Poker After Dark The Mayfair Club Airs This Week

By Dennis Oehring

NBC’s Poker After Dark takes viewers on a trip down memory lane this week, as six players who frequented the legendary Mayfair Club in New York City will each put up $20,000 and compete for the $120,000 winner-take-all first prize.  Those competing are pros Jay Heimowitz, Howard Lederer, Mickey Appleman, Dan Harrington, Steve Zolotow, and Mike Shichtman, the manager of the club during its heyday.

Originally a club for backgammon and bridge players, The Mayfair Club gradually transitioned into the premier underground poker club in The Big Apple until it was closed by authorities in the year 2000.  But from the mid-1980s until its closure, the Mayfair Club was a training ground for many of the game’s top professional players.  In addition to the players featured this week, other notables who played there included Erik Seidel, Stu Ungar, Noli Francisco, Paul Magriel, and Jason Lester.   The Chesterfield Club in the movie Rounders was even modeled after the Mayfair Club.

This is the first appearance on the show for all of the players with the exception of Lederer and Zolotow.  Howard has two PAD victories, in Match 6 and Match 15, and sports an overall 2-4 record.  “Stevie Z” has one appearance back in Match 1, the one that featured Phil Hellmuth’s classic blowup, where he finished 5th.

The resumes that the remaining players bring to this week’s show are impressive indeed. Harrington, Appleman, and Heimowitz have won a combined total of 12 WSOP bracelets, with Harrington winning the World Series of Poker Championship in 1995.  And longtime gambler Shichtman, while the only player at the table not to have won a bracelet, was the man primarily responsible for the Mayfair Club’s successful changeover to poker during the club’s golden years, and as such knew the players as well as anyone.

Viewers will hear stories galore in this week’s match as these six players reminisce about the good ole’ days while playing one more game together.  Expect to hear discussions about how the games of chess and backgammon parallel that of poker, and stories about Stu Ungar, sports betting, and gambling in general.  It is men such as are featured in this week’s lineup that many younger players today should remember for helping to contribute to poker’s growth over the years, and to the popularity of the game as we know it today.

Heimowitz, Jay:  (Seat 1)
• A native of Bethel, NY, he began playing poker at the age of 9 for baseball cards, and was one of the original players who established the Mayfair Club as an elite poker house
• Winner of 6 WSOP bracelets, and has played in every World Series since 1975, winning a bracelet in the first WSOP tournament he ever played in
• Career tournament winnings in excess of $1.91 million
• After  leaving the Army at age 21 with $10,000 in poker winnings, he opened a beer and bottling company which would become a Budweiser distributorship two years later
• Highly regarded for his pleasant demeanor and respectful nature on and off the tables

Lederer, Howard:  (Seat 2)
• Nicknamed “The Professor,” and one of the most respected of all players among his peers
• Has won two WSOP bracelets and two WPT titles
• Lifetime tournament winning in excess of $4.91 million, and ranks 36th on the all-time money list
• Won the $100,000 buy-in event at the 2008 Aussie Millions, good for nearly $1.1 million
• Highly regarded as a television poker commentator and analyst

Appleman, Mickey:  (Seat 3)
• Long-time poker professional and highly successful sports bettor who was born on Long Island and now resides in Fort Lee, NJ
• Winner of 4 WSOP bracelets, all in different games, and played in his first World Series in 1975
• Lifetime tournament winnings in excess of $1.66 million
• Holds an MBA degree from Rutgers University, and taught statistics upon graduating, a background which has undoubtedly been instrumental in his success
• Once bet 32 people $20,000 each that he could break 100 on a golf course, and holed out a 49 yard shot from off the green on the 18th hole to shoot 99 and win $640,000

Harrington, Dan:  (Seat 4)
• Former champion backgammon player, chess master, and bankruptcy lawyer who played poker at the Mayfair Club with Howard Lederer and Erik Seidel in the mid-1980s
• 1995 World Series of Poker Champion, and winner of two WSOP bracelets and one WPT open title, the 2007 Legends of Poker Championship
• Known as “Action Dan,” he has lifetime tournament winnings in excess of $6.54 million, and ranks 23rd on the all-time money list
• Made the final table at the WSOP Championship event in both 2003 and 2004, an incredible accomplishment given the size of the fields
• Co-authored Harrington on Hold’em, Volumes 1, 2, and 3, which deal with NL hold’em tournament play, and just released two more books on playing in NLHE cash games

Zolotow, Steve:  (Seat 5)

• Nicknames are “Z,” “Stevie Z,” and “The Bald Eagle”
• Winner of two WSOP bracelets, one in Chinese Poker
• Career tournament winnings in excess of $1.80 million
• Owner of several bars in New York City, and played poker at the prestigious Mayfair Club during its heyday
• Earned an MBA from NYU

Shichtman, Mike:  (Seat 6)
• Long-time professional gambler who was born in the Bronx and now lives in New York’s Greenwich Village
• From the mid-1980s was the majority owner of the Mayfair Club in New York, taking it from a bridge club to a club of poker prominence before it was closed in 2000
• Has been playing poker for nearly 6 decades, and still plays 2-3 times a week, mostly in private clubs or home games
• Currently serves as a consultant to an online poker site and to Duplicate Poker
• Married for 47 years and has one son

Dennis Oehring serves as the Public Relations Coordinator for the firm POKER PROductions.  Statistical information courtesy of The Hendon Mob database. 

Phil Hellmuth, The 12th WSOP Bracelet and His Long Lost Twin

UltimateBet Pro to be met by look-a-likes in London for Main Event of 2008 World Series of Poker Europe

(London, UK) – There is only one 11-time WSOP bracelet winner, but world-record holder Phil Hellmuth will have poker fans seeing double this week in London — Saturday, September 27, 12:00PM — when the UltimateBet pro will come to the WSOPE with a gaggle of men and women vying for the “Phil Hellmuth Look-A-Like” title. All are welcome to compete for the title.

The contest brings Phil Hellmuth lovers and loathers to Leicester Square where the UltimateBet pro will hand pick his twin, who will be awarded £2,000 pounds sterling and accompany the Texas Hold’em champ and his entourage of 12 models into the casino.

But of course, it’s when Hellmuth goes into the casino things will get serious. Hellmuth is in London to compete in the World Series of Poker Europe, where he will be seeking his 12th World Series Bracelet, securing his status as the best tournament poker player in the world.

“I have a great chance to win my 12th bracelet at the WSOPE and break yet another world-record. I am the best poker player in the world, and while I don’t have to prove anything to the poker community, it would still be the greatest personal accomplishment to be the first to get 12.”

On June 11th, 2007, Hellmuth captured his record-shattering 11th WSOP bracelet after winning a $1,500 No Limit Hold’em event in Las Vegas. That win makes Hellmuth the only player to have earned 11 WSOP bracelets. Phil Hellmuth is also the youngest player to ever win the WSOP Main Event in Las Vegas and he holds the record for most WSOP cashes with a seemingly untouchable 69.

In 2007, Phil Hellmuth grabbed the European media spotlight as he toured London’s most famous sights aboard a Hellmuth-branded double-decker bus. The 11-time WSOP bracelet winner was also accompanied by 11 models, each one outfitted in a seductive police uniform.

Phil Hellmuth “in spirit” in Aruba

As always Phil Hellmuth arrives late at every tournament – but this takes the cake. In lieu of an empty seat – a picture of Hellmuth was put on his seat until he arrives to play day 1B at the Aruba Poker Classic!

Poker After Dark Dream Match II Debuts This Week

By Dennis Oehring

NBC’s Poker After Dark brings viewers another match this week that most fans would give their eye teeth to play in, as 25-year-old amateur Paul Featherstone from Woodland, CA, butts heads with five of his favorite players in Dream Match II.  The players Paul selected are Mike Matusow, Phil Hellmuth, Mike Sexton, Jennifer Harman, and Gavin Smith.  Paul won his seat in an online competition, while the others will put up $20,000 each and play for the $120,000 winner-take-all first prize.

This is the second dream match on Poker After Dark. Viewers may remember Ken Light’s appearance in Dream Match I, where the amateur played well but was knocked out on the final hand along with Jennifer Harman when Phil Hellmuth made trip sevens on the turn to eliminate both players and win his first ever match on PAD. It will be interesting to see if Paul fares better than Ken did, and he is sure to have a great number of supporters rooting for him as the match’s underdog.

After Matusow’s fourth-place finish last week in the “Mission Impossible” match, he remains winless on PAD with a record of 0-9.  Mike’s obviously feeling the pressure of having the worst record on the show, so you know he’ll be focused. Hellmuth comes into the match with a record of 3-8, and would love nothing better than to become the show’s first four-time winner.

Proud new father Mike Sexton comes into this match with a 1-1 record, scoring a victory in Match 19.  Jennifer Harman seems due, as she is now 1-6 with her victory coming way back in Match 8.  Gavin Smith currently sports a 1-2 record on the show, with a victory in Match 22.

Brief profiles of all six players follow.  The match will begin airing on NBC late night Monday at 2:05 a.m., September 29, and will continue for five consecutive nights in the same time slot.  A special program called the “Director’s Cut” will air late night Saturday, October 4, at 1:00 a.m., right after Saturday Night Live. This show will feature Leeann Tweeden with a behind-the-scenes look at the week with highlights and insightful player interviews.  Viewers can also watch the match at www.nbcsports/msnbc.com/poker.

This match has plenty of action, with lots of all-in moves, a number of suckouts and bad beats, some behavior by Hellmuth that fans have come to expect, and a great heads-up match with a dramatic final hand. Viewers can expect a very entertaining match, with plenty of opportunities to ride along on the emotional roller coasters of their favorite players.

Matusow, Mike:  (Seat 1)
• Known as “The Mouth” for trash talking at the tables, and one of poker’s most recognizable players
• Winner of three WSOP bracelets, his latest in the prestigious 2008 $5000 no-limit 2-7 draw event w/rebuys
• Lifetime tournament winnings in excess of $6.87 million, and ranks 19th on the all-time money list
• Won a $100,000 prop bet with Ted Forrest at the beginning of the 2008 WSOP by losing more than 50 pounds since the 2007 WSOP, weighing in at a svelte 179
• Self-proclaimed unluckiest player in the game when he’s running bad

Hellmuth, Phil:  (Seat 2)
• Known as the “Poker Brat,” a name he now embraces, and was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in July 2007
• 1989 World Champion, and won his 11th World Series bracelet in 2007, making him the first and only person in history to do so
• Career tournament winnings in excess of $10.67 million, and ranks 3rd on the all-time money list, despite never having a cash for more than $755,000
• Now has more World Series cashes (67) and has made more WSOP final tables (41) than any other player in history
• His fame has given him the opportunity to be involved in many businesses on the side, and he is highly acknowledged as the game’s best self-promoter

Sexton, Mike:  (Seat 3)
• A journeyman poker player, he began playing professionally in the late 1970s
• Owns one WSOP bracelet
• Lifetime tournament winnings in excess of $3.66 million
• One of television’s most recognizable and respected poker commentators, and perhaps the game’s greatest ambassador
• At the age of 60, became a father for the first time on August 21, 2008 when he and his wife Karen celebrated the birth of a baby boy, Ty Michael

Harman, Jennifer:  (Seat 4)
• Only woman to regularly compete in the “Big Game” at the Bellagio
• Owns two WSOP bracelets, and finished 2nd in the 2007 World Series of Poker Europe H.O.R.S.E. event
• Career tournament winnings in excess of $2.21 million
• Wrote the section of playing limit hold’em in Doyle Brunson’s book Super System II
• Married to poker professional Marco Traniello, and spends considerable time hosting charity events which raise money for the Nevada SPCA and other worthwhile causes

Smith, Gavin:  (Seat 5)

• Born in Guelph, Ontario, Canada, and attended the University of Guelph
• Holder of 1 WPT title, and was the WPT’s Player of the Year for season IV
• Career tournament winnings in excess of $3.97 million
• Talkative at the tables, and a self-proclaimed “wild card” due to his aggressive play
• Known to engage in unusual prop bets during the World Series of Poker, especially with good friend poker professional Joe Sebok

Featherstone, Paul:  (Seat 6)
• Is 25 years old, single, and a resident of Woodland, CA
• Won his seat to play on Poker After Dark via a freeroll at FullTiltPoker.net, and the players chosen to play against him are all among his personal favorites
• Has been playing poker for about three years, sometimes as much as 10 hours a day, both online and in home games with friends
• Worked for five years in the food service industry and is currently employed as a warehouse worker, but wants to return to college to become a veterinary technician
• Other hobbies include jogging, golf and basketball, and is a huge fan of the NBA’s Sacramento Kings

Dennis Oehring serves as the Public Relations Coordinator for the firm POKER PROductions.  Statistical information courtesy of The Hendon Mob database. 

