$10,200 BetMGM Poker Big, Big Baller Day 1 | 2026 Borgata Big, Big Series

Sep 17, 2026

Vaysman Turns Straight Into a Double

Jacob Wilson

Level 10 : Blinds 800/1,600, 1,600 ante

Daniel Escherich opened to 3,500 under the gun, and action folded all the way around to Justin Vaysman, whoo defended his big blind.

He then checked the 7♥2♠8♣ flop, and called a bet of 1,600 from his opponent. The turn brought in the 9♦ and Vaysman checked for a second time. Escherich put his opponent all in, and Vaysman snap-called.

Justin Vaysman: 6♠5♣ All in
Daniel Escherich: Q♠10♦

Vaysman didn't have the check mark just yet, but was in great shape to double as his opponent was looking for a higher straight. The 7♣ river was good for Vaysman, as he handed his chips to the dealer to be counted. Once done, Escherich forked over the 10,400 he owed his opponent.

Elsewhere, Matthew Zambanini re-entered.

Tags: Daniel Escherich Justin Vaysman Matthew Zambanini

Sep 17, 2026

Recent Eliminations

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Jacob Wilson

Level 10 : Blinds 800/1,600, 1,600 ante

Sep 17, 2026

Becker Knocks Out Two for Monster Stack

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Jacob Wilson

Level 10 : Blinds 800/1,600, 1,600 ante

Jeremy Becker opened the action to 3,200 from early position, and Mike Gao on his direct left three-bet shoved for just over 20,000. Sat to his left, Joseph Lebrun then moved all in for 93,500.

Action folded back to Becker, who went deep into the tank. After a good few minutes of tanking, he announced "I think this is the best hand." He thought for a few moments more before sticking in the call.

Mike Gao: J♠J♦ All in
Joseph Lebrun: 9♥9♠ All in
Jeremy Becker: A♥Q♥

Becker flopped the lead on 5♦Q♠2♠ and kept it on the 2♦K♠ runout to secure a double knockout as well as a huge chip lead over the competition.

Tags: Jeremy Becker Joseph Lebrun Mike Gao

Sep 17, 2026

Zambanini Out, Lavin In

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Jacob Wilson

Level 10 : Blinds 800/1,600, 1,600 ante

Nicholas Palma opened to 3,500 from the cutoff. Big blind Matthew Zambanini moved all in for 15,100, and Palma called quickly.

Matthew Zambanini: Q♥J♣ All in
Nicholas Palma: A♥Q♦

Palma never lost his lead on the 2♥9♥7♣7♠Q♠ runout to send his opponent to the rail.

Michael Lavin then entered the tournament, and took Zambanini's old seat.

Tags: Matthew Zambanini Michael Lavin Nicholas Palma

Level: 10

Blinds: 800/1,600

Ante: 1,600

Sep 17, 2026

Chip Counts at Break (full)

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Jacob Wilson

Level 9 : Blinds 600/1,200, 1,200 ante

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Sep 17, 2026

Pre-Break Eliminations

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Jacob Wilson

Level 9 : Blinds 600/1,200, 1,200 ante

Sep 17, 2026

Break Time

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Jacob Wilson

Level 9 : Blinds 600/1,200, 1,200 ante

The remaining players are headed to a final 15-minute break of the day. Action resumes at 9:05 p.m. local time.

Sep 17, 2026

Gopaul Three-Bets Stefanski

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Jacob Wilson

Level 9 : Blinds 600/1,200, 1,200 ante

David Stefanski opened to 2,600 from late position, before Haribhai Gopaul on his direct left put in a three-bet to 5,000.

Action folded all the way around to Stefanski, who wasted no time in making the fold.

Taking his seat at another table, Matthew Zambanini marked the tournament's 50th entry.

Tags: David Stefanski Haribhai Gopaul Matthew Zambanini

Sep 17, 2026

Wilson Sizes Up

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Jacob Wilson

Level 9 : Blinds 600/1,200, 1,200 ante

Brock Wilson opened to 2,500 from the cutoff, and Michael Gagliano defended his big blind.

The Q♠6♣8♥ flop was dealt, and Gagliano checked over to the preflop raiser. Wilson continued for 4,500, and Gagliano sighed as he threw his cards back to the dealer. "Every time," he muttered.

Tags: Brock Wilson Michael Gagliano