Southampton - Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa launched the ninth annual Borgata Poker Open tournament series on September 7, with the largest first-day turnout in the tournament's history - a record-breaking 1,718 participants and a $687,200 prize pool.

"This turnout is an excellent sign for the rest of the series," said Josh Birkis, a Borgata Poker Open tournament participant and poker professional with more than $1.5 million in tournament winnings. "It promises to be an exciting tournament with big fields and an amazing championship event."

The 17-day tournament series will feature 57 events, including the $3 million guaranteed World Poker Tour (WPT) Borgata Poker Open championship event, scheduled for September 18 through September 23. The event will be filmed from Day 1 through the final table and televised on Fox Sports Net.

For the first time in the Borgata Poker Open championship's history, participants will be offered the chance to participate in a Double Play championship event, in which all Day 1A participants who bust out will be offered the chance to play in Day 1B. The Double Play championship will also mark the first time a $5,000 chip leader will be added to Day 1A and Day 1B.

The Borgata Poker Open will take place in The Borgata Event Center, featuring a wide array of tournaments - including Mixed Games; No Limit Hold'em; Deep Stack No Limit Hold'em; No Limit Hold'em 6-handed; Bounty; and Heads Up events.

On-site registration will be available daily from 8 a.m. through 12 midnight for each event. To view the event schedule or more information the link below. Follow all of the action on the Borgata Poker blog at www.borgatapokerblog.com or on Twitter @BorgataPoker.

About Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa
Located at Renaissance Pointe in Atlantic City, Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa features 2,000 guest rooms and suites; 161,000 square feet of gaming; 182 gaming tables; 3,475 slot machines; an 85-table poker room; 11 retail boutiques; six acclaimed fine dining restaurants by renowned chefs; six casual dining options; a 54,000 square foot spa; 70,000 square feet of event space; four signature nightlife experiences; and parking for 7,100 cars. The resort also features Atlantic City's first cosmopolitan hotel experience, The Water Club at Borgata, with 800 guest rooms and suites; a 36,000 square foot spa; 18,000 square feet of meeting space; six designer retail boutiques; and 5 heated indoor and outdoor pools.