If the 2026 live poker season in Brazil kicked off with the KSOP Rio, the Borgata Winter Poker Open kicked things off in the USA. In Atlantic City (New Jersey), the Borgata casino hosted 37 events between January 2nd and 18th, with over US$8 million guaranteed, and Blake Vodges took home the Main Event title.
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The prestigious competition had a buy-in of US$3,500 and registered 895 entries. In a similar journey to Rodrigo Guimarães in the KSOP Rio ME, Blake Vodges also started the final table with a short stack and was in last place in chip count at moments during the decision.
However, from the 5-handed stage onwards, the tide turned in Blake Vodges’ favor. He won some big pots and took the opportunity to make a deal with Jack Kwon upon reaching heads-up. The good run continued, and Vodges confirmed the title, ultimately pocketing the biggest score of his career.
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Check out the final standings of the Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship:
- Blake Vodges – US$ 457,980*
- Jack Kwon – US$ 407,110*
- Zack Fisher – US$ 243,245
- Duane Mitchell – US$ 159,570
- Ben Morgan – US$ 109,925
- Olivier Busquet – US$ 85,300
- Kyle Grupp – US$ 67,655
- Greg Himmelbrand – US$ 54,995
- Thomas Cannuli – US$ 42,970
In addition, the Borgata Winter Poker Open awarded many other notable prizes. Early in the series, Michael Renna won the US$400 Almighty Winter Kickoff to pocket US$190,740. In the US$600 Deepstack Main Event, Akash Hotwani outlasted 4,280 entries and took home US$327,725.
And besides the competition won by Blake Vodges, another highlight of the Borgata Winter Poker Open in the second half of the schedule was the PKO Bounty, with US$1 million guaranteed. In this competition, Michael Mann came out on top, collecting no less than US$76,910.
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