Level 15 (Blinds 2,000/4,000/500)
Total Combined Entries: 910
With less than (30) minutes until the clock is paused for the end of night hand announcement, the players sitting over or around 400,000 have a very serious chance of bagging the $1,500 bonus. Here are those players:
Dan Sweeney - 465,000
Matthew Wantman - 460,000
Andrew Zhu - 450,000
Jeff Wicker - 440,000
Mohammed Farah - 400,000
Alex Rocha - 392,000
Saturday, August 9, 2014
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): Final Break
Level 15 (Blinds 2,000/4,000/500)
Total Combined Entries: 908
The tournament area is clearing out for one last time this evening, before players return to Level 15 (Blinds 2,000/4,000/500), and finish out the night. There were are couple of notables to bust late last level, but both Michael Esposito and Jose Montes are once again in the field. The clock will be paused with 10:00 remaining in Level 15, and the tournament supervisor will announce how many hands remain in the night. Once those hands are completed by each table, those remaining will bag chips for tomorrow (Sunday 12:00pm).
Total Combined Entries: 908
The tournament area is clearing out for one last time this evening, before players return to Level 15 (Blinds 2,000/4,000/500), and finish out the night. There were are couple of notables to bust late last level, but both Michael Esposito and Jose Montes are once again in the field. The clock will be paused with 10:00 remaining in Level 15, and the tournament supervisor will announce how many hands remain in the night. Once those hands are completed by each table, those remaining will bag chips for tomorrow (Sunday 12:00pm).
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): Big Stacks Abound
Level 14 (Blinds 1,500/3,000/400)
Total Combined Entries: 905
Players are ten minutes into Level 14, and they will go on a final color off break at the end of the level. There are numerous big stacks emerging across the field, making the remaining (75) pretty entertaining to follow. Here are some of the numbers taken from the end of Level 13:
Alex Rocha - 425,000
Matthew Wantman - 410,000
Jeff Wicker - 405,000
Collin White - 380,000
Prasanna Ranachandra - 340,000
Aristedes Zarifis - 325,000
Andrew Zhu - 320,000
Chris McNally - 310,000
Amber Frefield - 310,000
Elan Branas - 290,000
Total Combined Entries: 905
Players are ten minutes into Level 14, and they will go on a final color off break at the end of the level. There are numerous big stacks emerging across the field, making the remaining (75) pretty entertaining to follow. Here are some of the numbers taken from the end of Level 13:
Alex Rocha - 425,000
Matthew Wantman - 410,000
Jeff Wicker - 405,000
Collin White - 380,000
Prasanna Ranachandra - 340,000
Aristedes Zarifis - 325,000
Andrew Zhu - 320,000
Chris McNally - 310,000
Amber Frefield - 310,000
Elan Branas - 290,000
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): @THE_ALEX_ROCHA
Level 13 (Blinds 1,200/2,400/300)
Total Combined Entries: 901
Players have just under ten minutes remaining in this level, with blinds going up to 1,500/3,000/400 in Level 14. While the prior two days saw clear cut favorites going into the final levels of the night, it looks as if today is going to see a lot of shifting. The new leader is now Alex Rocha, sitting with 405,000. Alex was just moved to Table 48, with notables Joe Simmons and Alyson Parker.
Total Combined Entries: 901
 |
| Alex Rocha (South Setauket, NY) |
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): Looking Towards The Bonus
Level 13 (Blinds 1,200/2,400/300)
Total Combined Entries: 901
With only 2.5 levels remaining in the night, focus can now shift to the chip lead bonus ($1,500). One of the new names emerging and in contention is Collin White. White is sitting with 358,000 in front of him, making him one of the top three stacks in the field.
Here is a look at the two chips leaders from earlier flights and the numbers they bagged:
Day 1A: Christopher Rich - 570,500
Day 1B: Matt Glantz - 545,000
Total Combined Entries: 901
 |
| Collin White |
Here is a look at the two chips leaders from earlier flights and the numbers they bagged:
Day 1A: Christopher Rich - 570,500
Day 1B: Matt Glantz - 545,000
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): Break Time
Level 13 (Blinds 1,200/2,400/300)
Total Combined Entries: 890
Players are heading on a (15) minute break, and they will then return to Level 13 and blinds of 1,200/2,400/300. The play will return for two more levels, take a break to color off the brown chips, and then return for the final level of the night.
Total Combined Entries: 890
Players are heading on a (15) minute break, and they will then return to Level 13 and blinds of 1,200/2,400/300. The play will return for two more levels, take a break to color off the brown chips, and then return for the final level of the night.
