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Friday, August 8, 2014

Big Stax 500 (Day 1B): Glantz Has Company

Level 15 (Blinds 2,000/4,000/500)
Total Day 1B Entries: 203

Andrew Lydon
The remaining field has returned from break, with action in this level playing down to 10:00 showing on the clock.  At that time, the tournament supervisor will draw a random amount of hands to end the night, and those left will then bag once those hands are completed.  Here are some updated counts of players in contention for the chip lead bonus:

Matt Glantzx - 363,000
Andrew Lydon - 358,000
Sandeep Patel - 345,000
Deding Xu - 330,000
Lou Saxon - 300,000

Big Stax 500 (Day 1B): Glantz Eyeing The Bonus

Level 14 (Blinds 1,500/3,000/400)
Total Day 1B Entries: 201

Matt Glantz (Lafayette Hills, PA)
Over half the way through the level, the chip leader is now none only than Parx Poker Ambassador Matt Glantz (Lafayette Hills, PA).  Glantz sits with 390,000 in front of him, one of only a couple of players even over the 300,000 mark.  His table has become one of the more difficult of those remaining, with tables around the room breaking and bringing together:

Kyle Bowker
Joe McKeehen
Sandeep Patel
Vincent Caesar
John DiBella

Players will be going on their final break of the night, while the tournament floor colors off the brown (100 denomination) chips.  Play will return in Level 15 with blinds of 2,000/4,000/500.

Big Stax 500 (Day 1B): Updated Chip Counts

Level 13 (Blinds 1,200/2,400/300)
Total Day 1B Entries: 200

Players have less than ten minutes remaining in Level 13, with blinds going up to 1,500/3,000/400 in Level 14.  There will then be a (15) minute break at the end of the level, before players return to finish out the night.  Here are some updated counts from the field:

Mike Cannon - 325,000
Sandeep Patel - 280,000
Lou Saxon - 275,000
Matt Glantz - 255,000
Dave Novak - 240,000
Robert Aaronson - 235,000
Matteo Menna - 230,000
Asher Conniff - 185,000
John DiBella - 185,000
Deding Xu - 180,000

Big Stax 500 (Day 1B): Showing The Ladies Some Love

Level 13 (Blinds 1,200/2,400/300)
Total Day 1B Entries: 199

Sherri Moores
While yesterday saw only two women remaining at this point of the day, there are currently six left at the current moment (with three at the same table).  The leading lady of the six has a Big Stax final table to her name, and she's trying to position herself for another deep run:

Sherri Moores - 135,000
Judith Bielan - 80,000
Dawn Wilno - 72,000
Stephanie Hubbard - 68,000
Sandra Seligman - 31,000
Cathy Dever - 29,000

Big Stax 500 (Day 1B): Novak's Chip Lead Pot

Level 12 (Blinds 1,000/2,000/300)
Total Day 1B Entries: 197

Dave Novak
"I know it's a flip, and I'm winning it this time," were the words out of a younger players mouth, talking to Dave Novak.  The two were all-in pre and very close in chips, racing for a pot worth 250,000:

Novak: Q♠ Q♣
Player X: A♠ K♣

Runout: 9 3♠ 9♠ 3 5♣

Novak's opponents premonition was not quite correct, as Dave's hand held, and he would become one of the chip leaders in the field.  Players are going on break in less than five minutes, and will return to Level 13 and blinds of 1,200/2,400/300.

Big Stax 500 (Day 1B): Lind Lands A Nice Pot

Level 12 (Blinds 1,000/2,000/300)
Total Day 1B Entries: 193

Staffan Lind (Vero Beach, FL)
Another player with Big Stax final table history is chipping up, as Staffan Lind (Vero Beach, FL) sends a player to the rail.  Passing Lind's table, he'd bet enough on the turn to put his opponent as risk, with his adversary making the call:

Board: 5 3 Q J♠

Lind: J 3 (two pair)
Player X: A 4 (combo draw)

River: K♣

Lind's two pair would hold up against the straight/flush outs, and he'd pick up the pot worth close to 90,000.  Lind is up to 185,000, and with history of having bagged a chip lead bonus before, it may be something in the back of his mind.

