Ladies Poker Tournament Won By A Man

Abraham Korotki has just won the ‘ladies-only’ Borgata Poker Open beating a field of 269 women players to pick up the first prize of $20,982. Korotki is a successful tournament player and has now won over $662,326 including two previous first place finishes at Harrah’s Atlantic City Poker Tournament 2006 for $433,008 and the Summer Poker Open 2006 for $122,100.
Korotki’s latest career tournament victory is likely to raise a few quizzical eyebrow as it was a ‘ladies-only’ event and although state laws prohibit sexual discrimination at casino poker tournaments, men usually honour the unwritten understanding.
The New Jersey resident had to face opposition from both organisers and women players alike but was not going to be deterred having just been eliminated from event no.6 and insisted; “I got tired of going home early. I hadn’t had enough poker time.”
Korotki’s poker appetite was certainly satisfied and his resilience tested as appearing somewhat of a lone oddity he battled his way for two days with the ladies eventually reaching heads-up play against Nicole Rowe.
There was no disputing where the sympathy of the crowd lay as the last woman remaining had recently been diagnosed with breast cancer and was awaiting a double mastectomy at the end of September.
After getting his money in with the best of it Korotki’s 10 10 held up against A 9 and Nicole Rowe found herself runner up at the Borgata once more, having previously finished 2nd at the 2007 Winter Poker Open for $17,035. Korotki earned $20,982 for his win but said he would donate part of the winnings to breast cancer research.
Nicole received $11,889 for her impressive performance and was gracious in defeat. She said: “It doesn’t matter. It was 16 hours of being cancer free, a diversion from my reality.” Nicole said she would now use the majority of the money to help pay for the operation and her recuperation.
Jena Ross, who finished in 5th place, commented: “It’s a shame she didn’t win but our thoughts and prayers are with Nicole. We know who the real winner is. She was the last woman standing.”