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): Triple Threat
Level 12 (Blinds 1,000/2,000/300)
Total Combined Entries: 889
Table 74 was about to break, but players had one more hand remaining before the chips would be racked up. The player UTG opened and was flatted by Andrew Zhu, with action then folding around to Joe Black in the big blind. Black would three bet to 24,000, with the original raiser moving all-in over the top pretty quickly (70,000). Andrew Zhu would commit the rest of his chips (74,700), and Joe Black would make the call, having both players covered:
Zhu would go from worst to first in a matter of the dealer putting out the flop, and after he faded the turn and river he would triple up to 229,000.
Total Combined Entries: 889
Table 74 was about to break, but players had one more hand remaining before the chips would be racked up. The player UTG opened and was flatted by Andrew Zhu, with action then folding around to Joe Black in the big blind. Black would three bet to 24,000, with the original raiser moving all-in over the top pretty quickly (70,000). Andrew Zhu would commit the rest of his chips (74,700), and Joe Black would make the call, having both players covered:
Black: K♠ K♣ UTG: J♥ J♦ Zhu: 3♣ 3♦
Flop: 6♠ 4♦ 3♠
Turn: 8♦
River: A♠
Zhu would go from worst to first in a matter of the dealer putting out the flop, and after he faded the turn and river he would triple up to 229,000.
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): Back From A Blind
Level 12 (Blinds 1,000/2,000/300)
Total Combined Entries: 888
He's not the chip leader, he's probably not even top hundred in the room, but he is still in. Nick Castellano (Harrison, NY) was down to half a blind, and after just winning A 10 > Q 4 all-in pre, Nick is over the starting stack. He has essentially saved himself another bullet at the moment, and leaps from less than one big to twenty big blinds.
Castellano has seen some success this summer, final tabling the opening event of the Borgata Summer Poker Open ($350 No Limit Hold'em). Nick would end up finishing in eight place, earning $12,000 (the largest score of his career).
Total Combined Entries: 888
 |
| Nick Castellano (Harrison, NY) |
Castellano has seen some success this summer, final tabling the opening event of the Borgata Summer Poker Open ($350 No Limit Hold'em). Nick would end up finishing in eight place, earning $12,000 (the largest score of his career).
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): Updated Chip Counts
Level 11 (Blinds 800/1,600/200)
Total Combined Entries: 881
The field is starting to see some larger stacks emerge, with "Baltimore" Buzz Watkins the success story of the bunch. Watkins was left with less than 7,500 shortly before dinner, and he is now up to 320,000. Here are some other updated counts taken towards the middle of Level 11:
Matthew Wantman - 365,000
Buzz Watkins - 320,000
Elan Branas - 305,000
Alex Rocha - 260,000
John Green - 245,000
George Alberto - 230,000
Joseph Galazzo - 205,000
Vincent Caesar - 180,000
Joe Black - 170,000
Total Combined Entries: 881
 |
| "Baltimore" Buzz Watkins |
Matthew Wantman - 365,000
Buzz Watkins - 320,000
Elan Branas - 305,000
Alex Rocha - 260,000
John Green - 245,000
George Alberto - 230,000
Joseph Galazzo - 205,000
Vincent Caesar - 180,000
Joe Black - 170,000
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): Branas Bringing The Heat
Level 11 (Blinds 800/1,600/200)
Total Combined Entries: 869
There are a lot of chips at Table 71, with two of the top stacks in the room sharing the space. While marking down the counts from said table, Pat Conizio opened the pot to 4,600. The action following would be swift: Jeff Wicker would three-bet to 12,800, an unknown player would four-bet to 30,500, and Elan Branas would five-bet to 102,000. Conizio and Wicker would quickly fold, while the unknown player would think for a little. Having already committed over half of his stack, Branas's opponent made the call, and Elan would win the pot with K♥ K♦ against Q♣ J♣. With the newfound chips form that pot, Elan goes over the 300,000 mark. Here are the rest of the counts from the mentioned players:
Pat Conizio - 320,000
Elan Branas - 305,000
Jeff Wicker - 180,000
Total Combined Entries: 869
There are a lot of chips at Table 71, with two of the top stacks in the room sharing the space. While marking down the counts from said table, Pat Conizio opened the pot to 4,600. The action following would be swift: Jeff Wicker would three-bet to 12,800, an unknown player would four-bet to 30,500, and Elan Branas would five-bet to 102,000. Conizio and Wicker would quickly fold, while the unknown player would think for a little. Having already committed over half of his stack, Branas's opponent made the call, and Elan would win the pot with K♥ K♦ against Q♣ J♣. With the newfound chips form that pot, Elan goes over the 300,000 mark. Here are the rest of the counts from the mentioned players:
Pat Conizio - 320,000
Elan Branas - 305,000
Jeff Wicker - 180,000
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): Breaking Records
Level 11 (Blinds 800/1,600/200)
Total Combined Entries: 864
With five levels remaining in the last starting day, the Big Stax 500 will now have a new record number!!! Daniel Chan (New York, NY) was the 862nd entry into the field, making the prize fund $409,260 (over double the guarantee). Speculation from upper management foresees the final number possibly reaching 900.
