The WPT Borgata Poker Open concluded in a memorable victory for Californian poker pro Erkut Yilmaz this week as he bested a field of 1,075 entries to claim the main prize of $575,112, which includes a $15,000 WPT Tournament of Champions seat.
It was a tough competition, with professional players like Darren Elias, Anthony Zinno, Jared Jaffee, Michael Gagliano and Maria Konnikova all doing well but failing to make the final six.
It was Yilmaz’s most profitable competition yet, bringing his career earnings above $1.5 million. Yilmaz held a strong lead over the remaining players as the competition entered its final day, and he pretty much dominated the action right into the final table of six
Oleg Shnaider’s departure at third for $283,341 set the scene for the heads up between Yilmaz and fellow US pro TK Miles, with Yilmaz holding an 8 million chip lead.
For the next forty or so hands the duo traded hands with skill and discipline. At one point Miles’ determination earned him the chip lead, only to see it return to Yilmax later in the day.
With his opponent again in charge, Miles staged a fightback but could not regain the advantage and was eventually eliminated after a long and respectable heads up fight, earning the runner up prize of $383,399.
Other final table cashes included:
Austin Wentling $211,562
Liam He $159,616
Anthony Maio $121,697