Level 14 (Blinds 1,500/3,000/400)
Total Day 1B Entries: 73
Players are about to head on their final (15) minute break of the night, and they will return to play Level 15, with blinds of 2,000/4,000/500. That will be the last level of the night, and players left at it's conclusion will then bag their chips for Day 2 on Sunday at 12:00pm. Here are some updated counts heading to break:
Joseph Gossweiler - 370,000
Eugene Fouksman - 320,000
Josh Hertz - 255,000
Renata Colache - 165,000
Adam Levitan - 140,000
Will Failla - 138,000
Kevin McColgan - 130,000
Michael Marder - 90,000
Aaron Overton - 88,000
Friday, August 15, 2014
Big Stax 1500 (Day 1B): Gossweiler Wins A Monster
Level 14 (Blinds 1,500/3,000/400)
Total Day 1B Entries: 73
The hand of the day was almost missed, but Joseph Gossweiler and J.R. Marquette just got it in on the flop for a pot worth over 240,000. Walking up to Table 46, Marquette would have his full 115,000 stack across the line, with Gossweiler having a matching stack in front of him (putting Marquette at risk):
While it hasn't been verified the betting leading up to the two hands being tabled, it's clear that this was the largest pot of the tournament, and Gossweiler assumes the chip lead after his hand held (375,000). Marquette would say, "You tried to tell me, I should have folded," as he walked away from the table, clearly having second thoughts about the way the hand played out.
Total Day 1B Entries: 73
The hand of the day was almost missed, but Joseph Gossweiler and J.R. Marquette just got it in on the flop for a pot worth over 240,000. Walking up to Table 46, Marquette would have his full 115,000 stack across the line, with Gossweiler having a matching stack in front of him (putting Marquette at risk):
Flop: 8♠ Q♣ 2♠
Gossweiler: K♥ K♦ Marquette: A♠ Q♦
Turn: 4♥
River: 2♦
While it hasn't been verified the betting leading up to the two hands being tabled, it's clear that this was the largest pot of the tournament, and Gossweiler assumes the chip lead after his hand held (375,000). Marquette would say, "You tried to tell me, I should have folded," as he walked away from the table, clearly having second thoughts about the way the hand played out.
Big Stax 1500 (Day 1B): Fouksman Trending Up
Level 14 (Blinds 1,500/3,000/400)
Total Day 1B Entries: 73
Ray Shackelford would open the pot from late position to 7,500, with Eugene Fouksman three-betting from the small blind to 19,500. Ray made the call and the two would see the dealer place down a flop of 10♣ K♥ 3♣. There would be no continuation as Eugene checked to Shackelford, who put out a bet of 12,000. Fouksman called, with the Q♦ coming out on the turn, and the action going check-check.
After the 8♦ on the river, Eugene decided to lead with a 25,500 bet, with Shackelford thinking for a good while before folding. Eugene becomes the chip leader with that pot, chipping up to just under 340,000. Shackelford was left with just over 60,000 after absorbing the loss, which sits at exactly twenty bigs.
Total Day 1B Entries: 73
 |
| Eugene Fouksman (Manalapan, NJ) |
After the 8♦ on the river, Eugene decided to lead with a 25,500 bet, with Shackelford thinking for a good while before folding. Eugene becomes the chip leader with that pot, chipping up to just under 340,000. Shackelford was left with just over 60,000 after absorbing the loss, which sits at exactly twenty bigs.
Big Stax 1500 (Day 1B): Full Field Layout
Level 13 (Blinds 1,200/2,400/300)
Total Day 1B Entries: 73
With four active tables now remaining, here is the rundown of those remaining:
Table 45:
Total Day 1B Entries: 73
With four active tables now remaining, here is the rundown of those remaining:
Table 45:
- J.R. Marquette
- Kevin McColgan
- Tim Ha
- (Empty)
- Hugh Bagatelle
- Mike Azzaro
- Jason Paster
- Eugene Fouksman
- Staffan Lind
Table 46:
- Ed Walsh
- (Emtpy)
- Joseph Gossweiler
- (Empty)
- Adam Levitan
- Andrew Lukovsky
- Frank Toscano
- Charles Whitall
- Aaron Overton
Table 51:
- Joe Pochedly
- Joseph Bratolle
- Ray Shackelford
- (Empty)
- Ritch Gaiti
- Michael Marder
- Austin Buchanan
- (Empty)
- Gaetano Taormina
Table 54:
- Marek Faszczewski
- Jared Jaffee
- Renata Colcahe
- Ryan Feldman
- Will Failla
- Deding Xu
- Joshua Hertz
- Drew Small
- (Empty)
Big Stax 1500 (Day 1B): Thinking About The Bonus
Level 13 (Blinds 1,200/2,400/300)
Total Day 1B Entries: 73
With only one break remaining, and three levels to play, it's a good time to start looking at players that are in contention for the $5,000 chip lead bonus. Last night is was Chris Csik (Hoboken, NJ) who earned himself the bonus with 540,000. Here are some of the names that are currently looking at a run at the bonus:
Chris Whitall - 335,000
Joseph Gossweiler - 260,000
Eugene Fouksman - 210,000
Mike Azzaro - 200,000
Will Failla - 190,000
Josh Hertz - 178,000
Kevin McColgan - 140,000
Adam Levitan - 135,000
Ray Shackelford - 120,000
Jason Paster - 80,000
Total Day 1B Entries: 73
With only one break remaining, and three levels to play, it's a good time to start looking at players that are in contention for the $5,000 chip lead bonus. Last night is was Chris Csik (Hoboken, NJ) who earned himself the bonus with 540,000. Here are some of the names that are currently looking at a run at the bonus:
Chris Whitall - 335,000
Joseph Gossweiler - 260,000
Eugene Fouksman - 210,000
Mike Azzaro - 200,000
Will Failla - 190,000
Josh Hertz - 178,000
Kevin McColgan - 140,000
Adam Levitan - 135,000
Ray Shackelford - 120,000
Jason Paster - 80,000
Big Stax 1500 (Day 1B): Taking A Break
Level 13 (Blinds 1,200/2,400/300)
Total Day 1B Entries: 71
Players are on a (15) minute break, and they will be returning to Level 13 and blinds of 1,200/2,400/300 (72 total Day 1B entries). Those still active will return to play two more levels, before another color break, and then the final level of the night. Once the field gets down to four tables, a full layout of who is remaining and where they are sitting will be posted.
