Thursday, February 20, 2014
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Final Break Of The Night
Players are taking their final (15) minute break of the night, and will return to finish Level 15 (blinds going up to 2,000/4,000/500). Players will bag their chips at the conclusion of the level and we will bring you the end of Day 1A chip counts shortly thereafter.
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): A Roller Coaster Day
Level 14 (Blinds 1,500/3,000/400)
Total Entries: 458
Chris Kusha (Staten Island, NY) has documented his up and down day via Twitter, as he now sits on a healthy stack:
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Level Up
Level 14 has just started, with blinds going up to 1,500/3,000/400 (Total Entries: 454). There are currently 110 players seated in the clubhouse, which means that a rough estimate of the average stack at the moment sits at 124,000.
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Still Alive
Level 13 (Blinds 1,200/2,400/300)
Total Entries: 453
With 145 players now remaining in the clubhouse room, here is a small list of some players still trying to bag chips for Day 2:
Nancy Martin
Alyson Parker
Stephanie Hubbard
Bryan Trischetta
Ray Ross
Justin Liberto
Joe Liberta
Joe Gola
TJ Schulman
Peter Ippolito
David Black
Mike Sandler
Rocco Luciano
Joe Cappuccio
Total Entries: 453
With 145 players now remaining in the clubhouse room, here is a small list of some players still trying to bag chips for Day 2:
Nancy Martin
Alyson Parker
Stephanie Hubbard
Bryan Trischetta
Ray Ross
Justin Liberto
Joe Liberta
Joe Gola
TJ Schulman
Peter Ippolito
David Black
Mike Sandler
Rocco Luciano
Joe Cappuccio
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Musumeci Eliminated
Level 13 (Blinds 1,200/2,400/300)
Total Entries: 450
Only a few minutes after Tweeting out that update, Amanda three-bet shoved her remaining chips after an UTG raise to 5,500 and a call behind. The action would fold around to the player who was UTG +1, and he would also declare himself all-in. Musumeci would table 9 9 and would be behind the J J of her opponent. She would end up turning an open ended draw, but would brick the river and be eliminated.
Total Entries: 450
Had it to 125k before losing a decent pot with trips vs trips (AT vs AJ) n his kicker played :/ 73k now at 2400.... 3 more lvls tonight...
— Amanda Musumeci (@TheReaLMander) February 21, 2014
Only a few minutes after Tweeting out that update, Amanda three-bet shoved her remaining chips after an UTG raise to 5,500 and a call behind. The action would fold around to the player who was UTG +1, and he would also declare himself all-in. Musumeci would table 9 9 and would be behind the J J of her opponent. She would end up turning an open ended draw, but would brick the river and be eliminated.
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Break Time
Players are going on another (15) minute break, and when they return the blinds will be going up to 1,200/2,400/300 (Total Entries: 450). Play will continue with one final break after Level 14, and the players remaining at the end of Level 15 will bag chips for Day 2.
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Making Waves
Level 12 (Blinds 1,000/2,000/300)
Total Entries: 448
The field has shrunk to 165 players remaining, and we are beginning to see some new players accumulating chips. Steven Sarmiento (Forest Hills, NY) was one of three players to chop the most recent Big Stax 300 (in October), taking home $39,315. Sarmiento has been pretty quiet throughout the day, but now has over 250,000.
Also climbing the leader board is Peter Ippolito (East Meadow, NY), who has seemingly been at every table that's happened to break today. The change of scenery hasn't deterred Ippolito at all, as he has built his stack to over 220,000.
Total Entries: 448
The field has shrunk to 165 players remaining, and we are beginning to see some new players accumulating chips. Steven Sarmiento (Forest Hills, NY) was one of three players to chop the most recent Big Stax 300 (in October), taking home $39,315. Sarmiento has been pretty quiet throughout the day, but now has over 250,000.
