2014 Borgata Spring Poker Open

Event 14: $15,400 $5 Million Guaranteed WPT World Championship
Day: 4
Event Info

2014 Borgata Spring Poker Open

Final Results
Winner
Winning Hand
a8
Prize
$1,350,000
Event Info
Buy-in
$15,000
Prize Pool
$4,852,400
Entries
328
Level Info
Level
31
Blinds
100,000 / 200,000
Ante
25

Event 14: $15,400 $5 Million Guaranteed WPT World Championship

Day 4 Completed

Keven Stammen Leads Way Heading into Final Six

Level 24 : 20,000/40,000, 5,000 ante
Lynn Gilmartin and Tony Dunst
Lynn Gilmartin and Tony Dunst

The action was frantic Friday at the $15,400 World Poker Tour Championship Event as they played down from 18 to the final six in what seemed like no time at all. Keven Stammen would end the TV table bubble when he would eliminate Tony Gregg in 7th place after flopping the nut straight.

"I didn't even want to get it in on that straight against 'End Boss'," Stammen would say after the hand, still stoked after dodging a board pair with so much on the line. "I'm just excited for a shot at my first WPT title."

Stammen will head into the final day of play with the chip lead with 5,650,000. Stammen is having an incredible year and will strengthen his place at the top of the 2014 Global Poker Index leader board with his finish here this week.

"Tomorrow's gonna be lots of action," Stammen said, and then further emphasized his point by adding "LOTS of action."

Byron Kaverman, who has cashed a record setting six times on the WPT this season, ended the day second in chips with 4,070,000 in chips. Kaverman rode a surge of momentum throughout the day and held the chip lead until Stammen moved ahead on the day's final hand. A key hand for Kaverman would happen when he eliminated the winner of the WPT Seminole Hard Rock tournament, Eric Afriat, in 11th place. Kaverman told us after bagging, "I'm pretty excited right now, and I've been looking forward to this tournament for the last few months. Knowing you're going to play against a field like this, with so many great players coming out just for this one, motivates me a little more. The prestige, the buy-in, all of it."

The WPT will be pleased that one of their own has made the final six. WPT Raw Deal host Tony Dunst will be taking his place in front of the other end of the cameras tomorrow as he ended the day with 1,330,000 in chips. Dunst's day would get off to a good start when his pocket Queens would double up against Ray Qartomy's pocket Jacks.

Well known professional poker player Ryan D'Angelo ended the day with 1,220,000 in chips and feels as if he is in the right place at the right time.

"I'm just playing really well lately," he told us. "My diet, eating raw food with Ronit, has helped a lot with being in the moment and keeping a super clear mind." D'Angelo would add "my life right now is just super clean, stable, and happy. My diet is helping me avoid tilt which really helps. I had a hand today that the old me would've tilted so badly about. I've been on a sick run too, cashed in my last five WPT's. Just playing with a very clear mind. It helps to have a great structure - it lets you lose a hand and not be forced into playing off your game."

The self-proclaimed "Psycho Ninja", Curt Kohlberg, caused havoc throughout the day and ended with 1,580,000 in chips. Kohlberg's big hand of the day would come in a blind-vs-blind confrontation against D'Angelo that would give Kohlberg a full double up. Kohlberg would say afterwards, "I'm so happy and thankful for the WPT. This is my fourth WPT final table, and sixth top-10 finish, so I'm prepared. Tomorrow I'm bringing my psycho ninja style to the final table. Like a lumberjack, going to chop extra wood."

The sixth member of the final table is none other than Abraham Korotki who is fresh off a win in the $2,700 Borgata Spring Poker Open Championship Event. He is nothing if not confident as he told our PokerNews reporters before the event started that he was going to go back-to-back. Korotki finished with 2,560,000 in chips and it'll be quite the story if he can come out on top tomorrow.

Others who started play today but would end up falling short of their dream of making the WPT Championship Event TV table were local Tom Dobrilovic (8th - $143,146), Brock Parker (10th - $97,048), Bobby Oboodi (12th - $63,081), Ray Qartomy (13th - $52,163), and Justin Young (15th - $52,163).

The exciting conclusion of this prestigious event will get underway tomorrow at 4 pm. Play will resume with the blinds at 25,000/50,000 and a 5,000 ante with one hour levels. PokerNews will be there to bring you all of the action from start to finish so make sure to tune in!

Official Final Table

Level 24 : 20,000/40,000, 5,000 ante
SeatPlayerChips
1Abraham Korotki2,560,000
2Byron Kaverman4,070,000
3Keven Stammen5,650,000
4Ryan D'Angelo1,220,000
5Tony Dunst1,330,000
6Curt Kohlberg1,580,000
Player Chips Progress
Keven Stammen us
Keven Stammen
WSOP 1X Winner
WPT 1X Winner
5,650,000 2,350,000
Byron Kaverman us
Byron Kaverman
WSOP 1X Winner
4,070,000 -1,030,000
Abraham Korotki us
Abraham Korotki
2,560,000 810,000
Curt Kohlberg us
Curt Kohlberg
1,580,000 -65,000
Tony Dunst us
Tony Dunst
WSOP 2X Winner
WPT 1X Winner
1,330,000 10,000
Ryan D'Angelo us
Ryan D'Angelo
WSOP 1X Winner
1,220,000 440,000

Tony Gregg Eliminated in 7th Place ($189,244)

Level 24 : 20,000/40,000, 5,000 ante
Tony Gregg - 7th Place
Tony Gregg - 7th Place

Hand #45: Byron Kaverman raised to 90,000 on the button, Tony Gregg called out of the small blind, and Keven Stammen defended in the big blind.