Total Combined Entries: 864
 |
| The Record Breaking Moment |
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): All Hail Caesar
Level 10 (Blinds 600/1,200/200)
Total Combined Entries: 853
After only two hands back from dinner, Jimmy Lillis would be spotted leaving the tournament area. "I just busted with quads," Lillis muttered as he walked by the media. That was exactly what happened, as Vincent Caesar turned a straight flush against Lillis's set, and the money got in on the river when Jimmy made quads. Vincent is now up to 180,000, and looking to join the team of players to bag chips on one bullet (well...one bullet today).
The number of entries is now less than ten away from braking records, and will surely be reached in the next few levels.
Total Combined Entries: 853
 |
| Vincent Caesar (Glen Mills, PA) |
The number of entries is now less than ten away from braking records, and will surely be reached in the next few levels.
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): Back From Dinner
Level 10 (Blinds 600/1,200/200)
Total Combined Entries: 833
Players are about to return to their tables, and the cards will be in the air shortly. Here are some updates via Twitter spotted during dinner break:
Total Combined Entries: 833
Players are about to return to their tables, and the cards will be in the air shortly. Here are some updates via Twitter spotted during dinner break:
Dinner break @parxpokerroom 500. 130k. 1200bb coming. Slow n steady #tpedge
— Pierre Deissler (@PierreDeissler) August 9, 2014
52900 on dinner coming back to 1200. Had it up to 78k but lost 88<A7 for 18bb.
— Scott Blumstein (@SBlum2711) August 9, 2014
55k on dinner break going to 600/1200
— Dan DiZenzo (@dazedace) August 9, 2014
86k on dinner break. @MatthewAxelrod @parxpokerroom #ParxBigStax
— Joseph Galazzo (@JOEYdaMUSH) August 9, 2014
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): Dinner Bell Going To Ring
Level 9 (Blinds 500/1,000/100)
Total Combined Entries: 832
Players are heading on their dinner break in just a few moments, which will last from 6:20-7:35pm. When the field returns to action, the blinds in Level 10 will be 600/1,200/200. Live coverage of the final six levels will pick back up once the cards are again in the air.
Total Combined Entries: 832
Players are heading on their dinner break in just a few moments, which will last from 6:20-7:35pm. When the field returns to action, the blinds in Level 10 will be 600/1,200/200. Live coverage of the final six levels will pick back up once the cards are again in the air.
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): Pinnola Flushes Out Flowers
Level 9 (Blinds 500/1,000/100)
Total Combined Entries: 832
"Just bad beat after bad beat," Frankie Flowers said as he was shaking his head and walking away from his tournament table. The action from the hand wasn't caught, but both hands and the board still were exposed on the table as the dealer pushed Max Pinnola the pot. On a flop of Q♦ 10♠ 7♣, Frankie had flopped bottom two with 10♥ 7♠ against Pinnola's Q♣ J♣. The turn (4♣) and river (5♣) would bring Pinnola a flush, eliminating Flowers from the tournament and bringing Max's stack up to 100,000.
Total Combined Entries: 832
"Just bad beat after bad beat," Frankie Flowers said as he was shaking his head and walking away from his tournament table. The action from the hand wasn't caught, but both hands and the board still were exposed on the table as the dealer pushed Max Pinnola the pot. On a flop of Q♦ 10♠ 7♣, Frankie had flopped bottom two with 10♥ 7♠ against Pinnola's Q♣ J♣. The turn (4♣) and river (5♣) would bring Pinnola a flush, eliminating Flowers from the tournament and bringing Max's stack up to 100,000.