2009 Caribbean Adventure Tournament Schedule

THE 2009 POKERSTARS CARIBBEAN ADVENTURE ANNOUNCES FULL WEEK TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Online Satellites Begin on September 24

PokerStars (www.PokerStars.net), the world’s largest online poker site, today announced the tournament schedule for the 2009 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure. This season’s tournament has grown into a series of events which will begin January 4, 2009 at the Atlantis Hotel and Casino on Paradise Island in The Bahamas, and run through January 10.

The 2009 PCA Tournament will feature a $10K Main Event – from January 5 - January 10. The last two days of the event will air live on www.pokerstars.tv. Other PCA events include a $1K, $2K and $5K NLHE and for the first time in the history of the tournament the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure will also include a $25K NHLE High Roller Event that will stretch over three days.

Last year’s event attracted more than 1,100 players, most of whom qualified on PokerStars, and was one of the largest ever fields outside of the WSOP series, generating a massive prize pool of $8,594,976. Team PokerStars Pro, Bertrand “ElkY” Grospellier took home $2 million for the win after five days of action in the sun. ElkY will return to defend his title alongside Team PokerStars Pros Chris Moneymaker, Joe Hachem, Greg Raymer and Daniel Negreanu.

“Competing and winning last year was such a great experience. The PCA playing field is always diverse and competitive because of the amount of PokerStars qualifiers - the location can’t be beat and I can’t wait to go back.” said ElkY.

Online satellites are running on PokerStars starting September 24. Players can win a PCA 2008 prize package by playing in one of the many qualifying tournaments on PokerStars.com. There will also be opportunities to win a place at the PCA for free. Qualifiers will receive the $9,700+$300 event buy in, hotel accommodations, food credit and $1,000 in travel and spending money.

Please visit http://www.pokerstars.com/caribbean-adventure/ for more information.

Phil Hellmuth Looking for Twin in London

Phil Hellmuth’s 12th WSOP Bracelet and his Long Lost Twin

UltimateBet Pro to be met by lookalikes in London, England for Main Event of 2008 World Series of Poker Europe

There is only one 11-time WSOP bracelet winner, but world-record holder Phil Hellmuth will have poker fans seeing double next week in London when the UltimateBet pro will come to the WSOPE with a gaggle of men and women vying for the “Phil Hellmuth Lookalike” title.

The contest brings Phil Hellmuth lovers and loathers to Leicester Square where the UltimateBet pro will hand pick his twin, who will be awarded 2,000 pounds sterling and accompany the Texas Hold’em champ and his entourage of 12 models into the casino.

But of course, it’s when Hellmuth goes into the casino things will get serious. Hellmuth is in London to compete in the World Series of Poker Europe, where he will be seeking his 12th World Series Bracelet, securing his status as the best tournament poker player in the world.

“I have a great chance to win my 12th bracelet at the WSOPE and break yet another world-record. I am the best poker player in the world, and while I don’t have to prove anything to the poker community, it would still be the greatest personal accomplishment to be the first to get 12.”

On June 11th, 2007, Hellmuth captured his record-shattering 11th WSOP bracelet after winning a $1,500 No Limit Hold’em event in Las Vegas. That win makes Hellmuth the only player to have earned 11 WSOP bracelets. Phil Hellmuth is also the youngest player to ever win the WSOP Main Event in Las Vegas and he holds the record for most WSOP cashes with a seemingly untouchable 69.

In 2007, Phil Hellmuth grabbed the European media spotlight as he toured London’s most famous sights aboard a Hellmuth-branded double-decker bus. The 11-time WSOP bracelet winner was also accompanied by 11 models, each one outfitted in a seductive police uniform.

Readers can keep up with Hellmuth by visiting www.ultimatebetblog.com.

PokerStars 2008 WCOOP Breaks Online Prize Pool Record

With More Than $10 Million Up for Grabs - ‘ckingusc’ Walks Away the Winner

With a prize pool exceeding $10 million, PokerStars broke the online poker prize pool record on Sunday with the 2008 WCOOP Main Event. The $5,200 NLHE tournament made online poker history as the largest ever online poker tournament with more than 2,000 players competing for 36 hours over two days. Carter “ckingusc” King, a 22-year-old student from Columbia, S.C., cut through the Main Event taking home $1.26 million first prize.

PokerStars continued to dominate the world of online poker tournaments at this year’s WCOOP with total prize pool of $39,958,000 – more than $3 million more than the last year’s event. Players from 118 different countries participated in 33 events for more than $55,000 in buy-ins. Players “PearlyJammer” and “thedonator” cashed 10 times in the tournament with “Dorinvandv” leading as the top earner before the main event.

Team PokerStars Pro Bertrand ‘ElKy’ Grospellier continued his 2008 tournament success in the WCOOP, cashing seven times and earning more than $400,000 over the two week period. He finished 21st in the main event cashing $22,942.50.

“The WCOOP is a great tournament to play, in preparation for upcoming tournaments like EPT London and the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure in January” said ElKy, 2008 PCA Champion. “The prize pool is enormous and there is such an incredible variety of players and styles. No other online tournament compares to the WCOOP.”

For further details on the WCOOP, including final table payouts and other PokerStars online tournaments, visit http://www.pokerstars.net

Bodog Poker Open II To Award 650K

Eight days, 14 events, six bounty tournaments and more than $650,000 in guaranteed prize money

Today, Bodog announced the full schedule for the Bodog Poker Open II, and it doesn’t get much bigger and better than this. Following up the wildly successful inaugural Bodog Poker Open last March, the BPOII starts Sunday, Sept. 28 and will consist of 14 tournaments held over eight days with more than $650,000 in prize money guaranteed. The main event on Sunday, Oct. 5 will award a guaranteed prize pool of $300,000, the largest ever in Bodog history.

To make things even more interesting—and profitable—for online players, Bodog will host six “Bounty” tournaments during the BPOII with players winning $109 in Bodog Tournament Credits for each Team Bodog pro and select featured player they eliminate during the tournament. The credits can be used in any BPOII Main Event Satellite hosted nightly at 9:20pm ET (T$109). All Team Bodog pros will play in the BPOII including David Williams, Justin Bonomo, Evelyn Ng and Jean-Robert Bellande.

“Whoever said sequels are never as good as the original certainly wasn’t talking about the Bodog Poker Open II,” said Team Bodog pro Justin Bonomo, a 23-year-old tournament ace with $1.4 million in career winnings. “The first BPO was pretty big but the BPOII takes it to a whole new level with more events, more money guaranteed, deeper stacks, and they’re keeping it fun along the way with bounty tournaments. I welcome all players to take a shot at me during the series.”

The BPOII starts Sunday, Sept. 28, with the BPOII Kick Off Bounty Tournament, featuring $5,000 in added money with a 100 + $9 buy-in. A total of six bounty tournaments will be held throughout the series in addition to seven “Championship Events” featuring higher buy-ins and deeper stacks. Players can buy directly into any of the events with cash or Bodog Tournament Credits, or win their way in through satellites. Winners of all events will gain entry into any BPOII Main Event Satellite hosted nightly at 9:20pm EST (T$109).

The 13 preliminary events all lead up to the series’ championship, the $500 buy-in BPOII Main Event, held on Sunday, Oct. 5 at 4:00 p.m. EST. A guaranteed $300,000 in prize money will be given away, regardless of how many players enter, and each player will start with 10,000 in tournament chips.

The inaugural Bodog Poker Open took place in March 2008 and consisted of six tournaments. The series drew to a close on Sunday, March 9 with 596 online poker players competing for a share of the $305,120 prize pool. The total cash purse, which included $25,000 in additional money added by Bodog, made the BPO Main Event the richest poker tournament ever held in Bodog history. Winning was Shawn “phatcat” Luman – his first-place finish not only earned him a $76,280 payday, but also the distinction of becoming the first-ever Bodog Poker Champion.

CLICK HERE for more details on the Bodog Poker Open II (including tournament schedule)

Bodog at World Series of Poker Europe

Team Bodog In Full Force At World Series of Poker Europe*

Last year’s “Last American Standing” Matt McCullough and 2008 APT champion Yevgeniy Timoshenko will join Bodog pros David Williams, Jean-Robert Bellande and Justin Bonomo as Team Bodog takes on the world’s best in London

The second annual World Series of Poker Europe* kicks off in London today, and once again, Team Bodog is there in full force to take on the biggest names in poker as they compete for millions in cash prizes and the final championship bracelet of the year.

Leading the charge for Team Bodog will be Bodog pros David Williams, Justin Bonomo and Jean-Robert Bellande, and “The Last American Standing” at the inaugural 2007 World Series in Europe, Matt McCullough. The 27-year-old amateur player from Cherry Hill, N.J. made history last year after he qualified for the main event on Bodog and went on to finish third to earn $766,674 and the distinction of being the final American in the tournament.

Also representing Team Bodog in London is Yevgeniy Timoshenko, a 20-year-old poker ace from the U.S. of Ukrainian descent. Timoshenko is coming off a spectacular win last month at the largest poker tournament in Asia, the 2008 APT Macau, where he banked $500,000.

“Bodog is sending a great group of players across the Atlantic this year, and we’re all hungry to bring home a bracelet for Bodog,” said Bodog poker pro and WSOP*-bracelet winner David Williams. “I’m especially excited to have Matt and Yevgeniy joining us in London. Both guys have scored big this past year, and I’ll be looking for them as well as the rest of Team Bodog to go deep in London.”

The 2008 World Series of Poker Europe* will feature four bracelet tournaments and culminate with the £10,000 World Championship No-Limit Hold’em Main Event, which will run over five days beginning Sept. 27. For the first time, ESPN will broadcast eight hours of original coverage in the U.S. and distribute the tournament to television networks worldwide.

At the World Series in London, Team Bodog hopes to continue the momentum from this summer’s series in Las Vegas, where the team walked away with more than $1.6 million in prize money and a bracelet. The tally from Las Vegas puts Team Bodog pros’ combined career winnings at nearly $8.5 million. Williams, who racked up four cashes at the World Series in Las Vegas this summer, alone has more than $6.1 million in tournament winnings.

Team Bodog is a combination of pros, featured players and online qualifiers for live events. Team Bodog’s featured players, also known as “Bodog Poker Ambassadors,” include Smith “nevertilt22″ Collins, Jose “head2782″ Severino, Magnus “magpe” Petersson and Alan “ari” Engel. All are well-known in the Bodog Poker Room and consistently top the Tournament Leader Board (TLB) standings. They also regularly share poker advice on the Team Bodog page and are active in many online poker forums and chat rooms.

