Billy O'Neil (College Park, MD)
Borgata Summer Poker Open
Championship Event Winner
Borgata Summer Poker Open
Championship Event Winner
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Championship Event Final Table Recap
$2000 +$200 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em
"It's fantastic, said Billy O'Neil, who usually plays the $600/$1,200 HOSE or $50/$100 NL cash games. "I got real lucky, what can I say."
It was anything but luck for the College Park, MD resident, when he beat Mirza Nagji (New York, NY) for the championship, crystal trophy and gold bracelet. Early in heads-up play, on a board of Q J 4 2 J, O'Neil bet 700k and Nagji called. O'Neil turned over 6 6 for the winner as Nagji mucked his hand and lost the 2 million chip pot.
"It was the first big pot we played," said O'Neil, who increased the slight chip advantage he had when heads-up play began. "That hand gave me a lot of momentum."
Shortly after that, the final hand unfolded on a board of 2♥ 4♣ 7♣ 6♦ 8♦. Nagji led out for 550k and O'Neil reraised to 2 million, putting Nagji all-in.
After a short pause, Nagji called only to see O'Neil's K♣ 5♠ for the winning straight. Nagji mucked the hand and settled for second place and $104,620.
"I wouldn't have called that last bet," laughed Nagji while he relived the final table. "Either he had the straight or he didn't. Up until the eight came out, I had top pair," he said after revealing he had J 7 on the final hand.
The day started with a bang as short stack Joshua Hakakian, a Pennsylvania resident, moved all-in on the first hand with AK suited, only to be eliminated by the AA of Frank Dellaria (Burgettstown, PA). After that, O'Neil took over the final table and eliminated 6 of the 8 remaining players.
O'Neil knocked out Ed Corrado (Naples, FL - 9th place), Dean Potashner (Morristown, NJ - 8th), John Borzio (Robbinsville, NJ - 6th), Steven Curtin (Indian Trail, NC - 5th), Mike Melkersen (Harrisonburg, VA - 4th) and Nagji to win the championship.
Nagji eliminated Dellaria (7th) and Todd Geddis (Asotria, NY - 3rd) to set the stage for heads-up play. Geddis is also a Borgata regular who won an on-line contest for his Championship Event entry and free-rolled his way to a $51,687 pay day.
The tournament began with 321 players and put the total buy-in at $642,000. The deep stacks (30k starting chips) and long levels (75 minutes on Days 2, 3 & 4) is one reason why players travel from as far away as Virginia, North Carolina and Florida to play at Borgata.
In the end, the two finalists have the best tournament results of their careers, both in position and money won. "When you make it that far in a tournament, with that good a competition," says Nagji, "it says a lot for yourself on how good you are and is a nice little ego boost."
"It's great, fantastic," adds O'Neil. "It's nice when somebody who plays here regularly wins any of these tournaments, ever. Because they're local and they play in the games, maybe they'll step up a little, play higher (limits)."
Dozens of people, both players and casino associates, went out of their way to congratulate O'Neil. They were thrilled to see one of their own take down the Championship Event, something he genuinely appreciated.
The Borgata Summer Poker Open still has two more champions to crown as Event 21 is still ongoing in the poker room, while Event 22 gets underway 12 pm Wednesday.
Borgata Summer Poker Open 2010
Players traveled great distances to play in the Summer Poker Open Championship Event, and after four long days of poker, it's a Borgata regular high stakes player who wins the title and the $180,595 first prize."It's fantastic, said Billy O'Neil, who usually plays the $600/$1,200 HOSE or $50/$100 NL cash games. "I got real lucky, what can I say."
It was anything but luck for the College Park, MD resident, when he beat Mirza Nagji (New York, NY) for the championship, crystal trophy and gold bracelet. Early in heads-up play, on a board of Q J 4 2 J, O'Neil bet 700k and Nagji called. O'Neil turned over 6 6 for the winner as Nagji mucked his hand and lost the 2 million chip pot.
"It was the first big pot we played," said O'Neil, who increased the slight chip advantage he had when heads-up play began. "That hand gave me a lot of momentum."
Shortly after that, the final hand unfolded on a board of 2♥ 4♣ 7♣ 6♦ 8♦. Nagji led out for 550k and O'Neil reraised to 2 million, putting Nagji all-in.