Big Stax 500 (Day 1B): New Names Chipping Up

Level 11 (Blinds 800/1,600/200)
Total Day 1B Entries: 191

The field continues to shrink down, with just under (90) players currently active on ten tables.  There have been a few notables to bust without re-entering, including Antonio Payne and Justin Liberto.  There are also some new names climbing up the leaderboard:

Sandeep Patel - 285,000
Asher Conniff - 170,000
Jeff Gross - 165,000
Ilya Ekshtut - 145,000
Matt Glantz - 135,000
Marvin Siegel - 120,000
Jia Liu - 110,000

Big Stax 500 (Day 1B): Following His Brother's Footsteps

Level 11 (Blinds 800/1,600/200)
Total Day 1B Entries: 188

Jia Liu (Brooklyn, NY)
Jia Liu (Brooklyn, NY) has an older brother (Shi Jia Liu) with over $690,000 in career tournament earnings, including a major win from 2012 ($2,500 Borgata Spring Poker Open Championship Event - $312,483).  While the younger Liu has only a third of the amount in lifetime earnings, he is already on his way with major tournament wins.

Jia won the DeepStacks Poker Tour Wold Championship ($2,500 NLH - Mohegan Sun) for just under $130,000, and has since cashed in two WSOP events this year.  Liu is currently seated at Table 44, and is comfortable at the moment with 100,000.  Jia also has one Big Stax cash to his name, finishing 36th in the Big Stax 500 earlier this February.

Big Stax 500 (Day 1B): Cannon Knocking Two Out

Level 10 (Blinds 600/1,200/200)
Total Day 1B Entries: 188

Mike Cannon (Harrisburg, PA)
At Table 47, Mike Cannon would having two players at risk (all-in pre), once of which was Parx regular Joe Palma:

Cannon: A♣ A♠
Palma: K Q
Player Y: A 10

Flop: 10♣ 9 2♣
Turn: 8
River: Q♣

While both players that were all-in were fairly short stacked, Cannon would win the pot worth close to 40,000.  He is now over 140,000 (115 big blinds), and looking to best his cash from the Big Stax 300.

Big Stax 500 (Day 1B): Back In Action

Level 10 (Blinds 600/1,200/200)
Total Day 1B Entries: 186

Players are seated once again and ready to finish out the night.  There are many notables still active and looking to put themselves in good position for Day 2 on Sunday:


Marvin Siegel Jason Rivkin
James Sloat Stephanie Hubbard
James Ingram John DiBella
Asher Conniff Jeffrey Spence
Dawn Wilno Michael Sandler
Alex Rocha Mike Azzaro
Vincent Caesar Jesse Cohen
Matt Glantz Joe McKeehen
Greg Fishberg Antonio Payne
Kevin Tran Cathy Dever
Tom Dobralovic Joe Palma
Frank Ferrigno Maggie Morris

Big Stax 500 (Day 1B): Dinner Break

Level 9 (Blinds 500/1,000/100)
Total Day 1B Entries: 180

Players are headed on a (75) minute dinner break that will last from 6:20-7:35pm. When those active players return, the blinds in Level 10 will be 600/1,200/200. Live coverage will return once the cards are back in the air.

Big Stax 500 (Day 1B): Big Stacks Before Dinner

Level 9 (Blinds 500/1,000/100)
Total Day 1B Entries: 178

Mike Azzaro 
Players have just entered Level 6, with blinds going up to 500/1,000/100.  This will be the last level before dinner, which will last from 6:20-7:35pm.  Here are the three of the larger stacks in the room heading into Level 6:

Mike Azzaro - 200,000
Vel Sathienathan - 180,000
Sandeep Patel - 160,000

Big Stax 500 (Day 1B): Satellite Into Main Running Tonight

Level 8 (Blinds 400/800/100)
Total Day 1B Entries: 170

A reminder for all of those players following the live updates and not currently active in today's field, there is a $230 No Limit Hold'em Satellite into the Big Stax 1500 running at 7:00pm this evening.  Players will sit down to a starting stack of 15,000, with (25) minute levels throughout the tournament.  Late entry (and re-entry) is open until the end of Level 8, with one seat into the Big Stax 1500 given away for every $1,600 in the prize pool.