The dealer fanned {q-Clubs}{8-Diamonds}{9-Hearts}, Gregg led out for 125,000, and both Stammen and Kaverman made the call.

The turn was a repeat nine - the {9-Clubs} - and Gregg opted to check. Stammen knuckled behind, Kaverman took the opportunity to fire out 325,000, and Gregg, the Season XI WPT Parx Open Poker Classic champion, tanked for a bit before he check-raised to an even 1 million.

Stammen upped the ante, announcing a re-raise to 1.6 million - 75,000 chips shy of an official raise, but there was no intervention - and Kaverman quickly folded. Gregg moved all in for a total of 1.85 million, and Stammen instantly called.

Stammen: {j-Diamonds}{10-Hearts}
Gregg: {k-Clubs}{9-Spades}

Stammen flopped the stone-cold nuts, and unfortunately for Gregg, he turned trip nines. The WPT Champions Club member needed a {k-}, {q-}, {8-} or the {9-Diamonds} on the river to survive, but it was not to be as the {a-Clubs} completed the board.

Gregg shook hands with his former competitors before exiting, and the remaining six players are now buzzing about while bagging and tagging. We will have official counts and a recap for you shortly.

Player Chips Progress
Tony Gregg us
Tony Gregg
Busted

Tags: Tony Gregg

Hands #42-44: D'Angelo Hanging In There

Level 24 : 20,000/40,000, 5,000 ante

Hand #42: Byron Kaverman opened to 90,000 from early position (UTG) and Abraham Korotki called from the big blind. The flop came {A-Clubs}{J-Clubs}{9-Diamonds} and both players checked. On the {5-Hearts} turn, Korotki lead out for 130,000 and was called in record time by Kaverman. The river was the {7-Hearts} and Kaverman would take the pot with a 275,000 bet after Korotki checked.

Hand #43: Curt Kohlberg raised to 80,000 from the button and was called by Abraham Korotki in the small blind and Byron Kaverman in the big blind. The flop came {K-Hearts}{J-Clubs}{6-Spades} and all three players checked. The turn was the {5-Hearts} and Korotki checked. Kaverman made a 150,000 chip bet and Kohlberg folded. Korotki made the call.

The river was the {2-Diamonds} and this time Korotki led out for a large bet - 360,000 total. Kaverman thought for a short time before deciding to lay it down.

Hand #44: Ryan D'Angelo, the shortest stack at the table, opened to 90,000 from the hijack and was called by Tony Gregg in the big blind. The flop came {A-Diamonds}{9-Spades}{7-Clubs} and Gregg check-called D'Angelo's 60,000 bet. The turn was the {3-Hearts} and Gregg again check-called a bet from D'Angelo, this time for 135,000.

The river was the {J-Spades} and Gregg checked a third time leading to a third bullet from D'Angelo, this time for 240,000. Gregg flipped his hoodie off of his head, thought about it for a moment, and then laid it down.

Hands #36-41: Calm After the Storm

Level 24 : 20,000/40,000, 5,000 ante
Daniel Negreanu is not in the building, but we didn't dare break a confused railbird's heart
Daniel Negreanu is not in the building, but we didn't dare break a confused railbird's heart

Hand #36: Tony Gregg opened to 85,000 from under the gun and the rest of the table paid respect to the "End Boss" by folding around.

Hand #37: Curt Kohlberg decided he wanted the blinds and antes too, so he opened to 80,000 from the cutoff and stole some himself.

Hand #38: Byron Kaverman opened for an undetermined amount (a railbird who bypassed the strict security measures which are an open gate was asking about Daniel Negreanu, and thus we missed the bet). Either way, Kaverman dragged the blinds and antes his way without a fight.

Hand #39: Keven Stammen opened to 120,000 from the small blind, and Tony Dunst surrendered his big blind.

Hand #40 Ryan D'Angelo went for a walk in the big blind.

Hand #41: Abraham Korotki opened for 85,000 from under the gun, and next to act, Byron Kaverman three-bet to 215,000. Korotki flatted to see the {a-Diamonds}{10-Hearts}{7-Clubs} flop, and he checked to the aggressor. Kaverman played that part well when he c-bet for 250,000, but a raise to 585,000 by Korotki scared him off the pot.

Tags: Abraham KorotkiByron KavermanCurt KohlbergDaniel NegreanuKeven StammenRyan D'AngeloTony DunstTony Gregg

Hands #30-35: Kaverman Over Five Million

Level 24 : 20,000/40,000, 5,000 ante
Byron Kaverman
Byron Kaverman

Hand #30: There was unknown action after the Tom Dobrilovic elimination.'

