Event 11 – ‘$1,000 NLH Six Max’
Level 30: Blinds 50,000/100,000/10,000 ante
Total Entries: 339
Mike Rees (Wantagh, NY)
After two very long days of play, Mike Rees emerged victorious over an incredible field of poker talent to earn his first major title and $80,559. “The field was incredibly tough,” he said. And that’s an understatement. For much of Day 1 he shared the felt with WSOP Main Event winner Joe McKeehen. There were many more bracelet holders, ring winners, and WPT Champions in the field and Mike outlasted them all.
This has been a long-time coming for Mike. He works for the Long Island Railroad and has been playing tournaments when he can for about 12 years. His accumulated earnings are just over $47,000. That figure has been fully eclipsed by tonight’s win.
“It feels great! I’m very tired, but this is amazing…very exciting,” he added while admiring his Borgata Open trophy. Mike took out three of the five opponents he faced on the final table, but the two he didn’t eliminate were quite notable.
Will ‘the Thrill’ Failla, who holds a record eight Borgata titles, was felted by ‘Gentleman’ John Gale in 5th place. John, who owns two WSOP bracelets, was later busted in 4th place by Matt Iles, who went on to finish 3rd.
Two-time WPT Champion Anthony Zinno finished 8th ($8,221) and WSOP bracelet winner Jeff Papola took 10th place ($3,946). 2011 WPT Player of the Year Andy Frankenberger finished 11th ($3,946). The aforementioned WSOP Main Event Champion, Joe McKeehen, was taken out by John Gale in 12th place ($3,946).
Mike would like to play the Winter Poker Open Championship event, (he would be starting Monday, not Sunday!), but work might get in the way. He’s going to sleep on it, for a few hours at least, since the sun is already up.
Final Table Results
- Mike Rees – $80,559
- Kurt Lichtman – $49,325
- Matt Iles – $37,487
- John Gale – $30,417
- Will ‘the Thrill’ Failla – $23,511
- Stepan Gusak – $16,935