EVENT #1 CHAMPION - STENELLA INTERVIEW

James Stenella (Pipersville, PA)
Event #1 Champion - $72,143

EVENT #4 LEVEL 11

Event #4 continues it's slowroll to the money bubble. In the middle of Level 11 and we are still sitting with 78 players with 36 making the money. The biggest name in the field is former Borgata Winter Open champion Gene Castro. He's nursing one of the shorter stacks in the room but tells me "I have them right where I want them".

One of our chip leaders is Moran Michilovich. She's spent most of the day at the same table grinding away against the rest and is now sitting with well over 100,000 in chips. She says she plans on winning the entire thing. No one at her table is doubting her.

78 players remain with an average chipstack around 55,000.

EVENT #5 OVERFLOW FROM PLO

The demise of Will "The Thrill" Was greatly exaggerated as he's still alive in Event #5, he was doing a little improv work on the other side of the room during break. Failla is still grinding along, even going so far as to win a high hand in Omaha/8b with nothing but 9-high. I did have to ask him, no he did not win the low.

The interesting table of the tournament so far has Joe Maher and Ming Reslock. Maher has been "two tabling" the entire day, and it's turned out to be a very productive day. He went through the field and finished second in the Pot Limit Omaha Event #3, losing out to Chris Reslock heads up. After cashing in that payment he returned to his table with plenty of chips in this Omaha event. His table-mate, shown in the foreground, is Ming Reslock. None other than the wife of Chris who just defeated Maher at the final table.

Despite the long delay in playing his chipstack, he was able to capitalize on his short time in the event and still has a very playable stack.

109 players remain.

EVENT #3 CHAMPION

1st, Chris Reslock - $16,277

It doesn't take long for Chris Reslock (Atlantic City, NJ) to control the heads-up action against Joe Maher (Bronx, NY) to win the Pot Limit Omaha - High, Event #3 Championship.

"He did a great job heads-up," says Maher, who earns $8,984 for finishing second. "He ran all over me heads-up. I couldn't get cards to connect.

Reslock hit a big hand during the first two hours of day 1 to grab 20% of the chips in play, and carried the momentum to the final table. "I've never seen anyone with that many chips, that early, and keep them that long," Reslock says matter of factly.

For those who may take it as braggadocios, Maher's quick to jump in, "no, no he played really well both days."

Reslock wins $16,277 and is now cheering on his wife Ming, who's playing in Event #5 (Omaha H/L8B) and, coincidentally, is at the same table as Maher who's been two-tabling all afternoon.

2nd, Joe Maher - $8,984

EVENT #5 ON DINNER BREAK

Event #5 Omaha/8b has also gone on dinner break at this time. When they are done taking advantage of the grub in the poker cafeteria, there will 137 players left with an average chip stack of just over 12,000. They will return to play Level 10 at 800-1600 (400-800 blinds).

Will "The Thrill" Failla continued his spectacular run for the day. He busted out of the $700 + $70 No Limit Hold'em Event #4 and was one of the first out of this Omaha/8b tournament. He is now making noise and carrying the conversation in the 7pm cash tournament.

EVENT #2 FINAL RESULTS

It was a wild finish at the final table, as chip leader Anthony Licastro (Long Valley, NJ) takes control. After eliminating Chris Lindh (Goshen, NY) in 10th place, Licastro builds his 1 million chip stack into a championship.

"It was amazing," says Licastro, "I've never seen the final two tables go so fast. I was getting hit with the deck. Anybody sitting in my seat, probably would've been sitting here (as the champion) too."

Final Table Results

1st, Anthony Licastro - $54,954

2nd, Vasillios Hrisafinis - $31,836

3rd, Matt Lombardi - $15,728

4th, John Costello - $13,265

5th, Alex Rivera - $11,370


6th, James Martini - $9,475


7th, Robert Colao - $7,580


8th, Fritz Stoner - $5,685


9th, Eric Trabosh -$3,790


10th, Chris Lindh - $2,463

EVENT #4 ON DINNER BREAK

The approximately 120 players remaining in Event #4 are now heading off on their dinner break following Level 8. The action has been flying along and we've lost most of the players we highlighted earlier. During the dinner break we will try to track down our top chip stacks and report back.

