Chips are flowing, rivers are running, and cards are flying. Sounds like Vegas, right? However, it’s not. This is the Borgata Fall Poker Open in Atlantic City.

Players arrived on the felt Tuesday, November 12, playing Deep Stack no limit Hold’em. The buy in was $500 plus a $60 entry fee, Alfredo Sosa came out on top for day one with a $355,000 chip count. The average stack was approximately $125,600. Big size tournaments like the Fall Open provide Atlantic City with the attention it loves, bringing in tourists and plenty of money. Another group that benefits are those at Hammonton High School who are lovers of the game.

Mr. Anthony Angelozzi, a history teacher who also deals black jack in Atlantic City, shared his experiences as a dealer and the impact that the Fall Poker Open has on the industry.

“Being a dealer is not what people think; the job can  be very monotonous and stressful,” he said. “Because Atlantic City is on the decline, big events like the Fall open are key to AC’s bounce back to what it once was.”

Although the initial plan was to attend the tournament and report about the experience, age restrictions prevent students from gaining entry. However, the results from Saturday’s Black Chip Bounty game were published online. David Meagher came out on top nearly doubling second place’s chip stack at a total of $34,196.

So what was the next best thing? To host a tournament for poker lovers and talk about the tournament.

“I  think a big tournament like the Fall Open is really cool. It shows that Vegas is not the only city for poker, and I would love to be able to check it out,” said senior Joe Pinto.

Mary Grace Arena, a senior, enjoys the game.

“I love playing poker. My favorite part would have to be taking Shane’s money; it just gives me a rush.”

All in all, the night was not wasted. Chip leaders for our smaller-scale poker tournament were as follows: senior Brandon Beebe ($20), senior Shane Worthington ($18) and senior Brian Gazzara ($15).