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Roundup Let's kickstart your Monday with some lovely juicy computer security and screwups news, beyond what we reported last week.…

The saga regarding the lawsuit between the Borgata in Atlantic City and poker professional Phil Ivey has been one that has dragged out much longer than anyone figured. Now the Borgata is trying to put an end to the case, getting an assist from the judge in the New Jersey case to sign off on efforts by the casino to attack Ivey’s assets in Nevada.

Federal Judge Sides with Borgata

U. S. District Court Judge Noel Hillman, who was the judge who made the initial ruling in favor of the Borgata, had adjudicated a previous motion that the Borgata could go after any and all assets that the 10-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner had in the Garden State. This ruling came after Hillman’s 2016 decision, which found that Ivey and an associate had defrauded the Borgata in winning $10.1 million in baccarat. As the Borgata searched, however, they learned that Ivey had no “tangible assets” in New Jersey to seize.

In filing their motions to Hillman, Borgata attorneys summarized that Ivey holds extensive property in the Silver State, including his ownership in Phil Ivey Enterprises and Ivey Poker. The attorneys also stated that there was extensive real estate that Ivey owned either outright or through his companies, including a home in Mexico. “As a result, good cause is show and Borgata should be permitted to register this Court’s December 15, 2016 decision in the District of Nevada,” the attorneys wrote.

Hillman took no time to render the decision. At the end of January, Hillman approved the move by the Borgata to get their money back. There has been no statement from Ivey’s attorneys nor from Ivey himself, who hasn’t been seen on the tournament poker scene since his 547th place finish at the 2018 World Series of Poker.

Does Ivey Face Further Problems?

Ivey’s attorneys have stated previously that paying back the Borgata the full $10 million would put a “professional hardship” on the poker pro, but that has already been dismissed by Hillman in previous hearings. If Ivey continues to dodge the Borgata and the decision from the federal court in New Jersey, it could impact several aspects of his life. Although this decision is a civil one, failure to pay the money back could draw further financial penalties from the court or even a criminal action.

So why is Ivey not paying the Borgata back? Estimates from some have Ivey’s net worth set around $100 million, but that could very well be in non-liquid assets (re: not cash). It is also possible that Ivey isn’t worth more than $10 million and the payment WOULD severely impact his jet-set lifestyle, which sees him travel to Macau regularly to play high stakes poker.

The Saga Continues…

The whole sordid saga dates back to 2012, when Ivey and a partner played baccarat at the Borgata. After acquiescing to a list of demands from Ivey, the Borgata then saw him run up a $9.7 million win, then step to the craps pits to win another $400,000. The Borgata paid off the bets but, after a London casino and Ivey entered litigation regarding his actions in baccarat with their establishment, they then reviewed the situation and filed suit in New Jersey themselves.

Fast forward to 2016 and the decision. Judge Hillman, while stating that Ivey and his associate didn’t “cheat” per se, they did use an unfair advantage play with some of their requests of the casino. Hillman then ruled in favor of the Borgata and ordered full payment of the $10.1 million immediately.

Now it’s been almost another three years and Ivey continues to dodge the Borgata. The question is…how much longer can Ivey outrun the “long arm of the law?”

The post Latest Twist in Borgata/Phil Ivey Lawsuit? Borgata Gains Right to Attack in Nevada appeared first on Poker News Daily.

Although it may not seem like much since it has only been around a couple years, history was made this weekend at the “made for streaming” U. S. Poker Open on PokerGO. In one event, Lauren Roberts became the first woman to win an event at the USPO (yes, only its tenth tournament, but still a big deal), while the other saw Sean Winter FINALLY break through with a victory after making his fourth consecutive final table.

USPO Event #3 – $10,000 No Limit Hold’em

The second of two $10,000 No Limit Hold’em tournaments on the USPO roster saw a similar number as its first brethren. In that first event, 90 entries would be received; in the Friday event, 91 entries would come to the line. By the time the final table was determined, there were also some familiar faces among the competitors.

Event #1 winner Stephen Chidwick was in the driver’s seat as the final table began on Saturday, holding a 2.43 million stack. His closest competitor was the man who finished second to him in Event #1, Sean Winter, who had a decent stack himself with 2.045 million chips. Winter, who is making the most of his time at the USPO, was playing at his third final table in as many events, was facing some heat himself from Brandon Adams with 1.895 million chips and Koray Aldemir and his 1.835 million chips. Ralph Wong, Roberts, Rodger Johnson and Jerry Robinson rounded out the survivors, but none of them were given serious chances at making a run.