Hand #31: Byron Kaverman took the blinds and antes with a raise to 90,000 on the button.

Hand #32: Kaverman popped it to 90,000 again, this time from the cutoff, and Tony Dunst defended his big blind. The dealer fanned {k-Spades}{j-Spades}{7-Clubs}, and Dunst check-folded to a bet of 105,000.

Hand #33: Tony Gregg took down the blinds and antes with a raise to 85,000.

Hand #34: Dunst raised to 85,000 on the button, Curt Kohlberg called in the big blind, and both players checked on a flop of {k-Hearts}{q-Diamonds}{5-Clubs}. Kohlberg led out for 65,000 on the turn ({7-Hearts}), and 100,000 on the river ({6-Clubs}). Dunst called both bets, Kohlberg showed {q-Hearts}{j-Spades} for a pair of queens, but it was no good against Dunst's {k-Clubs}{10-Clubs} for a pair of kings.

Hand #35: Kaverman was first to act, and raise to 80,000. Four players called; Dunst (cutoff), Kohlberg (small blind), and Abraham Korotki (big bling). The flop came {k-Diamonds}{9-Diamonds}{4-Hearts}, and the action checked to Dunst who fired out 175,000. Kohlberg and Korotki both folded, and Kaverman check-raised to 550,000. Dunst called.

The turn was a third diamond - the {10-Diamonds} - and Kaverman slid out another 550,000. Dunst folded.

Player Chips Progress
Byron Kaverman us
Byron Kaverman
WSOP 1X Winner
5,100,000 1,050,000
Abraham Korotki us
Abraham Korotki
1,750,000 45,000
Curt Kohlberg us
Curt Kohlberg
1,645,000 -785,000
Tony Dunst us
Tony Dunst
WSOP 2X Winner
WPT 1X Winner
1,320,000 -210,000

Tags: Abraham KorotkiByron KavermanCurt KohlbergTom DobrilovicTony DunstTony Gregg

Tom Dobrilovic Eliminated in 8th Place ($143,146)

Level 24 : 20,000/40,000, 5,000 ante
Tom Dobrilovic
Tom Dobrilovic

Hand #29: It was folded to Tom Dobrilovic on the button who moved the remainder of his short stack into the middle. Unfortunately for Dobrilovic, Byron Kaverman woke up with a hand in the big blind and made the call.

Dobrilovic had {3-Clubs}{3-Hearts} and Kaverman {10-Diamonds}{10-Spades}. The board would run out {K-Spades}{K-Clubs}{4-Diamonds}{8-Spades}{8-Diamonds} and Dobrilovic would be eliminated in 8th place for an impressive $143,146.

"Not a bad payday. I'll take it," Tom said with a smile as he left the room to collect his winnings.

Player Chips Progress
Byron Kaverman us
Byron Kaverman
WSOP 1X Winner
4,050,000 910,000
Tom Dobrilovic
Tom Dobrilovic
Busted

Tags: Byron KavermanTom Dobrilovic

Hands #25-28: Opening Day

Level 24 : 20,000/40,000, 5,000 ante

Hand #25: Byron Kaverman opened to 90,000 from the hijack and claimed the blinds and antes.

Hand #26: Tony Dunst opened to 85,000 after action folded to him on the button, and the blinds and antes were his without a fight

Hand #27: Keven Stammen opened to 95,000 from the hijack and Tony Dunst flatted from the cutoff. The dealer fanned the {a-Clubs}{8-Diamonds}{8-Clubs} and Stammen c-bet for 100,000. Dunst called to take the turn, which came {q-Diamonds}, and both players tapped the table. They did the same on the {j-Spades} river, with Dunst opening up {k-Clubs}{q-Clubs} for the winner.

Hand #28: Byron Kaverman opened to 90,000 from under the gun and the table folded around dutifully.

Tags: Byron KavermanKeven StammenTony Dunst

Hands #21-24: Dobrilovic Three-Bet Shoves

Level 24 : 20,000/40,000, 5,000 ante

Hand #21: Tony Gregg raised to 85,000 under the gun, Tom Dobrilovic moved all in for around 550,000 on the button, and Gregg folded.

Hand #22: Keven Stammen raised to 95,000 from under the gun, Gregg defended his big blind, and the flop fell {j-Hearts}{9-Diamonds}{4-Spades}. Both players checked, and they knuckled again on the turn ({6-Hearts}). The river was the {k-Diamonds}, Gregg led out for 150,000, and Stammen folded.

Hand #23: Tony Dunst raised to 85,000 from under the gun, Gregg three-bet to 235,000 out of the small blind, and Dunst folded.

Hand #24: Dunst received a walk.

Player Chips Progress
Keven Stammen us
Keven Stammen
WSOP 1X Winner
WPT 1X Winner
3,300,000 -300,000
Tony Gregg us
Tony Gregg
2,420,000 415,000
Tom Dobrilovic
Tom Dobrilovic
645,000 -150,000

Tags: Keven StammenTom DobrilovicTony DunstTony Gregg