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): Chip Counts/Last Level Pre-Dinner
Level 9 (Blinds 500/1,000/100)
Total Combined Entries: 826
Players are about to enter Level 9, with blinds going up to 500/1,000/100. One of the question beginning to spread around is whether this field will reach the record number of 861, set this past February. At the conclusion of this level, those players still active will go on a (75) minute dinner break, and then return for the final six levels of the night. Here are some updated counts from around the room:
Jeff Miller - 190,000
George Alberto - 165,000
Mike Hickman - 160,000
Scott Boxenhorn - 155,000
Matthew Wantman - 150,000
Elan Branas - 148,000
Pat Canizio - 148,000
Vincent Caesar - 135,000
Paul Antzoulis - 125,000
Jean Brillant - 118,000
Joe Palma - 115,000
Jeff Wicker - 105,000
Robert Paventi - 105,000
Total Combined Entries: 826
Players are about to enter Level 9, with blinds going up to 500/1,000/100. One of the question beginning to spread around is whether this field will reach the record number of 861, set this past February. At the conclusion of this level, those players still active will go on a (75) minute dinner break, and then return for the final six levels of the night. Here are some updated counts from around the room:
Jeff Miller - 190,000
George Alberto - 165,000
Mike Hickman - 160,000
Scott Boxenhorn - 155,000
Matthew Wantman - 150,000
Elan Branas - 148,000
Pat Canizio - 148,000
Vincent Caesar - 135,000
Paul Antzoulis - 125,000
Jean Brillant - 118,000
Joe Palma - 115,000
Jeff Wicker - 105,000
Robert Paventi - 105,000
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): No Hard Feelings
Level 8 (Blinds 400/800/100)
Total Combined Entries: 815
Charles Welch has just taken his seat at Table 75 for the first time since Day 2 of the Big Stax 300. Welch was one of the players who took a shot buying in the morning of Day 2 after unsuccessfully bagging chips on any of the Day 1's. Welch sat down to his stack of less than ten bigs, and after doubling up his first hand played, he was thinking big things. Unforunately for Charles, he was one of the shorter stacks on the stone bubble, and got it in with tens against jacks to bust as the tournaments "bubble boy:"
Total Combined Entries: 815
Charles Welch has just taken his seat at Table 75 for the first time since Day 2 of the Big Stax 300. Welch was one of the players who took a shot buying in the morning of Day 2 after unsuccessfully bagging chips on any of the Day 1's. Welch sat down to his stack of less than ten bigs, and after doubling up his first hand played, he was thinking big things. Unforunately for Charles, he was one of the shorter stacks on the stone bubble, and got it in with tens against jacks to bust as the tournaments "bubble boy:"
@MatthewAxelrod Just arrived @parxpokerroom for the 500$ #ParxBigStax ! 40k to start,12 min left at 300-600. Let's bag n tag friends
— Charles Welch (@CamIsTheMan718) August 9, 2014
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): Cracking The Century Mark
Level 8 (Blinds 400/800/100)
Total Combined Entries: 809
To be sitting with 100,000 at the moment would be considered a solid mark, and there are some new names reaching that number during Level 7:
Joe Simmons - 135,000
Andrew Zhu - 130,000
George Dgheim - 125,000
Joe Palma - 120,000
Jean Brillant - 115,000
George Alberto - 108,000
Total Combined Entries: 809
To be sitting with 100,000 at the moment would be considered a solid mark, and there are some new names reaching that number during Level 7:
Joe Simmons - 135,000
Andrew Zhu - 130,000
George Dgheim - 125,000
Joe Palma - 120,000
Jean Brillant - 115,000
George Alberto - 108,000
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): Still Crushing Guarantees
Level 7 (Blinds 300/600/100)
Total Combined Entries: 803
The guarantee on this event was set at $200,000, and with the total number of entries just crossing the 800 mark, the prize fund soars over $380,000. It wouldn't be a shock to anyone if the end number doubles the guarantee. Here is a Tweet from the powers that be showing a preview of the top prizes (at the moment):
Total Combined Entries: 803
The guarantee on this event was set at $200,000, and with the total number of entries just crossing the 800 mark, the prize fund soars over $380,000. It wouldn't be a shock to anyone if the end number doubles the guarantee. Here is a Tweet from the powers that be showing a preview of the top prizes (at the moment):
Just hit 800 players at #ParxBigStax 500 Prize pool is $380k. You can reg until cards in the air for day 2 tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/LedkZP7M5g
— Parx Poker Room (@parxpokerroom) August 9, 2014
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): Hui Saying Hello
Level 7 (Blinds 300/600/100)
Total Combined Entries: 789
The newest player in the field is one of the only that can say he has a WSOP bracelet. Philip Hui (San Antonio, TX) has been a circuit grinder for a handful a years, and earned himself his breakout score this summer. Hui won Event #49 ($3,000 Limit Omaha Hi/Lo) for $287,000, besting a final table with the likes of John D'Agostino, David Williams, and our very own Matt Glantz. Hui has over $525,000 in career earnings, and is making his first appearance ever at Parx.
Total Combined Entries: 789
 |
| Philip Hui (San Antonio, TX) |
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): Break Time...Navigating Traffic
Level 7 (Blinds 300/600/100)
Total Combined Entries: 771
Players are on their second break of the day, and will return shortly to blinds of 300/600/100. Fourth place finisher from the Big Stax 300 Jose Montes (Bronx, NY) has made his first return since the final table...not without a bump in the road:
Total Combined Entries: 771
Players are on their second break of the day, and will return shortly to blinds of 300/600/100. Fourth place finisher from the Big Stax 300 Jose Montes (Bronx, NY) has made his first return since the final table...not without a bump in the road:
Just sat @parxpokerroom traffic was nuts!