Online poker players are just one step and a single dollar away from joining these Team Bodog pros and featured players by qualifying for a seat at any number of major poker tournaments around the world. Online satellites take place daily in the Bodog Poker room and offer players the chance to win a $12,000 Player’s Choice VIP prize package and travel the world in true Bodog style while competing for millions in prize money.

Borgata Crowns 2008 Poker Open Champion

Twenty-two year old wins $1,424,000.00 in record-breaking tournament

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ - Borgata’s record breaking 2008 Borgata Poker Open, which offered a $5 million prize pool, the largest ever guaranteed by a casino in history, concluded late Thursday night with twenty-two year-old Vivek Rajkumar walking away with the $1,424,000.00 first-place prize and the Poker Open title.

The day’s play began quickly as it took only six hands before the first elimination, Andrew Knee, hit the rail when his Ace/Four failed to pair the board. Knee earned $237,500 for finishing sixth.

The next player to see his title hopes dashed was Mark Seif. Always a threat to go deep in a big tournament, Seif ran into some bad luck when he had his pocket Aces cracked by Vivek “Psyduck” Rajkumar’s set of tens. Seif collected $287,500 for his tournament play.

In keeping with the day’s theme of rapid bust-outs, it took only nine more hands before the day’s next elimination. This time it was Jason Strochak who fell victim to lady luck after losing a crucial hand to Sang Kim’s pocket Kings. Strochak took home $337,500.

With only three final players at the table, the action continued rapidly as World Series of Poker bracelet-owner Dan Heimiller made a run at the top spot. Unfortunately for Heimiller, he was unable to overcome a short stack and was eliminated in third place. He earned $387,500 for his five days of tournament play.

Once play reached heads up, it wasn’t long before the online whiz kid Rajkumar took down Virginia’s Sang Kim. “Psyduck” made quick work of Kim and took down the title in six hands of heads up play. Kim collected $750,000 for his second-place finish, while the Seattle, Washington native, Rajkumar banked the $1,424,000 first-place prize.

Poker After Dark Mission Impossible Tournament Airs This Week

By Dennis Oehring

NBC kicks off four consecutive weeks of original programming on Poker After Dark with a match that’s being called “Mission Impossible.”  The reason is a lighthearted jab at one of poker’s best known personalities, Mike Matusow, who despite the tremendous success he has experienced in his lifetime, so far has come up empty on PAD and now sports the worst record of any player who has appeared on the show. 

Mike’s record on Poker After Dark is a dismal 0-8, and if past performance is any indication of future success, his mission this week will be formidable indeed as he looks for his first victory against five pros who have already won a PAD match at least once.  Looking to keep Mikey’s perfect record intact will be Phil Laak, Phil Hellmuth, David Williams, Clonie Gowen, and Gavin Smith.  Each player will put up $20,000 and compete for the $120,000 winner-take-all first prize.

“The Unabomber” comes into this match with a PAD record of 1-3, winning Match 5.  Hellmuth, who sported the worst record on PAD through the first two seasons, redeemed himself in Season 3 by winning two out of three matches, and with his victory in the Heads-Up Challenge in Week 33, now has a record of 3-7.  Williams is 1-1, having won “Jam-Up Week” in Match 27, as is Smith who won Match 22 before settling for 4th in Match 23.  Gowen has been impressive on Poker After Dark, winning two of her four matches, and looks to join Johnny Chan and Hellmuth as PAD’s only three-time winners.

But all eyes with be on “The Mouth” to see if he can break his horrific losing streak on the show.  When told what the theme would be, Matusow was very good-natured about it, but viewers will definitely be able to feel the heat that Mike is experiencing in trying to break into the winner’s column.  Whether he will do so this week, or whether he will have to wait for another match is something viewers will definitely want to tune in for and find out.

Brief profiles of all six players follow.  The match will begin airing on NBC late night Monday at 2:05 a.m., September 22, and will continue for five consecutive nights in the same time slot.  A special program called the “Director’s Cut” will air late night Saturday, September 27, at 1:00 a.m., right after Saturday Night Live.  This show will feature Leeann with a behind-the-scenes look at the week with highlights and insightful player interviews.  Viewers can also watch the match at www.nbcsports/msnbc.com/poker.

None of the players this week are noted for being quiet at the table, so expect lots of interesting and entertaining banter in addition to some darned good poker.  Clonie has a new look in this match that will probably catch the eye of more than one viewer, one player gets a little irritated, and the heads-up battle for the title is one of the most dominating performances in the show’s history.

Matusow, Mike:  (Seat 1)
• Known as “The Mouth” for trash talking at the tables, and one of poker’s most recognizable players
• Winner of three WSOP bracelets, his latest in the prestigious 2008 $5000 no-limit 2-7 draw event w/rebuys
• Lifetime tournament winnings in excess of $6.87 million, and ranks 19th on the all-time money list
• Won a $100,000 prop bet with Ted Forrest at the beginning of the 2008 WSOP by losing more than 50 pounds since the 2007 WSOP, weighing in at a svelte 179
• Self-proclaimed unluckiest player in the game when he’s running bad

Laak, Phil:  (Seat 2)
• Nicknamed “The Unabomber” for the trademark hooded sweatshirt and sunglasses he usually wears
• Holder of one WPT invitational title
• Career tournament winnings in excess of $1.4 million
• Dates actress and poker player Jennifer Tilly
• Known for his unusual and often humorous antics and mannerisms at the table

Hellmuth, Phil:  (Seat 3)
• Known as the “Poker Brat,” a name he now embraces, and was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in July 2007
• 1989 World Champion, and won his 11th World Series bracelet in 2007, making him the first and only person in history to do so
• Career tournament winnings in excess of $10.67 million, and ranks 3rd on the all-time money list, despite never having a cash for more than $755,000
• Now has more World Series cashes (67) and has made more WSOP final tables (41) than any other player in history
• His fame has given him the opportunity to be involved in many businesses on the side, and he is highly acknowledged as the game’s best self-promoter

Williams, David:  (Seat 4)
• Highly intelligent, he scored 1550 out of 1600 on his college SATs
• Winner of one WSOP bracelet, and was runner-up to Greg Raymer in the 2004 WSOP main event
• Lifetime tournament winnings in excess of $6.13 million, and ranks 25th on the all-time money list
• Known for wearing “just a touch” of bling at the tables
• Owns more than 300 pairs of Nike Air Force One sneakers

Gowen, Clonie:  (Seat 5)
• Real first name is Cycalona, a name inspired from being born during a powerful storm in Oklahoma
• Won a $5000 no-limit hold’em event at the 2008 Bellagio Cup IV in July, 2008, her biggest cash ever which was good for nearly $438,000
• Career tournament winnings in excess of $1.21 million
• Is involved with chapters of the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition and United Cerebral Palsy
• One of poker’s more attractive women players, she appeared on the cover of the July 2006 issue of Maxim magazine

Smith, Gavin:  (Seat 6)
• Born in Guelph, Ontario, Canada, and attended the University of Guelph
• Holder of 1 WPT title, and was the WPT’s Player of the Year for season IV
• Career tournament winnings in excess of $3.97 million
• Talkative at the tables, and a self-proclaimed “wild card” due to his aggressive play
• Known to engage in unusual prop bets during the World Series of Poker, especially with good friend poker professional Joe Sebok

Dennis Oehring serves as the Public Relations Coordinator for the firm POKER PROductions.  Statistical information courtesy of The Hendon Mob database.

Borgata Poker Open Championship Event Kicks Off With $5 Million Guarantee

Record breaking tournament begins events to crown a WPT Poker Open champion.

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ - The 2008 Borgata Poker Open - World Poker Tour Championship event began on Sunday, drawing a field of 516 players with the guarantee of a $5 million prize pool, the largest guarantee by a casino in poker history.

A number of poker’s elite players came out to try and become the 2008 champion, including Player-of-the-Year candidates John Phan and Eric Seidel. Big name poker pros such as David “The Dragon” Pham, Jamie Gold, Gavin Smith, Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi, Roy Winston, Chad Brown, Kathy Liebert, Jon Juanda, Carlos Mortenson and Nam Le all showed up to play in the Borgata Poker Open Main Event on Sunday. Also participating were Dennis Phillips, Ylon Schwartz, and Chino Rheem, all three “final nine” participants for this year’s WSOP event in November.

Professional live players were not the only group represented, as top online pros including Jarde “The WacoKidd” Hamby, Cliff “JohnnyBax” Josephy, Eric “E-Fro” Froelich, Robert “Action Bob” Hwang, Jimmy “Gobboboy” Fricke and Joey “JoeytheB” Brooks took time away from their computers to shoot for the grand prize.

According to Brooks, he has been waiting for this tournament all year. “You always want to do well in the preliminary tournaments, but this is the one that really counts. This kind of first-place money can really help change your life.”

According to WPT lead reporter BJ Nemeth, Borgata’s guarantee once again sets Borgata apart from other stops on the tour. “Despite competing against major tournaments both online and in Europe, Borgata guaranteed a full $5 million prize pool with the WPT Borgata Poker Open Championship Event. That’s the largest guarantee in history, and a lot of critics didn’t think they would get nearly enough players to reach it. When registration closed for the event, the field was only five short of reaching the guarantee. In the end, Borgata added $46,400 to the prize pool and this gives players the advantage of extra equity in the tournament. It’s a win-win situation,” Nemeth said.

Although only one player can take home the title, 54 spots will make the money. Make sure to go to www.theborgata.com to keep up with all of the action on the Poker Blog as Borgata’s team of reporters bring you the action from the Event Center floor. Check out videos of all the poker action at www.borgatatv.com.

Shooting Star Sebastian Ruthenberg Wins PokerStars EPT Barcelona

Sebastian Ruthenberg from Germany is the new PokerStars EPT Barcelona champion. Ruthenberg, 24, takes home the $1,938,045 (€1,360,100) first prize after defeating 619 players in the record, sell-out event.

This summer Ruthenberg won a World Series of Poker bracelet when he took down the Seven Card Stud Hi-Low championship event. His victory in Barcelona establishes him among Europe’s elite high stakes poker players.

Ruthenberg started today’s final table as chip leader but faced tough competition - including American PokerStars player Jason Mercier, winner of EPT San Remo in April, Italian pro Daniele Mazzia and Belgium’s #1 player Davidi Kitai, as well as PokerStars qualifier Fintan Gavin from Galway, Ireland, who was runner-up.

Ruthenberg, one of seven poker professionals from the PokerStars.de Shooting Stars team, has gone from strength to strength since winning the German Open in 2006. He was runner-up at a WCOOP event last year and came third in EPT3 Dortmund. He then joined the PokerStars Shooting Stars team and went on to success in Las Vegas.

Ruthenberg, from Hamburg, brought the first EPT of Season 5 to a close when he called Gavin’s all-in raise after just three hands of heads-up play. Gavin, manager of the Eglinton card room in his native Ireland, had 7-4 against Ruthenberg’s K-9.

“There was actually no moment when I thought I might win it,” said Ruthenberg. “I was card-dead for a long time and just waiting to make a play. But I know I am running good at the moment. This win is worth more money than the WSOP and I have to say – the money is important.”

There were 619 players, including 104 PokerStars.com qualifiers, who entered the $11,400 (€8,000) buy-in EPT Barcelona event creating a record prize pool of $7,057,537 (€4,952,000). Among those who competed were Swedish NHL superstar Mats Sundin and Spanish tennis legend Sergi Bruguera, both making their first EPT appearances as PokerStars Ambassadors, as well as Team PokerStars Pros Chad Brown - who finished 34th for $24,662 (€17,300) - Daniel Negreanu, Greg Raymer and Vanessa Rousso.

Jason Mercier missed winning a second EPT title when he was eliminated in sixth place for $324,842 (€227,800). His friend Sam Chartier from Montreal, another PokerStars qualifier, came 7th for $253,812 (€178,000).