Total Day 1B Entries: 71
Players are on a (15) minute break, and they will be returning to Level 13 and blinds of 1,200/2,400/300 (72 total Day 1B entries). Those still active will return to play two more levels, before another color break, and then the final level of the night. Once the field gets down to four tables, a full layout of who is remaining and where they are sitting will be posted.
Big Stax 1500 (Day 1B): Revolving Door
Level 12 (Blinds 1,000/2,000/300)
Total Day 1B Entries: 70
With the action on five full tables, players that have registered over the past (40) minutes have had to wait for someone to bust before getting a seat. Kane Kalas was next up in line to take a seat, and he just filled the vacant chair of WSOP bracelet winner Jared Jaffee (Brooklyn, NY), who busted and has not re-entered. Another player to leave the field recently without re-entering was DJ MacKinnon.
Total Day 1B Entries: 70
With the action on five full tables, players that have registered over the past (40) minutes have had to wait for someone to bust before getting a seat. Kane Kalas was next up in line to take a seat, and he just filled the vacant chair of WSOP bracelet winner Jared Jaffee (Brooklyn, NY), who busted and has not re-entered. Another player to leave the field recently without re-entering was DJ MacKinnon.
Big Stax 1500 (Day 1B): Updated Chip Counts/Level Up
Level 12 (Blinds 1,000/2,000/300)
Total Day 1B Players: 69
Players have just transitioned into Level 12, with the blinds going up to 1,000/2,000/300 (69 total Day 1B entries). Here are some of the updated chip counts from the end of Level 11:
Chris Whitall - 210,000
Jason Paster - 190,000
Joseph Gossweiler - 185,000
Joseph Brattole - 170,000
Renata Colache - 160,000
Kevin McColgan - 155,000
Ray Shackelford - 150,000
Will Failla - 140,000
Alex Queen - 130,000
Joshua Hertz - 120,000
Total Day 1B Players: 69
Players have just transitioned into Level 12, with the blinds going up to 1,000/2,000/300 (69 total Day 1B entries). Here are some of the updated chip counts from the end of Level 11:
Chris Whitall - 210,000
Jason Paster - 190,000
Joseph Gossweiler - 185,000
Joseph Brattole - 170,000
Renata Colache - 160,000
Kevin McColgan - 155,000
Ray Shackelford - 150,000
Will Failla - 140,000
Alex Queen - 130,000
Joshua Hertz - 120,000
Big Stax 1500 (Day 1B): Paster Makes Piles Since Break
Level 11 (Blinds 800/1,600/200)
Total Day 1B Entries: 66
Jason Paster (Yardley, PA) and Adam Levitan were talking after they returned from dinner, waiting for the tournament floor to allow players back to their seats. Levitan was going back to a stack of 150,000, while Paster returned to 70,000.
Since play has resumed, the two have gone in completely separate directions. Paster was able to come out a winner with 5x 5x > Ax Ax to eliminate Vinny Pahuja, and followed that up by busting Levitan a few hands later. The two would get it in pre for a pot worth 180,000, with Paster's Qx Qx holding up against the Ax Kx of Levitan.
While Adam has once again entered the Day 1B field, other players have busted and no returned:
Kunal Patel
Vinny Pahuja
Asher Conniff
Mike Cologna
Total Day 1B Entries: 66
 |
| Jason Paster (Yardley, PA) |
Since play has resumed, the two have gone in completely separate directions. Paster was able to come out a winner with 5x 5x > Ax Ax to eliminate Vinny Pahuja, and followed that up by busting Levitan a few hands later. The two would get it in pre for a pot worth 180,000, with Paster's Qx Qx holding up against the Ax Kx of Levitan.
While Adam has once again entered the Day 1B field, other players have busted and no returned:
Kunal Patel
Vinny Pahuja
Asher Conniff
Mike Cologna
Big Stax 1500 (Day 1B): Colache Sticking Around
Level 11 (Blinds 800/1,600/200)
Total Day 1B Entries: 65
The action at Table 54 would fold around to Renata Colache in the cutoff, and she would open to 2,500. Jared Jaffee three-bet from the button to 6,100, and Asher Conniff would follow with a four-bet to 12,800. Colache then followed with a five-bet shove (37,600), with Jaffee folding after a few moments thinking about his move. Asher then announced a call and the two hands were tabled:
The queen would be right in the window, but right behind it came out a king as well. The dramatics of the hand continued as Colache managed to turn a queen to take the lead, and secure the double with a full house on the river. Renata doubled to over 80,000, while Asher would be left with 6,000 after paying off the bet. Conniff would be eliminated a few hands later, and that would be it for his Big Stax series as he leaves to head back to New York City.
