Jeffrey Gibson won his second Borgata trophy in the Big Big 9-Game Mix

Jeffrey Gibson claimed victory in the Etay’s Big Big 9-Game Mix tournament at the Big Big Series in Borgata, winning $56,170 and his second trophy.

The mixed-game segment of the Big Big Series has wrapped up at Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa. Etay’s Big Big 9-Game Mix tournament attracted 48 entrants over two days, offering players a unique challenge: competitors battled across nine different poker variants. After a hard-fought contest, the championship title, trophy, and top prize of $56,170 went to Jeffrey Gibson of Pennsylvania, who defeated Michael Falk heads-up to claim his second Borgata trophy. Tournament Format: Nine Games for True Poker All-Rounders Etay’s Big Big 9-Game Mix is a tournament where nine poker variants rotate at the same table. This format demands not only proficiency in Texas Hold’em, but also a deep understanding of other games, including Omaha Hi-Lo , Seven Card Stud Eight or Better (Stud 8/OB) , Pot-Limit Omaha , 2-7 Single Draw , and more. Each round was played in a different discipline, making the action as diverse and challenging as possible. Over two days, 48 players gathered at Borgata, each paying the buy-in (amount not specified in the original) to put their skills to the test. By the start of the final day, only 10 contenders remained in the hunt for the title. Final Day: The Road to the Title The final day kicked off at 12:15 p.m., and after the first level, the final seven were set. Esther Taylor was the first to exit, followed by Wayne Stock and Rolf Andersen. On the bubble—meaning the last spot without a payout—Aubrey Williams was eliminated: in a No-Limit Hold’em hand, she moved all-in with K-10 from the small blind against Michael Dorff’s A-4. The board brought no help, and Williams became the last player to leave empty-handed. Donovan Bates was the first to make the money, finishing sixth. With less than two big bets left, he moved all-in with aces in Omaha Hi-Lo against Ryan Moriarty, who held two low cards to a straight and a pair of eights. The river brought Moriarty trip fours, and Bates collected $9,680. Philip Dedona finished fifth, marking a career-best result. His final all-in in PLO with a pair of eights and a suited hand couldn’t hold up against Gibson’s suited aces, which improved to a set. Dedona took home $11,550. Michael Dorff finished fourth. In the Triple Draw round, he was dealt 9-8 and stood pat three times, but Moriarty made 8-6 to win the pot. Dorff earned $15,600 for fourth place. The top three at the start of the day—Michael Falk, Ryan Moriarty, and Jeffrey Gibson—would ultimately face off in the tournament’s decisive stage. The key moment came in the 2-7 Single Draw round: Falk, with a made “pat nine,” bested Gibson’s “pat ten,” allowing Falk to take the chip lead and widen the gap, then eliminate Moriarty in third place. In a Stud Hi-Lo hand, Falk made a straight and a low, beating Moriarty’s aces. Moriarty left the tournament with $22,500. Heads-Up: The Battle for the Trophy In heads-up play, Michael Falk began with more than a three-to-one chip lead. However, the fight for the title was intense: the lead changed hands multiple times, and neither player could maintain the upper hand for long. The turning point came in the Stud Eight or Better round—Gibson’s favorite discipline. Here, he first took the lead, then extended his advantage to 6:1, and finally closed out the victory. In the final hand, Gibson made a six-high straight in Stud 8/OB, while Falk was left with a pair of eights and a gutshot (one card short of a straight). The card Falk needed didn’t come, and he finished runner-up, earning $34,500. Gibson became the champion, taking home $56,170 and his second Borgata trophy. Champion Interview: The Path to Mixed Games Jeffrey Gibson is a seasoned tournament player with results dating back twenty years. However, this victory marks his biggest result in tournaments outside of No-Limit Hold’em. In a post-win interview, Gibson noted that his favorite discipline is Stud Eight or Better, saying it’s the game where he feels most confident. Gibson shared that he first started learning some mixed games as a child, but only began taking them seriously about a year or a year and a half ago. In his view, mixed games are a great way to break up the usual Hold’em routine and bring real enjoyment. In less than two years of actively playing these formats, Gibson has already become a Borgata champion twice: his previous title came last summer in the $600 B.E.A.S.T. Mix tournament, which also featured his favorite game. Gibson noted that at the final table, when four players remained, everyone had roughly equal chances to win, and the outcome could have changed at any moment. The main feature of the final was the frequent change of chip leader: the advantage shifted from one player to another, making the battle especially tense. Payouts and Final Standings Below is the full list of payouts and final placements: 1st place: Jeffrey Gibson — $56,170 2nd place: Michael Falk — $34,500 3rd place: Ryan Moriarty — $22,500 4th place: Michael Dorff — $15,600 5th place: Philip Dedona — $11,550 6th place: Donovan Bates — $9,680 The other final day participants (Esther Taylor, Wayne Stock, Rolf Andersen, Aubrey Williams) did not make the money. Key Hand Highlights Bubble: Aubrey Williams moved all-in with K-10 against Michael Dorff’s A-4 in No-Limit Hold’em, lost, and left the tournament without a payout. 6th place: Donovan Bates busted in the Omaha Hi-Lo round, losing with aces to Ryan Moriarty’s trip fours. 5th place: Philip Dedona lost to Jeffrey Gibson in PLO when his eights lost to aces, which improved to a set. 4th place: Michael Dorff couldn’t beat Ryan Moriarty in Triple Draw, as Moriarty made 8-6. 3rd place: Ryan Moriarty was eliminated after a Stud Hi-Lo hand where Michael Falk made a straight and a low against Moriarty’s aces. 2nd place: Michael Falk lost in the final, unable to improve with a pair of eights and a gutshot against Jeffrey Gibson’s six-high straight in Stud 8/OB. The Significance of the Win for Jeffrey Gibson This result is Gibson’s biggest career achievement in mixed-game tournaments. His success is a testament to how an experienced player can quickly adapt to new formats and achieve top results. In less than two years of active play in mixed tournaments, he has won two Borgata trophies, highlighting his versatility and ability to learn quickly. Gibson emphasized that it’s the variety of games and the chance to break away from the usual No-Limit Hold’em rhythm that make mixed tournaments especially interesting. His journey is an example for those looking to expand their poker arsenal and try their hand at new disciplines. What This Means for PPPoker Club Players For PPPoker club members, this news is a great reason to pay attention to mixed games and broaden their horizons. Tournaments like Etay’s Big Big 9-Game Mix show that success can be achieved not only in familiar Hold’em, but also in other formats. Even if you’re just starting to explore new variants, regular practice and a passion for variety can lead to impressive results, as Jeffrey Gibson’s story shows. The PPPoker platform offers a range of game formats, including mixed tournaments and cash tables for Omaha, Stud, Draw, and other disciplines. It’s a great opportunity to train and hone your skills in different types of poker, so you’re ready for similar events both live and online. Moreover, Gibson’s experience shows that even in a short time, you can reach a high level in new disciplines if you focus on learning and practice. Don’t be afraid to experiment with formats—take part in PPPoker club mixed tournaments. Who knows, you might be the next big title winner!