BorGata Winter poKer open - Atlantic City Hotels & Casinos

Jan 15–Feb 1

$2 Million Guaranteed ChaMpionship

Jan 27–feb 1

BorGataWinter poKer

open

Table oF conTenTsWelcome

Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, the East Coast’s premier poker destination, welcomes you to our eighth annual Borgata Winter Poker Open tournament series. Continuing the success of our September Borgata Poker Open series, we are happy to welcome back the World Poker Tour® this January for our WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship event (January 27 – February 1).

Since opening in 2003, Borgata has been the undisputed leader in Atlantic City hospitality and has helped transform the market into a multi-dimensional travel destination.

Borgata is a premium Las Vegas-style resort that features:• more than 160,000 square-feet of gaming

space, including an 80-table poker room, table games, slots and racebook

• world-class entertainment in our Event Center and Music Box

• alluring nightlife (MIXX, mur.mur, B-Bar, Gypsy Bar, and Long Bar)

• acclaimed restaurants and celebrated chefs

• two hotels, including The Water Club, Atlantic City first cosmopolitan-lifestyle hotel

• Spa Toccare and Immersion Spa, two of the top spas on the East Coast

While the temperature may be dropping outdoors, the action is heating up inside, as the 2013 Borgata Winter Poker Open tournament series jump starts the new year with a $1 Million Guaranteed Deep Stack No Limit Hold’em event and concludes the year’s inaugural series with the return of the WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship.

This deep stack championship event features Borgata’s signature player-friendly structure along with 30,000 in starting chips and a $2 Million Guaranteed prize pool! The double play re-entry format allows players to register for Day 1A or Day 1B. Players may Re-Enter the championship event on Day 1A and/or Day 1B if they bust out prior to the

end of Level 6 of that starting day (unlimited Re-Entries). If player entered into Day 1A and has been eliminated from tournament or forfeits his/her chips, player may register for Day 1B.

In addition, the 18-day series includes our popular bounty tournaments, Mix-Max, Six-Max, the return of the Modified Shoot Out, Omaha, PLO, Seven Card Stud, HORSE, Ladies only, Seniors (50+) and many qualifying events.

Please use this yearbook as a guide for your tournament experience at Borgata. In addition to insightful information on the World Poker Tour, you will find our Borgata Winter Poker Open tournament schedule, along with winner profiles of all five of our major tournament series championship events: Borgata Winter Poker Open, Borgata Spring Poker Open, Borgata Summer Poker Open, Borgata Poker Open and Borgata Fall Poker Open.

You will also become more familiar with the first class amenities Borgata offers and learn more about our restaurants, nightlife, entertainment and more. Remember to check out the last page, where you can learn how to enter to win a seat at the $2 million guaranteed WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship event!

For those who are joining us for the first time, as well as our returning friends, welcome to Borgata! We wish you all success and a good time We look forward with great anticipation to see who joins Joshua Mancuso (2012), Vadim Shlez (2011), Jeffrey Madsen (2010), Steven Weinstein (2009), Gavin Griffin (2008 – WPT), John Hennigan (2007 – WPT), and Michael Mizrachi (2006 – WPT) to win this year’s championship trophy.

So take a seat inside one of our tournament tables for your chance to become the next WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Champion.

On behalf of Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, we wish you best of luck!

Registration Information 4

Exclusive Offers 5

Main Event Schedule 6

Qualifiers & Cash Tournament Schedule 7

Qualifier & Cash Tournament Descriptions 8

Sit-N-Go Tournament Information 10

Borgata Overview 12

Dining 13

Bars & Nightlife 16

Upcoming Nightlife Events 17

Entertainment 18

Spas 19

Retail 20

Poker Live Action 22

Borgata Winter Poker Open 23

Borgata Spring Poker Open 31

Borgata Summer Poker Open 35

Borgata Poker Open 43

Borgata Fall Poker Open 54

Bad Beat Jackpot 57

Borgata Poker Blog 58

Meet the WPT Stars 59

Upcoming Tournament 61

Connect with Borgata 62

Win a Seat into the Championship Event 63

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exclusive oFFersregisTraTion inFormaTion

exclusive oFFers For TournamenT parTicipanTspresent your borgata Winter poker open tournament receipt and receive the following offers:

• 15% off Roma, The Metropolitan, Bread+Butter, Borgata Buffet, Tony Luke’s and Lettuce Head (Sunday–Saturday)

• 15% off Wolfgang Puck American Grille, Fornelletto and Izakaya (Sunday–Friday)

• 15% off The Barbershop services (reservations required call x7556)

• $50 Fitness Pass Package for Spa Toccare (7-day access)

• $30 Day Pass to Spa Toccare Men’s or Women’s spa (includes use of spa lounge, whirlpools, steam room, sauna, locker and use of Pump Room)

• $20 Ladies Manicure (valid 1/21–2/1/2013)**

• Special hotel rates during tournament, based upon availability

based upon availability, special hotel rates for tournament participants starting at*

• $79 Sunday through Thursday

• $149 Friday

• $189 Saturday

borgata massage Therapists available. Kindly wave to a massage Therapist for a session:

• $20 for 15 minute massage at your table

• $40 for 30 minute massage at your table

For hotel, dining, nightlife and spa reservations, call 609.317.1000.

For poker tournament information, call 609.317.7412 or visit borgtapokerblog.com.

Exclusive Offers: Valid January 15–February 1, 2013 at Borgata. Must present tournament receipt along with valid identification at time of purchase/service to receive offers. Exclusions apply. Management reserves the right to change or cancel without notice. Offers not transferable. Tax and gratuity not included. Food and beverage: Offers not valid in conjunction with other promotions – must surrender blue tournament receipt at time of redemption. *Hotel room: Reservations 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. **spa: Ladies Manicure offer not valid 1/26/2013. Certain restrictions apply. Participants may not be part of any exclusionary list. Acceptable forms of valid ID include: Us Drivers License, US Non-Drivers License, Domestic or Foreign Passports.

borgaTa WinTer poKer open regisTraTion Hours oF operaTionOn-site registration for all Borgata Winter Poker Open events:

Dates Time location

Monday, January 14 9AM – Midnight Poker Room

Tuesday, January 15–Wednesday, January 30 8AM–Midnight Event Center

Thursday, January 31–Friday, February 1 9AM–9PM Poker Room

all TournamenTs are no reFunD TournamenTs

please cHecK Your receipTs beFore leaving THe WinDoW.

reminDers

Players must have a My Borgata Card to register for tournament events. Players need a valid ID required to obtain a My Borgata Card. Seating may be limited for events.

Bounty events: You must purchase your Bounty Chip on the Casino Floor or from the Chip Cart in the Event Center.

(You will not be able to purchase your Bounty Chip from Event Center Registration.)

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qualiFiers & casH TournamenT scHeDulemain evenT scHeDule

evenT DaY DaTe Time buY-in DescripTion1A Tue Jan 15 11am Day 1a $500 + $60 Big Stack No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry)1B Wed Jan 16 11am Day 1b $500 + $60 $1 million guaranteed Thu Jan 17 12pm Day 22 Thu Jan 17 11am $350 + $50 + $100 Black Chip Bounty No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry)3 Fri Jan 18 11am Day 1 $500 + $60 No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry) Sat Jan 19 1pm Day 24 Fri Jan 18 12pm Day 1 $500 + $60 Big Stack Pot Limit Omaha - High (Re-Entry) Sat Jan 19 1pm Day 25 Sat Jan 19 11am $350 + $50 Big Stack No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry) $100,000 guaranteed6 Sat Jan 19 1pm Day 1 $1,000 + $90 No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry) Sun Jan 20 1pm Day 2 7A Sun Jan 20 11am $350 + $50 Modified Shoot Out No Limit Hold’em - Flight A7B Sun Jan 20 2pm $350 + $50 Modified Shoot Out No Limit Hold’em - Flight B Sun Jan 20 5pm Modified Shoot Out - Final8 Sun Jan 20 12pm $260 + $40 Ladies Deep Stack No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry)9 Sun Jan 20 1pm Day 1 $450 + $50 Seven Card Stud Mon Jan 21 1pm Day 2 10 Mon Jan 21 11am Day 1 $350 + $50 + $100 Black Chip Bounty No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry) Tue Jan 22 1pm Day 2 $100,000 guaranteed11 Tue Jan 22 11am Day 1 $400 + $50 Six-Max No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry) Wed Jan 23 1pm Day 2 12 Tue Jan 22 1pm Day 1 $500 + $60 H.O.R.S.E. Wed Jan 23 1pm Day 2 13 Wed Jan 23 11am $260 + $40 Deep Stack No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry) $100,000 guaranteed14 Wed Jan 23 4pm Day 1 $1,500 + $150 Mix-Max No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry) Thu Jan 24 1pm Day 2 15 Thu Jan 24 11am Day 1 $500 + $60 No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry) Fri Jan 25 1pm Day 2 16 Thu Jan 24 12pm $350 + $50 Seniors (50+) No Limit Hold’em17 Thu Jan 24 4pm Day 1 $350 + $50 Omaha H/L 8B Fri Jan 25 1pm Day 2 18 Fri Jan 25 11am Day 1 $1,000 + $90 Six-Max No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry) Sat Jan 26 1pm Day 2 $200,000 guaranteed19 Fri Jan 25 12pm $350 + $50 Deep Stack No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry) $100,000 guaranteed20 Sat Jan 26 11am $500 + $60 Big Stack Semi-Turbo No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry)21A Sun Jan 27 11am Day 1a $3,300 + $200 Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship21B Mon Jan 28 11am Day 1b $3,300 + $200 Deep Stack Double Play No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry) Tue Jan 29 12pm Day 2 $2 million guaranteed Wed Jan 30 12pm Day 3 Thu Jan 31 12pm Day 4 Fri Feb 1 1pm Day 5 22 Tue Jan 29 11am $400 + $50 No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry)23 Wed Jan 30 11am $200 + $30 Big Stack No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry) $75,000 guaranteed24 Thu Jan 31 11am $200 + $30 + $100 Black Chip Bounty No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry)25 Fri Feb 1 11am $170 + $30 Deep Stack No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry)

