Event 9
The 2016 Borgata Poker Open is a wrap and after 18 days of play, 19 trophies were awarded and more than $8 million in prize money paid to the participants, not including the secondary events and satellites!
![Jesse Sylvia - WPT Borgata Poker Open Main Event Champion [Photo courtesy of Joe Giron and the WPT]](https://borgatapokeropen.blogtheborgata.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2016/09/29886815375_4414efe8cd_z.jpg)
Jesse Sylvia – WPT Borgata Poker Open Main Event Champion
Photo courtesy of Joe Giron and the WPT
This year’s Open series also saw some other firsts. The Inaugural BPO PokerNews Cup $2,000 NLH event was the first post-championship event and Ryan van Sanford claimed the first PokerNews Cup title awarded on American soil. The first-ever hybrid Live/Online Heads Up tournament was held in the Event Center and online at BorgataPoker.com, “Battleship-style”. Matt Emmel came up just short of repeating at Heads Up Champion, finishing second to New Jersey online player Eric Schwartz.
Another first was the live-streaming of the $1,000 Six Max NLH final table, which ended in a heads-up battle between well-known pro and BorgataPoker.com Ambassador Vinny Pahuja and relatively unknown amateur player George Alberto. Alberto prevailed, claiming his first BPO title and $53,366.
A complete list of Main Events and trophy winners is below. On behalf of Borgata, we would like to thank all the participants for making the 2016 Borgata Poker Open a great success and congratulate all the winners. From the BPO bloggers, @mattclark345, @TKbluffs, @Kaelaine, and @WOCPoker and players, thanks to Borgata tournament staff and the World Poker Tour for another excellent tournament series!
Event 9 – ‘Almighty Million’
Level 41 (2,500,000/5,000,000/500,000)
Total Entries: 2,369
Players Remaining: 1
Chip Average: 236,900,000
Borgata Poker Open “Almighty Million” Champion – Steve Madara
There’s something to be said for all of the hours spent grinding tournaments online and having those hours pay off. For Steve Madara, he has spent much of the last few years honing his craft on New Jersey’s websites gradually preparing for moments such as today. Madara took full advantage of the moment today and as a result is the “Almighty Million” champion.
Nothing was easy today for Madara as he came into Day 3 below average in chips and had to grind his way through just to make it to the final table. Once at the final table, Madara continued to employ his patient strategy before picking up pocket kings at the perfect time to send two opponents to the rail and put himself into the chip lead.
Madara faced some adversity during heads-up play but persevered through it and came out unscathed as a result. Given how well he played today, there is little doubt that we will see Madara excel once again in the Borgata Poker Open.
Event 9 – ‘Almighty Million’
Level 41 (2,500,000/5,000,000/500,000)
Total Entries: 2,369
Players Remaining: 2
Chip Average: 118,450,000
Don Fisher (Manchester, NH)
In what was an exciting and grueling heads-up affair, Steve Madara finally got the better of Don Fisher. The match started with Madara at a large chip advantage, but slowly and surely Fisher edged his way back in. Over the trio of 30-minute levels that elapsed during the match, Fisher and Madara traded the lead a few times before Madara finally got the better of his opponent.
In the hand that defined the match, Madara opened to 10,500,000 from the button and Fisher moved all-in to put Madara at risk for his final 100,000,000. Madara mulled over his decision carefully and called after a few minutes to put himself at risk.
Fisher turned over {kd}{9c} and was trailing the {ad}{8c} of Madara. The {6c}{3h}{2s} flop was clean for Madara and the {js} was no cause for concern. The {qd} on the river was another blank and Madara shipped the pot to move to 200,000,000 and leave Fisher with less than 10 big blinds.
Fisher was soon all-in for the those blinds, shoving with {ks}{6d}. Unfortuantely for Fisher, Madara held {kh}{kc}, leaving Fisher nearly dead. The {ah}{jh}{5h} put most of the nails in Fisher’s coffin. The {10s} opened the door for a chop but the {2c} on the river would be the last card Fisher would see in this event.
A winner’s recap will be posted shortly.
Event 9 – ‘Almighty Million’
Level 39 (1,500,000/3,000,000/300,000)
Total Entries: 2,369
Players Remaining: 2
Chip Average: 118,450,000
Don Fisher found a double in an all-in confrontation with Steve Madara and is closing in on the chip lead in heads-up play.
As most heads-up matches go, the action early on is generally methodical as players go through the feeling out period before fully engaging with one another. Steve Madara and Don Fisher engaged in that period early on but it appears that the waiting is officially over as Fisher found a double through Madara.
From the small blind, Madara open-shoved to put Fisher at risk, who called near immediately. Madara rolled over {ad}{8h} but was far behind the {ac}{jh} of Fisher. The {as}{9s}{5c} flop was good for Fisher but the {9d} would be some chop outs in play. Fisher called for a two and hit it {2s} on the river to secure the double up.
With the hand, Fisher moves up to 95,000,000 while Madara drops to 141,900,000, still good enough for the chip lead.
Event 9 – ‘Almighty Million’
Level 38 (1,000,000/2,000,000/300,000)
Total Entries: 2,369
Players Remaining: 2
Chip Average: 118,450,000
The “Almighty Million” Mini-Borgata trophy that Steve Madara and Don Fisher are battling for.
