Level 14 (Blinds 1,500/3,000/400)
Total Day 1A Entries: 447
Players will be going on their final break of the night (15 minutes) at the end of this level, and they will then return to Level 15 and blinds of 2,000/4,000/500. Here are some of the contenders going into the final level for the end of Day 1A chip lead:
Joe Black - 490,000
Paul Antzoulis - 460,000
Jason Rivkin - 385,000
Phuc Hoang - 330,000
Tony Cheng - 300,000
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Black Is Back In Big Way
Level 14 (Blinds 1,500/3,000/400)
Total Day 1A Entries: 447
The action started at Table 53 with a limp from Joe Black, and an immediate raise from Phuc Hoang to 8,000. Ilya Dyment (Brooklyn, NY) would be in the big blind and three-bet to 20,000. With action back on Black he would four-bet to 55,000, with Honag folding behind and Ilya coming along. The two saw a flop of 6♠ 5♠ 8♣, and Black would lead for 100,000. Ilya was very deliberate in taking his time, and eventually announced himself all-in (about 80,000). Joe would make the call, and after asking Black is he had aces, Dyment would see the bad news:
Black: A♥ A♦
Dyment: Q♦ Q♣
Turn: 6♣
River: 5♥
Black would have command of the hand from start to finish, and he now jumps to the chip lead with 480,000.
Total Day 1A Entries: 447
 |
| Joe Black (New York, NY) |
Black: A♥ A♦
Dyment: Q♦ Q♣
Turn: 6♣
River: 5♥
Black would have command of the hand from start to finish, and he now jumps to the chip lead with 480,000.
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Chip Counts With Two To Go
Level 14 (Blinds 1,200/2,400/300)
Total Day 1A Entries: 447
With the beginning of Level 14 just moments ago, players only have two more levels remaining in the night. Blinds have just gone up to 1,500/3,000/400, with approximately 115 active players left in the field.
Here are some of the larger stacks taken from the end of Level 13:
Jason Rivkin - 420,000
Sean Wallace - 370,000
Phuc Hoang - 338,000
Tony Cheng - 285,000
Steve Thorton - 270,000
Bill Sanford - 240,000
Ilya Dyment - 240,000
David Kim - 210,000
Total Day 1A Entries: 447
 |
| Sean Wallace (Horsham, PA) |
Here are some of the larger stacks taken from the end of Level 13:
Jason Rivkin - 420,000
Sean Wallace - 370,000
Phuc Hoang - 338,000
Tony Cheng - 285,000
Steve Thorton - 270,000
Bill Sanford - 240,000
Ilya Dyment - 240,000
David Kim - 210,000
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Rivkin Rising High
Total Day 1A Entries: 447
 |
| Jason Rivkin (Toms River NJ) |
Rivkin would take his time before eventually making the call, and the two players saw a turn of 7. Willie immediately put out a bet of 65,000, and after once again some thought, Rivkin would announce himself all-in. The count revealed that it would be 25,300 more for Willie to call, but he would take time as well before pushing his cards towards the muck. Rivkin is now close to 300,000, and one of the chip leaders with two levels remaining.
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Liberto Chipping Up...And Making Friends
Level 13 (Blinds 1,200/2,400/500)
Total Day 1A Entries: 446
Justin Liberto (Baltimore, MD) had been grinding just above average throughout the day, but over the past (90) minutes he has trended steadily upward. Liberto currently has 180,000 in front of him, and enjoying his new table. Justin was moved to Table 52 after dinner break, joining friends Mike Azzarro (who has since busted), Asher Conniff, Alex, and Carol Lugashi.
Liberto and Carol have no history prior to today, but the chatty table has formed a new friendship. While Asher Conniff made sure to make a blog photo today, it was more his concern to give a shout to his mom Aimee. Only to be fair, Justin made sure to say hello to his mom Theresa, both moms following their sons on the blog.
Total Day 1A Entries: 446
 |
| Carol Lugashi, Justin Liberto, and Asher |
Liberto and Carol have no history prior to today, but the chatty table has formed a new friendship. While Asher Conniff made sure to make a blog photo today, it was more his concern to give a shout to his mom Aimee. Only to be fair, Justin made sure to say hello to his mom Theresa, both moms following their sons on the blog.
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Break Time
Level 12 (Blinds 1,000/2,000/300)
Total Day 1A Entries: 444
Players are heading on a (15) minute break, and when they return to Level 13, the blinds will be going up to 1,200/2,400/300. There are a few new names that have eclipsed the 200,000 mark, including:
Paul Antzoulis - 250,000
Pearson Potter - 232,000
Vernon "Uncle" Bludson - 230,000
Trevor Deeter - 200,000
Total Day 1A Entries: 444
Players are heading on a (15) minute break, and when they return to Level 13, the blinds will be going up to 1,200/2,400/300. There are a few new names that have eclipsed the 200,000 mark, including:
Paul Antzoulis - 250,000
Pearson Potter - 232,000
Vernon "Uncle" Bludson - 230,000
Trevor Deeter - 200,000
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): The Ladies That Remain
Level 12 (Blinds 1,000/2,000/300)
Total Day 1A Entries: 444
There was a large contingent of women to start the day, but now there are only five that remain. The leading lady is currently Gretchen Sonne, who is sitting with a stack of 68,000. Here are the others that are left and their chip counts:
Nancy Martin - 50,000
Sue Davies - 49,000
Carol Lugashi - 47,000
Katie Stone - 23,000
Players will be going on break at the end of this level (which is in eight minutes), and when they return the blinds will be going up to 1,200/2,400/300.
