EVENT WRAP-UP

Borgata was home to another great series of poker tournaments. Players showed up from all over the globe to compete in premier events headlined by the WPT Borgata Poker Open Championship. The player-friendly staff and tournament structures at Borgata are simply unmatched, another successful September in Atlantic City's best casino.

A special thanks to all those who followed the Borgata Poker Blog. Stay tuned for more LIVE poker coverage in upcoming events from Borgata.

Borgata Poker Staff with the 2009 Champion

CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT INTERVIEW

WPT BORGATA POKER OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

Olivier Busquet - $925,514

OLIVIER BUSQUET IS THE 2009 BORGATA POKER OPEN WPT CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT WINNER!

Everything happened so fast we had a hard time keeping up. In three hands we back and forth from Busquet being the chip lead, to Brown holding a 3 to 1 lead again, all the way back to Busquet holding a slight edge.

The last movement was when Busquet got to a flop with heavy raises pre and decided to come over the top of Brown. Brown folded bringing them just about even. With a pre flop raise from the button, Brown folded on the next hand and Busquet had just about a million chip lead.

On the next hand, Brown raised and Busquet called pre. the flop came [4c 4s 3c]. Brown insta shoved and Busquet almost snap called. They opened up and Brown showed 2s 5s for an open ended straight draw, and Busquet showed Ac 4d for trips with an Ace kicker.

The crowd was on it's feet and awaiting a turn card. When it came the room went silent. The card was a [7s], giving Brown more outs than made Busquet and his fans a little less comfortable.

The river brought a [5c] which sent most of the room in limbo not really being able to calculate whether or not the card was good or bad. But Tab told the tale and Busquet and his crew went crazy with celebration.

I spoke to Olivier after he received his award and he told me that this wasn't even supposed to happen. "I wanted to play in the Heads up tournament, but I realized that it was sold out. I was bummed and hadn't planned on coming at all but a friend of mine suggested I play. So I camed down and this was the only event I played in.

I asked him about his experience at the Borgata. "You know, it's a really good thing they do lowering the buy-ins. I don't know if it's popular among the top professionals but I will tell you that most people love it. We had 1,018 players enter and this was made available to a lot more people than just a smattering of pros. Any other tournament you find at this price point is most likely shoved out the door in two days. The Borgata offers the best structures which gives the most value. I mean, I just won $925k for a $3500 investment. And got to play a whole lot. If the structure wasn't the way it was, the final table might have been a whole different story with a whole different bunch of people.", said Olivier. "The field is a little softer as well because, well, it's a lot of players. But the line between pro and amateur has thinned a whole bunch as well. So it's unlikely you find real giant soft spots in any field. This tournament was like that."

We close out the night with the ending of the Championship Event. Other posts are coming with a video interview of Olivier, some pictures of the celebrations, and some other pics of the final table. We will also have a recap up of the entire series soon as well.

Congratulations to Olivier Busquet, Jeremy Brown, and the rest of the final table finishers in this years Borgata Poker Open WPT Championship Event.

THE BATTLE CONTINUES

Jeremy Brown has won the last 3 pots to gain some momentum in this heads-up battle. The pace of play has picked up as both players have deep enough stacks to make moves post-flop. Who will be the next Borgata Poker Open Champion?

Chip Counts:
Jeremy Brown - $23,050,000
Olivier Busquet - $7,570,000

BACK AND FORTH

Just like that Brown grabs the chip lead when on a board of Q K T 9 Q Busquet leads out for 1.2 million.

Brown re-raises to 4.5 more and Busquet calls after quite a while of deliberating with himself. Brown shows KQ for the boat and Busquet folds telling his friends on the rail that he had a K.

In the next hand, Busquet loses another 2 million when it gets to the river and he gain calls off another 1.2 million bet from Brown who shows a 9 high flush made on the river.

Brown has 20 million to Busquets 9 million. More action on the way.

NEW CHIPLEADER

Busquet raises to 600,000, and Brown calls. The flop comes A/K/6, Brown checks, Busquet bets 800,000, Brown raises to 2.4 million, and Busquet reraises to 4 million. Brown reraises to 7 million, and Busquet moves all in. Brown pauses for a moment and folds Q2 - a total bluff with just air. Busquet takes another huge pot without showdown.

Chip Counts:
Jeremy Brown - 12,185,000
Olivier Busquet - 18,420,000

DOUBLE DOUBLE!

Olivier doubles again when they get to a flop after some pre flop calling and checking.

The flop comes [6 7 8] and Olivier leads out about 400k.

Brown moves all in and Olivier made the fastest call I have ever seen in my life.

Olivier shows the nuts with 9 T and Brown shows J 8 for top pair.

The turn is one of the most interesting turn cards ever in the history of Borgata poker, when a J peels off giving brown two pair and outs to a winning hand.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on your perspective, the river brings a 7 and Olivier doubles up.

Chip counts are now 18 mil to 12 mil with Brown holding the edge.

HEADS-UP GRIND

Jeremy Brown and Olivier Busquet are still fighting for the WPT bracelet, Borgata Poker Open trophy and $900,000 first place cash prize. The heads-up battle continues as we reach the 110th hand of final table play.

GETTING LONG IN THE DAY

The dynamics of this heads up match are getting a little weird. Olivier is an online heads up tournament player, having profited over a million dollars playing 1k sng's.

Jeremy is a young kid who's largest foray into gambling is black jack. His poker accomplishments are few and far between. Add to that him having fun with his buddies on the rail via way of a few beers and some shots of Patrone, it would make sense for Olivier making a huge comeback, not that hard to understand or believe.

But as loose as Brown is playing, he seems to be holding his own, pressuring when it's right, and folding when it at least seems right.

It's getting long with periods of excitment when Brown orders "cocktails", to periods of long boredom when he forgets he's playing for $900k +.

Brown still holds a three to one chip lead as we move forward.

FINAL HAND?

Olivier raised pre flop from the button and Brown made the call. The flop came [3s 6c 5d]
Brown checks and Olivier bets out to 400k.

Olivier made the comment, "Really? Just 400k??" and makes the call.