When they return for Level 9 the blinds will be 500-1000 with a 100 ante. The average chipstack is around 34,000.

EVENT #5 JOYS OF OMAHA/8B

It takes a special person to sign up and battle in a Limit Omaha/8b tournament. Mike "ScarKnight" Landow was reminded of the crazy high and lows of the game (pun very much intentional).

Playing in a big multi-way pot, he flopped a nut low wheel holding a deuce-trey and the A4x rainbow flop. The turn brought him the nut-nut wheel scoop and everyone came along for the ride. The river was very cruel to him when the dealer peeled off a 3. After the action was complete he found he went from nut-nut on the turn to just dragging 1/4 of the entire pot. The river 3 gave one opponent holding 62 the bigger straight and counterfeited his low to the gentleman with the A2.

The joys of Omaha/8 have not affected his play as he is still building his stack and head's into Level 7 with 19,000 chips.

Event #5 is down to 175 players at 400-800 (blinds at 200-400). Average chip stack is ~9,700.

HEADS UP - EVENT #3

The PLO eliminations are fast and furious and heads-up play is underway.

Jean-Philippe Piquette (Laval, Quebec) is a huge underdog three-handed with 70k in chips, while Chris Reslock (530k) and Joe Maher (590k) have a substanital advantage.

Piquette is eventually eliminated by Reslock. "I needed a miracle," says Piquette, who collects $5,020 for third place. "Something crazy, like aces against aces that ends up in a flush."

Heads-up play starts with Reslock and Maher dead even in chips.

3rd, Jean-Philippe Piquette - $5,020

4th, Greg Torres - $3,700

5th, Mitchell Deleonardis, $3,171

EVENT #3 ELIMINATIONS

6th, Gaylord Inman - $2,643

7th, Kelly Edwards - $2,114

8th, Dr. Will Noyes - $1,586

EVENT #2 ELIMINATIONS

15 Michael Favor (Barnegat, NJ) $1,895
14 Christopher Clarke (Allentown, PA) $1,895
13 Randall Pfeiffer (East Amherst, NY) $1,895
12 Will Jaffe (Bridgehampton, NY) $2,463
11 Maurice Hawkins (Miami, FL) $2,463

EVENT #2 FINAL TABLE

Seat - Name - Chip Count
1 Vasillios Hrisafinis 125k
2 Matt Lombardi 400k
3 John Costello 625k
4 Anthony Licastro 1 million
5 Chris Lindh 325k
6 Fritz Stoner 267k
7 Eric Trabosh 143k
8 Robert "Hoss" Colao 240k
9 James Martini 292k
10 Alex Rivera 368k

Rivera sends a shout out to Tim Kelly

EVENT #5 BY THE NUMBERS

The official numbers are also in for the $350 + $50 Omaha H/L 8b Event #5. We had 212 players take a seat in the event and we will pay out the top 27. First place will take home $23,365.

Event #5 - $350 + $50 Omaha H/L 8b
Entrants: 213
Prizepool: $74,550
First place: $22,365

1st - $22,365
2nd - $12,674
3rd - $6,970
4th - $5,219
5th - $4,473
6th - $3,728
7th - $2,982
8th - $2,237
9th - $1,491
10th to 12th - $969
13th to 15th - $820
16th to 18th - $671
19th to 27th - $559

EVENT #4 BY THE NUMBERS

The official numbers are in for Event #4. The $700 + $70 No Limit Hold'em tournament drew 337 players with the top 36 making the money, first place will take home $68,411. Today will continue until 2am or we get down to 27 players.

Event #4 - $700 + $70 No Limit Hold'em
Entrants: 337
Prizepool: $235,900
First place: $68,411

1st - $68,411
2nd - $39,631
3rd - $19,579
4th - $16,513
5th - $14,154
6th - $11,795
7th - $9,436
8th - $7,077
9th - $4,718
10th to 12th - $3,067
13th to 15th - $2,359
16th to 18th - $1,651
19th to 27th - $1,415
28th to 36th - $1,180

STACKS COLLIDE (EVENT #2)

King - Nine, Good!

