Borgata Winter Poker Open Side Events
Day 3 Completed
2014 Borgata Winter Poker Open
Borgata Winter Poker Open Side Events
Day: 5
Event 3: Joe Mckeehen Takes the Title and $69,808 in 1st Place Prize Money
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Joe Mckeehen just took down another big time poker tournament in Atlantic City, after capturing every chip in play at Event 3 of the 2014 Borgata Winter Poker Open. Mckeehen's 
held up over the 
tabled by Dimitrious "Jimmy" Goranitis to take the title.
Mckeehen, who had $664,637 in live tournament winnings before adding another five-figure haul to his record, played a patient and steady game throughout the two-day event, and it was evident that he was one of the more skilled players in the room.
With a WSOP Circuit ring to his credit already, and numerous large cashes throughout a poker career that has spanned just over three years, Mckeehen is already the 26th ranked player on Pennsylvania's all-time money list, and after today's sterling performance on the felt, we wouldn't be shocked to see him top that list in the near future.
Dimitrious "Jimmy" Goranitis Eliminated in 2nd Place ($39,246)
After battling back from a crippling blow earlier in the night, one which left him on life support, Dimitrious "Jimmy" Goranitis found a way to persevere, fighting his way to a heads-up contest against Joe Mckeehen.
In the end though, Goranitis was unable to get over the hump, and despite pulling even multiple times in the match he couldn't quite take the lead.
Goranitis finally succumbed to Mckeehen's relentless pressure, when his fell short against Mckeehen's . The final board rolled out with four diamonds, giving Mckeehen a flush to seal his second major Atlantic City tournament title.
For his runner-up finish, Gorantis took home $39,246, along with the story of a lifetime for the home game player and restaurateur.
Event 6: Bagged and Tagged
H.O.R.S.E. players have bagged up for the night with 16 runners left. Leading the way is Laurence Wolf with 268,000. Others who collected over 200,000 on the day were Chris Tryba (236,000), Shawn Ryan (219,000) and David Arsht (216,000). Play will reconvene tomorrow.
Event 3: Raise and Take, Raise and Take
The marathon heads-up match between Joe Mckeehen and Dimitrious "Jimmy" Goranitis has devolved into a war of attrition.
Hand after hand has being contested at a minimal level, with both players reluctant to risk a chunk of their chips on a single hand.
The result has been a slow but steady contest between two competent players, with no major actions hands to report.
Event 6: Stevens Bubbles
Texas Hold'em
Matt Stevens tossed his last 13,000 from the cutoff, and both blinds called him.
The flop came down 
. Both blinds checked, then the small blind bet the 
. The big blind called, and both checked the 
.
Stevens turned over 
, but the small blind had flopped a straight with 
. The big blind announced two pair, so Stevens' aces had ended up third-best.
We're now in the money, and the final 18 players will be playing with bets of 10,000-20,000.
Event 6: Bubble
Omaha Eight-or-Better
Nineteen players remain with bets at 8,000-16,000. David Arsht brought us to the bubble in a recent hand.
Arsht bet the turn with the board reading 
. His opponent on the button raised his last 1,000. Arsht needled his opponent a bit about considering a fold before calling.
"Now, don't slowroll me," the button said.
Arsht: 
Button: 
The river didn't help the button, and Arsht's nut low with trips for high took the whole pot.
"I lost, right?" the button deadpanned.
"Of course you lost," Arsht replied.
Ouch.
Event 3: Heads-Up Battle Between Joe Mckeehen and Dimitrious "Jimmy" Goranitis
With the recent elimination of Abdul Amer, we are now heads-up here in Event 3 ($560 Deep Stack No-Limit Hold'em).
Joe Mckeehen, a WSOP Circuit ring winner from last year's Caesar's Main Event Championship, currently holds a comfortable chip lead over Dimitrious "Jimmy" Goranitis, but as everybody knows by now, one double up can change everything.
We learned from Goranitis' nephew Phil Tsepelias, who is on hand to provide moral support, that the native of Sparta, Greece is known as "Mr. Milano" to friends and family, and that the distinctive moniker is based on the name of the restaurant Goranitis owns and operates.
The two players have stood to stretch for a 10-minute break, and play will resume shortly as another champion is crowned at the 2013 Borgata Winter Poker Open.
Event 3: Abdul Amer Eliminated in 3rd Place ($25,230)
Abdul Amer was recently eliminated in 3rd place, falling to Joe Mckeehen in what appeared to all who observed the hand to be a bad beat on the river.
Mckeehen flopped top pair with 
on a jack-high flop, but a third jack on the river improved his hand immensely.
After Amer got his chips in the middle and discovered the bad news, he told Mckeehen that he needed to hit the fortunate river card, suggesting that he held an overpair to the board.
Despite being bounced from the tournament on a brutal river beat, Amer will likely be in good spirits soon, as he pocketed $25,230 for his deep run here at the Borgata.
Event 6: 22 Left
Twenty-two players remain in contention in the H.O.R.S.E. tournament, and bets are now 6,000-12,000.