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Archives for March 2016

Woodford Reserve Kentucky Dinner at Old Homestead Steakhouse May 6

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Woodford Reserve Kentucky DinnerThe Kentucky Derby is the Super Bowl of American horse racing and this year’s running marks the 142nd year of the Run for the Roses.

And while you can experience all the excitement and action of the “fastest two minutes in sports” at Borgata’s Racebook, keep one thing in mind.

The Kentucky Derby has endured because it is much more than a simple horse race.

The derby exemplifies a sense of style and southern charm that has been preserved down for decades. As much as it’s about 3-year-old thoroughbreds, it’s also about mint juleps and traditional Kentucky cuisine. When they play “My Old Kentucky Home” at Churchill Downs, there’s 142 years of tradition on display.

We know a little about tradition here at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa and we know a lot about fine dining – especially at Old Homestead Steakhouse.

And Friday, May 6 – which is also the day the Kentucky Oaks is run – Old Homestead will become my Old Kentucky Homestead by teaming up with Kentucky bourbon distillers Woodford Reserve to present the Woodford Reserve Kentucky Dinner as part of the Savor Borgata Culinary Series.

We invite all you “southern” gentleman and ladies to join restaurateurs Greg and Marc Sherry as they host the event and enjoy featured Woodford Reserve Bourbon pairings to complement a four-course dinner prepared by Old Homestead Steakhouse Executive Chef, Romeo Dibona.

And ladies, feel free to express your inner Southern Belle by showing off your favorite hats.  A prize will even be awarded for the woman in the best hat.

The menu for the Woodford Reserve Kentucky Dinner features and array of southern specialties:

Woodford Reserve Mint Julep

Fried Chicken

Waffles, Honey, Derby Slaw, Homestead Tea

Shrimp and Grits

Southern Spiced with Fried Green Tomatoes

Bourbon Bramble

Drunken Rib Eye

Cajun Oil, Browned Butter Whipped Potato

Woodford Reserve Double Oaked

Southern Red Velvet Cake

Cream Cheese Frosting, Double Chocolate Ice Cream

Bourbon Ball

For one night, Atlantic City will become Louisville, Kentucky as Old Homestead and Woodford Reserve serve up a meal worthy of 142 years of tradition. Start this year’s race for the Triple Crown in style – at Borgata.

Tickets for Woodford Reserve Kentucky Dinner at Old Homestead Steakhouse May 6 at 8pm are $129 per person and available here.

This is No Joke: Get in on our $1,000 April Fool’s Day Giveaway

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April Fool's GiveawayApril Fool’s Day might be all about the jokes, but this year we’re more serious than ever about our giveaways.

You’ve probably heard about our frequent $20 for 20 promo. Every so often, we shower 20 random players with $20 Bonus Dollars. This April 1st, however, we’re taking things to the extreme.

We’ve still got prizes for 20 random players, but this time each prize is worth between $25 and $100 Bonus Dollars. If you want to win, just make sure you’re signed in and playing at BorgataCasino.com on April 1st between 12pm and 11:59pm.

In total, we’re handing out $1,000 Bonus Dollars. So don’t be foolish. Join the action.

Tips for the Traveling Poker Player

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I’ve spent the entire past year on the road, traveling to different tournament stops around the country, and sometimes around the world. In a sense, I understand that I’m living many poker players dreams, because this was stuff I used to dream about a few years ago. I could wax poetic all day about it, but I figured I would spend some time breaking down the practical side of things for a traveling poker player.  During the past year, I’ve learned a lot about the smartest ways to travel, so here are some tips for you grinders thinking about hitting the road sometime soon:

 

Find a friend (or friends!)

The biggest problem with traveling to play poker is expenses.  Simply put, it is hard to be good enough to warrant all the expenses needed to travel playing poker.  The simplest, most effective way to combat this is to find ways to split your expenses. Traveling with friends, or meeting friends at events, is the simple answer.

Think Airbnb

Going from hotel to hotel can become a nightmare on a few different levels.  It’s very easy to rarely see the light of day, often going from hotel room to poker room day after day.  Hotel rooms tend to be one single room, which over time can leave you feeling cramped and/or miserable. I strongly suggest looking into Airbnb for short term rentals when traveling somewhere you feel compelled to see the sights.  If you are going to the random tournament circuit in Indiana or Delaware, sure, hit the hotel for cheap. But strongly consider an Airbnb in places like Florida, California and Europe!

