Big Stax 500 (Day 1A): Final Break/Numbers Update

Players are about to go on their final break of the night, and will return to blinds of 2,000/4,000/500.  Here are the numbers updated:

Total Day 1A Entries: 242
Entries Remaining: 54
Chip Average: 180,000

Big Stax 500 (Day 1A): Michalek Sends Ross Packing

Level 14 (Blinds 1,500/3,000/400)
Total Entries: 242

In the post that included Matt Glantz's triple, we mentioned a big hand brewing between Ray Ross and Norman Michalek.  On a A K 3 8 K board, Ross fired three streets: 8,000 into 20,000 on the flop/18,000 into 38,000 on the turn/shoves the river for about a pot sized bet.  Norman was in the tank for a while, and finally verbalizes a call.  Ross says that he can't win the hand, and Norman tables A 7 for the win.

Norman Michalek - 342,000
Ray Ross - Eliminated

Big Stax 500 (Day 1A): Levels Moving Up

Level 14 just started with blinds going up to 1,500/3,000/400 (Total Entries: 242).  There are about 63 bodies still playing in the room, and they will finish this level before the last break of the night.

Big Stax 500 (Day 1A): Glantz Runs Out Pure

Level 13 (Blinds 1,200/2,400/300)
Total Entries: 242

At Table 68 there was a healthy pot unfolding between Ray Ross and Norman Michalek, with Ross all-in on the river and Norman in the tank.  While Norman was mulling his decision, we had another huge hand unfolding.  We went to the flop with three players (two of which were all-in):

 Glantz (all-in for 85,000): Q♠ Q♣       Player X(all-in for less): Q♥ Q♦          Himmelbrand: A♥ K♦

Flop: 7♣ 2♣ 7♠

Turn: 3♣

River: 10♣

After the flop was out, Himmelbrand even mentioned the club-club runout, which unfolded like it was clockwork.  Glantz would almost get a full triple, putting himself right in contention with over 250,000.

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

Level 13 (Blinds 1,200/2,400/300)
Total Entries: 241

Here are updated chip counts from the field:

Greg Himmelbrand - 355,000
David Kim - 350,000
Rocco Luciano - 270,000
Michael Marder - 220,000
Joe Palma - 175,000
She Wong - 170,000
Norman Michalek - 155,000
Marvin Siegel - 135,000
Nancy Martin - 125,000
Amanda Musumeci - 105,000
Ray Ross - 120,000
Andrew Spears - 100,000
Tarun Gulati - 100,000
Drew Amato - 90,000
Matt Glantz - 82,000
Peter Ippolito - 68,000
Christine Brewer - 39,000

Big Stax 500 (Day 1A): Break Time

Second to last break of the night, as players take (10) minutes to stretch their legs and such.  When players return, the blinds will be 1,200/2,400/300.  Although the entry number has gone up each level throughout the day, players who buy-in now will have just less than 20 bigs, so we expect to see the number plateau.

Big Stax 500 (Day 1A): Still Here

Level 12 (Blinds 1,000/2,000/300)
Total Entries: 237

There are nine tables remaining in the room, with approximately 75 occupied seats.  Some notables still remaining:

Christine Brewer
Keith Crowder
Amanda Musumeci
Ari Albilia
Drew Amato
Tarun Gulati
Joe McKeehen
Andy Spears
She Wong
Ray Ross
Joe Liberta
Jennifer So

Big Stax 500 (Day 1A): Keep Firing…Level Up

Greg Himmelbrand

Level 12 has just started, with the blinds going up to 1,000/2,000/300 (Total Entries: 235).  We've seen a few players fire more than two bullets today, with one of them gaining traction on the third bullet.  Greg Himmelbrand (Oakland Gardens, NY) is now up to 290,000, and after chopping the Big Stax 300 in August, is no stranger to deep runs in these tournaments.  Himmelbrand sandwiched that chop (for $40,000) in between two scores of over $240,000 (Borgata Open - Event 1/Caesers MegaStack Vegas).