Total Day 1A Entries: 444
 |
| Gretchen Sonne |
Nancy Martin - 50,000
Sue Davies - 49,000
Carol Lugashi - 47,000
Katie Stone - 23,000
Players will be going on break at the end of this level (which is in eight minutes), and when they return the blinds will be going up to 1,200/2,400/300.
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Around No More
Level 12 (Blinds 1,000/2,000/300)
Total Day 1A Entries: 442
Today's Day 1A field is only (17) entries short of breaking the all-time single starting day number, and it seems as if we may reach that many. There are still many players that are busting and re-entering, but these players are done for the day:
Akib Ali
Jason Paster
Eric Rivkin
Amanda Musumeci
Total Day 1A Entries: 442
Today's Day 1A field is only (17) entries short of breaking the all-time single starting day number, and it seems as if we may reach that many. There are still many players that are busting and re-entering, but these players are done for the day:
Akib Ali
Jason Paster
Eric Rivkin
Amanda Musumeci
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Level Up/Updated Chip Counts
Level 12 (Blinds 1,000/2,000/3,000)
Total Day 1A Entries: 440
Players have just entered Level 12, with the blinds going up to 1,000/2,000/300. Here are some updated chip counts from the end of Level 11:
Ze Chen - 290,000
Sean Wallace - 260,000
Steve Thorton - 245,000
Patrick Halter - 225,000
Joe Black - 200,000
Malik Saunders - 185,000
Joe McKeehen - 175,000
Asher Conniff - 175,000
James Ingram - 170,000
Eric Rivkin - 152,000
Trevor Deeter - 140,000
Total Day 1A Entries: 440
 |
| Ze Chen (Flushing, NY) |
Ze Chen - 290,000
Sean Wallace - 260,000
Steve Thorton - 245,000
Patrick Halter - 225,000
Joe Black - 200,000
Malik Saunders - 185,000
Joe McKeehen - 175,000
Asher Conniff - 175,000
James Ingram - 170,000
Eric Rivkin - 152,000
Trevor Deeter - 140,000
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Saunders Making A Big Call
Level 11 (Blinds 800/1,600/200)
Total Day 1A Entries: 439
Walking up to Table 55, Malik Saunders (Upper Darby, PA) was deep in the tank, contemplating the all-in river bet (45,000) of his opponent. The board would read 8♠ 5♣ 4♥ 5♠ 5♦, with a pot in the middle well over 70,000. Malik was weary of the hand he was up against in this raised pot, but he would eventually verbalize the call. The dealer would let his opponent know it was time to table his hand, and he would throw down K♦ 8♣. Saunders would immediately turn over 9♣ 9♠ and exhale, as his hand was good for the pot, and a stack over 180,000.
Players in this Day 1A field are looking up at the moment at Sean Wallace (Horsham, PA) though, who sits with a stack of 260,000.
Total Day 1A Entries: 439
 |
| Malik Saunders (Upper Darby, PA) |
Players in this Day 1A field are looking up at the moment at Sean Wallace (Horsham, PA) though, who sits with a stack of 260,000.
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Taking A Break Before Returning
Level 11 (Blinds 800/1,600/200)
Total Day 1A Entries: 438
Jason Paster (Morganville, NJ) was mentioned earlier in the day when he arrived, but ended up busting only a few levels in. Paster was up in the air about re-entering today, so he left the room for the afternoon. Jason returned right after the dinner break ended, and he just doubled his starting stack moments ago. The hand was caught just as Benjamin Scholl called Paster's 30,000 all-in pre, with the hands tabled seconds later. Jason would lead the way with 9♥ 9♣ against the 8♣ 8♠ of Scholl, and after the 9♠ J♣ J♠ flop, Scholl would need a miracle to steal the hand away. The turn would have Ben drawing dead, and Paster would double to 71,000. After absorbing the loss, Scholl would be left with just over the starting stack (35,000).
Total Day 1A Entries: 438
Jason Paster (Morganville, NJ) was mentioned earlier in the day when he arrived, but ended up busting only a few levels in. Paster was up in the air about re-entering today, so he left the room for the afternoon. Jason returned right after the dinner break ended, and he just doubled his starting stack moments ago. The hand was caught just as Benjamin Scholl called Paster's 30,000 all-in pre, with the hands tabled seconds later. Jason would lead the way with 9♥ 9♣ against the 8♣ 8♠ of Scholl, and after the 9♠ J♣ J♠ flop, Scholl would need a miracle to steal the hand away. The turn would have Ben drawing dead, and Paster would double to 71,000. After absorbing the loss, Scholl would be left with just over the starting stack (35,000).
