65-year-old Abraham Kortotki took home first prize, winning $20, 982. He claimed he entered the women's competition after being eliminated from another tournament.

65-year-old Abraham Kortotki took home first prize, winning $20, 982. He claimed he entered the women's competition after being eliminated from another tournament. (September 15, 2009)

BY STEPHANIE BARISH wpix.com

September 15, 2009
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J (WPIX)—
A man who took first place in a women-only poker tournament in Atlantic City is getting a lot of heat from the second-prize female winner.

Nicole Rowe, 40, of West Windsor - who was diagnosed with breast cancer - was hoping to walk away with the top prize in the Ladies No-Limit Texas Hold 'em tournament at the Borgata. Rowe intended to use her winnings to cover living expenses as she recovers from a mastectomy she is scheduled to have later this month.

Rowe's plans were shattered after 65-year-old Abraham Kortotki took home first prize, winning $20, 982. He claimed he entered the women's competition after being eliminated from another tournament.

Organizers for the all-ladies event said they did not know that a male had entered and said any participant over 21 years of age is legitimate.

"Borgata offers specialty tournaments, including the Ladies event," Joe Lupo, the gaming hall's senior vice-president, said in a statement.

"In the spirit of this event, it was our hope that only women would have participated, as has happened in the past. . . . However, given legal requirements, we must allow anyone who is over the age of 21 the opportunity to participate."

Rowe, along with 260 other women, shelled out more than $300 to enter the competition. The New York woman admitted to a local publication that she was upset that Kortoki didn't want to split the winnings with her.

Kortoki claims he is using his prize money to donate to three charities - including one dedicated to breast cancer. He said he entered the competition after seeing more than five other men register online.