Entering heads-up play in the $2,500 buy-in Borgata Spring Poker Open Main Event, Mike Gags30Gagliano (pictured) was up 5:2 in chips against Bahbak Oboodi. He proceeded to put his opponent all-in for his tournament life with aces against tens, but a ten on the flop propelled Oboodi into the lead for good, giving him a 3:2 margin in the standings. Shortly thereafter, the pair agreed to chop for $220,000 apiece and play on for $30,000.

On Twitter, Gagliano posted what happened next: “Lost huge pot, was down to 2mil, just doubled then won a pot tho, probably 4 to his 11. Going to 4/8k.” He then busted in second place after getting all of his chips in before the flop with K-Q suited and falling to A-8. When the tournament concluded, Gagliano Tweeted to his 1,600 followers, “Thanks to everyone for the support! Really means a lot, thank you!”

Congratulations came pouring in on Twitter and in a thread in the Live Poker forumhere on PocketFives. South Carolina PocketFiver pokerscrub1posted on our site, “Congrats on the nice score Gags! Seems to really care a lot about the poker community, love to see guys like that win!” Germany’s RhoNin added, “One for the good guys, cheers!”

A battle of New Jersey ended the Borgata Main Event, although five states were represented in the top 10. The top 54 players made the money and 15 walked away with five-figure paydays. Gagliano Tweeted to tournament officials, “Thanks for running a great tournament! Really appreciate all you guys do for poker!”

Oboodi commented in a press release sent out by Borgata staff on Friday that he tried to stay calm throughout heads-up play against Gagliano: “I haven’t been anxious this entire time. Even when I was all-in with those tens, I wasn’t anxious.”

According to the Hendon Mob, the Borgata Spring Poker Open Main Event marked Gagliano’s third straight six-figure score in a live tournament. In December, he recorded a fifth place finish in WPT Prague (pictured) for $103,000 and then promptly took second in EPT Prague for $142,000.

Prior to his Spring Poker Open cash, Gagliano had over $400,000 in live tournament winnings, which is good for 318th on the money list for 2012. On PocketFives, he has over $2.1 million in lifetime cashes and was once ranked as high as #39 worldwide.

Gagliano is a PocketFives Traininginstructor as well. You can score one free month of PocketFives Training with the sign-up fee waived by registering for 888 Poker or WinnerPoker through PocketFives’ links and making at least a $30 deposit. On WinnerPoker, use the code PF30 to ensure you’re properly tracked. Sign up for 888 Pokeror sign up for WinnerPoker today.

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Photo credit: WPT/Alin Ivanov