2011 Borgata Winter Poker Open Day 1a and 1b: Aron Leads Big Turnout in Atlantic City

February 01, 2011

Donnie Peters

The Aussie Millions and PokerStars Caribbean Adventure have wrapped up, but there’s still one more big event to end January and lead into February to keep the year going on the felt. This amazing year now includes a great turnout at the Borgata Winter Poker Open.

One year ago in Atlantic City, the $3,500 Championship Event was won by two-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner Jeff Madsen. He beat a field of 766 players to take the $625,066 first-place prize. This year the numbers are down slightly to 718 runners and the prize pool is less $158,400.

The Championship Event has the same buy-in this year and held two starting days. The first gathered 273 players while the second increased to 445. Although the field size may be smaller than last year, there’s still plenty of money to be won. The top 72 players will walk away with a cash of at least $6,665, with the eventual champion taking home $533,210.

Final Table Payouts

Place	Prize
1	$533,210
2	$310,273
3	$189,611
4	$156,286
5	$126,407
6	$103,425
7	$82,740
8	$63,204
9	$43,669

After both starting days concluded, 539 players returned to action on Tuesday to continue the quest for the title. Plenty of notable pros are still alive and well in the field including Craig Bergeron (122,400), David Paredes (103,500), Kyle Bowker (100,950), Gavin Smith (73,075), Chris Klodnicki (52,525) and Josh Brikis (51,850). Leading the pack is Michael Aron from Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. He bagged 145,850 in chips, nearly 20,000 more than Joseph Couden, who enters Day 2 in second place.

Top 10 Chip Counts

Place	Player	Chips
1	Michael Aron	145,850
2	Joseph Couden	128,800
3	Louis Russo	124,275
4	Craig Bergeron	124,275
5	Tom Hu	116,975
6	Eric Doerr	107,750
7	David Poulterer	107,200
8	David Paredes	103,500
9	Kyle Bowker	100,950
10	Trevor Savage	99,950