Borgata Poker Open concludes with over $7M in prize pools, Donovan Dean secures title and top reward

The Borgata Poker Open Powered by BetMGM wrapped up after two weeks of competition, awarding over $7 million across 30 main events. The tournament, which ended on September 17, culminated with the $3,500 Borgata Poker Open Championship, where Donovan Dean emerged victorious, securing the title and a top prize of $408,836. The championship began with a field of 758 players on September 13.

Dean’s win surpassed his previous best live cash of $356,952. His final showdown was against Luis Ortiz, who finished in second place with a payout of $283,446. This was a significant leap for Ortiz, whose previous highest cash in a live tournament was $3,338. Kharlin Sued rounded out the top three, earning $195,599 and achieving his own career-best live cash.

Luke Staudenmaier, Director of Poker at BetMGM, remarked: “The latest Borgata Poker Open featured the largest slate of online qualification and more than two weeks of amazing live action. The personal bests from players at the Final Table show that Borgata poker events are some of the biggest in the country and we are proud to partner with them.”

The final table of the championship saw payouts as follows:

1. Donovan Dean - $410,452
2. Luis Ortiz - $236,446
3. Kharlin Sued - $195,599
4. Josh Kay - $128,699
5. Andrew Osepchenko - $69,330
6. Frank Funaro - $54,992

Kellie De Celis, Director of Poker Operations at Borgata, expressed her gratitude to the players, stating: "Borgata Poker Open in September has been a part of Borgata's history for decades. Being able to bring this series back to the Event Center, bigger and better than ever before has been an honor. We are so grateful to all of the players who continue to support Borgata Poker."

The Borgata Poker Open included several notable highlights. Foul Territory, a digital baseball show and BetMGM partner brought former Major League Baseball players to the BetMGM Bounty Shootout held on September 12. Participants included Scott Braun, Ruben Amaro Jr., Grant Balfour, Dellin Betances, Todd Frazier, Andruw Jones, Erik Kratz, Cameron Maybin, and Brett Myers. Betances reached the final table, securing 5th place with $1,500 in winnings and a seat in the Borgata Poker Open $3,500 Championship.

Another key moment was the debut of the $10,000 High Roller Event on September 15, held at the newly elevated MGM Tower Overlook, located at the top of the MGM Tower at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa. Alex Queen took home the win with an $89,000 prize, adding to his previous success at the Borgata Winter Poker Open in January, where he won $613,063.

BetMGM Poker ambassador and four-time World Poker Tour winner Darren Elias also made an appearance, finishing 53rd in the Borgata Poker Open Championship and securing $10,000. This marked his 20th career cash at Borgata, which is considered his “home casino,” as Elias resides in Medford, New Jersey.

Russell Meyer turned a $10 promotional ticket into $10,000. Meyer qualified through the BetMGM Online Hybrid Championship, advancing through various stages to earn his spot in the live-streamed final table, where he finished 5th.

Hayden Hetland, a 21-year-old newcomer from Seattle, Washington, made an impressive debut by finishing second in the Almighty Million, winning $120,000. It was Hetland’s first live tournament cash, having discovered the tournament on Instagram while playing in Colorado and subsequently flying out to participate.

BetMGM also emphasized the role of its rewards program during the Borgata Poker Open, allowing players to earn BetMGM Rewards Points and Tier Credits, which could be redeemed for digital bonuses, MGM Rewards Points, and Marriott Bonvoy Points. Additionally, all main event results were reported to the GPI Index and Hendon Mob, providing recognition to players on these global poker leaderboards.