After a short pause, Nagji called only to see O'Neil's K♣ 5♠ for the winning straight. Nagji mucked the hand and settled for second place and $104,620.
"I wouldn't have called that last bet," laughed Nagji while he relived the final table. "Either he had the straight or he didn't. Up until the eight came out, I had top pair," he said after revealing he had J 7 on the final hand.
The day started with a bang as short stack Joshua Hakakian, a Pennsylvania resident, moved all-in on the first hand with AK suited, only to be eliminated by the AA of Frank Dellaria (Burgettstown, PA). After that, O'Neil took over the final table and eliminated 6 of the 8 remaining players.
O'Neil knocked out Ed Corrado (Naples, FL - 9th place), Dean Potashner (Morristown, NJ - 8th), John Borzio (Robbinsville, NJ - 6th), Steven Curtin (Indian Trail, NC - 5th), Mike Melkersen (Harrisonburg, VA - 4th) and Nagji to win the championship.
Nagji eliminated Dellaria (7th) and Todd Geddis (Asotria, NY - 3rd) to set the stage for heads-up play. Geddis is also a Borgata regular who won an on-line contest for his Championship Event entry and free-rolled his way to a $51,687 pay day.
The tournament began with 321 players and put the total buy-in at $642,000. The deep stacks (30k starting chips) and long levels (75 minutes on Days 2, 3 & 4) is one reason why players travel from as far away as Virginia, North Carolina and Florida to play at Borgata.
In the end, the two finalists have the best tournament results of their careers, both in position and money won. "When you make it that far in a tournament, with that good a competition," says Nagji, "it says a lot for yourself on how good you are and is a nice little ego boost."
"It's great, fantastic," adds O'Neil. "It's nice when somebody who plays here regularly wins any of these tournaments, ever. Because they're local and they play in the games, maybe they'll step up a little, play higher (limits)."
Dozens of people, both players and casino associates, went out of their way to congratulate O'Neil. They were thrilled to see one of their own take down the Championship Event, something he genuinely appreciated.
The Borgata Summer Poker Open still has two more champions to crown as Event 21 is still ongoing in the poker room, while Event 22 gets underway 12 pm Wednesday.
Borgata Summer Poker Open
Championship Event Final Table Results
Place-Name-Amount
1. Billy O'Neil,$ 180,595
2. Mirza Nagji, $ 104,620
3. Todd Geddis, $ 51,687
4. Mike Melkersen $ 43,592
5. Steven Curtin $ 37,364
6. John Borzio $ 31,137
7. Frank Dellaria $ 24,910
8. Dean Potashner $ 18,683
9. Ed Corrado $ 12,456
10. Joshua Hakakian $ 8,096
Championship Event Final Table Results
Place-Name-Amount
1. Billy O'Neil,$ 180,595
2. Mirza Nagji, $ 104,620
3. Todd Geddis, $ 51,687
4. Mike Melkersen $ 43,592
5. Steven Curtin $ 37,364
6. John Borzio $ 31,137
7. Frank Dellaria $ 24,910
8. Dean Potashner $ 18,683
9. Ed Corrado $ 12,456
10. Joshua Hakakian $ 8,096
Champion - Billy O'Neil
$2000 +$200 Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em
1st - Billy O'Neil (College Park, MD)
$180,595
2nd - Mirza Nagji (New York, NY)
$104,620
Borgata Summer Poker Open 2010
Championship Event Final Table
Championship Event Final Table
1st - Billy O'Neil (College Park, MD)$180,595
After 30 minutes of heads-up play Billy O'Neil beats Mirza Nagji to win the Borgata Summer Poker Open Championship Event.
From the button O'Neil makes it 200k with blinds at 40k/80k/5k ante and Nagji calls.
Flop: 2♥ 4c♣ 7♣
Both players check.
Turn: 6♦
Nagji leads out for 250k and O'Neil calls.
River: 8♦
Nagji bets 550k and O'Neil reraises to 2 million, which puts Nagji all-in.
After a short pause, Nagji calls only to see O'Neil's K♣ 5♠ for the winning straight. Nagji mucks as he finishes in 2nd place.
From the button O'Neil makes it 200k with blinds at 40k/80k/5k ante and Nagji calls.
Flop: 2♥ 4c♣ 7♣
Both players check.
Turn: 6♦
Nagji leads out for 250k and O'Neil calls.