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| Peter Ippolito |
Also climbing the leader board is Peter Ippolito (East Meadow, NY), who has seemingly been at every table that's happened to break today. The change of scenery hasn't deterred Ippolito at all, as he has built his stack to over 220,000.
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Showers (For Now)…Level Up
Level 12 will start in three minutes, with the blinds going up to 1,000/2,000/300 (Total Entries: 442). The following players have been eliminated from Day 1A play, and have shown no signs of re-entering:
Asher Conniff
Michael Marder
Jonas Wexler
Joe McKeehen
Asher Conniff
Michael Marder
Jonas Wexler
Joe McKeehen
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Visor Guy Doubles
Level 11 (Blinds 800/1,600/200)
Total Entries: 438
David "Visor Guy" Black was our runner-up in the Big Stax 500 event during our inaugural Big Stax series (Feb. 2013). Black took home $28,000 for the second place finish, and is working on another deep run today. On a flop of Q J 4 (rainbow), Black immediately called his opponents check-raise all-in. It would be the 4 4 of Black against the Q J of his opponent. The board would run clean for David, who would double up to over 160,000.
Total Entries: 438
David "Visor Guy" Black was our runner-up in the Big Stax 500 event during our inaugural Big Stax series (Feb. 2013). Black took home $28,000 for the second place finish, and is working on another deep run today. On a flop of Q J 4 (rainbow), Black immediately called his opponents check-raise all-in. It would be the 4 4 of Black against the Q J of his opponent. The board would run clean for David, who would double up to over 160,000.
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): How The Mighty Have Fallen
Level 11 (Blinds 800/1,600/200)
Total Entries: 435
It was only minutes ago when Ben Coren was sitting on the largest stack in the room, and had close to 280 blinds. Coren was in the tank and doing a lot of talking to Chris White, who was all-in for over 100,000 on the turn of J 7 2 2. Ben eventually decided to make the call, but would mis-step as White tabled J J (turned full house). Coren would be drawing dead with 10 10, and had to watch as a 10 spiked the river for the ultimate needle.
Coren would then iso-shove over an opponents all-in (for less), and would lose that hand as well (KJ < 55).
Chris White - 240,000
Ben Coren - 101,000
Total Entries: 435
It was only minutes ago when Ben Coren was sitting on the largest stack in the room, and had close to 280 blinds. Coren was in the tank and doing a lot of talking to Chris White, who was all-in for over 100,000 on the turn of J 7 2 2. Ben eventually decided to make the call, but would mis-step as White tabled J J (turned full house). Coren would be drawing dead with 10 10, and had to watch as a 10 spiked the river for the ultimate needle.
Coren would then iso-shove over an opponents all-in (for less), and would lose that hand as well (KJ < 55).
Chris White - 240,000
Ben Coren - 101,000
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Level Up…Coren Continues Rolling
With Level 10 beginning shortly, the blinds will be going up to 800/1,600/200 (Total Entries: 435). Ben Coren went to dinner as the chip leader of the field, and it didn't take long for him to continue where he left off. Flopped the joint with J 10 on the 7 8 9 flop, and had his opponent drawing dead after calling a check-jam on the turn.
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Gangs All Here
Level 10 (Blinds 600/1,200/200)
Total Entries: 431
The tournament field has been consolidated to the clubhouse room, as 230 players of the 431 entered remain seated. Players still continue to enter (or re-enter), one of which was Greg Himmelmbrand (who busted shortly before dinner):
Total Entries: 431
The tournament field has been consolidated to the clubhouse room, as 230 players of the 431 entered remain seated. Players still continue to enter (or re-enter), one of which was Greg Himmelmbrand (who busted shortly before dinner):
Who am I kidding? Post dinner rebuy - #bullet2
— Greg Himmelbrand (@GregHPoker) February 20, 2014
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): When To Return?
Players are just minutes from dinner, and action will resume at approximately 7:35pm.