Total Day 1B Entries: 65
The action at Table 54 would fold around to Renata Colache in the cutoff, and she would open to 2,500. Jared Jaffee three-bet from the button to 6,100, and Asher Conniff would follow with a four-bet to 12,800. Colache then followed with a five-bet shove (37,600), with Jaffee folding after a few moments thinking about his move. Asher then announced a call and the two hands were tabled:
Conniff: A♦ K♦ Colache: A♥ Q♥
Flop: Q♦ 4♠ K♠
Turn: Q♣
River: A♣
The queen would be right in the window, but right behind it came out a king as well. The dramatics of the hand continued as Colache managed to turn a queen to take the lead, and secure the double with a full house on the river. Renata doubled to over 80,000, while Asher would be left with 6,000 after paying off the bet. Conniff would be eliminated a few hands later, and that would be it for his Big Stax series as he leaves to head back to New York City.
Big Stax 1500 (Day 1B): Azzaro Picks Up From Paster
Level 10 (Blinds 600/1,200/200)
Total Day 1B Entries: 64
With the action folding around at Table 45 to Mike Azzaro on the button, he opened the pot for a raise to 5,500. Jason Paster followed with a three bet to 14,000 (small blind), with the player in the big blind shoving for 14,200. With action back on Azzaro, he put in enough for the call, and the three players went to the flop of 3♥ 9♠ A♥. Jason would act first with a 4,400 bet (big blind all-in), and Azzaro called, giving the two a side pot. Players would go check-check after the 4♣ on the turn, with Paster checking the final street once the dealer paired the board with the 9♥.
Azzaro took some time before collected his chips and dropping all of them across the line (28,000). Jason quickly folded and Azzaro would turn over 6♥ 4♥, for a rivered flush and a pot bring him just below 80,000.
Total Day 1B Entries: 64
With the action folding around at Table 45 to Mike Azzaro on the button, he opened the pot for a raise to 5,500. Jason Paster followed with a three bet to 14,000 (small blind), with the player in the big blind shoving for 14,200. With action back on Azzaro, he put in enough for the call, and the three players went to the flop of 3♥ 9♠ A♥. Jason would act first with a 4,400 bet (big blind all-in), and Azzaro called, giving the two a side pot. Players would go check-check after the 4♣ on the turn, with Paster checking the final street once the dealer paired the board with the 9♥.
Azzaro took some time before collected his chips and dropping all of them across the line (28,000). Jason quickly folded and Azzaro would turn over 6♥ 4♥, for a rivered flush and a pot bring him just below 80,000.
Big Stax 1500 (Day 1B): Levitan Leaps Up Leaderboard
Level 10 (Blinds 600/1,200/200)
Total Day 1B Entries: 64
Last year this event was a $1,080 buy-in, which attracted a total of 415 entries. The tournament would end in an eight-way chop, with Adam Levitan (Philadelphia, PA) signing for and receiving first place money ($41,734).
Levitan is primarily a cash game player, with his work hindering the ability to travel and play numerous events. Since the Big Stax win, Levitan does have one other final table in a $560 No Limit Hold'em Event during the 2013 Borgata Poker Open. Adam's last level before dinner was a very eventful one, as he chipped up to 150,000 before leaving for dinner. Levitan is currently seated at Table 45 with DJ MacKinnon, Mike Azzaro, Jason Paster, and Vinny Pahuja.
Total Day 1B Entries: 64
 |
| Adam Levitan (Philadelphia, PA) |
Levitan is primarily a cash game player, with his work hindering the ability to travel and play numerous events. Since the Big Stax win, Levitan does have one other final table in a $560 No Limit Hold'em Event during the 2013 Borgata Poker Open. Adam's last level before dinner was a very eventful one, as he chipped up to 150,000 before leaving for dinner. Levitan is currently seated at Table 45 with DJ MacKinnon, Mike Azzaro, Jason Paster, and Vinny Pahuja.
Big Stax 1500 (Day 1B): Back From Dinner...Satellite Running
Level 10 (Blinds 600/1,200/200)
Total Day 1B Entries: 63
Players are seated and the cards are once again in the air. For those still interested in trying to get into this event for fractions of the buy-in, the $300 + 30 Super Satellite is currently across from the Big Stax tournament area. There are currently 32 total entries in the satellite, which means that sic seats will currently be given away.
Total Day 1B Entries: 63
Players are seated and the cards are once again in the air. For those still interested in trying to get into this event for fractions of the buy-in, the $300 + 30 Super Satellite is currently across from the Big Stax tournament area. There are currently 32 total entries in the satellite, which means that sic seats will currently be given away.
Big Stax 1500 (Day 1B): Dinner Break
Level 9 (Blinds 500/1,000/100)
Total Day 1B Entries: 61
Those players still active in the field will now be going on a (75) minute dinner break. The break will last from 6:20-7:35pm, with live coverage of the event continuing once the cards are back in the air. Updated dinner break chip counts from Twitter will also be posted while players are gone. When those in the field return to play, they will be transitioning into Level 10, with blinds going up to 600/1,200/200.
Total Day 1B Entries: 61
Those players still active in the field will now be going on a (75) minute dinner break. The break will last from 6:20-7:35pm, with live coverage of the event continuing once the cards are back in the air. Updated dinner break chip counts from Twitter will also be posted while players are gone. When those in the field return to play, they will be transitioning into Level 10, with blinds going up to 600/1,200/200.