The turn comes a [3d] and Olivier shoves. Brown thinks for a bit and claims he has a big hand. Olivier tells him he's not dead, and Brown continues the tank. He then says that he has like 14 outs and Olivier asks almost flabbergasted, "How could you fold anything like that?".

Brown makes the call and shows 9d 7d for a double gutterball, and a flush draw. Olivier shows QQ andthe dealer deals the river.

An Ace of clubs hits the river and Olivier doubles up to 5.6 million. They are on a short break and play will resume after that break.

DOUBLE-UP

WPT BORGATA POKER OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

Olivier doubles up when he calls off his last 2 million with Jc7c. Bosquet turned a Jack to take the lead, but Jeremy's Qc9d improved. Brown bricked on the end and our lone Canadian is back in the game.

Chip Counts:
Jeremy Brown - 26,995,000
Olivier Busquet - 3,610,000

DOWN TO 2...

Internet poker phenom, Olivier Busquet, replays hand histories and player tendencies with his proteges on the rail while everyone awaits heads-up play...

CHIP COUNTS:
Jeremy Brown - $22,640,000
Olivier Busquet - $ 7,965,000

3RD PLACE PHOTO

A great showing for the tournament newcomer...



Ivan Mamuzic

ONLY 2 LEFT...

Jeremy Brown stands up and gives the crowd a fistpump when he tables pocket 6's versus the pocket 3's of Ivan Mamuzic.
A six flops to give Jeremy the pot and a dominant chip-lead going into heads-up play.

Ivan Mamuzic
3rd place - $251,955

4TH PLACE PHOTO

Yanick Brodeur and friends on the rail...

YANICK BRODEUR ELIMINATED IN 4TH ($216,681)

2009 WPT Borgata Poker Open Championship

Jeremy Brown has been steam rolling the table since 4-handed action and claimed another victim in Yanick Brodeur. Brown raised 400,000 UTG and it folded around to Brodeur in the big blind. Brodeur thought for awhile before announcing a raise. No sooner had he pushed those chips forward when Brown immediately said "all in" and Brodeur said "call" even quicker.

Brodeur was looking great to double up with AK versus the AQ of Brown. There was very little swat on the 9 8 6 two heart flop but Brown's cheering section went nuts with the Queen of diamonds on the turn. No help on the river and Yanick Brodeur is knocked out in 4th place.

Current chip counts:

Jeremy Brown - 17,330,000
Olivier Busquet - 9,965,000
Ivan Mamuzic - 3,320,000

SWEATING THE CHIPLEADER

The New York city kid who loves to gamble (he admits to spending too much time and money on the blackjack tables) is looking for his first big poker score with only 4 players left. With his boys on the rail, Jeremy Brown has given them something to cheer about.

"The Boys" of Jeremy Brown

CHIP COUNTS

WPT BORGATA POKER OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

4 players remaining...

Chip Counts:
Jeremy Brown: $13,500,000
Olivier Busquet: $6,590,000
Ivan Mamuzic: $6,420,000
Yanick Brodeur: $4,590,000

BROWN STEAMROLLS

Jeremy Brown has won 5 of the last 7 pots to become the tournament chipleader. The beers are flowing in the crowd as his boys cheer on every pot, the New York city kid has over 13 million with only 4 players remaining.

As the WPT staff takes a quick production break, we'll have official chip counts coming soon.

EXIT PHOTO

Keith Crowder posing with his boys after his 5th place finish. Today's local favorite will take home $188, 126 for his efforts.

KEITH CROWDER ELMINATED IN 5TH

2009 WPT Borgata Poker Open Championship

"I will felt you if you go all-in" said Jeremy Brown to Keith Crowder in the small blind. Crowder did end up shipping in his last 1,190,000 and Brown made the call in the big blind. Brown called with 88 and was ahead of the T4s of Crowder. The 2h 4d 2s flop made things interesting, the 5 of clubs on the turn provided no help. Needing a ten or a four on the river, the dealer peeled off a Jack of diamonds and Crowder's run is complete.

KEITH CROWDER TAKES A HIT

2009 WPT Borgata Poker Open Championship

Just before the players went on a short ten-minute technical break, Keith Crowder took a hit to his chipstack.

In a three-way limped pot, Crowder bet 200,000 have Yanick Brodeur and Mamuzic checked on the K 3 2 flop. Brodeur was the only caller and they both checked the Queen. A Jack on the turn saw Brodeur fire out 350,000. Crowder took his time making a decision before making the call. Brodeur tabled KJ for two pair and Crowder mucked.

When I ran into him during the break I asked whether he had Brodeur beat before the river and he said no. "I didn't put him on a king at all. He's been raising a lot of pots." He wouldn't disclose his hand but is now the short stack at the table.

SUPERTUAN GONE, 5 LEFT

Supertuan was eliminated when he said, "I'm all-in again guys" and shoved pocket 8's into the pocket Kings of our chipleader, Olivier "livb112" Busquet . The poker personality from Chicago provided good entertainment and five days of great poker play. Kenny "Supertuan" Nguyen will take home $156,212 for his 6th place finish.

FINAL TABLE - CARDS IN THE AIR

2009 WPT Borgata Poker Open Championship

Borgata Tournament Director Tab Duchateau has announced the players to the crowd and cards are now in the air. As expected, Kenny "SuperTuan1" Nguyen started pushing his super short stack in the middle almost immediately taking down the second hand of the day showing 97c.

WE'RE OFF AND RUNNING

WPT BORGATA POKER OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT

The cards are in the air, play is officially underway...

GETTING READY TO START FINAL TABLE

We are just about one hour away from kicking off the final table of the 2009 WPT Borgata Poker Open Championship. The crew is making the final adjustments to the televised table and the surrounding set. The final 6 players are down in the Gypsy Bar doing their interviews. The fans have begun gathering in lobby getting ready to take their seats.

We'll be back with updates once play begins.

