PRETTY IN PINK (LADIES EVENT)

Poker Helping Rowe Cope

Players are at the poker tables for a myriad of reasons. Some play to make a living, others enjoy the camaraderie and social setting, while others enjoy the complexity of the competition. But for Nicole Rowe, the Poker Open's Ladies Event is strictly a diversion.

"If I wasn't here, I'd be home on my couch crying," said the New Windsor, NY resident, "which is what I did all day yesterday (Friday)."

Rowe recently got the devastating news that she has breast cancer and will have a double mastectomy in two weeks. "I'm not here for the money. I'm here as a distraction in my life right now."

Saturday's therapeutic session almost didn't happen, but because of one Borgata employee's extra effort, she made the tournament.

"I didn't have enough play for a (free) room and because I'll be out of work for six weeks, I couldn't afford to pay top dollar. But when I told my story to the casino host, he was able to help me out. I'm extremely grateful, because without him I wouldn't be here."

It's been a long day for Rowe, but it's been worth it. After 10 hours of play, she's 1 of 34 players remaining in the tournament and has taken the chip lead.

"It's karma," she says after her pocket jacks takes down a 100k pot to put her at nearly 200k for the tournament.

Rowe is definitely a serious contender, as she finished second in the 2007 Borgata Winter Open's Ladies Event. She hasn't missed a ladies event since, and is glad she's hear now.

"If I win, I'm donating $1,000 to breast cancer research," she says.

The bubble is about to break, as the top 27 players cash. Level 16 is underway (4000/8000/500 ante).

EVENT #5 DANIEL BALDEV TAKES THE TROPHY

Play took another little slowdown once we were 3-handed but that gave Daniel Baldev to put a strangle hold on the chip lead and he never let it go. Melissa Brancato played a great game but was unable to overcome the huge chip differential, eventually bowing out in 3rd place for $6,970.

The hot running Donald Jacoby was cooled off over a series of hands that found him holding onto a single 5,000 chip. Though it would have been a great story about a chip and a chair, he was only able to double up once before losing a 4-card bingo hand. Jacoby finished with a nice payday, $12,674 for 2nd place.

That leaves Daniel Baldev as your 2009 Borgata Open Omaha/8b Champion.

1st - Daniel Baldev - $22,365
2nd - Donald Jacoby - $12,674
3rd - Melissa Brancato - $6,970
4th - Joseph Smith - $5,219
5th - Jinglin Chen - $4,473
6th - Bill Coleman - $3,728
7th - Neal Levin - $2,982
8th - Nick Slepica - $2,237
9th - Joy Reslock - $1,491

Melissa Brancato finished 3rd in Event #5

Donald Jacoby finished 2nd in Event #5

Event #5 Champion Daniel Baldev

EVENT #5 JOSEPH SMITH ELIMINATED IN 4TH

Once the logjam at 6 players was past, Joseph Smith followed Chen to the rail again by the hand of Donald Jacoby. It's never too late to go on a hot run of cards which is exactly what happened to Jacoby. Smith got his chips in and his AQ84 hand was behind on the 5 T Q flop to Jacoby's KJT5. The turn card Jack improved Jacoby to Jacks up but additional outs for Smith. None of those hit with the river 7 and Smith was sent to the rail. He will take home $5,219.


Joseph Smith finished 4th in Event #5

EVENT #4 ADAM LIPPERT WINS THE CHAMPIONSHIP

Adam Lippert and his monster chipleadAnd his soon-to-be trophy
Adam Lippert began the day as the chip leader and finishes up with all the chips. He never took his foot off the gas pedal and dominated play with text book big-stack poker. There was rarely a time at the final table when he wasn't putting tremendous amounts of pressure on the rest of the players. He was often able to put in bets that were bigger than opponents stacks without much impact on his own count.

Going into 4-handed play, Lippert was sitting over 75% of the chips in play. He took mercy on the field and ended it quickly. He will collect $68,411 from the cage along with a sweet trophy.

Adam Lippert is your 2009 Borgata Poker Open Event #4 Champion.