Big Stax 1500 (Day 1B): Updated Counts Before Dinner
Level 9 (Blinds 500/1,000/100)
Total Day 1B Entries: 61
Players will be on dinner break from 6:20-7:35pm at the end of this level (25 minutes), and will then return to finish the final six levels of the night. Here are some updated counts from the field:
Staffan Lind - 160,000
Josh Hertz - 140,000
Kevin McColgan - 140,000
Jared Jaffee - 120,000
Gaetano Taormina - 115,000
Alex Queen - 90,000
Drew Small - 80,000
Austin Buchanan - 68,000
John DiBella - 58,000
Vinny Pahuja - 55,000
Will Failla - 55,000
Gordon Eng - 50,000
Deding Xu - 48,000
Jason Paster - 45,000
DJ MacKinnon - 41,000
Aaron Overton - 38,000
Adam Levitan - 38,000
Joe Black - 29,000
Kane Kalas - 28,000
Michael Marder - 27,000
Asher Conniff - 18,000
Total Day 1B Entries: 61
Players will be on dinner break from 6:20-7:35pm at the end of this level (25 minutes), and will then return to finish the final six levels of the night. Here are some updated counts from the field:
Staffan Lind - 160,000
Josh Hertz - 140,000
Kevin McColgan - 140,000
Jared Jaffee - 120,000
Gaetano Taormina - 115,000
Alex Queen - 90,000
Drew Small - 80,000
Austin Buchanan - 68,000
John DiBella - 58,000
Vinny Pahuja - 55,000
Will Failla - 55,000
Gordon Eng - 50,000
Deding Xu - 48,000
Jason Paster - 45,000
DJ MacKinnon - 41,000
Aaron Overton - 38,000
Adam Levitan - 38,000
Joe Black - 29,000
Kane Kalas - 28,000
Michael Marder - 27,000
Asher Conniff - 18,000
Big Stax 1500 (Day 1B): Better The Second Time Around
Level 9 (Blinds 500/1,000/100)
Total Day 1B Entries: 61
Staffan Lind (Vero Beach, FL) busted his first bullet just a few minutes into Level 7 (first level back from break), but has already made good with his second. Lind was just pushed a sizable pot, which has put him over 135,000, almost tripling the starting stack in less than an hour.
Tournament Director Tom Martucci has just announced the beginning of Level 9, with the blinds going up to 500/1,000/100. Players were also informed that they will be going on dinner break at the end of this level, which will be (75) minutes long.
Table 53 was broken just moments before the end of Level 8, and with those players finding new tables, it's clear to see that today's field is one of the tougher you'll find. There are 4-5 notables at every table, and even the players that aren't familiar seem like pretty quality opponents.
Total Day 1B Entries: 61
 |
| Staffan Lind (Vero Beach, FL) |
Tournament Director Tom Martucci has just announced the beginning of Level 9, with the blinds going up to 500/1,000/100. Players were also informed that they will be going on dinner break at the end of this level, which will be (75) minutes long.
Table 53 was broken just moments before the end of Level 8, and with those players finding new tables, it's clear to see that today's field is one of the tougher you'll find. There are 4-5 notables at every table, and even the players that aren't familiar seem like pretty quality opponents.
Big Stax 1500 (Day 1B): Not Showing Effects
Level 8 (Blinds 400/800/100)
Total Day 1B Entries: 60
Anthony Tonzelli (Bensalem, PA) may have doubled up Kunal Patel, but it hasn't taken long for him to recoup those lost chips, and eclipse the number he was at prior. Tonzelli is currently top three in the field with 160,000, jousting with Gaetano Taormina (170,000) and Josh Hertz (150,000) for the lead.
Since returning from the second break of the day, there have been a handful of notables to bust, some of which got right back in. Alex Rocha and Kevin Grabel are two players to have not yet re-entered the Day 1B field, while John DiBella just left his table only to return to the tournament podium minutes later.
Total Day 1B Entries: 60
 |
| Anthony Tonzelli (Bensalem, PA) |
Since returning from the second break of the day, there have been a handful of notables to bust, some of which got right back in. Alex Rocha and Kevin Grabel are two players to have not yet re-entered the Day 1B field, while John DiBella just left his table only to return to the tournament podium minutes later.
Big Stax VII ($230 NLH/PLO Mix): Final Results
Big Stax VII
August 11, 2014
$230 No Limit Hold'em/Pot Limit Hold'em Mix
Total Entries: 112
Total Prize Fund: $21,728
Final Results:
August 11, 2014
$230 No Limit Hold'em/Pot Limit Hold'em Mix
Total Entries: 112
Total Prize Fund: $21,728
Final Results:
| Place | Player Name | Prize | |
| 1 | Joseph | Palma | $6,735 |
| 2 | Thomas | Cipriano | $4,128 |
| 3 | Dimitrios | Georgis | $2,416 |
| 4 | David | Coppola | $1,847 |
| 5 | Nathaniel | Greenwald | $1,395 |
| 6 | Vincent | Caesar | $1,115 |
| 7 | Timothy | Klein | $913 |
| 8 | Lawrence | Wolf | $760 |
| 9 | Aoam | Williams | $652 |
| 10 | Alyson | Parker | $561 |
| 11 | Jamie | Ayerbe | $402 |
| 12 | David | Heck | $402 |
| 13 | Brian | Katz | $402 |
Big Stax 1500 (Day 1B): Patel Doubles Back From Break
Level 7 (Blinds 300/600/100)
Total Day 1B Entries: 58
Walking by Table 46, there would be an opportunity for Kunal Patel to double up. On a flop of 10♦ 9♣ 3♦, Kunal led the flop, only to hear Anthony Tonzelli announce himself all-in (enough to cover Patel). Patel would check back at his cards before making the call for his remaining 37,000:
Patel: 6♦ 9♦ (pair and flush draw)
Tonzelli: Q♠ J♣ (open ended/two overs)
Turn: A♦
River: 4♣
When the hands were tabled, other players at seated were clearly surprised to see that Kunal was ahead. The turn would make Patel the flush and solidify the double up to 85,000.
Total Day 1B Entries: 58
 |
| Kunal Patel (Friendswood, TX) |
Patel: 6♦ 9♦ (pair and flush draw)
Tonzelli: Q♠ J♣ (open ended/two overs)
Turn: A♦
River: 4♣
When the hands were tabled, other players at seated were clearly surprised to see that Kunal was ahead. The turn would make Patel the flush and solidify the double up to 85,000.
