2020 Borgata Winter Poker Open

$3,500 WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship
Day: 2
Event Info

2020 Borgata Winter Poker Open

Event Info
Buy-in
$3,500
Prize Pool
$4,129,290
Entries
1,290
Players Left
6
Average Chip Stack
8,600,000
Total Chips
51,600,000
Next Payout
Place 6
$143,264
Level Info
Level
30
Blinds
60,000 / 120,000
Ante
120,000
Players Info - Day 2
Entries
818
Players Left
174

Patrick Serda Leads Day 2 of the $3,500 WPT BWPO Championship

Level 16 : 3,000/5,000, 5,000 ante
Patrick Serda
Patrick Serda

Day 2 of the $3,500 WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship is in the books and it's Patrick Serda at the top of the chip counts with 994,000.

Brian Altman is right on his heels with 923,000 and Nathan Russler rounds out the top three chip stacks with 914,000.

There are plenty of players within striking distance of the chip leader including Abraham Korotki (788,000), Peter Vitantonio (782,000), Shawn Cunix (737,000), Larry Abrams (733,000) and Stephen Press (717,000).

Some of the other familiar faces that are advancing include Matt Glantz (673,000), Craig Varnell (642,000), Ari Engel (497,000) and Joe McKeehen (426,000).

A total of 174 players will return to the Event Center on Wednesday January 28 at 12:00 PM local time to resume play. A full list of day two chip counts and seating assignments will be posted before the start of play.

Tags: Abraham KorotkiAri EngelBrian AltmanCraig VarnellJoe McKeehenLarry AbramsMatt GlantzNathan RusslerPatrick SerdaPeter VitantonioShawn CunixStephen Press

Maloney Finds a Double

Level 16 : 3,000/5,000, 5,000 ante
Donald Maloney
Donald Maloney

Donald Maloney raised to 13,000 from the cutoff and the player in the small blind re-raised to 45,000. The big blind folded and Maloney moved all in for 124,000.

His opponent snap called turning over {a-Diamonds}{k-Clubs} but would need to improve against the {k-Hearts}{k-Diamonds} of Maloney.

The board ran out {10-Hearts}{6-Spades}{3-Spades}{9-Spades}{5-Spades} and Maloney's pocket kings held up to earn him the double up with less than one level of play left in the night.

Player Chips Progress
Donald Maloney us
Donald Maloney
WPT 1X Winner
258,000 183,000

Tags: Donald Maloney

Kovac's Turn at the Top

Level 16 : 3,000/5,000, 5,000 ante
Fikret Kovac
Fikret Kovac

The chips are flying in the Event Center and the money bubble is rapidly approaching. The field is thinning down and once again the chip lead has changed hands.

Fikret Kovac is now out in front with 840,000 and Borgata tournament regular Larry Abrams is right on his heels with 800,000.

Player Chips Progress
Fikret Kovac ba
Fikret Kovac
840,000 770,300
Lawrence Abrams us
Lawrence Abrams
800,000 768,500
Baitai Li us
Baitai Li
775,000 150,000
Patrick Serda ca
Patrick Serda
Day 3 Chip Leader
WPT 1X Winner
760,000 712,000
Brian Altman us
Brian Altman
WPT 3X Winner
750,000 5,000

Tags: Fikret KovacLarry Abrams

Li Takes the Lead

Level 15 : 2,000/4,000, 4,000 ante
Baitai Li
Baitai Li

The under the gun player raised to 10,000 and Baitai Li called from middle position. Zachary Gruneberg called from the small blind and they went three handed to the {k-Diamonds}{k-Clubs}{2-Spades} flop.

Gruneberg checked and the under the gun player bet 10,000. Li called and the dealer burned and turned the {7-Clubs}.

The player check-called a bet of 10,000 from Li and the {j-Hearts} completed the board. The player checked to Li who bet 30,000 and the player called.

Li turned over {2-Diamonds}{2-Hearts} for deuces full of kings and his opponent flashed his {a-Diamonds}{a-Hearts} before tossing them into the muck. Li took the pot and he now looks to be the chip leader with over 700,000.

Player Chips Progress
Baitai Li us
Baitai Li
710,000 545,900

Tags: Baitai LiZachary Gruneberg

Enter Email for Chance to Win FREE Borgata Spring Poker Open $2,700 Championship Event Seat

Level 14 : 1,500/3,000, 3,000 ante

The Borgata Spring Poker Open is slated to run April 7-24, 2020 and will culminate with a $2,700 buy-in Championship Event.

One lucky winner will get in for FREE courtesy of Oddschecker US!

All you need to do is enter your email for a chance to win. One lucky winner will be randomly selected and notified via email on Friday, January 31!

Click here for more details and to enter the Borgata Spring Poker Open Championship giveaway.