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Musumeci Doubles…Dinner Break
Level 9 (Blinds 500/1,000/100)
Total Entries: 413
Amanda Musumeci shoved her remaining 27,000 over an open from her opponent, and would table QQ after a call was made. She would be up against 88, and after the queens held, would double to just under 60,000. Also doing well going into dinner is Parx tournament regular Nancy Martin, who is sitting on a stack just over 100,000:
Players are about to go on a (75) minute dinner break, and the tournament directors will be counting the chips in play. Here is a link posted weeks ago in regards to the integrity of Parx tournaments, and the process that will be taking place:
Total Entries: 413
Amanda Musumeci shoved her remaining 27,000 over an open from her opponent, and would table QQ after a call was made. She would be up against 88, and after the queens held, would double to just under 60,000. Also doing well going into dinner is Parx tournament regular Nancy Martin, who is sitting on a stack just over 100,000:
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| Nancy Martin |
Players are about to go on a (75) minute dinner break, and the tournament directors will be counting the chips in play. Here is a link posted weeks ago in regards to the integrity of Parx tournaments, and the process that will be taking place:
.@parxpokerroom ambassador @MattGlantz talks about new chip-tracking policy to be put into place by casino. http://t.co/9rzm0pTMIx
— PokerNews (@PokerNews) February 12, 2014
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Level Up…New Chip Leader
Level 9 just started with blinds going up to 500/1,000/100 (Total Entries: 399). Dinner break commences at the conclusion of this level, and will last (75) minutes.
We are beginning to see some separation in the field, with Ben Coren (Lansdale, PA) leading the way at the moment:
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| Ben Coren |
We are beginning to see some separation in the field, with Ben Coren (Lansdale, PA) leading the way at the moment:
229k at 100/400/800. An hour from dinner break. #parxbigstax #runninggood
— Benn C. (@mucklefutz) February 20, 2014
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Tough Spot…Good Call
Level 8 (Blinds 400/800/100)
Total Entries: 395
We walked up to Table 80 just as Ido Ashkenazi stood up from his seat, clearly agitated with the decision he was put to. The board read 2♣ 4♣ 7♣ K♣ 7♠, and with 40,000 already in the pot, Ido's opponent stuffed 69,000 on the river. Ido stood up and apologized to the table for taking such a long time to make his decision, saying that any other card on the river he would of snap called. He took his seat and thought for a few more moments before putting in his remaining 65,000 for the call. His opponent told him it was a good call, and turned over the K♠. Ido tabled Q♠ Q♣ for the win (the other player in the hand did have a flush as well, turning over the 10♣ after a few moments).
Total Entries: 395
 |
| Ido Ashkenazi |
We walked up to Table 80 just as Ido Ashkenazi stood up from his seat, clearly agitated with the decision he was put to. The board read 2♣ 4♣ 7♣ K♣ 7♠, and with 40,000 already in the pot, Ido's opponent stuffed 69,000 on the river. Ido stood up and apologized to the table for taking such a long time to make his decision, saying that any other card on the river he would of snap called. He took his seat and thought for a few more moments before putting in his remaining 65,000 for the call. His opponent told him it was a good call, and turned over the K♠. Ido tabled Q♠ Q♣ for the win (the other player in the hand did have a flush as well, turning over the 10♣ after a few moments).
Askenazi is now one of the larger stacks in the room, with just over 170,000.
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Level Up
The first few minutes of Level 8 have just started to tick off the clock, with the blinds going up to 400/800/100 (Total Entries: 387). Players will be going on dinner break at the end of Level 9, and will be playing through the end of Level 15.
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Another Boss
Level 7 (Blinds 300/600/100)
Total Entries: 379
Greg Himmlebrand (Oakland Gardens, NY) is another player who had a breakout year in 2013, recorded over $500,000 in tournament earnings for the year. He had two scores for over $240,000 each (Caesers $1,080 Mega Stack Series Main and Event 1 Borgata Fall Poker Open), with a Big Stax final table finish sandwiched in between. Himmelbrand chopped the Big Stax 300 four ways, with his share amounted to $43,457. Two of the players who were also involved in the chop are also in out Day 1A field (Edmond Petrella and Seth Zimmerman).
