Level 14 has (15) minutes remaining, and players will then be going on their final break of the night. Asher Conniff (Brooklyn, NY) made his last bullet count as he chips up to 250,000 during the last level. We had a few players bust in the past orbit, two of which included:
Dan Dizenzo
Katie Stone
Jason Rivkin
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): A Look In…Level Up
Level 14 started moments ago, with blinds going up to 1,500/3,000/400 (total entries is 847). There are thirteen tables in play, with 117 active players all trying to bag chips for Day 2. Sean Wallace (Horsham, PA) had been playing a below average stack since dinner got a necessaary double late in the last level and now has 135,000.
We had some extra shots from post-dinner:
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| Antonio Payne |
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| Frank Dire Eliminated Late |
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| Mike Dentale (forefront) & TJ Shulman |
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): Who's Still Alive?
Level 13 (Blinds 1,200/2,400/300)
Total Entries: 845
Not everyone can build the 500,000 stack right away, so here is a list of players still doing work (with about 145 active players seated):
Sean Wallace
Frank Dire
Jason Rivkin
Joe Liberta
Steven Sarmiento
Stephanie Hubbard
Joe Cappaccio
Katie Stone
Joe Gola
Frankie Flowers
Kelly Armentrout
Mike Sandler
Mike Dentale
TJ Shulman
Dave Inselberg
Ilya Ekshtut
Mickey Woll
Frank Ferrigno
Asher Conniff
Antonio Payne
Daniel Chan
Total Entries: 845
Not everyone can build the 500,000 stack right away, so here is a list of players still doing work (with about 145 active players seated):
Sean Wallace
Frank Dire
Jason Rivkin
Joe Liberta
Steven Sarmiento
Stephanie Hubbard
Joe Cappaccio
Katie Stone
Joe Gola
Frankie Flowers
Kelly Armentrout
Mike Sandler
Mike Dentale
TJ Shulman
Dave Inselberg
Ilya Ekshtut
Mickey Woll
Frank Ferrigno
Asher Conniff
Antonio Payne
Daniel Chan
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): Break Time
Players are going on one of their last breaks of the night, and they will return to Level 13 and blinds of 1,200/2,400/300.
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): Who Are You?
Level 12 (Blinds 1,000/2,000/300)
Total Entries: 833
We tend to keep an eye on our notables in the beginning stages of the tournament, but we've searched out some stacks over 300,000 that we didn't recognize:
Frank Deesing - 350,000
George Alberto - 300,000
Ray Papperman - 315,000
Total Entries: 833
We tend to keep an eye on our notables in the beginning stages of the tournament, but we've searched out some stacks over 300,000 that we didn't recognize:
Frank Deesing - 350,000
George Alberto - 300,000
Ray Papperman - 315,000
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): Level Up
Level 12 is about to begin with blinds going up to 1,000/2,000/300. Players will be on break at the end of this level, and the night will conclude at the end of Level 15 (approximately 12:30am).
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): Beaking Away
Level 11 (Blinds 800/1,600/200)
Total Entries: 828
While the mood across the room is pretty serious (and quiet), Table 82 can be heard throughout the room…primarily Mike Dentale and TJ Shulman. Dentale has been poking fun at TJ all day long, but they are good friends, so it's all in good fun. Here is the lineup at the moment at the table:
Ilya Ekshtut - 60,000
Dave "Coldstone" Inselberg - 100,000
Sardor Gaziev - 65,000
Mike Dentale - 150,000
TJ Shulman - 350,000
Total Entries: 828
While the mood across the room is pretty serious (and quiet), Table 82 can be heard throughout the room…primarily Mike Dentale and TJ Shulman. Dentale has been poking fun at TJ all day long, but they are good friends, so it's all in good fun. Here is the lineup at the moment at the table:
Ilya Ekshtut - 60,000
Dave "Coldstone" Inselberg - 100,000
Sardor Gaziev - 65,000
Mike Dentale - 150,000
TJ Shulman - 350,000
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): Chan Chips Up
Level 11 (Blinds 800/1,600/200)
Total Entries: 826
Daniel Chan (New York, NY) showed up late this afternoon, and has since been going about his business as he usually does…quietly. Chan is a live tournament beast, with over $440,000 to his name in career earnings. Chan's most recent recorded cash was a 4th place finish in the Foxwoods World Poker Finals $2,700 Main Event (for $55,000). Chan has 62 recorded cashes lifetime, none of which have come here at Parx.