— Jose Montes (@suganills) August 9, 2014
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): Keeping Up With The Counts
Level 6 (Blinds 250/500/50)
Total Combined Entries: 767
Players have less than (10) minutes remaining in this level, and will be going on their second break of the day at its conclusion. Here are some updated chip counts from the end of Level 6:
Jeff Wicker - 155,000
Amber Merefield - 150,000
Vincent Caesar - 120,000
Mike Hickman - 110,000
Andrew Zhu - 90,000
Joseph Galazzo - 83,000
Greg Fishberg - 78,000
Steven Thorton - 74,000
Jamie Kerstetter - 73,000
Dan Dizenzo - 70,000
Pierre Diessler - 59,000
Total Combined Entries: 767
Players have less than (10) minutes remaining in this level, and will be going on their second break of the day at its conclusion. Here are some updated chip counts from the end of Level 6:
Jeff Wicker - 155,000
Amber Merefield - 150,000
Vincent Caesar - 120,000
Mike Hickman - 110,000
Andrew Zhu - 90,000
Joseph Galazzo - 83,000
Greg Fishberg - 78,000
Steven Thorton - 74,000
Jamie Kerstetter - 73,000
Dan Dizenzo - 70,000
Pierre Diessler - 59,000
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): Black Back In His Comfort Zone
Level 6 (Blinds 250/500/50)
Total Combined Entries: 754
Joe Black (Bronx, NY) has five Big Stax cashes to his name, with one final table during this event last series (Big Stax VI). Black would be part of a four way chop, earning over $38,000 for his share of the deal. Joe in frequently mentioned as one of the big stacks on these starting days, with this afternoon being no different. Black has almost tripled his starting stack, and sits with 110,000. Face in the field not yet mentioned include:
Tim Bryan
Frederick Ferrell (Big Stax 300 Final Table)
Anna Antimony
Joe Cappuccio
Andrew Zhu
Michael Esposito
Total Combined Entries: 754
 |
| Joe Black (Bronx, NY) |
Tim Bryan
Frederick Ferrell (Big Stax 300 Final Table)
Anna Antimony
Joe Cappuccio
Andrew Zhu
Michael Esposito
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): First Look At The Counts
Level 5 (Blinds 200/400/50)
Total Combined Entries: 739
While it's still early in the day, it's about that time to take a look at some of the counts across the field for the first time. Just a reminder that the player to bag the largest stack at the end of the night will receive a $1,500 bonus. Here are some counts from the midway point of Level 5:
Mike Hickman - 130,000
Vincent Caesar - 118,000
Eric Most - 90,000
Jake Neff - 90,000
Amber Merefield - 86,000
Tyng Low - 85,000
Aaron Mermelstein - 75,000
Steven Sarmiento - 70,000
Total Combined Entries: 739
While it's still early in the day, it's about that time to take a look at some of the counts across the field for the first time. Just a reminder that the player to bag the largest stack at the end of the night will receive a $1,500 bonus. Here are some counts from the midway point of Level 5:
Mike Hickman - 130,000
Vincent Caesar - 118,000
Eric Most - 90,000
Jake Neff - 90,000
Amber Merefield - 86,000
Tyng Low - 85,000
Aaron Mermelstein - 75,000
Steven Sarmiento - 70,000
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): Worm Winds Up Doubling
Level 5 (Blinds 200/400/50)
Total Combined Entries: 721
Joe "Worm" Palma (Bensalem, PA) is more of a fixture in the poker room than some of the chips, and it's clear that when he's standing up during a hand he is involved in, that he's likely all-in. That was just the case at Table 46, the final player of three to put the chips in on the turn (and at risk):
Board: 9♦ 10♣ 3♦ 2♦
Palma: Q♦ 4♦
Player X: 8♠ 9♥
Player Y: K♦ 10♥
River: 5♠
Palma would have to fade a river diamond in order to win the hand, and once he did just that, he'd more than double up to 75,000.
Total Combined Entries: 721
 |
| Joe Palma (Bensalem, PA) |
Board: 9♦ 10♣ 3♦ 2♦
Palma: Q♦ 4♦
Player X: 8♠ 9♥
Player Y: K♦ 10♥
River: 5♠
Palma would have to fade a river diamond in order to win the hand, and once he did just that, he'd more than double up to 75,000.