River: 8♦
Nagji bets 550k and O'Neil reraises to 2 million, which puts Nagji all-in.
After a short pause, Nagji calls only to see O'Neil's K♣ 5♠ for the winning straight. Nagji mucks as he finishes in 2nd place.
2nd - Mirza Nagji (New York, NY)$104,620
Event 18: $2000+$200 Championship Results
Borgata Summer Poker Open 2010
Championship
Event 18: $2000 + $200 No Limit Hold'em
June 25 - 29
Entries: 321 Total Buy-In: $642,000
FINAL RESULTS
1. WILLIAM ONEIL (COLLAGE PARK, MD): $180,595
2. MIRZA NAGJI (NEW YORK, NY): $104,620
3. TODD GEDDIS (ASTORIA, NY): $51,687
4. MICHAEL MELKERSEN (NEW MARKET, VA): $43,592
5. STEVEN CURTIN (INDIAN TRAIL, NC): $37,364
6. JOHN BORZIO (ROBBINSVILLE, NJ): $31,137
7. FRANK DELLARIA (BURGETTSTOWN, PA): $24,910
8. DEAN POTASHNER (MORRISTOWN, NJ): $18,683
9. EDWARD CORRADO (NAPLES, FL): $12,456
10. JOSHUA HAKAKIAN (WARFORDSBURG, PA): $8,096
11. ALEX KUCHIK (BROOKLYN, NY): $8,096
12. JAY JOHNSON (PHILADELPHIA, PA): $8,096
13. LARRY NELSON (HARLEYSVILLE, PA): $6,227
14. JAMES OSTRANDER (SOUTHERN PINES, NC): $6,227
15. FLORENTINO DELEON JR (JOPPA, MD): $6,227
16. MARK HNATOV (HUNTINGTON, NY): $4,359
17. ANTHONY BALLETTA (SANIBEL, FL): $4,359
18. JIA LIU (BROOKLYN, NY): $4,359
19. TYNG LOW (FLUSHING, NY): $3,736
20. DANIEL LEE (RICHMOND, VA): $3,736
21. AZIZ WEHBEY (WHITEHALL, PA): $3,736
22. EDIP AYAZ (NEW MILFORD, NJ): $3,736
23. DANIEL FISCHER (GLASSBORO, NJ): $3,736
24. BEHROOZ JAMSHIDI (ELLICOTT CITY, MD): $3,736
25. JOSEPH DADDARIO (CHESTERLAND, OH): $3,736
26. ARBEN KUPI (ELMHURST, NY): $3,736
27. SEAN KNITTER (FOX CHASE MNR, PA): $3,736
28. MICHAEL BUTTACAVOLI (VENTNOR, NJ): $3,114
29. JOHN DORAN (WOOLWICH TWP, NJ): $3,114
30. RICHARD MISKO (HOBOKEN, NJ): $3,114
31. BRYAN GREELEY (MASTIC BEACH, NY): $3,114
32. JOANNE MONTEAVARO (BRONX, NY): $3,114
33. MICHAEL CONTESSA (ROCHELLE PARK, NJ): $3,114
34. BENJAMIN LUDWIG (SCHWENKSVILLE, PA): $3,114
35. JOSH SPIEGELMAN (PRINCETON, NJ): $3,114
36. CARL RESTIFO (WARETOWN, NJ): $3,114
Championship
Event 18: $2000 + $200 No Limit Hold'em
June 25 - 29
Entries: 321 Total Buy-In: $642,000
FINAL RESULTS
1. WILLIAM ONEIL (COLLAGE PARK, MD): $180,595
2. MIRZA NAGJI (NEW YORK, NY): $104,620
3. TODD GEDDIS (ASTORIA, NY): $51,687
4. MICHAEL MELKERSEN (NEW MARKET, VA): $43,592
5. STEVEN CURTIN (INDIAN TRAIL, NC): $37,364
6. JOHN BORZIO (ROBBINSVILLE, NJ): $31,137
7. FRANK DELLARIA (BURGETTSTOWN, PA): $24,910
8. DEAN POTASHNER (MORRISTOWN, NJ): $18,683
9. EDWARD CORRADO (NAPLES, FL): $12,456
10. JOSHUA HAKAKIAN (WARFORDSBURG, PA): $8,096
11. ALEX KUCHIK (BROOKLYN, NY): $8,096
12. JAY JOHNSON (PHILADELPHIA, PA): $8,096
13. LARRY NELSON (HARLEYSVILLE, PA): $6,227
14. JAMES OSTRANDER (SOUTHERN PINES, NC): $6,227
15. FLORENTINO DELEON JR (JOPPA, MD): $6,227
16. MARK HNATOV (HUNTINGTON, NY): $4,359
