2014 Borgata Winter Poker Open

Brian Hewitt took down a 64-player bracket to win the $1,650 Heads-Up No-Limit Hold'em even here at Borgata Winter Poker Open. His efforts netted him a cool $37,248. He topped a field that included notable runners Matt Stout, Christian Harder, Adam Friedman, Joe Mckeehen, Aaron Massey, Nick Guagenti, Matt Matros, Aaron Steury, David Einhorn, John Racener, Dan Buzgon, Kevin Eyster, Andy Hwang, and Alex Queen. Remarkably, Hewitt pulled off the win without dropping a single game in the best-of-three format.

Stout, Joseph Stiers, Torrey Korsog, Ernie Lewis, Steve Sarmiento, James Routos, Adam Shulman, and Hewitt made the final eight and the money and came back for Day 2. It was Lewis, Sarmiento, Hewitt and Stiers advancing, before Hewitt topped Sarmiento and Stiers bested Lewis, both 2-0.

Hewitt finished off the tournament in style, spiking a set with nines against Stiers' sixes on the final hand. Hewitt's previous best cash was for just over $1,000. All of his live cashes have come here at the Borgata.

As for Stiers, it was his second runner-up finish, after he cashed for $6,266 in a Pot-Limit Omaha tournament a few days ago.

Tags: Aaron MasseyAaron SteuryAdam FriedmanAdam ShulmanAlex QueenAndy HwangBrian HewittChristian HarderDan BuzgonDavid EinhornErnie LewisJames RoutosJoe MckeehenJohn RacenerJoseph StiersKevin EysterMatt MatrosMatt StoutNick GuagentiSteve SarmientoTorrey Korsog

Joseph Stiers shoved from the button and Brian Hewitt called.

Hewitt:
Stiers:

It was all but over after the flop left Stiers needing runner-runner. A turn left him with a prayer, but the river was a , and Hewitt polished off the 2-0 victory.

Player	Chips	Progress
Brian Hewitt	20,000
Joseph Stiers	Busted

Tags: Brian HewittJoseph Stiers

On Friday, the New Jersey State Police and the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) announced that 2.7 million in counterfeit chips from Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa were discovered in a clogged sewer pipe at Harrah's Resort and Casino last weekend.

Prior to the blockage, the Borgata Winter Poker Open $2 Million Guarantee was suspended, and ultimately cancelled, after the staff discovered counterfeit chips.

An investigation revealed that Christian Lusardi, 42, was staying in the room where the pipes were clogged. Police say that Lusardi, who entered Day 2 of the event with the chip lead, introduced the counterfeits into the tournament multiple times. He was eliminated on Day 2, earning only "$6,814" according to The Press of Atlantic City.

"We are very pleased that the New Jersey State Police Casino Gaming Bureau has apprehended a suspect in connection with the counterfeit chip activity that compromised Event 1 of the Borgata Poker Open," Borgata senior vice president Joe Lupo told the Associated Press. "While this is a very positive development, the investigation by the (Division of Gaming Enforcement) and the state police is ongoing."

The DGE is unsure what will be done with the remaining 27 players and the unpaid prize pool.

"The division is committed to ensuring confidence and integrity in all gaming operations and will continue to work with Borgata and the New Jersey State Police until this case is closed," it said in a statement.

Lusardi left Harrah's last weekend and a warrant was issued, charging him with rigging a publicly exhibited contest, criminal attempt, and theft by deception. He was found at an undisclosed motel in Atlantic City on Friday, and was taken to the Atlantic County Justice Facility. His bail is set at $300,000.

This isn't Lusardi's first run in with authorities. In 2008, in his hometown of Fayetteville, North Carolina, his house was raided in an illegal gambling bust. He was charged with gambling and illegal alcohol sales.

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***Article written by Rich Ryan and published on PokerNews.com January 24th, 2014***

Tags: Christian Lusardi

Brian Hewitt checked a flop, and Joseph Stiers fired 600. Hewitt tossed out 3,000, and Stiers thought for about a minute before placing all of his chips in the middle. Hewitt called the last few thousand.

Hewitt:
Stiers:

Hewitt was ahead, but a opened up the possibility of a chop. The river was a , though, and Hewitt grabbed a 1-0 lead in this final best-of-three.

Tags: Brian HewittJoseph Stiers

The final is set.

Brian Hewitt bet 1,100 into a board of . Steve Sarmiento raised to 3,400, and Hewitt made the call. Hewitt checked the turn, and Sarmiento shipped all in. Hewitt called immediately.

Hewitt:
Sarmiento:

Sarmiento needed a 10, and he didn't get it when the river came a . Hewitt moves on to face Joseph Stiers in the finals, while Sarmiento's impressive run ends in third.

Player	Chips	Progress
Brian Hewitt	20,000
Steve Sarmiento	Busted

Tags: Brian HewittSteve Sarmiento

Joseph Stiers just made short work of Ernie Lewis for a 2-0 victory.

According to the dealer, on the second hand of play, Stiers managed to get 2,500 in preflop with and the flop came . After Stiers bet, Lewis shoved all in with , and Stiers called him, making quads on the river for the overkill.

Stiers now awaits the winner of Steve Sarmiento and Brian Hewitt's match.

Player	Chips	Progress
Joseph Stiers	20,000
Ernie Lewis	Busted

Tags: Joseph StiersSteve Sarmiento

Joseph Stiers called an all-in move from Ernie Lewis on a board. Stiers held , while Lewis has for an inferior pair. Stiers' hand held up on the river, and the two players are taking a short break in between matches after some testiness when Stiers wouldn't agree to a break mid-game.

Tags: Joseph StiersErnie Lewis

Adam Shulman got his last 9,000 or so in preflop against Ernie Lewis.

Lewis:
Shulman:

Everything looked gold for a Shulman double when the first four cards came . The arrived on the river, however, giving Lewis the winning hand. He'll now play Joseph Stiers for a spot in the finals.

Tags: Adam ShulmanErnie Lewis

Matt Stout checked and called a bet of 1,600 on a flop of . Both players checked the turn, and Stout fired out 2,000 on the river. Steve Sarmiento thought for a bit before raising to 5,400. Stout made the call, and Sarmiento showed for a flopped straight and turned flush.

Stout was down to 7,600 at that point with blinds at 400-800, and he was eliminated a short time later in a hand we didn't see.

Sarmiento, who won 2-0 to end an undefeated run by Stout, will face Brian Hewitt in the Final Four. Sarmiento will need to end another unbeaten streak, this one 8-0, in order to make the finals.

Tags: Matt StoutSteve Sarmiento

The World Poker Tour Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship is just two days away, and for the first time ever PokerNews will be providing live coverage of the tournament straight from the luxurious Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City.

The flagship event on the Borgata Winter Poker Open schedule will run from Jan. 26-31. The tournament features a buy-in of $3,500 with two starting flights and a $3 million guaranteed prize pool. Re-entry will be available on Day 1a for those who are eliminated before Level 6, and players eliminated on Day 1a may also re-enter on Day 1b.

For those on the fence about putting up $3,500 to play, there's still plenty of time to qualify via a satellite tournament. Borgata is hosting several live qualifiers on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, offering players a chance to win a seat to the WPT event for a fraction of the buy-in. You can also learn more at TheBorgata.com

Here's a look at the qualifier schedule this weekend:

Tags: BorgataBorgata Winter Poker OpenWorld Poker TourWPT