|
BORGATA
POKER OPEN
It's hard to believe, but the first season of the World Poker Tour went to
practically every gambling hotspot in America...EXCEPT for Atlantic City!
The home of the the original Boardwalk, the Miss America Pageant and the place the streets of Monopoly(TM)
call home now finally gets its chance to shine. The Borgata Casino and
Hotel is the newest jewel in the Atlantic City skyline that has housed the Taj
Mahal, Trump Plaza, Harrah's and the Tropicana for years. And to this new East Coast
gambling spot came 235 poker players, each with $5,000 to play in a No-Limit
Texas Hold-'Em tournament. The prize pool: $1,175,000! First place
prize: $470,000! Added winner's bonus: a $25,000 buy-in for the WPT
Championship at the end of the season!
After 3 days of intense poker, we are down to six people at the WPT Final
Table. And they are:
| PLAYER | CHIP COUNT | Carlos Mortensen
Lives
in Madrid, Spain; 2001 World Series of Poker Champion | $799,000 | Charlie Shoten
Life
insurance exec; 66-year-old
originally from New York City | $427,000 | David Oppenheim
High-stakes
cash poker player;
from Los Angeles, CA | $419,000 | Noli Francisco
Retired
architect;
originally from Philippines | $391,000 | Randy Burger
Financial
manager; first-ever live tournament (qualified online) | $219,000 | Mickey Seagle
Retired
sales manager;
horse owner | $98,000 |
(Each player got $10,000 worth of chips...and a few get a
little extra, I guess)
With Mike Sexton and Vince Van Patton calling the action with the use of the WPT
Cams, it's time to SHUFFLE UP AND DEAL!
Antes start at $1000 and the blinds start at $4000 (SB) and $8000 (BB).
The Dealer Button (D) starts on Charlie.
| Carlos | David | Randy | Charlie (D) | Noli (SB) | Mickey (BB) |
| 9♠ 4♣ |
Q♣ Q♦ |
10♦ 9♣ |
J♣ 7♥ |
9♥ 6♥ |
8♦ 6♦ |
| FOLD |
Raises to $22,000 |
FOLD |
FOLD |
FOLD |
FOLD |
|
WIN $40,000 |
|
|
|
|
| A fair amount of hands
are decided by default before the flop. This time it was justified,
since David was a heavy favorite over EVERYBODY's hands. David then
SHOWS the Queens. This is both shameless bragging and a sneak peek at
David's strategy. |
| Noli | Mickey | Carlos | David (D) | Randy (SB) | Charlie (BB) |
| 10♣ 8♣ |
10♠ 6♣ |
7♦ 2♠ |
5♣ 3♥ |
A♣ 6♥ |
Q♦ 6♠ |
| FOLD |
FOLD |
Raises to $20,000 |
FOLD |
FOLD |
FOLD |
|
|
WIN $38,000 |
|
|
|
| Even a "beer
hand" can scare out everyone else...as long as you make it LOOK like more
than the worst hand in Hold 'Em. |
| Mickey | Carlos | David | Randy (D) | Charlie (SB) | Noli (BB) |
| 8♦ 6♣ |
10♣ 8♣ |
A♠ 4♦ |
K♦ 7♠ |
Q♣ J♦ |
9♣ 4♥ |
| FOLD |
Calls $8,000 |
Calls $8,000 |
FOLD |
Calls $4,000 |
CHECK |
| Four-way action's
not very common in tournament play. |
| FLOP: 2♠ 3♥ 8♥ |
| Carlos has a pair,
but David has a "wheel draw", needing a 5 for a 5-high straight. |
|
|
|
|
CHECK |
CHECK |
|
Bets $10,000 |
Raises to $35,000 |
|
FOLD |
FOLD |
|
Calls $25,000 |