1st - Adam Lippert - $68,411
2nd - Vo Quan - $39,631
3rd - David Meagher - $19,579
4th - Marvin Rosen - $16,513
5th - Ronnie Sanabria - $14,154
6th - Daniel Gentili - $11,795
7th - Jason Warriner - $9,436
8th - George Walther - $7,077
9th - Gina Saladino - $4,718

Marvin Rosen finished 4th in Event #4

Dave Meagher finished 3rd in Event #4

Vo Quen finished 2nd in Event #4


Event #4 Champion Adam Lippert

EVENT #5 JINGLIN CHEN ELIMINATED IN 5TH

Jinglin Chen did not think he would be here for Day 2 of Event #5. He was often shortstacked on Day 1 and battled his way through. After making the money last evening, he still began the day as one of our shorter stacks. He went on a heater when down to 18 players and came into the final table with above average chip stack. After watching chips get shuffled around the table he was unable to pick many of those up for himself. He also survived quite a few all-in moments and eventually found himself in a battle with Donald Jacoby.

The chips went in the middle on a A Q Q flop and Chen needed help with his 8544 against Jacoby's 9943. No help came with the turn Jack over river 3 and Chen's day was complete. He will take away $4,473 for his efforts.


Jinglin Chen finishes 5th in Event #5

FACE THE ACE(S) - EVENT #6

No Code Red for Santiago

With three other tournaments wrapping up today, the 1k's flying under the radar a bit, as players in this event return Sunday.

A quick scan of the room and there's no massive chip stacks, but one player is closing in on the 200k mark. Alex Santiago (W. Hartford, CT) takes his time in making a river bet of nearly 27k. The board is [5,3,6] [J] [A] with three clubs.

After mulling it over, Dan Buzgon (Mt. Laurel, NJ) makes the call and mucks after Santiago turns over pocket aces for a set.

The big pot takes Santiago to 175k and is more than 3.5 times the average stack of 50k.

Tournament officials are breaking another table, as the field thins to less than 90 players.

Players are on Level 10 (600/1200/200 ante).

EVENT #5 BILL COLEMAN ELIMINATED IN 6TH

Bill Coleman began the day with the second biggest stack left in the tournament and started off strong. He stayed where he was most of the day and made his way to the final table. The first three players were eliminated in a timely fashion, but 6-handed play is where things slowed down. It was a long drawn out battle that lasted several hours, long enough for the final 6 to get another dinner break in this tournament.

The blinds were really starting to put pressure on the stacks and even a full belly was unable to save Coleman. He found himself all-in several times while playing 6-handed and managed to survive them all until the last chance. His luck run out when his AT76 was outflopped by KQ95 on the K K 6 board. The turn and river brought no miracles. Bill Coleman will take home $3,728 for his 6th place finish.

Bill Coleman finished 6th in Event #5


Neal Levin finished 7th in Event #5

EVENT #5 NICK SLEPICA ELIMINATED IN 8TH

Nick Slepica needed a lot of help for his AKT5 hand up against Melissa Brancato's A299. The flop was bad J 4 9, giving Brancato the set and leaving Slepica drawing to a gutterball straight. The Ten on the turn did him no favors and the river 3 ended his tournament. After a great run, Slepica will take home $2,237 for his efforts.

EVENT #5 JOY RESLOCK ELIMINATED IN 9TH

Joy Reslock came to the final table of Event #5 with an excellent chance to match her husband's accomplishment here so far in the 2009 Borgata Poker Open but fell short. After fighting to rebuild her chipstack, she ran into some big hands leaving her short. She got all her chips in with KK44 against Melissa Brancato's A2xx. The board ran out Tc 6d Td 8s Ad, spiking the Ace and sending her to the rail. She had a great run but well have to settle for the $1,491 9th place money.

Joy Reslock finished 9th in Event #5

EVENT #4 RONNIE SANABRIA ELIMINATED IN 5TH

David Meagher once again provided some excitement at the final table, this time at the expense of Ronnie Sanabria from the Bronx. After a series of preflop moves at the 5-handed table, Sanabria was at risk with all his chips in the middle but his A9 was comfortably ahead of Meagher's A5. That is when the fun begins.

Meagher started the series of come-from-behind action when he paired his 5 on the 4 5 K flop. Sanabria took his turn at the wheel when he paired his 9 on the turn leaving Meagher drawing super thin. You wouldn't be reading this story if Meagher didn't indeed hit the miracle 5 on the river to knock out Sanabria. He will take $14,154 back to the Bronx for his efforts.

LADIES PAYOUTS (EVENT #7)

$260 + $40 No Limit Hold'Em

Entries: 269 - Prize Pool $69,940

Place - Amount

1 $20,982
2 $11,889
3 $6,539
4 $4,896
5 $4,196
6 $3,497
7 $2,798
8 $2,098
9 $1,399
10-12 $909
13-15 $769
16-18 $629
19-27 $525

EVENT #4 DANIEL GENTILI ELMINATED IN 6TH

Daniel Gentili was living a dangerous life once we were down to nine. After seeing his chipstack fluctuate during the final table and winning an all-in preflop race earlier, David Meagher luck ran out. They were both all-in preflop racing with Gentili's KJ versus the 33 of Meagher. The Q 4 4 T 2 board gave him some hop on the turn but the 2 crushed it. Gentili will hit the cage to collect his $11,795 for the 6th place finish.


