Online legend Steve "gboro780" Gross is in the house, and we noticed him shoving over an under-the-gun limper in a recent hand. Everyone at the table folded, and Gross collected the small pot.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
61,000
61,000
|
61,000 |
|
||
After more than 2,000 entries were recorded during Day 1B, only 460 or so players still have chips to play with. A total of 202 players made it through yesterday's flight, so we expect the number to drop a bit as the last two levels of play continue.
The 15th level of play has arrived, and with it the blinds have escalated to 1,500-3,000 with a 400 ante.
Nick Guagenti has gained considerable stackage since we last took note of him. In a recent hand, he three-bet to 13,800 from the small blind after the cutoff opened to 4,800. The player thought for a considerable amount of time before making the call. The flop came down 
, and Guagenti saw no reason not to continuation-bet; he made it 15,500 to go. His opponent tanked for about two minutes before letting his hand go.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
187,000
156,700
|
156,700 |
|
|
||
We sat down with Vince Alonge during the recent break to discuss the current state of affairs when it comes to the Borgata’s poker operations. Alonge made sure to let us know that the Borgata is “the undisputed leader in Atlantic City gaming, combining the most modern facilities, gourmet restaurants and other non-gaming experiences with the most comprehensive poker action in the state.”
Asked about the ongoing $2 million guaranteed tournament, Alonge expressed supreme confidence that the pledge will be met, mentioning the incredible turnout through the first two flights.
Alonge continued by saying “we expect to meet and exceed our guarantee, just as we did in September during the Borgata Poker Open, as well as our seasonal events. For the Fall Poker Open, we needed 2,000 entries to satisfy the $1 million guarantee, and we had 2,900 or so.”
During our discussion, Alonge continually expressed his view that the Borgata remains “the premier property in Atlantic City, having built a recognized brand and a sterling reputation among the poker community.” With over 28 years in the gaming industry, Alonge would know better than most, and his passion for the Borgata’s poker offerings was evident in his every word.
“We reward our players here at the Borgata better than anywhere else, from comping rooms to providing superior customer service. The non-gaming aspect of our property really pushes us over the top, because players can come for a game of poker, and even if they run bad at the tables, they can have a great time at one of our world class restaurants or take in a show at our comedy club.”
Alonge was also quick to point out that players at the Borgata can also “play while they play,” as the casino’s newly launched online gaming venue allows them to pull out an iPad and hit the virtual felt while still competing in live cash games or tournaments.
All told, poker at the Borgata is healthy and thriving, combining New Jersey’s emerging online gaming industry with what has been the best live poker venue in the state for over 10 years.
As the blinds continue to escalate in the 14th level of play (1,200-2,400-300), many players are being forced to move their chips or succumb to the slow death brought on by the unrelenting barrage of blinds.
Fortunately for Weiyi Mo, two opponents did just that when she woke up with the mother of all poker hands: 
.
After calling both player's all-in bets, Mo found herself in a fortuitous spot, with her pocket rockets up against 
and 
.
When the flop fell 
, Mo's lead in the hand was lengthened significantly, as neither opponent found a piece. The 
on the turn provided a glimmer of hope to one player, but that window quickly closed when the 
dropped in on the river. After notching the double knockout, Mo climbed to over 130,000 in chips, good for about 65 big blinds at the moment.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
135,000
135,000
|
135,000 |
We haven't seen Andy Hwang, Dan Heimiller or John D'Agostino in the room in some time, so believe they've been eliminated from the tournament.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
Busted | |
|
Busted | |
|
Busted | |
|
||
The 2014 Borgata Winter Poker Open is underway here in Atlantic City, New Jersey, kicking off with a $560 no-limit hold’em reentry event on Tuesday, Jan. 14. 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.
Our exclusive coverage of the Borgata Winter Poke Open kicks off when play begins on Jan. 14, so be sure to tune in for all of the live updates! And if you're participating in the series, don't forget that you can update your chip stack whenever you want using the PokerNews My Stack App.
For a full schedule and more information about the venue, visit theborgata.com.
Get all the latest PokerNews updates on your social media outlets. Follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook now!
***Article written by PokerNews' Pamela Maldonado, and originally published on January 13th.
With the tournament entering the latter stages of Day 1B, there are now quite a few big stacks sprinkled throughout the room.
None are bigger than that owned by Christian Lusardi, however, as the local grinder has built up to more than 350,000. To put that in perspective, yesterday's chip leader at the end of 16 levels of play held 372,000 when bagging and tagging began.
Lusardi has nearly eclipsed that mark at the start of Level 13, but as he wisely told us as we counted down his towers, "There's still a lot of play left."
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
360,000
360,000
|
360,000 |
Attention poker players: PokerNews has activated the MyStack App for this event, allowing you to directly adjust your chip counts in our live reporting blog using your iPhone or Android phone.
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.
Click here to download the My Stack app for iPhone, or click here to download the My Stack app for Android.
Be forewarned, however, that any abuse of the app will result in account suspension or termination.
We look forward to your updates!