Seat 1: Yanick Brodeur - 5,780,000
Seat 2: Keith Crowder - 2,750,000
Seat 3: Jeremy Brown - 5,480,000
Seat 4: Olivier Busquet - 10,350,000
Seat 5: Kenny "SuperTuan1" Nguyen - 600,000
Seat 6: Ivan Mamuzic - 5,655,000

WEDNESDAY NIGHT UPDATES

Event #21 - No Limit Hold Em'
Buy-In: $350 + $50

Number of Entrants: 403

FINAL RESULTS
1. Perry Kaplan - $34,601
2. Eric Peres - $18, 739
3. Thomas Jackel - $9,672
4. Dimitrios Haskaris - $8, 463
5. Brian Green - $7, 254
6. James Arvesen - $6,045
7. Vincenzo Papandrea - $4,836
8. Alli Schultz - $3,627
9. Young Jung - $2,418

CHAMPION - KAPLAN (EVENT #21)

Perry Kaplan - $34,601

2ND PLACE - PERES (EVENT #21)

Eric Peres - $18,379

3RD PLACE - JOCKEL (EVENT #21)

Tom Jockel - $9,672

4TH PLACE - HASKARIS (EVENT #21)

Dimitri Haskaris - $8,463

5TH PLACE - GREEN (EVENT #21)

Brian Green - $7,254

6TH PLACE - ARVESEN (EVENT #21)

James Arvesen - $6,045

7TH PLACE - PAPANDREA (EVENT #21)

Vincenzo Papandrea - $4,836

8TH PLACE - SCHULTZ (EVENT #21)

Alli Schultz - $3,627

9TH PLACE - JUNG (EVENT #21)

Young Jung - $2,418

10TH PLACE - MATUSOW (EVENT #21)

Don Matusow - $1,572

EVENT #21 FINAL TABLE

Final Table

SEAT - NAME

1. Tom "August West" Jockel
2. Alli Schultz
3. Don Matusow
4. Eric Peres
5. Brian "BMG" Green
6. Dimitri "JimDawgs" Haskaris
7. Vincenzo Papandrea
8. Perry Kaplan
9. James Arvesen
10. Young Jung

Final results will be posted later in the AM.

LATE NIGHT SHOUT-OUTS

Late-Night Shout-Outs from Event # 21, the Second Chance cash tourney and those still wandering around the beautiful Borgata poker room at 2am, enjoy.

Dimitri Haskaris
Jon, Puffy, Mookie, Toni - I love you guys

Harry Witko
"Not enough folks come here cowboy'd up"

Lee Henry
"I read the blog, it's great"

"Barb" Kaplan
"Good Luck to my husband Perry...I'm tired"

Adam Gerber
Alex - I miss and love my new baby boy

Vinny Runfolo (aka "Capt Wunk") (aka "Chimichanga")
"I'm trying to ship this for my girl's birthday"

Rafael Comas
Ashley - Hi, I love you

Joseph Morales
"representin' Valley Stream and all the guys at NY's finest barber shop...takin' it down"

Michael Ciotola
what's up? - the Doctor, the Junkie and CWC

Alli Schultz
"10/6 is my new favorite hand"

EVENT #21 UPDATE

Event #21 - No Limit Hold Em
Buy-In: $300 + $50

Number of Entrants: 403
Players remaining: 23

Meet the Chip-Leader...

Adam Gerber, 2007 USPC champ, leads the field in the last event of the 2009 Borgata Poker Open. With $546,000 chips and tons of experience, Gerber becomes the favorite with only 3 tables left. The local pro stays busy juggling a family business, raising 3 young boys and playing tournament poker.

FINAL TABLE PREVIEW

2009 WPT Borgata Poker Open Championship

Final Table

It was a long battle but the final 6 have been set. Olivier Busquet comes to the table with a huge chip lead over the second place stack Ivan Mamuzic. Crowd favorite Kenny "SuperTuan1" Nguyen will start the day on the short stack.

Play resumes Thursday, September 24 at 4pm
1 hour remaining in Level 32
Blinds at $60,000/$120,000/$10,000a

Player bios and chip counts below:




Olivier Busquet - 10,350,000

The New York, NY resident has over $200,000 in career tournament earnings with several big finishes. He has a 3rd place finish in Event #2 of the Bellagio Cup IV, a 10th place finish in the EPT Deuville event and 3 cashes during this year's World Series of Poker including the Main Event.






Ivan Mamuzic - 5,780,000

This is Mamuzic first cash in a major poker tournament. He is now guaranteed at least $156,212.






Yanick Brodeur - 6,655,000

The Quebec native has not cashed in a major poker tournament since 2006. The french-speaking college student has $9,000 in career earnings and travels the East Coast playing cash games.






Jeremy Brown - 5,480,000

The Atlantic City regular has several tournament cashes including a 28th place in this year's Borgata Poker Open Event #2. This will also be his largest tournament cash to date.






Keith Crowder - 2,750,000

The Elkins Park, PA resident has nearly $45,000 in major tournament cashes including a 2009 Foxwoods Event #8 final table, 2007 United States Poker Championship Event #14 final table, and 2007 Borgata Poker Open Event #15 final table.






Kenny "SuperTuan1" Nguyen - 600,000

A fan favorite as he entertains the players and rail, Nguyen comes to the final table with the most in tournament careers earnings over $400,000. His biggest cash was a 4th place finish in the 2009 World Series of Poker Event #2 for $105,000.

MIKE BROWN ELIMINATED IN 7TH ($117,579)

Mike Brown is the unfortunate TV table bubble boy. After losing a bunch of chips with an interesting call with 6's versus TripJax, he survived for awhile but will be our 7th place finisher.

With just a little of 1,000,000 in chips, he shipped them in with 88 and was racing against Jeremy Brown and his AK. The Q T x flop didn't hit him but gave him Jack outs to go along with his overcards. The turn card Jack ended his night and sends him home with $117,579.


Mike Brown finishes 7th
in the WPT Borgata Poker Open Championship

EVENT #21 UPDATE

While the final 7 players grind it out in the Championship event, 49 players remain in Event #21. The bubble breaks at 45 and there's a couple of notables still alive, including Antonio Walker.

Also remaining is Luis Nargentino who finished 29th in the 2009 WSOP Main Event.

37th-45th places collect $447 ($350 buy-in), the top prize is more than $34,000.

