2014 Borgata Spring Poker Open

Event 1: $560 $1 Million Guaranteed Deep-Stack NLHE Reentry
Day: 1c
Event Info

2014 Borgata Spring Poker Open

Final Results
Winner
Carlos Alvarado
Prize
$127,652
Event Info
Buy-in
$500
Entries
2,482
Level Info
Level
35
Blinds
200,000 / 400,000
Ante
40,000

Keeping Up With the Jones'

Level 14 : 1,500/3,000, 400 ante

Walt Jones opened to 5,500 from middle position, a player in the big blind defended, and the dealer spread {a-Spades}{q-Clubs}{5-Spades}. The player checked, Jones continued for 12,000, and the player folded {j-Clubs}{j-Hearts} face up. Jones pulled in the pot, and is sitting with 215,000 chips.

Jones is seated over in the poker room, and is joined atop the leader board by David Harden, Darren Elias, Adam Lippert, and Kenny Nguyen.

Harden just eliminated a player in a very interesting hand, where he limped preflop before back-raising to 18,500. His opponent called, Harden moved all in for effectively 30,000 or so on a flop of {3-}{3-}{3-}, and the player called.

Harden: {q-}{8-}
Opponent: {a-Spades}{4-Spades}

The turn was a deuce, changing nothing, but a {q-} completed the board giving Harden a leading pair of queens.

Harden dragged in the pot and now has around a quarter of a million chips.

Player Chips Progress
David Harden
David Harden
240,000 240,000
Walt Jones
Walt Jones
215,000 215,000
Darren Elias us
Darren Elias
205,000 130,000
Kenny Nguyen us
Kenny Nguyen
145,000 57,500
Adam Lippert us
Adam Lippert
140,000 140,000

Tags: Adam LippertDarren EliasDavid HardenKenny NguyenWalt Jones

Cooper Crushing

Level 14 : 1,500/3,000, 400 ante
Matt Cooper has seized the chip lead late on Day 1c
Matt Cooper has seized the chip lead late on Day 1c

The sight of Matt Cooper dragging massive pots his way has become commonplace so far on Day 1c, so we weren't surprised to see him doing so just moments ago.

Although we missed the action ourselves, Cooper was kind enough to fill us in on the details. Here's what went down:

According to Cooper, the small blind limped in and called Cooper's raise to see the flop rain down {9-}{8-}{2-}. His opponent then check-raised to try and force Cooper off the hand, but the aggressive table captain simply three-bet to put the pressure back on the other player.

After a flat, the turn brought a {5-} on board, giving Cooper a gutshot straight draw with his {K-}{7-}. The small blind check-called a bet by Cooper, who found his gin card when a {6-} showed up on fifth street to complete his straight. The small blind then check-called a big 25,000 bet from Cooper, thus explaining the abundance of baby blue T5000 chips in the huge haul.

Cooper now sits with the largest stack in play late on Day 1c, putting himself in position for a deep Day 2 run.

Player Chips Progress
Matt Cooper
Matt Cooper
295,500 99,500

Tags: Matt Cooper

Level: 14

Blinds: 1,500/3,000

Ante: 400

Raising Kane

Level 13 : 1,200/2,400, 300 ante
Gerard Kane
Gerard Kane

Earlier in the day we heard tell of an improbable resurgence from the edge of the abyss, as a player was crippled and left with just 1,200 chips to work with. Despite plummeting to just two big blinds at that point, the man was able to persevere and score a key double up or three to begin his comeback from the brink.

After a bit of reportorial investigation, we've learned that it was Gerard Kane who resurrected his stack from the point of no return, and currently he sits with a healthy stack of 112,000.

When asked for a rundown of the key hands that fueled his ascent, Kane was gracious and humble, attributing his improbable run to a simple combination of patience and solid play.

Kane is no stranger to deep runs here at the Borgata, as he weaved through the 4,000+ runner minefield of last January's opening event to reach the final three tables. Unfortunately for Kane, that tournament was suspended following the chip counterfeiting scandal that rocked the poker world, but he has given himself a chance at redemption here today.

Player Chips Progress
Gerard Kane
Gerard Kane
112,000 112,000

Tags: Gerard Kane

New Member of the 200K Club

Level 13 : 1,200/2,400, 300 ante

Connecticut's own Dave Stefanski has rocketed up to the 200,000-chip threshold, making him one of the leaders for Day 1c.