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Keeping It Joe-in'
Level 10 (Blinds 600/1,200/200)
Total Day 1A Entries: 435
Approaching Table 77, three players would be on the flop of 2♥ 6♥ 10♦, with Joe McKeehen first to act and betting out 3,300. Alan Kraut would be next to act and would make the call, with an unknown player raising to 13,500 on the button. With the action back on McKeehen, he would three-bet to 25,500. Alan Kraut would push his cards towards the muck and the unknown player would quickly push the rest of his stack into the middle (~20,000 more). McKeehen would make the call and the hands would be tabled:
Joe would have his opponent drawing dead on the turn, and with that pot he would chip up to 170,000.
Total Day 1A Entries: 435
Approaching Table 77, three players would be on the flop of 2♥ 6♥ 10♦, with Joe McKeehen first to act and betting out 3,300. Alan Kraut would be next to act and would make the call, with an unknown player raising to 13,500 on the button. With the action back on McKeehen, he would three-bet to 25,500. Alan Kraut would push his cards towards the muck and the unknown player would quickly push the rest of his stack into the middle (~20,000 more). McKeehen would make the call and the hands would be tabled:
McKeehen: 2♦ 2♣ (bottom set) Player X: A♣ 10♣ (top pair)
Turn: 4♥
River: 10♠
Joe would have his opponent drawing dead on the turn, and with that pot he would chip up to 170,000.
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Pham-ily First
Level 10 (Blinds 600/1,200/200)
Total Day 1A Entries: 430
It only took a few hands post-dinner for Ed Pham (Lansdale, PA) to grab the chip lead, sitting with over 230,000. Although the details haven't been verified, Pham was propelled by a sizable pot won against Justin Liberto (who was left short after absorbing the loss).
Pham is coming off a six month hiatus from the game, this after amassing career tournament earnings of $290,000. Ed is also a regular in the 10/10 NLH game, and is looking for his first ever cash at Parx.
There have been a few notables to bust Day 1A and decide not to re-enter this flight:
Matt Glantz
Kevin Bressler
Christine Brewer
Total Day 1A Entries: 430
 |
| Ed Pham (Lansdale, PA) |
Pham is coming off a six month hiatus from the game, this after amassing career tournament earnings of $290,000. Ed is also a regular in the 10/10 NLH game, and is looking for his first ever cash at Parx.
There have been a few notables to bust Day 1A and decide not to re-enter this flight:
Matt Glantz
Kevin Bressler
Christine Brewer
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Play Resumes
Level 10 (Blinds 600/1,200/200)
Total Day 1A Entries: 417
The trend of players entering dinner break continues as a handful of players walk up to the tournament podium to get their seats. The cards will be in the air in just a few minutes, with players posting blinds of 600/1,200/200.
Total Day 1A Entries: 417
The trend of players entering dinner break continues as a handful of players walk up to the tournament podium to get their seats. The cards will be in the air in just a few minutes, with players posting blinds of 600/1,200/200.
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Don't Look Now
Level 9 (Blinds 500/1,000/100)
Total Day 1A Entries: 411
With the ever changing landscape of tournament poker, big stacks can pop up out of nowhere. Joe McKeehen failed on his first bullet over the first few hours of the day, but since re-entering he has built up an above average stack. McKeehen is sitting with 135,000, just (10) minutes before dinner break.
Dinner break will begin at 6:20pm and will bring players back at approximately 7:35pm. The live coverage of Day 1A will resume once cards are again in the air.
Total Day 1A Entries: 411
 |
| Joe McKeehen (North Wales, PA) |
Dinner break will begin at 6:20pm and will bring players back at approximately 7:35pm. The live coverage of Day 1A will resume once cards are again in the air.
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Updated Counts Before Dinner
Level 9 (Blinds 500/1,000/100)
Total Day 1A Entries: 405
Players will be heading to dinner in just under (30) minutes, so the thoughts of end of Day 1A chip leader can now begin. Here are the players in the field over 100,000 (please keep in mind that things change by the minute):
James Ingram - 195,000
Joe Black - 190,000
Mike Cannon - 175,000
Goksel Aksoy - 145,000
Thai Ha - 145,000
Paul Antzoulis - 140,000
Malik Sanders - 135,000
Jim McCauley - 135,000
Steve Thorton - 130,000
Sean Wallace - 130,000
Steve Richinni - 110,000
Edward Pham - 110,000
Rocco Luciano - 105,000
Total Day 1A Entries: 405
Players will be heading to dinner in just under (30) minutes, so the thoughts of end of Day 1A chip leader can now begin. Here are the players in the field over 100,000 (please keep in mind that things change by the minute):
James Ingram - 195,000
Joe Black - 190,000
Mike Cannon - 175,000
Goksel Aksoy - 145,000
Thai Ha - 145,000
Paul Antzoulis - 140,000
Malik Sanders - 135,000
Jim McCauley - 135,000
Steve Thorton - 130,000
Sean Wallace - 130,000
Steve Richinni - 110,000
Edward Pham - 110,000
Rocco Luciano - 105,000
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Crushing The Numbers
Level 9 (Blinds 500/1,000/100)
Total Entries: 400
As of just seconds ago, the tournament clock shows 400 total entries for today's field. That means that the prize pool has already reached $114,000, just $36,000 short of the guarantee stamped on this entire event. Today's pace is right on with the record numbers that were seen for this event in February, so a close eye will be kept on that throughout the day.