"How often when you have ace, king and you flop two kings, are you going to lose?" That's the question that will haunt Al Lubin (Watchung, NJ) for a long time.

Lubin was second in chips with 275k when he had the misfortune of running his big hand into chip leader Matt Lombardi (Villanova, PA), who has slightly more.

Lubin raised from the button and Lombardi calls 14k more from the BB. Lombardi checks dark, the flop is [KK9] and Lubin checks his flopped set.

The turn [10] and Lombardi leads out for 20k. Lubin reraises to 75k and says "you're drawing dead." Lombardi shoves all-in and Lubin snap calls.

Lubin is stunned to see (K 9) and that he's dead to an ace. "I can't believe it," says Lubin, "anybody else and I still have chips. I built a steady stack and lost it all on one hand. I could've cruised to a top four finish, but now I'm out."

Lombardi has lapped the field with a stack of nearly 600k, double the average stack. "I was wondering what he saw that I didn't," says Lombardi when Lubin told him he was drawing dead.

Play continues with 12 players, blinds are 5k/10k/1k ante.

EVENT 3 CHIP COUNTS

Players just back from break

Seat
1 Chris Reslock 419K
2 Jean-Philippe Piquette 60k
3 Mitchell "Big Daddy" Deleonardis 140k
4 Gaylord Inman 45k
7 Joe Maher 317k
10 Greg Torres 250k


7th Kelly Edwards $2,114
8th Dr. Will Noyes $1,586

EVENT #2 FINISHERS

The starting three tables are now down to two as players quickly bust out.

Those standing in line to collect the cake.

25 - Stephen Foutty, Jr. (No Info) $1,137
24 - Eugene Smith (Deer Park, NY) $1,137
23 - Michael Hamberg (Brooklyn, NY) $1,137
22 - Akash Seth (Lk Ronkonkoma) $1,137
21 - Brian Adragna (East Meadow, NY) $1,137
20 - James Keating (Frederick, MD) $1,137
19 - Eric Trabosh (Turnersville, NJ) $1,137
18 - John Darnsteadt (Livingston, NJ) $1,326
17 - Edward Aigbojie (Brooklyn, NY) $1,326
16 - Allan Lubin (Watchung, NJ) $1,326

EVENT #3 FINAL TABLE

It doesn't take long to set the final table in PLO as three eliminations set the final at 9.

Seat
1 Chris Reslock
2 Jean-Philippe Piquette
3 Mitchell "Big Daddy" Deleonardis
4 Gaylord Inman
5 Paul Sokoloff
6 Dr. Will Noyes
7 Joe Maher
8 Kelly Edwards
10 Greg Torres

On the final table's first hand, Sokoloff is knocked out by Torres.

Today's other finishers.

9 - Paul Sokoloff (Toronto, Canada) $1,189
10 - Jeff Wilhelm (Camp Hill, PA) $1,031
11 - Jason Gole (Martinsville, NJ) $1,031
12 - Brent Keller (Horsham, PA) $1,031

EVENTS #2 AND #3 UNDERWAY

Players in both tournaments are seated and the action is heated.

12 players on two tables are back for the PLO (Event #3)

25 return for $500 + $60 NL (Event #2)

On the first hand at table 1 of the NL, the board shows [Q 10 9] [K] when Anthony Licastro (3rd in chips) bets 80k, SB Jonathan Gordon (below average stack) goes in the tank, as the bet will commit him to being all-in.

"I can't believe what I just did," says Gordon, "I knew I should've raised preflop."

After some discussion, John Costello (2nd in chips) voices his displeasure with the table talk as the speculation is set vs. straight.

The floor eventually settles things down and the clock is called on Gordon. After taking his full minute, Gordon eventually folds and play resumes after a 10 minute hand.

Fireworks are underway, which should make for an interesting day.

EVENT #4 LEVEL 4

It take long for Will Failla to make moves today. Unfortunately his move from his Event #4 to table to the registration area. He busted out during Level 2 and is now playing in Omaha/8b Event #5.

