Event 11
Update: The final table of the World Poker Tour Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship was held as scheduled March 13th at the Luxor HyperX Esports Arena.
1st Place – Vinicius ‘Viny’ Lima
Vinicius ‘Viny’ Lima had the biggest climb of the final six players, starting play at the bottom of the chip counts. At the end, it was the youngest player, Viny, at only 24 years old, against the oldest, David Farah, who was twice his age at 48 years young.
Viny emerged victorious, winning $728,430, which includes $15,000 for a seat in the WPT season-ending Baccarat Crystal Tournament of Champions, along with a Hublot Big Bang Steel Watch, and the WPT Champions Cup trophy.
The $2 Million Guaranteed Kick-Off Deep Stack drew a massive 5,130 entrants, which is the second-largest WPO Kick-Off field on record, behind 2017’s 5,512 entrants. The total buy-ins of more than $2.77 million did set a new record, due to the increased buy-in of $540.
Pascal Zaklama – 1st Place – 2019 BWPO Kick-Off
The final 500 players shared in the massive prize pool and thanks to a three-way adjusted payout agreement at the final table, the final two earned better than second-place prize money. Pascal Zaklama was the chip leader and claimed 1st place and the BWPO trophy, along with $328,695.
Vladimir Alexandrov
Also notable was the 3rd place finisher, Vladimir Alexandrov. He won his entry through a BorgataPoker.com online satellite. Alexandrov managed to parlay his $45 satellite entry into his largest career tournament score, earning a $216,000 payday.
Barry Leventhal wins 4th Seniors Event
Barry Leventhal won his record fourth Borgata Seniors Event, which was also his eighth Borgata title, putting him in a tie for second-most wins at this venue, trailing only Abraham Korotki with nine Borgata titles.
Raj Desai – 1st Place – Almighty Million
The $1 Million Guaranteed Almighty Stack generated total buy-ins in excess of $1.4 million with a BWPO Almighty record of 3,508 entrants. Raj Desai held the chip lead wire-to-wire on Day 3, from 37 players down to the final three, who agreed on adjusted payouts based on chip counts. As the leader, Raj took the lion’s share of $175,429 and his first-ever Borgata trophy!
The first-ever “Ladies Brunch and Learn” was hosted by the Borgata and the World Poker Tour, with guest lecturers WSOP Ladies Champion Jessica Dawley and Loni Harwood, a professional poker player with nearly $3 million in tournament earnings. The sold out seminar was held the morning of the Ladies event, to give the Ladies some beginner instruction on tournament basics and tips to improve their play. In addition to brunch and mimosas, there were gifts and prizes for the attendees. (Due to the event’s popularity, it may appear again on a future tournament schedule!)
Kujdes Galiardi takes down the CSOP event and poses with her sister Alida Veliu, who won the Ladies Event.
The Ladies NLH tournament followed the seminar and drew a field of 154 entries. The eventual winner was Alida Veliu, who took home her second Borgata Ladies Event trophy and claimed her fifth lifetime Ladies Event win. Just a couple of hours earlier on the other end of the Event Center, Alida’s sister, Kujdes Gagliardi, won the CSOP NLH event, accomplishing something we believe has never happened before in the history of poker — two sisters winning trophy events on the same day!
Phil Hellmuth claims BWPO Heads-Up title
For the first time in probably a decade, Phil Hellmuth made an appearance at Borgata, arriving in time to play the Heads-Up Championship. The WSOP bracelet record-holder (15) and new World Poker Tour Raw Deal host blazed a path through the 64-player bracket to take the title and $37,245. He followed that up with a cash in the WPT BWPO Championship for another $7,176.
Speaking of the WPT BWPO Championship, it was another record-breaking turnout. The final tally of entrants was 1,415, beating both the 2017 WPT BWPO Championship record (1,312 entries) and the largest of all WPT Borgata Open Championships, which was in 2011 (1,313 entrants). The prize pool of nearly $4.7 million crushed the $3 million guarantee.
BorgataPoker.com Ambassador Dan Buzgon
The field played down to the final six, who bagged up their chips and paused the clock until March 13th, when they will reconvene at the new HyperX Esports Arena at the Luxor in Las Vegas to play it out under the lights and cameras of the World Poker Tour. BorgataPoker.com Ambassador and tournament grinder Dan Buzgon will make his third WPT final table appearance. He will start in the middle of the pack with an average stack when play resumes.
With more than $728,000 waiting for the eventual winner, the “HyperX Six” finalists must be chomping at the bit to get started, but they still have four weeks to wait. Make sure to check back here in the Winter Poker Open Blog for updates on that final table which begins the evening of Wednesday March 13th.
A list of main event winners is below, along with their earnings.
* 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, and myself, thank you for reading! Mark your calendars now for the Borgata Spring Poker Open, which takes place April 2nd-19th. Hope to see you then!
