As Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa approaches the first anniversary of the opening of its 85-table Poker Room -- the largest poker room in Atlantic City --- the Summer Poker Open continues to sizzle with action. In the first four days of Borgata's Summer Poker Open, over one million dollars in prize money was awarded.

Saturday's $1000 + 80 buy-in event saw fierce competition with 352 players vying for their share of the $352,000 prize pool. Seen amongst the field, was former WSOP Main Event Champion, Robert Varkonyi, who took down $2 million in 2002. Making the final table in this event was Joe Simmons, former manager of the groundbreaking hip-hop group, The Roots. In the poker world, Joe is best known for making the final table of Borgata's Winter Poker Open Main Event, taking home nearly half a million dollars for his fourth place finish in January.

Simmons controlled the chip lead for much of the final table, but Daniel Apicella slowly gained control of the tournament. Simmons then went all in against the short stack, John "JJ" Hurley, and lost. Simmons took home $28,688 in third place prize money. Hurley was at a significant disadvantage in head's up play, but kept chipping away at Apicella's stack. Just as Hurley seemed poised to make a move, he went all-in and lost. Hurley took home $59,136 for second place. The champion, Apicella won $107,350 for first place.

On Thursday nearly 400 players took to the tables for the $500 buy-in event #2. Joe Cutler, an amateur player from Long Island, NY, captured the championship and $58,713 in first place prize money.

The Main Event on Friday (Event #3) was the $750 + 60 No Limit Hold 'Em Event. There were 309 entries, creating a $231,750 prize pool. Marc Lunenfield of Virginia Beach, VA, finished first, taking home $70,683 in prize money. Ronnie Kevin of Richland, NJ, finished in second place, taking home $38,934.

Sunday's action featured the fan favorite, Ladies Event- $260 + $40 No Limit Hold 'Em at 11:00 AM. The 7-Card Stud Main Event begins at noon.

In addition, each day of the tournament features, super satellites, second chance cash, and sit-and-go tournaments. The Championship Event is a four-day event, starting on Saturday, June 23rd, concluding on Tuesday, June 26th. Players will start with $50,000 in tournament chips and play in one of the best-structured tournaments around.

Players and fans can follow the action on the ACTV Blog available at www.theborgata.com and www.cityatlantic.com. The blog features live updates and commentary on notable hands.

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"If you aren't going all the way, why go at all?" Joe Namath