After more than 19 hours of play, Adam Bragar (New York, NY) was the last man sitting, claiming the top prize of $26,010 and the beautiful Borgata trophy. He works in private equities and plays tournaments whenever he can. "This is only the second tournament I've won...ever," he said.
Heads-up he faced Ragavan 'Rags' Thiagarajah (Marlton, NJ) and began with the chip lead, but Rags doubled up with Queens versus Jacks and eventually took the chip lead. Then "I made a mistake" Rags admitted. "I thought my Ace-high was good". Bragar also had an Ace, with a better kicker, and doubled up, leaving Rags with only 14 big blinds.
On the final hand, Rags got his chips in good, but was run down on the turn. He takes home $14,448 for second place. The pharmacist may have to sleep in his car for a few hours, but may return in just a few to play Saturday's 11am tournament.
Third place and $8,958 went to Tony Abiyaghi (Toms River, NJ). He got his last chips in good with AJ, but Bragar ran him down with A7 when he flopped a 7.
Notable among this final table was Robert Melo, (Howard Beach, NY) who made two final tables in two days. On Thursday he finished 8th in the $260 PLO event ($948). Today he took 5th and $5,587.
A total of 331 entries resulted in total buy-ins of $99,300, with the final 36 players getting a piece of the pie.
The highest finishing female was Svetlana Gromenkova (Brooklyn, NY) who went out 19th ($722). Gromenkova won the Ladies event at the 2008 WSOP ($224,702). She's still looking for her first Borgata Open win.
Lots of Borgata regulars filled this field, but didn't cash, including James Boyle, Mike Shasho, Mickey Woll, Sheree Bykofsky, George Medrano, Joe Brooks, Paul Leon, Gordon Eng, Nancy Martin, Joe Liberta, John Del Rossi, and Dan Spirer.
After playing so long, it was difficult for the guys at this final table to think beyond getting some sleep, but we might see them again for other events during the Borgata Summer Open. "Amazing...I expected to be out of here by 6pm" Bragar said. He's got plans to meet friends later today for the race at Belmont, but like many, he's lost interest.
Final Table Results
1 Adam Bragar (New York, NY) $26,010
2 Ragavan 'Rags' Thiagarajah (Marlton, NJ) $14,448
3 Tony Abiyaghi (Toms River, NJ) $8,958
4 Adam Peterson (Gambrills, MD) $7,224
5 Robert Melo (Howard Beach, NY) $5,587
6 Rob Behrenst (Fairfax, VA) $4,720
7 Ahmad Wardak (Gambrills, MD) $3,805
8 Justin Burton (New York, NY) $2,841
9 Bernie Dominiak (Pittsburgh, PA) $1,926
10 Mike Rosa (Vienna, VA) $1,252 
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