Daniel Gentili finished 6th in Event #4

EVENT #6 PAYOUT

$1000 + $90 No Limit Hold'Em

Entries: 364 - Prize Pool $364,000

Place - Amount
1 $105,560
2 $61,152
3 $30,212
4 $25,480
5 $21,840
6 $18,200
7 $14,560
8 $10,920
9 $7,280
10-12 $4,732
13-15 $3,640
16-18 $2,548
19-27 $2,184
28-36 $1,820

LADIES UPDATE (EVENT #7)

Diva On the Prowl

Of the 81 women still playing in the Ladies Event, Shalanda "Diva" Nix (Newark, NJ) is the chip leader, as she returns from dinner break with 86k.

Unfortunately she trails the tournament chip leader, who's a man with 120k.

The average stack is 30k as Level 11 (800/1600/200 ante) begins. Top prize is $20,982.

EVENT #4 JASON WARRINER ELIMINATED IN 7TH

Jason Warriner started Day 2 with the third biggest stack of the starting 27 and made his way to the final table with a workable stack. With 7 players left, he tangled with the chip leader Adam Lippert. After pre-flop action, Warriner got all his chips in middle on a Ks Qs 3s with top pair, second nut flush draw holding Kh Js. He was drawing near dead though when Lippert tabled the flopped nut flush with As 7s. Jason Warriner will take home $9,436.

Before Warriner was eliminated, Gina Saladino and George "Santa" Walther were knocked out in 9th and 8th. Saladino pockets $4,718 and Walther $7,077

Jason Warriner finishes 7th in Event #4
George Walther finished 8th in Event #4
Gina Saladino finished 9th in the Event #4

DUDE LOOKS LIKE A LADY (EVENT #7)

Must Be Underneath It All

Korotki (left), Playing in Ladies Event

Borgata strives to put on the best tournaments, and has successfully incorporated specialty events in their series, including the highly anticipated and well-attended Ladies No Limit Hold'em tournaments.

Here's a Borgata first, someone other than a female has entered this event, much to the dismay of Borgata and to the field of 269 women. And while this specific individual, who's known as Abraham Korotki (Ventor City, NJ), must have some reason for playing in the Ladies event, Borgata management is less than thrilled with his participation.

"I got tired of going home early," says Kortoki after getting knocked out of Event #6 ($1,000 +$90), "I hadn't had enough poker time."

Despite the fact that there were two other tournaments running later in the day, along with a myriad of continuous sit and goes, and a full 85-table poker room for cash games, Korotki opted for the Ladies Event, causing quite a stir.

"Any gentleman that comes to play, on the face of it, is doing it with disrespectful intent," says Alyson Parker (Planesboro, NJ), who's seated at Kortoski's table.

"He wasn't just there for fun, he was obnoxious," says one anonymous player, who started at Kortoki's table. "Every hand he needled people."

While a bulk of the players are upset and disappointed with Kortoki's presence, not everyone takes offense, including Shalanda "Diva" Nix (Newark, NJ), who's one of the chip leaders. "We all feel that we should have a secluded event for the ladies, but if he's going to play, tell him to bring it on because we welcome him."

Kortoki is also an unofficial chip leader and the deeper he goes in the tournament, the more frustrated some players are getting.

"If there weren't other men's events that he could enter, that would be a different story," says Nancy Martin (Washington Crossings, PA).

"I think the important thing is that had I been knocked out already, they would've been happy to have my 300 bucks in the kitty." says, Kortoki.

Professional player Lacey Jones (Manhattan Beach, CA) adds, "the more people in the tournament, the more money I get."

Whatever Kortoki's real intentions are, he says that if he's fortunate enough to win something in the Ladies event, he'll donate it to charity.

We'll see.

The Ladies Event is on dinner break.

Parker Feels Disrespected by Lady Korotki

EVENT #4 FINAL TABLE SET

The final table is set for Event #4 $700 + $70 No Limit Hold'em and the action is flying. The mayhem of two fast moving tourmaments and the two new tournaments of the day have kept your humble bloggers jumping.

