The Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa Winter Poker Open powered by BetMGM started off 2025 with two weeks of poker action featuring 30 trophy events and $5,000,000 in guarantees. It culminated with the BWPO Championship that ended in a heads-up chop with Nguyen Le winning $425,000 and Joseph Neiman taking home $406,791. Neiman won the final all-in flip to earn the title of BWPO Champion besting a field of 932 entries to finish as the official first place winner. The BWPO Championship surpassed the $2,000,000 million guarantee with a final prize pool of $2,875,255.
It was the largest live cash for Le and Neiman. It adds to Neiman’s championship resume. The Teaneck, New Jersey resident also won the World Amateur Backgammon championship in 1982.
“It felt great because my kids are telling me I’m too old to play in these tournaments,” said the 66-year-old Neiman, who said his son flew from Los Angeles to watch the Final Table. “I was a winner from the beginning. It didn’t matter how this ended.”
Results and payouts of the Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship Final Table
- Joseph Neiman - $406,791
- Nguyen Le - $425,000
- Clemen Deng - $233,882
- Philip Saracino - $153,430
- Dorian Rios - $105,691
- Sal Evola - $82,033
- Thomas McNicholas - $65,053
- Kitty Kuo - $51,919
- Ryan Depaulo - $41,315
“BetMGM Poker was excited to start the year working with Borgata to power another Borgata Winter Poker Open,” said Angus Nisbet, VP of Gaming, BetMGM. “This winter’s version showcased what BetMGM Poker can do when we have our product and promotions working seamlessly. We are excited to carry the momentum gained through the WPO series into the rest of our 2025 schedule.”
Kellie DeCelis, Director of Poker Operations, Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, said, “Bringing back Borgata Winter Poker Open to East Coast players has been an honor. This year, we saw incredible participation, record-breaking events, and unforgettable moments. Borgata is proud to partner with BetMGM and together, we will always strive to set the standard for world-class poker experiences.”
Some main highlights of the Borgata Winter Poker Open powered by BetMGM included:
- For the first time ever, BetMGM offered same-day registration and re-entry through the BetMGM Poker app. Real-time registration for the Winter Poker Open was met with a positive response from players and will be available at future BetMGM events.
- The Borgata Winter Poker Open began with the largest Kick Off Deepstack event in Borgata Poker history. The total prize pool of $2,186,175 more than doubled the $1,000,000 guarantee.
- BetMGM Poker ambassador Darren Elias finished 20th and cashed for $20,8015 in the BWPO Championship.
- BetMGM partner and digital baseball show Foul Territory brought some former MLB players together for a single table tournament. Foul Territory host AJ Pierzynski emerged as the winner.
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