®

evenT DaY DaTe Time buY-in DescripTion26 Tue Jan 15 7pm $150 + $30 No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry)27 Wed Jan 16 7pm $150 + $30 + $50 Double Green Chip Bounty No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry)28 Thu Jan 17 4pm $250 + $30 Survivor No Limit Hold’em (~ 1 in 10 wins $2,500)29 Thu Jan 17 7pm $100 + $20 + $100 Black Chip Bounty No Limit Hold’em30 Fri Jan 18 4pm $200 + $30 Ante Only No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry)31 Fri Jan 18 7pm $150 + $30 + $20 Yellow Chip Bounty No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry)32 Sat Jan 19 4pm $400 + $50 Survivor No Limit Hold’em (~ 1 in 10 wins $4,000)33 Sat Jan 19 7pm $150 + $30 + $50 Double Green Chip Bounty No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry)34 Sun Jan 20 4pm $200 + $30 Deep Stack Semi-Turbo No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry)35 Sun Jan 20 7pm $100 + $20 + $25 Green Chip Bounty No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry)36 Mon Jan 21 4pm $250 + $30 Survivor No Limit Hold’em (~ 1 in 10 wins $2,500)37 Mon Jan 21 7pm $100 + $20 + $20 Yellow Chip Bounty No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry)38 Tue Jan 22 4pm $300 + $40 + $50 Double Green Chip Bounty Survivor No Limit Hold’em (~ 1 in 10 wins $3,000)39 Tue Jan 22 7pm $125 + $25 + $50 Double Green Chip Bounty No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry)40 Wed Jan 23 7pm $150 + $30 + $50 Double Green Chip Bounty No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry)41 Thu Jan 24 3pm $100 + $20 + $100 Black Chip Bounty No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry)42 Thu Jan 24 7pm $150 + $30 No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry)43 Fri Jan 25 4pm $350 + $50 Survivor No Limit Hold’em (~ 1 in 10 wins $3,500)44 Fri Jan 25 7pm $250 + $30 Championship Qualifier NLH (~ 1 in 14)45 Sat Jan 26 12pm $350 + $50 Championship Qualifier NLH (~ 1 in 10)46 Sat Jan 26 3pm $700 + $50 Championship Qualifier NLH (~ 1 in 5)47 Sat Jan 26 7pm $350 + $50 Championship Qualifier NLH Re-Entry (~ 1 in 10)48 Sun Jan 27 12pm $700 + $50 Championship Qualifier NLH (~ 1 in 5)49 Sun Jan 27 3pm $350 + $50 Championship Qualifier NLH (~ 1 in 10)50 Sun Jan 27 7pm $500 + $50 Championship Qualifier NLH (~ 1 in 7)51 Mon Jan 28 12pm $350 + $50 Super Turbo Survivor NLH (~ 1 in 10 wins $3,500)52 Mon Jan 28 6pm $100 + $20 + $25 Green Chip Bounty No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry)53 Tue Jan 29 6pm $100 + $20 + $25 Green Chip Bounty No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry)54 Wed Jan 30 6pm $100 + $20 + $25 Green Chip Bounty No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry)55 Thu Jan 31 6pm $100 + $20 + $25 Green Chip Bounty No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry)56 Fri Feb 1 6pm $100 + $20 + $100 Black Chip Bounty No Limit Hold’em (Re-Entry)

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casH TournamenTsqualiFier DescripTions

$250 + $30 qualiFier For WpT borgaTa WinTer poKer open cHampionsHip Players will start with 12,000 in tournament chips. Levels 1-10: will last 20 minutes. Levels 11+: will last 25 minutes. Approximately one (1) in every fourteen (14) players will win a $3,500 entry to play in event #21 – WpT borgata Winter poker open championship ($3,300 + $200 NLH). Players may participate in either Day 1A – Sunday, January 27 at 11AM or Day 1B – Monday, January 28 at 11AM.

$350 + $50 qualiFier For WpT borgaTa WinTer poKer open cHampionsHip Players will start with 12,000 in tournament chips. Levels will last 25 minutes. Approximately one (1) in every ten (10) players will win a $3,500 entry to play in event #21 – WpT borgata Winter poker open championship ($3,300 + $200 NLH). Players may participate in either Day 1A – Sunday, January 27 at 11AM or Day 1B – Monday, January 28 at 11AM.

$500 + $50 qualiFier For WpT borgaTa WinTer poKer open cHampionsHip Players will start with 15,000 in tournament chips. Levels will last 30 minutes. Approximately one (1) in every seven (7) players will win a $3,500 entry to play in event #21 – WpT borgata Winter poker open championship ($3,300 + $200 NLH). Players may participate in either Day 1A – Sunday, January 27 at 11AM or Day 1B – Monday, January 28 at 11AM.

$700 + $50 qualiFier For WpT borgaTa WinTer poKer open cHampionsHip Players will start with 15,000 in tournament chips. Levels 1-10: will last 30 minutes. Levels 11+: will last 40 minutes. Approximately one (1) in every five (5) players will win a $3,500 entry to play in event #21 – WpT borgata Winter poker open championship ($3,300 + $200 NLH). Players may participate in either Day 1A – Sunday, January 27 at 11AM or Day 1B – Monday, January 28 at 11AM.

moDiFieD sHooT ouT TournamenTTournament will be conducted in a three Round format. Qualifying Rounds (Flight A and Flight B) are played in shootout format. Shootout format is a multi-table tournament that consists of nine (9) or ten (10) players to each table. Players play only against other players at their table. Final two (2) players from each table advance to Final Round. The format for the Final Round is traditional multi-table tournament. ONLY players advancing from Qualifying Rounds may participate in the Final Round. All players reaching Final Round will be paid.

no limiT HolD’em TournamenTsSecondary cash No Limit Hold’em events starting at 3pm or later each day during tournament series.

re-enTrY TournamenTsRe-Entry tournaments are cash tournaments which allow players that “bust” during a specified time period to Re-Enter through the end of the designated Level.

bounTY TournamenTsBounty tournaments are No Limit Hold’em events. Players must have their Bounty Chip clearly displayed on the table (not co-mingled in tournament chip stack) in order to remain active in tournament. Players that cannot produce their Bounty Chip will be disqualified from the tournament. Eliminated players must forfeit their Bounty Chip to the player who eliminated them.

During Borgata Winter Poker Open events, players must purchase Bounty Chips on the Casino Floor or from the Chip Cart in the Event Center.

survivor TournamenTs Survivor tournaments are multi-table cash tournaments where approximately one in every ten players wins ten (10) times the buy-in.

Example: 105 players enter a $300 + $40 Survivor tournament. Ten players would receive $3,000 cash package via a Winner’s Letter. The eleventh place finisher would receive the remaining balance via a Winner’s Letter.

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siT-n-go TournamenT inFormaTionsiT-n-go TournamenT inFormaTion

All Sit-N-Go tournaments will be held in the Event Center. All winners will be paid in cash.

DaTes anD TimesSit-N-Go Tournaments will be conducted on a 24-hour basis.*

regisTraTionNames will be placed on a list at the tournament podium in the Event Center. A game will be called once there are ten (10) names on a list and a table is available. Players will be required to pay and draw for their seats at the table, sign a Tournament Entry Form, and have a My Borgata Card to play.

priZeAll Sit-N-Go Tournament winners will be paid in cash. Prizes are dependent on which Sit-N-Go Tournament event a player enters.

siT-n-go TournamenT sTrucTure level ante blinds 1st Level – 25–50 2nd Level – 50–100 3rd Level – 100–200 4th Level 50 200–400 5th Level 75 300–600 6th Level 75 400–800 7th Level 100 500–1,000 8th Level 200 600–1,200 9th Level 200 800–1,600 10th Level 300 1,000–2,000 11th Level 300 1,500–3,000 12th Level 400 2,000–4,000 13th Level 500 3,000–6,000 14th Level 500 4,000–8,000 15th Level 1,000 5,000–10,000 16th Level 2,000 6,000–12,000 17th Level 2,000 8,000–16,000 18th Level By Director

All decisions by Tournament Director or Tournament Floor are final and without recourse.Management reserves the right to alter, change or cancel this event without prior notice.*During a specific time frame(s), Borgata management reserves the right to suspend Sit-N-Go tournaments at their discretion and without prior notice.

$1,000 + $60 siT-n-go TournamenT1st Place – $6,000

2nd Place – $3,000

3rd Place – $1,000

Players receive 10,000 in tournament chips. Levels last 25 minutes.

$500 + $40 siT-n-go TournamenT1st Place – $3,000

2nd Place – $1,500

3rd Place – $500





2nd Place – $600

3rd Place – $400


$100 + $20 siT-n-go TournamenT1st Place – $700

2nd Place – $300


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Fine DiningborgaTa overvieW

borgaTa HoTel casino & spa in aTlanTic ciTY oFFers an unparalleleD Travel experience on THe easT coasT.Since its ground-breaking opening in 2003, Borgata has been the clear leader in Atlantic City and has furthered the market’s evolution toward becoming a multi-dimensional travel destination on the East Coast. Offering 2,800 hotel rooms at Borgata and The Water Club, the casino-hotel presents a destination designed to rival those once found only in cities such as New York and Las Vegas. Borgata’s unique brand of hospitality exudes from every detail, all with the guest’s ultimate travel experience in mind.

The resort offers world-class entertainment, alluring nightlife, acclaimed chefs and restaurants, 160,000 square-feet of gaming space and the finest in hospitality, including The Water Club, the city’s first cosmopolitan-lifestyle hotel. Borgata offers guests the unique experience of being in the center of it all.

borgaTa inviTes You To TaKe aDvanTage oF our WorlD-class ameniTies, incluDing TWo sTYles oF Dining – Fine anD casual.Borgata offers a wide array of restaurants and world-renowned chefs under one roof. In fact, some of the most famous names in the culinary world call Borgata home, including Bobby Flay and Wolfgang Puck. It’s the only place you’ll find unique Italian dining at Fornelletto by Chef Stephan Kalt. Or find the venerable Old Homestead – a classic New York steakhouse from the Sherry brothers. And don’t miss Izakaya, Michael Schulson’s modern Japanese pub.

Along with an extensive wine collection of over 40,000 vintages, Borgata offers guests a one-of-a-kind culinary experience on the East Coast.

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casual DiningFine Dining

Specializing in the 4 food groups: beef, beef, beef, and beef. The Atlantic City outpost of the legendary New York City landmark presented by the Sherry brothers. cuisine Classic Steak House

Enticing Japanese cuisine in an alluring social scene. The modern Japanese pub offers extraordinary sushi, sake and robatayaki served in a sensual, yet contemporary atmosphere. cuisine Modern Japanese

Classic, steakhouse fare, prepared with Bobby Flay’s unique grilling techniques. His avant-garde touch is apparent on the variety of regional steaks – each prepared with a distinctive rub. cuisine Steak

The East Coast debut of a culinary legend. Wolfgang Puck represents the ultimate in the culinary arts and restaurant hospitality. Enjoy contemporary American cuisine in two distinctive dining areas, The Tavern and Main Dining Room. cuisine Classic American

Robust authentic Italian cuisine inspired by the Southern regions of Italy. Delight in appetizers at the wine bar or enjoy a robust authentic Italian meal with chef Stephen Kalt’s approachable menu.

cuisine Modern Italian Cooking

For reservations, dial x3883 from any house phone.

Deliciousness WiTHouT a Dress coDe.Borgata offers a variety of casual, Yet upscale dining restaurants.

Offering contemporary and classic American foods, complete with an oyster and gelato bar, with the charm of a French bistro.

A dazzling assortment of delicacies await, from hearty entrees to tempting desserts.

Savor a feast from the Far East – Thai, Japanese, Chinese, Korean dishes.

A fast-casual café that serves thin-crust Neapolitan pizza, handmade pasta, perfectly grilled Panini, fresh salads, aromatic espresso and delicious Italian pastries. Open for breakfast through late night.

Offers griddled sandwiches along side premiere coffees and scrumptious desserts.

An upscale food court that offers seven quick-service options: Lettuce Head, Tony Luke’s, Hibachi San, Ben + Jerry’s, Villa Pizza, Panda Express and Fatburger.

Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, espresso beverages and complements like biscotti and muffins – along with other coffee-related merchandise.

BOR_3978_BandBRectangle.pdf 1/20/06 11:39:17 AM

exclusive oFFersTournament participants enjoy:• 15%offRoma,theMetropolitan,Bread+Butter,BorgataBuffet,TonyLuke’sand

Lettuce Head (Sunday–Saturday)• 15% off Wolfgang Puck American Grille, Fornelletto and Izakaya (Sunday–Friday)

See page 5 for more details.

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upcoming nigHTliFe evenTsbars & nigHTliFe

B Bar is at the center of it all, and it goes all night. Located on the casino floor, it is buzzing with energy and music. Enter a haven for relaxation, rejuvenation and liquid refreshment. Send a drink to a stranger. Ask someone new to dance. Repeat as necessary.

It starts with the East Coast's widest selection of tequila. Then it goes to fabulous live entertainment, great music and ice cold beer. And it usually ends up at tequila again.

Some spaces just feel “right.” When you need a place that’s as comfortable as good conversation, Long Bar is it. Your evening at Borgata may start here. And it might just end here. Like your favorite city bar, a great place to catch the game or simply enjoy a drink, it has the atmosphere to match any occasion.

MIXX is Borgata’s high energy, city-inspired party featuring all of the world’s top DJs. When the lights go down and the music comes up, your inhibitions disappear.

The buzz is all about mur.mur, our sexy and sensual club where innuendo is the standard M.O. mur.mur features our signature bottle service.

Lineup subject to change. Receive up to 8 msgs/month. Text HELP 4 help. Text STOP 2 stop msgs. Standard msg & data rates apply. Privacy Policy: theborgata.com. Dress appropriately. Borgata reminds everyone to party responsibly. Must be 21 or older.

FOR TABLE SERVICE AT mixx OR mur.mur CALL 609.317.1000.

GET BORGATA NIGHTLIFE OFFERS TEXT bclub TO 56242

mur.mur1/18 Fri Eli Escobar1/19 Sat Eric Cubeechee1/21 Mon DJ Ruckus1/25 Fri Eli Escobar1/26 Sat Jesse Marco1/28 Mon D-Nice1/1 Fri Eli Escobar

gYpsY bar1/16 Wed LauraLea Duo 9pm1/17 Thurs Goodman Fiske 10pm 1/18 Fri Trippin Carla 7pm1/18 Fri Steal The Sky 11pm1/19 Sat Dangerous New Highs 7pm1/19 Sat The Rockets 11pm1/20 Sun Amish Outlaws 8:30pm1/23 Wed Eric & Coop 9pm

mixx1/19 Sat Sky Nellor1/20 Sun Diplo1/26 Sat Sky Blu

1/24 Thurs Goodman Fiske 10pm1/25 Fri Karma 7pm1/25 Fri Lost In Paris 11pm1/26 Sat GenerationNext 7pm1/26 Sat The Rockets 11pm1/27 Sun Big Bang Baby 8:30pm1/30 Wed John McNutt Duo 9pm1/31 Thurs Goodman Fiske 10pm

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Borgata is home to the biggest names in entertainment today from Neil Young, Jerry Seinfeld, Russell Brand, Jay-Z, Rihanna, The Beach Boys and more. The greatest acts in entertainment are waiting to perform for you.

At the Borgata Comedy Club, enjoy the most renowned comics on the circuit – some famous, some soon-to-be. Stop by a show at The Music Box for a few laughs in between games.

spasenTerTainmenT

TicKeTs available aT THeborgaTa.comLineup subject to change.

1.866.900.4Tix (4849)

EARTH, WIND & FIRE

ROGERHODGSON

KEVINJAMES

JOHN OATES

JAMES TAYLOR

JAYLENO

AFROJACK

TONYORLANDO

AOKIARTIE

LANGE

DUKES OF SEPTEMBER

JOANRIVERS

MARGARETCHO PITBULL SANTANA

STEVEWINWOOD

THEJACKSONS

JERRYSEINFELD

GEORGELOPEZ

TRAIN

spa Toccare Spa Toccare is a 54,000 square-foot spa offering relaxing treatments guaranteed to exhilarate. Dedicated to undoing the effects of one’s day, Spa Toccare truly introduced the spa experience to Atlantic City with 31 treatment rooms, men’s and women’s lounges, full-service salon, barbershop, and 4,000 square-foot fitness center – The Pump Room.

THe barbersHopThis monument to masculinity offers everything from executive manicures, pedicures, professional haircuts, and shaves with a real straight razor. And of course, billiards and wide-screen sports.

THe pump roomWant a little workout? No sweat. Hit the Pump Room, Borgata’s hi-tech fitness center. Each cardio station is equipped with a personal viewing screen which offers a wide array of entertainment options. It’s the perfect place to flex a little muscle.

immersion spa aT THe WaTer clubImmersion Spa is a globally-inspired, 36,000 square-foot sanctuary with floor-to-ceiling windows; 180 degree ocean views; a 25 yard infinity-edge lap pool; 16 experience rooms; a 1,800-square-foot, state-of-the-art fitness center with TechnoGym equipment; and gourmet spa menu by Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian. Experience a wide variety of spa services, including ayurvedic therapies, conditioning body wraps, and scrubs.

exclusive oFFers• $50FitnessPassPackageforSpaToccare(7-dayaccess)• $30DayPasstoSpaToccareMen’sorWomen’sspa(includesuseofspalounge,

whirlpools, steam room, sauna, locker and use of Pump Room)• $20LadiesManicure(valid1/21–2/1/2013)See page 5 for more details.

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reTailreTail

Shopping at Borgata and The Water Club offers a range of necessities and luxuries, from stunning jewelry and handbags to all the latest fashion trends. Gift cards are also available or visit shopBORGATA.com, where you can purchase signature Borgata items from the comfort of your home.

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borgaTa WinTer poKer open

“besT poKer room on THe easT coasT”– Bluff Magazine

Whatever your limit, you’ll find it in the Borgata Poker Room. All variations of Texas Hold’Em, Seven-Card Stud and Omaha are offered. Whether you’re playing in one of our signature tournament events or playing live action, you’ll find your game fast. Pull up one of our comfortable chairs, order a beverage, and get into your game. Between hands, catch some scores on the 70 plasma televisions throughout the room.

poKer live acTion

After three highly successful years, Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa kicked off its fourth year in 2006 with an expanded poker program and by adding Borgata’s Winter Poker Open series to its offering.

The January tournament series immediately beat back the winter odds and established a special niche on the poker calendar. For the first three years of existence, Borgata and the World Poker Tour ® (WPT) partnered on a televised championship event. The inaugural WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open championship went to Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi, who took a better than $1.17 million, outlasting a 381-player field. Joining Mizrachi as WPT Borgata Winter Open Champions are John Hennigan (2007) and Gavin Griffin (2008).

The success of the tournament series continued, and Borgata Winter Poker Open Championships were awarded to Steven Weinstein (2009), Jeff Madsen (2010), Vadim Shlez (2011) and Joshua Mancuso (2012).

This year – the eighth annual January tournament series, Borgata welcomes back the World Poker Tour for the WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship event.

Ice in yourSnow in the air.

veins.

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For online poker veteran Josh Mancuso (New Orleans), the 2012 Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship will start off his breakout year in live tournament play. Like so many pros, Mancuso’s best big cash in a live tournament came at a Borgata Poker Open. In 2010, Mancuso busted in 17th place ($14,712) at the hands of Tom Marchese (3rd place).

However, in 2012, Mancuso’s year will be filled with tournament cashes, including a better than $24,000 cash at the WSOP along with his $542,771 cash here, which propelled his live tournament winnings close to his online winnings (over $900,000).

Mancuso, who re-entered the Double Play Championship, didn’t put his tournament life on the line too often the second time

through, as he hit the cards when he needed. The final table was tight, with Mancuso becoming short-stacked after starting the final day third in chips. But a set of three’s enabled him to double up against Marc Goldman (3rd), leaving Mancuso in a showdown with WSOP bracelet holder Jeff Papola (2nd). Again a draw, in this case a king for a pair on the final hand, gave Mancuso the championship.

“It validates my on-line results,” says Mancuso, who’s online moniker was Dah Jinerat.“ It really is a different game. Many players haven’t made the transition to live play, so to win a live main event is great.” In the end, Mancuso survived 734 entries that compiled a better than $2.4 million prize pool.

JosHua mancuso • 2012Jan 29–Feb 3, 2012 | entries: 734 | $3,300 + $200 | Prize Pool: $2,422,200

Joshua Mancuso $542,771Jeffrey Papola $315,837Marc Goldman $193,012

nicholas Manfredo $159,088Christian iacobellis $128,674samuel bernstein $105,279

There’s nothing like a Borgata Poker Open Championship to introduce yourself to the poker world at large in a big way. Vadim Shlez of Manalapan NJ, was a six year pro with only two major tournament cashes on his record before he found fame at the 2011 Borgata Winter Poker Open.

Shlez survived a marathon final table – at one point being down to just 11 big blinds – to take home the championship trophy and $533,210. The win kick-started his 2011, which he finished nearing $800,000 in total winnings. Shlez broke into the poker world with a 71st place at the 2005 WSOP Main event, but his first place finish at the Borgata Winter Poker Open remains his highest ever cash of his career.

During the event, the Ukrainian-born Shlez garnered even more attention for his use of a Siberian rock card protector, a gift from

his girlfriend, Lisichkina, that symbolized much “more than a card protector.” At the final table, the top four players traded chips for four and half hours. The key hand came when Trevor Savage (Thorofare, NJ) moved all in with 5–3 off suit, but ran into Shlez’s pocket kings. “I don’t know how I came back,” Shlez told us at the time. “At that point it seemed dim, but I never lost confidence in my decisions and in myself.” Shlez eventually found himself with a four to one chip advantage heads-up with LJ Sande of New Haven CT. A flopped pair of aces on the final hand won him the crown. The Championship even began with 718 players and the field included a dozen WSOP Bracelet holders including Michael Mizrachi, Gavin Smith and Vanessa Selbst. But in the end , Vadim “The Rock” Shlez had won his first major tournament championship.

vaDim sHleZ • 2011Jan 30–Feb 4, 2011 | entries: 718 | $3,300 + $200 | Prize Pool: $2,369,400

Vadim shlez $533,210leonard J sande, iii $310,273trevor savage $189,611

robert suer $156,286Gilbert sacks $126,407Patrick Carney $103,425

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When the 2009 Borgata Winter Poker Open moved to a $3,200 buy-in, keeping with its signature starting chip stack and structure, the main-event field more than doubled and an already high level of action only got better.

And that made Steve Weinstein’s journey through 1,016 other players all the more impressive.

Weinstein, a resident of a sleepy hamlet amid the Catskills, was anything but somnolent at the final table. In fact, his awakening when the tournament became a head-to-head battle between him and Todd Terry gave Borgata’s Winter Poker Open its best comeback tale.

