Final Table Set for 2006 WPT Borgata Open

The names and faces filling the final six seats at the 2006 World Poker Tour (WPT)Borgata Open is a cast of relatively unknown players, but that doesn't mean this group lacks solid tournament poker experience.

Spearheaded by poker author David Sklansky, the final six competitors have made final tables and cashed in the biggest tournaments in poker over the last few years. None of them have become household names, because none of them have won…yet.

That will all change today starting at 5 p.m. EST as one of these six men will walk away with his first WPT title and a first place prize of more than $1.5 million. To put that money total in perspective, the combined lifetime tournament earnings of the group is in the vicinity of $1.6 million.

Sklansky, recognized as a leader in the poker advice field by many of the game's top professionals, will make his second televised WPT appearance (his first in a non-invitational event) and is far and away the biggest name at the table.

Known to most poker fans as a writer, Sklansky was a contributor for Doyle Brunson in Super System 1: A Course in Power Poker, the book considered by many to be the poker bible. Since then, he has penned more than a dozen poker books, including the highly recommended Theory of Poker.

Although he made his mark as a writer, his playing resume is one to envy. Sklansky won the 2004 WPT "By the Book" Invitational, a made for television event that pitted the game's top writers against one another. He also has two WSOP bracelets, 10 WSOP final table appearances, 15 WSOP cashes, and a 16th place finish in the 2005 WPT World Championship in his career.

Sklansky is short-stacked going into the final day of play, but his conservative style and his vast playing experience makes it hard for anyone to count him out.

Mark Newhouse continues to lead the field with a monster stack of just over $7 million in chips. Having led for the final two days of play, Newhouse continues to create a mountain of chips by knocking off the short stacks and eliminating foes.

A newcomer to the tournament poker scene, Newhouse is making the most of his opportunities. In his only World Series of Poker (WSOP) cash, Newhouse made a final table in 2006, taking home $56,000 in a $3,000 Limit Hold'em event.

Today, Newhouse has a chance to parlay his recent success into life-changing money. He will begin the day with a more than 2 to 1 chip lead over his closest competitor Chris McCormack.

McCormack, who just missed a televised WPT final table with a seventh place finish at the 2004 World Poker Finals at Foxwoods, will finally get his chance to play poker in front of a national audience.

Since his Foxwoods finish, McCormack has followed the tournament circuit, cashing in two WPT events and five WSOP tournaments. McCormack is in the midst of his best tournament year having cashed three times at the 2006 WSOP.

Chris Bell, currently in third chip position, has the final table's most tournament experience save Sklansky. Bell's first taste of success came in 2003 when he finished third in the 2005 WPT Mirage Poker Showdown, earning a healthy $289,693 check.

His tournament resume boasts more than $750,000 in tournament winnings including six WPT cashes and three cashes at the WSOP. Bell has also played well in the past at the Borgata Open, making the final table in the 2003 Main Event. He missed the televised final table by three spots.

Blaise Ingoglia, currently in fourth, has the least experience at the final table, but has some past success at the Borgata Open. He made a final table appearance in 2005, finishing ninth in a $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em event.

Currently in fifth, Anthony Argila best finish in 2005 when he cashed in the WSOP Main Event, finishing up in 271st place.

Current Chip Positions

Mark Newhouse - $7,025,000

Chris McCormack $3,000,000

Chris Bell - $1,200,000

Blaise Ingoglia - $840,000

Anthony Argila - $700,000

David Sklansky - $665,000

Prize Structure

1 - $1,519,020

2 - $802,985

3 - $419,040

4 - $366,660

5 - $314,280

6 - $261,901