McKnight Shoves on Pillai

Level 15 : 2,000/4,000, 4,000 ante
Ryan McKnight
Ryan McKnight

Shankar Pillai raised to 10,000 from late position and Ryan McKnight called from the small blind. The big blind folded and Pillai called.

They went heads up to the {9-Diamonds}{6-Hearts}{5-Hearts} flop and McKnight continued with a bet of 22,000. Pillai called and the dealer burned and turned the {a-Diamonds}.

McKnight moved all in covering Pillai who had 75,000 behind and Pillai quickly folded.

Player Chips Progress
Ryan McKnight us
Ryan McKnight
440,000 349,900
Shankar Pillai us
Shankar Pillai
WSOP 2X Winner
75,000 54,500

Tags: Ryan McknightShankar Pillai

Jackson Doubles Up

Level 14 : 1,500/3,000, 3,000 ante
David Jackson
David Jackson

David Jackson has already won the Borgata Spring and Fall Editions of this event and is still in the running to add the Winter Title to his name.

The board read {6-Hearts}{8-Diamonds}{q-Hearts}{5-Spades} with 96,500 in the middle already. The player in the middle position checked and then tanked for a long time when David Jackson shoved for 56,500 from the late position. After a while, he called with {q-Clubs}{j-Clubs} while Jackson held {a-Spades}{a-Clubs}.

The board was completed with the {k-Spades} to keep Jackson ahead and double him up.

Player Chips Progress
David Jackson us
David Jackson
WSOP 1X Winner
209,500 116,500

Tags: David Jackson

MGM Properties Join Forces to Launch MGM East Coast Poker Tour (ECPT)

Level 14 : 1,500/3,000, 3,000 ante
MGM East Coast Poker Tour (ECPT)
MGM East Coast Poker Tour (ECPT)

There’s a new poker tour in town as a trio of MGM properties – MGM National Harbor, MGM Springfield, and Borgata – have joined forces to establish the MGM East Coast Poker Tour (ECPT).

The tour will consist of the following stops:

  • Potomac Winter Poker Open at MGM National Harbor February 5-17
  • Borgata Spring Poker Open April 7-24
  • Borgata Summer Poker Open July 7-24
  • Potomac Summer Poker Open at MGM National Harbor July 22-August 3
  • The Armory Classic at MGM Springfield August 12-24

“MGM Resorts offers players the best poker product on the East Coast,” said Jorge Perez, Portfolio President. “Our East Coast Poker Tour is a great way for us to showcase three of our industry-leading properties while creating an exciting tournament series for our guests and poker enthusiasts.”

The Points Leaderboard

Linking the five events will be a leaderboard where players can earn points by participating in any qualifying events.

Leaderboard prizes consist of the following: the top 90 finishers on the leaderboard will earn entry into Borgata Fall Poker Open/MGM Resorts East Coast Poker Tour $2,000,000 Guaranteed Championship on November 15-20, 2020 ($3,500 value) including complimentary overnight stays. Others can win $250 room credits, Cartier watch ($2,500 value) and $500 MGM Resorts promotional gift cards.

Players can earn points in a variety of ways including “Participation Points” for buying into tournaments, “Entry Points” based on field sizes, and “Placement Points” for making the final table. Click here for more details on the point system.

The leaderboard will be posted to MGMECPT.com and updated daily when qualifying events are occurring. Points for the leaderboard will be finalized on August 25, 2020.

Previewing the Potomac Winter Poker Open

The upcoming Potomac Winter Poker Open at MGM National Harbor, which runs from February 5-17, 2020, will offer over $1,000,000 in guarantees over 14 events. It marks the first time a winter edition of the PPO has been held to complement its annual late-summer series.

Highlights on the schedule include the $400 buy-in, $500,000 guaranteed Opener and the $3,000 buy-in, $500,000 guarantee Main Event. What’s more, PokerNews is slated to be on-site to offer live updates from both of those events as well as the $400 Large Stack BB Ante from February 12-13.

Below is a look at the full schedule.