17. ANTHONY BALLETTA (SANIBEL, FL): $4,359
18. JIA LIU (BROOKLYN, NY): $4,359
19. TYNG LOW (FLUSHING, NY): $3,736
20. DANIEL LEE (RICHMOND, VA): $3,736
21. AZIZ WEHBEY (WHITEHALL, PA): $3,736
22. EDIP AYAZ (NEW MILFORD, NJ): $3,736
23. DANIEL FISCHER (GLASSBORO, NJ): $3,736
24. BEHROOZ JAMSHIDI (ELLICOTT CITY, MD): $3,736
25. JOSEPH DADDARIO (CHESTERLAND, OH): $3,736
26. ARBEN KUPI (ELMHURST, NY): $3,736
27. SEAN KNITTER (FOX CHASE MNR, PA): $3,736
28. MICHAEL BUTTACAVOLI (VENTNOR, NJ): $3,114
29. JOHN DORAN (WOOLWICH TWP, NJ): $3,114
30. RICHARD MISKO (HOBOKEN, NJ): $3,114
31. BRYAN GREELEY (MASTIC BEACH, NY): $3,114
32. JOANNE MONTEAVARO (BRONX, NY): $3,114
33. MICHAEL CONTESSA (ROCHELLE PARK, NJ): $3,114
34. BENJAMIN LUDWIG (SCHWENKSVILLE, PA): $3,114
35. JOSH SPIEGELMAN (PRINCETON, NJ): $3,114
36. CARL RESTIFO (WARETOWN, NJ): $3,114
Event 22: $200+$30 NLH Final Results
Borgata Summer Poker Open 2010
Event 22: $200 + $30 No Limit Hold'em
June 30
Entries: 298 Total Buy-In: $59,600
FINAL RESULTS
1. JIMMY WONG (BROOKLYN, NY): $17,340
2. ANDREW BLAKE (BLOOMFIELD, NJ): $9,828
3. JACQUES MELKI (AVENEL, NJ): $5,405
4. NICHOLAS DITOMA (CORTLANDT MANOR, NY): $4,047
5. JOHN VALEVICH (BROOKLYN, NY): $3,469
6. ABRAHAM KOROTKI (VENTNOR CITY, NJ): $2,891
7. JOSEPH FERRIGNO (MANCHESTER, NJ): $2,312
8. TOMMY COLAMARIA (BROOKLYN, NY): $1,734
9. LEONARDO CASTRILLON (KEW GARDENS, NY): $1,156
10. JOSEPH LOPES (WEST CREEK, NJ): $752
11. DAVID ZULLER (BROCKTON, MA): $752
12. ELISHA COHEN (NES ZIONA, ISR): $752
13. LUCAS WHEELER (NEW YORK, NY): $636
14. KERRY SMALL (VENTNOR CITY, NJ): $636
15. ROBERT ETTLINGER (ENOLA, PA): $636
16. GARY STEINBERG (ELLICOTT CITY, MD): $520
17. ROMEO MONTANO (EATONTOWN, NJ): $520
18. PAUL DRIVER (NEW YORK, NY): $520
19. KANG SUN (EDISON, NJ): $434
20. KENNETH FERN (BROOKLYN, NY): $434
21. KONSTANTINE BASIOS (MINEOLA, NY): $434
22. MICHAEL BROWN (ALLENTOWN, PA): $434
23. JASON SCHULTZ (EGG HARBOR CITY, NJ): $434
24. KENNETH MIHALIK (BORDENTOWN, NJ): $434
25. GREGORY CANDIDO (CORTLANDT MNR, NY): $434
26. HEATHER EVERSON (WASHINGTON, DC): $434
27. SAMMY ELKASSIR (FORT LEE, NJ): $434
Event 22: $200 + $30 No Limit Hold'em
June 30
Entries: 298 Total Buy-In: $59,600
FINAL RESULTS
1. JIMMY WONG (BROOKLYN, NY): $17,340
2. ANDREW BLAKE (BLOOMFIELD, NJ): $9,828
3. JACQUES MELKI (AVENEL, NJ): $5,405
4. NICHOLAS DITOMA (CORTLANDT MANOR, NY): $4,047
5. JOHN VALEVICH (BROOKLYN, NY): $3,469
6. ABRAHAM KOROTKI (VENTNOR CITY, NJ): $2,891
7. JOSEPH FERRIGNO (MANCHESTER, NJ): $2,312
8. TOMMY COLAMARIA (BROOKLYN, NY): $1,734
9. LEONARDO CASTRILLON (KEW GARDENS, NY): $1,156
10. JOSEPH LOPES (WEST CREEK, NJ): $752
11. DAVID ZULLER (BROCKTON, MA): $752
12. ELISHA COHEN (NES ZIONA, ISR): $752
13. LUCAS WHEELER (NEW YORK, NY): $636
14. KERRY SMALL (VENTNOR CITY, NJ): $636
15. ROBERT ETTLINGER (ENOLA, PA): $636
