Borgata Adds Women's Poker Event

ATLANTIC CITY, New Jersey – (PRESS RELEASE) -- The Event Center at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa was a sea of pink as the Ladies Only No Limit Hold 'em event kicked off Sunday and players sported their new pink Borgata Poker Open hats.

With 516 competitors playing for the title, the ladies wasted no time taking to the felt like fish to water. Action flowed as the sound of chips being shuffled dominated the early rounds. The ladies action went long into the evening as players fought fatigue and short chip stacks in hopes of taking home the prestigious Borgata bracelet.

Event seven's first-place finisher, New York City's Aena Kang, outlasted her opponents and played her hands to perfection, taking home $29,928 and the championship bracelet. In the end, her skill and aggressive play earned her the title of Ladies Only champion.

Connecticut's Deborah Diehl, the second-place finisher, certainly deserved a round of applause for her efforts. Although she didn't win the bracelet, the $16,254 she took home made her day.

Another highlight of the Ladies Only tournament was the success of a group of players representing WomensPokerClub.com, a web site dedicated to teaching women the ins and outs of the game. After several players cashed, the group made clear to future competitors that they are going to be a force to be reckoned with at upcoming tournaments.

In addition to hosting the Ladies Only tournament, Borgata's premier nightclub and restaurant, Mixx, played host to a lavish and star-filled pre-party for the players of the WPT main event

The party went off without a hitch as sponsor 2K Sports gave players a much needed rest from poker-related activities. Players mingled and danced to the upbeat sounds of the house DJ, while 2K Sports' new WPT-based game played on a large television screen. The game features several top poker pros and allows players to battle their way through WPT tournament events.

Even game star Phil "the Unabomber" Laak took time to see if he could beat his computer-likeness. 2K Sports, who is looking to make a dramatic entrance into the poker video game market, will be releasing the game in late October 2005 for a projected price of around $20.

Laak wasn't the only poker pro to kick up his heels during the evening as girlfriend and now poker superstar, Jennifer Tilly, took pictures with fans and worked the crowd elegantly as only a Grammy-nominated star could.

Hosts Antonio Esfariandi and David Williams led the festivities, making sure everyone was having a good time. They were joined by a number of other poker stars like Clonie Gowen, Hoyt Corkins and Chris Bigler.