Total Entries: 379
 |
| Greg Himmelbrand |
Greg Himmlebrand (Oakland Gardens, NY) is another player who had a breakout year in 2013, recorded over $500,000 in tournament earnings for the year. He had two scores for over $240,000 each (Caesers $1,080 Mega Stack Series Main and Event 1 Borgata Fall Poker Open), with a Big Stax final table finish sandwiched in between. Himmelbrand chopped the Big Stax 300 four ways, with his share amounted to $43,457. Two of the players who were also involved in the chop are also in out Day 1A field (Edmond Petrella and Seth Zimmerman).
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Ingram Rushing Up Leaderboard
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| James Ingram |
Players are taking their second (15) minute break of the day, with James Ingram picking up a sizable pot before the clock wound down. On a board of 9♥ 8♦ 7♦ Q♥, Ingram's opponent pushed for his remaining 17,000. James thought the hand through (with 60,000 behind), and eventually threw in the chips for a call. Ingram would be ahead with A♦ 9♦ against the 10♥ 8♣ (pair and open-ended draw), and would river the A♣ to take down the hand and eclipse the 100,000 mark.
Players return to Level 7 with blinds of 300/600/100 (369 total entries).
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Counts From The Field
Level 6 (Blinds 250/500/50)
Total Entries: 352
Here are some updated chip counts from the field:
Rocco Luciano - 115,000
Sean Wallace - 22,000
Joe Cappuccio - 13,000
Jeff Wicker - 45,000
TJ Schulman - 41,000
Joe McKeehen - 20,000
Ray Ross - 48,000
Bryan Trischetta - 90,000
Joe Palma - 100,000
Amanda Musumeci - 26,000
Michael Marder - 13,000
Stephanie Hubbard - 24,000
Artyem Perlov - 34,000
Nancy Martin - 22,000
Anthony Maio - 35,000
Antonio Walker - 33,000
Seth Zimmerman - 27,000
Pete Ippolito - 44,000
Edmund Petrella - 48,000
Aaron Mermelstein - 33,000
Alyson Parker - 36,000
Total Entries: 352
Here are some updated chip counts from the field:
Rocco Luciano - 115,000
Sean Wallace - 22,000
Joe Cappuccio - 13,000
Jeff Wicker - 45,000
TJ Schulman - 41,000
Joe McKeehen - 20,000
Ray Ross - 48,000
Bryan Trischetta - 90,000
Joe Palma - 100,000
Amanda Musumeci - 26,000
Michael Marder - 13,000
Stephanie Hubbard - 24,000
Artyem Perlov - 34,000
Nancy Martin - 22,000
Anthony Maio - 35,000
Antonio Walker - 33,000
Seth Zimmerman - 27,000
Pete Ippolito - 44,000
Edmund Petrella - 48,000
Aaron Mermelstein - 33,000
Alyson Parker - 36,000
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Late Arrivals And Level Up
Level 6 has just started with blinds going up to 250/500/50, and the total number of entries now sits at 338.
One of the most recent arrivals walks in the clubhouse room coming off a life changing score, as Anthony Maio (Jamison, PA) takes his seat at Table 85. Maio made his first WPT Final Table at the Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship, finishing third for just over $300,000. All but three of Maio's lifetime recorded cashes have been in Atlantic City, and he's looking for his first cash here at Parx. Also taking their seats in the clubhouse room were Stephanie Hubbard and Jeff Wicker.
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| Anthony Maio |
One of the most recent arrivals walks in the clubhouse room coming off a life changing score, as Anthony Maio (Jamison, PA) takes his seat at Table 85. Maio made his first WPT Final Table at the Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship, finishing third for just over $300,000. All but three of Maio's lifetime recorded cashes have been in Atlantic City, and he's looking for his first cash here at Parx. Also taking their seats in the clubhouse room were Stephanie Hubbard and Jeff Wicker.