Big Stax 500 (Day 1B): Level Up/Updated Chip Counts

Level 8 (Blinds 400/800/100)
Total Day 1B Entries: 166

The tournament supervisor has just announced the beginning of Level 8, with blinds going up to 400/800/100.  Here are some updated chip counts from the last level's end:

Michael Sandler - 115,000
Cathy Dever - 105,000
Chau Nguyen - 100,000
Ray Shackelford - 85,000
Matt Glantz - 75,000
Vincent Caesar - 65,000
Tim Little - 65,000
Joe McKeehen - 58,000
Justin Liberto - 30,000

Big Stax VII ($230 No Limit Hold'em Seniors Event): Final Results

Big Stax VII
August 6, 2014

$200 + 30 No Limit Hold'em Seniors Event

Total Entries: 100
Total Prize Fund: $19,400

Final Results:


Place Player Name Prize
1 Sidney Miller $6,014
2 Harry  Bressler $3,686
3 Daniele Focarelli $2,157
4 Robert Goffredo $1,649
5 Michael Faccenda $1,245
6 Ronald Kamens $995
7 John Krause $815
8 Michael Bayer $679
9 Nicholas Cook $582
10 Michael Einhorn $501
11 Raymond Dever Jr. $359
12 Robert Moy $359
13 James McCarthy $359

Big Stax 500 (Day 1B): Twitter Counts From Break

Level 7 (Blinds 300/600/100)
Total Day 1B Entries: 155

The Twitter-verse has been pretty alive surrounding the debate over the possibly rules change for Big Stax tournaments, but there are also chip counts being updated throughout as well:

Big Stax 500 (Day 1B): Break Time

Level 7 (Blinds 250/500/50)
Total Day 1B Entries: 148

Players have just cleared out of the tournament area and are on a (15) minute break.  They will return to Level 7 and blinds of 250/500/50.  There will be three more levels played, and after Level 9 finishes up, those still active in the field will go on a (75) minute dinner break.  As mentioned numerous times over the past week, the poker minds behind the Parx Poker Room are always looking to better the tournaments.  There is currently discussion about a rules change, and Poker Room Ambassador Matt Glantz is looking for feedback from players:


Big Stax 500 (Day 1B): Later Arrivals

Level 6 (Blinds 250/500/50)
Total Day 1B Entries: 147

Players have been filing in all day as the number of entries continues to climb, bringing the event close to the guarantee.  The most recent players to take their seats include:

Joe McKeehen
Matteo Menna
Matt Glantz
Jeff Gross
CJ Joshi
Dave Novak
Jia Liu
Tom Dobralovic
Kyle Bowker

Big Stax 500 (Day 1B): Updated Chip Counts

Level 6 (Blinds 250/500/50)
Total Day 1B Entries: 141

Players have just entered Level 6, and will finish out this level before heading on their second (15) minute break of the day.  Here are some updated chip counts from the level's transition:

Ibraim Ibraimovic - 120,000
Frank Ferrigno - 110,000
Mike Azzaro - 95,000
Gregory Fishberg - 80,000
Dawn Wilno - 65,000
Alex Rocha - 58,000
Ilya Ekshtut - 48,000
Maggie Morris - 40,000
Kevin Tran - 32,000
Justin Liberto - 24,000
Alyson Parker - 10,000

Big Stax 500 (Day 1B): Fishberg Flopping Sets

Level 5 (Blinds 200/400/50)
Total Day 1B Entries: 138

Greg Fishberg (Willow Grove, PA)
Greg Fishberg (Willow Grove, PA) sat still while his remaining 30,825 was piled neatly across the betting line.  The board would read 2♠ 5 J 8♣ and his opponent was deep in the tank.  After a few minutes of chip shuffling, Greg's opponent asked for a count, and decided to make the call:

Board: 2♠ 5 J 8♣

Fishberg: 5 5♣
Player X: Q Q♠

River: K♣

The river would bring paint, but it wasn't the type that Fishberg's opponent was looking for.  Greg would double to over 75,000 with that pot, well above the current average in the room.