After losing more than 6.5 million in chips on one of the first hands of the heads-up showdown, Weinstein’s stack was dwarfed by Terry’s 7-to-1 advantage. But Weinstein won a couple of modest hands, then doubled up when his top pair held up against Terry’s flush draw. After whittling away more and taking a slight lead in

chips, Weinstein found A-10 in his lap when Terry made an all-in move before the flop. Weinstein, a highly successful online player who bucks the trend of 20–somethings dominating Internet action, called and had a huge edge over Terry’s Q-10. An Ace dropped on the flop and another on the turn, and when the King Terry needed for a survival straight didn’t come on the river Weinstein had won nearly 10 times as much as his previous top cash in a live tournament – an 11th-place showing in the 2007 Borgata Poker Open main event that had dropped $70,616 into his bankroll.

While Weinstein might be considered an old man in the online poker realm, he was a wunderkind in another game in the early 1980s: Bridge. In 1981 the then-18-year-old Weinstein won the National Life Master Pair title to become the youngest champ in the card tournament’s long history. Weinstein remains a highly respected Bridge master and has thrived as that game has gained online popluarity.

sTeven WeinsTein • 2009Jan 25–29, 2009 | entries: 1,017 | total buy-in: $3,051.000

steven Weinstein $658,405todd terry $434,767robert Merulla $236,452

robert Mclaughlin $205,942Michael Contessa $175,432Franklin Caldwell $144,922

cHampion proFiles

Plenty of fresh-faced kids have made a big splash in their first foray into live tournaments.

Few have done so more impressively than Jeff Madsen. One month after his 21st birthday, Madsen showed up – and dominated – the 2006 World Series of Poker. He reached four final tables, won two bracelets, took home nearly $1.5 million and the title of Player of the Year.

However, in poker you’re only as good as your last win. Madsen arrived at the 2010 Borgata Winter Poker Open’s Championship event searching for that next mountain of winnings.

With 766 participants, Madsen started taking charge, and by the end of Day 2 he had 880,000 chips, nearly 300,000 more than the next-largest stack. A Day 2 leader almost never emerges as the last man standing in a five-day tournament. But not everyone had Madsen’s game. Madsen made it to Day 4 with the sixth-best stack, and took 3.2 million chips to the final table, well within sights of chip leader Sirous Jamshidi (4.75 million), an

accomplished tournament expert from the Philadelphia suburbs.

It wasn’t a surprise to see the player-friendly stacks and level times play to the advantage of the pros, and when Madsen and Jamshidi hit the felt for a head-to-head showdown, it was clear that these technicians were going to try to jab each other into submission instead of going for the knockout punch.

Madsen used a flurry of small-pot wins to take an even match and turn it into a lopsided domination. With Masden holding a 10-to-1 chip advantage, Jamshidi pushed with Q-2. Madsen quickly called with K-10. When a King hit on the turn, Madsen had the tournament locked up.

Madsen, like many poker pros, doesn’t mind the occasional prop bet. Among Madsen’s prop bets: to wear a jester’s outfit to a tournament and to have fellow poker pro Gavin Smith’s face tattooed on him after getting eliminated before Smith in a tourney.

JeFFreY maDsen • 2010Jan 31–Feb 5, 2010 | entries: 766 | total buy-in: $2,527,800

Jeffrey Madsen $625,006sirous Jamshidi $367,794thomas Marchese $190,027

Jonathan Hamilton $165,508nicholas Kamen $140,988al Grimes $116,468

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There are two poker players on the planet who can claim ownership to a World Poker Tour, European Poker Tour and World Series of Poker bracelet. Gavin Griffin was the first to secure this holy trinity of poker jewelry.

Griffin started with the WSOP bracelet when he took down a Pot-Limit Hold ‘Em event in 2004. At the time the 22-year pokold who groomed his skills online was the youngest bracelet winner in the WSOP. Less than three years later, Griffin earned his EPT bling with a victory in that tour’s Grand Final, his first seven figure cash. That left Griffin seeking a WPT win for the trifecta, and it took him just nine months to get it.

Griffin and five other players outlasted 501 others to reach the final six. Griffin and experienced cash player David Tran had nearly identical stacks entering the final six, while the only other seasoned pro, Lee Watkinson, was severely short-stacked. In this rare instance, the two largest stacks

with six players remaining made it to a head-to-head showdown, and Tran held a modest chip lead. It didn’t take long for an all-in, pre-flop showdown to occur, as Griffin was dealt A-Q and Tran went for the kill with a pair of 9s. However, a Queen hit on the flop and Griffin’s hand held up, giving him a massive, 7-1 chip advantage. Although Tran narrowed the gap when his 10-6 outraced Griffin’s A-K, Griffin turned the tables when he called an all-in with his underdog Q-J hand against Tran’s K-8. A river Queen showed up and with that Griffin completed poker’s Triple Crown.

When Griffin won his EPT title, his hair was dyed bright pink in order to raise awareness to breast cancer after his then-girlfriend Kristen fought and beat the disease. Gavin and Kristen were married last summer and continue to do charitable work in the fight against breast cancer.

gavin griFFin • 2008Jan 27–31, 2008 | entries: 507 | total buy-in: $4,917,900

Gavin Griffin $1,401,109David tran $737,685thomas Hare $381,137

noah schwartz $331,958lee Watkinson $282,779ervin Prifti $233,600

While there have been scores of poker professionals who have become household names and familiar faces through television appearances and partnerships with online poker sites, there is another collection that tends to avoid the spotlight and prefers to keep an air of mystery around them. Philly native Johnny “World” Hennigan enjoys staying in that latter realm.

He got an early start to competitive gaming as a masterful billiards shark and gradually turned his focus toward poker – building a reputation as one of the best all-around players in the game. Mostly a cash game player, Hennigan’s biggest tournament success came when he returned to his East Coast stomping grounds to play in the 2007 Borgata Winter Poker Open.

Hennigan reached the televised portion of the tournament third in chips, but he picked up a boost when he took down a huge hand against his main rival, English pro John Gale, by hitting the nut flush to better Gale’s King-high flush.

From there Hennigan never relinquished the chip lead. In a head-to-head battle with Chuck Kelley, the tournament had what easily was the strangest conclusion to a major Borgata event. With the board showing 7-3-3-A, a confused Kelley exposed his Q-7 hand, believing Hennigan’s call of his bet came on the river and not the turn. With a card to come, Hennigan was able to bet after a third 3 appeared on the river knowing Kelley’s cards and shoved all-in. Kelley, forced to decide whether Johnny World was posturing or actually had an Ace, made the call. Hennigan showed the Ace and collected largest tournament purse of his career.

While the 2007 movie “Lucky You” had dozens of pro poker players making appearances as themselves, Hennigan was cast in the role of Ralph Kaczynski, a Philadelphian at the final table of the World Series of Poker Main Event. Hennigan’s character finished fourth (Hennigan’s top finish in the WSOP Main Event was a 19th-place in 1999).

JoHn Hennigan • 2007Jan 26–30, 2007 | entries: 571 | total buy-in: $5,538,700

John Hennigan $1,606,223Charles Kelley $849,082John Gale $443,096

Joseph simmons $387,709Michael sukonik $332,322Jon James $276,935

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Few players have had as decorated a tournament record as Mizrachi, and that was the case even before his huge showing at the 2010 World Series of Poker, where he took down the $50,000 Poker Player’s Championship, then survived a massive field of 7,319 to reach the final table in the WSOP Main Event (finishing 5th). Those seven-figure cashes highlighted a WSOP during which Mizrachi walked away with more than $4 million in winnings.

To find the last time Mizrachi walked away with a tournament win that netted him a seven-figure payday, go back to the inaugural Borgata Winter Poker Open. Mizrachi capped a furious, year-long run of success by conquering a 381-player field to take the $1,173,373 first place check. Mizrachi was second in chips when the final six players went to the televised portion of the event, but was against the ropes when he went head-to-head with a pair of 4’s against chip leader Erick Lindgren’s A-Q and a Queen

hit on the flop. However, destiny dropped one of the remaining 4s on the river, a card that saved Mizrachi from elimination and started his final push to the title. Going head-to-head against Atlantic City native John D’Agostino, Mizrachi used aggression to take a solid chip lead, then hit the jackpot when his J-6 hit a flop for two pair and D’Agostino went for broke on the turn having only a gut-shot straight draw. The four-outer didn’t hit, giving Mizrachi the Borgata Winter Poker Open title and establishing him as one of the elite young professionals in the poker world.

Michael and his older brother Robert made a habit of thriving in tandem during the two biggest WSOP events in 2010. While Michael won the revered Poker Player’s Championship title, Robert finished an impressive fifth. And while Michael survived the massive WSOP Main Event field to reach the final table, Robert also had an impressive effort, finishing 116th and taking home $57,102.

micHael miZracHi • 2006Jan 29 – Feb 3, 2006 | entries: 381 | total buy-in: $3,695,700

Michael Mizrachi $1,173,373John D’agostino $591,312erick lindgren $282,721

amnon Filippi $184,785Josh spiegelman $147,828stuart Paterson $110,871

Deciding to leave no season untouched by a poker open, Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa added Borgata’s Spring Poker Open series to its calendar in April 2010. The three-week schedule of tournaments matched its Borgata Poker Open predecessors and gave Atlantic City truly year-round poker excitement of major poker events in the premier poker destination on the east coast.

Alexander Queen was the first Borgata Spring Poker Open champion, taking home $355,000 from a field of 383. He was followed in 2011 from local Russell Crane and in 2012 by Jia Liu.

Borgata’s Spring Poker Open, held in the Poker Room and The Signature Room, continues to grow in popularity as more players mark it on their schedule.

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Jia Liu, 2012 Borgata Spring Poker Open

Champion, has a story that nearly all

poker players can relate to in winning his

first major poker championship. Yes, you

have to win some critical pots to take the

title. But sometime it’s a critical laydown

that wins you the championship. The then

25-year-old Liu, of Brooklyn, found himself

in a critical hand with Larry Abrams of

Mahwah NJ, the eventual runner-up.

Though Liu had been short stacked when

the two began heads-up play, he had

pulled even in chips when he was dealt

pocket aces. Slow playing them, Liu

decided to lay them down after Abrams

bet the river. Abrams would show a full

house. “That was a scary hand. I should

have been all in,” stated Liu. “But I didn’t

make the mistake. I don’t know. I was

just amazed.”

Throughout the tournament, Liu had

faced a number of short-stack situations,

including after Day 1. But he kept his head

and patiently grinded it out to actually

have a healthy chip lead at the final table.

But that chip lead evaporated and it was

plays like his aces laydown that eventually

netted him the $312,000 first prize and

the championship trophy. After the win,

Liu, who calls himself a part time player,

managed a pretty impressive showing

for the rest of 2012 – including five cashes

at the 2012 WSOP and one at the 2012

Borgata Poker Open.

Like so many rising poker players, he points

to a Borgata event, the 2012 Borgata

Spring Poker Open championship, as his

greatest accomplishment.

Jia liu • 2012aPril 15–19, 2012 | entries: 520 | $2,500 + $200 | Prize Pool: $1,300,000

Jia liu $312,483lawrence abrams $175,700ruslan Dykshteyn $112,950

robert Pardo $89,733Cameron Cornell $70,280Chad batista $57,730

If you’ve ever debated where the best

young poker players on the East Coast

can be found, then Russell Crane, 2011

Borgata Spring Poker Open Champion, is

the perfect example of why most would

answer “Borgata.”

