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

Ballon d'Or

Level 9 : 500/1,000, 100 ante

There was quite a bit of commotion coming from the middle of the Signature Room, prompting our reporter to check out what was going on. When we arrived at the table the board was completed {6-Hearts}{k-Diamonds}{10-Spades}{2-Clubs}{j-Clubs}, and Ibra Ibrahimovic had {k-Hearts}{10-Hearts} in front of him and a wave of chips being pushed his way.

According to the players at the table, Ibrahimovic's opponent held a lesser two pair on the flop with {k-}{6-}, and all of the money went in the middle. Ibrahimovic's hand held up, and he now has about 105,000 chips.

Player Chips Progress
Ibra Ibrahimovic
Ibra Ibrahimovic
105,000

Tags: Ibra Ibrahimovic

Mangan Mangles

Level 9 : 500/1,000, 100 ante

When we arrived at the table, the flop was {6-Spades}{7-Diamonds}{3-Hearts}. A player was already all in and at risk for a small main pot, while a second player had moved all in for 50,000 over a bet of 7,500 from Ryan Mangan. Mangan mulled the decision over for 90 seconds or so, and called.

The player who was all in preflop tabled {q-Hearts}{q-Spades}, the best hand, and Mangan showed {j-Clubs}{j-Diamonds}. The player who shoved on the flop, was trailing big time with {5-Hearts}{5-Spades}.

The turn and river bricked {k-Hearts}, {a-Hearts} respectively, and even though Mangan lost the main pot, he raked in a six-figure side pot to push his stack to 116,000.

On our way back from the poker room we noticed another player with a massive stack - Jason Nguyen is sitting on 147,000.

Player Chips Progress
Jason Nguyen us
Jason Nguyen
147,000
Ryan Mangan
Ryan Mangan
116,000

No Sir Ree Bob

Level 9 : 500/1,000, 100 ante

Bob White opened to 2,200 before the flop and found two callers, with all three tapping the table when the dealer fanned the {k-Hearts}{q-Hearts}{3-Spades}.

After the {5-Clubs} arrived on the turn White fired away with a 3,700 wager, and the opponent next to act popped it to 9,000. The third player in the hand got out of the way, leaving White to re-shove for 25,000.

His opponent tanked for a minute or so before making the crying call with {Q-Clubs}{J-Hearts}, finding himself drawing dead against White's {K-Clubs}{Q-Spades} for top two pair. The river blanked off with the {9-Hearts} and White built a decent stack to wield midway through Day 1c.

Player Chips Progress
Bob White
Bob White
74,000 74,000

Tags: Bob White

Level: 9

Blinds: 500/1,000

Ante: 100

Cooperstown

Level 8 : 400/800, 75 ante
Matt Cooper is all smiles after winning a huge pot
Matt Cooper is all smiles after winning a huge pot

We missed the action on this massive hand, but saw Matt Cooper dragging a massive haul his way and headed over to take a peek.

The final board read {J-}{10-}{2-}{6-} by the turn and Cooper was tangling with an opponent who was already all in. Cooper's {J-}{6-} was displayed in front his stack, good for a turned two pair, while his despondent opponent had a neutered {Q-}{Q-} laid out.

The river brought another {j-} for good measure, and with that one of the biggest pots of the day was pushed to Cooper.

Explaining his use of the lowly {j-}{6-} to dispatch the third best preflop hand in all of Hold'em, Cooper mentioned that his unfortunate opponent had just showed down {A-}{A-} the hand before. Therefore, Cooper did not give the man credit for another huge hand, and he went to war with the marginal holding.

Player Chips Progress
Matt Cooper
Matt Cooper
122,000 122,000

Tags: Matt Cooper

Karate KO'd

Level 8 : 400/800, 75 ante

"Thats how you do it!" Mike Santoro just shouted to a friend. "Get it in with kings against jacks and get out flopped."

Evidently, "Karate" Mike's opponent flopped a set of jacks, and Santoro was unable to hit a two-outer.

Player Chips Progress
Mike Santoro
Mike Santoro
Busted

Tags: Mike Santoro

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

Level 8 : 400/800, 75 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

Level: 8

Blinds: 400/800

Ante: 75

PokerNews Podcast Episode #210: Laying Down the Law feat. Matthew Kredell

Level 7 : 300/600, 75 ante
PokerNews Podcast Episode #210
PokerNews Podcast Episode #210

PokerNews contributor Matthew Kredell, who focuses on poker law and legislation, joins the podcast to talk about Sheldon Adelson, California, and much more. Also, Chad and Rich break down all of the latest news, talk about Chad's awful travel day, and give you the Weekly Winners.

You can subscribe to all three of the podcasts produced by PokerNews on iTunes here, or you can access the RSS feed here.

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Tags: PokerNews Podcast

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