Level 9 started just moments ago, with the blinds going up to 500/1,000/100. Players will finish this level before heading on a (75) dinner break. The Day 1A play will go through Level 15, at which point the clock will be paused with (10) minutes remaining, and the final number of hands will be determined. Those players remaining will then bag chips for Day 2 on Sunday (12:00pm).
Total Entries: 400
As of just seconds ago, the tournament clock shows 400 total entries for today's field. That means that the prize pool has already reached $114,000, just $36,000 short of the guarantee stamped on this entire event. Today's pace is right on with the record numbers that were seen for this event in February, so a close eye will be kept on that throughout the day.
Level 9 started just moments ago, with the blinds going up to 500/1,000/100. Players will finish this level before heading on a (75) dinner break. The Day 1A play will go through Level 15, at which point the clock will be paused with (10) minutes remaining, and the final number of hands will be determined. Those players remaining will then bag chips for Day 2 on Sunday (12:00pm).
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Glantz Takes Seat
Level 8 (Blinds 400/800/100)
Total Day 1A Entries: 393
Parx Poker Ambassador Matt Glantz (Lafayette Hill, PA) took his seat just moments ago, and it wasn't long before he was introducing himself to his table mates. Approaching Table 52, Glantz would be making it 3,300 pre out of the small blind (prior action yet to be verified). Akib Ali would come along, with Asher Connif folding behind. The players would go heads up to a flop of 8♠ A♥ 9♥. Matt would put out a bet of 3,000 and Ali would make the call. The two would then watch as the dealer put out the 6♣ on the turn, with Glantz's 6,300 bet getting called once more. After rthe 7♣ on the river, the action would quickly go check-check, and Matt would table A♦ 9♠ (top two pair).
Akib would look back at his cards before pushing them towards the muck, and Glantz would quickly chip up to 46,000 with that pot.
Total Day 1A Entries: 393
 |
| Matt Glantz (Lafayette Hill, PA) |
Akib would look back at his cards before pushing them towards the muck, and Glantz would quickly chip up to 46,000 with that pot.
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Blinds Are Climbing
Level 8 (Blinds 400/800/100)
Total Day 1A Entries: 385
Since eliminating Marvin Siegel from Day 1A play, Joe Black has trended upwards in a big way. He is now the chip leader in the field, sitting with just over 230,000. Black has seen some success during these Big Stax series, final tabling the Big Stax 500 last series (Big Stax VI). Black would be part of a four-way chop that earned him $38,416.
Players have just starting posting blinds of 400/800/100, as the level has transitioned once again (Level 8 just started). Here are some updated counts from the end of Level 7:
Joe Black - 230,000
Malik Sanders - 155,000
Mike Cannon - 140,000
Mohammed Farah - 140,000
Michael Matrone - 135,000
Total Day 1A Entries: 385
Since eliminating Marvin Siegel from Day 1A play, Joe Black has trended upwards in a big way. He is now the chip leader in the field, sitting with just over 230,000. Black has seen some success during these Big Stax series, final tabling the Big Stax 500 last series (Big Stax VI). Black would be part of a four-way chop that earned him $38,416.
Players have just starting posting blinds of 400/800/100, as the level has transitioned once again (Level 8 just started). Here are some updated counts from the end of Level 7:
Joe Black - 230,000
Malik Sanders - 155,000
Mike Cannon - 140,000
Mohammed Farah - 140,000
Michael Matrone - 135,000
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): How The Mighty Have Fallen
Level 7 (Blinds 300/600/100)
Total Entries: 379
The common phrase heard (not only in poker) is that "it's a marathon, not a sprint." The thought holds very true for tournament poker, especially will levels of this length and a structure so good. A player can by no means win a tournament on Day 1, but they can surely lose it. There are many more cliche sayings, but it unfolds every tournament. Three of the players who were mentioned earlier in the day with monster stacks are now sitting with fractions of those amounts. Goksel Aksoy was about to be the first player to eclipse the 200,000 mark, but he is now sitting with 34,000. Ala Vaziri was second in chips at one point...he now has 31,000. Tahir Ali has not fallen as much as the other two, but he's gone from 175,000 to 70,000 in the span of two levels.
Total Entries: 379
The common phrase heard (not only in poker) is that "it's a marathon, not a sprint." The thought holds very true for tournament poker, especially will levels of this length and a structure so good. A player can by no means win a tournament on Day 1, but they can surely lose it. There are many more cliche sayings, but it unfolds every tournament. Three of the players who were mentioned earlier in the day with monster stacks are now sitting with fractions of those amounts. Goksel Aksoy was about to be the first player to eclipse the 200,000 mark, but he is now sitting with 34,000. Ala Vaziri was second in chips at one point...he now has 31,000. Tahir Ali has not fallen as much as the other two, but he's gone from 175,000 to 70,000 in the span of two levels.