“This year’s EPT Barcelona was even bigger and better than we expected with a sell-out field which, considering our high expectations from previous seasons, is a fantastic achievement. This tournament brought everything together - great poker action, a multi-million dollar prize pool and world-class amenities at the Gran Casino Barcelona,” said John Duthie, Executive Producer of the European Poker Tour.

Final payouts:

1) Sebastian Ruthenberg — Germany — PokerStars.de ShootingStar $1,940,776
2) Fintan Gavin — Ireland — PokerStars qualifier $1,129,386
3) Davidi Kitai — Belgium $648,827
4) Daniele Mazzia — Italy $500,526
5) Dren Ukella — Germany $416,392
6) Jason Mercier — USA — PokerStars player $324,842
7) Sam Chartier — Canada — PokerStars qualifier $253,913
Martin Nielsen — Denmark $169,751

The next stop on the PokerStars European Poker Tour is the $9,350 (£5,200) buy-in London event from October 1-5 at the Grosvenor Victoria Casino. For the first time in EPT history, PokerStars.com is guaranteeing a $1,799,793 (£1 million) first prize. Also for the first time, there will be a special High Roller event: the ‘PokerStars.net EPT London £1 million Showdown’ takes place October 5-6 with a $39,000 + $585 (£20,000 + £300) buy-in. For more information, please visit http://www.ept.com

Jay Lakin Wants You To Register To Vote

Special Guest Column by Jay Lakin / Co-Owner & Vice President of PokerSourceOnline.com

If you live in the United States and are a legal resident, registering to vote for the upcoming general elections in November is an absolute must. Mark your calendar down for Tuesday, November 4. On that day, you’ll make your way to the polls in order to exercise the right given to you as an American citizen. Yes, it might sound a little bit hokey, but it’s true.

The online poker industry is in a state of flux right now. Ever since former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist rammed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act down our throats in 2006, the industry has relied upon U.S. lawmakers to resurrect it. Shortly, one-third of the U.S. Senate and the entire House of Representatives will be up for grabs. Don’t let yourself be disenfranchised. Register to vote.

I’m not even going to tell you which party to vote for. Whether you support Barack Obama or John McCain is irrelevant. Whether you agree with the war in Iraq doesn’t matter. Whether you’re for or against abortion, tax breaks for businesses, or gun control makes absolutely no difference whatsoever. All I want you to remember are three simple words: “Register to vote.”

How do you register to vote, you ask? It’s easy. Go to www.poker2008.org. It’s the voter registration site run by the online poker industry’s main lobbying group, the Poker Players Alliance. All you have to do is click on your state, enter some information like your name and address, and then print a form out to be mailed in. You’ll be done before you can say “All in, baby” like Scotty Nguyen.

The amount of time needed to process a voter registration form varies by state. Therefore, the deadline to submit it is different everywhere. For example, applicants in Michigan must postmark their registrations by October 6. In seven states (Idaho, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, and Wyoming), voters can actually register on Election Day. So make sure to check out www.poker2008.org to see what the guideline is for your state.

So why is it important to register to vote? If you don’t register, you don’t matter in the political process. You’re merely a fly on the wall. You were never a part of determining the outcome. 2009 will be a critical year for online poker, and you’ll be sitting idly by.

As it currently stands, there are several online poker bills in Congress proposed by some of the top U.S. lawmakers. Democrat Barney Frank has introduced the Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act, which sets up an entire structure for legalized online gambling in the United States. Democrat Robert Wexler has introduced the Skill Game Protection Act, which lets online poker off the hook legally. Even Republican lawmaker Pete Sessions has introduced legislation that declares sports books (and sports books only) illegal under the UIGEA. In order for any of them to be acted on, poker players must get registered to vote and raise their voices publicly by letting their Congressmen know that these issues matter.

Poker players are a notoriously apathetic group. I’m not trying to ruffle your feathers, but it’s true. They’d prefer to stay home and play the $100 re-buy on PokerStars rather than exercise their opinion at the polls. Many have never called their two Senators and one Representative, and I’d wager that some could not name any lawmaker who represents them.

However, by registering to vote, you’re taking the first step toward becoming politically relevant. Even if you dislike Barney Frank, Robert Wexler, and Pete Sessions, make yourself heard rather than let others determine your own future.

Visit www.poker2008.org today.

Last Chance at Aruba with UltimateBets 50-seat Guarantee this Saturday

Another 50 Aruba Poker Classic packages valued at $8,500 each are on the line in this Saturday’s 50-seat Aruba Guaranteed Poker Tournament at UltimateBet.

With just two weeks remaining until the 2008 Aruba Poker Classic gets underway, UltimateBet is pulling out all the stops in hopes of sending a record number of Texas Hold’em fans to the world’s hottest island poker tournament.

This Saturday, UltimateBet will award at least 50 online poker players with Aruba Poker Classic prize packages valued at $8,500 each through the site’s third Aruba 50-seat Guarantee in less than three months.

The $500+30 online Texas Hold’em event gets underway on Saturday, September 13th at 5:30pm ET at UltimateBet.com. Each package includes a $5,000+500 buy-in to the 2008 Aruba Poker Classic and an additional $3,000 for travel and accommodations.

With several satellites running daily, Texas Hold’em poker players can still win their way to Saturday’s 50-Seat Aruba Satellite for as little as $10.

The 2008 Aruba Poker Classic takes place from September 27th through October 4th at the Radisson Aruba Resort & Casino. This year’s island tournament has already attracted some of the biggest celebrities from the film, music and poker worlds including Don Cheadle, Scott Ian and Phil Hellmuth. UltimateBet is guaranteeing a first place prize of $1 million.

UB Announces Record Breaking UBOC Event, Massive Guarantees

Online poker site releases a $3 million Main Event schedule for UBOC that includes two $1 million tournaments and a secondary UBOC series

UltimateBet today released the satellite poker tournament schedule for UBOC 2009, UltimateBet’s Online Championship series, and unleashed an impressive Main Event calendar that features 22 guaranteed events, two $1 million tournaments and over $3 million in guaranteed prize pool money.

“This is unbelievably massive,” stated Annie Duke, UltimateBet’s Cardroom Consultant. “In keeping with our commitment to delivering more of what online poker players demand, we’re raising the stakes in our 3rd UBOC series by throwing over $3 million in guarantees into the mix.”

Past participants in UBOC will immediately do a double take after seeing the details of UBOC 2009. Of this year’s 22 events, two feature guaranteed prize pools of $1 million apiece.

Making up 10 of the 22 events is a parallel series being billed as Mini UBOC. With the exception of the two $1 million tournaments, each UBOC event will be mirrored by a separate Mini UBOC event where players can buy in for approximately 10% of the corresponding UBOC event and compete for a lucrative prize pool.

UBOC 2009 kicks off on January 9th, 2009 and runs through January 18th. Satellites for the popular online poker championship series begin on September 15th, 2009.

Pagano, McDonald Among First PokerStars EPT Awards Winners

Players Rewarded for Achievements During EPT Season 4

Barcelona, Spain — PokerStars, the world’s largest online poker room, has launched The EPT Season Five with the first European Poker Tour Awards in Barcelona Tuesday night. The ceremony honoured the best players and performances from the entire EPT Season Four with Team PokerStars Pro Daniel Negreanu hosting the awards alongside Poker News’ Gloria Balding.

The EPT Barcelona Open is being held at the Gran Casino Barcelona from September 10-14, 2008. With an estimated 600 players taking part and the first prize money set to exceed 1.3 million euros this year, the tournament and the EPT Barcelona has grown exponentially since its addition to the tour in 2004, when the buy-in was a mere 1000 euro with 230 players competing to win 80,000 euro.

The awards ceremony took place at the stylish Opium Mar in Barcelona on September 9, 2008. The launch of The EPT Awards follows the enormous success of the PokerStars.com Scandinavian Poker Awards, which takes place annually in Copenhagen.

“The EPT awards, which we expect to become a regular fixture on the EPT, look back at last season’s record breaking tour and acknowledge the achievements of the players who once again dazzled us all with their exceptional poker skills,” said John Duthie, EPT executive producer.

Two of the seven EPT award categories included voting that was open to the general public and EPT accredited media. Presiding over the remaining five categories were an expert panel of seven judges including:

– John Duthie (Executive Producer of The EPT)
– Lee Jones (former PokerStars.com Card Room Manager)
– Victoria Coren (writer, TV presenter & Team PokerStars Pro member)
– John Caldwell (Editor-in-Chief of PokerNews).

The 2008 European Poker Tour Award winners include:

Best Newcomer – Trond Erik Eidsvig – Awarded to the player who made the biggest entrance into the EPT Season Four. Also nominated for this award were: Denes Kalo, Jason Mercier, Annette Obrestad and Mike McDonald.

Best Performance –Julian Thew, EPT Baden Champion - Awarded to the player who gave the best individual performance during one EPT Season Four tournament. Also nominated for this award were: Jason Mercier, Bertrand “ElkY” Grospellier, Glen Chorny and Mike McDonald.

Best Overseas Player –Mike McDonald (Canada) – This award honours the non-European player who has had the most impact on the EPT Season Four. Also nominated for this award were: Tim Vance, Isaac Baron, Mike McDonald, Raymond Rahme and Danny Ryan.

Best PokerStars Qualifier – Danny Ryan - Awarded to the PokerStars qualifier who made the biggest impact on the EPT during Season Four. Also nominated for this award were: Mike McDonald, Glen Chorny, Christian Harder and Isaac Baron.

The Poker Writer’s Award – Julien Thew – This award invited all accredited media to vote for the player they have most enjoyed writing about, interviewing or watching during EPT season 4.

The People’s Choice Award – Mike McDonald – This was the chance for the poker playing public to pick any player who competed in EPT Season Four. Mike won with over a quarter of the 878 votes.

Player of the Year Award – Team PokerStars Pro Luca Pagano – The player who has achieved the most over the entire EPT Season Four. Also nominated for this award were: Trond Erik Eidsvig, Johannes Straussman, Jan Heitman and Thierry Van der Berg.

PokerStars highlights from the ceremony can be viewed by CLICKING HERE!

