Event 10: $660 NLHE Reentry
Day 2 Completed
2014 Borgata Spring Poker Open
Event 10: $660 NLHE Reentry
Day: 2
Event Info
Final Results
Event Info
Level Info
2014 Borgata Spring Poker Open
Buy-in
$600
Entries
194
Level
26
Blinds
20,000 / 40,000
Ante
4,000
![[user253757]](/img/avatars/avatar.svg){kind=avatar}
Level 26
: 20,000/40,000, 4,000 ante
A few months ago we sat by and watched as Joe McKeehen stormed through Event 3 of the Borgata Winter Poker Open, besting a field of 578 runners to take down top honors - along with $69,808 in prize money.
With nine events in the books thus far at the Borgata Spring Poker Open, the Pennsylvania native figured it was high time to return to the winner's circle. McKeehen triumphed over a field of 194 here today to add another title to his r��sum��, along with $33,873 in prize money to push his career earnings over the $900,000 plateau. And with another week or so of events on the schedule in this series, we wouldn't be surprised if he became a million dollar man sometime soon. After all, McKeehen simply owns Atlantic City, recording his most prestigious finishes in America's original Hold'em hotbed and cashing more than a dozen times in his brief career on the felt.
Those aren't simply min-cashes either. McKeehen has made an astounding seven final tables here in Atlantic City over less than two years of live play, proving that when he plays the game he loves, he plays to win. Those final table appearances have garnered the young McKeehen a World Series of Poker Circuit ring from the 2012-13 Caesars Atlantic City Main Event, as well as yet another Borgata seasonal series win from last November's Fall Poker Open. That makes it three consecutive Borgata Opens in which McKeehen has held up a trophy, which is great news for his parents Brent and Gina.
McKeehen jokingly told the table yesterday during Day 1 that he "wanted another trophy," before adding "my mom keeps them in her china cabinet." Gina should probably consider investing in a bigger china cabinet, because at this rate the trophy case will be running out of room by the time the leaves change.
After beginning Day 2 squarely in the middle of the pack in terms of chip count with 14 remaining, McKeehen went right to work climbing the leaderboard - courtesy of a hot deck that seemed to deal him aces every hand. After reaching the final table, McKeehen tried to get over on a made man in Attilio Bitondo, betting every street with queen-high looking to scare the octogenarian off the pot. Even after absorbing a head shot when Bitando called him down with a lowly pair of deuces, McKeehen showed the perseverance of a true pro, retaining his composure and forging ahead.
McKeehen went on a heater to eliminate Brian Correro in 5th place, before sending Steve Saklad to the rail in 4th place. From there, it was just a matter of time before the Broad Street Bully hoisted another trophy (something he hopes his beloved Philadelphia Flyers can accomplish this June), as McKeehen simply steamrolled through three-handed play.
Today's runner-up put up quite the fight though. Mike Sandler repeatedly clashed with McKeehen as the two essentially traded chip stacks over a series of all-in collisions. Sandler couldn't overcome the swings, however, and after the briefest of heads-up duels he succumbed to what seems to be inevitable at the Borgata: Joe McKeehen claiming every chip in play.
Level 26
: 20,000/40,000, 4,000 ante
Mike Sandler found himself at a severe chip disadvantage entering heads-up play, and within minutes he found himself all-in and hoping for a double.
Joe McKeehen had continued his relentless aggression with yet another preflop shove, knowing that even he was called and beaten, he'd still hold a huge chip lead. Sandler made the call with 
to find himself out in front of the 22-year old pro's 
, but as she had been all day, fate sat squarely in McKeehen's corner.
The dealer fanned a flop of 
and just like that Sandler was on the ropes. Needing to catch a king or some sort of runner-runner combination to make a straight, Sandler watched as the turn (
) and river (
) missed him completely.
Sandler offered McKeehen a sincere congratulations before heading to the payout desk to collect his $18,630 for a well-deserved runner-up finish.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
2,910,000 | |
|
||
|
Busted | |
Level 26
: 20,000/40,000, 4,000 ante
Moments after scoring a fortunate double through Mike Sandler by filling a gutshot straight draw, Attilio Bitondo just took two to the head.
The 85-year old shoved all in before the flop holding 
, and perhaps steaming a bit from the aforementioned loss, Sandler quickly announced the call while tabling 
.
The flop came down 
and Sandler shook his head in disgust, sensing that he may not be able to best his elder on this day, and the turn fell to confirm his suspicion.
River: 
Just like that, Sandler had caught up to end Bitondo's amazing run in this tournament, sending him back to New York with an incredibly impressive 3rd place finish.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
515,000
205,000
|
205,000 |
|
Busted |
Level 26
: 20,000/40,000, 4,000 ante
His stack dwindling away with every preflop shove by Joe McKeehen, 85-year old Attilio Bitondo finally made his stand with open-jam of his own.
Mike Sandler quickly made the call with 
to find himself in dominant position over Bitondo's 
.
The flop rained down 
and Sandler's ten kicker was still the difference.
Turn:
Like a shot through the eye a three fell on fourth street, giving Bitondo a straight and the overwhelming lead in the hand. Sandler was drawing to chops and chops alone, but the river blanked off coming 
, sending the pot to Bitondo and sending Sandler out for quick lap around the table to pace away his frustration.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
310,000
-540,000
|
-540,000 |
|
|
295,000
65,000
|
65,000 |
Level: 26
Blinds: 20,000/40,000
Ante: 4,000
Level 25
: 15,000/30,000, 4,000 ante
Atillio Bitondo opened for 75,000 holding the button, a raise which folded Mike Sandler, but Joe McKeehen plunked a tower of red T25000 chips forward while announcing himself all in.
The big bet would force Bitondo to call off the remainder of his stack - a stack which had just been depleted by nearly 25 percent with his opening raise. Bitondo declined to take the plunge though, and he folded after rechecking his cards.
On the next hand McKeehen attacked Bitondo's big blind with another shove, this time from the small blind, and Bitondo retreated once again.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
1,950,000
150,000
|
150,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
230,000
-570,000
|
-570,000 |
Level 25
: 15,000/30,000, 4,000 ante
Joe McKeehen opened to 75,000 from the small blind and Attilio Bitondo flatted in defense of his big.
Both players tapped the table through the turn on a board reading 
, and when the river came McKeehen knuckled for a third time.
Bitondo bit at the bait and fired a bet of 77,000 forward, with McKeehen quickly making the call.
"Six-high," drawled the 85-year old Bitondo.
McKeehen needed no words, simply tabling his 
for fourth pair - and the winner.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
1,800,000
200,000
|
200,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
200,000
-600,000
|
-600,000 |
Level 25
: 15,000/30,000, 4,000 ante
A few small pots have been played after the dinner break, but nothing of consequence to report.
Attilio Bitondo open-shoved holding the button and he took down the blinds and antes without a contest.
Bitondo also saw a flop against Mike Sandler, but folded when the latter made a big bet of 300,000 to take it down.
Later, Bitondo and Sandler clashed again, playing to the river on a board reading 
. The turn and river were checked down and Sandler announced "I play the board" before Bitondo produced 
for the winner.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
1,600,000
34,000
|
34,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
850,000
57,000
|
57,000 |
|
|
550,000
-250,000
|
-250,000 |
Level: 25
Blinds: 15,000/30,000
Ante: 4,000