WPT WPO Championship
Daniel Weinman (Washington, DC)
2017 WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Champion
Over the previous 18 days, the Borgata played host to another record-setting Winter Poker Open Series, culminating in the World Poker Tour BWPO Championship event. That $3 Million Guaranteed event fielded 1,312 runners, setting a new record for the largest-ever WPO Championship event. It was also just one entrant shy of matching the record for most entrants in any Borgata Open series Championship, which was set in 2011. During that year’s September Borgata Poker Open, 1,313 entrants took to the felt. This year’s record for Borgata also places fourth on the World Poker Tour’s all-time most-entries list.
Georgia-born Daniel Weinman took the title and his first WPT win at a final table was live-streamed by the World Poker Tour. First-place prize money was more than $892,000.
The series also started of with a record-breaking Kickoff Event. The $2 Million Guaranteed Deep Stack opener drew 5,512 entrants, handily beating the previous year’s record-setting field of 5,101 runners. Aristoteles Neto claimed more than $216,000 for the win.
The series boasted a total of $6.4 million in guarantees and all were covered easily. Nearly $10.5 million was paid in total buy-ins just for the 25 Main Events, not including satellites and secondary events. (* Next to 1st place indicates Adjusted Payouts.)
Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to all the participants. We hope to see you back at Borgata for the next series, the Spring Poker Open, coming up April 18th through May 5th.
Although there were some technical issues with the blog during this series, we want to thank all the players, friends, and family for their patience as they were sorted out. Our servers have been upgraded so should be able to handle the next record-breaking event at Borgata! Until next time, farewell from the Borgata Blog team of Kaelaine, Matt Clark, Tim Kelliher, and Chris Murray!
‘WPT WPO Championship’
Level 36 (200,000/400,000/50,000)
Total Entries: 1,312
Players Remaining: 1
Average Stack: 39,360,000
It was a long and grueling five days for Daniel Weinman on his journey toward becoming the latest World Poker Tour Champion. Weinman battled through one of the largest and most talented fields assembled in WPT history to earn his place on the Champions Cup.
Weinman stayed patient through the first four days of the tournament and came into Day 5, fourth in chips. Once at the final table, Weiman caught some well-timed cards and called correctly in the biggest pot of the tournament to eliminate Tyler Kenney.
This marks the largest career victory for Weinman, who is now over the $2,000,000 mark in tournament earnings. As the latest Washington D.C. transplant, Weinman brings his cash game prowess to the nation’s capital and has a growing tournament resume to accompany it.
Weinman doesn’t travel the tournament circuit as much as he used to but he makes it count when he does. This type of victory has been a long time coming for Weinman, who now basks in the glow of WPT glory.
After finishing off Nate Bjerno to win the title, we caught up with Weinman to talk about his victory along with his plans now that he has his first major victory under his belt.
$3,300+$200 WPT Borgata WPO Championship
Level 36: Blinds 200,000/400,000/50,000 ante
Entries: 1,312
Daniel Weinman (Washington, DC)
2017 WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Champion
Daniel Weinman started the day below average in chips, but with 68 big blinds, had enough ammo to work with. Playing a WPT final table on his 29th birthday, he seemed destined to take home the win. He’ll collect $892,433 for 1st place. Not a bad birthday present!
He had pocket Aces at least three times and they held up each time. Pocket Aces were also good to him on Day 4 as he doubled his short-stack twice on his way to this final table.
His forte is mixed cash games, but he was the only player at this final table with more than $1 million in career tournament earnings. Weinman’s been playing poker professionally for about eight years so many people are surprised to find out that he has a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech. He only spent one year working as an engineer before giving up that life in favor of poker. The Georgia native recently relocated to Washington DC to be close to the new MGM National Harbor Casino.
A video interview with the newest World Poker Tour Champions Club member will be posted shortly.
