Event 14: Heads-Up NLHE
Day 2 Completed
2014 Borgata Winter Poker Open
Event 14: Heads-Up NLHE
Day: 2
Event Info
Brian Hewitt took down a 64-player bracket to win the $1,650 Heads-Up No-Limit Hold'em even here at Borgata Winter Poker Open. His efforts netted him a cool $37,248. He topped a field that included notable runners Matt Stout, Christian Harder, Adam Friedman, Joe Mckeehen, Aaron Massey, Nick Guagenti, Matt Matros, Aaron Steury, David Einhorn, John Racener, Dan Buzgon, Kevin Eyster, Andy Hwang, and Alex Queen. Remarkably, Hewitt pulled off the win without dropping a single game in the best-of-three format.
Stout, Joseph Stiers, Torrey Korsog, Ernie Lewis, Steve Sarmiento, James Routos, Adam Shulman, and Hewitt made the final eight and the money and came back for Day 2. It was Lewis, Sarmiento, Hewitt and Stiers advancing, before Hewitt topped Sarmiento and Stiers bested Lewis, both 2-0.
Hewitt finished off the tournament in style, spiking a set with nines against Stiers' sixes on the final hand. Hewitt's previous best cash was for just over $1,000. All of his live cashes have come here at the Borgata.
As for Stiers, it was his second runner-up finish, after he cashed for $6,266 in a Pot-Limit Omaha tournament a few days ago.
Joseph Stiers shoved from the button and Brian Hewitt called.
Hewitt: 
Stiers: 
It was all but over after the 
flop left Stiers needing runner-runner. A 
turn left him with a prayer, but the river was a 
, and Hewitt polished off the 2-0 victory.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
20,000 | |
|
Busted |
After Joseph Stiers briefly took the chip lead, Brian Hewitt just won a pot with 
on a queen-high board against Stiers' 
. It's now 23,000 to 17,000 in Hewitt's favor.
Joseph Stiers bet 800 on a board of 
. Brian Hewitt popped him to 2,600, and Stiers called. The river brought a 
. Stiers check-called 3,500, and Hewitt rolled over 
and took the pot. He's now the one with the 25,000-to-15,000 lead.
After Brian Hewitt reraised to 1,800, Joseph Stiers made it 4,000 before the flop. Hewitt called, then check-folded a 
flop.
Stiers now has a lead of about 25,000 to 15,000.
The players took a short break, but they're back in their seats playing game two.
On Friday, the New Jersey State Police and the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) announced that 2.7 million in counterfeit chips from Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa were discovered in a clogged sewer pipe at Harrah's Resort and Casino last weekend.
Prior to the blockage, the Borgata Winter Poker Open $2 Million Guarantee was suspended, and ultimately cancelled, after the staff discovered counterfeit chips.
An investigation revealed that Christian Lusardi, 42, was staying in the room where the pipes were clogged. Police say that Lusardi, who entered Day 2 of the event with the chip lead, introduced the counterfeits into the tournament multiple times. He was eliminated on Day 2, earning only "$6,814" according to The Press of Atlantic City.
"We are very pleased that the New Jersey State Police Casino Gaming Bureau has apprehended a suspect in connection with the counterfeit chip activity that compromised Event 1 of the Borgata Poker Open," Borgata senior vice president Joe Lupo told the Associated Press. "While this is a very positive development, the investigation by the (Division of Gaming Enforcement) and the state police is ongoing."
The DGE is unsure what will be done with the remaining 27 players and the unpaid prize pool.
"The division is committed to ensuring confidence and integrity in all gaming operations and will continue to work with Borgata and the New Jersey State Police until this case is closed," it said in a statement.
Lusardi left Harrah's last weekend and a warrant was issued, charging him with rigging a publicly exhibited contest, criminal attempt, and theft by deception. He was found at an undisclosed motel in Atlantic City on Friday, and was taken to the Atlantic County Justice Facility. His bail is set at $300,000.
This isn't Lusardi's first run in with authorities. In 2008, in his hometown of Fayetteville, North Carolina, his house was raided in an illegal gambling bust. He was charged with gambling and illegal alcohol sales.
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***Article written by Rich Ryan and published on PokerNews.com January 24th, 2014***
Brian Hewitt checked a 
flop, and Joseph Stiers fired 600. Hewitt tossed out 3,000, and Stiers thought for about a minute before placing all of his chips in the middle. Hewitt called the last few thousand.
Hewitt: 
Stiers:
Hewitt was ahead, but a opened up the possibility of a chop. The river was a , though, and Hewitt grabbed a 1-0 lead in this final best-of-three.
Brian Hewitt called a preflop min-raise, then he check-called 600 on the 
flop. An 
arrived on the turn, and Hewitt check-called 1,100 from Joseph Stiers this time. When the completed a four-straight, Hewitt checked once more. Stiers fired 3,500 this time, and Hewitt quickly called.
Stiers motioned his cards to the muck, and Hewitt flipped 
for third pair.
Hewitt now has about 32,000 to Stiers' 8,000.