Total Entries: 826
 |
| Daniel Chan |
Daniel Chan (New York, NY) showed up late this afternoon, and has since been going about his business as he usually does…quietly. Chan is a live tournament beast, with over $440,000 to his name in career earnings. Chan's most recent recorded cash was a 4th place finish in the Foxwoods World Poker Finals $2,700 Main Event (for $55,000). Chan has 62 recorded cashes lifetime, none of which have come here at Parx.
Daniel Chan - 190,000
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): Level Up
Level 11 is about to start, with blinds going up to 800/1,600/200 (total entries is at 824). We've seen a handful of bustouts since returning from dinner, one of which was Allison Schultz:
Came back from dinner with 16k. Got it in with the pair...did not beat the AQ. Bust. :(
— allison schultz (@allipearl) March 2, 2014
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): Heads Are Shaking
Level 10 (Blinds 600/1,200/200)
Total Entries: 821
Two of the larger stacks in the room are clearly opening things up, and causing some mixed reactions from their table mates. We watched as Michael Melkersen busts a player, as his 5 6 > 8 8 on the 3 4 7 flop. Melkersen's opponent had flush outs on the all heart board, but would be eliminated and have some choice words for Melkersen (as would another player who questioned Melkersen's pre-flop call aloud). Michael is currently sitting with 430,000.
George Alberto is another player over the 400,000 mark, and hearing it from his table as he takes down a sizable pot on the 2 3 5 A board (turning over the Q 4 after his opponent folded). Alberto has 430,00 to be exact, and has the headphones on to ignore the comments from the surrounding players.
Total Entries: 821
Two of the larger stacks in the room are clearly opening things up, and causing some mixed reactions from their table mates. We watched as Michael Melkersen busts a player, as his 5 6 > 8 8 on the 3 4 7 flop. Melkersen's opponent had flush outs on the all heart board, but would be eliminated and have some choice words for Melkersen (as would another player who questioned Melkersen's pre-flop call aloud). Michael is currently sitting with 430,000.
George Alberto is another player over the 400,000 mark, and hearing it from his table as he takes down a sizable pot on the 2 3 5 A board (turning over the Q 4 after his opponent folded). Alberto has 430,00 to be exact, and has the headphones on to ignore the comments from the surrounding players.
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): Back From Dinner ***Tournament Announcements***
Level 10 (Blinds 600/1,200/200)
Total Entries: 815
Players are back from dinner and taking these last few levels to accumulate something healthy to bag up for tomorrow. There have been a lot of questions about this particular tournament and the upcoming weather:
*** Monday (March 3) Omaha 8/B Has Been CANCELLED ***
*** Big Stax 500 will continue as scheduled ***
There are many hotels in the area, and if players are bagging chips for Day 2, it may be a smart idea to look for one in the area opposed to driving in what could be hazardous conditions.
Total Entries: 815
Players are back from dinner and taking these last few levels to accumulate something healthy to bag up for tomorrow. There have been a lot of questions about this particular tournament and the upcoming weather:
*** Monday (March 3) Omaha 8/B Has Been CANCELLED ***
*** Big Stax 500 will continue as scheduled ***
There are many hotels in the area, and if players are bagging chips for Day 2, it may be a smart idea to look for one in the area opposed to driving in what could be hazardous conditions.
Unfortunately, due to the expected weather conditions, we will have to cancel the Omaha H/L tournament scheduled for Monday at 11am.