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Not Marv's Day
Level 7 (Blinds 300/600/100)
Total Day 1A Entries: 373
Parx regular Marvin Siegel (Monroe Township, NJ) had already been through two bullets, losing both with pocket aces (one time all-in pre). Passing Table 53, Marvin would be all-in pre once again, this time trying out a different hand:
Siegel: K♠ K♦
Black: A♦ K♣
Flop: 4♣ 5♦ 9♣
Turn: 8♣
River: 7♣
"It's just bizarre," Marvin would say as he collected his things and walked away from the table (Black made a four-flush on the river). After taking those beats, Siegel has decided to call it a day for tournaments, and is now waiting for 10/10 NLH.
Total Day 1A Entries: 373
 |
| Joe Black (New York, NY) |
Siegel: K♠ K♦
Black: A♦ K♣
Flop: 4♣ 5♦ 9♣
Turn: 8♣
River: 7♣
"It's just bizarre," Marvin would say as he collected his things and walked away from the table (Black made a four-flush on the river). After taking those beats, Siegel has decided to call it a day for tournaments, and is now waiting for 10/10 NLH.
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Flopping It All And Losing
Level 6 (Blinds 250/500/50)
Total Day 1A Entries: 356
The action at Table 50 would be caught on the flop of 8 7 9, with Todd Mullin sitting with a 5,000 bet in front of him. A Parx regular known by the name of "Pat" pushed forward his collection of chips (close to 20,000), with action folding back around to Mullin. Todd would put his remaining chips together and make the call:
Flop: 8♦ 7♦ 9♥
Pat: 5♦ 6♦ (straight w/ straight flush draw)
Mullin: A♦ 9♦ (top pair with flush draw)
Turn: 10♥
River: K♦
Pat flopped huge and just needed to fade a diamond or runner full house. The turn would leave Mullin drawing to a diamond for the win (or straight cards for a chop), and he'd get the diamond on the river. Mullin would chip up to 53,000 with the hand, while Pat would be eliminated, confirming that he will be back tomorrow for Day 1B.
Players are now going on their (15) minute break and will return to blinds of 300/600/100 in Level 7.
Total Day 1A Entries: 356
 |
| Todd Mullin |
Flop: 8♦ 7♦ 9♥
Pat: 5♦ 6♦ (straight w/ straight flush draw)
Mullin: A♦ 9♦ (top pair with flush draw)
Turn: 10♥
River: K♦
Pat flopped huge and just needed to fade a diamond or runner full house. The turn would leave Mullin drawing to a diamond for the win (or straight cards for a chop), and he'd get the diamond on the river. Mullin would chip up to 53,000 with the hand, while Pat would be eliminated, confirming that he will be back tomorrow for Day 1B.
Players are now going on their (15) minute break and will return to blinds of 300/600/100 in Level 7.
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Notable Chip Counts
Level 6 (Blinds 250/500/50)
Total Day 1A Entries: 348
There is usually a lot of focus on the bigger stacks of those seated, but throughout the series there will be an eye kept on many of the notables in the field as well. Here are some updated counts from the midway point of Level 6:
Antonio Walker - 100,000
Joe Black - 86,000
Sean Wallace - 56,000
David Kim - 55,000
Christine Brewer - 52,000
Mike Azzarro - 44,000
Amanda Musumeci - 42,000
Katie Stone - 39,000
Michael Marder - 37,000
Justin Liberto - 30,000
Eric Rivkin - 22,000
Nancy Martin - 20,000
Joe McKeehen - 17,000
Total Day 1A Entries: 348
There is usually a lot of focus on the bigger stacks of those seated, but throughout the series there will be an eye kept on many of the notables in the field as well. Here are some updated counts from the midway point of Level 6:
Antonio Walker - 100,000
Joe Black - 86,000
Sean Wallace - 56,000
David Kim - 55,000
Christine Brewer - 52,000
Mike Azzarro - 44,000
Amanda Musumeci - 42,000
Katie Stone - 39,000
Michael Marder - 37,000
Justin Liberto - 30,000
Eric Rivkin - 22,000
Nancy Martin - 20,000
Joe McKeehen - 17,000
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Level Up/New Names Emerging
Level 6 (Blinds 250/500/50)
Total Entries: 327
The clock just struck all zeroes on Level 5, and players will now be posting blinds of 250/500/50 in Level 6. At the conclusion of this level, players still active will be going on a (15) minute break. One thing to take notice of throughout the series is the good service available to all players (tournament/cash) located in the front of the poker room bar. There will be chef specialties offered tomorrow and Saturday during dinner, with the menu to be posted for those to see.
There are some new big stacks emerging across the room, including:
Tahir Ali - 175,000
Michael Matrone - 136,000
Bill Sanford - 120,000
Total Entries: 327
The clock just struck all zeroes on Level 5, and players will now be posting blinds of 250/500/50 in Level 6. At the conclusion of this level, players still active will be going on a (15) minute break. One thing to take notice of throughout the series is the good service available to all players (tournament/cash) located in the front of the poker room bar. There will be chef specialties offered tomorrow and Saturday during dinner, with the menu to be posted for those to see.
