Gomez Wins Borgata Winter Poker buy-in event

ATLANTIC CITY, New Jersey – (PRESS RELEASE) -- The sounds of poker continued to fill the Event Center at Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa on Friday. Over 620 players took to the felt like fishes to water for the start of the $1,000 buy-in No Limit Event. The second day of play in the $750 buy-in event resumed in the afternoon, and what began with 619 players was down to its final ten players. In the end, Jose Gomez of New York, NY, emerged as the champion taking home $129,386 and his first Main Event Championship at the Borgata Winter Open.

The Final Table began with "tight" play and the players seemed ready for a long night, but as soon as one player fell, five followed. Gomez, a professional poker player, was all smiles and high-fives as he edged out Leonard Cortellino of Lewiston, ME, who took home $71,262 for second place. Atlantic City's own Ronnie Kevin finished in third place taking home $37,262. As Gomez walked with family and several friends to Bobby Flay Steak for a celebratory dinner he said, "I felt confident starting the day (in 6th place at start of the day), and just happy I was able to win."

Cortellino, who started the day in third place with 356,000 in chips, was able to hold onto his chips with his aggressive play. The third place finisher, Ronnie Kevin -- one of the short stacks earlier in the day -- was able to hold onto third. "I did not get any cards for a while, but I did okay at the final table and was able to take third," remarked Kevin.

The action continues to heat up at the Borgata Winter Open with the $260+$40 Ladies No Limit Event on Sunday at 11:00 AM -- one of the most popular events of the tournament for fans, who have the chance to watch the world's elite female poker players. Jessica Desantis of Garden City, NY, the winner of the Ladies Event at the 2006 Borgata Poker Open commented, "The ladies event at Borgata will have a strong field and I look forward to playing on Sunday."