Seat 1 - David Meagher
Seat 2 - Marvin Rosen
Seat 3 - Gina Saladino
Seat 4 - George Walther
Seat 5 - Jason Warriner
Seat 6 - Quan Vo
Seat 7 - Daniel Gentili
Seat 8 - Ronnie Sanabria
Seat 9 - Adam Lippert

10 - Alan Colon - $3,067
11 - Jesse Yaginuma - $3,067
12 - Matt Iles - $3,067
13 - David Petrullo - $2,359
14 - Moran Michilovich - $2,359
15 - Antonio Bueti - $2,359
16 - Peter Ippolito - $1,651
17 - Joseph Graci - $1,651
18 - Stephen Drudge - $1,651

LOCAL CELEBRITY (LADIES)

Jane Strike's a Jamie Pose

Jamie Gold, the 2006 WSOP Main Event Champion, may be more recognizable worldwide, but he's got nothing on his mother at Borgata. Jane Gold (Paramus, NJ) is a Borgata regular who plays tournaments and cash games at the casino on a monthly bases.

"I taught him how to play poker," says the proud mother, who says she's still teaching him, "all the time."

Jane prefers playing in a mixed field but wanted to have some fun with her girlfriends. "They were coming down and it's a chance for us to enjoy the day."

Unfortunately Gold's day comes to an end when she pushes her last 10k all-in on the turn with pocket jacks. Hallee Lograsso (Vorhees, NJ) makes the call after turning a 10 high straight to eliminate Gold.

"I'm sorry to see her go," says Lograsso who's at a healthy 60k. "She was really delightful, but at least I have a story to tell.

Play continues on Level 8 (400/800/75 ante).

Lograsso Strikes Gold at Jane's Expense

EVENT #4 AND #5 DOWN TO TWO TABLES

Both Events #4 and #5 have been running parallel to each other the entire day. They are both running with their final two tables with plenty of action the entire way. Plenty of hands to document and chip counts to get. I will bring those shortly. Until then, here are the first 9 bustouts from each.

Event #4 $700 + $70 No Limit Hold'em

19 - Chris Yonkers - $1,415
20 - Jeff Papola - $1,415
21 - Emmanuil Digilov - $1,415
22 - Viet Tien Nguyen - $1,415
23 - Marc Davis - $1,415
24 - Joe McGuire - $1,415
25 - Paul Lombardo - $1,415
26 - Rich Britton - $1,415
27 - MIke Sanderson - $1,415

Event #5 $350 + $50 Omaha/8b

19 - C J Mucciaccio - $559
20 - Robert Wilson - $559
21 - Tom Noyes Jr - $559
22 - Jim McCourt - $559
23 - Joe Palma - $559
24 - Mark Wileczek - $559
25 - Dave Pitman - $559
26 - Tom Wieker - $559
27 - Francis Volpe - $559

CELEBRITY APPEAL (EVENT #7 - 1K)

Veep's Body Double

Bob Mercer (Long Island, NY) has been moved twice already in the early going, and recently he's been asked the same question where ever he goes. "Do you know you look like Joe Biden?"

"Yeah, I get that a lot," Mercer says, "ever since the election." Mercer has a strong resemblance to the Vice President, and his impeccable attire helps draw comparisons.

"This is how I always play. Sometimes I even dress up," he jokes.

Level 5 (150/300/25 ante) underway, efforting final numbers.

SHOWING OFF THEIR STUFF (LADIES)

Girls Rule, Boys Drool

Lina Donskaya (Brooklyn, NY) is letting everyone know that women are just as passionate about poker as the men. And the men are appreciative of her talents, both at the poker table and beyond. "So far so good," says Donskaya, "we'll see."

Lacey Jones is slowing building her stack. The board shows [478] [6] [8] and Jones bets 3,000 on the river in early position. The button, after mulling it over, folds. Jones has 15k, up from the 10k starting stack.

The ladies are back from break and registration is closed with an unofficial count of 262.

Play continues on Level 4 (100/200).

"Jones-ing" for a Win"

EVENT #4 AND #5 GETTING READY FOR DAY 2

The Borgata floor staff has begun bringing out the chip bags for our two events which will crown new champions.

Adam Lippert is your leader for Event #4 heading into the day with 480,000 in chips. There were huge swings as play was halted for the night and he came out on top. Marvin Rosen will start Day 2 with the shortest stack and plenty of work ahead of him. 27 players will begin that day on Level 16. Blinds are 400-800 with 500 ante, average chipstack is just under 150,000.

