Level: 14
Blinds: 1,200/2,400
Ante: 300
2014 Borgata Winter Poker Open
Event 15: $200,000 Guarantee Six-Max NLHE Re-Entry
Day: 1
Event Info
Final Results
Event Info
Level Info
2014 Borgata Winter Poker Open
Buy-in
$1,000
Prize Pool
$361,810
Entries
373
Level
26
Blinds
20,000 / 40,000
Ante
4,000
Zohair Karim Chips Up
![[user253757]](/img/avatars/avatar.svg){kind=avatar}
Level 13
: 1,000/2,000, 300 ante
Three players saw a flop of 
, including veteran tournament grinders Alex Queen and Zohair Karim.
Holding the button, Karim fired out a bet of 5,700 when the action checked around to him, and when both Queen and the other player flatted a sizable pot began to swell.
The turn card came 
and both players tapped the table once again, prompting a moment of deliberation from Karim while he cut out a stack of 14,800 and moved it forward. The aggression worked wonders, and after two quick folds Karim increased his chip stack without having to show his hand.
Nine Tables Left
Level 13
: 1,000/2,000, 300 ante
Just 54 players remain in contention for the $88,643 payday awaiting for the winner of Event 15 ($200,000 Guaranteed Six-Max NLHE Re-Entry).
The money bubble will burst when the 37th place player is sent packing, and the expectation from tournament officials is that play will conclude shortly thereafter.
Ten Tables Left
Level 13
: 1,000/2,000, 300 ante
There are just 10 tables left in play, which means 60 players still have chips to play with here in Event 15 ($200,000 Guaranteed Six-Max NLHE Re-Entry).
The average stack is currently 124,000 and the blinds are set at 1,000-2,000 with a 300 ante.
Never Trust a Pretty Face
Level 13
: 1,000/2,000, 300 ante
Anthony Pagan has been talkative throughout the night, his gregarious nature no doubt influenced by a growing chip stack. Seemingly on every pass through the tournament floor, we've heard the young player making casual banter with anyone willing to listen.
Pagan's latest conversation, however, might not be what it seems. Seated to the right of Amanda Musumeci - she of nearly $1 million in live tourney earnings, including a runner-up performance here last night for $17,214 - Pagan was overheard asking about the professional's experience with poker.
"My dad bought me into this, so..." answered Musumeci, obviously amused at the chance to go incognito for a change. "I mean, he taught me how to play, so I know what I'm doing."
"Very cool, that's what's up..." said Pagan, blissfully unaware that he was playing out of position against one of the best players in the room. "This is fun, huh?"
Musumeci continued her effort at concealment, flashing a knowing wink as we passed by and stringing Pagan along the whole time.
Should the friendly banter between Pagan and the neighbor he doesn't recognize eventually end, there's no need to worry, as he can always turn the other way and strike up a conversation with Andy Hwang.
After all, the man with his name already etched in the World Poker Tour Champions Cup shining down from a nearby podium doesn't stand out too much in a crowd.
Maybe he'll tell Pagan he's in town for a convention, and just thought a poker tournament looked like a fun thing to try out.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
165,000 | 165,000 |
|
83,500 | -20,500 |
|
61,200 | -24,200 |
Level: 13
Blinds: 1,000/2,000
Ante: 300
What Yu Talkin' Bout Willis?
Level 12
: 800/1,600, 300 ante
With the blinds currently set at 800-1,600 with a 200 ante, the standard opening raise is between 3,600 and 4,000.
Not for Daesun Yu. He decided to open-shove for about 62,000 recently - good for an overbet of about 39 big blinds with no action before him.
The extreme power play drew a few raised eyebrows from Yu's tablemates, but each of them folded dutifully to send the pot his way. Their eyebrows stayed elevated though, as Yu tabled 
triumphantly as the pot was pushed to him.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
67,000 | 67,000 |
Level: 12
Blinds: 800/1,600
Ante: 300
Back From Break
Level 11
: 600/1,200, 200 ante
Cards are back in the air here at the Borgata Winter Poker Open
Premature Premonition
Level 11
: 600/1,200, 200 ante
After raising to 2,400 before the flop, Joey Couden watched Ian Davis and another player both flatted. Before Davis had called, however, Couden leaned into the dealer and said "come on man," although to the man pitching the cards, Couden's tablemates and even the trained ear of this reporter, the words sounded more like "I'm all in then."
"Nah man," Couden told the dealer. "I don't want you calling me all in..."
Davis eventually called the bet though, and after the dealer's confusion at the comment was sorted out, a flop of 
appeared on board. When it was checked to him Couden fired away with a 3,600 c-bet, but Davis raised the action to 9,000 even.
Couden didn't hesitate before sliding a stack forward for the 21,000 three-bet, and Davis beat him to the pot for his last 43,800 while tabling 
for top pair. The 
was Couden's holding and he needed any ace or diamond to take the pot and increase his chip lead.
River: 
"What?" asked Couden as the deck failed to deliver. "I lost? That hasn't happened yet..."
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
171,000 | -46,600 |