|
|
|
| TURN: 5♣ |
| David has made his
"wheel". Carlos is "drawing dead". |
|
CHECK |
Bets $50,000 |
|
|
|
|
Calls $50,000 |
|
|
|
RIVER: 5♦
COMMUNITY:
5♣ 5♦ 8♥ 3♥ 2♠ |
|
CHECK |
Bets $120,000 |
|
|
|
|
Calls $120,000 |
|
|
|
|
8♣ 8♥ 5♣ 5♦
10♣ |
5♣ 4♦
3♥ 2♠ A♠ |
|
|
|
|
|
WIN $448,000 |
|
|
|
| Carlos | David | Randy | Charlie (D) | Noli (SB) | Mickey (BB) |
| J♣ 9♣ |
4♠ 4♦ |
K♠ 9♦ |
6♠ 2♠ |
J♠ 2♥ |
10♥ 8♦ |
| Raises to $24,000 |
Raises to $74,000 |
FOLD |
FOLD |
FOLD |
FOLD |
| Calls $50,000 |
|
|
|
|
| FLOP: 8♥ 3♥ 8♣ |
| David has two
pair, his 4s and the Board's 8s. |
| CHECK |
Bets $100,000 |
|
|
|
|
| Raises to $200,000 |
FOLD |
|
|
|
|
| WIN $466,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
| David was a 65% favorite...but Carlos "check-raised" in bluff that he either had a
higher pair in the hole than David's 4s...or a third 9. |
| Randy | Charlie | Noli | Mickey (D) | Carlos (SB) | David (BB) |
| 10♠ 4♣ |
7♣ 2♠ |
8♣ 2♥ |
5♣ 3♠ |
A♣ 5♥ |
K♥ Q♥ |
| FOLD |
FOLD |
FOLD |
FOLD |
Calls $4,000 |
Raises to $30,000 |
|
|
|
|
Calls $22,000 |
| FLOP: 2♣ 3♥ Q♣ |
|
|
|
|
CHECK |
Bets $45,000 |
|
|
|
|
Calls $45,000 |
| TURN: A♥ |
|
|
|
|
ALL-IN
$641,000 |
ALL-IN
$188,000 |
| Since David had
less chips than Carlos, Carlos' bet is lowered to match David's
all-in. David needs a Queen for "trips" or a King for two
pair. |
| RIVER: K♠ |
|
|
|
|
A♥ A♣
K♠ Q♣ 5♥ |
K♠ K♥ Q♥
Q♣ A♥ |
|
|
|
|
|
WIN $532,000 |
| David
"doubles up" on the river. |
| Noli | Mickey | Carlos | David (D) | Randy (SB) | Charlie (BB) |
| Q♣ 4♥ |
J♥ J♣ |
7♣ 5♣ |
A♠ A♣ |
5♥ 2♥ |
9♥ 9♦ |
| FOLD |
Raises to $40,000 |
FOLD |
Raises to $90,000 |
FOLD |
FOLD |
|
FOLD |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
WIN $148,000 |
|
|
| David was a 4-to-1 favorite with
his "bullets" against Mickey's "hooks". |
| Charlie | Noli | Mickey | Carlos (D) | David (SB) | Randy (BB) |
| 10♦ 9♦ |
10♣ 7♥ |
4♣ 3♦ |
J♣ 5♠ |
A♣ 6♣ |
Q♦ 8♥ |
| Raises to $25,000 |
FOLD |
FOLD |
FOLD |
Calls $21,000 |
FOLD |
| FLOP: Q♣ 9♣ 7♠ |
| Charlie flopped
both "middle pair". David, however, has a flush draw,
needing one more club. Charlie is still a VERY slight favorite. |
|
|
|
|
CHECK |
|
| Bets $50,000 |
|
|
|
Calls $50,000 |
|
| TURN: 8♦ |
| Charlie now has an
open-ended straight draw, needing a Jack or a 6. David LIKEWISE has an
open-ended, needing a 10 or a 5. |
|
|
|
|
Bets $60,000 |
|
| Calls $60,000 |
|
|
|
|
RIVER: 9♠
COMMUNITY:
9♠ 9♣ Q♣ 8♦ 7♠ |
| Charlie has won with
"trip" 9s. |
|
|
|
|
CHECK |
|
| CHECK |
|
|
|
|
| 9♦ 9♣ 9♠
Q♣ 10♦ |
|
|
|
9♣ 9♠ A♣
Q♣ 8♦ |
|
| WIN $284,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
| CURRENT CHIP COUNT |
| Noli Francisco | $581,000 |
| Charlie Shoten | $508,000 |
| Carlos Mortensen | $480,000 |
| David Oppenheim | $470,000 |
| Randy Burger | $265,000 |
| Mickey Seagle | $49,000 |
Antes have gone up to $2000 and blinds are now $6000 (SB) and $12000 (BB).