Big Stax 500 (Day 1A): Also To Bust

Level 11 (Blinds 800/1,600/200)
Total Entries: 229

The eliminations are becoming steadier now as we enter the final stages of the night, some of which include:

Den Sewnig
Chris Farley

Big Stax 500 (Day 1A): Tomorrow It Is

Level 11 (Blinds 800/1,600/200)
Total Entries: 225

"Tomorrow it is." Comments from Alex Queen as he leaves the clubhouse room after busting.  We've had our first table break since coming back from dinner, but Queen was the only recognizable face we've seen bust.

Michael Marder (Sewell, NJ) gets a full double as his AA > JJ of James Governa.  Edmond Petrella was standing as the chips we being counted out, regretting not calling Marder's 36,000 all-in, as he would of won the hand.  Marder is up to 90,000, which is also his peak for the day so far.

Big Stax 500 (Day 1A): Level Up

Level 11 starts in just minutes, with the blinds going up to 800/1,600/200.  The number of entries continues to rise, with 222 currently on the board.  With 12 tables (predominantly full) in the room, it means we should have about 108 players remaining at the moment.

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

Level 10 (Blinds 600/1,200/200)
Total Entries: 218

Here are some updated counts from the field:

David Kim - 370,000
Morgan Litwin - 260,000
Jeff Wicker - 230,000
Justin Liberto - 185,000
Nancy Martin - 120,000
Marvin Siegel - 90,000
Alex Queen - 62,000
Joe McKeehen - 45,000
Matt Glantz - 35,000

Big Stax 500 (Day 1A): Back From Dinner (Twitter Updates)

The field will resume play in less than a minute, posting blinds of 600/1,200/200.  Only moments before dinner, David Kim's (mentioned a post prior) QQ > 44 of his opponent on the Q 4 4 Q J runout. Kim checked called both the flop and turn, and once again called his opponents shove on the river, chipping up to 370,000.

Had to convince @davekim01 for 3 days to go to @parxpokerroom today and now he is chip leader #showoff!!!
— Christine Brewer (@CBrewer_09) February 27, 2014

Made a defensible punt by ripping 20bb OTB w rags into 2 nits in blinds & 5 secs left til dinner brk. BB was oi w A8o & flops us dead #nhsir
— Jason Rivkin (@jayriv2) February 27, 2014

85k coming back from dinner playing 600/1200...
— Amanda Musumeci (@TheReaLMander) February 28, 2014

QQ<KQ aip for first bullet. Got the lovely AJxx10 runout. 41k on the second bullet on dinner.
— Drew Amato (@drew_amato) February 28, 2014

Big Stax 500 (Day 1A): Dinner Time

The field is going on a (75) minute dinner break, with both play and live coverage resuming at approximately 7:30pm.

Big Stax 500 (Day 1A): Whispers

Level 9 (Blinds 500/1,000/100)
Total Entries: 207

David Kim

David Kim (Brigantine, NJ) is primarily an Atlantic City cash game reg, but is no stranger to this room (or these tournaments).  Kim chopped the Big Stax 1000 last August, taking home $40,000 and adding to his career earnings of over $160,000.  Kim was just involved in a sizable pot with Ray Ross, and we picked up the action on the turn.  The board was K♦ Q♣ 10♠ 2♠, and Kim had checked to Ross, who fired out a little more than pot sized bet of 33,000.  Both players were over 140,000 to start the hand, and after some though, Kim put in the stack of chips he was shuffling and quietly announced himself all-in (having Ross covered).  Ray thought for about three minutes before eventually folding, and Kim catapulted his way to top five stacks heading into dinner (230,000).

Big Stax 500 (Day 1A): Leading Before Dinner

Level 9 (Blinds 500/1,000/100)
Total Entries: 206

Morgan Litwin

Players will finish this level before heading out on a (75) minute dinner break.  Morgan Litwin (Brookfield, CT) currently holds the largest stacks in the room, hovering just above 270,000.  Litwin has over $85,000 in career earnings, with his largest scores coming in his backyard (Foxwoods).  He's yet to have any recorded cashes here at Parx, but has set himself up to meet a first step go bagging chips.

