Big Stax VII: Big Stax 300 Recap (Final Table Results)

There aren't many poker tournaments out there that are accessible to the budding recreational player, while offering a structure and value that attracts some of the top professionals in the community.  With 1,848 total entries, a $526,680 prize fund, and a first place prize over $108,000, the Big Stax 300 has reached a "must play" status.  Giving just enough time for players to recharge from the WSOP grind, along with local buzz leading up to the series, it was clear from the first starting day that this was going to be a special event.

Jason Paster

The initial story beyond the numbers was the Parx Poker representation at the WSOP.  The three starting days saw two players who fell one spot short of a bracelet, as Jason Paster (2nd Place Event #4 - $1,000 No Limit Hold'em) and Joseph McKeehen (2nd Place Event # 51 - $1,500 No Limit Hold'em Monster Stack) both returned to a chorus of congratulations from staff and fellow players alike.  The field also saw it's newest bracelet winner try to make another deep Big Stax run, as Jared Jaffee (Brooklyn, NY) returned to Parx off the heels of winning Event #58 ($1,500 No Limit Hold'em  Mixed-Max).  

Once the play started though, the focus was strictly on poker, and trying to reach Day 2 with some chips in the bag.  The $1,000 end of day chip lead bonus was back, with former Parx dealer Phuc Hoang (Day 1A), notable high stakes cash game player Dan Wach (Day 1B), and Neal Gay (Day 1C) all bagging the on their respective starting days.  Other notables to bag top five stacks moving forward towards Day 2 included Jason Rivkin, Joe Reddick, Sean Wallace, Scott Blackman, and Jonathan Borestein.  

One of the biggest questions coming into Day 2 was whether or not this field was going to reach the record number of 1,857 set back in February.  The trend of buying in the morning of Day 2 has become a very popular one, especially with the recent success of players doing just that.  Once the cards were in the air and registration was closed, the final number would fall just short, but very healthy 1,848 total entries.  The field reached the money bubble fairly quickly, as the elimination of Charles Welch (Baltimore, MD) in 198th place meant those remaining would be cashing.  The early story of the day was Juan Valdez (Philadelphia, PA), who was steam rolling his table on his way to becoming the first player over 1,000,000 in chips.  Day 2 was scheduled to play to the conclusion of Level 24 (or final table), with deep runs made by Joe Mckeehen (81st place), Trevor Deeter (73rd place), AJ DeNicco (61st place), Michael Marder (47th place), and Jamie Kerstetter (42nd place).  When the day was done though, there would be 28 players going forward to Day 3, with a list of big names still in the running (Scott Blackman, Dan Wach, Justin Liberto, Kevin Tran, Jose Montes, Trevor Savage, David Kim, Mike Azzaro, Daniel Chan, and Jeffrey Spence).

Sentiments on Twitter and social media clearly showed Justin Liberto as one of the favorites coming

Justin Liberto

back to Day 3.  Many would ask the question why not him, coming off Big Stax VI were he chopped the Big Stax 300 and 1500, and finished 18th in the Big Stax 500.  It looked as if those premonitions were coming true, and Liberto sent home Richard Lipson minutes into the day (28th place - $2,252), sending the field into a redraw.  Although Trevor Savage (Mantua, NJ) would be eliminated next, he had to be positive about his first live tournament played in over a year.  The notables would continue to fall, as Mike Azzaro (24th place), Daniel Chan (20th place), David Kim (19th place), Justin Liberto (18th place), Jeffrey Spence (17th place), and Juan Valdez (14th place) all fell short of the final table.

Scott Blackman

The final table was reached at about 7:45pm, with players heading to dinner before returning to finish out the tournament.  It's unlikely anyone would be cognizant of what was to follow, as play stood with a chip average over 50 big blinds deep the rest of the way out.  Players were able to absorb huge losses without being forced into "shove-mode," leaving quality play the entire night into the morning.  The names would start falling one by one, as Kevin Tran (10th place - $4,608), Dennis Thurman (8th place - $8,012), and Dan Wach (6th place - $13,616) lasted well into the night.  After the elimination of Wach, it would be close to two hours before Sergio Loureiro busted in 5th place ($17,805), and another two hours for Jose Montes to depart in 4th place ($23,042).  It was now 5:00am, but the three players remaining (Frederick Ferrell, Michael Jelaso, and Scott Blackman) weren't about to end it there.  The marathon Day 3 ended almost twelve hours after reaching the final table, with Scott Blackman (Egg Harbor Township, NJ) getting his hands on the trophy and over $108,000.  

Final Table Results:

1. Scott Blackman (Egg Harbor Twp., NJ) - $108,035
2. Michael Jelaso (Long Beach, NY) - $64,936
3. Frederick Ferrell (Philadelphia, PA) - $33,516
4. Jose Montes (Bronx, NY) -$23,042
5. Sergio Loureiro (Wayne, NJ) - $17,805
6. Dan Wach (Boonton, NJ) - $13,616
7. Richard Guadagnino (Beachwood, NJ) - $10,474
8. Dennis Thurman (Fisk, MO) - $8,012
9. Craig Lozak (North Wales, PA) - $6,284
10. Kevin Tran (Center Valley, PA) - $4,608