Man Wins Women's Poker Tournament at Borgata

Man, oh man, and I’m not talking about a resurgence of the Tilt Boys again, but Abraham Korotki, 65, of Ventnor City, NJ, beat out 260 women in a $300 buy-in hold’em tournament at Atlantic City’s Borgata to take home the $20,982 first prize in what was otherwise a woman’s poker tournament!

This was not without drama, tears, and heartbreak either. Just ask 40-year-old Nicole Rowe, of West Windsor, NY, who placed second in that event. Rowe—diagnosed with breast cancer—planned on using her winnings to cover living expenses during recovery from a mastectomy scheduled later this month.

But Korotki took home first prize in a tournament he entered after early elimination from another tournament. Rowe, who finished second, took home $11,889.

Borgata’s management did not know that a man entered the woman’s event, but said anyone of legal age is legitimate.

"Borgata offers specialty tournaments, including the Ladies event," said Borgata executive Joe Lupo. "In the spirit of this event, it was our hope that only women would have participated, as has happened in the past . . . However, given legal requirements, we must allow anyone who is over the age of 21 the opportunity to participate."

"When you're a woman and you play poker, 99 percent of the time you're at a table with nine men,” said Rowe, adding that she looked forward to playing against a field of women.

Korotki—a semi retired real-estate developer was quoted as saying that he's donating his winnings to three charities, including one dedicated to breast cancer, and that he just "wanted to get back on the horse," and signed up because he had earlier seen "five to 10" other men in the registration line.

Borgata officials, however, were quick to point out that they were unaware of other male entrants, nor were any other men pointed out by female players.

According to Korotki, no one from the Borgata told him that he couldn't play. He added that he would not have made a fuss if asked to leave. "If someone had said, 'Abe, you can play, but please don't,' I would have said, 'Fine,' and gone home and been bored until the next tournament."

From the casino's standpoint, their only option was to seat Korotki.