Big Stax 500 (Day 1A): Late Arrivals

Level 9 is going to begin in four minutes, with the blinds going up to 500/1,000/100.  We now have 203 entries in the event, some of which are walking in for the first time today:

Andrew Spears
Jonas Wexler
Joe Liberta
DJ MacKinnon

Big Stax 500 (Day 1A): Martin Has Piles

Level 8 (Blinds 400/800/100)
Total Entries: 197

Nancy Martin (Washington Crossing, PA) sat with two black aces in front of her, and watched as the dealer counted down her stack.  Martin had just doubled and pulls in a pot worth over 160,000, making her one of the chip leaders in the room.  Martin is a Parx tournament regular, and constant smile and kind demeanor makes her one of the favorites in the room (of both players and staff alike).  She made her deepest run of these Big Stax series earlier this week, busting in the middle stages of Day 3.

Rocco Luciano (Philadelphia, PA), who was one of the three players to chop the Big Stax 300 event, has gotten off to a nice start on his second bullet (sitting with a healthy 140,000).

Big Stax 500 (Day 1A): Norm's New Seat

Level 8 (Blinds 400/800/100)
Total Entries: 194

Norman Michalek (Westfield, NJ) found himself joining new table mates after busting his first bullet, and it took no time for an introduction.  We walked over to the table as Norman was all-in on the river for 22,000 on a board of 2♣ 4♣ Q♣ K♦ 6♣.  Mike Goldberg was in the tank for a solid few minutes, and had chips left over if he was to make the call.  Goldberg would eventually make the call, and Norman would table A♠ A♣.

Michalek takes no time to double his starting stack, and get the second bullet off to a good start (78,000).

Rebuy and get the quick double with AA, ace of clubs in 3b pot on four club board. Around 78k.
— Norman Michalek (@norm_michalek) February 27, 2014

Big Stax 500 (Day 1A): Previewing Heads-Up

Level 7 will be behind us shortly, and players will be posting new blinds of 400/800/100.  There are 189 entries currently on the board, but a lot of attention has turned quickly to the Heads-Up bracket that has been set up in the clubhouse room.

The $500 Heads-Up NLH event if the first of its kind in our poker room, and the excitement is clear about adding it to the schedule.  There are currently 45 entries locked up at the moment, which means that time to quickly running out to get in.  Players have voiced opinions about the tournament running against Day 2 of the Big Stax 1500, but it should be known that you can register (and un-register if you bag chips going into Day 2).

Big Stax 500 (Day 1A): Twitter Updates

Level 7 (Blinds 300/600/100)
Total Entries: 178

26,000 coming back to 600/100. Was back to almost starting stack...but gotta keep it reasonable for now I guess. #parxbigstax
— Michael Marder (@MMarder86) February 27, 2014

20k out of 40k starting stack on break two. Not winning any hands. Still got 40bb.
— Norman Michalek (@norm_michalek) February 27, 2014

Parx $500 1A. Starting stack 40k. Withered down to 9k. Up to 90k on 2nd break coming back to 300/600 @parxpokerroom #ParkBigStaxV
— Alan Kraut (@AlanKrautPoker) February 27, 2014

Big Stax 500 (Day 1A): Break Time

Players will be going on their second break of the day, and will return in (10) minutes to blinds of 300/600/100.  We have now surpassed the previous high number of Day 1A entries, as the number continues to grow and now sits at 177.

Big Stax 500 (Day 1A): Early Showers

Level 6 (Blinds 250/500/50)
Total Entries: 174

It's been a steady stream of players busting out, some of which we've seen right back in action:

Ryan Eriquezzo
Asher Conniff
Joe McKeehen
Greg Himmelbrand
Ron Vitello

People play their hands so face up. 1 pair by the river why not call off 50k. #whydoIeverbluff #parxbigstax #bullet2
— Greg Himmelbrand (@GregHPoker) February 27, 2014

Big Stax 500 (Day 1A): Level Up

Level 5 is about to begin with blinds increasing to 250/500/50, as the total number of entries shot up to 165 during the last level.  WSOP bracelet winner Brian Lemke and Tarun Gulati were a few new faces to join during the level, and we saw our first few stacks to crack the century mark:

Mike Sandler - 136,000

Marvin Siegel - 115,000

She Wong - 110,000

Big Stax 500 (Day 1A): Level Up…Numbers Comparison

Level 5 is about to begin with the blinds increasing to 200/400/50.  We have already seen a few players bust and re-enter, including Jason Rivkin and Rocco Luciano.  With the numbers that we saw for the first event of this series, it was going to be interesting to see where this Big Stax 500 event would stack up:

Big Stax II Day 1A Entries: 100
Big Stax III Day 1A Entries: 168

Only four hours into today the total number of entries currently sits at 157, so we can surely expect to see our largest Day 1A field in this events short history.