Borgata Poker Open Events 7-9 FINAL RESULTS

Event 7 - $400 + $50 Limit Hold’em (No Ante)
(September 8-9, 2008) — 483 entries / $193,200 Prize Pool
1. JOHN GALE (BUSHEY HEATH, ENGLAND): $55293
2. PHILIP VITALE (FREEHOLD, NJ): $29946
3. DAVID PEAY (HARRISBURG, NC): $15456
4. LONN HUSTON (KING OF PRUSSIA, PA): $13524
5. DOMENICO BARRETTA (LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, PA): $11592
6. RICHARD WALSH (WARRINGTON, PA): $9660
7. LOUIS DOLLINGER (SAG HARBOR, NY): $7728
8. EVAN MANDERY (GREAT NECK, NY): $5796
9. BRADLEY UTZ (BURLINGTON, NC): $3864
10. MITCHELL ROLNICK (NEW HYDE PARK, NY): $2512
11. MATTHEW CHANG (ROCKVILLE, MD): $2512
12. FRANKLIN PIERCE (RED BANK, NJ): $2512
13. RUSSELL GREEN (SYOSSET, NY): $1835
14. BARRY BELSKY (MARLTON, NJ): $1835
15. GREGG KOLASKI (BLACKWOOD, NJ): $1835
16. PATRICIA BARSANTI-CHOU (METUCHEN, NJ): $1333
17. RICHARD LOWE (OWASSO, OK): $1333
18. DMITRI SOKOLOV (OCEAN, NJ): $1333
19. JOSEPH LEAHY (NORRISTOWN, PA): $1063
20. STEVE PROSAK (ARLINGTON, VA): $1063
21. GREGORY DONATELLI (GLENSIDE, PA): $1063
22. JORGE RIVERA CARRERO (TOAALTA, PR): $1063
23. DAVID CLARKE (BASKING RIDGE, NJ): $1063
24. ALLISON SCHULTZ (NEW YORK, NY): $1063
25. JOSEPH SCHMIDT (BRONX, NY): $1063
26. GREGG LEVA (LITLE MACK, NY): $1063
27. JONATHAN DRISCOLL (WHITESTONE, NY): $1063
28. MARC AUBIN (TEEREBONNE, 51): $811
29. STEVEN MONACO (BAY SHORE, NY): $811
30. JOSEPH FORTUNA (PHILADELPHIA, PA): $811
31. GUY LOUIS CICCONI (LAS VEGAS, NV): $811
32. TAMMY BRINDISE (RUMSON, NJ): $811
33. PAUL MCCAFFREY (S BOSTON, MA): $811
34. JOE MCCRACKEN (VINELAND, NJ): $811
35. CHRISTINE FANELLI (ROEBLING, NJ): $811
36. SIMANTOV LEVY (WETHERSFIELD, CT): $811
37. MIKE LEAH (LAS VEGAS, NV): $715
38. TIMOTHY ROSA (EASTON, PA): $715
39. STEVE WALLACE (WILMINGTON, DE): $715
40. MATTHEW BERKEY (ERIE, PA): $715
41. FRANK BELLINO (MANALAPAN, NJ): $715
42. KEVIN MASON (WEST NEW YORK, NJ): $715
43. THEODOROS KARIDIS (NORWALK, CT): $715
44. MIKHAIL VOLOSHEN (HUNTINGDON VALLEY, PA): $715
45. TIMOTHY DAVIS (LINTHICUM, MD): $715
_______________________________________
Event 8 - $300 + $50 Seven Card Stud
(September 8-9, 2008) — 169 entries / $50,700 Prize Pool

1. FRANCIS PINCHOT (ATLANTIC CITY, NJ): $17238
2. JOHN COYLE (NEW CITY, NY): $9126
3. ANTHONY DEANGELO (SEWELL, NJ): $5070
4. MANUEL PIHAKIS (CANNONSBURG, PA): $3549
5. JIM KAISER (ELWOOD, NJ): $3042
6. NICHOLAS RAIO (POUGHKEEPSIE, NY): $2535
7. TRUNG LE (ATLANTIC CITY, NJ): $2028
8. WAYNE MASCIARELLA (ATLANTIC CITY, NJ): $1521
9. BRUCE BARRY (BRONX, NY): $1166
10. JOSEPH ROTONDO (HOWELL, NJ): $963
11. JOSEPH CUTRI (SOUTHAMPTON, PA): $912
12. FRANK GAGLIANO (BROOKLYN, NY): $862
13. JOHN WOMACK (LAUDERHILL, FL): $761
14. LANCE MESLER (LINDEN, NJ): $710
15. GILBERT RODEN (BALTIMORE, MD): $659
16. RICARDO FESTEJO (EGG HARBOR TWP, NJ): $55

_______________________________________

Event 9 - $500 + $60 Limit Hold’em
(September 9-10, 2008) — 471 entries / $235,500 Prize Pool
1. HOWARD WOLPER (ATLANTIC CITY, NJ): $67400
2. ANDRE BOYER (ACTON VALE, CANADA): $36503
3. DENNIS LEVI (JERSEY CITY, NJ): $18840
4. JONAS WEXLER (SOUTHAMPTON, PA): $16485
5. NIKOLAOS FRANGOS (MAYS LANDING, NJ): $14130
6. ROSS STECHSHULTE (FORT JENNINGS, OH): $11775
7. SOHEIL SHAMASEDDIN (HOUSTON, TX): $9420
8. DANIEL KADAR (E BRUNSWICK, NJ): $7066
9. EUGENE CASTRO (NEW YORK, NY): $4711
10. CHRISTOPH LYON (BRICK, NJ): $3062
11. PETER SMYTH (LIVER POOL, ENGLAND): $3062
12. STEPHEN GILL (GREENVILLE, SC): $3062
13. WILLIAM VARGA (PARIS, KY): $2238
14. MICHAEL PETERS (TOLEDO, OH): $2238
15. SHEREE BYKOFSKY (ATLANTIC CITY, NJ): $2238
16. ROBERT BURNS (E GREENVILLE, PA): $1625
17. JOHN WOMACK (LAUDERHILL, FL): $1625
18. THEODORE ELY (BROOKLYN, NY): $1625
19. ANDREW KLOC (NAUGATUCK, CT): $1295
20. ALESSANDRO RAZZANO (WESTBURY, NY): $1295
21. DOUGLAS CARLI (ALLIANCE, OH): $1295
22. HENRI BERBERIAN (AIX EN PROVENCE, FRANCE): $1295
23. DEAN SCHULTZ (STOW, OH): $1295
24. BRENT KELLER (HORSHAM, PA): $1295
25. MICHAEL SCOTTI (BROAD CHANNEL, NY): $1295
26. GORDON ENG (CLIFFSIDE PARK, NJ): $1295
27. DAVID RUBINSTEIN (BROOKLYN, NY): $1295
28. JEFFREY WICKER (BRISTOL, PA): $989
29. MARION BUSCH (GREENVILLE, MS): $989
30. WADE WOELFEL (MANKATO, MN): $989
31. JASON BRICE (SUGARLAND, TX): $989
32. SHIMON SUISSA (WAYNE, NJ): $989
33. TIMOTHY MCDONALD (FAIRLESS HILLS, PA): $989
34. JAMES SPORTIELLO (BROOKLYN, NY): $989
35. RICHARD CONKLIN (MONTICELLO, NY): $989
36. SARA STOHLER (WASHINGTON, DC): $989
37. GARY SCHOENGOLD (OLNEY, MD): $871
38. JAMES HOLLAND (FAYETTEVILLE, NC): $871
39. MARK REYNOLDS (ELDERSBURG, MD): $871
40. TIMOTHY FINNE (FANWOOD, NJ): $871
41. MICHAEL NEUFELD (BROOKLYN, NY): $871
42. VITO VENTURA (BROOKLYN, NY): $871
43. WASYL STEPHEN ZALIWICIW (PHILADELPHIA, PA): $871
44. MICHAEL RATCLIFF (MONTREAL, CAN): $871
45. FRANCO DIPIETRO (MONTREAL, CAN): $871

2008 Borgata Poker Open Events 1-6 FINAL RESULTS

Event 1 - $300 + $50 No Limit Hold’em
(September 3-4, 2008)  –  1,192 entries / $357,600 Prize Pool
1. DANIEL APICELLA (HIGHTSTOWN, NJ): $77170
2. RONALD COOPERMAN (VOORHEES, NJ): $50958
3. BEN STEIN (BABYLON, NY): $27714
4. JASON ROTH (BALTIMORE, MD): $24138
5. EVELYN ANKERS (KING OF PRUSSIA, PA): $20562
6. EZRA MANN (BROOKLYN, NY): $16986
7. NORMAN CONTRERAS (CLEARWATER, FL): $13410
8. JOHN WHITEMARSH (WAYNE, PA): $9835
9. RAUL TOTANES (BROOKLYN, NY): $7153
10. TIMMY BYRD (HAMDEN, CT): $4648
11. ALEX GIL (CORONA, NY): $4648
12. KEVIN BROWN (MECHANICSBURG, PA): $4648
13. VATTHANA SOURYACHAK (WOODBRIDGE, VA): $3398
14. PAUL MULE (OCEANSIDE, NY): $3398
15. ALAN DEFUSCO (CRUNSTON, RI): $3398
16. RAYMOND TETSOSHVILI (WEST HARTFORD, CT): $2146
17. SCOTT EICKHOFF (THREE RIVERS, MI): $2146
18. WERNER CROCKER (LAUREL   HO, MD): $2146
19. JOSEPH GARTNER (BRIGHT WATERS, NY): $1609
20. DENNIS WEINER (NEW CITY, NY): $1609
21. WESLEY GRIFFIN (VALHALLA, NY): $1609
22. JAMES KEATING (FREDERICK, MD): $1609
23. CHRISTOPHER DEQUATRO (WEST HEMPSTEAD, NY): $1609
24. BRIAN EARDLEY (TOWSON, MD): $1609
25. JAMES NELSON JR (ROCK TAVERN, NY): $1609
26. CHRISTIAN CURRY (LEWISTOWN, PA): $1609
27. WILLIAM BRADEN (TOMS RIVER, NJ): $1609
28. PINKAL DARJI (LAWRENCEVILLE, GA): $1358
29. WILLIAM LEFCHUCK (DUNELLEN, NJ): $1358
30. BARRY WENGER (MONSEY, NY): $1358
31. MICHAEL SICA JR (N BRUNSWICK, NJ): $1358
32. JOHNNY KIM (FLUSHING, NY): $1358
33. JUSTIN KADET (WOODMERE, NY): $1358
34. KIM EISLER (BETHESDA, MD): $1358
35. JOHN REISS (OMAHA, NE): $1358
36. SHAWN SCOTT (WENONAH, NJ): $1358
37. DAVID LINDO (NEW YORK, NY): $1144
38. ALAN NOSONCHUK (BROOKLYN, NY): $1144
39. DEREK LAPAN (VIRGINIA BEACH, VA): $1144
40. DEAN BUI (SEATTLE, WA): $1144
41. RUSLAN SHAMAL (CHICAGO, IL): $1144
42. PAUL GOMBERG (PHILADELPHIA, PA): $1144
43. CARL WHITE (JACKSON, OH): $1144
44. NEIL KELLEHER (PHILADELPHIA, PA): $1144
45. IAN PALOMO (SAN ANTONIO, TX): $1144
46. RYAN ARNOLD (ASTORIA, NY): $1001
47. RAYMOND J BARTH (MEDFORD, NY): $1001
48. JOSHUA GREEN (ASTORIA, OR): $1001
49. PANAGIOTIS THEOFANOPOULOS (BRONX, NY): $1001
50. VINCENZO PAPANDREA (BROOKLYN, NY): $1001
51. JONATHAN BLINN (HAVERSTRAW, NY): $1001
52. KENNETH MORRIS (LANGHORNE, PA): $1001
53. MICHAEL MAIMAN (SILVER SPRING, MD): $1001
54. GERALD DULACA (SWEDESBORO, NJ): $1001
55. BRADLEY JONES (CHARLESTON, SC): $894
56. JOSEPH GALLINARO (BROOKLYN, NY): $894
57. TIMOTHY MILWAY (FLEMINGTON, NJ): $894
58. WAYNE BUNTING (ROANOKE RAPIDS, NC): $894
59. FRANCIS GOTTRON (LAGRANGEVILLE, NY): $894
60. SHARIF WAHBA (PARMA, OH): $894
61. JOSEPH MONTERVINO (YARDVILLE, NJ): $894
62. GERARD KANE (SEA CLIFF, NY): $894
63. DEONARINE ITWARU (S OZONE PARK, NY): $894
64. RICHARD DANTON (FLUSHING, NY): $786
65. PHILLIP WITHEE (FALL RIVER, MA): $786
66. JEFFREY PELAGALLI (WESTERLY, RI): $786
67. RODNEY ZIEGLER (LINDEN, VA): $786
68. JOSE MATIAS (BROOKLYN, NY): $786
69. BENJAMIN LAVES (SOMERSET, NJ): $786
70. ANTHONY FORLINO (RIDGEWOOD, NJ): $786
71. ERIC DOERR (NEWARK, DE): $786
72. RICHARD ZERR (HAMBURG, PA): $786
73. SALVATORE BELLUARDO (LITTLE EGG HARBOR, NJ): $716
74. CHRIS TOWERS (N MASSAPEQUA, NY): $716
75. BRET NAZAROK (HADDONFIELD, NJ): $716
76. COLLINS PHILP (COLUMBIA, SC): $716
77. KAYID S SHAWISH (MCLEAN, VA): $716
78. SCOTT MARINO (CEDAR GROVE, NJ): $716
79. DONALD BROWNE (BLACKWOOD, NJ): $716
80. MARK BONANNI (BOONTON, NJ): $716
81. HARRY BINDA (JAMAICA, NY): $716
82. JOE MALEJKI (RED BANK, NJ): $644
83. RICHARD PASIUK (STATEN ISLAND, NY): $644
84. GREGG KOLASKI (BLACKWOOD, NJ): $644
85. THOMAS KIM (BROOKLYN, NY): $644
86. TODD ANTEN (NEW YORK, NY): $644
87. ANTONIO WALKER (WILLINGBORO, NJ): $644
88. DANIEL FINK (MANALAPAN, NJ): $644
89. PATRICK PETTY (PURCELLVILLE, VA): $644
90. JOHN CIOFALO (MORGANVILLE, NJ): $644
91. ALEXANDER KAVOURAKIS (TOWSON, MD): $573
92. STEPHEN FALCHETTA (BELLMAWR, NJ): $573
93. BOB MATTINGLY (BURTONSVILLE, MD): $573
94. KASHAWN JOHNSON (GWYNN OAK, MD): $573
95. BRENDAN BUCKLEY (LONG BEACH, NY): $573
96. JEFFERY ONEILL (HARRISBURG, PA): $573
97. ANTHONY MARABLE (RICHMOND, VA): $573
98. JOHN D MYERS (CARMEL, NY): $573
99. MICHAEL BERMAN (PHILADELPHIA, PA): $573
100. KIAN KIARASH (NEW YORK, NY): $573

