the mood has lightened up.

More Chips for Grabar

2009-05-20T11:38:00.005-04:00

Adam Grabar adds to his mountain of chips, when he calls an early position all-in and has his opponent crushed with AK vs KJ. He collects the 354k pot and becomes dangerous as the field shrinks to 29 players.

Day 3 Update

2009-05-20T11:27:00.002-04:00

James St. Hilaire (College Park, MD) is taking advantage of a tight table and opening every other pot on Table 4.

Sal Simeone and "The Bird" are the short stacks on Table 3, while John Renzi maintains the table chip lead.

Young guys, Adam Grabar and Drew Johnson, look like the only two players sticking chips in the pot on Table 2.

Early Cooler for the Chipleader

2009-05-20T11:16:00.002-04:00

"Bagels" Cavezza runs pocket Kings into pocket Aces the third hand into play. Daniel Smethurst becomes one of the chipleaders while Tony loses close to 1 million.

"I shoulda' missed that hand, I wanted to go to the bathroom," said Cavezza.

Gettin' Started

2009-05-20T11:12:00.001-04:00

Play has officially started on Day 3.
Blinds @ 8,000/16,000/2,000a

Start of Day 3 Chip Counts

2009-05-20T09:07:00.000-04:00

The final 32 players returning for Day 3 action:

1. ANTONIO CAVEZZA: $2,000,000
2. ANDERSON ALMONTE: $1,830,000
3. MANISH PATEL: $1,228,000
4. ADAM BRAGAR: $978,000
5. JOSHUA BRIKIS: $968,000
6. JOHN MCCANN: $935,000
7. MICHAEL DENTALE: $912,000
8. JOHN RENZI: $878,000
9. MICAH RASKIN: $843,000
10. EDWARD JACOBS: $823,000
11. DANIEL SMETHURST: $757,000
12. STEVEN CHO: $709,000
13. ERIC DOERR: $586,000
14. DONALD MATUSOW: $573,000
15. H-BARRY TREMBETZKY: $544,000
16. JAMES ST HILAIRE: $528,000
17. ANTONIO WALKER: $497,000
18. RICHARD ROSSETTI: $479,000
19. JEREMY SCHOFER: $412,000
20. DREW JOHNSON: $397,000
21. SALVATORE SIMEONE: $375,000
22. LUIS NARGENTINO: $372,000
23. MARK REYNOLDS: $357,000
24. LAWRENCE RAO: $312,000
25. JOSEPH BROOKS: $263,000
26. JERRY MAHER: $263,000
27. JERRY BURGESS: $233,000
28. IRAJ RAZMJOU: $196,000
29. BRUCE BARTFELD: $194,000
30. SIROUS JAMSHIDI: $173,000
31. FRED MOSKOWITZ: $112,000
32. IAN SEARING: $86,000

End of Day 2

2009-05-20T01:08:00.003-04:00

32 players remaining.
Play will resume at 11am Wednesday, May 20.
Official Chip Counts and Eliminations coming soon...

Player Photos: Guys Still Alive

2009-05-20T01:00:00.001-04:00

Eric Doerr (Newark, DE)Adam Bargar (New York, NY)

Update

2009-05-20T00:38:00.002-04:00

"Mikey Unbelievable" comes from behind and eliminates a player when his A6 flops a pair against AJ.

"The Bird" shoves his last 221k from the Button and gets no callers, he's still flying.

Manish Patel (Burlington, NJ) called the 320k all-in with pocket Q's, his opponent shows AK. An Ace hit the flop, the board comes runner-runner diamond giving Patel the large pot, and a huge stack.

PA Young Gun out in 38th

2009-05-20T00:35:00.002-04:00

Jared Difilippo (Oreland, PA) who turned 21 the day the event started, just finished in 38th place as his pocket 4's could not improve against JJ. He collected $3,005 for his efforts. Not a bad start to his live tournament career.

Straight on the River

2009-05-20T00:22:00.001-04:00

Antonio Walker (Willington, NJ) was all-in preflop and ahead with AJ suited vs 78 suited. The flop came 68T and he was suddenly way behind. The turn was a 9 and gave Walker an open-ended straight draw. A Queen on the river made his straight and Walker doubled up to 350k.

Tourney Info

2009-05-20T00:17:00.001-04:00

5 tables remaining
38 players remaining
Avg. Chip Stack - $494,210
Blinds @ 8000/16000/2000a

950k in Chips, Music to his Ears

2009-05-20T00:10:00.003-04:00

"When I'm in a big hand, I think...What would Paul do?"

"Juke Box" John (Garnet Valley, Pa)

Break

2009-05-20T00:08:00.001-04:00

All players currently on a 10-minute break.

2009-05-20T00:01:00.004-04:00

5 Tables Left

2009-05-19T23:59:00.000-04:00

43 players remaining.

Blinds up in 14 minutes : 50 seconds

Chips Up

2009-05-19T23:47:00.005-04:00

James Magee (long Island, NY) moved all-in for 41k from middle position and got action in 2 spots from AQ and AK. The board ran out 7J42J and James is sitting over 100k again.

Short-Stack gets the Blinds Uncontested

2009-05-19T23:39:00.004-04:00

Josh Brikis (Philadelphia, PA) folds QJ face up when a short-stack shoves all in from middle position with only 61k in chips.

44 players remaining.

Field Notes

2009-05-19T23:19:00.002-04:00

Local Favorites "Joey TheB" Brooks and "Bagels" Cavezza have dominant chipstacks among the remaining 48 players, while darkhorse "The Bird" Burgess is still fighting with 378k in chips.

