2014 Borgata Winter Poker Open

After more than 14 hours of grueling action on the felt, Day 2 of the Borgata Winter Poker Open's first event has come to a close. When it was all said and done, Allard Broedelet emerged as the chip leader, bagging and tagging 10,315,000. He is trailed closely by experienced circuit grinder and accomplished tournament pro Nick Guagenti, who ended the night with 9,745,000. Other big stacks include Joel Gola (5,650,000), Jesse Letchworth (5,610,000), and Kevin Choe (5,110,000).

Online sicko and live tournament beast Darren Elias managed to bag and tag 2,145,000 to give himself a shot at another major score. With more than $1.5 million in live earnings, Elias will be one of the most experienced players in the field when play resumes tomorrow.

A number of notable names managed to navigate the minefield that comes with such a large field, including 2005 WSOP Main Event runner-up Steve Dannenmann, seven-time World Series of Poker gold bracelet winner Men "The Master" Nguyen, and actor James Woods, but each fell short before the chips were bagged and tagged.

Guagenti managed to knock out both Nguyen and Dannenmann late in the night. First, Dannenmann came over the top of an opening raise for an all-in move, but Guagenti gave no hesitation before making it a third ship.

Dannenmann:
Guagenti:

The board ran out , keeping Guagenti's pair on top, and sending one of the nicest player's in poker to the rail.

Next, the man known to the poker world as "The Master" shoved his last 800,000 into the middle with , and Guagenti snap-called with . Nguyen failed to improve and his tournament was over mere minutes before play ended for the night.

A total of 4,814 entries were recorded over the event's three starting flights, creating a massive prize pool of $2,325,835 to easily surpass the Borgata's $2 million guarantee. The eventual winner will take home $372,123, and for a $560 buy-in, this tournament offered players incredible bang for their buck.

Check back with PokerNews tomorrow at noon local time to follow along as 27 players play their way to the final table, and the Borgata Winter Poker Open crowns its first champion.

Tags: Allard BroedeletDarren EliasJames WoodsJoe GolaMen NguyenNick GuagentiSteve Dannenmann

According to Nick Guagenti, Men Nguyen shoved his last 800,000 into the middle with , and Guagenti snap-called with . Nguyen didn't improve, and his tournament is over.

Player	Chips	Progress
Nick Guagenti	10,000,000	800,000
Men Nguyen	Busted

Tags: Men NguyenNick Guagenti

Sangho Yi pushed all in from early position, and Steve Dannenmann came over the top all in from middle position. Nick Guagenti, in the small blind, gave no hesitation before making it a third ship. The big blind folded.

Yi:
Dannenmann:
Guagenti:

The board ran out , keeping Guagenti's pair on top.

Player	Chips	Progress
Nick Guagenti	9,200,000	3,200,000
Sangho Yi	Busted
Steve Dannenmann	Busted

Tags: Nick GuagentiSangho YiSteve Dannenmann

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.

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

Article written by PokerNews' Pamela Maldonado

Walter White fired 500,000 on the end after Joe Gola checked to him on a board of . Gola came back over the top for 2 million total, and White called instantly.

White:
Gola:

Gola's bigger boat collected one of the biggest pots we've seen.

Player	Chips	Progress
Joe Gola	8,750,000	5,350,000
Walter White	900,000	-4,550,000

Tags: Joe GolaWalter White

We didn't catch the exact action, but Allard Broedelet got Coleem Chestnut, who spent a sizable stretch of the night as the chip leader, all in on a flop.

Chestnut:
Broedelet:

Broedelet's flopped straight was best, and he needed only to dodge a diamond. The turn and river brought no diamonds, and Broedelet has taken over as massive stack.

Player	Chips	Progress
Allard Broedelet	5,000,000
Coleem Chestnut	Busted

Tags: Coleem Chestnut

There are now six tables remaining in Event 2, the $500 Black Chip Bounty Re-Entry event.

A total of fifty players remain and the average stack is approximately 184,500.

Robert "Uncle Krunk" Panitch, who you may remember from his 3rd place finish at the WSOP Circuit National Championship Main Event last year, is still in contention.

Tags: Robert Panitch

Men Nguyen raised to 155,000 under the gun, and the cutoff and big blind both called him.

The cutoff led out with 320,000 after the flop, and Nguyen almost beat him into the pot with his whole stack. The cutoff folded, and the big blind called the last few chips.

Nguyen:
Big blind:

Nguyen was miles ahead, and the ended matters on the turn. Nguyen pumped both fists in celebration.

"Triple up, baby," he said as he scooped up his newfound chips.

Player	Chips	Progress
Men Nguyen	1,250,000	800,000

Tags: Men Nguyen

A lucrative tournament series always causes cash game grinders to exit their element, and the Borgata Winter Poker Open is no different.

Coleem Chestnut fits that bill, as he has five years of poker under his belt but only a couple of years of tournament experience. He laughs as he recalls the first time he tried his hand at tournament poker, which resulted in a final table.

"I busted in 9th," he said, replaying the exact action of a lost ace-king-against-jacks flip. "I was heartbroken. I couldn't get out of bed for two days."

The proud Brooklyn native estimated he spends 80 percent of his poker hours playing cash games, mainly 2-5 with some 5-10 mixed in. When the 35-year-old does dip his toes into tournament waters, Borgata is his favorite destination. The atmosphere, in particular, stands out, he said.

"The crowd is great," he said. "You've got a mix of celebrity players and regular players."

Chestnut has logged time at the tables with actor James Woods and Miles Austin of the Dallas Cowboys. His best celebrity experience, though, was playing against Jahri Evans, offensive tackle for the New Orleans Saints.

"I stacked him several times in a cash game," Chestnut said. "He was throwing money around, it was awesome."

The session turned out to be his biggest cash win, as he turned his $500 buy in into $9,700.

As for the rest of the tournament series, Chestnut said he's eyeing six or seven more events, including contemplating a shot at the main event.

"I haven't made a decision yet," he said.

Tags: Coleem ChestnutJahri EvansJames WoodsMiles Austin

Luis Vazquez lost the majority of his chips to a player who made a straight with queen-jack. A few hands later, he got all in before the flop.

Vazquez:
Opponent:

Vazquez went back to his flip-losing ways, as the board ran out

Player	Chips	Progress
Luis Vazquez	Busted

Tags: Luis Vazquez