Big Stax 1500 (Day 1B): First Look At Counts/Break Time
Level 7 (Blinds 300/600/100)
Total Day 1B Entries: 56
Players are about to go on their second break of the day, and they will return in (15) minutes with the blinds having gone up to 300/600/100. Here is the first wave of chip counts to be posted throughout the day:
Josh Hertz - 130,000
Joseph Gossweiler - 125,000
Gaetano Taormina - 120,000
Drew Small - 110,000
Joe Black - 82,000
Kevin McColgan - 75,000
Michael Marder -65,000
John DiBella - 58,000
Jeffrey Spence - 54,000
Alex Queen - 52,000
Jared Jaffee - 52,000
Deding Xu - 50,000
Asher Conniff - 49,000
Mike Azzaro - 48,000
Alex Rocha - 36,000
Vinny Pahuja - 35,000
DJ MacKinnon - 33,000
Total Day 1B Entries: 56
Players are about to go on their second break of the day, and they will return in (15) minutes with the blinds having gone up to 300/600/100. Here is the first wave of chip counts to be posted throughout the day:
Josh Hertz - 130,000
Joseph Gossweiler - 125,000
Gaetano Taormina - 120,000
Drew Small - 110,000
Joe Black - 82,000
Kevin McColgan - 75,000
Michael Marder -65,000
John DiBella - 58,000
Jeffrey Spence - 54,000
Alex Queen - 52,000
Jared Jaffee - 52,000
Deding Xu - 50,000
Asher Conniff - 49,000
Mike Azzaro - 48,000
Alex Rocha - 36,000
Vinny Pahuja - 35,000
DJ MacKinnon - 33,000
Big Stax 1500 (Day 1B): Name Sound Familiar?
Level 6 (Blinds 250/500/50)
Total Day 1B Players: 54
The last name Kalas may not ring a bell if you're sitting somewhere in the Midwest, but if you're in the Philadelphia area, most everyone will know where they've heard it before. Harry Kalas was the lead play-by-play announcer for the Phillies from 1971-2009. He was also known for his work with the NFL and NFL Films (voice-overs).
His son Kane is a well-known poker player, with a solid resume both online and live. Kane most recently cashed in three events during this summer's WSOP, making a deep run in the $10,000 Main Event (finishing 115th - $52,141). That Main Event cash is the largest cash of his career, with earnings now of $135,365. Kane is currently seated at Table 51, and has had a solid start over the first six levels of the day.
Total Day 1B Players: 54
 |
| Kane Kalas (Coral Gables, FL) |
His son Kane is a well-known poker player, with a solid resume both online and live. Kane most recently cashed in three events during this summer's WSOP, making a deep run in the $10,000 Main Event (finishing 115th - $52,141). That Main Event cash is the largest cash of his career, with earnings now of $135,365. Kane is currently seated at Table 51, and has had a solid start over the first six levels of the day.
Big Stax 1500 (Day 1A): Gossweiler Up Top...Level Up
Level 6 (Blinds 250/500/50)
Total Day 1B Entries: 54
Players are entering Level 6, with the blinds now going up to 250/500/50. The field continues to get more entries at a slower...but steady pace. There has been a solid mix of players firing second bullets and new arrivals to keep the number rising. Table 53 opened towards the end of Level 5, and currently hosts the two newest players to the field, Adam Levitan and Asher Conniff.
While Gaetano Taormina holds the early chip lead, Joseph Gossweiler (Roseland, NJ) has also seen success over the last few orbits. He is up to 105,000, and sits comfortably with (210) big blinds.
Total Day 1B Entries: 54
 |
| Joseph Gossweiler (Roseland, NJ) |
While Gaetano Taormina holds the early chip lead, Joseph Gossweiler (Roseland, NJ) has also seen success over the last few orbits. He is up to 105,000, and sits comfortably with (210) big blinds.
Big Stax 1500 (Day 1B): Cracking Aces...And Queens
Level 5 (Blinds 200/400/50)
Total Day 1B Entries: 52
After Gaetano Taormina opened and Renata Colache flatted, Aaron Overton three-bet with action folding around to the original raiser. Both Taormina and Colache would come along, and the dealer would fan out a flop of J♦ 6♥ 3♣. Action would check to Overton, who put out a bet of 5,500. Gaetano would just flat, while Colache check-raised to 12,500.
Aaron would call the check-raise, with Taormina announcing himself all-in (48,000) as he pushed his chips across the line. Renata folded after a few moments of thought (later saying she had queens), with Aaron making the call pretty quickly (for less):
Taormina: 3♠ 3♥ (bottom set)
Overton: A♦ A♥
Aaron began to collect his things as the dealer was running out the turn and river, which would not bring an ace to keep Overton around. The pot was shipped Taormina's way, and he's now over 120,000.
Total Day 1B Entries: 52
 |
| Gaetano Taormina (Newtown, PA) |
Aaron would call the check-raise, with Taormina announcing himself all-in (48,000) as he pushed his chips across the line. Renata folded after a few moments of thought (later saying she had queens), with Aaron making the call pretty quickly (for less):
Taormina: 3♠ 3♥ (bottom set)
Overton: A♦ A♥
Aaron began to collect his things as the dealer was running out the turn and river, which would not bring an ace to keep Overton around. The pot was shipped Taormina's way, and he's now over 120,000.
Big Stax 1500 (Day 1B): Still A Growing Field
Level 5 (Blinds 200/400/50)
Total Day 1B Entries: 48
Players are continuing to show up on the late side, taking their seats at the different open spots on the five active tables in the tournament area. Vinny Pahuja (New York, NY) is back and in action for the first time since walking away from the Big Stax 500 final table in fifth place ($18,020). Pahuja had an up-and-down final table, but would eventually run his pocket jacks into the eventual winner's (Craig Bateman) pocket aces.
