Pick Parade: Players Offer Super Bowl picks at WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open

By Sean Chaffin

The big game is around the corner and plenty of wagers are being made in the Borgata Sportsbook this week. With the Super Bowl set for Sunday in Atlanta, no doubt many of those heading to the betting windows include players here at the WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open.

At the sportsbook, the Patriots are favored over the Rams by 2.5 points as of Tuesday morning with the over/under set at 56.5. The favorites from each team to score first aren’t Todd Gurley or Julian Edelman. That distinction goes to the teams’ kickers, Greg Zuerlein and Stephen Gostkowski, both going off at 8/5.

WPT.com caught up with some of the players in the field this week to get their outlooks on the game.

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Carlos Dagher was on a complete freeroll in the WPT Borgata Poker Open after winning his buy-in through a charity tournament in New York. He then made it to Day 2 and was hoping the nice roll continues. Who does he think is bringing home the Lombardi Trophy?

“I guess the Patriots, they have more experience.”

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Kansas City native and WPT regular Blair Hinkle has some different motivation than others after the Patriots beat his Chiefs in the AFC Championship game.

“I’m just cheering for the Rams since the Chiefs lost. I don’t like the Patriots and I don’t like Tom Brady. I guess you could say I’m spiteful cheering.”

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Longtime WPT regular Jessica Dawley was hoping to run her short stack up on Day 2, and was also rooting for the underdog on the gridiron.

“Hopefully the Rams win, just so the Patriots won’t win again.”

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Admittedly, the Super Bowl didn’t hold much interest to author and poker player Jane Hitchcock who spoke earlier this week about her upcoming novel Bluff.

“I don’t follow football. I know Tom Brady is playing, but I can’t root for people I don’t know.”

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With several final table appearances and $1.7 million in WPT earnings, Curt Kohlberg knows a bit about winning. He’d also be more than happy to see New England add a sixth Super Bowl title after now making a record 11 appearances in the game. His choice is pretty obvious.

“New England, I’m from Boston. I think these things are impossible to predict, but they’re my home team and they’re well-coached, and they’ll certainly be giving it their best.”

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Ping Liu spent much of Day 2 as the chip leader and as a graduate of the University of Michigan, he planned on cheering on fellow Michigan alum Tom Brady.

“I’m picking the Pats because I’m a Tom Brady fan. Also, he is the GOAT and it’s hard to bet against the GOAT. I’ll probably have some friendly bets for a sweat, but nothing major.”

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South Jersey native Mike Marder is a Borgata regular and poker has been his full-time job for the last six years. He seems New England adding a sixth Super Bowl title.

“That’s a tough one, I guess I’ll have to say the Patriots. They’re just too good.”

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WPT photographer Joe Giron hates the Patriots and is considering putting a few bucks on the Rams while here in Atlantic City.

“I’m taking the Rams because my favorite childhood teams growing up in New Mexico were the L.A. Rams and Kansas City Chiefs. Take the Rams and the over, 38-32.”

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Live tournament reporter Mickey Doft is another on the Patriots train and believes they’ll just find a way to win.

“I take New England. I can’t see them losing after such a tight Super Bowl last year. I can’t see them losing back-to-back Super Bowls.”

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The author has a few dollars on the game in the legal jurisdictions of Nevada and New Jersey and offers his advice: “Bet the Patriots to cover and the over. Book it.”

Sean Chaffin is a freelance writer in Crandall, Texas. His work appears in numerous websites and publications. Follow him @PokerTraditions.