Crane, in his early 20s, has amassed

$880,000 in 18 live tournament cashes

(matching nearly his $1 Million in online

cashes). Of his 18 live tournament cashes,

eight have come at Borgata. Two of his

first place finishes also came at Borgata,

including his $276,949 win at the 2011

Borgata Spring Poker Open, which

preceded his $148,000 win at a Borgata

Deep Stack tournament in August 2011.

In the 2011 Championship event, Crane

outlasted a field of 447 entries in the

second ever Borgata Spring Poker Open,

and needed only two hands heads-up

to win the championship. In a battle of

pocket pairs, Crane’s queens bested the

nines of second place finisher Adam Cook,

who faced a two-to-one disadvantage

in chips to Crane. The field for the event

featured the recognizable names of Kathy

Liebert, Maria Ho, Jason Young, Lee Childs

and “Hollywood” Dave Stann, to name a

few – but again, a Borgata Poker Open

championship went to a rising young

gun from New Jersey. Responding to the

excitement of the Borgata crowd, Crane

stated, “It felt great to have a lot of people

from my home state supporting me.”

russell crane • 2011aPril 24–27, 2011 | entries: 447 | $2,500 + $200 | Prize Pool: $1,117,500

russell Crane $276,949adam Cook $159,886aleksandr bolotin $97,558

David stefanski $78,588Jason Deutsch $61,787adam levitan $51,489

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The inaugural Borgata Spring Poker Open

tournament series added yet another

major poker event to Borgata’s poker

schedule and provided a solid foundation

for growth of seasonal poker opens. But it

also added more juice to an established

trend. The East Coast’s rising poker pros

continue to shine in the Borgata spotlight.

Alex Queen of Bethlehem, PA, won

the first Borgata Spring Poker Open

championship, first place prize money

of $355,535 and a championship bracelet

after outlasting a field of 383 for the

$3,500 buy-in tournament.

Getting there wasn’t easy. Entering the

final days of the tournament, Queen found

himself short-stacked with about 100,000

in chips, which left him last in chips with

27 remaining players. “I just played my

game,” Queen said after the win. “I know

how to play short stack poker. I kept

winning pots and then once I got to the

final table I just chipped up and that’s all

she wrote.”

But it was hardly all she wrote for Queen,

who has now amassed a record of better

than $837,000 in live tournament wins

added to more than $600,000 in online

winnings. His most recent cash came

during the 2012 Borgata Fall Poker Open

series. His only other first place came at

the 2011 Borgata Fall Poker Open, when

he won $111,000 in the Heads Up No Limit

Hold’em tournament.

alexanDer queen • 2010aPril 25–30, 2010 | entries: 383 | $3,300 + $200 | Prize Pool: $1,263,900

alexander Queen $355,535Jason Min $205,965Daniel Hindin $101,756

Mickael Morgousky $85,818Michael somma $73,558Matthew Waxman $61,299

With the major expansion of Borgata’s Poker Room completed in June 2006, Borgata christened its new 85-table room with the inaugural Borgata Summer Poker Open tournament series, the second major poker event added that year. Right from the start, the summer series became a proving ground for East Coast players and a miracle maker for amateur players.

The first Borgata Summer Poker Open Champion was Atlantic City-based Carmine Tirone, who received his highest recorded cash of $267,000. The other six champions include Balint Barta (2007), Allen Bari (2008), Anthony D’Amato (2009), Billy O’Neil (2010), Tyng Low (2011) and Melad Marji (2012).

Held during a crowded time on the poker calendar, Borgata’s Summer Poker Open series has remained a haven for amateurs and burgeoning pros alike.

Time To come ToThe beachand wear your shades indoors.

Ah summer.

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Borgata Poker Opens attract a strong

contingent of regional and New Jersey-

based players. So there was a certain

validation for the local talent when

Atlantic City’s own, Melad Marji took

the 2012 Borgata Summer Poker Open

championship trophy and cash prize of

$198,078. It was the seventh cash of Marji’s

young career (he was 23 at the time) and

his only first place win to date. Most of his

remaining cashes have come at Borgata

events, bringing his total winnings to

approximately $233,000.

Margi outlasted a field of 305 entries and

staked his claim to part of the $762,500

championship prize pool. Margi’s run

at the final table capped a tournament

where he often saw good hands cracked.

He missed out on the Day 1 chip leader

bonus when his pocket aces went down

to a flush in one of the last hands of the

day. In the end, a couple of “coin flips”

which went his way would net him the

championship trophy. Marji’s pocket fives

sent Borgata regular Tony Cheng (holding

ace, queen) to the rail for third place

and on the final hand, Marji went in with

ace, queen against the pocket sevens of

Michael Marder of Sewell NJ. Marji flopped

a queen and took the championship.

melaD margi • 2012June 17–21, 2012 | entries: 305 | $2,500 + $200 | Prize Pool: $762,500

Melad Marji $198,078Michael Marder $110,044yat Cheng $68,227

anthony Maio $55,022Vitaly Kovyazin $42,550Michael Melkersen $35,948

Tyng Low may hail from Flushing, NY, but

his tournament record proves he’s an

Atlantic City guy and a Borgata regular.

The 2011 Borgata Summer Poker Open

champion Low has seen seven of his 10

recorded tournament cashes in Atlantic

City – with six of those at Borgata. His

$211,484 win at the 2011 Borgata Summer

Poker Open is his only first place finish and

by far his biggest tournament cash thus

far. “It means a lot,” said Low after the

win. “I’ve been trying to hit one like this

for five years.”

The championship event attracted 323

players and a total buy-in of $807,500. On

the final day, thirty-six players were still at

the tables and Farid Jatten of Miami held

the chip lead, which he had most of the

day and was pushing most of the action.

Low hung in as other players hit the rail.

After a long day, Low finally faced Jatten

heads-up. On the final hand, Low flopped

a straight. Despite hitting top pair and a

flush draw, Jatten couldn’t best Low’s hand

and the championship was decided. “I

didn’t think I could get this far,” Low said.

“I didn’t think my luck was that good.”

Apparently, it was.

TYng loW • 2011June 19–22, 2011 | entries: 323 | $2,500 + $200 | Prize Pool: $807,500

tyng low $211,484Farid Jattin $117,481austen Johnson $72,845

andrew Klein $58,746brian altman $45,430nikolaos Frangos $38,380

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All poker players dream of that one big

win in tournament play - that one time

you break through and play with the big

boys. For William O’Neil, of College Park

MD, that dream came true when he won


Championship and a payday of $180,595.

His next highest cash is a 36th place in

the 2011 Borgata Fall Poker Open at just

under $8,000.

The 2010 Summer Poker Open continued

continues the series’ trend of rewarding

burgeoning players and Borgata regulars

with their first big win. “I got real lucky, what

can I say?” asked O’Neil after the win, but

in truth it was smart play that gained him

first place and the trophy. The event drew

321 players and a prize pool of $642,000.

O’Neil was one of many regulars in the

field, “It’s nice when somebody who

plays here regularly wins any of these

tournaments...because they’re local and

they play in the games, maybe they’ll step

up a little, play higher (limits).” Luck wasn’t

apparent at the final table as O’Neil took

out six of his eight opponents. Playing

heads-up with Mirza Nagji of New York

on a board of Q J 4 2 J, O’Neil bet 700k

and Nagji called. O’Neil turned over 6-6

for the winner as Nagji mucked his hand

and lost the 2 million chip pot. “That hand

gave me a lot of momentum,” said O’Neil.

On the final hand O’Neil’s straight was too

much for Nagji. After the win, O’Neil fielded

a steady stream of congratulations from

Borgata regulars. One of their own had just

taken a Borgata Poker Open title.

William o’neil • 2010June 25–29, 2010 | entries: 321 | $2,000 + $200 | Prize Pool: $642,000

William o’neil $180,595Mirza nagji $104,620todd Geddis $51,687

Michael Melkersen $43,592steven Curtin $37,364John borzio $31,137

Philadelphian Anthony D’Amato outlasted

one of the Borgata Summer Poker Open’s

largest fields of 415 players and took home

the championship trophy.

“Absolutely a blast of a time. I love this

place. There is no other casino that offers

a structure like this on the East Coast,”

said D’Amato. The $356,319 Borgata win

remains D’Amato’s biggest cash to date.

D’Amato had to fend off players Charles

Marchese and chip leader Mike Walls

despite being shortstacked going into the

final three by nearly five to one. A timely

king on the turn allowed him to double up

on Marchese and then an ace holds up

to send Marchese out. Heads-up against

Walls, the first hand decided it. Again a

miracle draw decided it as a six on the

river gave D’Amato a full house.

After a couple years without any official

tournament cashes, D’Amato re-emerged

in 2012 on the tournament grind with a

couple of cashes.

anTHonY D’amaTo • 2009June 28–30, 2009 | entries: 415 | $3,000 + $200 | Prize Pool: $1,245,000

anthony D’amato $356,319Michael Walls $192,975Charles Marchese $99,600

robert Pyne $87,150adam Gerber $74,700Dennis summers, Jr. $62,250

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Allen “Flash” Bari’s current status as an

accomplished poker star, a WSOP bracelet

holder with more than $2.7 million in

tournament winnings, hardly puts him

in the category of up and coming. He’s

here already. But the description fit when

Bari won the 2008 Borgata Summer

Poker Open championship and his first

major cash of $500,250. The half-million

dollar first-place prize demonstrated the

“drawing” power of Borgata, as a number

of top-flight players put their dreams

of taking down a World Series of Poker

bracelet on hold in Las Vegas to come

east to play in Borgata’s Summer Poker

Open Championship event.

Though Bari had several previous cashes

going into the event, many in Atlantic

City and at Borgata, the West Orange

resident’s six-figure win in Borgata’s

Summer Poker Open championship was

by far his most impressive win in his then

young career. In 2008, the championship

carried a $5,000 buy-in and attracted 345

entries. Bari went into the final table with

a solid chip lead and eventually took first

place and the bracelet. It wasn’t the last

big score he’d have at Borgata. His next

would be a nearly $200,000 cash and

a second place finish in a 2009 Borgata

Deep Stack event. With a foundation as a

Borgata regular, Bari’s career continues

to build as a top pro. Bari is seen as

one of the most outspoken pros on the

circuit. “I have a swagger, but I don’t

think it is undeserved,” Bari has said of his

reputation. “I’ve been playing poker a

long time and I’ve been working at it. I put

in the hours. I don’t lie, I’m just better than

most people.”

allen bari • 2008June 22–24, 2008 | entries: 345 | $5,000 + $200 | Prize Pool: $1,725,000

allen bari $500,250Vineet Pahuja $289,800Jeremy schoenberger $143,175

alex nepomnyaschiy $120,750Paul Kitsos $103,500alan Colon $86,250

Borgata, the premier travel and

entertainment destination on the East

Coast, kicked off the second annual

Borgata Summer Poker Open series with

players from all over the world filling the

poker room and continuing to build

the program’s reputation as a leader in

poker. And as the poker tradition grew,

the tradition of young unknowns winning

the championship event began to

emerge. Andrew Barta of Clifton NJ was


champion, taking home first place of

$513,925 cash and the winner’s Taj Heuer

watch. The $5,000 buy-in event drew

337 entrants. Barta would cash again at

Borgata opens in 2009, but this 2007 win

is by far the biggest in his nearly $1 Million

in tournament career winnings. Barta

returned to the tournament tables in 2012

after a couple of years off the tournament

listings with a 108th place finish in the

WSOP Main event. He remains another

New Jersey player who broke onto the

scene at Borgata.

balinT “anDreW” barTa • 2007June 23–26, 2007 | entries: 337 | $5,000 + $200 | Prize Pool: $1,685,000

balint “andrew” barta $513,925Paul McCaffrey $283,080Hoa Minh nguyen $137,327

thomas arrigoni $117,950Kian Kiarash $101,100Michael naidrich $84,250

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borgaTa poKer opencHampion proFiles

The inaugural Borgata Summer Poker

Open served a dual purpose, both

introducing a new tournament series

at Borgata, and christening the new

85-table poker room as part of the

Borgata expansion. Carmine Tirone

of Manheim, PA, took the first Borgata

Summer Poker Open Championship

title and $267,300 in cash. This is the

highest finish and largest cash ever for

Tirone, and helped pave the way for

regional players claiming stake in Atlantic

City’s premier poker room. Tirone has

continued his tournament success at

Borgata and other Atlantic City venues.