Be prepared

Before you hit the road, buy two phone chargers, two toothbrushes, two headphones, etc.  Backups are key!  Carry things such as shampoo, conditioner, soap and Q-Tips (a personal must-have).  Make sure to have a laundry bag.  And with technology as advanced as it is, consider investing in some hi tech stuff to prepare yourself.  Tile is a small chip you can put on things like your wallet and keys, costs a few dollars, and allows you to track those things in case you lose them.

Asher Conniff Play satellites

One of the best ways to go from zero to hero in poker is through satellite tournaments. They are usually the easiest to win, with the players being largely amateur or semi-pro, and the buy-ins being manageable.  I’d like to think I am living proof of the power of the satellite tournament, and I strongly think any up and coming player should take full advantage of them in order to try and play tournaments above the pay grade of their bankroll.

Southwest Airlines!

For the traveling, flying poker pro, there is no greater gift than SouthWest Airlines.  I’m sure you’re wondering why … Well, it’s simple.  SouthWest Airlines has two key perks.

  1. They allow TWO free checked bags, along with a carry-on.  Anyone who travels frequently can tell you that bag fees are usually a hidden killer.
  2. Most important, SouthWest Airlines has NO flight change fees.  So if you cancel a flight, you get a full refund in SouthWest credit.  For tournament players, having the ability to change and cancel flights for free is a God send, given that we poker players never really know when we will be out of a tournament.  Added benefit:  SouthWest allows you to book a flight way ahead of time for the lowest possible price, knowing that if you need to change it you can, anytime.

 

Hope I see you on the road sometime soon!

 

Asher Conniff

Workin’ Overtime: Five Musical Ways to Get Ready for Diana Ross at Borgata

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Ms. Diana Ross needs no introduction: The legendary diva has belted iconic tunes for decades, and has starred in countless movies and television shows. She’s been honored numerous times, including a 2012 Lifetime Achievement Grammy as well as a 2007 Kennedy Center Honors. Now an intimate crowd of a few thousand guests have the lucky chance to see Ms. Ross live and in person at Borgata’s Event Center during a one night only, SOLD OUT show on Friday, April 1. To prepare for all of her musical glory, we rounded up five of our all-time favorite Diana Ross videos for your viewing pleasure.

1. Belting “I’m Coming Out” as an introduction to her Diana special: We can only hope Ms. Ross repeats this entrance for her upcoming Borgata concert. She emerges in the crowd, singing everyone’s favorite gay anthem along the way, and look at that white fur number she’s wearing!

2. Singing “Home” from The Wiz: Okay, say what you will about the original 1978 movie version of the iconic musical The Wiz, but Ms. Ross slays with this signature song from the show. I dare you to watch without getting all the feels.

3. Her sixteen appearances with The Supremes on The Ed Sullivan Show: We can’t forget Diana’s early days as a member of The Supremes, the trio of singing sirens who performed one memorable hit after another. The group appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show 16 times! Here’s a great montage of their performances

4. Singing the irresistible “Upside Down:” I dare you to play this signature song by Ms. Ross and not dance. It’s a testament to her wide appeal, and the fact that her tunes never quite go out of style.

5. When she went all late 80’s on us: This is Diana Ross like we don’t always remember: Rocking a leather biker jacket, torn jeans, and jamming to a sick track. Look at that hair and those dance moves! She fits right in with fierce backup dancers. Where’s my Bugle Boy jeans?

 

Bryan Buttler has covered the Philadelphia-area LGBT beat for over two years, and also reviews theater, opera, and classical music. Along with his own writing, Bryan teaches communications at a local college. He lives in Center City Philadelphia. His favorite things at Borgata? The Water Club, the Grapefruit Mojito at Bobby Flay Steak, and the Table Thai Massage. Follow Bryan on Twitter @bryanb82 and Instagram @bryanbuttler.

Savor Borgata Presents ‘The World is Your Oyster’ at The Metropolitan April 23

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For fans of nature and the incredible diversity of life on our planet, may we present for your consideration the simple oyster?