WAITING GAME

WPT BORGATA POKER OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

We're still waiting for our final bustout of the evening. We've had several all-in and calls over the last level but the shortstack has won each one. Both Yanick Brodeur and Keith Crowder found themselves all-in only to survive.

They are finishing up Level 31 at 50,000-100,000 with 10,000 ante.

Chip counts:

Seat 1 - Yanick Brodeur - 5,775,000
Seat 2 - Mike Brown - 1,950,000
Seat 4 - Keith Crowder - 1,600,000
Seat 5 - Jeremy Brown - 2,900,000
Seat 8 - Olivier Busquet - 9,000,000
Seat 9 - Kenny "SuperTuan" Nguyen - 1,560,000
Seat 10 - Ivan Mamuzic - 5,875,000

OLIVIER BUSQUET DOUBLES

WPT BORGATA POKER OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

Olivier Busquet doubles through Mike Brown, and gains the chip lead when he and Brown see a flop after Busquet flat calls Brown's raise of 300k pre fllop.

The flop comes [J 5 2].

Brown bets 500k and Olivier calls. The turn comes [J] and Brown leads again. This time for 1 million. Olivia flat calls again.

The river comes a [4] only this time Brown checks. Olivier takes his time and finally announces an all-in. Brown nearly snap calls and Olivier shows A J for trips. Brown shows pocket sixes and throws them in disgust.

Olivier picks up nearly 9 million in chips and Brown goes down to just under 2 million.

We are down to 7 players and only need one bust out to complete the day and have the final 6 for the TV table tomorrow.

We'll have it as soon as it comes.

EVENT #21 PAYOUTS

$300 + $50 NL Hold'Em
Entries: 403
Prize Pool $120,900

Place - Amount

1 $34,601
2 $18,739
3 $9,672
4 $8,463
5 $7,254
6 $6,045
7 $4,836
8 $3,627
9 $2,418
10-12 $1,572
13-15 $1,149
16-18 $834
19-27 $665
28-36 $508
37-45 $447

KENNY "SUPERTUAN" NGUYEN DOUBLES

WPT BORGATA POKER OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

It didn't take long for us to witness another hand that had players and spectators jumping out of their seat.

Kenny Nguyen was the shortstack with just over 1,000,000 chips and the possibility of going out on the "televised table" bubble. Nguyen raised it up pre-flop to 167,000 and Mike Brown made the call. The flop ran out J 6 8 and the chips went in the middle.

Nguyen was way behind holding KJ to Brown's AJ. The flop was a meaningless 4 but the roar went up when the King hit the river.

Kenny Nguyen is now back up to 2,700,000 in chips while Mike Brown is now around 5,300,000.

ERIC BLAIR ELIMINATED IN 8TH ($87,345)

WPT BORGATA POKER OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

The first huge roar of our final tabled happened in a hand between Eric Blair and Olivier Busquet and Eric Blair. The preflop action once again saw all the chips going in the middle. Busquet was way behind with AK versus the AA of Blair.

The first cheer went up when Blair flopped the case Ace to take a huge lead and double up. The second sound from the players and stands when a Queen hit the turn giving Busquet the gutterball chance. Two players stated they folded Jacks preflop.

Jack on the river and Blair is dealt a nasty little beat to send him home in 8th place.

We are now just one elimination away from forming the WPT televised final table. Kenny "SuperTuan" Nguyen is the shortstack.


Eric Blair finishes 8th
in the WPT Borgata Poker Open Championship

RAY HENSON ELIMINATED IN 9TH ($63,828)

WPT BORGATA POKER OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

Two quick knockouts have us down to 8 players.

Ray Henson was our next to hit the rail. He was the short stack with only around 500,000 to start the hand. He raised it up and faced a re-raise all in from Olivier Busquet. Henson quickly called and we had another race, Henson's AK versus Busquet's QQ. Bricks filled up the board and Henson is sent home with $63,828 for his 9th place finish.


Ray Henson finishes 9th
in the WPT Borgata Poker Open Championship

STEVE BRECHER ELIMINATED IN 10TH ($39,976)

WPT BORGATA POKER OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

In a blinds versus the blinds situation, Mike Brown limps in the small blind to Steve Brecher sitting in the bb. Brecher checks his option and they see a flop of [J 9 2].

Brecher leads out and Brecher shoves. Brown quickly called. They show J 6 and 9 4 giving Brown top pair and Brecher drawing to a nine or 4 to carry on.

Brecher bricks ending his run and going out in tenth place. He will now hop a plane to try his luck in the World Series of Poker Europe.

Brecher earns $39,976 and Brown now has over 7.2 million.


Steve Brecher finishes 10th
in the WPT Borgata Poker Open Championship

MIKE BROWN DOUBLES UP

WPT BORGATA POKER OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

In a hand that pitted Brown vs. Yanick Brodeur, we pick the action up on the flop.

[T Q J] comes and Brown fires out $300k. Yanick asks Brown how much he has total, and Brown replied "about 2.5 million". Yanick shoved and Brown tanked for a bit, ultimately calling.

Brown showed QT for two pair, and Yanick showed KJ for a pair of jacks and an open ended straight draw.

The board ran out blank and Brown won the hand. Yanick made a bit of a stink when he found out that the total price was 3.2 million to pay off the loss. "I asked him how much and he said 2.5. If he actually tells me the truth, I might not make that bet."

Tab, the tournament director explained that all he needed to do was ask for a count. Brown replied that he thought he was being asked how much he had behind. To no avail however. Yanick ships the pot to Brown and now Brown is sitting on just over 6 million and is second in chips.

Yanick is down to 1.9 mil in chips as we continue the final table. With 10 players remaining and the blinds still at 30k/60k with 8 minutes left in the level, we should see at least one or two fo the shorties having to make moves soon.

ERIC BLAIR DOUBLES UP

WPT BORGATA POKER OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

It doesn't take long for us to see some fireworks.

Steve Brecher opened for 180,000 and it folded around to Eric Blair who moved all in for around 1,200,000. After thinking it over for a healthy amount of time, Brecher called with 66. Blair showed AKc and they were flipping once again.