— Parx Poker Room (@parxpokerroom) March 2, 2014
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): All In The Same House
Level 9 (Blinds 500/1,000/100)
Total Entries: 801
The last table from the main poker room has broken, and we now have everyone under the same roof (clubhouse room). There is (25) minutes remaining in this level, and players will then go on dinner break. The break will last from 6:25-7:40pm, with both play and live coverage resuming then.
Total Entries: 801
The last table from the main poker room has broken, and we now have everyone under the same roof (clubhouse room). There is (25) minutes remaining in this level, and players will then go on dinner break. The break will last from 6:25-7:40pm, with both play and live coverage resuming then.
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): Counting It Up
Level 9 (Blinds 500/1,000/100)
Total Entries: 799
Here is a short list of updated chip counts:
Michael Melkersen - 280,000
AJ DeNicco - 160,000
Mike Dentale - 110,000
Robert Pyne - 80,000
Dave Inselberg - 72,000
Abe Faroni - 70,000
TJ Shulman - 63,000
Katie Stone - 55,000
We've seen a handful of players firing multiple bullets today, with mixed emotions:
*** Queen's counter includes prior starting days ***
Total Entries: 799
Here is a short list of updated chip counts:
Michael Melkersen - 280,000
AJ DeNicco - 160,000
Mike Dentale - 110,000
Robert Pyne - 80,000
Dave Inselberg - 72,000
Abe Faroni - 70,000
TJ Shulman - 63,000
Katie Stone - 55,000
We've seen a handful of players firing multiple bullets today, with mixed emotions:
Had a closed-door coaches meeting, and we're going for 4th and long final bullet #parxbigstax #QBsneak pic.twitter.com/713RvCZzED
— Jason Rivkin (@jayriv2) March 1, 2014
Buyin counter: 6
Tilt meter : raging 😡
— Alex Queen (@ArgentinaBoy) March 1, 2014
*** Queen's counter includes prior starting days ***
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): One More Level Before Dinner
Level 9 is about to begin (with 792 entries), and players will post blinds of 500/1,000/100 before finishing the level and going to dinner. We've seen some late entries for the first time today:
Abe Faroni
Daniel Chan
Mike Shasho
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): The Legend
Level 8 (Blinds 400/800/100)
Total Entries: 780
Michael Melkersen could be the chip leader of today's field at the moment, just scooping up a pot to take him over 230,000. Melkersen has over $270,000 in lifetime tournament earnings, none of which have come at Parx. His biggest score came last July at Borgata when he won the $1,000 DeepStack Double Play for just under $90,000.
Total Entries: 780
 |
| Michael Melkersen |
Michael Melkersen could be the chip leader of today's field at the moment, just scooping up a pot to take him over 230,000. Melkersen has over $270,000 in lifetime tournament earnings, none of which have come at Parx. His biggest score came last July at Borgata when he won the $1,000 DeepStack Double Play for just under $90,000.
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): Level 8 Starting
Players are going to be posting blinds of 400/800/100 in Level 8, which begins in less than five minutes. The total number of entries is pushing 800 (currently at 774), and with registration open all day, we could see a final total near 900!
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): Even A Blind Squirrel
Level 7 (Blinds 300/600/100)
Total Entries: 762
AJ DeNicco (Pottstown, PA) is off to a good start (sitting on 120,000), but has eyes on something other than poker at the moment. A handful of televisions in the clubhouse room are showing the Syracuse v. Virginia game, with many players keeping a close eye on the action. AJ is the owner of Blind Squirrel apparel, attire you may have seen or own yourself. DeNicco has one cash in the Big Stax 300 last October, and hopes to better that run this time around.
Total Entries: 762
 |
| AJ DeNicco |
AJ DeNicco (Pottstown, PA) is off to a good start (sitting on 120,000), but has eyes on something other than poker at the moment. A handful of televisions in the clubhouse room are showing the Syracuse v. Virginia game, with many players keeping a close eye on the action. AJ is the owner of Blind Squirrel apparel, attire you may have seen or own yourself. DeNicco has one cash in the Big Stax 300 last October, and hopes to better that run this time around.
