In a move to attempt to prove to the world that there is poker being played outside Nevada this summer, the Borgata has re-upped their summer tournament series, with buyins from $500 to $5,000. So if you’re in Atlantic City, you better go to the Borgata. Because everything else in Jersey sucks.
Here’s the press release - (and what the hell makes Joseph Brooks an accomplished poker professional?)
Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa, the premier travel and entertainment destination on the East Coast, kicked off the second annual Summer Poker Open yesterday — the largest poker tournament in Atlantic City this summer — with 456 players in Borgata’s 85-table poker room. The event launched with the $500 + 60 No Limit Hold ‘Em event and will culminate with the $5,000 + $200 No Limit Championship Event on Tuesday, June 26, 2007. Even with the World Series of Poker currently under way in Las Vegas, players from all over filled Borgata’s state of the art poker room for the start of the Borgata Summer Poker Open. Over 450 players registered for the $500 +60 Event #1, with a prize pool of $228,000.
Accomplished poker professional, Joseph Brooks, said, “The event ran like clockwork. Borgata runs the best tournaments on the East Coast. With the WSOP going on the same time, I did not know what to expect. Then I saw the full room and the atmosphere was great with the live action and the start of the Summer Open. This is a great event, close to home.”
The Summer Open Events are one-day tournaments. According to Tournament Director Tab Duchateau, “Borgata specifically designed the Summer Open structures and events to appeal to players taking day-trips. There is a great balance of tournament play, along with live action in our room.”
The players at the $500+60 final table did not mind playing into the wee hours of the morning. Chris Kwon of New Jersey captured the coveted championship, and $67,000 in prize money. Reginald Leonardo of New York, finished in second taking home $35,340 in prize money. The third place finisher was Pennsylvania resident Krzysztof Perka, who won $18,200 for his efforts.
Perka commented, “Borgata does things right. Of course the poker action is everything in the game, but the massages from the Spa Toccare therapists are truly amazing. They helped me make it this far!”
The 2007 Borgata Summer Open will offer players a chance to participate in twelve main events, including Texas Hold’Em No Limit, Texas Hold’Em Limit, 7- Card Stud, and a Ladies-Only Tournament. In addition, the fourteen days will be filled with super satellites, second chance cash, and sit-and-go tournaments. The Championship Event is a four-day event, starting on Saturday, June 23rd and concluding on Tuesday, June 26th. Players will start with $50,000 in tournament chips and play in one of the best-structured tournaments around.
On-Site Registration for all Borgata Summer Open events is in the Poker Room, where all tournaments will take place.