The Borgata Summer Poker Open has

quickly become a haven for Borgata

regulars, amateurs and burgeoning pros.

The $5,000 buy-in tournament drew 162

entrants and a prize pool of $810,000.

carmine Tirone • 2006July 17–19, 2006 | entries: 162 | $5,000 + $200 | Prize Pool: $810,000

Carmine tirone $267,300Philip saracino $141,750Matt Vitale $81,000

benedetto bianco $60,750richard Hall $44,550steven Mclaughlin $36,450

Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa and its poker program have been partners with World Poker Tour ® (WPT) since the casino’s beginning in Atlantic City, with the inaugural Borgata Poker Open tournament series commencing weeks after Borgata opened its doors in 2003 – and has become a staple of WPT’s television broadcasts.

The first WPT Borgata Poker Open championship was won fittingly by old-school pro Noli Francisco, who took down a $470,000 cash as he outlasted the 235-player field. Since then, the series’ signature championship event has honored many champions, including Daniel Negreanu, Al Ardebili, Mark Newhouse, Roy Winston, Vivek Rajkumar, Olivier Busquet, Dwyte Pilgrim, Bobby Oboodi, and Benjamin Hamnett.

Growing steadily through the years, this popular tournament series will be entering its eleventh year in 2013, and will continue to introduce many burgeoning poker professionals and recreational players to the premier poker destination on the east coast. The 2012 WPT Borgata Poker Open Championship marked the third consecutive year of over 1,000 entries for this event (Borgata holds the WPT record with 1,313 entries in 2011). A record 3,705 entries for the 2012 Borgata Poker Open kick-off event cemented the series’ status as the premiere poker event on the East Coast.

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The 2012 WPT Borgata Poker Open and its champion, Ben Hamnett of Pittsburgh leads to a basic question of whether winning a Borgata and World Poker Tour championship means a poker star is born? Hamnett, described as a semi-pro who had never cashed for more than $38,000 (coming in the WSOP main event), won against a talented field filled with big-name professionals and former WPT champions. He took home $818,847 and the championship trophy.

Like so many pros, most recently Bobby Oboodi and Dwyte Pilgrim, a Borgata WPT win can signal a player’s arrival in the big time. And in Hamnett’s case, the win also showed the value of perseverance as he took advantage of the Borgata Double Play by re-entering the tournament after busting

out on Day 1A. In his second run, Hamnett found himself fifth in chips among the last six players at final table, but didn’t let that slow him down. “A lot of people play with blind aggression and you know if you get in a hand with them, one of you is going to go broke. I don’t play like that,” Hamnett said after his win. “But I try to punish people, winning a lot of small pots. I want people to feel like if they get in a hand with me, it’s not going to be a coin flip.” That strategy allowed Hamnett to quickly double up on then chip leader Matt Burnitz (both held aces, but Hamnett had the better kicker). He eventually took Burnitz after an hour of heads-up play for the title with a pair of queens. For a third consecutive year, the 2012 Borgata Poker Open Championship drew a field of over one thousand entries. And once again, it may have created a star.

benJamin HamneTT • 2012sePt 16–21, 2012 | entries: 1,181 | $3,300 + $200 | Prize Pool: $3,897,300

benjamin Hamnett $818,847Matthew burnitz $488,850tyler Patterson $298,950

ofir Mor $250,065steve brecher $206,821David Diaz $167,337

Like many young poker pros, Bahbak (“Bobby”) Oboodi, 2011 WPT Borgata Poker Open Champion, has been feeling the effects of the downfall of online poker in the U.S. With better than $600,000 in online winnings, he entered the 2011 Borgata Poker Open looking to prove himself in live tournament action. With a World Poker Tour (WPT) Championship and a $922,441 win, he accomplished that in a big way.

“When Black Friday hit, I was absolutely miserable,” he told us. “My live play really wasn’t what I’d have liked it to be, but the online play was just always there.” Oboodi felt a little better about his live play after outlasting a WPT record field of 1,313 entries. “I mean that was the biggest field in WPT history. Just being a part of that, and to win is amazing.”

The 2011 championship final table was wide open as it featured two satellite qualifiers, a WSOP bracelet holder (Fred Goldberg) and three Borgata regulars. Still, Oboodi of Morris Plains NJ, seemed the hometown hero despite two other New Jersey players at the table. Oboodi’s cheering section was, shall we say, boisterous. Oboodi built a formidable chip lead sending players to the rail before going heads-up with amateur Jin Hwang of Gambrills, MD. Heads-up lasted only 18 hands. On a critical play, Oboodi hit a pair of jacks on the turn as his AJ bested Hwang’s AQ to win a 10 million chip pot and extend his chip lead. The final blow came on the next hand when a jack hit the turn giving Oboodi a flush and Hwang two pairs.

baHbaK “bobbY” obooDi • 2011sePt 18–23, 2011 | entries: 1,313 | $3,300 + $200 | Prize Pool: $4,332,900

bahbak “bobby” oboodi $922,441Jin Hwang $554,303Daniel buzgon $335,433

Frederick Goldberg $280,925Darren elias $230,610ricky Hale $186,585

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The reigning 2010 WPT Borgata Poker Open Champion, Dwyte Pilgrim, maintained a number of trends among Borgata Poker Open Champions. His $733,802 is the largest cash of his career; he’s a regular in Atlantic City and at Borgata events; and his Borgata Poker Open win put him on the track to poker stardom.

Pilgrim was a fast-rising star in 2010 with a growing reputation as a live felt player after earning a number of WSOP circuit wins. His total tournament earnings stand at $1.75 million and he has eight tournament wins. He’s also had a strong 2011 with over $250,000 in winnings including cashes at the Borgata Spring Poker Open and four cashes at this year’s WSOP.

But just as many Borgata Poker Open champions can say before him, it’s his WPT Borgata Poker Open title that stands out as his best day in poker.

Originally from Brooklyn, Pilgrim started his career online, but eventually decided only live play could really hone his skills. That’s when he left his job and made Atlantic City his second home, becoming a regular at city casinos. Pilgrim nurtured his game in Atlantic City, realizing that he definitely had a long career ahead of him.

His first major tournament was the Borgata Winter Poker Open in 2008, where he took a modest $868 cash. From there, Pilgrim’s name shows up at most major Atlantic City tournaments until he scored a major win at the Caesars Atlantic City WSOP Circuit events in 2009, good for an $83,000 cash. Pilgrim then embarked on a run of circuit events that has some calling him the best player to ever come out of the WSOP circuit. He eventually amassed 20 circuit wins and more than $425,000 in winnings.

Pilgrim was no stranger to WPT events during that time either, scoring some major cashes at the Southern Poker Championship in early 2010, including two first place finishes.

When Pilgrim entered the 2010 Borgata Poker Open series, he was a man on a mission, determined to prove himself on a bigger stage. A win almost seemed like destiny for Pilgrim as he outlasted a field of 1,042 for the championship.

Coining the phrase “Dwyte Pilgrim Shocks The World,” he found himself heads-up at the final table with Kia Mohajeri. Boisterous at the table, it was an entertaining showdown until on the final hand, betting after the turn, Pilgrim trapped Mohajeri’s two pair with a king high straight and took home the eighth WPT Borgata Poker Open Championship.

dwyte pilgrim • 2010sePt 18– 23, 2010 | entrants: 1,042 | $3,300 + $200 | Prize Pool: $3,438,600

Dwyte Pilgrim $733,802Kianoosh Mohajeri $440,945ofir Mor $266,835

brandon novena $223,475Daniel Makowsky $183,449benjamin Klier $148,427

The 2009 WPT Borgata Poker Open Champion, Olivier Busquet, marked another win for New York-based pros at Borgata and kept up a trend of the Borgata Poker Open title being the largest cash of its champion’s career. The 2009 Borgata Poker Open was the largest championship field to date and netted Busquet a $925,000 first-place cash.

Though Busquet only burst onto the live scene in 2008, he has amassed more than $2.3 million in tournament winnings including better than $200,000 in 2011. Still, The Borgata Poker Open remains Busquet’s only first place finish in a recorded live tournament.

Busquet grew up in New York and was a skilled chess player at an early age, competing at six years old, and a star basketball player and in track and field in high school. A graduate of Cornell University, Busquet went to work on Wall Street.

His poker career came soon after and started with online play. Intrigued by the game after playing (and losing) at a friend’s house, he started an online career under the monikers livb112 and Adonis 112.

His presence earned him a reputation as a focused and relentless competitor, especially in No Limit forums. Still Busquet went through a period of building and losing his bankroll a few times.

Busquet also found his poker niche in heads up and sit and go tournaments, eventually being considered the first player to crack $1 million in sit and go games and a heads-up specialist.

Busquet’s live record started strong with cashes at the WSOP Main Event in 2008 and 2009, but it was the Borgata Poker Open Championship that made him a rising star.

His 2009 win was against the then largest field ever at a WPT event and marked one of the most amazing comebacks in WPT history.

While Busquet was the chip leader at the final table with six players remaining, strong play from Jeremy Brown, who sent three of the other four players to the rail, soon had him with a 20-1 chip advantage over Busquet.

Avoiding straight and flush draws and steadily doubling up, Busquet soon found himself relatively even with Brown. The two battled it out back and forth until, on the final hand, Busquet flopped a set of fours. Brown went all in with an open ended straight draw, but no help came and Busquet pulled off the comeback of a lifetime and won the 2009 Borgata Poker Open Championship.

olivier busquet • 2009sePt 19–24, 2009 | entrants: 1,010 | $3,300 + $200 | Prize Pool: $3,359,400

olivier busquet $925,514Jeremy brown $453,519ivan Mamuzic $251,955

yanick brodeur $216,681Keith Crowder $188,126Kenny nguyen $156,212

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The 2008 WPT Borgata Poker Open Champion, Vivek Rajkumar, has been tearing up poker tables around the world since 2006 – amassing more than $4.35 million in live tournament winnings. But his biggest tournament win remains his one WPT Borgata Poker Open Championship. The $1.425 million prize is still the biggest of his career and his only cash to top $1 million.