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): They Keep Entering...We Keep Noting
Level 4 (Blinds 150/300/50)
Total Combined Entries: 708
The tournament supervisor has just opened another new table, just trying to keep up with the pace of entries. The outer tables mentioned earlier are crowding up with recognizable players, including the likes of:
Jennifer So
Chris Csik
Mike Azzaro
Michael Melkerson
Trevor Deeter
Aaron Mermelstein
Alex Jim
Jeff Wicker
Tru Le
Total Combined Entries: 708
The tournament supervisor has just opened another new table, just trying to keep up with the pace of entries. The outer tables mentioned earlier are crowding up with recognizable players, including the likes of:
Jennifer So
Chris Csik
Mike Azzaro
Michael Melkerson
Trevor Deeter
Aaron Mermelstein
Alex Jim
Jeff Wicker
Tru Le
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): All The Cool Kids In The Corner
Level 4 (Blinds 150/300/50)
Total Combined Entries: 686
As the room fills up, the outer tables against the back wall begin to open, with a handful of big names seated in the back corner of the room. This is the first time Brian O'Donoghue has been spotted this series, currently seated at Table 70. Brian has over $887,000 in career tournament earnings, including a runner-up finish in last year's WSOP (2nd Place - Event #49 $1,500 No Limit Hold'em). While that would be his largest lifetime score ($338,000), O'Donoghue is also well known for his back to back wins during the 2012 Borgata Fall Poker Open. Brian would earn two $50,000 scores just days apart, winning the second of the two on basically no sleep. Also seated at Table 70 is Brian's good friend Jamie Kerstetter, the lady lady left standing during the Big Stax 300.
Total Combined Entries: 686
 |
| Brian O'Donoghue (Bayside, NY) |
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): First Break Of The Day
Level 3 (Blinds 100/200/25)
Total Combined Entries: 659
Players are about to go on their first break of the day (15 minutes), with blinds in Level 4 going up to 150/300/50. In a note unrelated to the actual tournament, the Bad Beat Jackpot hit last night for the first time in over a month, with the details to follow. The stream of players continues to flow into the tournament area at a steady pace, with more notables arriving by the minute:
Jeff Wicker
Chris McNally
Amber Merefield
Raj Patel
James Kaplan
Bob Brady
Total Combined Entries: 659
Players are about to go on their first break of the day (15 minutes), with blinds in Level 4 going up to 150/300/50. In a note unrelated to the actual tournament, the Bad Beat Jackpot hit last night for the first time in over a month, with the details to follow. The stream of players continues to flow into the tournament area at a steady pace, with more notables arriving by the minute:
Jeff Wicker
Chris McNally
Amber Merefield
Raj Patel
James Kaplan
Bob Brady
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): Fashionably Late Is The Trend
Level 3 (Blinds 100/200/25)
Total Combined Entries: 653
The "younger" crowd seems to think that 11:00am is just a little to early, or they just don't want to play pre-ante, as waves of players have been coming through. Notable players such as Joe Black (New York, NY) and Alex Rocha (South Setauket, NY) were just spotted arriving at their tables, while others are making their presence known via Twitter:
Total Combined Entries: 653
The "younger" crowd seems to think that 11:00am is just a little to early, or they just don't want to play pre-ante, as waves of players have been coming through. Notable players such as Joe Black (New York, NY) and Alex Rocha (South Setauket, NY) were just spotted arriving at their tables, while others are making their presence known via Twitter:
Got involved in this @parxpokerroom #ParxBigStax situation 👊
— Matt Itkin (@Matt_Itkin_23) August 9, 2014
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): Big Spot Early For Caesar
Level 2 (Blinds 75/150)
Total Combined Entries: 625
There would be a big hand brewing at table 47, as three players were looking down at a board of 4♠ 9♠ J♣ 10♦. Robert Sichelstiel had a bet of 5,000 in front of him, with Bruce Lehrman a raise to 12,500 in front of him. Vincent Caesar was next to act, and he pushed forward his remaining chips (just over 34,000). Robert showed his hand to his neighbor before folding, with Lehrman doing a little talking to himself while making his decision. He announced that he had Q♠ 8♠ (second nuts), and after adding he had a spade draw too, he pushed his lesser stack across the line. Vince would have K♦ Q♦ for the nut straight, and the 7♣ on the river would change nothing for Lehrman. Caesar chips up to 90,000 with the pot, a considerable start after spending the first two starting days busting late in the night.