Big Stax 500 (Day 1A): Catching Flashes

Level 4 (Blinds 150/300/50)
Total Entries: 146

We had an early opportunity to catch some of the field in action:

David Kim

Alan Kraut

Alex Queen & Veronica Rivera

The list of new notables seemingly goes on forever in this field:

Ray Ross
Mike Azzarro
Marvin Siegel
Jeff Wicker
Dan Sewnig
Justin Liberto

Big Stax 500 (Day 1A): Seen And Heard

Level 3 is winding down and players will be going on their first (10) minute break of the day.  A deeper scan of the clubhouse room gives us some more recognizable faces:

Ryan Eriquezzo
Sean Wallace
Amanda Musumeci
Jason Rivkin
Michael Marder
TJ Shulman
Alan Kraut

Big Stax 500 (Day 1A): The Crowd

Level 3 (Blinds 100/200/25)
Total Entries: 124

The clubhouse room is beginning to fill up as many familiar faces make up what is this Day 1A field.  Players will be on their first break at the end of this level, but here are some we have seen already taken their seat:

Eric Rivkin
Rocco Luciano
Norman Michalek
Christine Brewer
David Kim
Asher Conniff
Joe Cappuccio
Alex Queen
Pete Ippolito
Chris Farley
Drew Amato
Veronica Rivera

Big Stax 500 (Day 1A): A Great Read

Level 2 is going to begin in just a few minutes, with the blinds going up to 75/150.  With things starting so deep, and the action moving slowly in the early stages, we give you a link to a great piece written about Parx Poker Room (Click link for article);

Matt Glantz Discusses Growth Of…

Rich Ryan (who wrote the piece) has played in our Big Stax events before, and should be credited for the great read he put down.

Big Stax 500 (Day 1A): Back In The Saddle

Players will be taking their seats shortly for the second installment of our trophy events, the Big Stax 500.  All things remain the same in lines of structure and such, with the exception of the starting stack (40,000 for this event).  

We will bring you live coverage throughout the entire event, and see who chooses Day 1A as that to bag chips for the all important Day 2 (Sunday).

Big Stax 500: It Begins Again

After a record breaking opening event to the series, anticipation awaits the second phase of the Big Stax series.  Cards will be in the air for Day 1A of the Big Stax 500 early this afternoon (11:00am), and the questions to how big this field can get will soon be answered.

We saw tons of notable names and recognizable faces in the Big Stax 300, and many of them made some noise going super deep.  Twitter has already been a buzz over this next trophy event, and our live coverage of the event will begin at 12:00pm.

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): 1st Place - Morris ($95,000)

Maggie Morris (Valley Forge, PA)
Big Stax 300 Winner - $95,000 ***

*** Denotes Chop

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): 2nd Place - Luciano ($75,000)

Rocco Luciano (Philadelphia, PA)
2nd Place - $75,000 ***

*** Denotes Chop

Started the day 2nd to last in chips, ended day with a 3 way chop for 74k #startedfromthebottom #parxbigstax
— Rocco Luciano (@Rockylooch) February 25, 2014

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): 3rd Place - Gola ($50,000)

Joe Gola (Philadelphia, PA)
3rd Place ($50,000) ***

*** Denotes Chop

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): 4th Place - McKeehen ($20,641)

Joseph McKeehen (North Wales, PA)
4th Place - $20,641

When Joe McKeehen enters are tournament, he's one of the favorites to go deep.  When Mr. McKeehen goes deep, he then becomes one of the favorites to win.  When Joe is ahead…he usually wins, and when Joe is behind…he usually wins.  This was before Joe ran into Maggie Morris, and watched as his K 10 < A 10 on the 2 5 8 K A.

McKeehen would enter foreign territory as he grabbed the lead on the turn, only to watch an ace spike the river and send him home in fourth place.  Players would begin to start talking chop once Joe was eliminated.