Brecher was looking solid on the Q 9 5 flop but the Ace on the turn was good enough without the added Ace on the river.

Blair moves up to approximately 2,500,000 and Brecher gets chopped down to just over 1,000,000.

BACK FROM DINNER BREAK

WPT BORGATA POKER OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

The players have returned from break and the cards are in the air. We will see if they pick up the pace with their bellies full of food. The stands are beginning to fill with friends and family hoping to see something big.

Blinds are 30,000-60,000 with 5,000 ante. The 1,000 chips have been retired.

FINAL TABLE CHIP UPDATE

WPT BORGATA POKER OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

The official chip counts are done and they have been swapped out with the WPT chips. Ivan Mamuzic continues to lead the field with Ray Hansen sporting the "short stack". With the slow structure it's still anyone's game.

The players will return to Level 29 with blinds at 30,000-60,000 and 5,000 ante. Average chip stack remains just over 3,000,000.

By Seat:

Seat 1 - Yanick Brodeur - 2,952,000
Seat 2 - Mike Brown - 2,512,000
Seat 3 - Steve Brecher - 2,500,000
Seat 4 - Keith Crowder - 3,829,000
Seat 5 - Jeremy Brown - 4,260,000
Seat 6 - Ray Henson - 977,000
Seat 7 - Eric Blair - 1,231,000
Seat 8 - Olivier Busquet - 3,652,000
Seat 9 - Kenny "SuperTuan" Nguyen - 1,318,000
Seat 10 - Ivan Mamuzic - 7,376,000

By Rank:

1st - Ivan Mamuzic - 7,376,000
2nd - Jeremy Brown - 4,260,000
3rd - Keith Crowder - 3,829,000
4th - Olivier Busquet - 3,652,000
5th - Yanick Brodeur - 2,952,000
6th - Mike Brown - 2,512,000
7th - Steve Brecher - 2,500,000
8th - Kenny "SuperTuan" Nguyen - 1,318,000
9th - Eric Blair - 1,231,000
10th - Ray Hensen - 977,000

EVENT #21 NEWS & NOTES

The final event of the Borgata Poker Open continues in the main area of the Poker Room.

The unofficial count is 403 players, projecting to 45 places paid for a top prize in the neighborhood of $36,000, as this is the last chance for players to take home a championship and the coveted trophy.

Familiar faces include James Boyd, Howard Wolper, Don Matusow, Scott Neuman and Bradley Utz.

As we stroll by the table, Matusow hits quad jacks to push him to 50k. He's giving a shout out to "Pepe."

Neuman's giving love to the "PPI guys and Chip Me Up."

Boyd says to his fans, "I haven't cashed yet, but I'm ready to take it down."

Level 8 (400/500/75 ante) continues.

DAY 4 DINNER BREAK

There has been very little movement among the final 10 players outside the Henson/Brown double up. Very few flops and the occasional rare turn card.

The players are heading off on their 75 minute dinner break while the floor staff is coloring up the chips, swapping them out for the official WTP tournament chips, and gathering the counts.

Back shortly after the color up and counts are complete.

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION

WPT COVERING THE FINAL 10

HENSON DOUBLES THROUGH BROWN

The first major hand of the final table saw short stack Ray Henson double through Mike Brown.

Brown raised pre-flop followed by Henson shipping in his chips. After tanking for awhile and asking for a count, Henson eventually called and was holding AT. He was counting on one overcard against the KK of Henson. The board ran out 8 9 3 Q Q moving Henson up to 1,800,000 in chips and chopping Brown down to 1,900,000.

FINAL TABLE CHIP COUNTS

WPT BORGATA POKER OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

If history is any indicator, we are now at the point in the tournament when things really slow down. The field has been reduced to just one table of 10 players. They can now see the end of the tunnel, a chance for the televised final table, and nearly $1,000,000 in prize money. Flops will be few and far between, most pots taken down with a single pre-flop raise or the occasional 3-bet.

Average chipstack is now just over 3,000,000 and here are the final table counts:

1 - Ivan Mamuzic - 7,100,000
2 - Jeremy Brown - 5,000,000
3 - Olivier Busquet - 4,000,000
4 - Yanick Brodeur - 3,100,000
5 - Steve Brecher - 2,700,000
6 - Keith Crowder - 2,400,000
7 - Mike Brown - 2,100,000
8 - Eric Blair - 2,000,000
9 - Kenny Nguyen - 1,400,000
10 - Ray Henson - 890,000

FINAL TABLE SEAT ASSIGNMENTS

The final table is set and here are the seat assignments:

Seat 1 - Yanick Brodeur (Fleurmont, OT)
Seat 2 - Mike Brown (West Islip, NY)
Seat 3 - Steve Brecher (Reno, NV)
Seat 4 - Keith Crowder (Elkins Park, PA)
Seat 5 - Jeremy Brown (Medford, NJ)
Seat 6 - Ray Henson (Houston, TX)
Seat 7 - Eric Blair (West Hartford, CT)
Seat 8 - Olivier Busquet (NY, NY)
Seat 9 - Kenny "Super Tuan" Nguyen (Lynswood, IL)
Seat 10 - Ivan Mamuzic (Toronto, OT)

RESLOCK ELIMINATED AND CROWDER CRUISES

WPT BORGATA POKER OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

Keith Crowder doubled through Ray Henson when his A J outlasted Henson's KQ after flopping a K. The turn and river brought two aces and Crowder Doubled to about 2 million leaving Henson with just about a million.

The next hand, Chris Reslock shoved his remaining $480k and Crowder called again, this time showing AQ. Reslock showed Qc Jc and Crowder's AQ won when they both hit the Q on the flop, but Crowder pulled an A on the turn.

Crowder now sits at just about $2.6 million as the floor condenses the final ten into one final table. We are 4 bust outs to ending the day.

Chris Reslock takes 11th place and earns $39,976.

MIKE SUMMERS ELIMINATED IN 12TH ($39,976)

WPT BORGATA POKER OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

And the hits keep coming.