Stefanski has over $600,000 in career live tournament earnings, including deep runs in the 2011 Borgata Spring Poker Open Championship, the 2012 Borgata Summer Poker Open Championship, and the 2013 Borgata Spring Poker Open Championship. In those three events alone, Stefanski earned $92,564.

Player Chips Progress
Dave Stefanski us
Dave Stefanski
200,000

Davis Doubles

Level 13 : 1,200/2,400, 300 ante

Prior to the break, Tauren Davis was faced with a raise to 5,500 from a player in middle position. He opted to three-bet to what looked like 12,000 or so from the small blind, his opponent moved all in for effectively 51,900, and Davis called.

Davis: {a-Spades}{k-Clubs}
Opponent: {a-Hearts}{q-Hearts}

The dominant hand held up as the board came {2-Spades}{a-Diamonds}{4-Spades}{2-Clubs}{7-Diamonds}, and Davis doubled to 108,800 chips.

Player Chips Progress
Tauren Davis
Tauren Davis
108,800

Tags: Tauren Davis

Level: 13

Blinds: 1,200/2,400

Ante: 300

Borgata Spring Poker Open: Things To Do at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa

Level 12 : 1,000/2,000, 300 ante
The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City
The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City

The 2014 Borgata Spring Poker Open is underway here in Atlantic City, New Jersey, kicking off with a $560 no-limit hold’em reentry event today. Taking place at one of the finest gaming destinations Atlantic City has to offer, the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa is a definite crowd pleaser featuring a luxurious spa, a variety of fine-dining restaurants, and a stylish nightlife to help get your mind off the bad beats taken at the poker tables.

There are a number of different dining options available inside the Borgata making it convenient to never require leaving the hotel. Whether you are looking for something quick and easy, or something a bit higher-end, the Borgata has a taste to satisfy and meet your needs.

Bread + Butter is the perfect place to enjoy an afternoon bite serving up sandwiches and gourmet beverages. One perk is the breakfast menu left as an all-day selection, making it a great spot for those late-night craves. The classic grilled cheese is a patron favorite, or you can also try the Portobello and provolone griddled sandwich, both of which — along with most of the menu — are $10 or less and won’t break the bank.

As a man who has revolutionized the culinary industry, Wolfgang Puck has served up bold and innovative cooking for years and now offers contemporary American cuisine in an upscale setting at the Borgata, as part of his first East Coast venture. Enjoy truffled potato chips, spicy lamb chorizo pizza, or a prime burger from the tavern menu as a less-expensive dinner option. Or you can treat your taste buds and choose one of the many options from the main course on the fine dining menu.

Once you’ve had your fill of the action at the poker tables, take the time to sit back, relax and enjoy a glass or two of your favorite drink.

Gypsy Bar specializes in tequila but also offers an eclectic beer selection and compliments your drink with a roaring atmosphere of live music. The intimate space has seating at the bar, traditional pub tables, and comfortable armchairs for a lounge-type feel. Low lighting also helps to keep the mood mellow. Oh, and don’t be afraid to get a little crazy. Gypsy Bar comes complete with a dance floor allowing you to move your feet to the best sounds in town.

Never been to the Atlantic City or to the Borgata? Then MIXX is the first place to check out because it fully captivates what the Borgata is all about. As a performance-driven dance club, MIXX is home to some of the most renowned DJs and official concert after-parties. With its high ceilings, two levels, and plenty of VIP tables, MIXX has more of a mega club feel than its local counterparts. You will find trapeze artists swinging from the rafters, and celebrities passing through on any given night.

OK so maybe the club scene isn’t for you. Don't worry, because Borgata comes fully equipped with the most luxurious of spas on the east coast. Dedicated to undoing the effects of your day, Spa Toccare offers relaxing treatments guaranteed to exhilarate. It is definitely the place where tensions melt and knots disappear. Sounds like a typical effect from a 12-hour poker session. So emerge yourself into the comforts of their many services and elevate your well being, if even just for an hour or two.

Surely, whatever you choose to do while staying at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, you will be surprised to have a Las Vegas experience with an East Coast twist.

For a full schedule and more information about the venue, visit theborgata.com.

Article written by PokerNews' Pamela Maldonado