Event 19
The 2019 Borgata Spring Poker Open came to a close in the early morning hours of Saturday, April 20th and it was a terrific series all around. Between Main and Secondary events, millions in prize money was won and 19 Borgata Open trophies awarded. A complete list of Main Event winners is below.
David Jackson – 1st Place – 2019 BSPO Championship
David Jackson took home his second Borgata trophy while booking his largest career score when he won the BSPO Championship event, coming out on top of a field of 505 runners after four days of play. The $304,929 he earned for the win pushed his career earnings past $1.8 million. His wife Gloria was able to watch the final table play out live at Borgata, but many others watched via live stream on Twitch and Facebook Live.
Alex Rocha – Two-Time Open Series Kick-Off Winner, 2011 and 2019
The series started off with a bang a couple of weeks earlier as Alex Rocha became the first player to ever win two Open Series Kick-Off events! His first was way back in 2011 when he won the Winter Poker Open Kick-Off event, earning $150,850 for 1st place in a field of 1,472 entrants. Now he’s got his second Borgata trophy for the Spring Poker Open Kick-Off, besting a field of 2,199 runners to earn $180,591*.
As if that wasn ‘t enough, Alex went on to make the final table of the Almighty Stack $500,000 GTD event about a week later, coming very close to taking another title. His run ended in 5th place ($34,438). Then to cap off the series, he cashed in the Championship event as well. If there was a Player of the Series award, I think it would go to Alex for his stellar performance during this Spring Poker Open.
Lorinda Lisitza – 1st Place – PLO
Lorinda Lisitza was the only woman to win an open event during this series, taking the Pot Limit Omaha title and $4,795*. Alida Veliu went back-to-back in Borgata Open Ladies events, winning the Ladies event in this series ($2,953) after winning the same event during January’s Winter Poker Open ($3,325*). This was her third Ladies event win at Borgata — her first was back in 2009.
Alida Veliu – 1st Place – 2019 BSPO Ladies event
That wraps up the 2019 Spring Poker Open! Mark your calendars now and make plans to join us for the Summer Poker Open, to be held July 9-26. Follow @BorgataPoker on Twitter for updates on the tournament schedule when it is released.
* Indicates Adjusted Payout
$1,000+$60+$200 Bounty Semi Turbo 8-Max NLH
Structure Sheet
Level 16: Blinds 3,000/6,000/6,000 BB Ante
Total Entries: 41
Players Remaining: 5
Michael Kemeter
When the Event 19 money bubble burst the final five players began to discuss and adjusted payout deal. The stacks were counted down and they quickly came to an agreement.
Sam Bernstein and Michael Kemeter were the top two stacks and they agreed to run one hand out for the trophy. Kemeter came out on top when his 
improved to a straight to earn him his fourth Borgata Poker Open Trophy.
Below is a full look at the Event 19 adjusted payout agreement.
1. Sam Bernstein- $10,390
2. Michael Kemeter- $9,383
3. Rickey Lee- $7,684
4. David Harris- $6,603
5. Michael Favor- $5,710
$1,000+$60+$200 Bounty Semi Turbo 8-Max NLH
Structure Sheet
Level 15: Blinds 2,500/5,000/5,000 BB Ante
Total Entries: 41
Players Remaining: 6
The Event 19 players are now on a 15 minute color up break and there are just players remaining. Greg Fishberg was just eliminated and we are down to the final six.
We are just one elimination away from the money as the final five players will all make the cash and be guaranteed a minimum of $3,759 for their efforts.
Payouts
1. $15,907
2. $9,943
3. $5,966
4. $4,375
5. $3,759
$1,000+$60+$200 Bounty Semi Turbo 8-Max NLH
Structure Sheet
Level 12: Blinds 1,200/2,400/2,400
Total Entries: 41
Players Remaining: 10
Greg Fishberg
Dave Stefanski got the last of his chip all in pre-flop holding 
but ran into the 
of Greg Fishberg. Stefanski was sent to the rail and Fishberg is now in contention for the chip lead with over 150,000 and just 10 players remaining.
Dave Stefanski
Event 19 of the Borgata Spring Poker Open is the $1,000+$60+$200 Semi Turbo 8-Max Bounty NLH. There were 41 total entries creating a prize pool of $39,770.
The final five players will all make the money and be guaranteed a minimum of $3,579 for their efforts. We will be crowing the Event 19 Champion here tonight and they will take home $15,907 along with the BSPO Trophy.
Below is a full look at the Event 19 tournament payouts.
1. $15,907
2. $9,943
3. $5,966
4. $4,375
5. $3,759
$1,000+$60+$200 Bounty Semi Turbo 8-Max NLH
Structure Sheet
Level 11: Blinds 1,000/2,000/2,000
Total Entries: 41
Players Remaining: 15
Rick Lee
The under the gun player raised to 4,500 and Rick Lee re-raised to 15,000 from the cutoff. It folded back to the player who moved all in and Lee snap called for his last 42,700.
Rick Lee: 
Opponent: 
The board ran out 
and Lee’s pocket eights held up to earn him the double up.
Rick Lee- 90,400
$1,000+$60+$200 Bounty Semi Turbo 8-Max NLH
Structure Sheet
Level 10: Blinds 800/1,600/1,600
Total Entries: 41
Players Remaining: 16
Michael Kemeter
The action folded around to Michael Kemeter on the button and he raised to 4,000. That was enough to take the blinds and Kemeter added an uncontested pot to his stack.
The two time Borgata Poker Six Max NLH is climbing and he is one of the biggest stacks in the field with 75,000.
$1,000+$60+$200 Bounty Semi Turbo 8-Max NLH
Structure Sheet
Level 10: Blinds 800/1,600/1,600
Total Entries: 41
Players Remaining: 18
Will Givens
Will Givens was down to just one big blind but he is not giving up without a fight. Givens chipped back up to 5,000 and got it all in pre-flop against two players.
They saw a flop of 
and Adam Hendrix moved all in for 17,000. The early position player folded and Hendrix turned over 
.
Givens tabled 
and the turn 
and river were no help to Hendrix. Givens more than tripled his stack and he is now back up to over 17,000 with just 18 players remaining.
$1,000+$60+$200 Bounty Semi Turbo 8-Max NLH
Structure Sheet
Level 9: Blinds 600/1,200/1,200
Total Entries: 41
Players Remaining: 26
In one of the first hands back from break “The General” go his stack of 23,800 all in pre-flop holding 
against the 
of his opponent.
He was in great shape to double up and the board ran out 
and “The General” improve to quad kings.
“I can’t believe it, quads” he said as he stacked his newly acquired chips.
“The General”- 50,600
$1,000+$60+$200 Bounty Semi Turbo 8-Max NLH
Structure Sheet
Level 9: Blinds 600/1,200/1,200
Total Entries: 41
Players Remaining: 26
The Event 19 Bounty Semi Turbo 8-Max NLH have returned from break and tournament registration and re-entry is now closed.
There were 41 total entries creating a prize pool of over $39,000 and there are just 26 players left in the hunt. The payouts are now being finalized and they will be posted here on the Borgata Poker Blog as soon as they’re available.