We have some top players in the field today, East Coast grinders who make their living at the table. Walking through the tables we've seen former Borgata champions Gene Castro, Allen Bari and Bill Blanda. Chris Bonita, "Action Bob" Hwang, and Vinny Pahuja are also sitting at the tables looking for their shot.

The unofficial number has 337 entrants for Event #4. We will have the official number and payouts as soon as they are complete.

EVENT #5 UNDERWAY

The second new event of the day is underway with the $350 + $50 Limit Omaha/8b Event #5. The unofficial numbers at the start of play has the field over 200 players so they'll be paying out 27 spots. We are beginning our walk through the field to see who will be aiming for this championship.

There are still seats available for players, registeration ends after the second level break.

LACEY JONES BLOG UPDATE

Borgata favorite Lacey Jones will be gracing us with blog updates of her run through the 2009 Borgata Poker Open. She'll be bringing you the sites and sounds from her experiences, keeping everyone up to date. She has her first post of the series up on her site which you can find here.

"Today kicked off the beginning of the Borgata Poker Open with 22 events awarding a beautiful trophy and bragging rights of being champion in a prestigious poker tournament. With my eye on the prize (as well as 849 other players) I wanted to take this first one down. $72k for 1st place for a $350 buyin is a very nice payday if you ask me."

Lacey Jones - Sometimes you know.. you know

EVENT #4 EARLY NOTABLES

The seats are finally starting to fill as the registration line thins out and players enter the tournament area. We took a quick walk between the tables and found some of our regular players.

Will "The Thrill" Failla drew Table 1 up against the rail and is entertaining everyone, even this early. Manny Patel is back in the room, he had 3 final tables during the Borgata Summer Open and cashed in Event #2 of this series. Mike "GoLeafsGoEh" Leah is back and Barry Leventhal is playing in his first event of the Open.

The floor staff has begun preparing for the 1pm start of Event #5 ($350 + $50 Limit Omaha/8) and the Day 2 restarts of Events #2 and #3.

EVENT #4 UNDERWAY

The players have taken their seats to begin Event #4 of the 2009 Borgata Poker Open. This event has the deepest stacks of the series so far, as players start with 12,000 chips with blinds at 25-50 and 50 minute levels. The buyin is $700+70 and registration is open until the end of the second level break.

We are walking the field to get some notables and will return with numbers and pictures.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11

Today in the Event Center:

11AM: $700 + $70 No Limit Hold'em (Event #4)

• 12,000 in starting chips
• Levels last 50 minutes

1PM: $350 + $50 Omaha H/L 8B (Event #5)

• 8,000 in starting chips
• Levels last 40 minutes

4pm: $300 + $50 SURVIVOR (1 in 10 wins $3,000 Cash)

• 8,000 in starting chips
• Levels last 25 minutes

7PM: $200 + $30 Second Chance Cash

• 8,000 in starting chips
• Levels last 25 minutes

For tournament details and information visit theborgata.com

Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/BorgataPoker

DAY 2 CHIP LEADERS - EVENT 3 ($350 + $50 PLO)

Borgata Poker Open
Event 3 - $350 + $50 Pot Limit Omaha - High
September 10-11, 2009

Entries: 151 Prize Pool: $82,850

End of Day 1 Chip Count Leaders:

1. CHRIS RESLOCK (ATLANTIC CITY, NJ): 293,000
2. KELLY EDWARDS (VIRGINIA BEACH, VA): 160,000
3. MITCHELL DELEONARDIS (PT WASHINGTON, NY): 156,000
4. GAYLORD INMAN (PLEASANT VILLE, NJ): 104,000
5. GREGORY TORRES (E SETAUKET, NY): 101,000
6. JEAN-PHILIPPE PIQUETTE (LAVAL QUEBEC, CAN): 100,000
7. JASON GOLE (MARTINSVILLE, NJ): 78,000
8. PAUL SOKOLOFF (TORONTO, CAN): 74,000
9. JEFF WILHELM (CAMP HILL, PA): 54,000
10. WILLARD NOYES (THOMPSON, PA): 33,000
11. BRENT KELLER (HORSHAM, PA): 30,000
12. JOSEPH MAHER (BRONX, NY): 27,000

DAY 2 CHIP LEADERS - EVENT 2 ($500 + $60 NLH)