With their short stacks, Robinson and Johnson were the first two eliminated during the day in eighth and seventh places, respectively. Roberts, however, had no interest in leaving the ARIA battleground where the PokerGO studios had set up shop. She would hang around, getting a double through Aldemir after Aldemir had taken the chip lead to keep her stack viable. Gradually, the players fell away until it was only Aldemir and Roberts for the title.

At this point, Aldemir had a sizeable advantage. With 8.45 million chips, Aldemir held the edge over Roberts’ 2.925 million, but Roberts refused to go away. She would draw close and, in one pivotal hand, would completely shift the course of the event.

As heads up play continued, Aldemir limped in with a Q-4 and Roberts, with an A-10 off suit in the big blind, made Aldemir pay to play with a raise to 500K. He called and, after a 3-5-10 flop missed him completely, both players checked. On an Ace turn, Roberts bet out first for 500K and Aldemir, with only a gut shot straight draw, made the call. After a river Jack, Roberts looked to get value for her two pair by betting 800K and got more than she expected. Aldemir moved all in and Roberts immediately called the bluff, showing her two pair as Aldemir mucked and the monstrous pot was pushed to Roberts. It would only take one more hand after that for Roberts to complete the comeback and win Event #3.

1. Lauren Roberts, $218,400
2. Koray Aldemir, $159,250
3. Stephen Chidwick, $113,750
4. Brandon Adams, $91,000
5. Sean Winter, $72,800
6. Ralph Wong, $54,600
7. Rodger Johnson, $45,500

With the victory, Roberts becomes the first woman to ever win a tournament on the USPO schedule. Roberts isn’t exactly a stranger to high stakes poker, however. She has routinely been the only lady in many High Roller tournaments and this victory only solidifies that her place IS with the best in the game.

USPO Event #4 – $10,000 Short Deck Hold’em

Perhaps because people are still trying to figure out the game, only 42 entries were received for the fourth event on the USPO schedule. Short Deck Hold’em – where the deuces through fives have been removed and a flush is only beaten by four of a kind or a straight flush – made its debut on the USPO stage on Saturday. On Sunday the final six returned but one player seemed to have never left.

Making his fourth consecutive final table in the same number of events at the 2019 USPO, Winter was once again in the mix for the title. This time, however, he was in fourth place at the start of the day looking up at Benjamin Yu, Seth Davies and David Peters. Stephen Chidwick, no slouch himself in making three of four final tables this year, and Ben Lamb rounded out the final table as play started on Sunday afternoon.

Winter would take care of his nemesis, Chidwick, early in the action. Holding pocket Kings, Winter pushed his stack in against Chidwick to force Lamb out of the way. Chidwick, with an A-Q, saw some hope with a J-10-6 flop and another six on the turn, but a King on the river ended any hope at another title for Chidwick (at least for now) as he departed in sixth place.

Having knocked out Chidwick, Winter began his ascent up the leaderboard. He would earn a double up through Davies, then knock out Lamb in fourth to take over the lead as three-handed play. Once he eliminated Davies in third place, Winter was in control of heads up play against Peters, holding 9.09 million to Peters’ 3.51 million. Although Peters would draw nearly even when he miraculously hit a flush against Winter’s pocket Aces, Winter wouldn’t be denied his title. On the final hand, Winter’s K-9 outpipped Peters’ J-9, but the 9-K-A-10 teased Peters with a straight draw. When an Ace hit the river, the tournament was over and Winter’s had captured his first championship in four final table trips at this year’s USPO.

1. Sean Winter, $151,200
2. David Peters, $100,800
3. Seth Davies, $67,200
4. Ben Lamb, $42,000
5. Benjamin Yu, $33,600
6. Stephen Chidwick, $25,200

Now the Fun Begins…

With the close of Event #4, the $10,000 tournaments are done on the USPO schedule. Up next are three $25,000 tournaments and, by the close of next week, a $50K event and the $100,000 Main Event will take place. It promises to be entertaining as Sean Winter and Stephen Chidwick continue to battle it out on the U. S. Poker Open stage.

The post Lauren Roberts Makes History, Sean Winter Breaks Through at U. S. Poker Open appeared first on Poker News Daily.

Back for its second run despite less than stellar numbers from 2018, the “made for streaming” event known as the U. S. Poker Open has opened up play. Streaming over PokerGO, the first two events are in the books, with the numbers showing improvement as Stephen Chidwick and Jordan Cristos walked away with the gold.