@Kaelaine
$500+$60 HORSE
$25,000 Guaranteed
Structure Sheet | Payouts
Level 27: Limits 40,000/80,000
Total Entries: 89
Players Remaining: 3
Average Stack: 593,000
With the departure of Freedman, the final three did not hesitate for a second to make a deal, and the only delay was for Daniel Hofer to find his hat, left in his car, for a picture with his new trophy.
Joel Gumbiner, Staten Island, 3rd $8,578.
Michael Fishman, Egg Harbor, NJ, $9,500
Daniel Hofer, Ossing, NY, 1st $13,000.
Hofer was last in chips at the start of four handed, but allowed the others to make mistakes. His key pot, all-in against Freedman when she trapped herself with a 6th street bet, was the pot of the final table. Once he got that double, Hofer never wavered.
Congrats to Daniel and all who made HORSE an exciting final table!
HORSE Final Results
| Place | Player | Payout | AP |
| 1 | Daniel Hofer | $13,000 | * |
| 2 | Michael Fishman | $9,500 | * |
| 3 | Joel Gumbiner | $8,578 | * |
| 4 | Wendy Freedman | $3,453 | |
| 5 | Chris Reslock | $3,022 | |
| 6 | Ross Hoffman | $2,590 | |
| 7 | Jeff Jerome | $1,727 | |
| 8 | David Christ | $1,295 | |
| *Indicates Adjusted Payout |
$500+$60 HORSE
$25,000 Guaranteed
Structure Sheet | Payouts
Level 27: Limits 40,000/80,000
Total Entries: 89
Players Remaining: 3
Average Stack: 593,000
LHE has been Wendy’s undoing, after saying what most of the players probably were thinking, “can we skip it?”
Both Hofer and and Fishman have chipped up.
Finally, after crushing the tournament all evening, she is all in, flipping with 
against Joel’s 
pre.
Somehow she dodges all the overs and the gutshot Joel runs into. He slams his hand on the table. Wendy doubles to over 180,000.
Saving flip for Wendy Freedman.
| Player | Chips |
| Wendy Freedman | 190,000 |
| Joel Gumbiner | 200,000 |
| Michael Fishman | 400,000 |
| Daniel Hofer | 1,000,000 |
O8
Hofer, now in charge, opens from the button, and gets a tank fold from Wendy, who was clearly thinking she would be committed. Joel calls and gives up the flop. The noose tightens as too many chips have been floated to Daniel.
Now Fishman represents a huge hand, raising the river on a paired board over Joel. It’s a disasterous bet fold, and he is down to one bet.
That leaves Wendy and Joel in the red zone and on the verge of going out, just as the blinds and limits increase.
Then it’s Joel’s turn to be all in with his final 75,000. He faces a button raise from Hofer but does come up with a very light call. Fortunately for Joel it was a very light steal from Daniel, basically middle card air, and queens up doubles Joel.
Razz
Freedman is out in 4th for $3,453.
Joel doubling was disaster for Wendy, who needed him to go out. Now she’s on the chopping block and has to go with a reasonable Razz holding. It runs out well for for Wendy, but even better for Joel, who beats her 87 with a 76.
The toughest player is gone but also the most swingy. The clock is stopped for discussion.
$500+$60 HORSE
$25,000 Guaranteed
Structure Sheet | Payouts
Level 26: Limits 30,000/60,000
Total Entries: 89
Players Remaining: 4
Average Stack: 445,000
Fishman’s tournament saving hand verus Hofer, right, from earlier in Stud.
| Player | Chips |
| Wendy Freedman | 325,000 |
| Joel Gumbiner | 509,000 |
| Michael Fishman | 300,000 |
| Daniel Hofer | 650,000 |
With the clock absurdly suggesting that the next break is in four hours, now three, the floor agrees to a ten minute break.
Razz
Fishman takes the small bets down showing Ax6x3x from Joel.
Wendy, who plays very aggressively on the early streets, gives up to a lead from Daniel – unlike the big pot which kept him alive two levels ago. Here when he draws clean on 4th and she shows 9x10x, the hand is over.
Hofer takes the the next pot from Wendy as well. She is now behind in chips for the first time in many levels.
Stud
Aggression has been her remedy, and Wendy takes the next one with a good 4th street card, the Kc, with an easy bet into his low garbage.
The other pots are small. Wendy gains back, ahead of Michael now. Joel takes the last hand without resistance.
Stud8
Quiet again. Daniel H. takes a bring in from Wendy.
Wendy gets no resistance showing the Ah. In fact, she takes several pots this level to stay afloat with about 5 big bets.
Daniel takes the last one with no resistance on 4th, and it’s Hold’em.
Hofer, once down to a couple bets, is leading.
$500+$60 HORSE
$25,000 Guaranteed
Structure Sheet | Payouts
Level 24: Limits 20,000/40,000
Total Entries: 89
Players Remaining: 4
Average Stack: 445,000
Razz
A bitter level for Michael Fishman, who loses all his gains and then some to Daniel H.
