A Moving Tribute to Mike "Little Man" Sica
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The flops have stopped at the moment, but a few tears are falling in their place.
The tournament halted for about ten minutes, as a moment of silence was observed for Borgata regular and local legend of the East Coast poker scene Mike "Little Man" Sica. You can learn more about Sica's life and times here, but judging by the genuine emotion just displayed by typically grim poker players, the man made a powerful impact both on and off the felt.
A group of Sica's longtime opponents at the table took turns euologizing their friend and fellow grinder - who passed away November 13th, 2013 at the age of 69, succumbing from lung cancer. Allen Kessler, Mike Dentale, Anthony Zinno, Will Failla, Michael Borovetz and Lee Childs each addressed their peers in the poker world to remember their friend.
Borovetz spoke about Sica's contribution to his own poker development, mentioning how the "Little Man" provided him with backing during the infancy of a career that now includes more than $500,000 in live earnings.
Dentale fondly remembered a Sica story in true poker player fashion - recalling the details of a bad beat suffered by Sica to the tee - and his message about Sica's boundless compassion and warmth, even after losing with pocket aces, appeared to hit home for many of the younger players in the room.
Zinno became emotional when remembering his poker mentor, before offering blue memorial bracelets for any player in the room who would like to commemorate Sica's life while playing.
All in all, the scene was a touching one, showing that every poker room is more than just a group of strangers trying to take each other's stack. Here at the Borgata - and throughout Atlantic City and the East Coast - wherever Mike Sica sat down for a game of cards, he found his family waiting for him.
, Jacob Bazeley fired out 8,500 from the small blind. Darryll Fish, who was in middle position, thought for a bit before making the call. Bazeley showed him 
for a set, and Fish forcefully mucked his hand.
. After a check, D'Angelo fired 10,600. Hernandez jammed for 28,250 more, and the player under the gun folded. D'Angelo called.
on the turn increased his outage. It was Hernandez who improved on the river when the 
fell, though, and he took the pot with a full house.
flop in position against a lone opponent. Both were in early position. Rheem's opponent checked the 
completed the board, and the first player checked a final time. Rheem tossed his entire 7,150 stack in the middle, and his opponent called fairly quickly. Rheem just pointed at him, indicating he had the winner, and the player turned over the 
. Rheem mucked his hand and quickly left the table.
by the river, and a sizable pot already up for grabs, Anthony Zinno checked over to Corrie Wunstel.
took down the large pot.
