Event 17
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
$20 Entry + $200 Donation CSOP Charity NLH Tournament
Structure Sheet
Total Entries: 126
Kujdes Gagliardi
The Charity Series of Poker tournament saw drew a total of 126 entries all playing for a great cause. There was loads of fun throughout the night and when the dust settled Kujdes Gagliardi was the last woman standing.
Gagliardi defeated Jefferson Choi heads-up to win a $500 CSOP St. Jude Seat, a $300 Reception ticket and her entry into $3,500 BWPO $3,000,000 Guaranteed NLH event.
(L to R) Kujdes Gagliardi, Alida Veliu
While Gagliardi was busy winning Event 17 and her first Borgata Poker Open trophy she had her sister Alida Veliu stopping by for support from the rail. Veliu was close by throughout and she was not only supporting her sister but playing the Ladies NLH event in the back in the Event Center.
Veliu is now currently at the Ladies NLH final table closing in on her fourth Ladies NLH title.
Jefferson Choi
Jefferson Choi who held a big stack for much of the night is our CSOP NLH runner-up and will take home a $1,260 Borgata Bounty NLH seat, a $500 CSOP St. Jude Seat and a $300 Reception ticket.
Below is a full look at the Event 17 final table results.
1. Kujdes Gagliardi ($3,500 BWPO Championship Seat NLH, $500 CSOP St. Jude seat, $300 Reception ticket, and the BWPO trophy)
2. Jefferson Choi ($1,260 Borgata Bounty NLH seat, a $500 CSOP St. Jude Seat and a $300 Reception ticket)
3. Tiffany Lee ($500 St. Jude seat, $300 Reception Ticket)
4. Philip Luesdorff ($500 St. Jude seat)
5. Albert Destade ($500 St. Jude seat)
6. Aaron Mermelstein ($500 St. Jude seat)
7. David Fuss ($500 St. Jude seat)
8. Thomas Paul ($500 St. Jude seat)
9. Lisa Pickell ($500 St. Jude seat)
10. Brian Wilson ($500 St. Jude seat)
$20 Entry + $200 Donation CSOP Charity NLH Tournament
Structure Sheet
Level 18: Blinds 4,000/8,000/8,000 BB Ante
Total Entries: 126
Players Remaining: 10
The CSOP Charity NLH Tournament final table is now set and the fun continues in the corner of the Event Center.
They are now all guaranteed a $500 St. Jude seat and one of these player will win a seat into the $3,500 BWPO Championship.
$20 Entry + $200 Donation CSOP Charity NLH Tournament
Structure Sheet
Level 9: Blinds 500/1,000/1,000 BB Ante
Total Entries: 126
Players Remaining: 75
Average Stack: 42,000
Registration has closed with a total of 126 entrants and the two bonuses have been awarded.
David Chang gets his bonus as the chip leader
David Chang was the chip leader with 75,000 chips and was given $1,000 in cash and a CSOP trophy by Matt Stout.
Lance Funston gets his trophy and bonus for 7 entries, and donates the $1,000 to St Jude.
Lance Funston fired seven bullets for the most, and was awarded $1,000 in cash and a CSOP trophy as well. He handed the cash back and said “give it to the hospital [St. June]”.
$20 Entry + $200 Donation CSOP Charity NLH Tournament
Structure Sheet
Level 7: Blinds 300/600/600 BB Ante
Entries: 109
The Charity Series of Poker event has designated players as bounties and whoever knocks them out of the tournament will get a free entry to a future CSOP event of their choice. You can find the bounties wearing a CSOP Medallion on a red ribbon around their necks.
Among the bounties in tonight’s field are
Randy Lee – National Sports Betting Champion
Eric Nathan – @BarstoolNate
Clayton Fletcher – Comedian
Tiffany Lee
Tommy Bates (last year’s runner-up)
TJ Shulman
Judi Bielan
Lexy Gavin – CSOP VP of Marketing
Clayton Fletcher, Eric Nathan, Randy Lee, & Tiffany Lee
Lexy Gavin, Tommy Bates, TJ Shulman, & Judi Bielan
$20 Entry + $200 Donation CSOP Charity NLH Tournament
Structure Sheet
Level 5: Blinds 200/300/300 BB Ante
Entries: 97
Aaron Mermelstein & Esther ‘E-Tay’ Taylor
Esther Taylor busted three or four players on one crazy hand, when her 
turned into the nut flush and beat everyone on a board of 
. No idea how many chips she has, because they’re all just in a pile on the table.
