Borgata Poker Open Photo Recap

Players file in to get ready to play in the WPT Borgata Poker Open.

The Event Center at Borgata was filled with players as the number of entries on Day 1B (727) more than doubled those on Day 1A (315). The 1,042 players in this event set a record for the largest field in WPT history.

The Royal Flush Girls carried round cards through the field to announce the start of each level. Royal Flush Girl Michelle Banzer walks the aisles at the beginning of Level 1.

The WPT Borgata Poker Open began with 311 players in the Day 1A field. Last year’s winner Olivier Busquet (foreground, right) returned to defend his title, though at the start of play, cameras were focused on Amazing Race contestant Tiffany Michelle (background, center).

Jeremy Brown (left) and Steve Dannenmann were seated side-by-side at the start of play on Day 1B. Both players gained fame through notable runner-up finishes — Dannenmann finished second to Joe Hachem in the 2005 WSOP Main Event, while Brown finished second to Olivier Busquet in last year’s WPT Borgata Poker Open.

New Jersey local Mike Sica, known by everyone as "Little Man," had a strong showing on Day 1B, finishing among the chipleaders with 112,175.

During one of the breaks, WPT Anchor Kimberly Lansing interviewed actor James Woods, who discussed his upcoming directorial debut and the new changes for this season of the World Poker Tour. James Woods appeared to have fun in the tournament, but unfortunately wasn’t able to survive Day 1. You can watch the entire video by clicking here.

The luck of the random table draws had brothers Justin and Adam Levy seated side by side. But family loyalties get tested when you wake up with pocket kings or pocket aces — Adam got the kings, and Justin got the aces. Justin had the better of it, until the [Kd] hit the river to give the Elder Roothlus a set to win the pot and cripple his brother. Justin was eliminated about 90 minutes later, while Adam survived the day with 9,625.

One of the more interesting lineups in the field was (from left to right) "Hollywood" Dave Stann, Nancy Todd Tyner, and Steve Buckner. Three very different players, with very different personalities. During one hand between Stann and Buckner, Buckner moved all in and was trying to give the impression he was weak. Stann folded, and Buckner said, "I was stronger than garlic in a milkshake."

Speaking of Steve Buckner, he caused quite a commotion on Day 2 when his post hand celebration led to a confrontation between Jeremy Schwartz and a railbird. Schwartz took exception to a comment made by the woman on the rail and he lept out of his seat in anger. The argument was quickly put to rest by the Borgata tournament staff and Schwartz later apologized to the woman. You can read the original write-up of the situation here.

If you weren’t seated at the same table, you might not have noticed the animosity between Matt Stout (left) and Allen Bari. But if you followed them on Twitter, it was a little more obvious. Stout started the day by tweeting, "Left my headphones in the car and Al Bari is sitting on my right. Related story: finally told him what I (and most players) think of him =)" The tension between the players escalated late in the day when Stout was all in with K-Q against Bari’s A-K — and Stout caught a queen to double up. More words were exchanged, resulting in a penalty for Stout and this summary from Bari on Twitter: "Stout makes a piss awful shove, I call, he 3 outs for 55k, I comment, he insults, he is penalized …" Stout eventually busted late in the day, while Bari survived to Day 3 with a nearly average stack of 170,600 (42 bb).

Royal Flush Girl Melanie Iglesias checks in on the progress of her friend Irv Gotti shortly before the field reached the money. Gotti has played in about a dozen major tournaments in recent years, but this marked his first successful cash. While the $9,339 he earned for 56th place doesn’t mean much to the successful music producer, Gotti was extremely proud to get his first in-the-money finish.

Kimberly Lansing interviewed Irv Gotti about what it means to get his first cash, and you can watch the video by clicking here.

Even when he’s out of focus, Mike Sexton is still recognizable as the Poker Hall of Famer that he is. When Sexton originally signed on to be a commentator for WPT final tables, his contract stipulated that he couldn’t play in any events (except for the WPT Celebrity Invitational). In the last few years, that restriction has been removed, and Sexton plays a few events each year. This marks his first cash in a WPT event, and it came on the day before his birthday.

