ATLANTIC CITY, New Jersey – (PRESS RELEASE) -- It was electric inside the Event Center at Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa on Thursday. The forty remaining players from Event 1 ($500 buy-in event) returned to battle. The field that began with 1,370 players had been whittled down to three. Tae Baik of Leonia, NJ, knocked out the remaining two players to capture the first title of the 2007 Winter Poker Open and the $152,960 in first place prize money.

David Zhu of Scarbourough, Canada, was the second place finisher taking home $95,900. The third place finisher, Emad Alabsi of Wickliffe, Ohio takes home $58,225. Alabsi, who called himself the "The Beast" at the table, had a dominating table personality often singing for the table or laughing it up with the growing crowd. "I always have fun when I'm playing poker here; Borgata offers a great atmosphere to play in."

Baik, who wore the perfect "poker face" throughout the tournament, was all smiles when he received his prize money and Tag Heuer purchased from Bernie Robbins Fine Jewelry, given to all main event winners throughout the Winter Poker Open. Baik commented, "I have played tournaments in Borgata's new poker room before, but this is my first victory in a tournament of this magnitude."

Vinny Procopio, a constant fixture at Borgata events, was the seventh place finisher taking home $30,825. Procopio was enjoying his time at the final table and was pleased with his finish, inviting many of his poker friends to join him at his table at mur.mur this weekend.

The $750 buy-in event featured juicy poker action from the aggressive field. Players included Men "The Master" and Joseph Brooks, a winner at the 2006 Borgata Poker Open. The remaining 18 players return to Borgata Event Center on Friday to play for the championship and their piece of the $464,250 prize pool.

There are 28 Super Satellites and Second Chance Tournaments remaining -- 28 opportunities to take as little as $120 and turn it into thousands.