Our latest victim is Mike Summers who made a move on the button and ran into Steve Brecher. After action folded around to Summers, he shipped his stack in with a pair of ducks. Brecher was one of the shortstacks remaining and called with AK.

Brecher hit two aces on the flop and had Broadway by the river to beat the 22 of Summers and cripple his stack.

That left Summers with just a few hundred thousand chips which went in the middle on the next hand versus Eric Blair who pulled a four flush out of his hat for the win and sending Summers out in 12th. He will collect $39,976 for his finish.

MAURICE HAWKINS ELIMINATED IN 13TH ($28,218)

WPT BORGATA POKER OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

In one of our biggest pots of the day, former chip leader Maurice Hawkins has left the tournament.

After spending the last 15 minutes in an entertaining, often loud discussion with Jeremy Brown to his left he found himself in deep trouble against Olivier Busquet to his right. After a pre-flop battle they both had their stack in the middle and tabled their cards.

"Whoops!" was the immediate reaction from Hawkins when he saw his AQ was far behind the AA of Busquet. There was zero help on the flop or even a decent sweat. It took awhile to count down both stacks but Busquet had Hawkins barely covered. Hawkins goes from one of the top stacks to the cage to pick up his cash.

Busquet moves over 4,000,000. Hawkins picks up $28,218 for 13th place.

JOSHUA LAWSON ELIMINATED IN 14TH PLACE

WPT BORGATA POKER OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

Josh shoved from the small blind into Ivan Mamuzic with AJ. He had just about 350k.

Ivan snap calls with him with AK and held the whole way after hitting a K on the flop but having to sweat a two outer on the river when a J hit the turn.

Josh earns $28,218 for the tournament and we are down to 13.

Players seem to be going out in bunches as we get close to the final 6. That's three eliminations almost in a row after waiting a good hour from the last bust out.

We'll have the rest as they come.

WOOYANG LIN ELIMINATED IN 15TH PLACE

WPT BORGATA POKER OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

Maurice Hawkins re-raises another $125k on top of Olivier Busquet's call pre flop. Wooyang, in the bb with $425k thinks and says, "maybe it's time to go home." out loud.

He counts out his chips and decides to move all in. Maurice insta calls him and shows AQ. Wooyang shows Qh Th and the board runs out.

Flop: [2s 2h 4s]
Turn: [As]
River: [9c]

Wooyang finishes in 15th place and earns $28,218 for his showing.

Maurice is now up close to $3 million in chips.

GABRIEL MORIN ELIMINATED IN 16TH PLACE

WPT BORGATA POKER OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

Mike Brown raised it to $110k and Gabriel Morin shoved just over $900k from the bb pre flop. Brown called and showed 9 9. Morin tabled Q Q, but the flop came 9 8 6. The board rivered out K K and Morin was finished.

We are down to 15 players.

CHIP COUNT UPDATE - 16 PLAYERS REMAIN

WPT BORGATA POKER OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

The players are returning from a 15 minute break and ready to continue the slaughter. They find themselves reaching around stacks of 5,000 and 25,000 checks, creating monster pots and lots of action.

Play resumes in Level 27 with blinds at 20,000-40,000 and 4,000 ante. Average chip stack is now 1,900,000.

1 - Ivan Mamuzic - 6,850,000
2 - Jeremy Brown - 4,520,000
3 - Yanick Brodeur - 2,620,000
4 - Maurice Hawkins - 2,155,000
5 - Ray Henson - 2,125,000
6 - Mike Summers - 2,052,000
7 - Eric Blair - 1,950,000
8 - Kenny Nguyen - 1,450,000
9 - Olivier Busquet - 1,300,000
10 - Keith Crowder - 1,100,000
11 - Gabriel Morin - 955,000
12 - Mike Brown - 905,000
13 - Josh Lawson - 745,000
14 - Steve Brecher - 615,000
15 - Chris Reslock - 550,000
16 - Wooyan Lin - 550,000

BILLY CAMPBELL ELIMINATED IN 17TH ($16,125)

WPT BORGATA POKER OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

We've lost another player and established a new run away chip leader. Billy Campbell was sitting on a fairly good size stack of chips when he ran into a problem with Ivan Mamuzic. After pre-flop action, Campbell was all-in on the Jack high flop barely being covered by Mamuzic. Campbell found his KK was outflopped by the JJ of Mamuzic and the monster pot was shipped across the table.

This hand takes Mamuzic very close to the 7,000,000 chip mark.

Billy Campbell takes home $16,125 for 17th place.

RON MCGINNITY ELIMINATED IN 18TH ($16,125)

WPT BORGATA POKER OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

As Antuan Bunkley was it the process of hitting the rail and the field was preparing to form the final two tables, Ron McGinnity was the next in the quick succession of eliminations.

This time we didn't witness a coinflip as McGinnity and his pocket 8's were way behind the pocket 10's of Kenny "SuperTuan1" Nguyen. No miracles on the board for McGinnity and he heads home with $16,125 for the 18th spot.

ANTUAN BUNKLEY ELIMINATED IN 19TH ($12,765)

WPT BORGATA POKER OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

With the elimination of Frank Calo, the field was prepared for the next player to bust out before combining into two tables. They didn't have very long to wait as Antuan Bunkley and Eric Blair put all their chips in the middle with Bunkley being covered. It was another loss for AceFace as his AK never caught up to the QQ of Blair.

Antuan Bunkley takes home $12,765 for his 19th place finish. The payout levels are now going up.

FRANK CALO ELIMINATED IN 20TH ($12,765)

WPT BORGATA POKER OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

The action actually slowed down for a breather and then picked right back up where it left off. We've lost 3 players in the last ten minutes to get us down to 17 and two tables. That is ten eliminations in less than two levels of play.

Frank Calo was eliminated in a hand against Ivan Mamuzic. This time the JackAce was no good and he was unable to outflip the 88 of Mamuzic. Frank Calo will take home $12,765 for his 20th place finish.

More bust outs to follow.

STEVE BRECHER CHANGES RESERVATIONS

WPT BORGATA POKER OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

Former WPT Champion Steve Brecher has been keeping the airline reservations people on their toes over the last two days. Brecher was scheduled to fly out of the area to London for the World Series of Poker Europe events but has been happy to change his plane reservations as the days go along.

