2014 Borgata Spring Poker Open

Event 5: $340 Seniors NLHE Reentry
Day: 1
Event Info

2014 Borgata Spring Poker Open

Final Results
Winner
Winning Hand
66
Prize
$14,656
Event Info
Buy-in
$300
Entries
197
Level Info
Level
25
Blinds
20,000 / 40,000
Ante
4,000

A Family Affair

Level 10 : 600/1,200, 200 ante
Joe Debonis
Joe Debonis

During our last excursion to the Borgata for the Winter Poker Open, we were witness to a touching scene in which a group of East Coast grinders memorialized one of their own.

Mike "Little Man" Sica was a beloved figure within Atlantic City card rooms - and indeed, throughout the entire poker world. Serving as a mentor on and off the felt, Sica helped to support in the development of many East Coast poker pros, including Will "The Thrill Faila," Michael Marder, Mike Dentale, Anthony Zinno, Michael Borovetz, and during the ceremony held in his honor back in January, each man took the stage to eulogize their friend.

Sica passed away on November 13th of last year, succumbing to cancer after a year-long struggle with the disease, and when he did poker lost one of it's consummate professionals.

Passing through the tournament floor recently, we caught up with Joe Debonis as he was counting up his massive stack - which held around 120,000 at the time. Debonis was Sica's nephew and he took the time to tell us a little more about the man who changed so many lives in the poker community during his career. Debonis' affection and admiration for his departed uncle was evident in his every word, and now that he has a big stack to work with, he will no doubt be looking to take this tourney down in honor of the "Little Man" so many local players knew and loved.

Tags: Joe DebonisMike Sica

En Garde

Level 8 : 400/800, 75 ante
Frank Ingardia
Frank Ingardia

Moments after folding {10-}{10-} face up to a strong reraise, an unfortunate player became attached to the lowly {2-Clubs}{6-Clubs} - ending his tournament in the process.

Frank Ingardia is glad he did, as he was the recipient of a 20,000-chip gift. Here's what we saw:

After Ingardia and another player limped in the pot, the man holding rages raised the action to 2,400. Ingardia came along for the ride, as did the other limper, and the flop fell {6-Hearts}{q-Diamonds}{q-Hearts}.

Having paired his six, the doomed player watched Ingardia and the third combatant knuckle the felt, and suddenly his last 20,000 chips were shoved forward. Ingardia was more than happy to snap the bet off with his {q-Clubs}{10-Clubs}, while the other player in the pot got out of the way, and with his man drawing dead, Ingardia watched the turn and river brick off to send the sizable pot his way.

Player Chips Progress
Frank Ingardia us
Frank Ingardia
45,000
45,000
45,000

Tags: Frank Ingardia

MyStack App Available for 2014 Borgata Spring Poker Open

Level 8 : 400/800, 75 ante
Update your own stack now!
Update your own stack now!

The PokerNews MyStack App is available for players here in the 2014 Borgata Spring Poker Open, allowing players to directly update their chip count on the PokerNews Live Reporting page for their friends and family to see.

You can download the app for iPhone or Android now to get started. Then, create a new PokerNews account or update your current one to start updating your status immediately. Your followers can see all the live action that you're involved in.

Be forewarned, however, any abuse of the app will result in account suspension or termination.

Late Registration and Reentry Period Closed

Level 7 : 300/600, 75 ante
The late registration and reentry period has ended for the Seniors
The late registration and reentry period has ended for the Seniors

With the close of Level 6 there now no more opportunities for late registration or reentry.

Tournament Director Tab Duchateau just announced an unofficial total of 197 entries for the event.

With 15 tables currently in play, that means there are about 150 players left in contention for the Borgata Spring Poker Open Seniors Championship.

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

Denny Gross Hits a Grand Slam

Level 6 : 200/400, 50 ante
Aces are back in the Seniors event
Aces are back in the Seniors event

We saw Denny Gross push last 2,500 or so forward with the final board reading {a-Diamonds}{6-Hearts}{2-Spades}{9-Diamonds}{6-Spades}.

His opponent tanked for a little while before flicking out the calling chips, and Gross immediately tabled his {A-Clubs}{A-Hearts} for essentially the nuts. The other player failed to produce quad sixes, and with that Gross doubled through to put himself back in contention.

Player Chips Progress
Denny Gross
Denny Gross
11,000
11,000
11,000

Tags: Denny Gross

A Gala Affair

Level 5 : 150/300, 25 ante
James Woods
James Woods

The Seniors event has added actor and longtime poker player James Woods to the field, as he continues to play the majority of events on the schedule here at the Borgata Spring Poker Open.

Good-natured and gregarious as always, Woods said hello before commenting that he wanted to play the Ladies Event as well.

When reminded that another man had already crashed that party, the quick-witted Woods didn't skip a beat before replying "that's alright, we're all gonna pants him on the break!"

Player Chips Progress
James Woods us
James Woods
15,000

Timothy Little in the House

Level 3 : 75/150, 0 ante
Timothy Little
Timothy Little

Throughout our time covering tournaments we've come to know Timothy Little as a genuine fellow always ready with a smile and a story.

Little was a regular sight during the latter stages of events at the Borgata Winter Poker Open, and we even ran into him during a brief stop at the HPO Charles Town Regional Championship.

Little's love for the game is apparent in both his consistency and his conduct on the felt, as he never allows the swingy nature of the game dictate his emotions. Calm and cool no matter the situation, Little has quickly become a familiar face among the masses, and one we're glad to see here today.

Player Chips Progress
Timothy Little us
Timothy Little
15,000
-525
-525

Tags: Timothy Little

The Only Hand They Play

Level 2 : 50/100, 0 ante
Seniors love to fly American Airlines
Seniors love to fly American Airlines

The flop showed {8-Spades}{j-Spades}{5-Spades} when we sauntered past Bob Kerzman's table, and he was contesting a pot from the big blind against two opponents. After the player first to act led out for 250, Kerzman raised to 600 even and both opponents came along for the ride.

Demonstrating the typically passive play that punctuates Seniors events, the trio then tapped the table on the turn ({9-Clubs}) and river {(4c}).

The player in the cutoff announced "jack" while tabling his {Q-Hearts}{j-Hearts}, but Kerzman rolled over his {A-Diamonds}{A-Clubs} to claim the pot. The third player in the hand flashed his {A-Spades}{10-Clubs} to the table while mucking, meaning that a three-way pot involving aces, top pair and the nut flush draw saw a single bet and raise, before being checked through the river.

Player Chips Progress
Bob Kerzman
Bob Kerzman
19,000

Tags: Bob Kerzman

The Italian Stallion

Level 2 : 50/100, 0 ante
Onofrio Reina
Onofrio Reina

Last January at the Borgata Winter Poker Open we watched Italian native Onofrio Reina make an impressive run, reaching the final three tables of the WPT Main Event Championship before falling in 24th place.

Reina is here today competing in the Seniors event, looking to get a bit of practice in before the bigger buy-in events he prefers begin later in the week. We've seen Reina playing multiple events thus far here at the Spring Poker Open, so he should be in playing shape while he dukes it out against the old guard.

Player Chips Progress
Onofrio Reina
Onofrio Reina
15,000
15,000
15,000

Tags: Onofrio Reina