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): 5th Place - Rebuck ($15,877)

Mark Rebuck (Carlisle, PA)
5th Place - $15,877

In what would turn out to be one of the most important pots of the tournament, two of the larger stacks (Rebuck/Morris) would collide.  Both players seemed primed to reach at least three handed play, but on the runout of 6 6 K A J, we would see a cooler for Rebuck.  His KK < AA of Morris, giving her a commanding chip lead, and propelling her to what would be a huge finish.

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): 6th Place - Kiotis ($11,643)

Mike Kiotis (Thornton, PA)
6th Place - $11,643

Mike Kiotis shoved his remaining eight big blinds with AJ and would be eliminated when Mark Rebuck woke up with AQ.

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): 7th Place - DePew ($8,891)

Zack DePew (Shohola, PA)
7th Place - $8,891

Many of the pots that we were seeing weren't going to flops, but Zack DePew and Maggie Morris saw one of Q♣ 9♣ x.  The chips got in with Zack at risk, both holding flush draws (Depew: 10♣ 7♣ < Maggie K♣ J♣).  DePew would depart the table in seventh place, and Morris would continue her upswing.

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): Morris Doubles

Level 30 (Blinds 100,000/200,000/25,000)
Players Remaining: 7
Chip Average: 8,000,000

Maggie Morris finds a double through Joe Gola, as her KK > J10 of "The Jeweler,", and she now sits with just over 11,000,000.

Big Stax 300 (Day 1): 8th Place - Shasho ($6,721)

Level 30 (Blinds 100,000/200,000/25,000)
Players Remaining: 7
Chip Average: 8,000,000

Mike Shasho (Ramsey, NJ)
8th Place - $6,721

For those players that didn't bring heaps into the final table, it's been a pattern of the short stacks continually dwindling until the spot to shove.  Mike Shasho's spot was a flip with KQ against the 99 of Rocco Luciano.  Rocco's pocket nines would hold, and he would chip up to 9,600,000.

Rocco Luciano - 9,600,000

Mike Shasho - Eliminated in 8th place ($6,721)

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): Level Going Up

Level 30 is going to begin shortly, with the blinds going up to 100,000/200,000/25,000 (chip average of 7,000,000).  The blind to average ratio is beginning to lower slightly, but the tournament is still super deep.

We are watching a lot of pots being taken down pre, and not many at all ending in a showdown.

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): 9th Place - Valdez ($5,187)

Level 29 (Blinds 75,000/150,000/25,000)
Players Remaining: 8 
Chip Average: 7,000,000

Juan Valdez (Philadelphia, PA)
9th Place - $5,187

After the departure of Ray Ross, Juan Valdez would be left as the short stack at the table.  He got his remaining 2,300,000 in against Joe McKeehen:

Juan: A 10                 McKeehen: J J

Flop: A J A

Turn: K

River: x

The ace right in the window seemed very promising for Juan, but the rest of the run out would be pretty brutal for him.  Valdez was one of the top stacks in the room from Day 2 on, but his run would end here at his first even Big Stax final table.  

Joe McKeehen - 6,600,000

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): 10th Place - Ross ($4,657)

Level 29 (Blinds 75,000/150,000/25,000)
Players Remaining: 9 
Chip Average: 6,400,000

Ray Ross (Maple Glen, PA)
10th Place - $4,657

Ray Ross was one of two short stacks at this ten-handed table (the other being Mike Kiotis), and he shoved his remaining 18 bigs into the middle.  He was called by Joe Gola and the action would fold around.  It would be the AQ < TT for Ray Ross, but this is his second series in a row with a Big Stax final table to his belt, and we are sure to see moving forward this series.