Big Stax 500 (Day 1B): Maggie Morris Is A #Boss

Level 5 (Blinds 200/400/50)
Total Day 1B Entries: 133

Maggie Morris (Stamford, CT)
So Maggie Morris (Stamford, CT) breaks into the tournament scene earlier this year, taking home first place money ($95,000) in a three way chop of the Big Stax V/Big Stax 300.  She would best a final table that included the likes of Joe McKeehen, Joel Gola, and Rocco Luciano, on her way to the biggest payday of her life.  The relative unknown player may have been looked at by others as a flash in the pan, but she continued to go deep in tournaments, including a $500 No Limit Hold'em event at Borgata (5th Place - $8,497).

Even after all of those results, Maggie would make sure that any of the doubters out there would have no value claims.  Morris final tabled Event #49 ($5,000 No Limit Hold'em) during this summer's WSOP, finishing in fourth place and earning over $212,000.  It's clear that Maggie is just a boss, but because of her work schedule, she doesn't get a chance to play nearly as much as she would like.  She just took her seat at Table 49 for the first time this series, and has already tweeted out to friends (that already bagged) that she hopes to see them on Sunday.

Big Stax 500 (Day 1B): First Back From Big Stax 300 Marathon

Level 4 (Blinds 150/300/50)
Total Day 1B Entries: 102

Sergio Loureiro (Wayne, NJ)
It was a long a grueling final table for the final six players of the Big Stax 300, but it looks like enough time has passed for one of those players to recuperate.  Sergio Loureiro (Wayne, NJ) finished in fifth place ($17,805) on Monday, flopping trips on his final hand, but getting his chips in on the turn when Jose Montes had made a straight.  Loureiro had only one recorded cash prior to that finish, but it's clear that he's hungry for more results and a deeper run this time around.

Also seated at Sergio's table is Frankie Flowers, a Foxwoods regular who arrived yesterday for Day 1A, but was unable to bag chips moving forward towards Day 2.

Big Stax 500 (Day 1B): Updated Chip Counts

Level 4 (Blinds 150/300/25)
Total Day 1B Entries: 102

Players are back from break and the cards are once again in the air.  Here are some updated chip counts taken while players were away from the tournament area:

Daryl Boatwright - 70,000
Ray Shackelford - 65,000
Stephanie Hubbard - 61,000
Frank Ferrigno - 59,000
Antonio Payne - 56,000
Michael Sandler - 55,000
Jason Rivkin - 42,000
Vincent Caesar - 38,000
Jesse Cohen - 36,000
James Ingram - 27,000

Big Stax 500 (Day 1B): First Break Of The Day

Level 4 (Blinds 150/300/35)
Total Day 1B Entries: 101

Players are heading on their first (15) minute break of the day, and they will return to Level 4 and blinds of 150/300/25.  There have been a few more new additions to the field, including Justin Liberto and Michael "Mr. Huge" Hug.  Some updated chip counts will be posted once players clear the tables and return from break.

Big Stax 500 (Day 1B): Rough River For Robinson

Level 3 (Blinds 100/200/25)
Total Day 1B Entries: 101

Dave Rittmeyer
There would be a sizable pot unfolding at Table 51, as three players were looking down at a board of 7♠ 6 2♠ Q.  John Robinson was on the button and sitting with 12,425 in front of him (he was all-in).  Dave Rittmeyer and another player made the call, and watched as the dealer placed the 7 on the river.  Rittmeyer looked up and announced himself all-in, with his active opponent folding quickly.  Robinson would announce that he had a full house as he turned over 6♠ 6♣, but David turned over a bigger full house to take down the pot (Q 7).  Robinson would leave the table after collecting his things, while Rittmeyer chips up to 62,000 with the pot.