He continues to improve his position in the field and now says he won't be leaving the area until after the final table, with the hope that he'll have the first place money and trophy to pack on the plane.

Players are now back from a short break and are on Level 26 with blinds at 15,000-30,000 with 3,000 ante.

UPDATED CHIP COUNTS

WPT BORGATA POKER OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

With the furious pace we are on this morning, keeping a completely accurate chip counts if proving quite a task. Between us and the fine folks at the WTP, here is what we have at the moment. Average chip count is 1,527,000.

1 - Jeremy Brown - 2,850,000
2 - Yanick Brodeur - 2,800,000
3 - Maurice Hawkins - 2,350,000
4 - Ray Henson - 2,230,000
5 - Ivan Mamuzic - 2,220,000
6 - Frank Calo - 2,100,000
7 - Olivier Busquet - 1,810,000
8 - Mike Summers - 1,700,000
9 - Mike Brown - 1,350,000
10 - Kenny Nguyen - 1,170,000
11 - Keith Crowder - 1,160,000
12 - Eric Blair - 1,150,000
13 - Billy Campbell - 1,140,000
14 - Chris Reslock - 1,100,000
15 - Wooyan Lin - 1,070,000
16 - Steve Brecher - 1,070,000
17 - Gabriel Morin - 655,000
18 - Josh Lawson - 650,000
19 - Ron McGinnity - 625,000
20 - Antuan Bunkley - 455,000

JASON WARRINER ELIMINATED IN 21ST ($12,765)

WPT BORGATA POKER OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

Jason Warriner had a tough run during the tournament, spending most of the time with less than average chips yet managing to grind his way through. His run came to a very tough end against Maurice Hawkins.

Warriner tried to make a move by just flat calling the preflop raise of Hawkins with pocket aces. By the turn all the chips were in the middle and Hawkins' J8 already made his straight draw. Warriner's run is now over and he takes home $12,765 for 21st. Hawkins moves up to 2,350,000 in chips.

We're just 2 more eliminations for combining two tables and the next jump in pay.

BART MIKULSKI ELIMINATED IN 22ND ($12,765)

WPT BORGATA POKER OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

AceFace has finally lost a hand to eliminate a player, this time AQ was actually ahead when Bart Mikulski put his last 200,000 in the middle versus the KJ of Eric Blair. The board ran out 4 clubs by the river with Blair's Jack of clubs taking down the hand and eliminating Mikulski.

That brings the knockout count up to 6 players before the end of one level. We have no doubt that the pace will slow dramatically as the chip stacks are well ahead of the structure. Yet we are still hearing "all-in and a call" from the tables.

Hold onto your seats.

Bart Mikulski earns $12,765 for 22nd place.

CHRIS MITCHELL ELIMINATED IN 23RD ($12,765)

WPT BORGATA POKER OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

The current winning streak of any AceFace continues , Chris Mitchell pushed his shorter stack in the middle with 96o and ran into the AQ of Dennis Summers. Summers hit both his Ace and Queen to drag the pot and send yet another player to the cage.

Chris Mitchell earns $12,765 for 23rd place.

MATT SHEPSKY ELIMINATED IN 24TH ($12,765)

WPT BORGATA POKER OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

If we thought yesterday moved along at a fast pace, today has been unbelievable. It's been tough to keep up with the action as we're getting shoves and calls across all three tables almost non-stop.

Matt Shepsky is just the latest to hit the rail (2 others quickly followed suit) and now Table 2 is taking over the action. Shepsky was the short stack to start the day and made a move with K7c. Once again the JackAce proves to be dominant when Ray Henson hits his ace on the flop to win the flip.

Henson collects $12,765 for 24th place.

BOBBY SUER ELIMINATED IN 25TH ($12,765)

WPT BORGATA POKER OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

Table 3 is definitely the "table of death" as yet another victim is sent to the rail. Bobby Suer was moved to this table following the elimination of Matt Brown and only lasted a few hands.

Suer started the day with just 446,000 in chips and decided 55 was going to be his double up hand. In yet another coinflip, his opponent Jeremy Brown called with AQ and Suer was done with the board ran out K K Q. No help on the turn or river and his day is done.

Bobby Suer earns $12,765 for 25th place.

MATT BROWN ELIMINTED IN 26TH ($12,765)

WPT BORGATA POKER OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

Table 3 was at it again and we've lost our second player before completing an entire level.

Matt Brown was our latest victim when he lost a coin flip to Josh Lawson. Brown's JackAce found no help on the flop, losing to Lawson's 77.

Brown was an interesting story during the tournament as every time he moved onto the next day, he was taking another day off work. When the field was still very large, we had to make sure to update the site so his bossman would know his status.

Brown can now head back to work with an extra $12,765 in his pocket for 26th place.

OFIR MOR ELIMINATED IN 27TH ($12,765)

WPT BORGATA POKER OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

It took us about half an hour to eliminate our first player. Ofir Mor was at or near the top of the chip count throughout Day 2 when the field combined. He ran into a series of tough hands during Day 3. He began the day as one of our shorter stacks and was eliminated by Chris Reslock. All the chips went in the middle pre-flop versus Chris Reslock, his AQ was no good against AK.

Ofir Mor earns $12,765 for 27th.

Players are on Level 25 with blinds at 12,000-24,000 and 300 ante.


$12,765

DAY 4 READY TO KICK OFF

WPT BORGATA POKER OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

The 27 remaining players in the 2009 Borgata Poker Open WPT Championship are starting to enter the poker room to unbag their chips. They will try to set themselves up for a run at the final table, TV table and the WPT title. Play will continue throughout the day until we have six players remaining, those will come back tomorrow to shoot for the title.

Yanick Brodeur enters the day as our chip leader with over 3,000,000 in chips while Matt Shepsky is our short stack. With this structure, even Shepsky has room to make moves with his chips. They will start with 12 minutes and 43 seconds remaining in Level 24 with blinds at 10,000-20,000 and 2,000 ante.