Still Alive

2009-05-19T23:15:00.003-04:00

Josh Paul (Harlem, NY) has grinded out the short stack all day long, he currently sits with 203k.

Yankee Hats on the Grind

2009-05-19T23:11:00.002-04:00

Larry Rao (Baltimore, MD)

James Magee (Long Island, NY)

Tourney Info

2009-05-19T22:50:00.009-04:00

Total Number of Entries: 626
Prize Pool: $939,000

Final Table Payouts:
1-$260,478
2-$140,850
3-$ 72,772
4-$ 63,382
5-$ 53,992
6-$ 44,603
7-$ 35,213
8-$ 25,823
9-$ 18,780

49 players remaining

Bell Busto

2009-05-19T22:42:00.004-04:00

Poker Professional Chris Bell was eliminated when
his A9 ran into AQ blind vs blind.

55 players remaining
Avg Chip Stack - $341,454

We're in The Money

2009-05-19T21:51:00.003-04:00

A short stack blinded off and we have our 63 players getting paid.
Regular play has resumed.

Pay the Bubble

2009-05-19T21:45:00.001-04:00

Bruce (The Bubble Boy Liason) is collecting donations from all players for the "bubble boy" to get paid. Some players are more willing to give than others. Players are still playing hand for hand.

Player Photos

2009-05-19T21:30:00.001-04:00

"Mikey Unbelievable" "The Bird Man"

No Money Yet...

2009-05-19T21:25:00.002-04:00

The Tournament Short Stack shoves AJ all-in and gets called by Dean Johnson with AK, a Jack flops right out the window and the bubble remains unbroken.

Another small stack shoved all-in and got called, but his pocket Aces held up vs 99 to stay alive.

64 players still remaining.

Shout-Out

2009-05-19T21:20:00.002-04:00

"Bagels" wants to make the final table for his beautiful new friend Toni.

Time Controversy

2009-05-19T21:14:00.003-04:00

Due to such slow play, Asst. Tournament Director Deborah Daly announced that players will receive half the time back that it took the "bust the bubble".

More Player Photos

2009-05-19T20:57:00.002-04:00

Feming Chan (West Windsor, NJ)Dharmesh Patel (Pawtucket, RI)

Waiting Game

2009-05-19T20:51:00.004-04:00

Michael "Mikey Unbelievable" Dentale (Brooklyn, NY) can't get any action with pokcet Aces, but wins a nice pot when his QQ holds up against JJ.

"Bagels" hit the 1million chip mark, when he won a monster pot with 57 suited and flopped a full house...ship it.

Play is extremely slow at the moment as hands are dealt one at a time. Players remain on the cash bubble.

Money Bubble

2009-05-19T20:44:00.001-04:00

All Tables are now playing Hand for Hand.
64 players remaining.

More Hand Histories

2009-05-19T20:33:00.004-04:00

Table 4
When the board pairs on the turn, John Lakatash (Red Lion, PA) check/calls a bet from Drew Johnson (Bridgewater, NJ). The Jh hits the river and Lakatash checks again, the young gun asks, "How much do you have left?" and fires $58k, Lakatash tank/calls and tables pocket 9's, Johnson insta-mucks claiming "air".

Table 10
Internet player and Shippensburg University student, Ryan Connor (Camp Hill, PA) raised to $20,500 from the Cutoff, the Button made it $60k, Ryan shoved all-in with pocket Jacks and got snapped off with pocket Kings to end his tournament life.

Hand Histories

2009-05-19T20:23:00.007-04:00

Table 5
Antonio Walker (Willington, NJ) makes it $22,500 preflop, Dean Johnson adjusts his dreadlocks, sits up in his chair and flat calls. The flop comes JJ3, both players check, the turn is the 8s and Johnson leads for only 20k, Walker laughs and folds...Dean flips up JJ for quads, nice hand sir.

Table 7
"Luis" had his opponent dominated when all the money went in on a KJ7 flop, AK holds vs KQ and the young gun from Queens, NY ships a $450k+ pot.

The dinner break has players refreshed, doin' a lot of talking and a lot more gambling...chips are starting to fly as the field shrinks to
67 players.

Back from Dinner

2009-05-19T20:09:00.001-04:00

Play has resumed.
Blinds @ 4000/8000/500a
71 players remaining.

More Day 2 Photos

2009-05-19T20:03:00.005-04:00

Sammy Farha look-alike Shakhin Mamedov (Brooklyn, NY)"Joey TheB" Brooks (Egg Harbor Township, NJ)
Drew Johnson (Bridgewater, NJ)

James St. Hilaire (College Park, MD)

Dinner Break

2009-05-19T19:05:00.001-04:00

All Players currently on Dinner Break.
72 Players remaining.
Avg Chip Stack - $260,833

Hangin' with The Boys

2009-05-19T19:02:00.002-04:00

Jennifer Sherwood is the only woman left standing in the Tournament.

Field Shrinking

2009-05-19T18:27:00.004-04:00

Sal Simeone (Florham Park, NJ) maintains solid play throughout
Day 2. He made a tough fold with pocket Jacks and event tougher call with pocket 6's to stay around 300k.

"Joey TheB" Brooks snapped off a shove from pocket 10's with KK on an 8-high board, this East Coast tournament regular has over 330k in chips and is a favorite to win this event.

Our very own Sammy Farha look-alike loses a coinflip with pocket Queens vs AK and loses half his stack.

Dinner Break in 30 minutes.