Ming Reslock has a great chance to follow up her husband Chris Reslock's championship in Event #3 when she heads the field in Event #5 with 169,500 in chips. 27 players also return for this event starting in Level 16. Limits are 4000-8000 (blinds 2000-4000), average chipstack is around 63,000.

BIG MONEY (EVENT #6)

Brooks with an Eye On the Prize

The big money tournaments bring out the big name locals. Joey "The B", Tony "Bagels," Will "The Thrill," Al Krux, Barry Leventhal, Chris Lindh and Event #2 winner Anthony Licastro are all playing. Borgata regulars Ian Palomo, James Boyle and Bill Blanda are also in the field.

"The other events are huge fields," says Joey, "The B" Brooks, "these are better players, I like better competition." Brooks says this tournament, which will have a prize pool of $350,000, the Main Event and the $1,500 are the three events at the top of his list for the Poker Open.

The unofficial count is 346, as registration is set to close.

Players are on a ten minute break and return to play level 3 (75/150).

MURDERER'S ROW

A Set of Queens
Findura, Veliu & Muhammad

The random seat generator didn't do any favors for three of the top area women players in the Event #7 - Ladies tournament.

Table 15 features Hakima Muhammad (Bowie, MD), who finished third in the Ladies event at the Summer Open, Alida Veliu (Wyckoff, NJ), who won the Ladies event during the Winter Open and Dawn DeCarlo (Hamilton, NJ), the Summer Open's 4th place finisher.

"This is a tough, tough table," says Muhammad.

Also in the field is Kim Findura (Butler, NJ), who's the reigning Ladies champion from the Summer Open, along with pro Lacey Jones.

UP AND RUNNING

Event #6 ($1,000 + $90/NL) is off and running with another full field at the beautiful Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa.

The ladies are raring to go as their noon start is just around the corner. A couple of former champs are in the field, along with the lovely Lacey Jones.

Media row is the perfect spot to watch these sharks head to their seats!

It's on!

It wouldn't be a Borgata Poker Open without a ladies event, right? The $260+ 40 starts at noon. Who's ready for this one?? I know I am, but today I won't play nice. Hehe. Bring it girls! Best of luck to everyone playing today- except when you're in a hand with me!
xoxo
~Lacey

DAY 2 CHIP LEADERS - EVENT 5 ($350 + $50 OMAHA)

Borgata Poker Open
Event 5 - $350 + $50 Omaha H/L 8B
September 11-12, 2009

Entries: 213 Prize Pool: $74,550

End of Day 1 Chip Count Leaders:

1. MING RESLOCK (ATLANTIC CITY, NJ): 169,500
2. DANIEL BALDEV (HILLSBOROUGH, NJ): 162,500
3. WILLIAM COLEMAN (ODESSA, DE): 140,500
4. DONALD JACOBY (PHILADELPHIA, PA): 109,500
5. ANDREW FIEDERLEIN (HOBOKEN, NJ): 86,000
6. CHRISTOPHER WALKER (ELKRIDGE, MD): 74,500
7. MELISSA BRANCATO (MT LAUREL, NJ): 71,000
8. NICHOLAS SLEPICA (RESTON, VA): 67,500
9. DAVID MARCH (RAMSEY, NJ): 65,500
10. THOMAS NOYES JR (POMPANO BEACH, FL): 62,000
11. KEVIN CAVOORIS (ARDMORE, PA): 59,500
12. C J MUCCIACCIO (MIDDLE VILLAGE, NY): 59,500
13. PETER PHILLIPS (ATLANTIC CITY, NJ): 54,000
14. ROBERT WILSON (RALEIGH, NC): 50,000
15. JILL GOLD (AVENTURA, FL): 45,000
16. JAMES MITCHELL (PHILADELPHIA, PA): 45,000
17. JOSEPH SMITH (MALVERN, PA): 44,500
18. MARK WILECZEK (WEST CHESTER, PA): 42,000
19. DANIEL SPEAR (NEWTOWN SQ, PA): 41,500
20. JAMES MCCOURT (BRIGANTINE, NJ): 39,000
21. NEAL LEVIN (BENSALEM, PA): 38,500
22. JOSEPH PALMA (BENSALEM, PA): 37,000
23. DANIEL ELSWICK (HERNDON, VA): 35,500
24. JINGLIN CHEN (BROOKLYN, NY): 33,500
25. DAVID PITMAN (DAVIDSONVILLE, MD): 24,500
26. FRANCIS VOLPE (ALLENTOWN, PA): 23,000
27. THOMAS WIEKER (POTOMAC, MD): 20,000