Like many young players, Rajkumar, also known as “Black Magic,” is known as both an online force (under the moniker Psyduck) and for his live play. Born in India and raised in Singapore, his family moved to the U.S. when he was 12. By the age of 15 he was enrolled at The University of Washington, having skipped middle school, and by 19 he had a degree in applied mathematical sciences and computer engineering. After less than a year working as a software engineer for Microsoft, he decided to play poker professionally.

He began playing poker at college with friends ($1 buy-in, blinds five and 10 cents) and has said he was greatly influenced to pursue the game after watching Chris Moneymaker’s historic 2003 WSOP Main Event win. When he began playing live

tables at 21, he was already experienced and successful online player.

He was a hit from the start in live tournaments making a WSOP final table in 2007 and gaining his first major win at the LA Poker Classic the same year, good for $113,000.

To date his live winnings of $4.3 million include more than $1.5 million in 2011.

Rajkumar’s biggest win, however, is still the 2008 Borgata Poker Open, where he outlasted a field of 516 players. With an overwhelming chip lead going into the final table, Rajkumar needed only 48 hands to wipe out the competition and take the title. Players who went to the rail included Mark Seif, Andrew Knee, Jason Strochak and Dan Heimiller.

It was Rajkumar’s busting of Seif, where he hit a full house to Seif’s pocket aces that was seen to propel him to the victory. Heads-up, Rajkumar handled Sang Kim in just seven hands. Rajkumar was actually dominated ace, queen to ace, and jack on the last hand but hit a jack on the flop and won the 2008 Borgata Poker Open Championship.

vivek rajkumar • 2008sePt 14–18, 2008 | entrants: 516 | $9,600 + $400 | Prize Pool: $5,000,000

Vivek rajkumar $1,424,500sang Kim $750,000Daniel Heimiller $387,500

Jason strochak $337,500Mark seif $287,500andrew Knee $237,500

As the 2007 and fifth champion of the WPT Borgata Poker Open, professional poker player Roy Winston cemented the Borgata Poker Open’s status as one of the premiere poker events in the country with an honor roll of champions. But like many of the other name players who won the Borgata Poker Open before him, Winston’s $1.55 million win at the Borgata Poker Open remains his biggest cash to date.

Winston has six cashes in WPT events, including another first in 2007 at in event at the Doyle Brunson Five Diamond World Poker Classic, good for $230,000.

Winston has medical degrees from The University of Pennsylvania and the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Specializing in anesthesiology, he’s been a Professor of Anesthesiology at Emory University and The University of California and was appointed to the Georgia Board of Medical Examiners. He also founded the company LaserAway LLC in Los Angeles, California, that specializes in the removal of tattoos and other skin problems.

Despite that resume, Winston found time to start playing tournament poker in 2006 and was a regular player in Los Angeles before recently relocating to New York.

Winston writes a poker blog for Cardplayer.com, giving him opinion maker status and even has faced off verbally against former Borgata Poker Open champion Daniel Negreanu over the issue of sunglasses at live tables (Winston disputes Negreanu’s recent charge that the glasses aid cheating).

Since 2006, Winston’s live winnings top $2.6 million. He also has been an online presence and was a Full Tilt pro.

Winston often calls Borgata home, and has been seen at several events including gaining small cashes at the 2010 Borgata Poker Open and Borgata’s Winter Poker Open in 2009 and 2008.

That’s all pretty impressive for a relatively new tournament player, but like past champions it is Winston’s Borgata Poker Open championship that helped make his reputation. Winston faced off with pros such as Mike “The Mouth” Matusow and Haralabos Voulgaris at the 2007 final table. With a large chip lead at the start, Winston managed to knock out Matusow, Voulgaris and also Mark Weitzman before facing off heads-up with Heung “Scotty” Yoon. But with Winston holding a four to one chip lead, it was just a matter of time before he trapped Yoon with a set of fours (against ace, king) and took the championship and the biggest payday of his career.

roy winston • 2007sePt 16–20, 2007 | entrants: 560 | $9,700 + $300 | Prize Pool: $5,432,000

roy Winston $1,575,280Heung yoon $832,725Haralabos Voulgaris $434,560

Mark Weitzman $380,240eugene todd $325,920Mike Matusow $271,280

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The 2006 WPT Borgata Poker Open Championship went to Mark Newhouse, known as much for online play as for live felt action. Not only is his $1.5 million win at the Borgata Poker Open his largest live cash, it’s also his only live win. But Newhouse remains a force at the tables taking a cash at this year’s WSOP Main Event (182nd place).

His WPT standings revolve around a great 2006 where he won the Borgata Poker Open and had a $62,000 cash at the WPT’s North American Championship a month later. He also had a more than $100,000 cash at the Five-Star World Classic Poker Classic in 2008.

Currently he’s at just under $2 million in live tournament winnings. Newhouse’s online record is also impressive. Known as “newhizzle,” one of biggest online wins came in 2009 when he won about $250,000 with a first in the PokerStars Sunday Million.

Newhouse stands out as an online player who has made a smooth transition to live play. Newhouse, from North Carolina,

learned the game playing at home with his family. Apparently, he showed a lot of skill as his family pushed him towards a pro poker career. After a lot of research and studying, he became a regular online presence, enough so that at 21, he was ready to make his first appearance at a live table.

But it was the Borgata Poker Open, (which he entered after winning a $1,000 satellite and was only his second recorded cash up to that point), that set the pace for his career. His win made him the second youngest player to take a WPT championship at the time.

For his Borgata win, Newhouse beat out a field of 540 finally finding himself heads-up with Chris McCormack as the two players seemed to be personally battling through the final table. Both with large chip counts, McCormack at first seemed a match for Newhouse’s aggressive play, but eventually a full house sent McCormack to the rail and made Newhouse a Borgata Poker Open Champion.

mark newhouse • 2006sePt 15–19, 2006 | entrants: 540 | $9,700 + $300 | Prize Pool: $5,238,000

Mark newhouse $1,519,020Chris McCormack $802,985 David sklansky $419,040

anthony argila $366,660Chris bell $314,280blaise ingoglia $261,901

The 2005 WPT Borgata Poker Open Champion, Al Ardebili, was the first winner of the event to bring a real hometown feel to the championship seat. Ardebili is originally from New York and now calls New Jersey home. Like most New Jersey players that means much of his early play came in Atlantic City casinos. In fact, his first two tournament cashes came in Atlantic City.

Ardebili, a private investor in real estate and equity markets, is a casual player who made good as a poker pro, learning the game at home and then refining his skills playing with friends in college. When Hold’em poker exploded in 2003, Ardebili’s weekend trips to A.C. (he also plays craps and blackjack) began to pay off. Trying his luck at tournaments, he had notable wins at the Sands in 2003 and at a Harrah’s WSOP Circuit event in 2005. But by far and away the biggest cash of his career was his $1.5 million win at the Borgata Poker Open.

That championship was followed by a more than $40,000 cash in a No Limit event at the Five-Star World Poker Classic in 2006. Known by the name “T,” Ardebeli has had 13 cashes and $1.664 million in tournament winnings up to 2006, the last year he recorded a cash.

In his Borgata Poker Open win, he outlasted 515 players, eventually beating Ricardo Q. Festejo heads up at a final table that also included Kathy Liebert (Ardebili knocked her out in third place with a pair of 10s. At the time, it was the highest WPT finish by a female player).

The heads-up play was fast and furious. On only the fourth hand, Ardebeli went all in with 3d, 2s against Festejo’s ace, deuce. A three on the turn gave Ardebeli two pair, a $1.5 million cash and the title of 2005 Borgata Open Champion.

al ardebili $1,498,650ricardo Festejo $799,280Kathy liebert $427,115

John D’agostino $349,685“action” bob Hwang $299,730David e. singer $249,775

al ardebili • 2005sePt 19–22, 2005 | entrants: 515 | $9,700 + $300 | Prize Pool: $4,995,500

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The winner of the second Borgata Poker Open in 2004 brought a taste of star power to the Borgata’s signature event as Daniel Negreanu took home the title.

Negreanu simply needs no introduction to poker players as he was and remains one of the superstars of the poker world. The Canadian born player has more than $14.5 million in tournament winnings, 34 first-place finishes, four WSOP bracelets, and 166 cashes in name tournaments.

Of course, his $1.117 million cash at the WPT Borgata Poker Open Championship in 2004 fits nicely into his long record of success, which dates back to 1997. But the Borgata Poker Open win was the first time Negreanu topped $1 million in prize money and started a trend that saw him take another $1.7 Million first-place cash at the WPT’s Five Diamond World Poker Classic II later that year. They remain his only two World Poker Tour championships, as he was named the WPT’s 2004-2005 player of the year.

Card Player and the WSOP also named him player of the year in 2004.

So you could argue that Borgata is integrally tied up in Negreanu’s stardom.

Born in Toronto, Negreanu began playing poker at 15 and moved to Las Vegas to start his professional career at 22 (though he got off to a slow start and had to move back to Toronto and rebuild his bankroll for a time).

Since then, he has had unparalleled success at the tournament level and his $14,673,236 total winnings put him atop the all-time money list, ahead of Phil Ivey.

But Negreanu’s career is so much more than his playing stats. Negreanu is known for his appearances on televised poker series, writes a popular poker blog, is a poker book author and is also known for his online play. Negreanu even appeared in Katy Perry’s “Waking Up In Vegas” music video (as a poker player, of course).

But Negreanu is probably most known for his outspoken views and is no stranger to controversy in the poker world, starting more than a few wars of words with fellow pros. But then at Negreanu’s level, that’s how the game is played.

“At the highest levels everyone has a decent understanding of the math. Feel, or psychological warfare is what it’s all about,” says Negreanu. “I honestly don’t think that a pure math guy has much of a chance in those games because they aren’t psychologically prepared for the game.”

In 2004, after a long heads-up battle with David Williams, the two went all in on the final hand while almost dead even in chips. Negreanu’s pocket aces and a chip count that showed he had a slight chip lead going into the hand made Negreanu the Borgata Open Champion.

daniel negreanu • 2004sePt 19–22, 2004 | entrants: 302 | $10,000 + $300 | Prize Pool: $3,020,000

Daniel negreanu $1,117,400David Williams $573,800Josh arieh $286,900

Chris tsiprailidis $181,200brandon Moran $135,900Phil ivey $105,700

For Noli Francisco, the winner of the inaugural Borgata Poker Open, that September day in 2003 remains his greatest day ever in tournament poker. A veteran player who had impressed at the tables long before the Hold’em explosion in 2003, Francisco saw his biggest cash ever in casino tournaments, taking home $470,000 in the inaugural WPT Borgata Poker Open Championship event.

Francisco, sometimes called the “smiling assassin,” has $1.3 million in tournament cashes, but the 2003 Borgata Poker Open remains his only first place finish.