USPO Event #1 – $10,000 No Limit Hold’em

A total of 90 entries were received for the first of the high-dollar events on the U. S. Poker Open schedule and the final table was replete with talent. Joseph Cheong held the start of day lead on Thursday as Lazaro Hernandez, Chidwick, Joseph Orsino, Joseph Cappello and Sean Winter filled out the other seats. The men wasted little time getting to business, with the first knockout coming only a few hands into the day’s play.

Although he would give a big chunk of chips to Hernandez, Cheong still had enough firepower to administer the first knockout of the day. After raising with an A-10 off suit, Cheong saw Orsino defend off the big blind with a Q-10 and the duo saw an A-Q-10. With both hitting two pair, it was inevitable that the chips would hit the center and they did. When Orsino didn’t get another Queen to save him, he was out of the tournament in sixth place.

Hernandez attempted to be the table sheriff, but it would eventually cause him to lose the lead to the eventual champion. Hernandez limped from the button with an A-9 and Chidwick, inaccurately sensing weakness, pushed the betting up with his 10-9 of hearts. Hernandez, utilizing his position, made it 650K to go and Chidwick made the call. The 8-7-6 flopped the world for Chidwick, who checked his straight and, after Hernandez moved all in, called off his stack. Needing a ten to split the pot, Hernandez instead saw a King and an Ace complete the board as he shipped all but 700K of his chips to Chidwick, who took the lead and never looked back.

Sitting on nearly six million chips, Chidwick absolutely decimated the table from that point. He eliminated the four competitors remaining on his way to his third win in the USPO and sets his sights on defense of his overall championship in the inaugural USPO last year.

1. Stephen Chidwick, $216,000
2. Sean Winter, $157,500
3. Joseph Cheong, $112,500
4. Joseph Cappello, $90,000
5. Lazaro Hernandez, $72,000
6. Joseph Orsino, $54,000

USPO Event #2 – $10,00 Pot Limit Omaha

In a rapid four-hour final table, Jordan Cristos rode his start of day chip lead to the championship in Event #2, with his heads-up battle against Manig Loeser the highlight of the tournament.

Cristos’ lead was a dominant one at the start of play. Holding 2.445 million chips from the 50-entry starting field, he had nearly a million more markers than Cary Katz (1.525 million) and nearly doubled Loeser (1.295 million). Rounding out the final table were Martin Zamani (1.18 million), Adam Hendrix (900,000) and Sean Winter (760,000 and making his second final table of the 2019 USPO), who were facing an uphill battle in the frenetic game that is Pot Limit Omaha.

How frenetic, you might ask? It took a grand total of four hours for Cristos to take down the title. He knocked out Winter (who finished second to Chidwick in Event #1) in sixth, Katz in fifth and Hendrix in fourth in an hour and, after he dispatched Zamani in third, held nearly a 3:1 lead over Loeser. It was at that point the real battle began.

Loeser didn’t roll over and let Cristos steamroll to the title. Within the first hour of heads up play, Loeser would surge to the lead and flip-flop the situation with Cristos. After that hour, however, Cristos fought his way back into the match as the twosome would see-saw back and forth with no man able to take a definitive advantage.

The final hand would show the volatility of Omaha Hold’em. Cristos, holding a K♣ 9♠ 6♥ 5♣, potted and Loeser defended his big blind with Q♦ 10♣ 7♦ 4♣. The Q♣ 5x 7♣ flop hit Loeser good (two pair), but Cristos actually held the advantage with plenty of redraws that would defeat Loeser (better flush draw, over card King to a better two pair, two fives). One of those would hit on the turn, the K♠, to push Cristos into the lead. Sweating the river, the 8♠ did nothing to help Loeser as Cristos took the PLO championship.

1. Jordan Cristos, $179,200
2. Manig Loeser, $128,000
3. Martin Zamani, $83,200
4. Adam Hendrix, $64,000
5. Cary Katz, $51,200
6. Sean Winter, $38,400

Action at USPO to Continue Through the Week

The action at the 2019 U. S. Poker Open is set to play through the week. Event #3, another $10,000 No Limit Hold’em tournament, will have its final table today with Chidwick holding the chip lead again over Winter (AGAIN) and Koray Aldemir. Set for play over the next week is a $10,000 “Short Deck” Hold’em tournament and several $25,000 events. The climax will come next Thursday with the start of the $50,000 No Limit Hold’em tournament and, on Friday, with the $100,000 Main Event. Will the numbers continue to run well for the second running of the U. S. Poker Open? We’ll have to keep watch, either on these pages or on PokerGO, to learn the rest of the story.

The post Stephen Chidwick, Jordan Cristos Win Preliminary U. S. Poker Open Tournaments appeared first on Poker News Daily.

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