Total Combined Entries: 625
 |
| Vincent Caesar (Glen Mills, PA) |
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): Chen Looking To Finish
Level 2 (Blinds 75/150)
Total Combined Entries: 616
Of the notables spread across the room, Dean Chen (Cherry Hill, NJ) is one of the only not to have been spotted prior to today. Chen was the runner-up in the inaugural $450 Heads Up Event ($7,300) during the Big Stax V series. Dean would follow that up with a runner-up in Event 1 of the Borgata Summer Poker Open ($60,696), his last recorded tournament cash. The familiar faces are at every table in these early stages of the day:
Dennis Thurman
James Lillis
Ed Petrella
Lyle Diamond
Jeff Gross
Joseph Lopes
Steven Thorton
Steven Sarmiento
Kent Weuthrich
Tony Tran
Total Combined Entries: 616
 |
| Dean Chen (Cherry Hill, NJ) |
Dennis Thurman
James Lillis
Ed Petrella
Lyle Diamond
Jeff Gross
Joseph Lopes
Steven Thorton
Steven Sarmiento
Kent Weuthrich
Tony Tran
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): Filling Up Quickly
Level 2 (Blinds 75/150)
Total Combined Entries: 610
The tournament area is filling up very quickly, with more tables open today in the first hour than either of the two days preceding. The list of notables is a little long than usual, with today being the final opportunity to bag:
Joe Simmons
Alyson Parker
Vincent Caesar
Ken Silberstein
Robert Sichelstiel
Ray Shackelford
Jesse Letchworth
Joe Gradowski
Cathy Dever
Pierre Diessler
James Governa
....To be continued
Total Combined Entries: 610
The tournament area is filling up very quickly, with more tables open today in the first hour than either of the two days preceding. The list of notables is a little long than usual, with today being the final opportunity to bag:
Joe Simmons
Alyson Parker
Vincent Caesar
Ken Silberstein
Robert Sichelstiel
Ray Shackelford
Jesse Letchworth
Joe Gradowski
Cathy Dever
Pierre Diessler
James Governa
....To be continued
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): Playing Above Average
Level 1 (Blinds 50/100)
Total Day 1C Entries: TBD
Keeping up with a trend started just yesterday, we take a look back at Day 1A and the players that bagged stacks above average. While the chip average changes for each starting day depending on how many entries/players remaining, it's still a good gauge for those looking for answers about numbers. These are all the players to bag more than 219,000 at the end of yesterday's play:
Total Day 1C Entries: TBD
Keeping up with a trend started just yesterday, we take a look back at Day 1A and the players that bagged stacks above average. While the chip average changes for each starting day depending on how many entries/players remaining, it's still a good gauge for those looking for answers about numbers. These are all the players to bag more than 219,000 at the end of yesterday's play:
| Matt | Glantz | 545,000 | |
| Matteo | Menna | Drexel Hill PA | 496,000 |
| Chau | Nguyen | Mechanicsburg PA | 456,500 |
| David | Novak | Philadelphia PA | 433,000 |
| Jimmy | Paper | Pottstown PA | 379,000 |
| Jason | Rivken | Tinton Falls NJ | 343,500 |
| Sandeep | Patel | Parsippany NY | 342,500 |
| Andrew | Lydon | Phoenixville PA | 336,500 |
| Lewis | Saxon | Philadelphia PA | 305,500 |
| John | Dibella | East Chester PA | 296,000 |
| Ozea | Ingram | Trenton NJ | 295,500 |
| Dawn | Wilno | Hamilton NJ | 290,000 |
| Deding | XU | Philadelphia PA | 268,000 |
| Todd | Morehouse | Philadelphia PA | 267,500 |
| Chris | Delgrande | Glen Mills PA | 245,000 |
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): Action On The Felt Begins
Level 1 (Blinds 50/100)
Total Day 1C Entries: TBD
While the "early birds" are taking their seats and getting settled, the tournament supervisor is making the rules announcement for the field. This will be the last chance for players to try and bag chips for Day 2, but let's not forget the opportunity to buy-in tomorrow before the cards are in the air. Once the room begins to fill up and the layout of the land is a little clearer, the notables in the field will be mentioned. Cards are now in the air for Day 1C!!!
Total Day 1C Entries: TBD
While the "early birds" are taking their seats and getting settled, the tournament supervisor is making the rules announcement for the field. This will be the last chance for players to try and bag chips for Day 2, but let's not forget the opportunity to buy-in tomorrow before the cards are in the air. Once the room begins to fill up and the layout of the land is a little clearer, the notables in the field will be mentioned. Cards are now in the air for Day 1C!!!
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): Bagging Chips Is The Goal
Level 1 (Blinds 50/100)
Total Day 1C Entries: TBD
After the first two starting days, there has been a total of 453 entries, with 84 players fortunate enough to seal a bag with chips heading into Day 2 (tomorrow 12:00pm). It was Christopher Rich bagging the bonus on Day 1A with 570,500, while Parx Poker Ambassador Matt Glantz bested the Day 1B field with 545,000. While there have been a lot of notables to bag over the first two days, a good number will be returning today firing bullets again. The cards will be in the air in less than an hour, will live coverage picking up at that time.