Kenneth Levine
Kenneth Levine is showing off his favorite T-Shirt, which says “All I’ve Had Today is Like Six Gummy Bears and Some Scotch”.
$20 Entry + $200 Donation CSOP Charity NLH Tournament
Structure Sheet
Level 3: Blinds 100/200
Entries: 78
The pre-tournament reception at the Gypsy Bar was a big hit. Here are just a few snaps of some of the attendees.
In early tournament action, Lance Funston doubled up with pocket Aces against pocket Kings!
Lance Funston
$20 Entry + $200 Donation CSOP Charity NLH Tournament
Structure Sheet
Level 2: Blinds 75/150
Last year’s CSOP event was benefiting the Community Food Bank of New Jersey. Tommy Bates earned the $1,000 bonus for holding the chip lead at the end of the registration period. He also finished 2nd in the tournament.
James Smart fired 10 bullets, earning the $1,000 bonus for most entries, but did not cash in the tournament.
Mark Kaganovsky – 2018 BWPO CSOP Winner
The winner was also the last player to enter — Mark Kaganovsky. No sign of Mark yet this year, but late registration is open for two hours.
The Charity Series of Poker raised $8,600 for the Community Food Bank of New Jersey thanks to 86 entries. The event brought out stars of poker and life alike to support a great cause.
$20 Entry + $200 Donation CSOP Charity NLH Tournament
Structure Sheet
Level 1: Blinds 50/100
Today’s CSOP tournament is open to all players and proceeds benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
Play is just getting underway for the annual Charity Series of Poker event at the Borgata. Registration and unlimited re-entries are available until the start of Level 9 (8:45 pm). There are $1,000 cash prizes for the player with the most entries and player who is the chip leader at the end of the registration period. Levels are 15 minutes long throughout, so this is essentially a turbo with 10,000 chips to start.
There are bounties and $1,000 cash prizes for both the chip leader at the end of rebuys and the player with the most re-entries. The winner of the charity tournament will walk away with a $3,500 seat into the WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship along with a $500 seat + $300 reception ticket to the March 2nd CSOP St. Jude event in Las Vegas. The runner-up will win a $1,260 Borgata Bounty Seat + $500 CSOP St. Jude Seat + $300 Reception Ticket. The third-place finisher gets a $500 CSOP St. Jude Seat + $300 Reception Ticket, and the rest of the final table a $500 CSOP St. Jude Seat.
The Charity Series of Poker (CSOP) is holding their 19th charity event tomorrow, Saturday, January 26th right here in the Event Center. The $220 buy-in tournament, which offers unlimited re-entries, will benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. The tournament is open to all players.
Additionally, the event will feature a catered reception with an open bar, food, and live music from Party Cover Band Stealing Savanah, which will be held from 4:30-6 p.m. in the Gypsy Bar.
The winner of the charity tournament, which begins at 6:30 pm, will get a $3,500 seat into the WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship along with a $500 seat + $300 reception ticket to the March 2nd CSOP St. Jude event in Las Vegas. The runner-up will win a $1,260 Borgata Bounty 8-Max Semi-Turbo Seat + $500 CSOP St. Jude Seat + $300 Reception Ticket, and the third-place finisher gets a $500 CSOP St. Jude Seat + $300 Reception Ticket, and the rest of the final table all get a $500 CSOP St. Jude Seat.
There will also be bounty prizes plus $1,000 cash prizes for both the chip leader at the end of registration and the player with the most re-entries. Among those slated to attend are Comedian Clayton Fletcher, National Sports Betting Champion Randy Lee, CSOP Founder Matt Stout, CSOP VP of Marketing Lexy Gavin, Katie Stone Cappuccio, Esther Taylor, Tommy Bates, Jennifer Shahade, Jessica Dawley, Loni Harwood, Jo Kim, Asher Conniff, Antonio Alberto, Trevor Savage, Craig Rubinstein, and many more!
Sponsors for CSOP19 include Borgata, RunGoodGear, Stealing Savanah Party Cover Band. VerStandig Law, Clayton Tax and Financial, PokerNews, GiftCash, Lake Las Vegas Water Sports, Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club, and Tyler Robinson Foundation.
If you’re interested in joining or would like to know more about sponsorship opportunities, please email us at charityseriesofpoker@gmail.com. You can also bid on our silent auction items, and pre-register the event here at https://CSOPStJude.givesmart.com.
About the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: St. Jude is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
The mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Consistent with the vision of our founder Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family’s ability to pay.
For more information visit stjude.org.