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Think This Is Easy?
Level 5 (Blinds 200/400/50)
Total Entries: 325
While many eyes are on the Women's Gold Medal Hockey game (tied 2-2 in OT), we found a great piece written by Darrel Plant in regards to the difficulty of tournament poker. Many recreational players think that the life of a tournament pro may be a dream, but only a small handful can truly find consistent success on the circuit. There are a handful of names mentioned in the article that we know well from the community (credit to Regressing.deadspin.com for the piece):
Total Entries: 325
While many eyes are on the Women's Gold Medal Hockey game (tied 2-2 in OT), we found a great piece written by Darrel Plant in regards to the difficulty of tournament poker. Many recreational players think that the life of a tournament pro may be a dream, but only a small handful can truly find consistent success on the circuit. There are a handful of names mentioned in the article that we know well from the community (credit to Regressing.deadspin.com for the piece):
Why it's hard for even poker pros to make a living playing live tournaments http://t.co/nYK61ctn0c
— Deadspin (@Deadspin) February 19, 2014
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Level Up
Tournament Director David Grubb has just announced the start of Level 5, with blinds increasing to 200/400/50. We continue to catch new faces as we span both rooms:
Steven Sarmiento
Artyem Perlov
Seth Zimmerman
Aaron Mermelstein
Steven Sarmiento
Artyem Perlov
Seth Zimmerman
Aaron Mermelstein
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Standing Room Only
Level 4 (Blinds 150/300/50)
Total Entries: 289
The numbers right now are nothing short of staggering, and it seems as if the flow of entries continues it's steady pace. We are currently 50% ahead of pace from last series, where we ended Day 1A with 309 players (we are only 20 players short of that number at the moment). These numbers are credited to the popularity of these series in the community, as well as scheduling. It's for this reason that it's suggested for players interested in the $500 Heads-Up NLH event later in the series register beforehand:
Total Entries: 289
The numbers right now are nothing short of staggering, and it seems as if the flow of entries continues it's steady pace. We are currently 50% ahead of pace from last series, where we ended Day 1A with 309 players (we are only 20 players short of that number at the moment). These numbers are credited to the popularity of these series in the community, as well as scheduling. It's for this reason that it's suggested for players interested in the $500 Heads-Up NLH event later in the series register beforehand:
Registration opened this morning for the $500 heads up event on March 9. Seats are going quick, we are strongly encouraging preregistration
— Parx Poker Room (@parxpokerroom) February 20, 2014
*** As of right now there are 19 players registered for the Heads-Up event.Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Updated Counts
Level 4 (Blinds 150/300/50)
Total Entries: 272
Here are just a few updated chip counts we've found from the Twitter-verse:
Amanda Musumeci - 23,000
Chris Kusha - 40,900
Michael Marder - 27,775
Total Entries: 272
Here are just a few updated chip counts we've found from the Twitter-verse:
Amanda Musumeci - 23,000
Chris Kusha - 40,900
Michael Marder - 27,775
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Beast Mode
Level 4 (Blinds 150/300/50)
Total Entries: 267
It seems as if Joe McKeehen (North Wales, PA) gets a different write up each Big Stax series, but it's fully warranted. McKeehen is coming off another WSOPC final table (Palm Beach Kennel Club), where he finished fourth in the $1,675 NLH Main Event, falling short of his third WSOPC ring. McKeehen took home $68,291 for the finish, and pushes his total career earnings over $800,000. That is a solid career number for anyone, but consider the fact that Joe is only 22 years old. There are professional players that will play a lifetime without reaching numbers like that, and he's done it within a two year span.