Total Day 1C Entries: TBD
After the first two starting days, there has been a total of 453 entries, with 84 players fortunate enough to seal a bag with chips heading into Day 2 (tomorrow 12:00pm). It was Christopher Rich bagging the bonus on Day 1A with 570,500, while Parx Poker Ambassador Matt Glantz bested the Day 1B field with 545,000. While there have been a lot of notables to bag over the first two days, a good number will be returning today firing bullets again. The cards will be in the air in less than an hour, will live coverage picking up at that time.
Big Stax 500 (Day 1B): End Of Day 1B Chip Counts
| Day 1B | |||
| Total Players: | 208 | Players left: | 38 |
| Total Chips: | 8,320,000 | Average Chips: | 218,947 |
| Matt | Glantz | 545,000 | |
| Matteo | Menna | Drexel Hill PA | 496,000 |
| Chau | Nguyen | Mechanicsburg PA | 456,500 |
| David | Novak | Philadelphia PA | 433,000 |
| Jimmy | Paper | Pottstown PA | 379,000 |
| Jason | Rivken | Tinton Falls NJ | 343,500 |
| Sandeep | Patel | Parsippany NY | 342,500 |
| Andrew | Lydon | Phoenixville PA | 336,500 |
| Lewis | Saxon | Philadelphia PA | 305,500 |
| John | Dibella | East Chester PA | 296,000 |
| Ozea | Ingram | Trenton NJ | 295,500 |
| Dawn | Wilno | Hamilton NJ | 290,000 |
| Deding | XU | Philadelphia PA | 268,000 |
| Todd | Morehouse | Philadelphia PA | 267,500 |
| Chris | Delgrande | Glen Mills PA | 245,000 |
| Asher | Conniff | Brooklyn Zoo NY | 215,000 |
| Staffan | Lind | Vero Beach | 206,000 |
| Ari | Nissim | Morris Plains NJ | 180,500 |
| Joe | Taormina | Warminster PA | 179,000 |
| Joesph | McKeehen | North Wales PA | 169,500 |
| Mike | Lavenburg | Montville | 169,000 |
| Andy | Jiang | Brooklyn NY | 159,500 |
| Marv | Siegel | Monroe NJ | 154,000 |
| Jonathan | Cachola | Wayne NJ | 147,500 |
| Robert | Aaronson | Brooklyn NY | 146,500 |
| Michael | Cannon | Harrisburg PA | 145,000 |
| Velnmailum | Sathiawathan | Dayton OH | 129,500 |
| Judith | Bielan | Bayonne NJ | 128,000 |
| Tom | Revelle | Bridgewater NJ | 122,000 |
| Sheri | Moores | Wayne PA | 112,500 |
| Philip | Neiman | Flushing NY | 112,500 |
| Tom | Dobrilovic | West Nyack NY | 108,000 |
| Timothy | Little | Cheverly MD | 102,000 |
| Barry | Kohout | Canfieldi OH | 90,500 |
| Robert | Bolte | Richboro PA | 86,500 |
| Gaetano | Cantone | NY | 82,500 |
| Jeffrey | Spence | KOP PA | 46,500 |
| Rich | Swanson | Philadelphia PA | 29,500 |
Big Stax 500 (Day 1B): Bringing Home The Bonus
Level 15 (Blinds 2,000/4,000/500)
Total Day 1B Entries: 206
Call it "home court advantage" if you like, but Matt Glantz played a solid last level to end up bagging the chip lead bonus ($1,500). Matt will be bagging close to 560,000 (exact numbers will be posted shortly), with Chau Nguyen and a few other players falling just short of the number to beat.
The end of Day 1B chip counts will be posted before 2:00am, with live coverage of this event picking back up tomorrow afternoon at 11:00am for Day 1C.
Total Day 1B Entries: 206
 |
| Matt Glantz - Day 1B Chip Leader |
The end of Day 1B chip counts will be posted before 2:00am, with live coverage of this event picking back up tomorrow afternoon at 11:00am for Day 1C.
Big Stax 500 (Day 1B): Trying To "Nguyen" The Bonus
Level 15 (Blinds 2,000/4,000/500)
Total Day 1B Entries: 205
The top five stacks in the room were mentioned only minutes ago...things have already changed. The new name on top is Chau Nguyen (Mechanicsburg, PA), sitting with just under 500,000. With only (10) minutes remaining before the final hands are announced, that's going to be a hard number to beat. Once the final hands are completed and chips are verified, the winner of the bonus will be posted, along with the end of day chip counts shortly thereafter.
Total Day 1B Entries: 205
The top five stacks in the room were mentioned only minutes ago...things have already changed. The new name on top is Chau Nguyen (Mechanicsburg, PA), sitting with just under 500,000. With only (10) minutes remaining before the final hands are announced, that's going to be a hard number to beat. Once the final hands are completed and chips are verified, the winner of the bonus will be posted, along with the end of day chip counts shortly thereafter.
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