16. GARY STEINBERG (ELLICOTT CITY, MD): $520
17. ROMEO MONTANO (EATONTOWN, NJ): $520
18. PAUL DRIVER (NEW YORK, NY): $520
19. KANG SUN (EDISON, NJ): $434
20. KENNETH FERN (BROOKLYN, NY): $434
21. KONSTANTINE BASIOS (MINEOLA, NY): $434
22. MICHAEL BROWN (ALLENTOWN, PA): $434
23. JASON SCHULTZ (EGG HARBOR CITY, NJ): $434
24. KENNETH MIHALIK (BORDENTOWN, NJ): $434
25. GREGORY CANDIDO (CORTLANDT MNR, NY): $434
26. HEATHER EVERSON (WASHINGTON, DC): $434
27. SAMMY ELKASSIR (FORT LEE, NJ): $434
Event 22 Recap
Borgata Summer Poker Open 2010
Event 22: $200 + $30 No Limit Hold’em
June 30
Number of Entries: 298
Total Buy-In: $59,600
Top Prize: $17,340
The final event of the Borgata Summer Poker Open featured 298 and players and Jimmy Wong (Brooklyn, NY) is the last man standing to win the first place prize of $17,340 and the championship crystal trophy.
"I wanted the trophy," says Wong, "that's all I wanted and I got it." Wong overcame a huge chip deficit three-handed to win the title over Andrew Blake (Bloomfield, NJ) and Jacques Melki (Avenel, NJ), who finished second and third respectively.
With nearly 3 million chips in play Wong only had 150k and had to double-up twice to take the chip lead and eventually the championship. First Wong had A 6 against Welki's K J and the ace high held. A few hands later he had A Q against Blake's A 2 and when a queen flopped Wong was on his way the title.
After 20 days and 22 Championship Events, the Borgata Summer Poker Open is officially in the books!
1st - Jimmy Wong (Brooklyn NY)
$17,340
Andrew Blake (Bloomfield, NJ)
4th - Nick DiToma (Corlandt Manor, NY)
$4,047
Event 22: $200 + $30 No Limit Hold’em
June 30
Number of Entries: 298
Total Buy-In: $59,600
Top Prize: $17,340
The final event of the Borgata Summer Poker Open featured 298 and players and Jimmy Wong (Brooklyn, NY) is the last man standing to win the first place prize of $17,340 and the championship crystal trophy.
"I wanted the trophy," says Wong, "that's all I wanted and I got it." Wong overcame a huge chip deficit three-handed to win the title over Andrew Blake (Bloomfield, NJ) and Jacques Melki (Avenel, NJ), who finished second and third respectively.
With nearly 3 million chips in play Wong only had 150k and had to double-up twice to take the chip lead and eventually the championship. First Wong had A 6 against Welki's K J and the ace high held. A few hands later he had A Q against Blake's A 2 and when a queen flopped Wong was on his way the title.
After 20 days and 22 Championship Events, the Borgata Summer Poker Open is officially in the books!
1st - Jimmy Wong (Brooklyn NY)$17,340
Andrew Blake (Bloomfield, NJ)2nd - $9,828
Jacques Melki (Avenel, NJ)
3rd - $5,405
4th - Nick DiToma (Corlandt Manor, NY)$4,047
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