Some other players to arrive since returning from the first break of the day:
Gretchen Sonne
Alex Rocha
Kevin Grabel
Mike Cologna
Charles Urrutia
Noam Fleigelman
Eugene Fouksman
Total Day 1B Entries: 48
Players are continuing to show up on the late side, taking their seats at the different open spots on the five active tables in the tournament area. Vinny Pahuja (New York, NY) is back and in action for the first time since walking away from the Big Stax 500 final table in fifth place ($18,020). Pahuja had an up-and-down final table, but would eventually run his pocket jacks into the eventual winner's (Craig Bateman) pocket aces.
Some other players to arrive since returning from the first break of the day:
Gretchen Sonne
Alex Rocha
Kevin Grabel
Mike Cologna
Charles Urrutia
Noam Fleigelman
Eugene Fouksman
Big Stax VII ($500 + $500 Purple Chip Bounty): Final Results
Big Stax VII
August 13, 2014
$500 + $500 + 100 No Limit Hold'em (Purple Chip Bounty)
Total Entries: 113
Total Prize Fund: $54,805
Final Results:
August 13, 2014
$500 + $500 + 100 No Limit Hold'em (Purple Chip Bounty)
Total Entries: 113
Total Prize Fund: $54,805
Final Results:
| Place | Player Name | Prize | |
| 1 | Ido | Ashkenazi | $16,991 |
| 2 | Marvin | Siegel | $10,413 |
| 3 | Frank | Lettieri | $6,094 |
| 4 | Felix | Kogan | $4,658 |
| 5 | Gregory | Fishberg | $3,518 |
| 6 | Mohammad | Farah | $2,811 |
| 7 | Scott | Fitz-Gerald | $2,302 |
| 8 | Dennis | Thurman | $1,918 |
| 9 | Michael | Linster | $1,644 |
| 10 | Robert | Albert | $1,414 |
| 11 | Kane | Kalas | $1,014 |
| 12 | Albert | Tribuno | $1,014 |
| 13 | Daniel | Sztenderowicz | $1,014 |
Big Stax 1500 (Day 1B): DiBella Doubles Through O'Brien
Level 4 (Blinds 150/300/50)
Total Day 1B Entries: 42
The action at Table 54 was picked up on the flop in a hand between John DiBella and Jonathan O'Brien. On a board of 3♥ 5♣ 7♥, O'Brien had raised DiBella's flop bet to 20,000. DiBella made the call and the two watched the dealer place the 6♥ on the turn. After a check from Dibella, O'Brien bet 15,000, and John check-raised all-in. It was another 8,575 for O'Brien to call, and although he said aloud he knew he was behind, the call was made:
DiBella: 6♠ 7♠ (turned two pair)
O'Brien: J♦ 7♦ (one pair)
River: Q♣
O'Brien seemed to be surprised when he saw DiBella's hand, and waited to see if the dealer could place a jack on the river. The wrong paint for O'Brien was placed on the felt, and DiBella would double to 85,000 with the pot.
Total Day 1B Entries: 42
 |
| John DiBella (Cave Creek, AZ) |
DiBella: 6♠ 7♠ (turned two pair)
O'Brien: J♦ 7♦ (one pair)
River: Q♣
O'Brien seemed to be surprised when he saw DiBella's hand, and waited to see if the dealer could place a jack on the river. The wrong paint for O'Brien was placed on the felt, and DiBella would double to 85,000 with the pot.
Big Stax 1500 (Day 1B): Meeting Of The Minds
Level 4 (Blinds 150/300/50)
Total Day 1B Entries: 35
A few new players arrived during break, as Table 52 is now moments from opening up. Will Failla and Jared Jaffee had some time to talk during the break, while waiting for permission to enter the tournament area. There were also joined by Kunal Patel (Friendswood, TX), who was already in the field to start the day.
The three have combined earnings of over $7,000,000, and hold numerous WPT titles and a WSOP Bracelet. What could the topic of conversation be? Poker of course...as discussion of the state of online poker in the U.S. was mainly bounced around. Failla and Jaffe are now sitting with Mike Cologna at Table 52, waiting for one more player to join the table for the cards to get in the air.
Total Day 1B Entries: 35
 |
| Jaffee, Failla, Patel (Left to Right) |
The three have combined earnings of over $7,000,000, and hold numerous WPT titles and a WSOP Bracelet. What could the topic of conversation be? Poker of course...as discussion of the state of online poker in the U.S. was mainly bounced around. Failla and Jaffe are now sitting with Mike Cologna at Table 52, waiting for one more player to join the table for the cards to get in the air.
Big Stax 1500 (Day 1B): First Break Of The Day
Level 4 (Blinds 100/200/25)
Total Day 1B Entries: 32
Players have completed the first three levels of the day, and they are now going on a (15) minute break. They will return to Level 4 and blinds of 100/200/25, with (32) entries showing on the clock for the day. There has yet to be a player in the field to eclipse the 100,000 mark, but Jeffrey Spence has built a stack of 80,000 to lead the group heading to break.
Total Day 1B Entries: 32
Players have completed the first three levels of the day, and they are now going on a (15) minute break. They will return to Level 4 and blinds of 100/200/25, with (32) entries showing on the clock for the day. There has yet to be a player in the field to eclipse the 100,000 mark, but Jeffrey Spence has built a stack of 80,000 to lead the group heading to break.