| David | Randy | Charlie | Noli (D) | Mickey (SB) | Carlos (BB) |
| K♦ 3♦ |
9♣ 2♠ |
Q♠ 7♣ |
6♦ 4♣ |
A♠ A♣ |
Q♠ 7♦ |
| FOLD |
FOLD |
FOLD |
Raises to $30,000 |
ALL-IN
$47,000 |
FOLD |
|
|
|
Calls $17,000 |
|
| Needless
to say (but I'll say it anyway) Noli is a MAJOR underdog here. |
FLOP: Q♦ 8♣ 3♠
TURN: 10♠ |
| Noli is drawing dead
here. |
| RIVER: 5♦ |
|
|
|
Q♦ 10♠ 8♣ 6♦
5♦ |
A♠
A♣ Q♦ 10♠ 8♣ |
|
|
|
|
|
WIN $118,000 |
|
| CURRENT CHIP COUNT |
| Noli Francisco | $528,000 |
| Carlos Mortensen | $510,000 |
| Charlie Shoten | $502,000 |
| David Oppenheim | $452,000 |
| Randy Burger | $247,000 |
| Mickey Seagle | $114,000 |
| Noli | Mickey | Carlos | David (D) | Randy (SB) | Charlie (BB) |
| A♦ 3♥ |
K♦ 6♦ |
Q♠ 10♥ |
A♥ 7♥ |
J♥ 4♣ |
Q♣ 8♣ |
| FOLD |
FOLD |
Calls $12,000 |
Calls $12,000 |
Calls $6,000 |
CHECK |
| FLOP: J♠ J♦ 7♦ |
|
|
|
|
ALL-IN
$233,000 |
FOLD |
|
|
FOLD |
FOLD |
|
|
|
|
|
|
WIN $293,000 |
|
| Here, Randy show's his
lack of experience. With three Jacks, any seasoned pro would have bet
modestly in the hopes that others would call. But Randy, feeling he had
the best hand, went all-in, causing everyone else to KNOW he has a killer hand
and fold. Randy's probably happy with the pot, but he could have had
MUCH more with a little patience. |
| Mickey | Carlos | David | Randy (D) | Charlie (SB) | Noli (BB) |
| K♠ 8♥ |
A♥ 10♣ |
9♠ 4♣ |
A♠ J♦ |
10♥ 8♦ |
Q♦ 2♠ |
| FOLD |
Raises to $35,000 |
FOLD |
Calls $35,000 |
FOLD |
FOLD |
|
|
|
|
|
| FLOP: 6♠ A♦ 5♥ |
| Both flopped a
pair of Aces, but Randy has a better "kicker" with his Jack. |
|
CHECK |
|
Bets $75,000 |
|
|
|
Calls $75,000 |
|
|
|
| TURN: 9♥ |
|
CHECK |
|
ALL-IN
$101,000 |
|
|
|
Calls $101,000 |
|
|
|
| Carlos
has two outs: either remaining 10 in the deck will give him two pair and
knock Randy out. But the odds of that are 1 in 17. |
| RIVER: 10♠ |
|
A♥
A♦ 10♣ 10♠
9♥ |
|
A♠
A♦ J♦ 10♠
9♥ |
|
|
|
WIN $452,000 |
|
OUT
- 6th Place |
|
|
| So much for
odds... |
Antes have gone up to $2,000 and blinds are now $10,000 (SB) and $20,000 (BB).
| Charlie | Noli | Mickey (D) | Carlos (SB) | David (BB) |
| A♠ 2♣ |
K♦ Q♥ |
7♦ 5♥ |
5♣ 3♠ |
A♦ J♠ |
| FOLD |
Raises to $50,000 |
FOLD |
FOLD |
ALL-IN
$225,000 |
|
Calls $175,000 |
|
|
| Noli
asks David what he has. David says, "I have a Jack".