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): Unofficial Final Table/Chip Counts

Players are about to go on break, and will be returning to blinds of 75,000/150,000/25,000.  Here is the ten-handed lineup with counts:

1. Mark Rebuck - 9,200,000
2. Juan Valdez - 2,300,000
3. Zack DePew - 5,700,000
4. Maggie Morris - 8,000,000
5. Ray Ross - 2,600,000
6. Mike Shasho - 3,200,000
7. Joe Gola - 10,100,000
8. Rocco Luciano - 8,000,000
9. Joe McKeehen - 5,900,000
10. Mike Kiotis - 2,200,000

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): 11th Place - Ely ($4,657)

Level 28 (Blinds 50,000/100,000/10,000)
Players Remaining: 10 
Chip Average: 5,600,000

Ted Ely (Brooklyn, NY)
11th Place - $4,657

Ely was the shortest stack remaining and shoved for less than 20 bigs.  He got called by Maggie Morris, and was in bad shape, as his A2 < KK.  Maggie has gone from the shortest stack in the tournament, to one of the chip leader with close to 8,000,000.

Players are going on break shortly, and we will bring you the final table seating assignments and chip counts.

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): Morris Doubles Through Valdez

Level 28 (Blinds 50,000/100,000/10,000)
Players Remaining: 11
Chip Average: 5,000,000

Maggie Morris recoups the chips lost in the earlier pot with McKeehen, as she get it's in on the flop against Juan Valdez for a 6,000,000 pot:

Flop: 10♣ 7♥ 4♥

Valdez: A♥ 10♥           Morris: 4 4

Turn: J♦

River: A♠

Maggie Morris - 6,000,000
Juan Valdez - 2,000,000

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): McKeehen v. Morris

Level 28 (Blinds 50,000/100,000/10,000)
Players Remaining: 11
Chip Average: 5,000,000

McKeehen v. Morris

After Maggie Morris flats Joe McKeehen's four-bet pre, we go to a flop with a pot already over 2,000,000.  The board runs out 3 8 K, and Mckeehen checks to Morris, who then goes all-in (covering Joe's stack).  Joe thinks briefly and makes the call with QQ, and it surprisingly in the lead against Morris's 77.  Joe takes down the pot on the turn when he spikes a queen and chips up to over 7,000,000.  Morris is left with just under 2,000,0000 and is the short stack of the players remaining.

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): What They're Playing For

Level 28 (Blinds 50,000/100,000/10,000)
Players Remaining: 11
Chip Average: 5,000,000

Here are the payouts remaining:

1. $121,713
2. $63,509
3. $33,872
4. $20,641
5. $15,877
6. $11,643
7. $8,891
8. $6,721
9. $5,187

10-11. $4,657

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): Final Table Decisions

Level 28 (Blinds 50,000/100,000/10,000)
Players Remaining: 11
Chip Average: 5,000,000 (50 big blinds)

When players reach the final table (of nine), they will have a decision to to either bag chips and come back to finish tomorrow…or play this out to a finish tonight.

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): Break Time/Updated Chip Counts

Level 27 is winding down, and players will be posting blinds of 50,000/100,000/10,000 upcoming.  The chip average with 11 players remaining is going to be 50 big blinds, which shouldn't be much of a shock anymore.  The mix of price point, structure, and scheduling has grown these events to points many never thought.

Here are the updated chip counts:


Table 57:

1. Ray Ross - 4,800,000
2. Mike Shasho - 3,300,000
3. Joe Gola - 7,300,000
4. Zack DePew - 5,500,000
5. Rocco Luciano - 7,200,000

Table 58:

1. Mike Kiotis - 5,300,000
2. Juan Valdez - 6,000,000
3. Joe McKeehen - 3,900,000
4. Maggie Morris - 3,000,000
5. Mark Rebuck - 6,400,000
6. Ted Ely - 3,700,000

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): 12th Place - Zimmerman ($4,675)

Level 27 (Blinds 40,000/80,000/10,000)
Players Remaining: 11
Chip Average: 5,000,000

Seth Zimmerman (New York, NY)

Seth Zimmerman was the short stack of players remaining, ended up getting it all-in against Joe Gola, who had just won a 4,500,000 pot from Ray Ross the hand prior.  Zimmerman's AQ ran into the AK of Gola, and he would fall just short of making his second Big Stax final table.