Borgata Poker Open
Event 2 - $500 + $60 No Limit Hold'em
September 10-11, 2009

Entries: 379 Prize Pool: $189,500

End of Day 1 Chip Count Leaders:


1. ALEX RIVERA (STATEN ISLAND, NY): 329,000
2. JOHN COSTELLO (BAYONNE, NJ): 324,000
3. ALLAN LUBIN (WATCHUNG, NJ): 239,000
4. WILL JAFFE (BRIDGEHAMPTON, NY): 227,000
5. ANTHONY LICASTRO (LONG VALLEY, NJ): 222,000
6. RANDALL PFEIFER (EAST AMHURST, NY): 209,000
7. JAMES MARTINI (CLIFFSIDE PK, NJ): 196,500
8. MATTHEW LOMBARDI (VILLANOVA, PA): 185,000
9. JOHN DARNSTEADT (LIVINGSTON, NJ): 182,500
10. CHRISTOPHER LINDH (GOSHEN, NY): 174,500
11. MAURICE HAWKINS (MIAMI, FL): 166,000
12. MICHAEL FAVOR (BARNEGAT, NJ): 155,000
13. EDWARD AIGBOJIE (BROOKLYN, NY): 145,000
14. JONATHAN GORDON (RANDOLPH, NJ): 136,500
15. MICHAEL HAMBERG (BROOKLYN, NY): 127,000
16. JAMES KEATING (FREDERICK, MD): 110,000
17. FRITZ STONER (LANCASTER, PA): 104,500
18. ROBERT COLAO (NIAGARA FALLS, NY): 103,000
19. ERIC TRABOSH (TURNERSVILLE, NJ): 98,000
20. VASILLIOS HRISAFINIS (BRICK, NJ): 95,500
21. AKASH SETH (LK RONKONKOMA, NY): 80,000
22. EUGENE SMITH (DEER PARK, NY): 67,000
23. CHRISTOPHER CLARKE (ALLENTOWN, PA): 62,000
24. BRIAN ADRAGNA (EAST MEADOW, NY): 53,500
25. STEPHEN FOUTTY JR (SANTA ROSA, CA): 16,000

FINAL RESULTS - EVENT 1 ($350 + $50 NLH)

