Borgata Fall Poker Open

Matthew Zambanini

The $2,700 Borgata Fall Poker Open Championship at Borgata Casino & Hotel delivered the kind of final table that East Coast grinders dream about—six players, all dangerous, all hungry, all knowing this one mattered. And by the end of a long, tense afternoon under the lights, it was Matt Zambanini who finally closed the door on a major win he’s been chasing for years.

With roughly 75% of the chips in play, Zambanini let the other two slug it out quite a bit. While he waited for his spots, he found opportune moments to put the pressure on, and the balanced approach paid dividends. Three-handed play dragged past the hour mark before Wong’s run ended in third, setting up a heads-up match where Zambanini held nearly a 10-to-1 lead.

Check out our full recap:

East Coast regular finally wins the big one at Borgata Fall Open Matthew Zambanini beat 464 entries to win the Borgata Fall Poker Open Championship for $204,000.

Jeremy Geist / 1763526886931

Kash Corpening

Blinds: 150,000/300,000/300,000 - 2 remain

Matthew Zambanini jammed from the button and Kash Corpening called off his remaining 900,000 from the big blind.

• Kash Corpening:
• Matthew Zambanini:

Corpening woke up with sixes but had to fade one over. However, the flop brought some counterfeit opportunities for Zambanini. No waiting was required on the turn as Corpening's pair was counterfeited. Ace-high was best on the river, and Corpening was eliminated in 2nd in brutal fashion after an incredible run.

• Matthew Zambanini - wins $204,000
• Kash Corpening - eliminated in 2nd place for $140,900

Champion Matthew Zambanini

Jose Wong

Blinds: 100,000/200,000/200,000 - 3 remain

After being blinded down with a few orbits of bad cards, Jose Wong moved all-in for his final 300,000 from the button and both opponents called.

The board was checked down.

• Jose Wong:
• Matthew Zambanini:
• Kash Corpening:

Zambanini paired his eight on the flop and it remained best to send Wong to the rail in 3rd after an impressive run.

• Matthew Zambanini - 15,900,000 (80 bb)
• Kash Corpening - 2,650,000 (13 bb)
• Jose Wong - eliminated in 3rd place for $97,975

A short break will take place before heads-up begins. There are five minutes left at 100,000/200,000 before blinds increase to 150,000/300,000.

Jose Wong

Blinds: 100,000/200,000/200,000 - 3 remain

Matthew Zambanini open-jammed on the button covering the table, and Jose Wong called all-in for 1,050,000 total from the big blind.

• Jose Wong:
• Matthew Zambanini:

Wong was flipping for survival as the flop gave Zambanini top pair but Wong made a set of fives. The board ran out as Wong improved to a full house to double again.

• Matthew Zambanini - 13,600,000 (68 bb)
• Kash Corpening - 2,600,000 (13 bb)
• Jose Wong - 2,400,000 (12 bb)