The 2017 Borgata Fall Poker Open $2,700 Main Event attracted 473 runners, and in the end, it was three-time World Poker Tour winner Darren Elias who came out on top to win $293,062. That score vaulted him over $5 million in career earnings.
Two-Time Millionaire
The win also marked the second year Elias has crossed the seven-figure mark. Back in 2014, when he won two of his WPT titles, he had a career-high $1,317,085 in earnings. With one month to go in 2017, he has won $1,068,274.
The win marked the fifth-largest cash of Elias’ career, which is now comprised of $5,200,356 in career earnings. His biggest cash of $843,744 came in September 2014 when he won the WPT Borgata Open Championship, while his second-largest of $326,776 when he won the 2017 WPT Fallsview Poker Classic. His other WPT win came three years ago when he won the WPT Caribbean for $127,680.
Speaking of the WPT, Darren Elias ended up clashing with Keven Stammen, who won the 2014 WPT World Championship at Borgata for $1.35 million. The two made it to three-handed play, and played a big pot in Level 30 (50,000/100,000/10,000).
It happened when Stammen moved all in for 1.415 on the button with pocket deuces and Elias called from the small blind with the A♣6♣. It was a flip, and while Stammen held on the Q♠J♥8♦ flop, he fell behind when the 6♠ paired Elias. The 6♦ river improved him to trips, and Stammen was sent packing in third place for $103,232.
That six-figure score moved Stammen up to $5,284,474 in career earnings, which is just ahead of Elias.
Three-Hour Heads-Up Match
The elimination of Stammen in third place allowed Elias to take 8.74 million in chips into heads-up play against Mark Kaganovsky, who held 5.45 million.
In the final hand of the tournament, which came after three hours of heads-up play, the blinds were 120,000/240,000/40,000 when Elias raised to 500,000 holding the K♥J♥ and Kaganovsky defended with the 10♦4♦ to see a Q♥10♥10♠ flop. Kaganovsky checked and then called when Elias bet 500,000, which brought about the 9♠ on the turn.
Kaganovsky checked, Elias bet 1.35 million, and Kaganovsky check-raised all in for 4.575 million. Elias snap-called with his straight, and he improved to a flush on the 5♥ river. Kaganovsky had to settle for second place and a $169,186 consolation prize.
Others to cash the event were former Survivor contestant Albert Destrade (11th for $14,911), World Series of Poker bracelet winner Mike Wang (14th for $11,470), 2015 WSOP Main Event champ Joe McKeehen (25th for $7,112), and 2017 PokerStars Championship Bahamas winner Christian Harder (45th for $5,735).
Final Table Results
1 Darren Elias $293,062
2 Mark Kaganovsky $169,186
3 Keven Stammen $103,232
4 Paul Lambrakis $83,159
5 Mickey Woll $65,380
6 Daniel Wach $54,484
7 Shankar Pillai $43,587
8 Brett Apter $33,264
9 Patrick Maritato $22,941
