Event 8
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
When the Event 8 players returned from their color up break they began to discuss an adjusted payout deal. The blinds were increasing and the stacks were getting shallow.
It took a bit of back and forth negotiating but a deal was struck. They agreed to run one hand for the trophy and the chip leader Bruce Ludwig won the flip.
Not only will Ludwig be earning $5,006 for his first place finish but he will take home his first Borgata Poker Open trophy.
Below is a look at the final 12 Event 8 finisher and what they’ll be earning.
Bruce Ludwig- $5,006
Jason Cornwell- $5,006
Michael Schastny- $5,006
Corbin Avery- $4,808
Lenin Ramirez-Leon- $4,206
Ruslan Arstanaliyev- $4,206
Glen Brechemin- $4,206
Mark Bowersock- $4,206
Steven Schwartz- $4,206
Michael Bonita- $3,206
Brendan Hocker- $3,206
John Wilson- $3,206
$200+$30 Deeper Stack NLH
$30,000 Guaranteed
End of Level 26: 25,000/50,000/5,000
Total Entries: 316
Players Remaining: 12
The Event 8 players are now on a 15 minute color up break. We are just two eliminations away from the final table with 12 players remaining.
We will pick right back up on the action when play resumes.
$200+$30 Deeper Stack NLH
$30,000 Guaranteed
Level 26: 25,000/50,000/5,000
Total Entries: 316
Players Remaining: 13
Corbin Avery
The under the gun moves all in for his last 407,000. Corbin Avery is next to act and he makes the call. The rest of the table quickly folds and they turn over their cards.
Avery: 
Opponent: 
The board runs out clean for Avery 
and his pocket jacks hold up to earn him the pot and the knockout.
Corbin Avery- 1,650,000
$200+$30 Deeper Stack NLH
$30,000 Guaranteed
Level 25: 25,000/50,000/5,000
Total Entries: 316
Players Remaining: 14
Joe Chris (left) Ajeet Temburni (right)
Joe Chris moves all in from the hijack and Ajeet Temburni calls all in for 68,000 from the cutoff. Chris turns over 
and is in great shape against Temburni’s .
The board runs out 
and Chris’s queen kicker plays to eliminate Temburni in 15th place.
Joe Chris – 410,000
Ajeet Temburni – Eliminated in 15th Place ($659)
$200+$30 Deeper Stack NLH
$30,000 Guaranteed
Level 25: 20,000/40,000/4,000
Total Entries: 316
Players Remaining: 16
Timothy Chase – Eliminated in 17th Place ($524)
Tim Chase moves all in from the cutoff with 
and Steven Schwartz calls from the big blind with 
.
The board runs out 
and Schwartz spikes an ace right on the flop to eliminate Chase in 17th place.
Steven Schwartz – 700,000
$200+$30 Deeper Stack NLH
$30,000 Guaranteed
Level 25: 20,000/40,000/4,000
Total Entries: 316
Players Remaining: 17
Terry Klinger
Terry Klinger moves all in for his last 179,000 from under the gun. It folds to a player in late position who calls and the hands are shown.
Klinger:
Opponent: 
Klinger is in great shape to double up and he does just that when the board runs out 
.
Terry Klinger-436,000
$200+$30 Deeper Stack NLH
$30,000 Guaranteed
Level 24: 15,000/30,000/4,000
Total Entries: 316
Players Remaining: 17
Mike Schastny
The pace has come to a crawl here in Event 8 and just 17 players remain. Most of the hands have not seen a flop and we have not lost a player in quite some time.
The players are now all guaranteed at least $524 and Mike Schastny has moved into the chip lead with about 1,500,000.
$200+$30 Deeper Stack NLH
$30,000 Guaranteed
Level 23: 12,000/24,000/3,000
Total Entries: 316
Players Remaining: 18
The Event 8 players are now on a 15 minute break. Just 20 players remain and they’re all now guaranteed at least $524.
We will pick back up on all of the action when the players return and the cards are back in the air.
$200+$30 Deeper Stack NLH
$30,000 Guaranteed
Level 22: 10,000/20,000/3,000
Total Entries: 316
Players Remaining: 24
Jason Cornwell
There are just 24 Event 8 players left and the chip are flying. Jason Cornwell has taken the lead and is the first player to cross the million chip mark with about 1,100,000.
Mike Schastny
Mike Schastny continues to climb and is closing the distance with over 900,000.
The players are now all guaranteed at least $429 and we are inching closer to the final table.