There are some new big stacks emerging across the room, including:
Tahir Ali - 175,000
Michael Matrone - 136,000
Bill Sanford - 120,000
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): All Eyes On The Bonus
Level 5 (Blinds 200/400/50)
Total Day 1A Entries: 319
One thing to return to the Big Stax VII series is the chip lead bonus at the end of each starting day. The player to bag the chip lead on each day with earn themselves $1,000, with Goksel Aksoy currently leading the way. Aksoy is sitting with 195,000 at the moment, with Ala Vaziri (second in chips) separated by only the dealer (Seats 1 and 9).
Research on Aksoy does not show any recorded results to his name, but any information found going forward will be posted. The re-entries continue to be fast and furious, with the all-time number to beat for a Day 1A during the Big Stax 300 currently 458 (Big Stax V in February of this year).
Total Day 1A Entries: 319
 |
| Goskel Aksoy |
Research on Aksoy does not show any recorded results to his name, but any information found going forward will be posted. The re-entries continue to be fast and furious, with the all-time number to beat for a Day 1A during the Big Stax 300 currently 458 (Big Stax V in February of this year).
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Deeter's Heater
Level 5 (Blinds 200/400/50)
Total Entries: 304
It all started with a Parx daily, when Trevor Deeter (Philadelphia, PA) won for $2,305. That's not really the case...but we'll stick to that reasoning behind Trevor's recent success. That daily tournament was sandwiched between to Las Vegas trips over the summer for Trevor.
Deeter's second time out west was for the $10,000 WSOP Main Event, where he would finish in 163rd place for $44,728 (just shy of his biggest score ever). Trevor would return home to play the $150 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 Guarantee) at Borgata, where he would go on to win, besting 987 total entries and collecting $32,306. This has been the most profitable month of Deeter's poker career, and his looks to capitalize once more during this Big Stax VII series.
Total Entries: 304
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| Trevor Deeter (Philadelphia, PA) |
Deeter's second time out west was for the $10,000 WSOP Main Event, where he would finish in 163rd place for $44,728 (just shy of his biggest score ever). Trevor would return home to play the $150 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 Guarantee) at Borgata, where he would go on to win, besting 987 total entries and collecting $32,306. This has been the most profitable month of Deeter's poker career, and his looks to capitalize once more during this Big Stax VII series.
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Early Counts/More Arrivals
Level 5 (Blinds 200/400/50)
Total Entries: 297
The field continues to grow at a steady pace, with players already showing why this series is called "Big Stax." More notables joined the field since last mentioned, including Justin Liberto, Jonathan Sonne, Michael Murphy, and Alan Kraut. Here are some of the top stacks (current as of Level 4):
Ala Vaziri - 103,000
Thai Ha - 95,000
Michael Goldberg - 93,000
Jason Rivkin - 75,000
James Brady - 70,000
Total Entries: 297
 |
| Ala Vaziri |
Ala Vaziri - 103,000
Thai Ha - 95,000
Michael Goldberg - 93,000
Jason Rivkin - 75,000
James Brady - 70,000
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): McKeehen Stamps His Name
Level 4 (Blinds 150/300/50)
Total Entries: 279
Joe McKeehen (North Wales, PA) made his name amongst the community with a breakout 2013, earning over $370,000 in the year's span. McKeehen was final tabling events all across the country, and was seemingly deep in every tournament he played. The phrase "run like Joe," was commonly heard amongst tournament circles, with McKeehen kicking off 2014 in the same fashion.
In the first five months of 2014, Joe has six final table finishes, including wins at Borgata, Foxwoods, and Venetian to start off his WSOP summer. Then came Event #51 ($1,500 No Limit Hold'em Monster Stack), which was one of the summer's most talked about events. The tournament drew 7,862 entries and a prize pool north of $10,600,000. McKeehen would best 7,861 of the entries, finishing runner-up to Hugo Pingray, and earning himself $820,863. It was by far the largest of McKeehen's lifetime cashes, and made his name a household one in poker rooms across the country.
McKeehen took his seat just moments ago at Table 68, approached with many handshakes and congratulations from players seeing him for the first time since the series.
Total Entries: 279
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| Joe McKeehen (North Wales, PA) |
In the first five months of 2014, Joe has six final table finishes, including wins at Borgata, Foxwoods, and Venetian to start off his WSOP summer. Then came Event #51 ($1,500 No Limit Hold'em Monster Stack), which was one of the summer's most talked about events. The tournament drew 7,862 entries and a prize pool north of $10,600,000. McKeehen would best 7,861 of the entries, finishing runner-up to Hugo Pingray, and earning himself $820,863. It was by far the largest of McKeehen's lifetime cashes, and made his name a household one in poker rooms across the country.
McKeehen took his seat just moments ago at Table 68, approached with many handshakes and congratulations from players seeing him for the first time since the series.