Big Stax 500 (Day 1B): Above Average Stacks Already In The Bag

Level 3 (Blinds 100/200/25)
Total Day 1B Entries: 90

As the early stages of the day lack that real excitement (with players holding over 200 big blinds in front of them), it gives a chance to look back at the action from yesterday.  The chip average from Day 1A ended at 213,000, but note that the number will change by the time Day 2 begins on Sunday. Here are all of the players to bag above average stacks last night:

ChristopherRichNorth Massapequ, NY 570,500
AnthonyGarofaloPhiladelphia, PA547,500
AdamLarkinNew York City, NY537,000
EugeneZaslavskyMarlboro, NJ410,000
David DatashviliForest Hills, NY406,000
KaranSehgalEaston, PA353,500
JonRubleeBradenton, FL329,500
VinnyPahujaNew York City, NY305,500
Robert BoykoYonkers, NY300,000
CraigBatemon Bryn Mawr, NJ289,000
Malik SaundersPhiladelphia, PA267,000
PaulShepakerCroydon, PA265,000
DavidHeck Colts Neck, NJ255,000
Jesse WillgruberPhiladelphia, PA253,000
EdStanishPennsville, NJ251,000
RoccoLucianoPhiladelphia, PA232,000
ThomasFavillaLindenhurst, NJ230,500
ChristopherCaponeLebanon, PA221,000
Alan KrautDoylestown, PA220,500

Big Stax 500 (Day 1B): New Names At Table 55

Level 2 (Blinds 75/150)
Total Day 1B Entries: 87

The outer tables are beginning to open up, with Table 55 grabbing a handful of well known players.  Jason Rivkin (Tinton Falls, NJ) joins girlfriend Stephanie Hubbard, coming off his runner-up finish in the $340 Omaha Hi/Lo 8B earlier this week.  Asher Conniff took his seat for this first time in this event, looking to reach his fourth ever Big Stax final table.  The last name to join the table was tournament professional John DiBella (Cave Creek, AZ).  DiBella is coming off a runner up finish in the $2,200 Borgata Summer Poker Open Championship Event, falling to Denis Gnidash heads up.  John would add $90,000 to his career earnings with the finish, pushing his total above $2,278,000.

Big Stax 500 (Day 1B): Who Else Is Here?

Level 2 (Blinds 75/150)
Total Day 1B Entries: 62

Vincent Caesar (Glen Mills, PA)
As the field enters Level 2, a small rush of new entries made their way to the tables.  Vincent Caesar (Glen Mills, PA) is looking to put himself in position for Day 2, this after finishing 41st in the Big Stax 300 for $1,938.  Caesar is coming off a final table during the Live! Summer Series Of Poker at Maryland Live!, finishing 10th place in the $500 No Limit Hold'em event during the series ($2,647).  Other notables players not mentioned earlier include:

Marvin Siegel
Stephanie Hubbard
Tony Tran
John Robinson
Antonio Payne
Ibrahim Ibrahimovich
Jeffrey Spence
Cathy Dever
Ray Shackelford

Big Stax 500 (Day 1B): The Early Notables

Level 1 (Blinds 50/100)
Total Day 1B Entries: 58

The intimate field at the moment resembles the start from yesterday, but that number eventually grew to 245 total entries.  While the middle of three starting days in any tournament will usually be the smallest, that hasn't stopped the recognizable faces from showing up:

Alyson Parket
Michael Drabot
Vincent Caesar
James Ingram
James Sloat
Fritz Stoner
Joe Palma
Jesse Elliot
Michael Sandler

Big Stax 500 (Day 1B): Things Getting Underway

Level 1 (Blinds 50/100)
Total Day 1B Entries: TBD

Players are still getting settled as the tournament supervisor makes the rules announcement for all those already in attendance.  There are some new faces in the field, as well as those trying to put themselves in position to bag chips for the first time this event.  While a list of notables will be posted   after the tournament area begins to fill, there is at least one that made their intentions clear via Twitter:

Big Stax 500 (Day 1A): End Of Day 1A Chip Counts

Level 15 (Blinds 2,000/4,000/500)
Total Day 1A Entries: 245
Day 1A
Total Players:  245 Players left:  46
Total Chips: 9,800,000 Average Chips: 213,043




Christopher Rich North Massapequ, NY  570,500
Anthony Garofalo Philadelphia, PA 547,500
Adam Larkin New York City, NY 537,000
Eugene Zaslavsky Marlboro, NJ 410,000
David  Datashvili Forest Hills, NY 406,000
Karan Sehgal Easton, PA 353,500
Jon Rublee Bradenton, FL 329,500
Vinny Pahuja New York City, NY 305,500
Robert  Boyko Yonkers, NY 300,000
Craig Batemon  Bryn Mawr, NJ 289,000
Malik  Saunders Philadelphia, PA 267,000
Paul Shepaker Croydon, PA 265,000
David Heck  Colts Neck, NJ 255,000
Jesse  Willgruber Philadelphia, PA 253,000
Ed Stanish Pennsville, NJ 251,000
Rocco Luciano Philadelphia, PA 232,000
Thomas Favilla Lindenhurst, NJ 230,500
Christopher Capone Lebanon, PA 221,000
Alan  Kraut Doylestown, PA 220,500
Kevin McColgan Douglassville, PA 207,500
Jason  Beers Upper Black Eddy, PA 198,500
Austin Buchanan Winter Park, FL 195,500
Noam Fliegelman Philadelphia, PA 188,500
Jacob Perry Branchville, NJ 188,500
Ben Lavallee Norwood, PA 178,000
Jonathan Borenstein Teaneck, NJ 166,500
Kevin Grabel Litter Box, PA 165,500
Alex  Brody Staten Island, NY 162,000
Esther Taylor Havertown, PA 157,500
John  Dascoli Hatboro, PA 150,500
JR  Marquetie York, PA 143,500
Gene  Raman Mount Laurel, NJ 134,000
Sam  Heilman Philadelphia, PA 133,000
Myron Rosenbaun Philadelphia, PA 126,500
Ari  Buchman Valley Stream, PA 115,500
Michael  Marder Sewel, NJ 115,000
Matt Vitale Dix Hills, NY 112,500
DJ MacKinnon Buffalo, NY 112,000
Billy  Sanford Mount Vernon, NY 110,500
Nancy Martin Wash. Crossing,   PA 91,500
Alex Figura East Elmhurst, NY 84,000
Daniel Wellborn  Arlington, VA 73,500
Joe Agron Langhorne, PA 71,000
Jack  Doung South Plainfield, NJ 69,500
Leon Zinder Brooklyn, NY 69,000
Petar Mudrinic Hamilton, NJ 60,000

Big Stax 500 (Day 1A): And The "Rich" Get Richer

Level 15 (Blinds 2,000/4,000/500)
Total Day 1A Entries: 245

Chris Rich
The tournament floor has announced how many hands remain (3 hands) in the night, and it looks like the end of night chip lead bonus will be going to Chris Rich.  Rich trended steadily upwards over the final three levels of the night, and now has close to 600,000.  Rich won some timely flips in the last level of the night with some short stacks, and stands to earn $1,500 for the bonus.

The end of Day 1A chip counts will be posted on the live updates page once all chips are bagged and verified.

Big Stax 500 (Day 1A): Down The Stretch They Come

Level 15 (Blinds 2,000/4,000/500)
Total Day 1A Entries: 245

The names from earlier have fallen back to the pack, as Jonathan Borestein and Adam Larkin both have substantially less than they peaked at.  The new name on top is currently Anthony Garofalo (Philadelphia, PA), who sits with 510,000, only (20) minutes short of the final hand announcement.  Another new name that is in contention is Karan Sehgal, who has 425,000 at the midway point of Level 15.

The clock will be passed with 10:00 showing, and the tournament supervisor will then announce how many hands remain in the night.  Those remaining after the hands are completed will bag chips for Day on Sunday.