Noli flips his "marriage" over and says, "You're in
trouble!" David then flips his "Ajax" over. Noli
smiles and asks David if he wants to "chop it", or split the pot
between them. But it doesn't work that way. David is a 3-to-2
favorite to win the hand. |
FLOP: 10♦ 7♠ 4♣
TURN: 9♣ |
| David is a 4-to-1 fave
now, but Noli has a straight draw, needing a Jack. He can also pair his
King or Queen and win. So any face card will win it, and there are 9
left in the deck. |
| RIVER: 10♠ |
|
10♦ 10♠ K♦ Q♥ 9♣ |
|
|
10♦ 10♠ A♦ J♠ 9♣ |
|
|
|
|
WIN $470,000 |
| Both had a pair of
10s, but David's Ace is a better kicker than Noli's King. |
| CURRENT CHIP COUNT |
| Noli Francisco | $781,000 |
| Carlos Mortensen | $560,000 |
| David Oppenheim | $540,000 |
| Mickey Seagle | $273,000 |
| Charlie Shoten | $189,000 |
| Carlos | David | Charlie (D) | Noli (SB) | Mickey (BB) |
| 4♦ 3♠ |
6♠ 2♣ |
8♠ 3♥ |
Q♣ 8♥ |
9♣ 4♠ |
| FOLD |
FOLD |
FOLD |
Calls $10,000 |
CHECK |
| FLOP: 8♣ J♥ 5♥ |
| Noli flopped a pair of 8s. |
|
|
|
Bets $20,000 |
Calls $20,000 |
| TURN: 7♠ |
| Mickey has a
gut-buster straight draw, needing an 8 to complete it. |
|
|
|
CHECK |
Bets $50,000 |
|
|
|
Calls $50,000 |
RIVER: K♣
COMMUNITY:
K♣ J♥ 8♣ 7♠ 5♥ |
|
|
|
CHECK |
Bets $100,000 |
|
|
|
Calls $100,000 |
|
|
|
8♥ 8♣ K♣
Q♣ J♥ |
K♣ J♥ 9♣
8♣ 5♥ |
|
|
|
WIN $390,000 |
|
| Mickey just
bluffed at a bad time here. He was trying to convince Noli that the
King helped him out, but Noli wasn't buying it for a second. |
| Charlie | Noli | Mickey (D) | Carlos (SB) | David (BB) |
| A♦ 4♣ |
9♠ 9♣ |
3♦ 3♣ |
J♥ 5♣ |
6♠ 2♥ |
| FOLD |
Raises to $50,000 |
Calls $50,000 |
FOLD |
FOLD |
|
|
|
|
| FLOP: 9♦ 5♠ 7♠ |
| Noli flopped a third
9. |
|
CHECK |
Bets $50,000 |
|
|
|
Raises to $100,000 |
ALL-IN
$163,000 |
|
|
|
Calls $63,000 |
|
|
| Mickey's in
trouble. He's a 97% underdog. He needs two running cards (like
two 3s or two cards to fill the gaps in the straight possibility) or he's
out. |
| TURN: 4♥ |
| There's ONE
runner. A 6 will save him... |
| RIVER: 5♦ |
| ...but it doesn't
come. |
|
9♠ 9♣ 9♦ 5♠ 5♦ |
5♠ 5♦
3♦ 3♣ 9♦ |
|
|
|
WIN $486,000 |
OUT
- 5th Place |
|
|
| CURRENT CHIP COUNT |
| Noli Francisco | $1,095,000 |
| David Oppenheim | $569,000 |
| Carlos Mortensen | $512,000 |
| Charlie Shoten | $177,000 |
Antes have gone up to $3,000 and blinds are now $15,000 (SB) and
$30,000 (BB).