____________________________________

Event 2 - $500 + $60 No Limit Hold’em
(September 4-5, 2008) –  706 entries / $353,000 Prize Pool
1. MICHAEL DOLAN (OLD BETHPAGE, NY): $89980
2. STEVEN FRANKEL (HOLLYWOOD, FL): $52950
3. THOMAS MCARDLE (BARDONIA, NY): $27358
4. ROBERT VARKONYI (GREAT NECK, NY): $23828
5. CARLOS DANIELS (PORT CHESTER, NY): $20298
6. WILLIAM HILL (SILVER SPRING, MD): $16768
7. TODD MICHAEL (LANCASTER, PA): $13238
8. SAMNEANG SAMNANG (HAGERSTOWN, MD): $9708
9. KARIM VEGAS (BROOKLINE, MA): $7060
10. JOON LEE (ROCKY MOUNT, NC): $4589
11. PAUL SCHAECHTER (GAITHERSBURG, MD): $4589
12. MIKE LEAH (INNISFIL, CAN): $4589
13. KATHERINE HARTNEY (PEABODY, MA): $3353
14. JOHN CHO (LAUREL, MD): $3353
15. LUKE SERAFIN (NO BRUNSWICK, NJ): $3353
16. MARCUS MIZZI (VICTORIAVILLE, CA): $2118
17. JOSEPH PERFETTI (COLUMBIA, MD): $2118
18. JAMES KAPLAN (BOCA RATON, FL): $2118
19. JEFFREY WICKER (BRISTOL, PA): $1588
20. STEVEN RUSSELL (COOLVILLE, OH): $1588
21. KAMIL BLASZCZAK (BROOKLYN, NY): $1588
22. STEVEN LERNER (BROOKLYN, NY): $1588
23. DAVID SEMLESS (VOORHEES, NJ): $1588
24. RAJENDRA PATEL (ROCKHILL, CT): $1588
25. MICHAEL SOMMA (MIDDLE VILLAGE E, NY): $1588
26. BRIAN COHEN (NEW YORK, NY): $1588
27. DANIEL FISCHER (GLASSBORO, NJ): $1588
28. MICHAEL GALLI (PHOENIXVILLE, PA): $1341
29. ANTONIO PACHECO (AUSTIN, TX): $1341
30. MICHAEL PETRAK (WAYNE, NJ): $1341
31. WILLIAM MOHR (PARSIPPANY, NJ): $1341
32. TIMOTHY SCHOENBERGER (MILLVILLE, NJ): $1341
33. IAIN BOWDEN (SWINDON WILTS, UK): $1341
34. ROBERT WEISSMAN (NEW YORK, NY): $1341
35. MORAN MICHILOVICH (FLUSHING, NY): $1341
36. SERGEY ZIMODRO (BROOKLYN, NY): $1341
37. KIAN KIARASH (NEW YORK, NY): $1130
38. MICHAEL BERNSTEIN (CHICAGO, IL): $1130
39. EDWARD LANG (SOMERS POINT, NJ): $1130
40. KEIKO LIM (BRONX, NY): $1130
41. DENNIS LEVI (JERSEY CITY, NJ): $1130
42. SAZAN LUSHA (STATEN ISLAND, NY): $1130
43. JOSEPH FLEMING (FAIRFAX, VA): $1130
44. DENNIS BLINDERMAN (WARWICK, NY): $1130
45. MICHAEL PROVINZANO (BRICK, NJ): $1130
46. KWANG JUNG (ODENTON, MD): $988
47. THOMAS KIM (BROOKLYN, NY): $988
48. TONY ARMAND (PORT ORANGE, FL): $988
49. BRIAN MCDANIEL (ANNAPOLIS, MD): $988
50. WALTERE JONES (BEAR AR, DE): $988
51. JANET BURAK (CEDAR GROVE, NJ): $988
52. ILYA FISHER (BROOKLYN, NY): $988
53. SALVATORE SANTORA (STATEN ISLAND, NY): $988
54. LARRY BASS (TAMARAC, FL): $988
55. KENNETH PISARCIK (PHILADELPHIA, PA): $918
56. ALAN NOSONCHUK (BROOKLYN, NY): $918
57. ROBERT MANLEY (POINT PLEASANT BORO, NJ): $918
58. HOWARD WOLPER (ATLANTIC CITY, NJ): $918
59. SHELDON GROSS (HILLSBORO BEACH, FL): $918
60. DAVID FILIPPI (NEW YORK, NY): $918
61. BRANDON GARRITY (ERIE, PA): $918
62. DANIEL YANOFSKI (W ORANGE, NJ): $918
63. THOMAS DALY (STONE RIDGE, NY): $918
64. ALLEN BARI (WEST ORANGE, NJ): $883
65. EMIL LEBOVICH (FAIR LAWN, NJ): $883
66. MARCELLO CALABRESE (CHALFONT, PA): $883
67. GENTI BUZI (SAN DIEGO, CA): $883
68. PETER KONOLIGE (DEVON, PA): $883
69. MILLER MATTHEW (ATLANTA, GA): $883
70. ROLAND ISRAELASHVILI (FOREST HILLS, NY): $883
71. RAY MONTFORD III (MANASSAS, VA): $883
72. BOBBY ANDERSON JR (WASHINGTON, DC): $883

____________________________________

Event 3 - $1000 + $90 No Limit Hold’em
(September 5-6, 2008) –  529 entries / $529,000 Prize Pool
1. GEFFREY KLEIN (HOUSTON, TX): $150712
2. JONATHAN DRISCOLL (QUEBEC, CAN): $79350
3. STEVE RYAN (LAKE RONKONKOMA, NY): $40997
4. JASON PASTER (MORGANVILLE, NJ): $35707
5. CAMERAN BAHRAMI (POTOMAC, MD): $30417
6. KEITH MOLINARO (GLASSBORO, NJ): $25127
7. JOSEPH FLEMING (FAIRFAX, VA): $19837
8. ROBERT SANTILLI (JACKSON, NJ): $14548
9. ROBERT ROBBINS (CAMBRIDGE, CAN): $10580
10. STEVEN RASH (ST GEORGE ISLAND, FL): $6877
11. JASON TURNER (DALEVILLE, VA): $6877
12. DANIEL OBRIEN (MT SINAI, NY): $6877
13. JOHN SUGLIA (BALDWIN, NY): $5026
14. BENJAMIN BENZEL (HIGHLAND PARK, NJ): $5026
15. ALAN COLON (OCEANSIDE, NY): $5026
16. PASQUALE DESTEFANO (BROOKLYN, NY): $3439
17. THEODORE ELY (BROOKLYN, NY): $3439
18. MATHIAS POLHEMUS (WEST CHESTER, PA): $3439
19. PHILLIP REED (DARIEN, CT): $2750
20. LOUIS PRISCO (OCEANSIDE, NY): $2750
21. DONALD STRAUSS (GLEN BURNIE, MD): $2750
22. JOSEPH GRODOWSKI (STATEN ISLAND, NY): $2750
23. WILLIAM MCLAREN (GREENVILLE, SC): $2750
24. JOHN SLADEK (MOUNT PROSPECT, IL): $2750
25. MICHAEL SIWEK (NORTH HAVEN, CT): $2750
26. ADAM GREEN (NEW YORK, NY): $2750
27. WAYNE LEWIS (BRIGANTINE, NJ): $2750
28. MATTHEW LOMBARDI (EDISON, NJ): $2222
29. NATALE KUEY (BRONX, NY): $2222
30. JERRY ATKINS (NEW YORK CITY, NY): $2222
31. HELEN SPOONER (INDIAN HEAD, MD): $2222
32. CHAD BAILEY (JACKSON, NJ): $2222
33. THEODORE FORBES JR (WEST HAVEN, CT): $2222
34. CHARLES TOWNSEND (DAGBORO, DE): $2222
35. ERIC SIEGEL (MELVILLE, NY): $2222
36. DINO FAZLIBEGU (MANALAPAN, NJ): $2222
37. SHARIF WAHBA (PARMA, OH): $1852
38. GLENN COLE (CENTREVILLE, MD): $1852
39. CHRISTOPHER LIM (BRONX, NY): $1852
40. PATRICK WHITE (W NYACK, NY): $1852
41. JOSEPH PASKO (WALDORF, MD): $1852
42. FRANK ATHEY (MINERAL WELLS, WV): $1852
43. DMITRY SHEKHTER (BALTIMORE, MD): $1852
44. AVINASH KATARIA (KENDALL PARK, NJ): $1852
45. JAY MEYEROWITZ (CLIFFSIDE PARK, NJ): $1852
46. NICHOLAS TREPPIEDI 3RD (BROOKLYN, NY): $1587
47. GERMAN BUENO (BRONX, NY): $1587
48. BORIS KRAVETS (FLANDERS, NJ): $1587
49. BRETT RHODE (HORSHAM, PA): $1587
50. CARLOS DELAFUENTE (PLAINVIEW, NY): $1587
51. NIKOLAOS FRANGOS (MAYS LANDING, NJ): $1587
52. CARLOS OCHOA (MARLTON, NJ): $1587
53. JOSEPH CUTLER (BAY SHORE, NY): $1587
54. VILLARREAL ANSELMO (GREENFIELD, WI): $1587