Borgata Poker Open
Event 1 - $350 + $50 No Limit Hold'em

September 9-10, 2009
Entries: 850 Prize Pool: $297,500

Final Results

1. JAMES STENELLA (PIPERSVILLE, PA): $72,143
2. SALAH LEVY (COOKEVILLE, TN): $44,030
3. ERIC ROCKWELL (CHESAPEAKE, VA): $23,056
4. MARCUS NGUYEN (WILLIAMSTOWN, NJ): $20,081
5. PEDRO MUNOZ (ELIZABETH, NJ): $17,106
6. EDWARD CYBULSKI (LAUREL SPGS S, NJ): $14,131
7. CARMINE GENOVESE (LONG BEACH, NY): $11,156
8. CHRISTOPH LYON (BRICK, NJ): $8,181
9. TUAN GBEHAN (TOMS RIVER, NJ): $5,950
10. LEONARD J 3RD SANDE (WEST HEAVEN, CT): $3,867
11. WILLIAM HILL (SILVER SPRING, MD): $3,867
12. NECTALIER GONZALEZ (LINCOLN PARK, NJ): $3,867
13. BENJAMIN MCANINCH (LITTLE RIVER, SC): $2,826
14. JOSHUA BRASKETT (NEW EGYPT, NJ): $2,826
15. FRANCIS CHEUNG (BROOKLYN, NY): $2,826
16. MICHAEL LINSTER (LEVITTOWN, NY): $1,785
17. BRANDON MUELLER (YORK, PA): $1,785
18. RYAN DEVINE (FISHING CREEK, NJ): $1,785
19. MATTHEW STOUT (CLIFTON, NJ): $1,338
20. MARGARET MARTIN (BROOKLYN, NY): $1,338
21. RAYMOND BIMSON (MONTAUK, NY): $1,338
22. EUGENE CASTRO (NEW YORK, NY): $1,338
23. ALVIN DELGADO (MORRIS PLAINS, NJ): $1,338
24. WILLIAM HAGIS (FREDERICK F, MD): $1,338
25. EDWARD PELLEGRINI (SAINT ROSE, LA): $1,338
26. MICHAEL KALFA (LTL EGG HBR, NJ): $1,338
27. FRANK BELIZARIO (GLENDALE, NY): $1,338
28. THURSTON CUNNINGHAM (AMITYVILLE, NY): $1,131
29. STEPHEN SILVERMAN (MILLWOOD, NY): $1,131
30. ANTHONY CAMPAGNA (MANORVILLE, NY): $1,131
31. PATRICIA BARSANTI-CHOU (METUCHEN, NJ): $1,131
32. DANIEL LEE (FAIRFAX, VA): $1,131
33. WILLIAM HICKEY (PHILADELPHIA, PA): $1,131
34. ARTHUR BRESSLER (MANALAPAN, NJ): $1,131
35. MARCO GRASSO (CHATHAM, NJ): $1,131
36. ADAM SCHLAIN (VIRGINIA BCH, VA): $1,131
37. DAJUAN WHORLEY (ACCOKEEK, MD): $952
38. JASON MORENO (BAYVILLE, NJ): $952
39. IOANNIS KONSTANTINIDIS (MONROE TWP, NJ): $952
40. LEONARDO PALERMO (ORTLEY BEACH, NJ): $952
41. ANTIUWAN JONES (ARLINGTON, VA): $952
42. MICHAEL MOORE (N CAPE MAY, NJ): $952
43. EMANUEL FAILLA (COMMACK, NY): $952
44. FABIO PAWLUS (CAPE MAY, NJ): $952
45. JOSEPH GRODOWSKI (STATEN ISLAND, NY): $952
46. MAKSIM SHCHETKOVSKIY (BELLEVILLE, NJ): $833
47. DOMIMIC CARLO (STATEN ISLAND, NY): $833
48. PATRICK LOWRIE (CHARLOTTE, NC): $833
49. JASON KLUSKA (PHILADELPHIA, PA): $833
50. BASILE KHOURY (STATEN ISLAND, NY): $833
51. RICHARD RUSSELL (NEWBURGH, NY): $833
52. ORFILIO CHAVIANO JR (MANALAPAN, NJ): $833
53. DONALD LAWRENCE (NEW BERN, NC): $833
54. CHRISTIAN FRANCIA (BAYONNE, NJ): $833
55. STEVEN MONACO (BAY SHORE, NY): $744
56. MICHAEL NITTI (TOMS RIVER, NJ): $744
57. ROBERT NEGRIN (WEEKI WACHEE, FL): $744
58. JOHN BARBIERI (RUNNEMEDE, NJ): $744
59. ANTHONY HILL (EGG HARBOR CITY, NJ): $744
60. FRANCIS GOTTRON (LAGRANGEVILLE, NY): $744
61. ERWIN BENZ (HIGHLAND MLS S, NY): $744
62. PHEN SU KHOU (PHILADELPHIA, PA): $744
63. ANTHONY DEBLIECK (HOBOKEN, NJ): $744
64. WILLIAM PRENTISS (WILLIAMSBERG, VA): $655
65. GLENN LAZELLE (ATLANTA, GA): $655
66. ALEJANDRO RAYAS (SANTA MARIA, CA): $655
67. NIKOLAY KARMAN (GERAN, RUSSIA): $655
68. THOMAS KRACINOVICH (GREAT MILLS, MD): $655
69. MATTHEW GINGRAS (DOYLESTOWN, PA): $655
70. RONNIE BARDAH (STONEHAM, MA): $655
71. MIRSAD KOVACI (ALLENTOWN, PA): $655
72. ANTHONY MIGLIACCIO (BROOKLYN, NY): $655
73. JORGE RIVERA CARRERO (BROOKLYN, NY): $595
74. LEONARD WYCHUNAS (PINE GROVE, PA): $595
75. DANIEL BAJER (MECHANICSVILLE, VA): $595
76. LOUIS DOBRICK (LAS VEGAS, NV): $595
77. MICHAEL NG (NEW YORK, NY): $595
78. JOHN STOJANOVSKI (PATERSON, NJ): $595
79. RAYMOND J BARTH (MEDFORD, NY): $595
80. JONATHAN VATCHER (RAMSEY, NJ): $595
81. THOMAS MURPHY (NAPLES, FL): $595

EVENT #3 (PLO) CHIP LEADERS

Twelve players return to play for the Pot Limit Omaha - High title at 2 PM Friday.