| David | Charlie (D) | Noli (SB) | Carlos (BB) |
| 8♦ 4♦ |
J♠ 6♦ |
J♣ 8♣ |
K♠ J♦ |
| FOLD |
FOLD |
Raises to $75,000 |
Calls $45,000 |
| FLOP: 7♣ 7♦ A♦ |
|
|
CHECK |
Bets $100,000 |
|
|
Calls $100,000 |
| TURN: K♣ |
|
|
ALL-IN
$817,000 |
FOLD |
|
|
WIN
$1,279,000 |
|
| This was a more-effective
bluff. Though Carlos had two pair, Noli made Carlos think he had, at the
least, an Ace-King. He DID have a flush draw, but not too many would go
all-in on a draw. |
| Noli | Carlos (D) | David (SB) | Charlie (BB) |
| 10♣ 4♣ |
10♦ 5♦ |
Q♠ 10♥ |
K♥ J♣ |
| FOLD |
Raises to $100,000 |
FOLD |
ALL-IN
$168,000 |
|
Calls $68,000 |
|
| Charlie is a 64% favorite with
his "Kojak" over Carlos' "Woolworths". |
| FLOP: J♦ 5♥ 4♦ |
| Now he's a BIGGER fave with the
pair of Jacks. Any diamond will give Carlos a flush and KO Charlie. |
TURN: 3♠
RIVER: A♥ |
|
5♦ 5♥ A♥ J♦
10♦ |
|
J♣ J♦ A♥ K♥
5♥ |
|
|
|
WIN $363,000 |
| CURRENT CHIP COUNT |
| Noli Francisco | $1,240,000 |
| David Oppenheim | $626,000 |
| Charlie Shoten | $345,000 |
| Carlos Mortensen | $142,000 |
| David | Charlie (D) | Noli (SB) | Carlos (BB) |
| Q♠ J♣ |
7♥ 2♠ |
A♥ J♣ |
6♥ 6♦ |
| Raises to $100,000 |
FOLD |
Raises to $300,000 |
ALL-IN
$139,000 |
| FOLD |
|
| Since
David folded, Noli's bet is reduced to cover Carlos' all-in and both will be
playing David's $100G bet. Had David called, a side pot would have
been started between him and Noli alone. Carlos is a SLIGHT favorite
because Noli has two over-powering overcards. |
| FLOP: K♥ 7♠ A♣ |
| There you go; Noli has
a bigger pair. He's a 91% favorite and Carlos needs one of the two
remaining 6s to survive. |
TURN: 9♦
RIVER: Q♦ |
|
|
A♥
A♣ K♥ Q♦
J♣ |
6♥ 6♦ A♣ K♥ Q♦ |
|
|
WIN $390,000 |
OUT
- 4th Place |
| Charlie (D) | Noli (SB) | David (BB) |
| 7♠ 2♦ |
A♣ Q♥ |
5♣ 5♠ |
| FOLD |
Raises to $90,000 |
ALL-IN
$520,000 |
|
Calls $430,000 |
A
note of trivia: Charlie's is the SIXTH "beer hand" televised in
this Final Table. Only the first one, however, wasn't folded before
the Flop.
Again, Noli is a slight underdog, having two overcards in the "Big
Chick" to David's "speed limit". |
| FLOP: J♣ 6♣ Q♣ |
| And, again, he flops a
higher pair. David needs a 5 to live on. |
TURN: 8♠
RIVER: Q♠ |
|
Q♥ Q♣ Q♠ A♣
J♣ |
Q♣ Q♠
5♣ 5♠ J♣ |
|
WIN
$1,049,000 |
OUT
- 3rd Place |
| Seven black cards,
but no five of them were of the same suit for David. |
So we're down to two players...and you know what THAT
means! HEADS-UP! The life insurance executive and the Filipino
architect square off for the title! Let's SHUFFLE UP AND DEAL!
| CURRENT CHIP COUNT |
| Noli Francisco | $2,014,000 |
| David Oppenheim | $339,000 |
| Yes, it's a big lead.