____________________________________
Event 4 - $1500 + $100 No Limit Hold’em
(September 6-7, 2008) — 416 entries / $624,000 Prize Pool
1. AVDO DJOKOVIC (STATEN ISLAND, NY): $178588
2. MAURO SANTILLO (FREDERICKSBURGS, VA): $96720
3. MICHAEL DENTALE (BROOKLYN, NY): $49920
4. ARTHUR PETERS (BRICK, NJ): $43680
5. JOSEPH CUTLER (BAY SHORE, NY): $37440
6. JOSEPH CHAPLIN (ORANGEBURG, NY): $31200
7. LUKE SERAFIN (NO BRUNSWICK, NJ): $24960
8. CHRISTOPHER TRYBA (NORTH LAS VEGAS, NV): $18720
9. EUGENE TODD (BROOKLYN, NY): $12480
10. ROBERT WISIAK (RIDGEWOOD, NY): $8112
11. GARY SCHOENGOLD (OLNEY, MD): $8112
12. A.J. PALEATSOS (FLUSHING, NY): $8112
13. TA WEY (HACKENSACK, NJ): $5928
14. JOSEPH CERVERA (BROOKLYN, NY): $5928
15. ABRAHAM KOROTKI (LAS VEGAS, NV): $5928
16. JAMES MALTZ (ISLAND PARK, NY): $4305
17. HOVIG DEKERMENJIAN (SOUTHAMPTON, PA): $4305
18. JOSHUA GOLDSTEIN (NEW YORK, NY): $4305
19. STEVEN COHEN (NEW YORK, NY): $3432
20. WILLIAM BURDICK (PALMETTO, FL): $3432
21. ANTONIO CAVEZZA (HUNTINGTON STATION, NY): $3432
22. CHARLES NORRIS (FAYETTEVILLE, NC): $3432
23. SUKHEE LEE (GREENSBORO, NC): $3432
24. ANDRE BOYER (QUEBEC, 51): $3432
25. VINEET PAHUJA (NEW YORK, NY): $3432
26. WILLIAM GALLER (N BABYLON, NY): $3432
27. ELI JOHN ADLER (NEW YORK, NY): $3432
28. AHMET KOSE (N BRUNSWICK, NJ): $2621
29. KEVIN FARRY (PEARL RIVER, NY): $2621
30. DEONARINE ITWARU (S OZONE PARK, NY): $2621
31. NANCY BIRNBAUM (SARASOTA, FL): $2621
32. THOMAS LIEB (COLONIAL BEACH, VA): $2621
33. MICHAEL SCOTTI (BROAD CHANNEL, NY): $2621
34. DENNIS LEVI (JERSEY CITY, NJ): $2621
35. AKASH SETH (LK RONKONKOMA, NY): $2621
36. EDWARD RAPPA (ARLINGTON, VA): $2620
37. MICHAEL VELA (NEWBURGH, NY): $2309
38. WILLIAM HILL (SILVER SPRING, MD): $2309
39. BARRY LEVENTHAL (BROOKLYN, NY): $2309
40. JASON YOUNG (SUFFERN, NY): $2309
41. EUGENE CASTRO (NEW YORK, NY): $2309
42. DAVID GRANIK (BROOKLYN, NY): $2309
43. CLINT SCHAFER (BATON ROUGE, LA): $2309
44. HUGH WHEELER (NEW YORK, NY): $2309
45. MICHAEL FOSTER (FARGO, ND): $2309

____________________________________
Event 5 - $300 + $50 LADIES No Limit Hold’em
(September 7, 2008) –  283 entries / $84,900 Prize Pool
1. ESTHER FEDORKEVICH (BRENTWOOD, TN): $25470
2. YVONNE BENSON (ARRON, NY): $14433
3. FLORENCE WILEY (BROOKLYN, NY): $7938
4. SOPHIA LIS (OLEY, PA): $5943
5. DAO BUI (STERLING, VA): $5094
6. BETH RUSSO (PARLIN, NJ): $4245
7. ANNA ANTIMONY (RIVER VALE, NJ): $3396
8. DARLENE HARMON (BEL AIR, MD): $2547
9. ANNA YAMSHCHIKOVA (PARTIZANC, RUSSIA): $1698
10. CHI YOON (WOODBRIDGE, VA): $1103
11. SHERYL VALENTINI (OLYPHANT, PA): $1103
12. ANGELA MIRANDA (BETHPAGE, NY): $1103
13. JILL DWYER (LAKE ARIEL, PA): $934
14. MARY DALE (VALHALLA, NY): $934
15. DENISE RONCA (BRIGANTINE, NJ): $934
16. DOROTHY GARBUTT (SAN FRANCISCO, CA): $764
17. CHRISTINE FAMILETTI (BROOMALL, PA): $764
18. LEANNE ROSENBLATT (BRIDGEWATER, NJ): $764
19. YORIKO HAMA (LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ): $637
20. KIM PERRETTA (RINGWOOD, NJ): $637
21. ALICIA LANE (VIENNA, VA): $637
22. LINDA CONOLLY (SCHWENKSVILLE, PA): $637
23. SARAH WASCH (PHILADELPHIA, PA): $637
24. JUANITA MARKELL (MIDLOTHIAN, VA): $637
25. LINDA REINERT (GLENDALE, NY): $637
26. LYNNE MITCHNICK (NORTH BERGEN, NJ): $637
27. MARGOT REVERA (OCEAN, NJ): $637

____________________________________

Event 6 - $300 + $50 Limit Hold’em

(September 7-8, 2008)  — 291 entries / $87,300 Prize Pool

1. HOWARD WOLPER (ATLANTIC CITY, NJ): $26190
2. EDWARD MALLON (MAHOPAC, NY): $14841
3. WASYL STEPHEN ZALIWICIW (PHILADELPHIA, PA): $8163
4. AMZA SULEJMAN (BRONX, NY): $6111
5. DENNIS CAPRIGLIONE (BELLEVILLE, NJ): $5238
6. HIEU NGUYEN (FAIRFAX, VA): $4365
7. SUKHEE LEE (GREENSBORO, NC): $3492
8. JEFFERY TIMS (CONROE, TX): $2619
9. ALFRED OHARRA (FRANKLIN HILLS, NJ): $1746
10. RANSON NELSON (FREDERICKSBURG, VA): $1134
11. MONTY DENNIS (TUCKER, GA): $1134
12. CHANG LEE (ELLICOTT CITY, MD): $1134
13. GLENN COLE (CENTREVILLE, MD): $960
14. FRANK MARTINI (TRENTON, NJ): $960
15. RUDOLF GEORGE (EMMAUS, PA): $960
16. JEREMY MORTON (ST PETE BEACH, FL): $786
17. LAWRENCE MARTINEZ (NEWBURGH, NY): $786
18. JOHN ANTHONY CERNUTO (LAS VEGAS, NV): $786
19. BRIAN KRUYD (BOONTON, NJ): $655
20. ERNEST MANNA 3RD (BROOKHAVEN, PA): $655
21. BRIAN MITCHELL ANGSTADT (HAMBURG, PA): $655
22. HUGH MEMBRINO (WATERBURY, CT): $655
23. GEORGE CONTINO (HOWARD BCH, NY): $655
24. RODERICK MESINA (TOMS RIVER, NJ): $655
25. ROBERT ERNEST (DANVILLE, PA): $655
26. DEBORAH GLANTZ (LAFAYETTE HILL, PA): $655
27. GLEN BOBROW (NUTLEY, NJ): $655

2009 WPT Bay 101 Date Change

***QUICK NEWS FLASH:

The World Poker Tour has decided to change the dates of the 2009 Bay 101 Shooting Star event back to its original dates of March 16-20.

Poker Pros and Hollywood Celebs Join One Step Closer Foundation

The One Step Closer Foundation raised $44,000 during its first annual Cerebral Palsy Charity Poker Tournament on August 3rd.  Participants included poker pros Jamie Gold, Barry Greenstein and Freddy Deeb. There were also Hollywood celebs like Sam Simon (co-creator of The Simpsons), Miguel Nunez (Meet Dave), Montel Williams and more.

A silent auction was held that offered exclusive memorabilia donated by Tony Hawk, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Tilly, Matt Damon, Ray Romano, Kevin James & others. 1st and 2nd place in the tournament
earned cash prizes and 3rd place won a $2000 watch.

Sam Simon took the 1st place and donated his winnings right back to the One Step Closer Foundation.

Bodog Poker Giving Away To Seats to WSOPE This Sunday

Bodog Poker’s Euro Main Event semifinal set for this Sunday guaranteeing at least two VIP Euro Main Event Prize Packages valued at $24,000 each

It’s time for online poker players to earn a seat to Europe’s biggest event of the year, the 2008 World Series of Poker Europe* Main Event. This Sunday, Sept. 7, at 3:15 p.m. EST, Bodog Poker will host its Euro Main Event Semifinal, and on the line are at least two guaranteed VIP prize packages to Europe’s main event in London valued at $24,000 each. Each prize package includes a seat to the championship event, roundtrip airfare to London, high-end car service to and from the airport, luxury hotel accommodations, spending money and exclusive Team Bodog player gear and apparel.

Online qualifiers are still running daily up until the event this Sunday at BodogLife.com, with buy-ins as low as $1. The direct buy-in to the event is $500 + $40.

The 2008 Main Event is scheduled to take place on Sept. 27-Oct. 2 in London, England. The six day tournament will feature the biggest names in poker and is an official bracelet event. For the first time, it will be broadcast by ESPN in the United States.

At the inaugural main event in London last September, Bodog online qualifier Matt McCullough of Cherry Hill, N.J., earned the distinction of being the last American standing when he finished third out of a field of 623 players. The impressive finish saw McCullough returning home from London $766,674 richer.

The main event in London is just one of a number of major tournaments held around the world that poker players can win seats to for as little as $1 at Bodog every week. From the Asian Poker Tour in Macau to tournaments across Europe and North America year round, Bodog’s Player’s Choice packages give winners the chance to compete for millions of dollars while experiencing some of the most exciting and exotic locations in the world as only Team Bodog members do.

PokerStars Launches Dedicated Mac Version

The World’s Largest Poker Room Now Accessible to Apple Mac Users Worldwide

PokerStars, the world’s largest online poker room, announced the launch of its much anticipated downloadable Mac poker software. For the past year, the PokerStars development team has dedicated themselves to bringing a complete version of the well-established PokerStars software to life on Apple Mac operating platforms.

“This is a great addition for both PokerStars and the poker playing audience,” said Joe Hachem, 2005 World Series of Poker Champion. “This will allow Mac users to experience the world’s largest online poker site without third-party applications. I know a lot of the actors and musicians I coach via PokerStars will appreciate its release – the creative community use Macs before any other computer.”

PokerStars is devoted to remaining the leader in online poker - offering the best software and security, with a total commitment to customer service and 100% dedication to innovation. Mac OS X has quickly improved as a gaming platform since 2005. The launch of PokerStars for Mac surpasses other web-based and outdated online poker Mac applications and secures PokerStars commitment to enhancing the experience for all players. Rather than trying to force a PC application on to the Mac, PokerStars built their poker software specifically for new Mac operating systems.

Until now, a beta version was available to Mac users while the PokerStars IT team worked methodically to deliver downloadable software compatible to Mac OS X 10.4.10 and later operating systems. With more than 15 million players worldwide, PokerStars software (for both Mac and Windows) is available in more than 15 languages, with support for more being added every day.

“PokerStars understands what gamers want,” said Bertrand “ElKy” Grospellier, 2008 PCA Champion and top online poker star. “Although PCs are still the top gaming platform, the number of online games for Mac has been growing by leaps and bounds. The community started asking for an acceptable online poker version for Mac, and PokerStars stepped up to deliver it. They didn’t rush into a launch, but developed the best software for the platform, in line with Mac user feedback and advice, to ensure users have a positive experience.

The new software is available at www.pokerstars.net/poker/download/mac/. New users only need to follow five simple steps to become part of the number one online poker room in the world.

Trump Plaza Runs First PokerPro Tournaments

Offering $18,000 in free-rolls starting August 28th

PokerTek, Inc. (NASDAQ: PTEK), known for their automated poker tables & related software has just announced that Trump Plaza will commence tournaments on its 12 PokerPro tables starting August 28. Trump Plaza has been running PokerPro cash games since it went live with the tables on June 13.

“Over the past two months, we’ve built a strong base of PokerPro players,” said Jim Rigot, General Manager at Trump Plaza. “We’ve had a lot of requests for tournaments, and are pleased to offer them to our players. We have a tournament offering that will rival the best schedules in Atlantic City.”

