All in or Fold, Calling Not an Option

Tuesday 7 pm Preview

 (clockwise from bottom) 

Leonardo Palermo, Tyler Newhouse, Joe Wertz & Jay Sharon 

Discuss Tournament Structure

Of the 49 events offered at the Borgata Summer Poker Open none has been more talked about than Tuesday's 7 pm All in or Fold tournament.

"Shut up," says Lisa Pickell (Bricktown, NJ), "I heard the rumor, so it's true," she says with a look of awe.

The concept is simple, either push all your chips in the middle or fold.  No calling, checking or min raising allowed.

"I love the idea," says Tyler Newhouse, "people have been talking about if for three days."

Joe Wertz chimes in, "people shouldn't be allowed to look at their cards and make it even more crazy,"

Fortunately it's a yellow chip ($20) bounty that offers re-entry ($150 + $30) so if your first all in doesn't work out, you have a chance to get right back into the mayhem.

Players start with 10k in chips, blinds start at 100/100 and levels are 20 minutes each.

"There's definitely high variance," adds Newhouse, who has played forms of the concept online. "You have to win so many races and run super good. But if you're good at math and know when the price is right based on stack size and the situation it in can be profitable."

"It's sick," says Pickell, "it will be a foldfest early and a shovefest late. It will be interesting."

In addition to the 21 Main Events, this is one of 28 side events that offer players a second chance at tournament poker. But non quite like All in or Fold.