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): First Break Of The Day
Level 3 (Blinds 100/200/25)
Total Entries: 253
Players are about to head on their first (15) minute break of the day, and they will be returning to Level 4 and blinds of 150/300/50. The list of notables continue to grow, as the fashionably late crew arrives mid way through Level 3:
David Inselberg
James Brady
Michael Azzarro
Asher Coniff
Jeffrey Spence
David Kim
Christine Brewer
Amanda Musumeci
Katie Stone
Joe Cappuccio
Total Entries: 253
Players are about to head on their first (15) minute break of the day, and they will be returning to Level 4 and blinds of 150/300/50. The list of notables continue to grow, as the fashionably late crew arrives mid way through Level 3:
David Inselberg
James Brady
Michael Azzarro
Asher Coniff
Jeffrey Spence
David Kim
Christine Brewer
Amanda Musumeci
Katie Stone
Joe Cappuccio
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Oh So Close
Level 3 (Blinds 100/200/25)
Total Entries: 245
One of the later entries this afternoon happens to be one of the Parx regulars to get closest to a WSOP bracelet this summer. Jason Paster (Morganville, NJ) was as close as you can get without putting hands on the bracelet, finishing runner-up to Kyle Cartwright in Event #4 ($1,000 No Limit Hold'em). Paster's consolation to not taking home may have taken the sting away slightly, as he was able to collect $223,518 for the second place finish.
Jason was a fixture at the 10/10 NL cash game from the moment the poker room opened its doors. He could be found each morning starting the game with good friend Trevor Savage, and frequently played in many of the tournament series run over time. With the introduction of online poker to New Jersey, Paster's time became split between that and live action.
Since returning from Las Vegas and the WSOP, Jason has shifted his focus back to live tournament/cash action, and committed to playing all of the trophy events during this series.
Total Entries: 245
 |
| Jason Paster (Morganville, NJ) |
Jason was a fixture at the 10/10 NL cash game from the moment the poker room opened its doors. He could be found each morning starting the game with good friend Trevor Savage, and frequently played in many of the tournament series run over time. With the introduction of online poker to New Jersey, Paster's time became split between that and live action.
Since returning from Las Vegas and the WSOP, Jason has shifted his focus back to live tournament/cash action, and committed to playing all of the trophy events during this series.
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Getting Down To Action
Level 3 (Blinds 100/200/25)
Total Day 1A Entries: 236
As all of the "Hello, how was the summer," continued throughout the room (it feels kind of like the first day of school), a pretty sizable hand was playing out between Jesse Cohen and Thai Ha. The two players got the chips in on the flop of a pot worth over 60,000:
Cohen: 10♣ 9♣
Ha: 10♠ 9♠
Flop: 10♥ 9♦ 6♠
Turn: 4♠
River: 5♠
Players would have the same hand, but Ha would have the free roll to a flush. Things got a little "white-knuckled" for Cohen when Ha did turn the flush draw, and it was a quiet exit for Jesse once Thai hit on the river. Ha is off to a very quick start and his stack of 64,000 is top ten in the room.
Total Day 1A Entries: 236
 |
| Thai Ha (Factoryville, PA) |
Cohen: 10♣ 9♣
Ha: 10♠ 9♠
Flop: 10♥ 9♦ 6♠
Turn: 4♠
River: 5♠
Players would have the same hand, but Ha would have the free roll to a flush. Things got a little "white-knuckled" for Cohen when Ha did turn the flush draw, and it was a quiet exit for Jesse once Thai hit on the river. Ha is off to a very quick start and his stack of 64,000 is top ten in the room.
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Not Leaving Anyone Out
Level 2 (Blinds 75/150)
Total Entries: 203
The field has already crossed the 200 entry mark, and it's only growing by the minute. While it's hard to recognize all of the notables in the field, each time more pop up is the time more will be mentioned:
John Robinson
Eric Rivkin
Vincent Caesar
Eric Rivkin
Joe Spillane
Jimmy Lillis
David Heck
Jeff Gross
Michael Sandler
Bryan Hayes
Michael Drabot
Byung Yoo
Matthew Kustafik
Igor Rabinovich
Ray Ross
Kevin Grabel
Total Entries: 203
The field has already crossed the 200 entry mark, and it's only growing by the minute. While it's hard to recognize all of the notables in the field, each time more pop up is the time more will be mentioned:
John Robinson
Eric Rivkin
Vincent Caesar
Eric Rivkin
Joe Spillane
Jimmy Lillis
David Heck
Jeff Gross
Michael Sandler
Bryan Hayes
Michael Drabot
Byung Yoo
Matthew Kustafik
Igor Rabinovich
Ray Ross
Kevin Grabel
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Making Dad Proud
Level 2 (Blinds 75/150)
Total Entries: 187
Milton Jaffee (Staten Island, NY) has become a tournament regular here at Parx, with seven of his nine career recorded cashes coming in this room. He did have one cash this summer during the WSOP, finishing in 181st place during Event #17 ($1,000 No Limit Hold'em - Seniors Championship). Milton would earn $2,986 for the finish, but that surely was not the highlight of the summer for him.
Milton's son Jared Jaffee (Brooklyn, NY), a well known and accomplished player in the community, won his first WSOP bracelet late in the series. Jared took down Event #58 ($1,500 No Limit Hold'em - Mixed Max), winning himself over $405,000 and pushing his career earnings north of $2,000,000. Although Milton was not able to see the win in person, he was able to watch every bit of the heads-up action via the live stream provided.
