Today was all about a prince looking to become a king. Yes, there was a money bubble, past winners making runs at another Borgata title, and a host of other notables who came and went over the course of the day, but in the end, Day 3 of the Borgata Poker Open was all about Jean “Prince” Gaspard.
After beginning the day with 302,000 chips, Gaspard steadily climbed the counts all afternoon, seemingly incapable of losing any massive all-in confrontations. By day’s end, he had well over ten times that, bagging up a chip-leading 5,464,000. His next closest competitor, the start of day chip leader Blake Boh, sits on 2,951,000. What is all the more impressive about Bohn’s stack is that the pro had to miss some time at the tables after feeling faint and needing to step away from the table.
Rounding out the top three is circuit regular Zo Karim, who steadily chipped his way up to 2,260,000 to end the day. These three and 28 others will be back in action at 12pm tomorrow to play down to the six who will make the televised final table.
One player used to being under the Borgata spotlights is Bobby Oboodi, the Season X champion, who will be back with one of the shorter stacks at 371,000. He fared better than last year’s champ Anthony Zinno, who made the money, but exited in 65th place.
When play began on Day 2, there were 150 players in the running, 30 of which did not make the money. The bubble burst courtesy of Tom Dobrilovic, who ran top pair into an overpair to go out in 121st place. Some of the notables who made the money, but failed to survive the day are reigning WPT Player of the Year Mukul Pahuja (104th), Ebony Kenney (91st), Russell Thoma (86th), Mike Sexton (85th), Byron Kaverman (64th), John Racener (62nd), Dan O’Brien (53rd), partypoker’s Jamie Kerstetter (52nd), and Ryan Riess (39th).
While many of the big names hit the rail, there is still plenty of star power left in this field. Two-time WPT champion Cornel Cimpan, Darren Elias, Justin Zaki, Barry Shulman, Erik Cajelais, and local favorite Matt Glantz are all returning with their eyes on the final table.
Play will be back underway at 12 p.m. ET tomorrow in the Borgata poker room. Check back in then to see who will survive to make the televised final table.