Yeah sure they don’t run around killing gazelles like lions or soar above us like eagles. They just sort of sit there, in the bay, until somebody goes and digs them up.

But they’re still fascinating, living their little bivalve lives out in the water. Some of them are makers of pearls, providing us all with a safe gift choice for anniversaries. Some of them—called window pane oysters—have translucent shells that make nice, and much cheaper jewelry gifts all by themselves.

And of course, they’re mostly good eats.

Make that great eats. Wonderful eats

Hey, whatever they do out in the bay, it sure makes them tasty.

Here at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa we’ve long celebrated the oyster by serving them in various delicious ways at The Metropolitan’s oyster and raw bar.

On April 23, we’re going to bump it up a notch by presenting The World is Your Oyster at 2pm, as part of the Savor Borgata Culinary Series. For this event, The Metropolitan will team oysters with another miracle of the modern world, namely beer (some wheat, some hops, some yeast and voila – beer).

Discover some amazing flavor combinations when oysters and beer get together. You can enjoy a refreshing ice cold brew to tame and enhance the flavor of these briny delicacies. The oyster’s “taste of the sea” nature lends itself well to several complementary beer styles. Enjoy small plates featuring oysters paired with beer.

Here’s the menu:

The World is Your OysterChilled Madhouse Oyster/ Serrano Pepper Vinaigrette/ Jumbo Lump Crab/ Tomato Jam

Steamed Bun/ Tempura Beavertail Oyster/ Celery Leaves/ Scallions/ Miso Mayonnaise/ Sriracha Cream

Cape May Salt Oyster Pie/ Oblique Cut Vegetables/ Pepper Bacon/ Chive Cream/ Oyster Cracker Crumb Topping/ Dandelion Salad

Yes, oysters can have beavertails. They can be baked into pies and even be chilled in a madhouse.

That’s versatility.

Trust us, oysters are a true culinary miracle and The Metropolitan’s chefs tap into that miracle every day.

Tickets for The World is Your Oyster Saturday, April 23 at 2pm at The Metropolitan are $39 per person and available here.

How to Succeed in New Jersey’s Regulated Poker Market

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Daniel Buzgon is on an absolute tear. On March 16th, the online poker player who goes by the name leinad on BorgataPoker.com notched a $4,455 win after finishing second in the Mega Tuesday 500. That same day, he cashed in the Daily $10K for nearly $300.

The big wins come on the heels of a string of GSSS IV victories. BorgataPoker.com’s Garden State Super Series featured over $1 million in prize money and Buzgon won a nice piece of it by final tabling and cashing in a number of tournaments.

His initial first place finish came in GSSS #12, a $20,000 guaranteed NLH tournament that saw a final prize pool of $32,000. Buzgon earned $7,680. On March 4th, Buzgon topped a large field in GSSS #18 to secure the first place prize of $1,759.51. His first place wins were complemented by a number of final table appearances throughout the series. Overall, Buzgon cashed in 11 GSSS events, storming through non GSSS events throughout the series as well.

Since starting his career at BorgataPoker.com, Buzgon has racked up $162,697 at the New Jersey online poker site alone. His lifetime tournament winnings top $2.4 million at a number of international online poker sites, but today he runs his poker career from New Jersey. And for good reason.

“There is no question about it, BorgataPoker.com has the biggest tournaments and the most cash games,” notes Buzgon. “On top of that, they offer great deposit and reload bonuses and run rewarding promotions for both cash game and tournament players. I do play on the other sites but not nearly as much as I do on Borgata.”

Buzgon’s dedication to Borgata translates to the live world, too.

“The other casinos in Atlantic City just do not make poker a priority and it shows. They know they cannot compete with Borgata so they do not even try anymore.”

It turns out there’s a lot to compete with. BorgataPoker.com offers New Jersey’s biggest Sunday Major, the biggest monthly rewards program in The Grind, and the best promotions that blur the line between online play and the live world.

Chief among them are online satellites that pay out tournament seats in big land-based events, like the seasonal Borgata Poker Open events, and a weekly promotion that hands one online poker player an overnight trip to Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, just for opting in.

But despite Buzgon’s online poker tournament successes, it’s perhaps his cash game victories that are more impressive.

