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$500 Borgata Almighty Stack
Day 2 Completed
2026 Borgata Summer Poker Open
$500 Borgata Almighty Stack
Day: 2
Players Left 6 / 2,209
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Chip Counts
Chip Counts
Level 34
: Blinds 500,000/1,000,000, 1,000,000 ante
The players who survived Day 2 of the Borgata Summer Poker Open $500 Almighty Stack have John Malczan to thank for helping them reach some important milestones during the day.
It was Malczan, a general contractor from Trenton, New Jersey, who brought the field down to the nine-handed final table when he hit trips against John Malvasio. Malczan then ended the night in style, flopping top two pair to bust Toby Gafner in seventh place and set the final six who will return for tomorrow’s live-streamed final table at noon local time.
Malczan bagged up the chip lead with 75,000,000 heading into the final table, putting him far out in front as he chases another title to add to his collection. He’s no stranger to closing out tournaments, with nearly 50 tournament titles on his poker resume and $865,000 in live tournament earnings.
Final Table chip counts
| Seat | Player | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yuriy Kudrynskyy | 57,500,000 | 58 |
| 2 | Raymond Ferretti | 12,000,000 | 12 |
| 3 | Baruch Fishman | 16,000,000 | 16 |
| 4 | John Wilson | 29,500,000 | 30 |
| 5 | William Shaw | 31,000,000 | 31 |
| 6 | John Malczan | 75,000,000 | 75 |
The main feature table in the Borgata poker room is a familiar place for Yuriy Kudrynskyy. It was just a few days ago that Kudrynskyy made it to fourth place in the $650 Super Deep 6-Max, and the Ukrainian, who now calls Brooklyn, New York, home, will get another shot at a title tomorrow. Kudrynskyy woke up with pocket aces to bust Michael Mann in a massive pot at the final table on his way to 57,500,000.
William Shaw (31,000,000) and John Wilson (29,500,000) are in the middle of the pack, while the short stacks are Baruch Fishman (16,000,000) and Raymond Ferretti (12,000,000). Shaw was responsible for ending the run of WPT champion and tournament crusher Bin Weng when he picked up two queens, sending Weng out in 17th place.
A total of 279 players out of 2,209 entries gathered inside the poker room today to play down to a final table. Among the early bustouts were 6-Max champion Li Liang (274th), Matt Matros (266th), Mukul Pahuja (192nd), and Randy Pisane (118th). Deep Stack Kick Off runner-up Lingyu Zen made it to 112th place, while WSOP bracelet winner Daniel Lazrus fell in 22nd place after Gafner made a big call with two sevens and held on against Lazrus’ flush draw. WPT champion and start-of-day chip leader Will Failla made it to the final table, but he then lost most of his chips in a pot against Wilson and busted in eighth place shortly afterward.
Final Table payouts
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $144,250 | ||
| 2 | $98,000 | ||
| 3 | $66,850 | ||
| 4 | $44,375 | ||
| 5 | $30,225 | ||
| 6 | $23,075 | ||
| 7 | Toby Gafner | United States | $17,895 |
| 8 | Will Failla | United States | $14,210 |
| 9 | Michael Mann | United States | $11,100 |
The action tomorrow picks up with 17 minutes remaining in Level 34 with blinds of 500,000/1,000,000 and a 1,000,000 big blind ante. Levels remain 40 minutes long. The final six have already locked up $23,075, while the champion earns $144,250. All the action will be streamed on BetMGM’s official YouTube channel on a 30-minute delay.
PokerNews will be back tomorrow following all the action until one player emerges from this once-massive field to take home the Borgata Summer Poker Open trophy.
Level 34
: Blinds 500,000/1,000,000, 1,000,000 ante
Level 34
: Blinds 500,000/1,000,000, 1,000,000 ante
John Malczan raised to 3,000,000 in middle position and Toby Gafner called in the hijack, as did John Wilson in the big blind.
The flop came A♣K♣3♥ and Malczan bet 2,500,000. Gafner then raised to 10,000,000 and Wilson got out of the way, but Malczan then reraised to 22,500,000. Gafner called for his last 20,000,000.
Toby Gafner: A♠10♥ 
John Malczan: A♦K♥
Gafner showed top pair, but Malczan had flopped top two pair. Gafner was already drawing dead after the 8♣ turn, while the 6♣ completed the board on the river.
"What a hand," Malczan said as he raked in the big pot, sending Gafner to the rail in seventh place.
The remaining six players are bagging up their chips for tomorrow's live-streamed final table.
Level 34
: Blinds 500,000/1,000,000, 1,000,000 ante
Toby Gafner opened to 4,000,000 from the cutoff before Baruch Fishman jammed for 7,500,000 from the big blind. Gafner confirmed the count and tossed out a call shortly after.
Baruch Fishman: Q♥10♣
Toby Gafner: A♣7♠
Fishman was behind but held live cards as the J♥6♥2♦ flop offered no immediate help to either player. The 9♥ turn gave Fishman an open-ended straight draw and a flush draw, and the 8♠ river completed his straight, and he retook his seat as he collected the double.
Level 34
: Blinds 500,000/1,000,000, 1,000,000 ante
William Shaw raised to 2,500,000 in the small blind and John Malczan called in the big blind.
The flop came K♥10♦2♥ and Shaw continued for 2,000,000. "You win," Malczan told him as he quickly folded.
The next hand, Malczan limped in from the small blind, then called when Toby Gafner raised to 4,000,000.
Gafner bet another 3,000,000 on the 9♣2♥Q♦ flop, and Malczan again gave up his hand.
Level: 34
Blinds: 500,000/1,000,000
Ante: 1,000,000
Level 33
: Blinds 400,000/800,000, 800,000 ante
The remaining seven players are going on a 15-minute break. The day will conclude once there is one more elimination.
Level 33
: Blinds 400,000/800,000, 800,000 ante
Will Failla moved all in for 2,300,000 from under the gun and Raymond Ferretti called in the big blind. "I only looked at one," Failla said as they went to turn over their cards.
Will Failla: J♠6♦
Raymond Ferretti: A♦2♦
Ferretti hit top pair on the A♠Q♠10♥ flop, while Failla was left looking to complete a straight draw. The A♣ turn improved Ferretti to trips, while the river was the 5♣ and Failla was sent to the rail in eighth place.
Level 33
: Blinds 400,000/800,000, 800,000 ante
John Wilson opened to 2,000,000 from the cutoff and Toby Gafner called from the big blind.
The K♠Q♦5♠ flop checked through to the 8♥ turn which saw Gafner lead for 2,500,000 and Wilson quickly called.
On the 6♦ river, Gafner put out a bet of 6,500,000, and Wilson let go of his hand quickly. Gafner then windmilled 4♥4♣ into the middle as he collected the pot.