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): Break It Up
Players are going on their second (15) minute break of the day, and will return to Level 7 and blinds of 300/600/100.
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): Back At It
Level 6 (Blinds 250/500/50)
Total Entries: 742
Ken Bordorossi was our chip leader late in the night during Day 1B, and looked prime to back a super healthy stack. Going into the last level of the night he had 440,000 (over 100 bigs), but was also hampered with the toughest table of those remaining. Ken lost a few hands coming off that final break, and would then get involved in a huge pot with James Anderson. James would end up bagging just under 1,000,000, while Ken would be left leaving the clubhouse room shaking his head.
He's off to a solid start today, and is currently seated at Table 88, along with Sardor Gaziev, Anthony Maio, and Dave Inselberg.
Total Entries: 742
Ken Bordorossi was our chip leader late in the night during Day 1B, and looked prime to back a super healthy stack. Going into the last level of the night he had 440,000 (over 100 bigs), but was also hampered with the toughest table of those remaining. Ken lost a few hands coming off that final break, and would then get involved in a huge pot with James Anderson. James would end up bagging just under 1,000,000, while Ken would be left leaving the clubhouse room shaking his head.
He's off to a solid start today, and is currently seated at Table 88, along with Sardor Gaziev, Anthony Maio, and Dave Inselberg.
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): Going Up
Level 6 will have players posting blinds of 250/500/50, and once again breaking at the conclusion of this level. The total amount of entries continues to go up, and currently stands at 719.
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): A Closer Look
Level 5 (Blinds 200/400/50)
Total Entries: 709
If you're a player who has primarily been on the live tournament circuit, it's quite possible you wouldn't recognize Katie at your table. She made the transition to strictly online play in 2010, and has spent a healthy amount of time in Rosarito (Mexico) since Black Friday. The events leading up to that point, as well as those that have occurred since are really a phenomenal story.
Total Entries: 709
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| Katie Stone |
If you're a player who has primarily been on the live tournament circuit, it's quite possible you wouldn't recognize Katie at your table. She made the transition to strictly online play in 2010, and has spent a healthy amount of time in Rosarito (Mexico) since Black Friday. The events leading up to that point, as well as those that have occurred since are really a phenomenal story.
Both the chess and poker worlds have played a large part of Katie's life, and although she's not as involved in chess, it's something she'd never leave behind. I had a chance to talk to Katie and get to know her briefly, but what I can relay wouldn't really do justice. She has a great personal website, and it's really a great look into a professional online player: www.katie75013.com
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): Levelin' Up
Level 5 will begin momentarily, with blinds going up to 200/400/50 (Total entries: 700). Some more notables to be seated in the field:
Joe Cappuccio
Katie Stone
Edmond Petrella
Dave Inselberg
Joe Cappuccio
Katie Stone
Edmond Petrella
Dave Inselberg
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): Lens Crafters
Level 4 (Blinds 150/300/50)
Total Entries: 696
We are about to hit 700 entries and the field continues to grow every minute, with overflow now sitting in the main poker room. Players were caught on camera in both room during these early stages:
Total Entries: 696
We are about to hit 700 entries and the field continues to grow every minute, with overflow now sitting in the main poker room. Players were caught on camera in both room during these early stages:
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| Mike Dentale |
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| Allison Schultz |
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| Stephanie Hubbard |
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| Sardor Gaziev |
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| Bob Brady |
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): Back From Break…In The Field
Level 4 (Blinds 150/300/50)
Total Entries: 672
Players are coming back from break, and we are able to get a better look at who has joined us today:
Allison Schultz
Chris Farley
Ken Silberstein
Asher Conniff
Mickey Woll
Dan Dizenzo
Mike Sandler
Sardor Gaziev
Jason Rivkin
Andrew Zhu
Sean Wallace
Alex Queen
Robert Pyne
Bryan Trischetta
Bob Brady
David Novak
Joel Frank
Total Entries: 672
Players are coming back from break, and we are able to get a better look at who has joined us today:
Allison Schultz
Chris Farley
Ken Silberstein
Asher Conniff
Mickey Woll
Dan Dizenzo
Mike Sandler
Sardor Gaziev
Jason Rivkin
Andrew Zhu
Sean Wallace
Alex Queen
Robert Pyne
Bryan Trischetta
Bob Brady
David Novak
Joel Frank
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): Taking A Break
Level 3 (Blinds 100/200/25)
Total Entries: 635
Players are going to finish out this level and take their first (15) minute break of the night. Everyone is currently chasing James Anderson (Pittsburgh, PA), and it's not going to be an easy task to catch him on Day 1C. Anderson bagged 940,000, which is the highest amount ever bagged in any Big Stax event Day 1 (of any trophy event). Anderson has over $1,500,000 in career tournament earnings and two Big Stax final tables to his name.