Steve Brecher comes into the day with the best WPT record among those in the field. He has two final table appearance including a WPT title in Season VII Bay 101 Shooting Star and nearly $1,500,000 in WPT earnings. Chris Reslock is our sole World Series of Poker bracelet winner and he's looking for his first WPT title. Maurice Hawkins spent most of Day 3 as our chip leader and Jason Warriner told us he's spent most of this tournament with a below average stack.

Average chipstack is 1,130,000 and action is just about to get underway.

Here are your starting chip counts:

1 - Yanick Brodeur - 3,016,000
2 - Frank Calo - 2,146,000
3 - Ray Henson - 1,915,999
4 - Maurice Hawkins - 1,907,000
5 - Jeremy Brown - 1,750,000
6 - Ivan Mamuzic - 1,737,000
7 - Olivier Busquet - 1,561,000
8 - Gabriel Morin - 1,460,000
9 - Bill Campbell - 1,370,000
10 - Kenny Nguyen - 1,259,000
11 - Keith Crowder - 1,174,000
12 - Wooyang Lin - 1,150,000
13 - Mike Brown - 1,106,000
14 - Dennis Summers - 1,087,000
15 - Chris Reslock - 896,000
16 - Steve Brecher - 847,000
17 - Bartholomew Mikulski - 781,000
18 - Matt Brown - 692,000
19 - Jason Warriner - 665,000
20 - Antuan Bunkley - 628,000
21 - Joshua Lawson - 612,000
22 - Ron McGinnity - 592,000
23 - Eric Blair - 573,000
24 - Chris Mitchell - 469,000
25 - Bobby Suer - 446,000
26 - Ofir Mor - 405,000
27 - Matt Shepsky - 340,000

FINAL 27 SEATING - CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT

TABLE - SEAT - NAME - CHIP COUNT

1	1	ANTUAN	BUNKLEY	$628,000
1	2	MICHAEL	BROWN	$1,106,000
1	3	CHRISTOPHER	MITCHELL	$469,000
1	4	DENNIS	SUMMERS JR	$1,087,000
1	5	ERIC	BLAIR	$573,000
1	6	STEVE	BRECHER	$847,000
1	7	GABRIEL	MORIN	$1,460,000
1	8	IVAN	MAMUZIC	$1,737,000
1	9	BARTHOLOMEW	MIKULSKI	$781,000
2	1	OLIVIER	BUSQUET	$1,561,000
2	2	MAURICE	HAWKINS	$1,907,000
2	3	RONALD	MCGINNITY III	$592,000
2	4	ROBERT	SUER	$446,000
2	5	ALFRED	WARRINER	$665,000
2	6	MATTHEW	SHEPSKY	$340,000
2	7	RAYMOND	HENSON	$1,915,000
2	8	KENNY	NGUYEN	$1,259,000
2	9	KEITH	CROWDER	$1,174,000
3	1	WOOYANG	LIN	$1,150,000
3	2	JEREMY	BROWN	$1,750,000
3	3	CHRIS	RESLOCK	$896,000
3	4	OFIR	MOR	$405,000
3	5	WILLIAM	CAMPBELL	$1,370,000
3	6	JOSHUA	LAWSON	$612,000
3	7	MATTHEW	BROWN	$692,000
3	8	YANICK	BRODEUR	$3,016,000
3	9	FRANK	CALO	$2,146,000

CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT OFFICIAL COUNT

PLACE - NAME - CHIP COUNT

1	YANICK	BRODEUR	$3,016,000
2	FRANK	CALO	$2,146,000
3	RAYMOND	HENSON	$1,915,000
4	MAURICE	HAWKINS	$1,907,000
5	JEREMY	BROWN	$1,750,000
6	IVAN	MAMUZIC	$1,737,000
7	OLIVIER	BUSQUET	$1,561,000
8	GABRIEL	MORIN	$1,460,000
9	WILLIAM	CAMPBELL	$1,370,000
10	KENNY	NGUYEN	$1,259,000
11	KEITH	CROWDER	$1,174,000
12	WOOYANG	LIN	$1,150,000
13	MICHAEL	BROWN	$1,106,000
14	DENNIS	SUMMERS JR	$1,087,000
15	CHRIS	RESLOCK	$896,000
16	STEVE	BRECHER	$847,000
17	BARTHOLOMEW	MIKULSKI	$781,000
18	MATTHEW	BROWN	$692,000
19	ALFRED	WARRINER	$665,000
20	ANTUAN	BUNKLEY	$628,000
21	JOSHUA	LAWSON	$612,000
22	RONALD	MCGINNITY III	$592,000
23	ERIC	BLAIR	$573,000
24	CHRISTOPHER	MITCHELL	$469,000
25	ROBERT	SUER	$446,000
26	OFIR	MOR	$405,000
27	MATTHEW	SHEPSKY	$340,000

EVENT #20 WRAP

The final table of Event #20 has a ton of wild action and interesting story lines, as Adam Waldbaum takes the title by beating Robert Melo heads up. "It feels great, but it's been a long day," says Waldbaum who collects $32,886 for the top prize after nearly 18 hours of play.

The roller coaster Poker Open for Nicole Rowe has another upswing, as she cashes for a second time. The last woman standing from the Ladies Event runs her pocket 8s against the pocket aces of Jim Funk, doubling him into the chip lead. The hand cripples Rowe on her way to an 8th place finish.

"I really wanted to win," says the New Windsor, NY resident. "Hopefully my luck at the poker table transfers to life," she says while preparing for next week's well documented double mastectomy."

The other woman at the final table is Patricia Barsanti-Chou, who won the 2007 Poker Open Ladies Event. "It's great that two woman were at the final table," Barsanti-Chou says following her third place finish, "especially since we've both done well in Ladies events."

As for Funk, he was in a funk when three tables remained, but finds his lucky rabbit's foot to survive 15 all-ins and battles back as the short stack to reach the final table. "I caught some breaks and was really fortunate to get as far as I did," he says after finish 4th."

Once things are four handed between Barsanti-Chou, Funk, Waldbaum and Melo the action is fast and furious with Waldbaum claiming the prize and the championship trophy.