2020 Potomac Winter Poker Open Schedule

DateTimeEventBuy-inStarting Chips
Wednesday, February 55 p.m.NLH Opener $500K GTD 1a$40025K
Thursday, February 65 p.m.NLH Opener $500K GTD 1b$40025K
Friday, February 711 a.m.NLH Opener $500K GTD 1c$40025K
Friday, February 75 p.m.NLH Opener $500K GTD 1d$40025K
Saturday, February 811 a.m.NLH Opener $500K GTD 1e$40025K
Saturday, February 85 p.m.NLH Opener $500K GTD 1f$40025K
Sunday, February 9NoonOpener Day 2 Restart  
Sunday, February 9NoonEvent #2: NLH (One-Day) $50K GTD$40025K
Sunday, February 94 p.m.Event #3: PLO 5-Card High$40025K
Sunday, February 97 p.m.Main Event Super Satellite 3 seats GTD$200 w/ $100 re-entries8K
Monday, February 1011 a.m.Event #4: NLH (One-Day)$40025K
Monday, February 104 p.m.Event #5: 8-Game Mix$60030K
Monday, February 107 p.m.Main Event Super Satellite 3 seats GTD$200 w/ $100 re-entries8K
Tuesday, February 1111 a.m.Event #6: NLH Seniors (One-Day)$25020K
Tuesday, February 114 p.m.Event #7: PL 5-Card Omaha High/Big O$60030K
Tuesday, February 117 p.m.Main Event Super Satellite 3 seats GTD$200 w/ $100 re-entries8K
Wednesday, February 1211 a.m.Event #8: Large Stack BBA Day 1a $100K GTD$40040k
Wednesday, February 125 p.m.Event #8: Large Stack BBA Day 1b $100K GTD$40040k
Wednesday, February 127 p.m.Main Event Super Satellite 3 seats GTD$200 w/ $100 re-entries8K
Thursday, February 1311 a.m.Event #9: Multi-Flight NLH Day 1a $100K GTD$40025K
Thursday, February 134 p.m.Event #10: Heads-Up (64-Player Max)$60015/30K
Thursday, February 137 p.m.Main Event Super Satellite 3 seats GTD$200 w/ $100 re-entries8K
Friday, February 1410 a.m.Megasatellite 5 Seats GTD$60020K
Friday, February 1411 a.m.Main Event Day 1a $500K GTD$3,00050K
Friday, February 14NoonEvent #9: Multi-Flight NLH Day 1b $100K GTD$40025K
Friday, February 144 p.m.Main Event Super Satellite 5 seats GTD$200 w/ $100 re-entries8K
Friday, February 148 p.m.Megasatellite 5 Seats GTD$60020K
Saturday, February 1510 a.m.Megasatellite 5 Seats GTD$60020K
Saturday, February 1511 a.m.Main Event Day 1b $500K GTD$3,00050K
Saturday, February 15NoonEvent #9: Multi-Flight NLH Day 1b $100K GTD$40025K
Saturday, February 153 p.m.Last Chance Megasatellite 5 Seats GTD$60015K
Saturday, February 156 p.m.Main Event Day 1c $500K GTD$3,00050K
Sunday, February 1611 a.m.Event #9: Multi-Flight NLH Restart  
Sunday, February 16NoonEvent #12: NLH (One-Day) $50K GTD$40025K
Sunday, February 16NoonFlight C Main Event Restart (levels 10-13)  
Sunday, February 163 p.m.Day 2 Restart for Main Event  
Sunday, February 165 p.m.Event #13: 5-Card PLO Championship$1,20040K
Monday, February 1711 a.m.Event #14: NLH (One-Day)$40040K
Monday, February 171 p.m.Main Event Final Table  

Emmel Runs into Sabogali's Quads

Level 14 : 1,500/3,000, 3,000 ante
Alberto Sabogali
Alberto Sabogali

Matthew Emmel raised to 6,500 from under the gun and was called by Alberto Sabogali on his left and the player in the small blind.

The flop came {9-Clubs}{9-Diamonds}{3-Spades}, the small blind check-folded to the 8,000 bet of Emmel which Sabogali did call.

The turn was the {10-Spades}, Emmel put in 100,000 and Sabogali snap-called for the 61,000 he had behind and flipped over {9-Spades}{9-Hearts} for quad nines. Emmel held {k-Spades}{j-Spades} for the flush draw.

The river completed the board with the {3-Hearts} for Emmel to lose a chunk of his stack.

Player Chips Progress
Alberto Sabogali us
Alberto Sabogali
163,000 -2,000
Matthew Emmel us
Matthew Emmel
80,000 -16,000

Tags: Alberto SabogaliMatthew Emmel

Hall Doubles Through Joseph

Level 13 : 1,500/2,500, 2,500 ante
Galen Hall
Galen Hall

Jeremy Joseph raised to 6,000 from the early position and Galen Hall three-bet to 18,000 from the button. The blinds folded and Joseph called.

The flop came {5-Diamonds}{2-Hearts}{7-Clubs}, Joseph check-called the 12,000 continuation-bet of Hall.

The turn brought them the {j-Clubs}, Joseph checked again. Hall bet 29,000 this time for Joseph to consider his options for a while before putting a big stack of 5,000-value chips over the line. Hall responded with a shove immediately for 140,500 which Joseph called.

Galen Hall: {k-Spades}{k-Diamonds}
Jeremy Joseph: {9-Spades}{8-Spades}

Hall had the overpair while Joseph was sitting on the double gutshot to a straight.

The river completed the board with the {j-Diamonds} to keep Hall ahead and double him up.

Player Chips Progress
Galen Hall us
Galen Hall
WSOP 1X Winner
EPT 1X Winner
347,500 253,000
Jeremy Joseph us
Jeremy Joseph
58,000 -162,000

Tags: Galen HallJeremy Joseph