Total Entries: 635
Players are going to finish out this level and take their first (15) minute break of the night. Everyone is currently chasing James Anderson (Pittsburgh, PA), and it's not going to be an easy task to catch him on Day 1C. Anderson bagged 940,000, which is the highest amount ever bagged in any Big Stax event Day 1 (of any trophy event). Anderson has over $1,500,000 in career tournament earnings and two Big Stax final tables to his name.
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): More Arrivals
Level 2 (Blinds 75/150)
Total Entries: 606
A steady stream of players continues to flock to their seats, as the third level of the day will start shortly, with blinds going up to 100/200/25. The Twitter-verse keeps us all updated:
Total Entries: 606
A steady stream of players continues to flock to their seats, as the third level of the day will start shortly, with blinds going up to 100/200/25. The Twitter-verse keeps us all updated:
Just took my seat for #ParxBigStax 500 Day 1C T87S7 40kss blinds at 75/150 Leggo
— Tru Q Le (@tru_le) March 1, 2014
Just got to @parxpokerroom @parxfor bigstax 550
— Bob Brady (@BobBrady2) March 1, 2014
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): 14 More To Go
Level 2 has just started with blinds going up to 75/150, and with the clock showing 586 entries, we have surpassed the largest Big Stax 500 field to date. The names keep rolling in, including Mike Dentale, TJ Shulman, and Alex Queen:
Parx $500
Bullet counter: 4
— Alex Queen (@ArgentinaBoy) March 1, 2014
Just sat down to play Parx $550 with Nemo in the flesh! pic.twitter.com/Khc8JvcnuF
— Michael Dentale (@Mikunbelievable) March 1, 2014
Big Stax 500 (Day 1C): It's A Race To Bag
Level 1 (Blinds 50/100)
Total Entries: 490
Players are filing into the clubhouse room, with today the last of the starting days for the Big Stax 500. The largest field for this event in its short history is just under 540, and that number should be surpassed in only a few levels. Although very early, we have already seen some notables in the crowd:
Total Entries: 490
Players are filing into the clubhouse room, with today the last of the starting days for the Big Stax 500. The largest field for this event in its short history is just under 540, and that number should be surpassed in only a few levels. Although very early, we have already seen some notables in the crowd:
Time to defend @parxpokerroom #ParxBigStax 500 title. A @MattGlantz joint
— ILYA E (@DJILUHA) March 1, 2014
With a lil pep in my step, somehow I'm in my seat for hand 1 of the $500 #parxbigstax #GreenFriday #laxxed pic.twitter.com/JzWSLPXm4u
— Jason Rivkin (@jayriv2) March 1, 2014
Driving to @parxpokerroom for #bigstax nice weather before the storm. #hustle #stackchips #fritolay
— jeff gurfinkel (@jeffgpoker) March 1, 2014
Big Stax 500 (Day 1B): End Of Day 1B Chip Counts
| Total Players: | 206 | Players Remaining: | 32 |
| Total Chips: | 8,240,000 | Average Chips: | 257,500 |
| James | Anderson | Pittsburgh PA | 945,000 |