Total Entries: 267
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| Joe McKeehen |
It seems as if Joe McKeehen (North Wales, PA) gets a different write up each Big Stax series, but it's fully warranted. McKeehen is coming off another WSOPC final table (Palm Beach Kennel Club), where he finished fourth in the $1,675 NLH Main Event, falling short of his third WSOPC ring. McKeehen took home $68,291 for the finish, and pushes his total career earnings over $800,000. That is a solid career number for anyone, but consider the fact that Joe is only 22 years old. There are professional players that will play a lifetime without reaching numbers like that, and he's done it within a two year span.
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): No Vacancy
Level 3 (Blinds 100/200/25)
Total Entries: 254
The clubhouse room is now full, and players who are registering for the first time (or re-entering) are being seated in the main poker room. More new faces include:
Jospeh McKeehen
Justin Liberto
Greg Fishberg
Rob Yass
Players will be going on their first break of the day at the conclusion of this level (eight minutes), and will return to blinds of 100/200/25.
Total Entries: 254
The clubhouse room is now full, and players who are registering for the first time (or re-entering) are being seated in the main poker room. More new faces include:
Jospeh McKeehen
Justin Liberto
Greg Fishberg
Rob Yass
Players will be going on their first break of the day at the conclusion of this level (eight minutes), and will return to blinds of 100/200/25.
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Late Arrivals
Level 3 (Blinds 100/200/25)
Total Entries: 224
The influx of players continues to surprise as tournament directors rush to get entries seated as quick as possible. New faces to the field include:
Nancy Martin
Michael Marder
Sean Wallace
Bryan Trischetta
Amanda Musumeci
Robert Pyne
Rocco Luciano
David Black
Antonio Payne
Total Entries: 224
The influx of players continues to surprise as tournament directors rush to get entries seated as quick as possible. New faces to the field include:
Nancy Martin
Michael Marder
Sean Wallace
Bryan Trischetta
Amanda Musumeci
Robert Pyne
Rocco Luciano
David Black
Antonio Payne
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Off To A Quick Start
Level 2 (Blinds 75/150)
Total Entries: 210
TJ Shulman (Duluth, GA) starts off his day with an early "gift," as he phrased it. Shulman flatted a six high flop with pocket eights, and watched as his opponent shoved the turn (whited happened to be an eight). TJ would have the player drawing dead after hearing that he was up against king high, and now sits with over 60,000. Shulman is no stranger to deep runs in these Big Stax events, reaching the final table of the Big Stax 1500 (Big Stax II) last May, taking home over $35,000.
Total Entries: 210
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| TJ Shulman |
TJ Shulman (Duluth, GA) starts off his day with an early "gift," as he phrased it. Shulman flatted a six high flop with pocket eights, and watched as his opponent shoved the turn (whited happened to be an eight). TJ would have the player drawing dead after hearing that he was up against king high, and now sits with over 60,000. Shulman is no stranger to deep runs in these Big Stax events, reaching the final table of the Big Stax 1500 (Big Stax II) last May, taking home over $35,000.
TJ Shulman - 60,000
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Packed House
Level 1 (Blinds 75/150)
Total Entries: 170
Contrary to prior series, Day 1A has gotten off to a very quick start, as the clubhouse room is already filling up. Many of the usual suspects have already taken their seats, some of which include:
Ken Silberstein
Matthew Burnitz
TJ Shulman
Joe Spillane
Mike Sandler
Nicholas Partenope
Joseph Cappuccio
Joe Palma
Total Entries: 170
Contrary to prior series, Day 1A has gotten off to a very quick start, as the clubhouse room is already filling up. Many of the usual suspects have already taken their seats, some of which include:
Ken Silberstein
Matthew Burnitz
TJ Shulman
Joe Spillane
Mike Sandler
Nicholas Partenope
Joseph Cappuccio
Joe Palma
Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Let's Have A Good Clean Fight
Cards are going to be in the air momentarily for the beginning of the Big Stax V series. As players begin to take their seats we will bring you the faces in the field, and the updates will continue on throughout the day.
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