The unofficial top 3:

1. Chris Reslock (Atlantic City, NJ) 293k
2. Kelly Edwards (Virginia Beach, VA) 160k
3. Mitchell Deleonardis (Port Washington, NY) 156k

Edwards, who's played more internationally than in the states, is glad play ended early for the night. "I'm content to come back tomorrow," she says. "Some people, who will remain nameless, were getting grumpy. It'll be nice to get a fresh start and hopefully everyone will be in a better mood."

The PLO top prize is $16,277. Chip counts and seating will be posted after 9 AM.

America the Beautiful, 2nd in Chips

EVENT #2 EARLY PAYOUTS

36 - Ronald Wilson $948
35 - Craig Conticchio $948
34 - Tyler Blickman $948
33 - Jamie Kerstetter $948
32 - Manny Patel $948
31 - Michael Kalustian $948
30 - Paul DiPietro $948
29 - Michael Rauschenberger $948
28 - Mark Weinstein $948
27 - Gregory Cambareri $1,137
26 - Steve Ryan $1,137

The final 25 players return 2 PM Friday to play for the top prize of $54,954.

Alex Rivera (Buffalo, NY) and Tony Licastro (Long Valley, NJ) continue to be among the chip leaders.

Official chip counts and seating will be posted after 9 AM.

EARLY NIGHT

Both Events #2 (NL) & #3 (PLO) are stopping play twenty minutes early. Players are bagging and tagging with 25 left in NL & 12 in PLO.

Play was to commence at 2 am, but after a long day organizers call it quits as they set the Event Center for Friday's action.

Ballpark chip leaders are on the way.

ARE YOU FOR REAL? (EVENT #3)

The two remaining tables are stunned as a player (who will remain anonymous) is unclear of Pot Limit Omaha rules and is sure he's got the winner.

On a board of (7 6 4 3 3), player X is convinced his (5 A K Q) is good, thinking his 5 makes a straight. The only problem: players HAVE to use two of their four hole cards. Player X doesn't cut it by only using his 5 to make a straight.

One bystander said, "are you kidding me, this guy made the money and doesn't even know the rules."

Greg Torres (San Diego, CA) wins the hand and is as surprised as anyone after seeing player X's fist pump. "He nearly convinced me I lost," says Torres who watched the floor director confirm Torres had the winner with (AA xx).

The mystery man is one of the following PLO finishers.

18 Michael Brottman (East Windsor, NJ) $793
17 Mike Ricci (Mooresville, NC) $793
16 Mark Sanborn (Sperryville, VA) $793
15 Panagiotis Theofanopoulos (Bronx, NY) $898
14 Laurence O'Halloran (Colonial, NJ) $898
13 Michael Emory (Wildwood, NJ) $898

I'M A DONK (EVENT #2)

Bubble Breaks

Donkey Play = Chip Lead

Alex Rivera (Buffalo, NY) admits it's not the smartest move he's made at the poker table, but it's a play that's given him the chip lead in the $500 + $60 NL event.

Rivera raises in early position with (AJ) to 9,900. His opponent repops all-in for 180k and Rivera snap calls, only to see he's in bad shape against pocket kings.

The flop brings an ace, gives Rivera the chip lead and pops the bubble with 36 players remaining.

"I was ready to gamble," says Rivera who's at 350k. "I figured I was in a race with overs and didn't think twice about it. It wasn't very smart," he said, adding, "I'm a donk, who made a bad call."

Immediately to Rivera's right is Tony Licastro (Long Valley, NJ) who's second in chips with 275k.

The money is now flowing, as places 28-36 collect $948.

Both Events #2 & #3 will play until 2 am.

Licastro - 2nd in Chips