DAY 2 CHIP LEADERS - EVENT 4 ($700 + $70 NLH)

Borgata Poker Open
Event 4 - $700 + $70 No Limit Hold'em
September 11-12, 2009

Entries: 337 Prize Pool: $235,900

End of Day 1 Chip Count Leaders:

1. ADAM LIPPERT (BROOKLYN, NY): 480,000
2. JESSE YAGINUMA (SILVER SPRING, MD): 288,000
3. ALFRED WARRINER (ABSECON, NJ): 278,500
4. RONNIE SANABRIA (BRONX, NY): 250,500
5. ALAN COLON (OCEANSIDE, NY): 249,500
6. GEORGE WALTHER (HUNTINGTON STA, NY): 242,000
7. MATTHEW ILES (ATCO, NJ): 236,500
8. DAVID MEAGHER (MONKTON, MD): 231,000
9. QUAN VO (HARRISBURG, PA): 216,000
10. EMMANUIL DIGILOV (STATEN ISLAND, NY): 170,500
11. VIET TIEN NGUYEN (ELYRIA, OH): 135,500
12. DAVID PETRULLO (MEADOW, NY): 129,000
13. STEPHEN DRUDGE (MECHANICSVILLE, VA): 126,000
14. JOSEPH MCGUIRE (COLUMBIA, SC): 108,000
15. DANIEL GENTILI (BROOKLYN, NY): 106,000
16. JEFFREY PAPOLA (NEW YORK, NY): 98,000
17. PETER IPPOLITO (E MEADOW, NY): 89,500
18. GINA SALADINO (FAIRVIEW VLG, PA): 87,500
19. MARC DAVIS (ORLANDO, FL): 85,500
20. JOSEPH GRACI (MASSAPEQUA, NY): 75,000
21. MORAN MICHILOVICH (FLUSHING, NY): 69,000
22. RICHARD BRITTON (ST LEONARD, MD): 60,500
23. MICHAEL SANDERSON (ODENTON, MD): 60,500
24. ANTONIO BUETI (MT KISCO, NY): 60,000
25. CHRISTOPHER YONKO (MANHATTAN, NY): 53,500
26. PAUL LOMBARDO (ABSECON, NJ): 44,500
27. MARVIN ROSEN (ROSLYN, NY): 34,500

EVENT #4 DOWN TO 27

Tonight was one of the more spectacular runs of bustouts once the players were in the money. With huge stacks making it tough to get it done, the field still managed to eliminate 9 participants before play was halted just past 2 o'clock in the morning.

The final 3 tables will reform in the morning and play down to another Borgata champion. We will have the first 9 bustouts as well as official chip counts when the numbers are confirmed.

EVENT #5 IN THE MONEY

With 15 minutes left before a tough decision had to be made, Event #5 has burst the money bubble and they are done for the evening. It has been decided that play will be suspended and the final 27 in the money will return for Day 2 and play down to the winner. Ming Reslock made it through to Day 2 with a chance to match her husband's trophy after he took down Event #3.

We will be back in the morning with chip counts and crown another champion.

EVENT #4 BUBBLE POP

It only took long enough to talk about it, but everyone knew the No Limit Hold'em tournament would get there first. Matt Iles did the field a favor by picking up AA versus our bubbler's KK on the last hand before the break. There were three bustouts within five minutes but that was the one to put us over the top.

Places 28 through 36 will take home $1,180.

FRIDAY NIGHT BUBBLES

Friday night seems to be the curse of the bubble. Event #4 pays out the top 36 and we've just hit 39 remaining with just a little over an hour before the end of day. Event #5 (Omaha/8b) hits the money with 27 remaining and they are still playing 34 handed.

Everyone in the room not involved in tournament is waiting to see if they're loved one/friend/horse can find a way to cash in either event.

The best bust out we've seen over the last our involved Marc Davis using his big stack to muscle a short stack. Davis got his chips in bad but it wasn't a huge determent to his stack. Holding a dominated 53 against his opponents 75, Davis flopped the wheel on a A 2 4 board.

EVENT #4 #5 BUBBLES

The lack of posts over the last two hours have nothing to do with the pace of play. The clock and blinds have been keeping up with the players, yet both events are having a hard time eliminating the necessary players to get closer to the bubble. Shorties are doubling up on the rare allin/call hand in the NLHE tournament and the Limit Omaha/8b is pulling everyone along also.

I predict we will make the money in both events, but I think it will take a huge push soon.