Blake Vogdes pulled off a stunning late-stage comeback at the Borgata Winter Poker Open, turning a near-elimination situation into a championship victory in the space of just 45 frantic minutes. Entering five-handed play as the shortest stack, Vogdes surged at exactly the right time, ultimately hoisting the trophy and banking $457,980.
The road to the title was anything but smooth. Vogdes began the final day with the third-smallest stack among the final eight and spent most of the final table hovering near the bottom of the chip counts. For long stretches, survival—not dominance—was the name of the game.
A Sudden Shift in Momentum
Everything changed once the field narrowed to four players. Vogdes found timely double-ups, rapidly building momentum and suddenly seizing the chip lead. What had been a grind quickly turned into a sprint.
By the time heads-up play began against Jack Kwon, the entire tone of the final table had flipped. The two players agreed to a deal, locking in the biggest paydays of their careers. BetMGM qualifier Kwon secured second place and $407,110, while Vogdes claimed the title, the trophy, and the top prize of $457,980.
“I don’t have too much experience with the final-table stuff,” Vogdes said after the win. “I was just trying to navigate each spot as it came. There were some really good players at the table, but also some big mistakes. I tried to pick the right moments to take chances and move forward.”
A Career Year—and a Changing Focus
Vogdes’ tournament résumé dates back to 2021, with many early results coming online. Over time, he has steadily transitioned into live play and higher buy-in events, and 2025 has marked the most successful year of his career in terms of earnings.
Despite the massive score, Vogdes insists the win hasn’t altered his long-term outlook.
“I’ve just been playing more live tournaments and enjoying it,” he explained. “I used to grind online a lot, but now I’m slowly transitioning out of poker and into other things. It’s nice to just have fun with tournaments.”
That mindset won’t change his immediate plans either. After the win, Vogdes said he’d be heading straight back home rather than chasing more action at the series.
As for how he plans to celebrate—or spend—the nearly half-million-dollar payday?
“I need a shot of tequila.”
