Event 19
2018 WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Champion Eric Afriat
Last night after nearly four hours of heads-up play, Erif Afriat defeated Justin Zaki to win the $3 Million Guaranteed World Poker Tour Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship to claim his second WPT title, earning more than $651,000. ($15,000 is withheld for entry in the Season-Ending WPT Tournament of Champions in May.)
Afriat overcame a 2:1 chip deficit to take the lead, then the chips swung the other way and at one point he was down 4:1 in chips. He continued to battle back until he had all the chips and the win. Zaki earned more than $434,000 for his 2nd place finish.
This final table also included 2015 WSOP Main Event Winner Joe McKeehen, for the second year in a row. And for the second year in a row, he finished 4th.
James Roberts – BWPO Kickoff Event Winner
The WPO series began with a $2 Million Guaranteed Deep Stack Kickoff event which drew more than 4,500 entrants. At the end, it was James Roberts who hoisted the Borgata trophy. The recent retiree earned $378,391 after battling his way through a star-studded final table.
More than $10 million was paid out in prize money in these 23 main events alone, not including satellites and secondary events. A complete list of main event winners is below.
*AP Indicates Adjusted Payout
Thank you to all the participants and congratulations to all the winners! A special thanks goes out to all Borgata tournament staff and dealers for a terrific series.
On behalf of Borgata Poker Bloggers Tim Kelliher, Chris Murray, Brittany Paige, Matt Clark, and myself, thank you for reading! Mark your calendars now for the Borgata Spring Poker Open, which takes place April 10th – 27th. Hope to see you then!
@Kaelaine
Steve Miller
(L to R) Kathleen Waterhouse, Steve Miller, Steve Kay
With the elimination of Joe Cappuccio in 4th the final three players immediately began to discuss a deal. Steve Miller was holding nearly 3/4 of the total chips in play and they agreed to give him first place money ($13,617) and the trophy.
2nd Place-Steve Kay ($6,322)
3rd Place- Kathleen Waterhouse ($6,322)
Steve and Kay and Kathleen Watherhouse then split the second and third place payouts taking home $6,322 each.
$200 +$30 Frenzy Re-entry No Limit Hold’em
$100 + $20 Re-entry
$50,000 Guaranteed
Level 26: 25,000/50,000/5,000
Total Entries: 157
Players Remaining: 3
Mike Connelly
Mike Connelly got his last 365,000 all in in great shape holding 
against the 
of Steve Miller. There was a queen in the window on the 
flop and Miller took the lead.
The turn 
and river 
was no help to Connelly and he is our 5th place finisher earning $2,918.
Joe Cappuccio
Joe Cappuccio was the next player to go at the hands of Miller. Cappuccio held 
against the 
of Miller. He paired his nine on the 
flop and improved to two pair when the
hit the river.
Tablemate Steve Kay called out for ten and sure enough the 
hit the river to give Miller a straight. Cappuccio is our 4th place Event 19 finisher taking home $3,745.
$200 +$30 Frenzy Re-entry No Limit Hold’em
$100 + $20 Re-entry
$50,000 Guaranteed
Level 26: 25,000/50,000/5,000
Total Entries: 157
Players Remaining: 5
Adam Lippert
Adam Lippert lost the majority of his chips holding 
against the 
of the small blind. Just a few hands later he moved all in for 160,000 and Kathleen Waterhouse called.
Waterhouse: 
Lippert: 
Waterhouse paired her ten on the 
runout and Lipper was sent to the rail in 6th place earning $2,432.
$200 +$30 Frenzy Re-entry No Limit Hold’em
$100 + $20 Re-entry
$50,000 Guaranteed
Level 26: 25,000/50,000/5,000
Total Entries: 157
Players Remaining: 6
Pete Campo
When the players returned from break Peter Campo was sent to the rail. He will earn $1,945 for his 7th place Event 19 finish and just six players remain.
$200 +$30 Frenzy Re-entry No Limit Hold’em
$100 + $20 Re-entry
$50,000 Guaranteed
Level 24: 15,000/30,000/4,000
Entrants: 157
Remaining: 7
Average: 673,000
Adam Lippert
Pete Campo’s run as chip leader in Event 19 is over after doubling up Adam Lippert.
Lippert moved all-in on the button for 718,000 with and Campo called with two overcards 
out of the big blind. The flop gave Lippert a set and Campo a flush draw. The turn changed nothing and the on the river gave Lippert a full house and the pot.
He doubles to 1,600,000 and Campo is left with 385,000. Lippert and Steve Miller are effectively tied for the chip lead.
$200 +$30 Frenzy Re-entry No Limit Hold’em
$100 + $20 Re-entry
$50,000 Guaranteed
Level 23: 12,000/24,000/3,000
Entrants: 157
Remaining: 7
Average: 673,000
Max Tyson
One more player is down from the Frenzy Re-entry event with Max Tyson on the rail. Dick McGee moved all-in on the button for 265,000 holding and Tyson called out of the small blind for slightly more with 
. A ten hit the turn and McGee took in the pot.
Tyson was eliminated a few hands later by Steve Miller, who is near the chip lead with 1,350,000. Pete Campo still leads with 1,500,000.
$200 +$30 Frenzy Re-entry No Limit Hold’em
$100 + $20 Re-entry
$50,000 Guaranteed
Level 23: 12,000/24,000/3,000
Entrants: 157
Remaining: 8
Average: 589,000
Pete Campo
Pete Campo is the new chip leader at the Frenzy final table after doubling up aces against kings. Dick McGee raised to 45,000 in early position and Campo three-bet to 790,000. McGee moved all-in and Campo called for 790,000 total.
McGee had but Campo had him dominated with the . An ace hit the turn and Campo doubled up to take the chip lead. He is playing 1,700,000 with McGree down to 300,000.
Meir Barack started the final table as the chip leader but after doubling up Adam Lippert departed in ninth place a short while after.
Meir Barack
$200 +$30 Frenzy Re-entry No Limit Hold’em
$100 + $20 Re-entry
$50,000 Guaranteed
Level 22: 10,000/20,000/3,000
Entrants: 157
Remaining: 9
Average: 523,000
Steve Miller
Scott Fitz-Gerald is the first player eliminated at the final table thanks to Steve Miller.
Fitz-Gerald opened to 85,000 in early position and Miller shoved all-in behind him for about 450,000 total. Fitz-Gerald called for 450,000with 
and was flipping against the 
of Miller. The 
board gave the pot to Miller and Fitz-Gerald went to the payout desk.
Miller is the current chip leader with 1,100,000.
$200 +$30 Frenzy Re-entry No Limit Hold’em
$100 + $20 Re-entry
$50,000 Guaranteed
Level 22: 10,000/20,000/3,000
Entrants: 157
Remaining: 10
Average: 471,000
The Event 19 field is at the final table from the 157 individual entrants. Leading them is Meir Barack with 1,050,000. All players have locked up $632 and are chasing the $13,617 first place prize and Borgata Poker Open trophy. The seating assignments and chip counts are below.
- Scott Fitz-Gerald – 580,000
- Steve Miller – 600,000
- Steve Kay – 380,000
- Mike Connelly – 1,000,000
- Adam Lippert – 295,000
- Dick McGee – 835,000
- Max Tyson – 420,000
- Pete Campo – 600,000
- Kathleen Waterhouse – 540,000
- Meir Barack – 1,050,000