| WooYang | Lin | Morristown NJ | 550,000 |
| Joseph | McKeehen | North Wales PA | 499,000 |
| Jeffrey | Spence | King of Prussia PA | 424,000 |
| Uke | Dauti | Stanhope | 414,500 |
| Chris | Csik | Absecon NJ | 412,500 |
| Tim | Bryan | Atlanta GA | 387,000 |
| Ramaswamy | Pyloore | Wayne NJ | 364,000 |
| Ryan | Eriquezzo | Danbury CT | 306,500 |
| Bryan | Seckrettar | Blackwood NJ | 277,000 |
| Michael | Azzaro | Yonkers NY | 270,000 |
| Gary | Ackerman | Collegeville PA | 269,500 |
| Gregory | Fishberg | Huntingdon Valley PA | 240,000 |
| Veronica | Rivera | Clearwater FL | 233,000 |
| Xinyu | Zhoo | Philadelphia PA | 222,000 |
| Laurence | Wolf | Annapolis MD | 219,000 |
| Chris | Laieta | Bensalem PA | 215,000 |
| Matt | Iles | Atco NJ | 214,000 |
| Jia | Liu | Brooklyn NY | 205,000 |
| DJ | MacKinnon | Buffalo NY | 195,000 |
| Ibraim | Ibraimovic | Brooklyn NY | 187,500 |
| David | Britchkov | Dresher PA | 165,500 |
| Kevin | Lutz | Bellmawr NJ | 157,000 |
| Jonas | Wexler | Southampton PA | 150,000 |
| Peter | Tarsiewicz | Mt. Laurel NJ | 125,000 |
| Miguel | Borrero | Jersey City NJ | 112,500 |
| Wadie | Khalaf | Tampa FL | 110,000 |
| Anthony | Anastasi | Glen Mills PA | 87,500 |
| Thai | Ha | Factoryville PA | 73,000 |
| Jeff | Wicker | Bristol PA | 68,000 |
| Amber | Merefield | Medford NJ | 62,500 |
| Gerard | Graff | Swedesboro NJ | 48,500 |
Big Stax 500 (Day 1B): Draw For Hands/Bag And Tag
The tournament floor will be pausing the clock with 10:00 remaining in the level and players will have three more hands in the night. Players will then bag their chips for Day 2, and we will post the end of Day 1B chip counts shortly thereafter.
James Anderson will be primed for another deep run and look to be the first player to make three Big Stax final tables. Anderson knocks out Ken Bordorossi right before the final hand announcement and chips up over 900,000.
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| James Anderson |
James Anderson will be primed for another deep run and look to be the first player to make three Big Stax final tables. Anderson knocks out Ken Bordorossi right before the final hand announcement and chips up over 900,000.
Big Stax 500 (Day 1B): McKeehen Standard
Level 15 (Blinds 2,000/4,000/500)
Total Entries: 449
Joe McKeehen came back from the final break with 200,000 and quickly lost a flip with AK < 10 10. Only a few hands later, McKeehen would get his final 124,000 in against Ryan Eriquezzo on a flop of 3 9 7. Joe's 5 6 > J 9 after the Q 4 runout made him a straight on the river, bringing his stack above 300,000 (his peak for the day).
Total Entries: 449
 |
| Moments Before The Chips get In |
Joe McKeehen came back from the final break with 200,000 and quickly lost a flip with AK < 10 10. Only a few hands later, McKeehen would get his final 124,000 in against Ryan Eriquezzo on a flop of 3 9 7. Joe's 5 6 > J 9 after the Q 4 runout made him a straight on the river, bringing his stack above 300,000 (his peak for the day).
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