$3,300+$200 WPT Borgata WPO Championship
Level 36: Blinds 200,000/400,000/50,000 ante
Entries: 1,312
Nate Bjerno – 2nd Place
Daniel Weinman shoved, having Nate Bjerno well covered, and Nate called all-in. The hands were tabled:
Nate: 
Daniel: 
Board: A 8 6 7 4
The runout gave both a pair on the flop, but then Daniel caught the runner-runner straight. He collected the final pot of the tournament.
He tried his best, but Nate was just not able to overcome the Birthday Boy’s chip lead and run-good.
Nate Bjerno finished in 2nd place, earning $524,964.
$3,300+$200 WPT Borgata WPO Championship
Level 36: Blinds 200,000/400,000/50,000 ante
Entries: 1,312
Players Remaining: 2
Average Stack: 19.68 million
Nate Bjerno shoved for a bit more than 2 million and Daniel Weinman called. Nate’s 
was close to even-money against Daniel’s 
. The board ran out 
and Nate doubled up. He’s still short-stacked with just over 10 big blinds.
Nate: 4.2 million
Daniel: 35 million
$3,300+$200 WPT Borgata WPO Championship
Level 36: Blinds 200,000/400,000/50,000 ante
Entries: 1,312
Players Remaining: 2
Average Stack: 19.68 million
They returned from a break to new, nosebleed blinds.
On an early hand, Daniel Weinman opened, then Nate Bjerno shoved for 5,550,000. After getting the count, Daniel considered it for a moment, then called.
Daniel: 
Nate: 
Board: 
Nate doubled up to 11,200,000. Daniel was left with ~28 million.
The fireworks continued on the next hand when Nate opened for 1 million and Daniel made it 2.5 million to go. Nate called.
On the flop of 
, Daniel bet and Nate called. When the 
came on the turn, Daniel fired 2 million and Nate let it go. His stack dropped back to ~7.1 million. Daniel’s back up to ~32.2 million.
$3,300+$200 WPT Borgata WPO Championship
Level 35: Blinds 150,000/300,000/50,000 ante
Entries: 1,312
Players Remaining: 2
Average Stack: 19.68 million
Nate Bjerno trying to claw his way back into this match.
On a flop of 
Daniel Weinman checked, Nate Bjerno bet 500,000, then Daniel check-raised to 1 million straight.
Nate took a few seconds, then announced he was all-in (3.85 million). Daniel folded quickly and Nate took the pot, adding more than 1 million to his stack. He’s still treading water around 5.5 million.
$3,300+$200 WPT Borgata WPO Championship
Level 35: Blinds 150,000/300,000/50,000 ante
Entries: 1,312
Players Remaining: 2
Average Stack: 19.68 million
Daniel Weinman holds a massive chip lead.
Nate Bjerno opened for 600,000 and got a call from Daniel Weinman. On the flop of 
Daniel checked, Nate fired 900,000, and Daniel called. Turn brought the and again Dan checked. Nate launched a bet of 1.5 million and Dan called.
River was the 
and they checked it down. Dan showed 
for a pair of Queens to take the pot.
Daniel’s up to more than 33 million. Nate’s stack has fallen to just under 6 million (about 20 big blinds).
$3,300+$200 WPT Borgata WPO Championship
Level 35: Blinds 150,000/300,000/50,000 ante
Entries: 1,312
Players Remaining: 2
Average Stack: 19.68 million
The blinds are up again, but the stacks remain about the same.
Daniel Weinman – 31 million
Nate Bjerno – 7.5 million
$3,300+$200 WPT Borgata WPO Championship
Level 34: Blinds 100,000/200,000/25,000 ante
Entries: 1,312
Players Remaining: 2
Average Stack: 19.68 million
Nate Bjerno completed the small blind and Daniel Weinman checked his option in the big. On the flop of 
Dan checked, Nate bet 200,000, and Dan called. Turn was the 
and again Dan checked. Nate bet 600,000, Dan took a minute then announced all-in. Nate called!
Nate’s pocket Jacks had flopped top set and Dan’s 
had turned two pair. When the completed the board, Nate doubled up to about 8 million, leaving Dan with ~31 million.