The 2025 Borgata Fall Poker Open produced big numbers across the board with amazing play from Borgata’s players. History was made Sunday, Nov. 9, when one of Borgata’s most prolific players joined the Century Club by recording his 99th and 100th tournament cash on the same day.
Eric Siegel final tabled the Almighty Kick Off event in fifth place and headed to the cage. But he didn’t go to cash out; he registered for Sunday’s second flight of the Mystery Mirror Bounty event. He finished the night as chip leader, and Day 2 players returned in the money.
Borgata Poker’s Century Club
“I feel great about it – the Borgata was always my home,” Siegel said. “I started playing tournaments here and through the years, I made a lot of good friends here. I never played poker for a living, but I’ve made so many relationships with players and staff.”
Siegel is a 57-year-old Long Island native who left the Northeast during COVID-19 for the sunnier weather of Delray Beach, FL. But his two sons in New York keep Siegel visiting regularly.
“The cashes mean a lot,” said Siegel. “The money is great when you win, but being able to do something that I really enjoy is more important. I look at it like I’m enjoying it; I’m able to do something I enjoy. And if I lose, I lose. I can’t win all the time.”
A hundred tournament cashes is a career for a lot of players, but to have that 100 from one room is a whole other level of magnitude. The late Howard Wolper holds the record with 125, Michael Marder has 120, and there’s Siegel – that’s it, a pretty exclusive club.
Borgata’s Director of Poker Operations Kellie de Cellis was happy to hear the news. She said, “It’s so incredible to think about a player that has been playing here so long that he’s been able to rack up 100 cashes.”
“But holy cow, that’s really exciting,” she continued. “It’s amazing to see our loyal players keep coming back and in our industry, we need to make sure we have winners. I’m really happy to have someone like Eric winning so often.”
“Consistency over multiple years is never an easy thing for a property to do. The return of our Open Events, and now that we’re here, it feels great to celebrate Eric’s accomplishment – you can’t beat it.”
Nickel, Dime, Quarter Education
Siegel learned his first poker lessons at his family’s kitchen table. He grew up watching his dad host a weekly game. “I played with my dad a lot. Once we got into college, that’s when it all blew up [to playing more].”
Siegel owned a pool company for 35 years in Long Island that he started when he was 17. He also founded a poker marketing company, but it fell victim to Black Friday’s reach.
Building A Borgata Family
Siegel was at Borgata when the doors opened, along with some staff still there today. He used to play in clubs from Staten Island to Long Island, and his group of friends transitioned to tournaments with their booming events. “We all traveled together, shared dinners, and have been doing this for 20-25 years,” he said.
“I have a great community inside poker,” said Siegel. “We care about each other, we know each other’s kids, and our wives are friends. It’s a nice group of people; we share the same life experiences.”
But some of that friendly community is nipping at his heels to join the Century Club. Will Failla, Vinny Pahuja, Mike Dentale, and Mike Linster could overtake him in the next couple of years.
“I have one little problem,” said Siegel, smiling. “I don’t live here anymore. When I lived here, chasing each other was something we all played for. Now, we’re all in different spots and sometimes playing in different places. Michael Marder is going to be tough to catch, and I’d like to match Howard Wolper.”
Siegel’s Third Act
Siegel is at a place in life where he’s free to do what makes him happy.
“Bad days in poker don’t exist for me,” said Siegel. “They truly don’t. I just enjoy playing. Listen, losing isn’t great, but it’s a streaky game. I’ve been running well this week, but if you go back a month, I was running pretty bad.”
But to Siegel, poker is one long game without a real ending. “Poker is a big part of my life,” he said, stating the obvious. His love for the game is so pure, he slid in an interview while on break during his second of three tournaments that day.
“I love the game, I’m passionate about it,” he said. “If you’re able to do something that you enjoy and have success in it, that’s important.”
Siegel added, “But creating this community, this environment (motioning to the room), we have friends that we can talk to and joke around with. We’re all sarcastic, but at the end of the day, we’re all rooting for each other. I think that’s really important.”
Find More Borgata Fall Poker Open Coverage Here:
- Mike Dentale Leads Main Event Warmup, Filippos Stavrakis Owned Mixed Game Series
- Darren Elias Wins Borgata Fall Poker Open’s Deuce To Seven Championship
- DeeAngelo Seng Wins Almighty Kick Off, Final Table Set for Hybrid Championship
- BetMGM Qualifier & Borgata GOAT Vinny Pahuja Leads Almighty Kick Off Final Table
- The 2025 Borgata Fall Poker Open Welcomes Players with a Refreshed Experience
- BetMGM Poker Begins Online Qualifiers For Borgata Fall Poker Open Tournament
Join BetMGM Poker Now
Play cash games and tournaments online at BetMGM Poker now. Make sure to take advantage of the new player welcome bonus.
Photo credit: Poker.Org