Born in Cebru, Philippines, Francisco, who lives in West New York, N.J., has worked as an architect, a real estate entrepreneur, and an importer. With a poker career as a recreational player dating back nearly 30 years, he started in New York poker clubs, including the famed Mayfair Club, which was considered the prime breeding ground for players in the 1980s, and is known for his Seven Card Stud play.

But even as a “Mayfair guy,” Francisco has never been a spotlight player, despite several high-place finishes at WSOP events

in the early 90s, and a record at the WSOP that dates back to 1982.

As an old school player, Francisco busted out on the World Poker Tour with his 2003 Borgata Poker Open win and a second place finish in a Pot Limit Omaha event at the WPT’s Five Star World Poker Classic in April 2004 – good for an $80,000 cash.

Francisco’s appearance at the Borgata Poker Open in 2003 was also the premiere episode of the WPT’s second season on television and pitted him against Randy Burger, David Oppenheim, Carlos Mortenson, Mickey Seagle and Charlie Shoten at the final table after outlasting a field of 235. Francisco was credited with playing a tight style with smart chip management that kept him in good position throughout the final hands, never putting the bulk of his chips at risk.

Still, his play knocked out Seagle and Oppenheim before facing off with Shoten heads up. On the final hand, Francisco held king, five and caught another king on the turn, beating Shoten’s sixes and making Francisco the first Borgata Open Champion.

noli Francisco • 2003sePt 20–22, 2003 | entrants: 235 | $5,000 + $150 | Prize Pool: $1,175,000

noli Francisco $470,000Charles shoten $235,000 David oppenheim $117,500

Carlos Mortensen $70,500Mickey seagle $52,875randy burger $41,125

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cHampion proFilesborgaTa Fall poKer open

While Borgata Poker Opens are often won

by players on the rise in the poker world,

sometimes, they just add to the legend.

Take the case of John “Brock” Parker of

Silver Spring MD, the 2012 Borgata Fall

Poker Open Champion. With career

tournament winnings at now over $2.1

million, along with online winnings of

better than $1 million, the two-time WSOP

bracelet winner has added another

impressive East Coast win to his resume.

And it has allowed him to begin and end

a stellar 2012 with Borgata Poker Open

wins. Parker won $372,568 with his Borgata

Fall Poker Open championship, outlasting

a field of 644 that posted a total buy-in of

$1,610,000.

Parker started 2012 with a first place win

at the 2012 Borgata Winter Poker Open,

picking up $76,387 in a $2,000 buy-in

bounty tournament. A seventh place

finish at Borgata’s Winter Poker Open

Championship netted him another

$84,233. They were Parker’s first Borgata

cashes since 2006. Parker then filled out

the year with seven cashes at the 2012

WSOP before his “big” Borgata win. Of

course, his two first place wins at the 2009

WSOP, along with his online play, originally

put Parker on the poker map and he has

been a consistent force since.

At the 2012 Borgata Fall Open, Parker was

part of a talented final table. “I was lucky

considering where I started,” said Parker

who was 26th out of 27 returning players

on Day four of the tournament with only 14

big blinds left. “I didn’t expect to stay very

long, but I was lucky enough to get two

double-ups and then took it from there.”

The final 10 featured two Borgata trophy

winners Vinny Pahuja, who finished 4th,

and Jeff Papola (5th), as well as Michael

Esposito (6th) - the 7th place finisher in 2012

WSOP Main Event. Parker took the final

pot of the championship against Scott

Baumstein when his pocket kings filled out

for a full house and gave Parker

a Borgata bookend of wins for 2012.

john “brock” parker • 2012noV 18–21, 2012 | entries: 644 | $2,500 + $200 | Prize Pool: $1,610,000

John “brock” Parker $372,568scott baumstein $209,480Patrick Chan $131,895

Vineet Pahuja $107,067Jeffrey Papola $85,344Michael esposito $70,602

Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa introduced Borgata’s Fall Poker Open series in November 2011. The series runs from mid-November until the day before Thanksgiving and provides East Coast players a popular and accessible tournament.

With five major tournament series throughout the year, Borgata has provided one of the most innovative and player-friendly poker programs in the country.

In 2011, Andrew Badecker won Borgata’s Fall Poker Open Championship, followed in 2012 by John “Brock” Parker.

ForGet leaVes, raKe Chips.

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baD beaT JacKpoTcHampion proFiles

There are four big cashes on Andrew

Badecker’s tournament record of better

than $1.5 million, but his biggest (by a

hair) is his 2011 Borgata Fall Poker Open

Championship win of $388,657. That tops

a $369,000 cash at the 2011 WSOP and

gives you a hint of what a year 2011 was

for Badecker.

Badecker’s win at the inaugural Fall

Poker Open added another category of

seasonal champion to Borgata’s slate of

winners and showed off the strength of

East Coast poker. Badecker of Vernon, CT,

beat out a field of 670 entries, claiming the

first Borgata Fall Poker Open championship

crown early Thanksgiving morning. “It

feels great,” Badecker said after the win.

“I’ve had a really successful year and I’m

pretty happy to win it.” Badecker’s 2012 is

pretty impressive as well with two six figure

cashes and a total tournament winnings

total of $1.5 million. He calls himself a

“nomadic” poker player, spending most

of his time grinding it out on the road.

Along with Badecker, the first

championship final table of a Borgata

Fall Poker Open brought out three WSOP

bracelet holders. The chip lead was

held early by Ari Alibilia of Syoset, NY, but

Badecker managed to seize the chip lead.

After Alibilia went to the rail, courtesy of

Tony Nguyen of MacLean, VA, Badecker

and Nguyen squared off heads-up.

Badecker eventually scored the winning

hand with a king as the board offered no

help to either player.

The inaugural Borgata Poker Open drew

poker pros such as WPT title holders Will

“the Thrill” Failla, Cornel Cimpan, and

Kevin Saul as well as WPT Season IX Player

of the year Andy Frankenberger. Even with

Turkey Day calling, the East Coast’s best

rallied at Borgata.

andrew badecker • 2011noV 20–23, 2011 | entries: 670 | $2,500 + $200 | Prize Pool: $1,675,000

andrew badecker $388,657thang Van nguyen $218,531ariel albilia $137,594

Peter Park $111,694Michael Devinsky $89,031Cliff Josephy $73,653

OVER $15 MILLION PaId Out HIts EVERy 11 days

sO GOOd It’s Bad

Average hits based on December 2008 through December 2012

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meeT THe WpT sTarsborgaTa poKer blog

miKe sexTon WPT COMMENTATOR

Mike Sexton is the sport’s consummate promoter, well-known for his contributions and commitment to raising poker’s profile around the world. Mike attended Ohio State University on a full scholarship for gymnastics. During this time he developed a life-long passion for poker. With multiple wins and millions in poker prize money, Mike has become a key fixture in the poker world and has earned a reputation as a true “Ambassador of Poker”.

vince van paTTen WPT COMMENTATOR

Success has come in many forms for the actor, producer, director, author, and former tennis player, Vince Van Patten. Vince has appeared in over fifty television shows and numerous films. He is also a talented tennis player who competed professionally through the mid-1980s, ranking 25th in the world during his peak. Alongside Mike Sexton, Vince thrives in his role as part of the top commentating team in poker.

Visit the Borgata Poker Room for details. Receive up to 8 msgs/month. Text HELP 4 help. Text STOP 2 stop msgs. Standard msg & data rates apply. Privacy policy: theborgata.com. Bet With Your Head, Not Over It. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. ©2012 Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa. All rights reserved.

“i havea tell.

i’ll tell youRightNow.

i’m taking YOURcash.”

For poker storiesborGataPoKerbloG.comtext bPoKer to 56242

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meeT THe WpT sTarsmeeT THe WpT sTars

KimberlY lansing WPT ANCHOR

A familiar face on the WPT, Kimberly Lansing anchored the action on Season IX of the World Poker Tour. Fans and players alike can now follow Kimberly as she unveils top stories from poker’s finest competitors live, online and on TV.

Kimberly received a BA in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Southern California before beginning her career as an entertainment journalist for the Associated Press and US Weekly Magazine. Since 2004, Kimberly has been a reporter for People Magazine while writing for both In Style and Gala. In addition, Kimberly makes appearances on WireImage, Cosmo Celebrity TV, Hollywood.com, and the TV Guide Channel.

Kimberly’s charming disposition and impressive background in poker prompted WPT to first create a position for her as the Live Updates correspondent, and now as the show’s Anchor.

TonY DunsT WPT RAW DEAL ANALYST

Known for being one of the most stylish and sociable men in poker, Tony Dunst brandishes his popular personality on the new WPT segment, The Raw Deal. As an accomplished professional and prolific poker analyst, Tony brings unique insight into the decisions and psychology of the game.

Critiquing hands comes naturally to Tony, who pens a revered poker blog, in addition to moderating for the forum 2+2. Tony, aka Bond18, has enjoyed immense success playing online and live poker, a grinder who truly loves to compete.

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upcoming TournamenT

Receive up to 8 msgs/month. Text HELP 4 help. Text STOP 2 stop msgs. Standard msg & data rates apply. Privacy Policy: theborgata.com. Seating may be limited. Must be 21 or older. Visit the Borgata Poker

Room for rules and regulations. Must have a My Borgata Card to play in tournament. Valid ID required. Tournament registration fee is non-refundable. Schedule subject to change. Gambling Problem?

Call 1-800 -GAMBLER. ©2013 Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa. All rights reserved.

one Day. siX FiGures.

$350 + $50 no liMit HolD’eM

borGataPoKerbloG.CoMtWitter: @borGataPoKer | teXt bPoKer to 56242

GUARANTEED SATURDAY SERIES

BORGATA POKER

$100,000saturday,

February 16 at 11am

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follow us on

BORGATA @borgataacNIGHTLIFE @borgataeventsPOKER @borgatapoker

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For poKer upDaTes, visiT

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connecT WiTH borgaTa Win a seaT

enter for a chance to win a seat into borgata’s

Winter poker open championship event.

Must be 21 or older and must possess valid ID. Any entry with forged or invalid information will be disqualified. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCE OF WINNING. One entry per person. Multiple entries will not increase your chance of winning and will be disqualified. PRIZE: One prize winner will be selected. Prize is $3,500 entry into Borgata’s Winter Poker Open Championship Event (valid on starting date 1/27/13 or 1/28/13). No cash value. Winner may not be part of any exclusionary list. Associates of Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa are ineligible to participate. Non-transferable. Entries that are not used on day of tournament will be forfeited.

granD priZe:$3,500 Entry into Borgata’s Winter Poker Open Championship Event January 27–February 1.

HoW To enTerVisit theborgata.com to enter for a chance to win. Fill out contest form completely to enter. Entry period ends Thursday, January 24 at 11:59pm. One entry per person. Multiple entries will not increase your chance of winning and will be disqualified.

Winner will be announced Friday, January 25, 2013.

Must be 21 or older. Bet With Your Head, Not Over it. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. ©2013 Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa. All rights reserved.

JanuaryBORGATA WINTER POKER OPEN

aPrilBORGATA SPRING POKER OPEN

JuneBORGATA SUMMER POKER OPEN

sePteMberBORGATA POKER OPEN

noVeMberBORGATA FALL POKER OPEN

alWaYs in season

BorGata Winter poKer open - Atlantic City Hotels & Casinos

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