“For the last few years the majority of my play online is in cash games,” he notes. “The only time I usually play tournaments is on Sundays and during special series such as the Garden State Super Series. I usually play 2 to 4 hours a night, 3 to 5 times a week. I like being able to just play for an hour or two when I feel like it and not have to dedicate my whole night to play in the bigger guaranteed tournaments that run each night.”

His dedication to cash games means that Buzgon has been able to reap the rewards offered in The Grind, BorgataPoker.com’s monthly promotion that awards players with tournament tickets and cash every time they reach an iRewards Points milestone. Players can earn up to $4,500 in cash and prizes every month, just by playing poker.

“I have benefited greatly from The Grind promotion from its inception,” he says. “It gives the cash game regulars extra motivation to play as much as possible. I wish I played a little more like some of the top volume players on the site but I am still very happy with what I have earned from it.”

Buzgon got his start in the poker world just as online poker started to explode. With a major in Professional Golf Management, Buzgon spent most of his days playing golf and reserved his nights for learning how to play poker. That meant trips to Morongo Casino in California where the gambling age was 18.

After graduating, Buzgon opted to take poker more seriously. Several large online and live scores meant that Buzgon was able to stay out of the job hunt. Nine years post-graduation and he’s still playing poker for a living.

Despite his accomplishments and the success of NJ online poker players like him, there’s lots of room for more.

“It amazes me how many people still do not even know you can play online here in a regulated environment,” he notes, arguing that more players should be turning to the top online poker site in the Garden State to follow in his footsteps. “BorgataPoker.com has improved leaps and bounds since the start of regulated poker in New Jersey, while the other sites have not. Borgata has done a fantastic job in growing their satellite program to get a ton of players into their live events. The numbers continually improve each series and I predict that things will only get even bigger.”

As players across New Jersey discover just how much money can be made playing online poker in New Jersey at BorgataPoker.com, that’s a prediction that is destined to come true.

Celebrate Spring with up to $1,000 Bonus Dollars

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Ring in Spring Guaranteed BonusWe can’t guarantee that the weather will be amazing this spring, but we can guarantee free Bonus Dollars. On Tuesday, March 29th, we’re giving away up to $1,000 to every BorgataCasino.com player — no deposit required.

On March 29th, sign into your BorgataCasino.com account from your Mac or PC. Then, click the Promotions tab and opt in to the Ring In Spring Guaranteed Bonus promotion.

We’ll present you with a card to celebrate the season. Just click it to find out what you’ve won. It could be worth up to $1,000 Bonus Dollars.

You can use your Bonus Dollars right away. Plus, since it’s Tuesday, you can double dip on iRewards Points. Just opt in to the 2X Tuesday promotion from your Mac or PC and earn 2X iRPs between 12pm and 8pm.

Remember, our Ring In Spring Guaranteed Bonus doesn’t require a deposit. The bonus is yours, just for opting in, so claim it and enjoy the season.

PHOTOS: Borgata Hosts Greater Atlantic City GLBT Alliance Mixer

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Borgata rolled out the red carpet (or, since it was St. Patrick’s Day, the green carpet) for a host of local LGBT individuals on Thursday, March 17th as the resort welcomed the Greater Atlantic City GLBT Alliance for an evening of mingling and networking. Miss’d America 2015 Fifi DuBois was on hand to welcome guests, as well as Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian. Also in attendance were members of Philadelphia’s Independence Business Alliance, plus staff from the OUT at Borgata program. We were on hand to capture the diverse and fun mixer.

 

Bryan Buttler has covered the Philadelphia-area LGBT beat for over two years, and also reviews theater, opera, and classical music. Along with his own writing, Bryan teaches communications at a local college. He lives in Center City Philadelphia. His favorite things at Borgata? The Water Club, the Grapefruit Mojito at Bobby Flay Steak, and the Table Thai Massage. Follow Bryan on Twitter @bryanb82 and Instagram @bryanbuttler.

Online Satellites for Borgata’s Spring Poker Open start Sunday, March 27

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Poker in New Jersey is booming and you don’t have to look any further than the poker room at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa for proof.  In addition to the lucrative cash games, daily tournaments (including $3,000 Guaranteed Mondays, $10,000 Guaranteed Wednesdays & Fridays, and the 24/7 Sit & Go tourneys) continue to attract players from all over New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, and other neighboring states.