Big Stax 1500 (Day 1B): Above Average Players
Level 3 (Blinds 100/200/25)
Total Day 1B Entries: 30
When Day 1A finished early this morning at 12:45am, there would be (20) players to bag chips for Sunday's Day 2. The chip average for those players at the end of the night stood at 190,000, with only six players bagging above average stacks:
Total Day 1B Entries: 30
When Day 1A finished early this morning at 12:45am, there would be (20) players to bag chips for Sunday's Day 2. The chip average for those players at the end of the night stood at 190,000, with only six players bagging above average stacks:
| Chris | Csik | Hoboken, NJ | 540,000 |
| Jay | Sharon | Fresh Meadows | 417,500 |
| Mike | Linster | Island Park, NY | 369,000 |
| Joshua | Beckley | Marlton, NJ | 349,500 |
| Adam | Larkin | New York, NY | 208,500 |
| Alan | Kraut | Doylestown, PA | 207,500 |
Going into the final level of the night, it looked like the race for the chip lead bonus was going to be between Jay Sharon and Mike Linster (both seated at the same table). Chris Csik ended up having a solid final (45) minutes to assume to chip lead and never look back (he earned the $5,000 bonus).
Big Stax 1500 (Day 1B): Tables Full Of Names
Level 3 (Blinds 100/200/25)
Total Day 1B Entries: 28
As mentioned just moments ago, Table 45 adds a new handful of players to the mix, including Joe Black (Bronx, NY). Joe is another player to have been part of a Big Stax trophy event chop, making a four way deal in the Big Stax VI 500. Black would sign for third place money, and receive $38,416.
The rest of the names at the table are all well known players in the community, including:
Gordon Eng
DJ MacKinnon
Mike Azzaro
Jason Paster
Total Day 1B Entries: 28
 |
| Joe Black (Bronx, NY) |
The rest of the names at the table are all well known players in the community, including:
Gordon Eng
DJ MacKinnon
Mike Azzaro
Jason Paster
Big Stax 1500 (Day 1B): Looking For Another Title
Level 3 (Blinds 100/200/25)
Total Day 1B Entries: 28
Alex Queen (Bethlehem, PA) already has a Big Stax trophy with his name on it, winning the Big Stax 300 ($67,404) during the last series in May. The tournament did end in a chop, but Queen received first place money and the trophy, while Justin Liberto received about $6,000 less for second.
Alex has just taken his seat at Table 54, directly across from good friend and Parx regular Aaron Overton (Philadelphia, PA). A new table has just opened (Table 45), and once the players are seated and settled, we will bring you the names to join the Day 1B field.
Total Day 1B Entries: 28
 |
| Alex Queen (Bethlehem, PA) |
Alex has just taken his seat at Table 54, directly across from good friend and Parx regular Aaron Overton (Philadelphia, PA). A new table has just opened (Table 45), and once the players are seated and settled, we will bring you the names to join the Day 1B field.
Big Stax 1500 (Day 1B): Real Time Tournament Clock Now Offered On Bravo App
Level 2 (Blinds 75/150)
Total Day 1B Entries: 18
It's pretty clear that the powers that be behind the Parx Poker Room (Bill Entenman, Tom Martucci, Matt Glantz, and Ari Mizrachi) are always looking to better the room and further experiences for players. It was announced yesterday that the "tournament clock" feature will now be available on the Bravo App moving forward. This gives players the opportunity to pull up on their phone any of the information they'd like to know about any given event (number of entries, real-time level updates, spot to be paid, amount of each place):
Total Day 1B Entries: 18
It's pretty clear that the powers that be behind the Parx Poker Room (Bill Entenman, Tom Martucci, Matt Glantz, and Ari Mizrachi) are always looking to better the room and further experiences for players. It was announced yesterday that the "tournament clock" feature will now be available on the Bravo App moving forward. This gives players the opportunity to pull up on their phone any of the information they'd like to know about any given event (number of entries, real-time level updates, spot to be paid, amount of each place):
Real time clock data for all of our tournaments will be displayed on the Bravo Poker Live app. pic.twitter.com/kBSUClUDyy
— Parx Poker Room (@parxpokerroom) August 13, 2014
Big Stax 1500 (Day 1B): No Shortage Of Quality
Level 2 (Blinds 75/150)
Total Day 1B Entries: 18
While the field is "close knit" at the moment, trends have shown that players just prefer to show up fashionably late. Regardless of anyone's schedule, the show still goes on, and there are three active tables housing a handful of notable players:
Jeffrey Spence
Staffan Lind
Kevin McColgan
John DiBella
Renata Colache
Michael Marder
Austin Buchanan
Donald Ciresi
John O'Brien
Ray Schackelford
Aaron Overton
Total Day 1B Entries: 18
While the field is "close knit" at the moment, trends have shown that players just prefer to show up fashionably late. Regardless of anyone's schedule, the show still goes on, and there are three active tables housing a handful of notable players:
Jeffrey Spence
Staffan Lind
Kevin McColgan
John DiBella
Renata Colache
Michael Marder
Austin Buchanan
Donald Ciresi
John O'Brien
Ray Schackelford
Aaron Overton
Big Stax 1500 (Day 1B): Hoping For Better Results
Level 1 (Blinds 50/100)
Total Day 1B Entries: TBD
Always updating via Twitter, Michael Marder posts his entry receipt for his fans and investors most every event he plays. Marder has numerous cashes in Big Stax events, but he is still looking for a deep final table finish. Marder played long hours yesterday, but ran Jx 10x into the Jx Jx of Anthony Brandi all in pre to bust in Level 14. Michael knows bagging chips is always a challenge, as he mentioned in his Tweet, but hopes today goes a little but better.
Total Day 1B Entries: TBD
Always updating via Twitter, Michael Marder posts his entry receipt for his fans and investors most every event he plays. Marder has numerous cashes in Big Stax events, but he is still looking for a deep final table finish. Marder played long hours yesterday, but ran Jx 10x into the Jx Jx of Anthony Brandi all in pre to bust in Level 14. Michael knows bagging chips is always a challenge, as he mentioned in his Tweet, but hopes today goes a little but better.