The elder Jaffee may have a very long way to match the numbers his son has put up, but he's got an excellent teacher if he so chooses.
Total Entries: 187
 |
| Milton Jaffee (Staten Island, NY) |
Milton's son Jared Jaffee (Brooklyn, NY), a well known and accomplished player in the community, won his first WSOP bracelet late in the series. Jared took down Event #58 ($1,500 No Limit Hold'em - Mixed Max), winning himself over $405,000 and pushing his career earnings north of $2,000,000. Although Milton was not able to see the win in person, he was able to watch every bit of the heads-up action via the live stream provided.
The elder Jaffee may have a very long way to match the numbers his son has put up, but he's got an excellent teacher if he so chooses.
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Forever The First
Level 2 (Blinds 75/150)
Total Entries: 165
Although it's only been a little over a year, it seems like ages ago that Jason Rivkin (Toms River, NJ) won the inaugural Big Stax 300 in February of 2013. Jason bested a field of 1,361 entries, defeating Bryan Hayes heads-up at approximately 9:00am. Day 3 lasted close to (19) hours, with the heads-up play taking up close to a quarter of that. Rivkin would earn himself $73,161 for the win, his largest recorded cash to date.
He's only one of many notables not mentioned in the most recent post:
Arthur Bressler
Rocco Luciano
Joe Palma
James Sloat
Benjamin Scholl
Michael Matrone
Baruch Altman
James Governa
Total Entries: 165
 |
| Jason Rivkin (Toms River, NJ) |
He's only one of many notables not mentioned in the most recent post:
Arthur Bressler
Rocco Luciano
Joe Palma
James Sloat
Benjamin Scholl
Michael Matrone
Baruch Altman
James Governa
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Notables Galore
Level 1 (Blinds 50/100)
Total Entries: 143
The tournament area (for those who haven't it made it yet) has been moved to the main poker room, opposed to past series held in the clubhouse room. The field is growing at a steady pace, with new tables opening seemingly every few minutes. Many of the familiar faces to the Parx Poker Room are already seated and in action, with a short list of those spotted:
Michael Marder
Nancy Martin
Ken Silberstein
Kevin Bressler
Marvin Siegel
Fritz Stoner
The very promising thing about this opening starting day is the amount of new faces in the crowd. The Big Stax series has clearly taken off in popularity, with players making sure not to miss a tournament of such great value. It will be interesting to note if this uptick in new players brings even larger fields throughout the next two weeks.
Total Entries: 143
The tournament area (for those who haven't it made it yet) has been moved to the main poker room, opposed to past series held in the clubhouse room. The field is growing at a steady pace, with new tables opening seemingly every few minutes. Many of the familiar faces to the Parx Poker Room are already seated and in action, with a short list of those spotted:
Michael Marder
Nancy Martin
Ken Silberstein
Kevin Bressler
Marvin Siegel
Fritz Stoner
The very promising thing about this opening starting day is the amount of new faces in the crowd. The Big Stax series has clearly taken off in popularity, with players making sure not to miss a tournament of such great value. It will be interesting to note if this uptick in new players brings even larger fields throughout the next two weeks.
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Cards Are In The Air!!!
Level 1 (Blinds 50/100)
Total Entries: TBD
The tournament supervisor has just gone over the rules announcement, with players already have taken their seats. Cards are in the air and Big Stax VII is now officially underway!! There has been a buzz this morning on Twitter coming from players on their way to the tournament, and as the seats begin to fill across the room, a list of notables will be posted shortly.
Total Entries: TBD
The tournament supervisor has just gone over the rules announcement, with players already have taken their seats. Cards are in the air and Big Stax VII is now officially underway!! There has been a buzz this morning on Twitter coming from players on their way to the tournament, and as the seats begin to fill across the room, a list of notables will be posted shortly.
Big Stax Kicks Off With Satellite Success
Tonight was the "unofficial" beginning of Big Stax VII, as the first of four satellites began over four hours ago. The "super satellite" offered a prize of (1) seat to both the Big Stax 300 and the Big Stax 500. Tonight's opener had a buy-in of $175 + 25 and attracted 112 total entries once registration closed for the night. The prize pool totaled $19,600, with 22 players "cashing" in the event and receiving seats (23rd place earned $560).
Tomorrow at 11:00am will be the official beginning of Big Stax VII, as the Big Stax 300 will get the cards in the air. Players will begin with a 30,000 starting stack, with levels lasting (45) minutes throughout each Day 1. Registration stays open throughout the entire day (each Day 1), with both entries and re-entries receiving full stacks. Live coverage of Day 1A begins the moment the cards are in the air, scheduled for 11:00am.
Tomorrow at 11:00am will be the official beginning of Big Stax VII, as the Big Stax 300 will get the cards in the air. Players will begin with a 30,000 starting stack, with levels lasting (45) minutes throughout each Day 1. Registration stays open throughout the entire day (each Day 1), with both entries and re-entries receiving full stacks. Live coverage of Day 1A begins the moment the cards are in the air, scheduled for 11:00am.
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