Action is underway here at the Borgata Winter Poker Open's $1,000+90 six-man event. So far, about 200 players have registered. Players are being rewarded for paying a heftier buy in with the slowest structure yet. Though the starting stack is only 20,000, levels start out at 50 minutes each, moving to 60 at Level 11. We're scheduled to play down to 18 runners or until 2 a.m., whichever comes latest.
Updates will be sporadic from here for a bit, as we'll be focusing initial coverage on the Elite Eight of the heads-up event, but we'll start by bringing you some notable entrants.
After a short break, the field has returned for some more six-handed action. Stay tuned as PokerNews' live continuous coverage begins in earnest from the floor of the Borgata Winter Poker Open.
As we passed by Aaron Massey's table recently, the young touring pro who hits every stop on the circuit during his perpetual search for glory, he called us over to say hello. While relaying the details of his recent travels, Massey played a little poker too, never missing a beat while taking down two smallish pots.
First, Massey bet 275 into a single opponent with the flop reading . After a flat, the turn came and both players checked, with Massey moving his man off the pot by throwing a 1,000 his way.
Now beginning yet another conversation with a friend from the circuit, Massey told his buddy "don't worry man, I can talk... you know I can multitask!"
Doing just that, Massey raised preflop and c-bet the same opponent off when the flop came .
Matt Salsberg - best known as the writer and producer of the television dramedy Weeds - is in the house here today, as the Hollywood powerhouse and poker enthusiast tries his hand against the Borgata's best.
Matt Affleck is also here, and the experienced veteran - who made consecutive deep runs in the World Series of Poker Main Event in 2009 and 2010 - is sporting his signature Seattle sports jersey, rocking the Seahawks gear with his squad in the Super Bowl.
Matt Affleck is also here, and the experienced veteran - who made consecutive deep runs in the World Series of Poker Main Event in 2009 and 2010 - is sporting his signature Seattle sports jersey, rocking the Seahawks gear with his squad in the Super Bowl.
With the board reading by the turn, Anthony Maio's entire stack was moved into the middle. Maio, who made a deep run in this year's World Series of Poker's inaugural Millionaire Maker event to finish 33rd, was all in for his last 11,625.
His opponent to the direct left snap-shoved over the top to isolate, and after folds around the table each player revealed their holding.
Showdown:
Maio:
Opponent:
Maio had flopped a well-disguised set of deuces, but the other player's suited connectors had realized their potential in a big way, turning an up-and-down into a made straight, with flush and straight flush redraws to boot. The scene was set for a rumble, and both players went stomping headlong down fifth street swinging away.
River:
Maio had made his full house on the river to overcome the straight, and despite the deck cooperating with him through four board cards, the other player was forced to double a dangerous opponent.
Matt Affleck is playing today's six-max event while sporting a fresh #3 Russell Wilson jersey. After his last hand moved him to more than double the starting stack, Affleck is emulating another Seattle Seahawk superstar in running back Marhsawn Lynch- powering through the competition and refusing to be taken down.
We watched Affleck open the pot for a raise to 700 holding the button, with the big blind the lone player to come along. On the flop both players tapped the table, but when the turn card came Affleck fired out a 1,000 bet after another check to him. His opponent flatted and the river came , prompting a third check to Affleck, who responded with a bet of 2,200.
His opponent tanked for thirty seconds before ultimately making the crying call, but Affleck tabled to take the pot down. We watched Affleck earn two or three more uncontested pots with preflop raises, and he now sits with more than 46,000 for a great start to his first tournament of the Borgata Winter Poker Open.
During any coverage of an ongoing event like the Borgata Winter Poker Open, certain storylines seem to emerge from the ether, as formerly strange faces become more familiar as they make multiple deep runs.
Kuey currently sits on a stack of 48,450, good for more than double the starting stack midway through the day. Having already proven himself capable of outlasting the competition, Kuey is definitely a threat to put those chips to good use here today.
Snuffer let us know that his last 10,000 or so went into the middle when his connected for top pair on the flop. His opponent connected a little better though, and with a seven in the hole he sent Snuffer to the registration desk for a re-entry ticket.
"Gonna shoot another bullet at 'em..." said Snuffer as he shuffled past us once again. "Time for a table change!"