He is down to a single big bet and get it in against Wendy. A fold, thankfully for him.
est. chips as we change level to 25
| Player | Chips |
| Wendy Freedman | 450,000 |
| Joel Gumbiner | 650,000 |
| Michael Fishman | 50,000 |
| Daniel Hofer | 550,000 |
Stud
Fishman is being dealt enough to play and now gets in his last big bet, doubling with two pair against Daniel. Hanging on.
Stud8
Bets go in on every street in big hand between Daniel and Joel, but it’s a chop as Daniel filled up over a two way hand.
Fishman: Making do with two bets.
$500+$60 HORSE
$25,000 Guaranteed
Structure Sheet | Payouts
Level 24: Limits 20,000/40,000
Total Entries: 89
Players Remaining: 4
Average Stack: 445,000
Stud8
Joel adds through Wendy.
Wendy turns turns perfect versus Daniel showing 
and he can’t take the heat.
Michael gets a walk. “Easy game,” they chant at him.
Joel again brings in 6c, Michael completes and takes it down. He’s having a good level while it’s Daniel who has fallen to a few big bets.
Key pot for Daniel: Queens up good when Wendy can’t catch up.
Now against Wendy he calls 5th on good board and Daniel is committed, he raises all in and she is caught. Double just when he needed it. Back to 5 big bets. New game is announced.
LHE
Little action. Daniel takes a small bet from Wendy, no showdown.
Joel and Wendy play unraised from the blinds and no bets go in, small one for Wendy.
Now Michael makes a bottom full. Tank call by Daniel – paid off! Past 350,000 now. New game.
O8
Michael opens. Bets middle rundown Joel shouldn’t have and takes it.
Joel’s stack remains unchanged over last couple games, still near 700,000.
Daniel wins from BB vs Wendy on turn, good development for him.
Wendy now well off peak at about 525,000.
Wendy raies from SB into Joel, is putting pressure on middling board, low misses, flush misses- he give up! Swing to Wendy.
Now she raises on button, Joel gives up, Michael in. 9xQx9x, but turn pressure again from Wendy and she is on a streak, back to 735,000.
No much talking, they are playing hard.
Daniel tries to complete into Wendy, she raises, bets into kxqx2x, jx turn Daniel leads, repping the straight, kx river now he leads again and kings full is paid. Now up to 8 bets, Daniel is back from the dead.
Now Wendy pays of Joel who flops flush. Heater over. “I play so bad,” the expert Wendy Freedman complains, a little frustrated.
New game.
Note: Please return my notebook if you grabbed it!!!
$500+$60 HORSE
$25,000 Guaranteed
Structure Sheet | Payouts
Returning to Level 24: Limits 20,000/40,000
Total Entries: 89
Players Remaining: 4
Average Stack: 445,000
The final four reached the end of the level and opted for a half-hour dinner break. Play will resume at 6:35pm.
Wendy Freedman reclaimed the chip lead before they left. Here are the counts:
| Player | Chips |
| Wendy Freedman | 698,000 |
| Joel Gumbiner | 669,000 |
| Michael Fishman | 271,000 |
| Daniel Hofer | 153,000 |
$500+$60 HORSE
$25,000 Guaranteed
Structure Sheet | Payouts
Level 23: Limits 15,000/30,000
Total Entries: 89
Players Remaining: 4
Average Stack: 445,000
Joel Gumbiner
Playing Stud:
Wendy Freedman and Joel Gumbiner got involved in a 7-Card Stud hand and at the river, Wendy’s Jacks-up was beat by Joel’s Aces-up. He took the pot and the chip lead, stacking ~750,000.
Wendy was left with ~715,000.
$500+$60 HORSE
$25,000 Guaranteed
Structure Sheet | Payouts
Level 23: Limits 15,000/30,000
Total Entries: 89
Players Remaining: 4
Average Stack: 445,000
Daniel Hofer
Playing Omaha/8:
Daniel Hover got his last 28,000 all-in from the button and since it was less that the big blind, Joel Gumbiner had a shot at taking him out. The hands were tabled:
Joel: 
Daniel: 
Board: 
In another incredible hand, Joel turned a full house, then Daniel rivered a straight flush! He doubled up to 64,000, putting no visible dent in Joel’s stack.
$500+$60 HORSE
$25,000 Guaranteed
Structure Sheet | Payouts
Level 23: Limits 15,000/30,000
Total Entries: 89
Players Remaining: 4
Average Stack: 445,000
Chris Reslock
Playing Hold’em:
Chris Reslock (utg) fell completely into the trap set by Joel Gumbiner, on his left. They both checked the flop of 
, then when the 
came on the turn, Chris bet and Joel flatted.
The 
completed the board and again Chris bet. Joel just flatted, apparently concerned about the flush possible.
Chris tabled 
for a pair of Kings, and Joel said “I’ve got three Kings,” showing for top set. That pot took Joel up to ~570,000 and Chris was left with only about 30,000.
On the next hand, Chris was the big blind and his 66 was facing Wendy Freedman’s 
in the small blind. She paired her Ace to take the last of Chris’ chips. He’ll collect $3,022 for his 5th place finish.
Wendy chipped up to ~640,000 and maintains her chip lead as the final four continue play.