While the rest of the field goes on their break, Jeff Papola awaits the decision of his opponent.

Royal Flush Girls Katrina, Michelle, and Melanie sang "Happy Birthday" to Mike Sexton before giving him a card on his birthday. It was an important day for Sexton, who was trying to reach his first televised WPT final table after eight-plus years behind the commentator’s desk.

The biggest hand in the early part of the day was between defending champion Olivier Busquet (right) and John D’Agostino, who has made two WPT Borgata final tables himself. D’Agostino had check-raised all in with the board showing [Kd9h2c7s], and Busquet tanks for several minutes, even apologizing to the table and saying, "This is not a Hollywood." Olivier Busquet eventually folded [AcKs] (top pair, top kicker). A few players asked D’Agostino to show one card, but he smiles and says he can’t. Busquet asked D’Agostino, "Why are you so good?"

Mike Sexton (right) was eliminated by John D’Agostino in 20th place. Sexton was all in preflop from the big blind with [Ad5s] against D’Agostino’s [Jd10c], and the board came [Qh8s3hJh6d] to give D’Agostino a pair of jacks.

Mike Sexton received a phone call from his WPT co-host Vince Van Patten during his post-game interview. Van Patten was hoping that he’d have to work this episode alone, but congratulated Sexton on his deep finish. They’ll both have to watch this final table from their usual spot at the commentator’s desk.

In the final hand of the day (Hand #89), Jeff Papola (foreground, left) moved all in with [As8s] and was up against the [7d7h] of Ofir Mor (standing, right). The board came [KdQs9dKc2h], and the pocket sevens held up. Jeff Papola was eliminated on the TV bubble in seventh place as Mor claimed the chip lead heading into the televised WPT final table.

Dwyte Pilgrim, who has been called the "Minor League Player of the Year" for his success in less prestigious events, explodes with emotion after reaching his first high-profile final table. Pilgrim repeatedly yelled, "We’re gonna shock the world! We’re gonna shock the world!"

The Royal Flush Girls (from left to right Katrina, Melanie, Michelle, Melyssa) present the money while waiting for the final table to begin.

Ben Kleir (right) entered his first WPT final table second in chips but a flush-over-flush situation had him on the shortstack and he was soon eliminated in 6th place, earning $148,427.

Daniel Makowsky was the shortstack heading into the final table and while he doubled up a couple of times he couldn’t get any momemtum going and he was eventually eliminated in 5th place, earning $183,449.

Brandon Novena (right) went to battle with Dwyte Pilgrim (left) on several occasions during the final table. In one notable hand, Pilgrim turned two-pair to beat Novena out of a 4 million chip pot. Novena couldn’t escape the ire of Pilgrim and he eventually lost the battle as he was eliminated by his nemisis in 4th place, earning $223,475.

Dwyte Pilgrim celebrates during a hand that Mike Sexton called "his favorite moment in WPT history". Pilgrim had flopped top two-pair with [Js10s] against Ofir Mor’s [Kh8s], and before the dealer could put the turn and river out, Pilgrim ran to his rail and the celebration began. Once things calmed down, Pilgrim headed back to the table only to see the turn and river come runner-runner, [8h] then [Ks], to give Mor the pot.

Ofir Mor eventually finished in 3rd place, earning $266,835.

Dwyte Pilgrim had his eye on the prize heading into heads-up play against Kia Mohajeri.

Kia Mohajeri put up a good fight against Dwyte Pilgrim but this was Pilgrim’s night and he would not be denied. Mohajeri finished in an impressive 2nd place, besting all but 1 in a field of 1,044 players. He earned $440,945 for his efforts.

Overcome with emotion, Dwyte Pilgrim falls to floor after being declared the winner of the WPT Borgata Poker Open.

Tears of joy fill Dwyte Pilgrim’s eyes as all of his hard work over the years finally leads to his first major title.

Dwyte Pilgrim shocks the world.

Mike Sexton, Vince Van Patten, and the Royal Flush Girls, toast Dwyte Pilgrim on his WPT Borgata Poker Open win.

Kimberly Lansing and Dwyte Pilgrim talk validation, future plans, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. You can watch the entire interview here.