But that’s just the tip of the chip stack.  Borgata is known for its mega land-based tournament series throughout the year.  Just a few months after wrapping up the Borgata Winter Poker Open, Atlantic City’s premier poker destination is putting millions in guaranteed prize money on the table once again in the Borgata Spring Poker Open.

The tournament series runs from April 12th through 29th and features a $1 million guaranteed kickoff tournament, a $1 million guaranteed championship event, and over a dozen other tournaments, many of which come with 6-figure guarantees.

Borgata’s Spring Poker Open series continues to attract players not just from the east coast, but from around the country.  It’s arguably one of the most respected poker tournament series in the United States and one that continues to offer guarantee-busting prize pools over and over again.  And while players flock to Borgata from all over the country, those in New Jersey have a bit of an upper hand thanks to BorgataPoker.com, the casino’s online poker site.

Spring Poker Open QualifiersBorgataPoker.com continues to run satellites for its famous land-based tournament series and in the past, players have found great success steamrolling a few bucks into a seat in a major land-based event. In the most recent Borgata Winter Poker Open, Vinny Pahuja won two online poker satellites that paid out land-based seats — one in the $3,500 buy-in Championship and one in the kickoff tournament.  And don’t forget, Asher Conniff made history by turning online satellite wins into over $1 million during the 2015 Borgata Spring Poker Open.

Online poker players who want to follow in Asher’s and Vinny’s footsteps have no shortage of chances.  Beginning Sunday, March 27th, BorgataPoker.com is hosting daily online satellites that feed into some of the signature tournaments in the Borgata Spring Poker Open.

Players at BorgataPoker.com can enter a $5 buy-in tournament and compete online for a one in 10 shot at a $45 entry ticket. The ticket can be used to enter the $45 satellite for Event #1 ($1 Million Guaranteed) or Event #11 ($500,000 Guaranteed).

Also on the schedule are $45 qualifiers for the Borgata Spring Poker Open Championship Super Satellite. The online qualifier pays out a $400 online Super Satellite entry to one in every 10 players. In the $400 Super Satellite, one in every 10 players will win a $3,000 package that includes the $2,700 buy-in for the land-based Borgata Spring Poker Open Championship ($1 Million Guaranteed) and $300 for accommodations.

The abundance of opportunity has brought a lot of people from neighboring states to the Garden State. While you have to be physically present in New Jersey to play for real money at BorgataPoker.com, you don’t need to live in New Jersey. That means players 21 and over from anywhere in the United States can create a free account and win their spot in a multi-million dollar poker tournament for a handful of dollars.

If you’re new to online poker, choosing BorgataPoker.com over the competition is a no-brainer. Based in Atlantic City and with a commitment to both live and land-based poker, BorgataPoker.com understands what live and online players want. That, and it’s one of the only places to qualify for the Borgata Spring Poker Open.

New players looking to be a part of the Borgata Spring Poker Open experience can sign up and get $20 free to play with off the bat, plus a 100% match bonus up to $600 on their first deposit. With free money off the bat, those Borgata Spring Poker Open seats could end up costing you nothing.

For more information on our full daily tournament lineup, visit our Daily Tournaments page.

Another $7,500 on the Line this Week in March Mayhem

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March Mayhem PromotionMarch Mayhem continues at BorgataCasino.com and if you missed out on Week 1, this Thursday through Sunday offers you another chance to score big.

Between March 24th and 27th, we’re giving away $25 to $100 Bonus Dollars to 10 players each day. Just make sure you’re signed in and playing at BorgataCasino.com from 2pm to midnight to qualify for your chance to randomly score some Bonus Dollars.

For your chance to win even more Bonus Dollars in the $5,000 weekly drawing, be sure to opt in to this week’s March Mayhem promotion from your Mac or PC between March 24th and 27th. If you already opted in last week, you need to opt in again to qualify for this week’s drawing.

After opting in, you’ll receive one entry into the March 28th drawing. You can earn another daily entry by earning 75 iRewards Points or more per day.

 

A total of 150 entries will be drawn and you could pocket as much as $750 Bonus Dollars, so don’t miss out.

 

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