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Richard Gargel at the Final Table of the 2014 Borgata Winter Poker Open Seniors Event
When Richard Gargel was young and first learning the gambler's lifestyle, he had a role model who showed him the way.
"My family were gamblers," he said. "They love the horses."
Gargel said his uncle Johnny showed him what to do when he was fortunate enough to book a nice win.
"I take 40 percent and spend it on my family," he said. "I take 10 percent and spend it on myself. And I take the other 50 percent and add it to my poker stash."
That philosophy allows him to share his wins with loved ones while also adding a little bit to his bankroll. Gargel, who described himself as a recreational player who averages about a session per week, finds himself four-handed in the $340 Seniors event. His family and his bankroll will be enjoying the spoils of his success here soon.
The Brigantine, N.J., native said he plays a little bit of cash but focuses most of his poker time on tournaments. He particularly enjoys the seniors events.
"I love them," he said, adding that he missed the last two here at Borgata due to family commitments. "It's different, it's a lot of fun. There's more laughs."
Not that he doesn't enjoy a more serious competition. On the contrary, if he can score a big cash here at the Winter Poker Open, he plans to parlay that into a buy-in to the World Series of Poker Main Event. He's never been there, and he hopes to take $15,000 or so to Las Vegas next summer. First, he has to rake in a big cash here, and his voice trailed off as he thought of the possibilities.
Steve Saklad got all in preflop against Richard Gargel.
Saklad:
Gargel:
Gargel had a slight lead, and he stayed in front on the flop. The turn card was an interesting one: , giving Saklad an open-ender and a chop if a diamond hit the board. The river brought a though, and Saklad was done in 4th.
Jenni Chang found a pocket pair early in the ten-handed final table, and with her stack already short, she moved all in hoping for the best.
Unfortunately for Chang, her was no good against Dawn Wilnow and her . A clean board ran out and Chang stood to hug Wilnow before heading out to collect her prize money.
The blinds are now 20,000-40,000 with a 2,000 ante.
With the current stacks everyone is playing pretty shallow at this point, so we expect the action to begin picking up after a lengthy period of smallish pots and slow action.
Richard Gargel pushed all in after a flop of against Alan Sansone. Sansone thought for a bit, picked up his stack of chips, and slapped it down on the felt past the line.
"You got a spade?" he asked.
"Nope," Gargel replied.
"Good."
Gargel:
Sansone:
"Keep it red," Gargel said. The dealer didn't, but a worked for him. So did a river, and Sansone, who had won numerous all ins on the river, finally had run out of luck.
Natale Kuey pushed all in from the button, and Richard Gargel made the call.
Gargel:
Kuey:
"Ah, Natale," Gargel said, seemingly ready to double his friend up.
The flop brought some more outs for Gargel though: .
"Oh!" Gargel exclaimed as the dealer placed the on the board. The river wasn't the out Kuey needed, and Gargel called him over for a conciliatory embrace.
Richard Gargel outlasted a field of 271 runners to claim a $22,080 first-place prize in the $340 Seniors No-Limit Hold'em event. The tournament began at 9 a.m, and Gargel finished it off here at about 3:30 a.m. with king-jack against jacks. With the win, he nearly tripled his live tournament career winnings of $8,235.
Gargel eliminated the final three opposing runners one by one to bag both the trophy pictured and the top prize.
Gargel now has some ammo to both pursue his poker goals and treat his family, as detailed in our earlier profile.
flop. The turn card was an interesting one: 
, giving Saklad an open-ender and a chop if a diamond hit the board. The river brought a 
though, and Saklad was done in 4th.
was no good against Dawn Wilnow and her 
. A clean board ran out and Chang stood to hug Wilnow before heading out to collect her prize money.
against Alan Sansone. Sansone thought for a bit, picked up his stack of chips, and slapped it down on the felt past the line.
worked for him. So did a 
river, and Sansone, who had won numerous all ins on the river, finally had run out of luck.
on the board. The 