But two double-ups for David and it'll be just about tied. |
| Noli (D) (SB) | Charlie (BB) |
| 8♠ 7♠ |
K♥ 4♣ |
| Raises to $70,000 |
Calls $40,000 |
| FLOP: 10♦ 3♥ J♠ |
|
CHECK |
| CHECK |
| TURN: 6♥ |
|
CHECK |
| CHECK |
RIVER: A♥
COMMUNITY: 10♦ 3♥ J♠ 6♥ A♥ |
|
CHECK |
| Here, Charlie
makes a big mistake. As Noli is putting his chips down before he ever
gives an amount, Charlie says, "I call." Because Noli never
said an amount and wasn't finished with placing his chips, Noli is forced to
bet the minimum and Charlie, having said he called, is forced into doing so. |
| Bets $40,000 |
Calls $40,000 |
| A♥ J♠ 10♦ 8♠ 7♠ |
A♥ K♥
J♠ 10♦ 6♥ |
|
WIN $226,000 |
| Had Charlie waited
for Noli to put his chips down and/or declare an amount, he would have made
much more than he did. |
Some hands later...
| Noli (D) (SB) | Charlie (BB) |
| 7♥ 7♦ |
A♣ 8♦ |
| AGAIN, Charlie speaks
before Noli puts his chips down, saying "I'm all-in". But,
THIS time, it's not as bad. Charlie says Noli was going to "raise
his usual amount" and he was going to go all-in regardless. So... |
| Raises to $364,000 |
ALL-IN
$364,000 |
| FLOP: A♥ 6♦ J♦ |
| Maybe he isn't as
dumb as we think. He went from mild to heavy fave. Noli needs to
hit the "slot machine" (a third 7) to win the tournament. |
TURN: 9♣
RIVER: 8♣ |
| 7♥ 7♦ A♥ J♦ 9♣ |
A♣
A♥ 8♦ 8♣ J♦ |
|
WIN $734,000 |
| Charlie doubles-up
with a "dead man's hand" (so named because Wild Bill Hickock was
shot while holding Aces and 8s). |
| Charlie (D) (SB) | Noli (BB) |
| J♥ 8♣ |
K♥ K♦ |
| Calls $15,000 |
Raises to $50,000 |
| Now, it's NOLI'S
turn to goof. Without saying a word, he puts $50G in the pot...then
reaches back for more. This is a "string bet" and is illegal
in tournament play; he should have announced an amount or put all he wanted
to bet into the pot. As such, Charlie guesses he has a killer hand
and... |
| FOLD |
|
|
WIN $86,000 |
| Vince: "It's
suddenly turned into Amateur Night!" |
| Noli (D) (SB) | Charlie (BB) |
| K♣ 5♥ |
9♠ 6♦ |
| Calls $15,000 |
CHECK |
| FLOP: 6♥ 4♣ 7♥ |
|
Bets $50,000 |
| Calls $50,000 |
| TURN: K♦ |
|
Bets $100,000 |
| Bets $200,000 |
ALL-IN
$633,000 |
| Calls $433,000 |
| Charlie
needs a 6 to make the Devil's Hand (6-6-6) or a 9 to make two pair or... |
| RIVER: Q♣ |
| ...uh...never mind. |
| K♣ K♦ Q♣ 7♥ 6♥ |
6♦ 6♥ K♦ Q♣
9♠ |
| TOURNAMENT
WINNER! |
OUT
- 2nd Place |
| Now...it takes a minute or so
for Noli to REALIZE that he's won the hand, let alone the tournament.
When it suddenly sinks in, THEN he starts jumping. |
| 1ST |
NOLI
FRANCISCO |
$470,000 |
| 2nd |
Charlie Shoten |
$235,000 |
| 3rd |
David Oppenheim |
$117,500 |
| 4th |
Carlos Mortensen |
$70,500 |
| 5th |
Mickey Seagle |
$52,875 |
| 6th |
Randy Burger |
$41,125 |
So Noli knocks out almost everyone at the Final Table to win
the huge share of the prize pool AND the $25,000 buy-in into the WPT Championship at the
end of the year!
|