“We opened today, August 28, by offering $18,000 worth of free-rolls over 9 days,” said Anthony
Spagno, Trump Plaza Casino Manager. “In addition, we’re offering two Hold’em tournaments every
day and we will even be running a weekly Omaha tournament on Thursdays.”

From August 28 - September 5th, players are invited to play in twice daily $1000 free-rolls each day at noon and 8pm. Starting September 6th, a full tournament schedule will be in effect, with daily Hold’em tournaments at 11:30 am ($50+5) and 7:30 pm ($70+7 Friday and Saturday, $50+5 Sunday - Wednesday), and a $50+5 Omaha tournament every Thursday at 7:30pm.

“Our players get to name the games they want to play,” said Anthony Spagno, Trump Plaza’s casino manager. “If you want to have a Pot Limit Omaha game, short-handed games or tournaments for you and your friends, Trump Plaza is the place to be. We can deal what you want, when you want it - fast and error free.” The Trump Poker Room can be contacted by calling 609-441-7908.

All PokerPro tournaments run at Trump Plaza are conducted with the approval of the New Jersey
Casino Control Commission.

PokerStars.net Asia Pacific Poker Tour Kicks-Off 2nd Annual Tournament in Macau

APPT Season Two Will Be Largest Ever Poker Tournament In Asia

Macau, September 2, 2008 - PokerStars (www.PokerStars.net), the world’s
largest online poker room, today launched the second season of the
PokerStars.net Asia Pacific Poker Tour with APPT Macau, which is now the
largest poker tournament ever held in Asia, set to exceed existing records
for both player numbers and prize pool. The current and still growing
line-up of 400+ players includes an unprecedented list of champion poker
players who are bringing world-class poker action to Macau, the People’s
Republic of China from September 1 -9, 2008 competing for the guaranteed
prize pool of HKD $10million.

This year’s tournament builds on the success of the 2007 APPT tour, which
introduced poker tournament play to the Asian market and attracted 1418
players from 68 countries around the world in its first season. In 2008, the
tour has expanded to five markets, including Macau, Seoul, Manila and
Auckland, with the grand finale taking place in Sydney on December 2-7,
2008.

The PokerStars.net APPT Season 2 in Macau will include the $25,000 HKD
buy-in Main Event (approximately $3,200 USD) September 1-6 and the return of
the prestigious “high roller” event with a buy-in of $150,000 HKD
(approximately $19,250 USD) September 7-9. Poker enthusiasts still have an
opportunity to buy-in to both APPT Macau events at the Grand Waldo Casino in
Macau and take their place against world class champions, until Wednesday,
September 3 at 1:30PM.

Joining the field of 20 world-class champions is poker legend Johnny ‘The
Orient Express’ Chan. The former Hong Kong resident is one of the world’s
most acclaimed poker players, amassing 10 World Series of Poker bracelets
and more than $6.7million USD in tournament earnings over his career. Chan
first shot to fame in the late 1980s, winning the championship event of the
World Series of Poker (WSOP) in two consecutive years (1987 and 1988) and
was also featured as one of the greatest poker players ever in the 1998
movie “Rounders” with Matt Damon and Edward Norton.

“It’s great for Poker in Asia that there’s a major tournament like this
here in Macau,” said Chan. “It’s bringing in top players like myself, and
letting the world know that there is real poker here, and real poker players
here, and that anybody can win millions of dollars. Good luck to all the
players!”

Jeffrey Haas, President of the PokerStars.net APPT, said: “We are excited
to have so many of the world’s top players coming to the Grand Waldo Casino
in Macau this year and it’s a testament to our initial success that
champions such as Johnny Chan, Joe Hachem, Scotty Nguyen, Men “The Master”
Nguyen, Liz Lieu, JJ Liu, Isabelle Mercier, Elky and Barry Greenstein are
eager to compete on the felt during our second season. We are also
privileged to continue leading the growth of poker and poker culture in
Asia, and expect local and regional player participation to at least double
during this year’s events. The PokerStars.net APPT is taking poker to a new
level in Asia Pacific, and when this Macau tournament is broadcast on TV
around the world we expect this growth to continue.”

Joining the professionals will be a host of players from across Asia
Pacific, and the world, who have won their way to the event via free online
tournaments at PokerStars.net and satellite tournaments.

The Champions from around the world that will participate at PokerStars
APPT Macau event include:
* Joe Hachem, Australia (2005 WSOP Main Event Champion)
* Johnny Chan, Hong Kong (1987 & 1988 WSOP Main Event Champion)
* Bertrand “ElkY” Grospellier, France (2008 PCA Champion)
* Scotty Nguyen, Vietnam (2008 WSOP HORSE Champion)
* Lee Nelson, New Zealand (2006 Aussie Millions Champion)
* Isabelle Mercier, Canada (2004 WPT Ladies Event Champion)
* Van Tuyet Nguyen, Vietnam (2008 WPT Celebrity Invitational Champion)
* Barry Greenstein, USA (2008 WSOP Razz Champion)
* Dinh Le, Vietnam (2007 APPT Macau Main Event Champion)
* Eric Assadourian, Australia (2007 APPT Macau High Roller Event Champion)
* Neil Arce, Philippines (2008 FPT Manila Champion)
* Mike “Timex” McDonald, Canada (2008 EPT German Open Champion)
* Ziv Bachar, Israel (2007 APPT Seoul Champion)
* Grant Levy, Australia (2007 APPT Sydney Champion)
* Mel Judah, England (2003 WPT Legends of Poker Champion)
* Daniel “Rekrul” Schrieber, USA (2007 WSOP Heads Up Champion)
* Men “The Master” Nguyen (2005 Player of the Year)
* Harry “Wise Owl” Demetriou, England (2004 Victor Poker Cup Champion)
* Anthony Rivera, USA (2008 WSOP Mixed Events Champion)
* Isaac Galazan, USA (2005 WSOP Short-Handed Champion)

For more information on the PokerStars.net APPT and how to qualify for the
tournaments, go to: http://www.appt.com

Yevgeniy Timoshenko Wins Historic APT Macau

Poker Makes Giant Leap in Asia

20-year-old Yevgeniy Timoshenko, a highly rated player from the United States of Ukrainian descent has won the 2008 APT Macau, Asia’s largest guaranteed tournament, at the glamourous Galaxy StarWorld. 257 players from over 40 countries lined-up for a GUARANTEED prize pool of US$1.5 million and GUARANTEED first prize of US$500,000 - a landmark for the development of poker in Asia.

Timoshenko was first for $500,000, with Joon Hee Yeah from South Korea finishing second for $250,000. In third place was Rober Karlian from Thailand, who won $126,000 and Casey Kastle from the United States finished fourth. In fifth was Julio Diaz from Spain, sixth was Quang Nguyen from Vietnam, who won US$52,000, and seventh, Chong Wing Cheong from Hong Kong who won US$37,500. Eighth place went to Michael Pedley of Australia. These players triumphed in a field which featured some of the most high profile names in the game including the legendary Doyle Brunson, Johnny Chan, Todd Brunson, Liz Lieu, J.C Tran, Kenny Tran, Mike ‘Timex’ McDonald, John Juanda, Nam Le, Quinn Do, Steve Sung, David ‘Chino’ Rheems, Mel Judah, Mansour Matloubi, Harry Demetriou, Carter Gill, Richard En, PartyPoker.com Million VI champion Alexander Jung and APT Manila champion David Saab. The event, which run from the 27th - 31st May was opened by legendary host of the 1970 World Series of Poker ® Jack Binion. Coverage of the event will be seen on television around the world.

Chris Parker, CEO of the Asian Poker Tour congratulated the ecstatic winner Timoshenko at a wildly colorful closing ceremony. He then made a draw that gave away one free seat to the next event for one lucky player who had pre-registered for the tournament on official website http://www.asianpt.com/ and announced that this will be standard practice going forward.

Timoshenko was born in Kharkov, Ukraine but moved Washington State when he was 10 years old. In the last couple of years he has established his reputation as a fearsome online player and has topped online poker rankings. “I’m ecstatic to have finally won a main event,” said Timoshenko. “I will use the winnings to strengthen my bankroll but I haven’t decided about my future as yet. I have plans to go to business school in 2009.”

“There were points in the tournament where I definitely run good but I have to give respect to runner-up Joon Hee Yeah. He was the last person I wanted to take on heads-up, luckily I had a substantial chip lead. It feels really great to have won such a tournament in a place like Macau where you can feel the excitement about poker growing so fast”

The APT also hosted a landmark HK$1million buy-in game at the StarWorld, coverage of which will be distributed internationally in the future.

Ahead of the Main Event, the APT hosted a special Celebrity Charity Tournament where HK$200,000 went to Caritas De Macau, the social service organization of Macau. The goal of Caritas de Macau is to provide services to the individuals, families, communities and societies, to help them to live in the society in a more humane condition economically, morally and spiritually. Amongst those who flew in to play the tournament and experience the glamour of APT was Manny Pacquiao, universally seen as the best pound for pound boxer in the world and the first Asian boxer to win four world titles in different divisions. The charity game also featured movie actor Michael Wong, singer Renee Dai, commentator Angie Mak and models Natalie Ng, Erica Yuen, Janice Man, Cha Cha and Wylien Chiu. Also in attendance were Miss Hong Kong winner Tracy Ip and cult glamour model Tila Tequila. Many of the world’s most famous pros took part and it was Quinn Do, who eventually won. On the same day Doyle Brunson started a series of immensely popular book signings at the StarWorld.

One massive spin-off of hosting the landmark event is record numbers in the APT sponsored poker room at the Galaxy StarWorld. The stampede of players to Macau has resulted in the addition of eight more tables. Six new state of the art shuffling machines have been added to cope with the demand and the players have raved about eight air purifying units that pump through the packed poker room. The room was officially opened on Tuesday.

Tom Hall, CEO of AsianLogic said: “Adding eight tables to the APT poker room may not sound like a big move to the well established western poker community but you have to remember that this is Macau where baccarat is king. Poker is in its infancy - this is a significant step forward and further evidence of the growth and potential in this market.”

Rogers Sportsnet And WPT Premiere - WPT Canada

First of Four WPT Canada Episodes to Air the Week of September 1

Rogers Sportsnet will begin exclusive broadcasts of a four-part poker series next week featuring WPT Canada™, the first ever Canada-specific World Poker Tour® (WPT) tournament series.
Well-known Canadian sports announcer, Jim Van Horne, will host the shows alongside poker pro “Cowboy” Kenna James.

The first of the four one-hour episodes will premiere the week of September 1 across Sportsnet East, Sportsnet Ontario, Sportsnet West and Sportsnet Pacific.

The WPT Canada TV series will highlight all-new high stakes action from the WPT Canada Coast to Coast Championships, a nine-day tournament series combining seven different poker events held at The River Rock Casino in Vancouver. Almost 2,000 players and pros traveled from around Canada and North America to compete for a piece of the $1.6 million total prize pool, a WPT Canada title and a chance at poker stardom.

The WPT Canada series kicks off with a two-part final table from the Coast to Coast Championships $1,000 three-day Bounty Event which saw 439 competitors battle for a seat in the first televised WPT Canada event and the $92,120 first place prize. Viewers will also see amateurs try to knock out poker pros like Brad “Yukon” Booth, Gavin Smith, Jody Trainer, Davidson Matthew, Antonio “The Magician” Esfandiari and “Cowboy” Kenna James to earn the cash “Bounty” on their heads. The first episode from this two-part show begins broadcasting Monday, September 1 followed by the second episode starting Wednesday, September 10. Check local listings for all broadcast times and dates.

Additional WPT Canada episodes will feature the Co