The Borgata may have called it a mini series, but you couldn’t tell by the crowds that it was anything other than a premier tournament series.

The Borgata Poker Fall Mini-Series was a six-event series of events with a little something for everyone, including two highlighted tournaments. Vinny Pahuja kicked it off with a win in the Kick Off event, and Derek Sudell took down the 8-max Championship. And thanks to PokerOrg being there to capture the action, we can wrap it up in article form.

Vinny Pahuja Scores Kick Off Win

Event 1 of the Borgata Poker Fall Mini Series was the $500 Super Deep Kick Off with the option for an add-on. With 218 players on Day 1, action played down to just 28 players – all in the money – with Vinny Pahuja near the top of the leaderboard. The second starting day brought in another 378 entries and played down to 51. The final numbers were:

• Total entries:  596
• Total prize pool:  $251,580

By the time the field thinned down to just a single final table, Agostino Oliva was the chip leader, followed in the distance by Mark Rabizadeh, Alexander Petrucelli, and Pahuja.

Kat Khaterzai was the sole woman remaining but ended up finishing in ninth place. Pahuja ousted Soukha Kacchittavong in eighth place and then crippled Travis Hartshorn, who then exited in seventh. Pahuja kept climbing, though Petrucelli was along for the ride, Mark Rabizadeh in sixth place. Vern Wasson busted Oliva in fifth.

The final four players brokered an ICM chop due to their fairly even stacks and very late hour. Pahuja took home a bit more than the others, plus the title and trophy.

• 1st place:  Vinny Pahuja ($29,451)
• 2nd place: Vern Wasson ($29,200)
• 3rd place:  Luke Trucksess ($27,129)
• 4th place:  Alexander Petrucelli ($24,485)
• 5th place:  Agostino Oliva ($9,811)
• 6th place:  Mark Rabizadeh ($7,776)
• 7th place:  Travis Hartshorn ($6,247)
• 8th place:  Soukha Kachittavong ($5,065)
• 9th place:  Kat Khaterzai ($4,110)

Derek Sudell Snaps Up Championship Title

The second of the two “Main Event” options for this mini series was the $2,500 8-Max Championship. The first of the two starting days brought in 51 entries and ended with 19 bagging chips. The second day brought in another 88 entries with 50 surviving the night. A few more players took advantage of late registration the following day, leading to these totals:

• Total entries:  146
• Total prize pool:  $321,200

With just three tables remaining, Derek Sudell held the chip lead, but players like Bin Weng and Justin Vaysman were still in the mix. Soon after, the money bubble burst to leave the top 20 guaranteed payouts.

Brantzen Wong made it to 10th place and busted with cracked aces.

The final day brought back eight players, Sudell ahead of the pack and Edward Leonard and Jerry Maher the only others above the million-chip mark.

Danny Gerber busted his short stack and just missed the official final table of eight. Leonard took over the chip lead by busting Steven Sarmiento in eighth place, and Vaysman climbed by busting Martin Bertolino. Maher then busted Casey Hatmaker for the lead but lost ground as the victim of several double-ups. Nick Verderamo took out Leonard in fifth place, Sudell ousted Vaysman in fourth and Verderamo in third. Maher fought hard in heads-up play, but Sudell pulled out the win.

• 1st place:  Derek Sudell ($78,689)
• 2nd place:  Jerry Maher ($50,633)
• 3rd place:  Nick Verderamo ($34,740)
• 4th place:  Justin Vaysman ($24,565)
• 5th place:  Edward Leonard ($18,288)
• 6th place:  Casey Hatmaker ($14,586)
• 7th place:  Martin Bertolini ($12,330)
• 8th place:  Steven Sarmiento ($10,481)

Abby Poker Covers East Coast Poker

BetMGM Poker content partner Abby Poker has been traveling the world lately but covering the East Coast most recently. She played several events at the Borgata Poker Fall Mini-Series and documented some of her action.

And she provided some tips on how to balance life and poker:

BetMGM Poker Online Championships Underway

The Mini-Series may be over but, just a few days ago, poker players took to the BetMGM Poker online tables for the Poker Online Championships. Not only is it the first big series in which New Jersey and Michigan poker players could compete on the same platform, their series is offering $2,000,000 in prize pool guarantees. Of course, Pennsylvania players have about $875,000 to compete for as well, so there’s something for those in all three states.

Check out the details of the BetMGM Poker Online Championships, which run through December 1. Buy-ins start at just $50, and there are several promotions happening alongside the series. Get in on the landmark series and play poker now at BetMGM Poker online.