Southampton - Furthering its reputation as the leading poker destination in Atlantic City, Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa has once again set a record for the largest field in a World Poker Tour® (WPT) Borgata Poker Open championship event with 1,313 participants and a $4,332,900 prize pool.

The 17-day tournament saw record-breaking attendance throughout the series, including the largest first-day turnout in tournament history with 1,718 players participating in Event 1, in addition to a nearly 30 percent increase in championship event attendance since 2009.

"To be able to meet and exceed our $3 million guarantee by over $1.3 million is truly remarkable," said Director of Poker Operations, Stan Strickland. "The impressive turnout we've seen throughout the series is a testament to the unparalleled poker program we continue to offer at Borgata."

This year, three former Borgata Poker Open champions - including Dwyte Pilgrim (2010), Olivier Busquet (2009) and Roy Winston (2007) - have returned to Borgata to participate in the WPT championship event, competing against an exciting list of notable poker professionals that includes Chino Rheem, Vanessa Selbst, David Williams, Gavin Smith, Kathy Leibert, Jeremy Brown, Mike "The Grinder" Mizrachi, Matt Matros, and Josh Brikis.

"I'm thrilled to be a part of the largest field in World Poker Tour history," said professional poker player and member of Team Pokerstars Pro, Selbst. "The ability to play in such an accessible event with the chance to win that much money is incredible."

Play will continue in the Event Center through Friday, September 23, when the final six players will be filmed and televised on Fox Sports Net. In the end, one champion will be crowned with the title, trophy and $922,441 in cash.

To view the event schedule and results click 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; 4,100 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 five heated indoor and outdoor pools.