Steven Weinstein Wins Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship

Just over one thousand players entered the Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship which created over $3 million in the prize pool. Much more than the $2 million guarantee. The event had a buy-in of $3,000 plus $200 and Steven Weinstein outlasted the field and took the championship title.

On the final day of play, twenty seven people returned to the felt to battle for the top prize. The first players to be eliminated were those who began the day with the smallest chip stacks. When it came down to the final table nine players were left.

The first to be eliminated from the final table was Charles Marchese. Carl Pion held the chip lead at the start of the day but his pocket threes got him knocked out in eighth place. Ory Hen and Frank Caldwell were the next to go followed closely by Michael Contessa.

Robert McLaughlin was out in fourth after he was eliminated by Todd Terry’s pocket aces. Terry went on a roll and knocked out the next player as well. Anthony Merulla went out in third. Heads up play then began between Terry and Weinstein.

Terry had a four to one chip lead but it would not be long before Weinstein would double up. Weinstein then took the lead and within an hour Weinstein would close the final hand and win the Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship.

Final Results:

Place -- Payout -- Player -- Hometown
1 -- $658,405 -- Steven Weinstein -- Andes, NY
2 -- $434,767 -- Todd Terry -- Hoboken, NJ
3 -- $236,452 -- Robert 'Anthony' Merulla -- New York, NY
4 -- $205,942 -- Robert 'Jeremy' McLaughlin -- Washington, DC
5 -- $175,432 -- Michael Contessa -- Rochelle Park, NY
6 -- $144,922 -- Franklin Caldwell -- Nicholasville, KY
7 -- $114,412 -- Ory Hen -- Hollywood, FL
8 -- $ 83,902 -- Carl Pion -- Brampton, Canada
9 -- $ 61,020 -- Charlie Marchese -- Shoreham, NY
10 -- $ 39,663 -- Shawn Pilot -- North Hills, CA