Big Stax 1500 (Day 1B): Building On Yesterday
Level 1 (Blinds 50/100)
Total Day 1B Entries: TBD
Day 1A of the Big Stax 1500 came and went, as we saw (76) total entries throughout the day, with (20) left to bag when the final hand was finished. Chris Csik (Hoboken, NJ) would end the night with the chip lead, bagging 540,000 for Day 2 on Sunday (and earning an extra $5,000 for his efforts). The tournament supervisor is about to make the rules announcement to those already seated, and the cards will be in the air momentarily. Once the field begins to settle in, a post with the "early bird" notables will be published.
Total Day 1B Entries: TBD
Day 1A of the Big Stax 1500 came and went, as we saw (76) total entries throughout the day, with (20) left to bag when the final hand was finished. Chris Csik (Hoboken, NJ) would end the night with the chip lead, bagging 540,000 for Day 2 on Sunday (and earning an extra $5,000 for his efforts). The tournament supervisor is about to make the rules announcement to those already seated, and the cards will be in the air momentarily. Once the field begins to settle in, a post with the "early bird" notables will be published.
Big Stax 1500 (Day 1A): End Of Day 1A Chip Counts
| Day 1A | |||
| Total Players: | 76 | Players left: | 20 |
| Total Chips: | 3,800,000 | Average Chips: | 190,000 |
| Chris | Csik | Hoboken, NJ | 540,000 |
| Jay | Sharon | Fresh Meadows | 417,500 |
| Mike | Linster | Island Park, NY | 369,000 |
| Joshua | Beckley | Marlton, NJ | 349,500 |
| Adam | Larkin | New York, NY | 208,500 |
| Alan | Kraut | Doylestown, PA | 207,500 |
| Robert | Bolte | Richboro, PA | 186,500 |
| Sean | Wallace | Horsham, PA | 170,000 |
| Geno | Raman | Mount Laurel, NJ | 170,000 |
| Andrew | Lydor | Pheonixville, PA | 148,000 |
| Daniel | Fischer | Vineland, NJ | 144,000 |
| Mike | Moore Jr | Somerdale, NJ | 130,000 |
| Robert | Link | Jenkintown, PA | 127,500 |
| Robert | Hwang | Barnegat, NJ | 113,500 |
| Benjamin | Gillette | Lancaster, PA | 110,000 |
| Jesse | Cohen | Ardmore, PA | 98,500 |
| Mikhail | Kazakevich | Richboro, PA | 92,000 |
| Matthew | Meade | East Windsor, NJ | 82,500 |
| Gregory | Fishberg | Huntington Valley, PA | 79,000 |
| Matthew | Maccaroni | Hamilton Square, NJ | 57,000 |
Big Stax 1500 (Day 1A): "Five Dimes" Csik
Level 15 (Blinds 2,000/4,000/500)
Total Day 1A Entries: 76
While Chris Csik (Martinsville, NJ) went into the final level with a count in the top third of the field, it would be a solid final (45) minutes that would propel him to the $5,000 Day 1A Chip Lead Bonus. Chris would put 540,000 in his bag going into Day 2.
Another notable to bag Day 2 chips and update his count on Twitter was Alan Kraut (Doylestown, PA), who goes into Sunday with 207,500. The rest of the end of Day 1A chip counts will be posted in just over an hour.
The live updates page will be in action once again, tomorrow morning at 11:00am, when the cards are in the air for Day 1B.
Total Day 1A Entries: 76
 |
| Chris Csik (Martinsville, NJ) |
Another notable to bag Day 2 chips and update his count on Twitter was Alan Kraut (Doylestown, PA), who goes into Sunday with 207,500. The rest of the end of Day 1A chip counts will be posted in just over an hour.
The live updates page will be in action once again, tomorrow morning at 11:00am, when the cards are in the air for Day 1B.
Big Stax 1500 (Day 1A): Layout For End Of Night
Level 15 (Blinds 2,000/4,000/500)
Total Day 1A Entries: 76
We are now (15) minutes into the final level of the night, so it's time to look at the final stages of the day. The tournament supervisor will pause the clock with 10:00 showing on the clock. He will then announce how many hands remain for each table, with those hand being played, and players then starting the bagging process. The end of day chip counts will be posted shortly after the night is over, with those bagging returning Sunday at 12:00pm for Day 2.
Total Day 1A Entries: 76
We are now (15) minutes into the final level of the night, so it's time to look at the final stages of the day. The tournament supervisor will pause the clock with 10:00 showing on the clock. He will then announce how many hands remain for each table, with those hand being played, and players then starting the bagging process. The end of day chip counts will be posted shortly after the night is over, with those bagging returning Sunday at 12:00pm for Day 2.
Big Stax 1500 (Day 1A): Remaining Field
Level 15 (Blinds 2,000/4,000/500)
Total Day 1A Entries: 76
The intimate field gives an opportunity for us to take a look as exactly who remains going into the final level:
Table 46:
Total Day 1A Entries: 76
The intimate field gives an opportunity for us to take a look as exactly who remains going into the final level:
Table 46:
- Moshe Dahan
- Daniel Fischer
- Greg Fishberg
- Jesse Cohen
- Chris Csik
- Mike Moore
- Menachem Landwirt
- Matthew Meade
- (Empty)
Table 51:
- Robert Link
- Mike Kazakevich
- (Empty)
- Sean Wallace
- Andrew Lydon
- Geno Raman
- Anthony Brandi
- Ben Gillette
- Joshua Beckley
Table 54:
- Adam Larkin
- Vincent Longo
- Mike Linster
- Robert Hwang
- Rob Bolte
- Alan Kraut
- Jay Sharon
- Nancy Martin
- Matthew Macaroni
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