Steve Madara and Don Fisher have started their heads-up battle for “Almighty Million” supremacy. Madara will bring a massive chip lead into the duel as he has 186,000,000 to Fisher’s 50,900,000. It will make for an interesting dynamic as the blinds are only 30 minutes in length for heads-up play. The final payouts up for grabs are below.
- $169,001
- $109,583
Event 9 – ‘Almighty Million’
Level 38 (1,000,000/2,000,000/300,000)
Total Entries: 2,369
Players Remaining: 2
Chip Average: 118,450,000
Mario Concepcion (Passaic, NJ)
The trend of bad beats at this final table has continued as Mario Concepcion was sent to the rail as a result of what might be the nastiest beat of them all.
From the small blind, Don Fisher moved all-in for 24,000,000 and was snapped off by Concepcion in the big blind. Concepcion turned over {9s}{9h} and was miles ahead of the {9c}{8c} of Fisher. The {10s}{6d}{6h} flop gave Fisher some light as he picked up an inside straight draw. The {4s} on the turn changed nothing but the {7s} on the river gave Fisher his straight and dropped Concepcion all the way to under 10,000,000.
Concepcion was able to get the last of his chips in a flip with {kd}{js} against the {10c}{10s} of Steve Madara. The {qh}{6s}{4d}{ah}{2h} runout was safe for Madara and he was able to send Concepcion to the rail.
Heads-up play between Madara and Fisher will commence shortly.
Event 9 – ‘Almighty Million’
Level 38 (1,000,000/2,000,000/300,000)
Total Entries: 2,369
Players Remaining: 3
Chip Average: 78,970,000
Brian Mantini (Brigantine, NJ)
With the escalating blinds, a once medium-size stack can easily become small once engulfed by the blackhole that is Steve Madara. While Madara did the light work, Mario Concepcion was the one who knocked Mantini down to the point of no return.
Down to his last 23,000,000, Concepcion moved all-in from the big blind after an open from Mantini. Without wasting much time, Mantini called with {qs}{qc} to put Concepcion and his {as}{5d} at risk. The edge was in Mantini’s favor but the {ah}{jd}{4s} flop put Concepcion squarely in front. Mantini found no help on the turn or river and was knocked down to 10,000,000.
Mantini moved all-in shortly after and found a call from Madara. Mantini was live with {qh}{3h} against the {kc}{7c} of Madara. Mantini hopped in the lead following the {ah}{qc}{7h} flop. His edge increased when the {3s} hit the turn. The crowd swelled in anticipation before the river and let out a cry when the {ks} hit the river to send Mantini out.
With the pot, Madara moves to over 160,000,000 as he closes in on the “Almighty Million” title.
Event 9 – ‘Almighty Million’
Level 38 (1,000,000/2,000,000/300,000)
Total Entries: 2,369
Players Remaining: 4
Chip Average: 59,225,000
Steve Madara is far and away the man to beat with over half of the chips in play sitting in front of him as he looks to close out the “Almighty Million.”
The blinds are up once again and Steve Madera has over half of the chips in play with four players remaining. Since his double knockout, Madera has done nothing but build at the expense of the other three players at the table. Without any relatively major hands, Madera has climbed all the way to over 130,000,000. With the large payout jumps in play along with the Madera’s chip lead, it will be interesting to see how the other players at the table adjust their strategy. An updated look at chip counts for the remaining players is below.
- Mario Concepcion – 41,400,000
- Brian Mantini – 30,500,000
- Steve Madera – 132,000,000
- Don Fisher – 34,600,000
Event 9 – ‘Almighty Million’
Level 38 (800,000/1,600,000/300,000)
Total Entries: 2,369
Players Remaining: 4
Chip Average: 59,225,000
Miles Walker (League City, NY)
With Steve Madara and his ever growing stack on his direct right, Miles Walker was often facing a lot of preflop pressure throughout this final table. As a result, Walker was never able to get his feet completely under him.
Down to his last 10,000,000, Walker shoved all-in from under the gun and found a call from Don Fisher on his direct left.
All other players released and Walker turned over {as}{kc} which was ahead of Fisher’s {ks}{qs}. The {js}{7c}{6s} flop put a big sweat out as Fisher was now drawing to a flush.
The {5h} on the turn didn’t change anything but the {3s} on the river would send the pot over to Fisher and leave Walker heading to the rail. With the pot, Fisher is now at his peak of the final table with 27,000,000.
Event 9 – ‘Almighty Million’
Level 38 (800,000/1,600,000/300,000)
Total Entries: 2,369
Players Remaining: 5
Chip Average: 47,380,000
Brian Mantini made a correct call for his tournament life and won the ensuing flip to reach his peak at the final table.
Brian Mantini who has gradually chipped up and down for all of Day 3, rarely ever being all-in for his tournament life. In a spot where he had to call for his tournament against Mario Concepcion, Mantini was rewarded with a double up.
Miles Walker opened for a raise to 3,700,000 and action folded to Mario Concepcion, who moved all-in for almost 50,000,000 from the small blind. Mantini sat in the big blind, and with 26,000,000 chips behind, found a call to put himself at risk. Walker got out of the way and Mantini turned over {8c}{8h} which was ahead of Concepcion’s {ad}{qc}/
The {jc}{2s}{2c}{4s}{3c} was relatively sweat-free for Mantini who is climbing close to 60,000,000. After the loss, Concepcion was knocked back to 22,000,000 and has some work to do to get back in contention at this final table.