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): Updated Chip Counts

Here are the updated counts for the remaining 12 players:

Table 57:

1. Seth Zimmerman - 2,000,000
2. Ray Ross - 5,600,000
3. Mike Shasho - 4,100,000
4. Joe Gola - 3,400,000
5. Zack DePew - 5,200,000
6. Rocco Luciano - 7,300,000

Table 58:

1. Mike Kiotis - 5,600,000
2. Juan Valdez - 3,900,000
3. Joe McKeehen - 4,500,000
4. Maggie Morris - 2,000,000
5. Mark Rebuck - 7,800,000
6. Ted Ely - 3,100,000

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): 14th Place - Laieta ($4,234)/13th Place - Deissler ($4,234)

Level 27 (Blinds 40,000/80,000/10,000)
Players Remaining: 12
Chip Average: 4,600,000

The action continued to move at a pace nobody could of thought, as two more players busted within minutes of the last.  Chris Laieta was all-in pre flipping with Ray Ross (AK < QQ) to bust in 14th place.  And once again while that hand was playing out, it was Pierre Deissler (66 < 88) busting to Mark Rebuck.

Showers. 13th. 66 v 88. #tpedge
— Pierre Deissler (@PierreDeissler) February 25, 2014

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): Quick Dinner Bustouts/ 16th Place Skolchilo ($3,863) - 15th Place Walker ($4,234)

Level 27 (Blinds 40,000/80,000/10,000)
Players Remaining: 14
Chip Average: 4,000,000

It was only a few hands back from dinner before we saw some quick action.  Both Antonio Walker and Igor Skochilo were all-in and at risk at the same time.  It was the 10 10 of Ted Ely flipping with Walker's AK (Walker started the hand with 1,275,000).  At the other Table 57 it was the 77 of Zack DePew against the KK of Igor.

Antonio's hand ran out first, and with the Q 6 8 J runout, he did gain some extra outs on the turn, but the river would give the pot to Ely.  Igor was ahead when at risk, but watched as his opponent gained outs on a 4 5 5 6 board, and hit a seven to make a full house.  Skochilo only 30,000 less than Walker to start the hand, and earned $3,863 for 16th place.

Walker earned $4,234 for his 15th place finish.

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): Back From Dinner/17th-19th Places ($3,863)

On the last hand before dinner break, we lost Parx cash game regular Jonathan Sonne ($3,863):

17. Jonathan Sonne (Philadelphia, PA)
18. William Daloisi (Staten Island, NY)
19. Robert Santora (Bensalem, PA)

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): Dinner Break

Players are about to go on a (75) minute dinner break, and will return at approximately 9:20pm.  Once the tournament officials have verified chips left in the tournament, we will post updated chip counts of the remanning field.

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): 18th Place - Daloisi ($3,863)

Level 26 (Blinds 30,000/60,000/10,000)
Players Remaining: 17
Chip Average: 3,300,000

William Daloisi (Staten Island, NY) was one of the shortest stacks remaining, and would end up getting sent home only moments after finding his new seat (AJ < AQ of Ray Ross).

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): Final 18

Here are the new seating assignments for the final 18 players:

Table 57:

1. Seth Zimmerman
2. Ray Ross
3. Igot Skochilo
4. Mike Shasho
5. Chris Laieta
6. William Daloisi
7. Joe Gola
8. Zack Depew
9. Rocco Luciano

Table 58:

1. Mike Kiotis
2. Juan Valdez
3. Joe McKeehen
4. Antonio Walker
5. Maggie Morris
6. Mark Rebuck
7. Jonathan Sonne
8. Pierre Deissler
9. Ted Ely

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): Santora Takes Bad Beat To Finish 19th ($3,493)

Level 26 (Blinds 30,000/60,000/10,000)
Players Remaining: 18
Chip Average: 3,200,000

Just as the hand with McKeehen/Zimmerman was finishing, everyone from Table 57 erupted.  Juan Valdez had limped with AJ and found himself in big trouble after he called Robert Santora's all-in after a 5 5 J flop.  Robert turned over 2 5 (flopped trips), and Valdez would only stay alive with running aces or a jack.  The turn brought a brick, so it would be a jack that Valdez would need on the river…and that's exactly what he got!  Juan hits his two outer on the river to eliminate Santora, and send the remaining 18 players to their new seats.

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): Standard McKeehen

Level 26 (Blinds 30,000/60,000/10,000)
Players Remaining: 19 
Chip Average: 3,000,000 (50 big blinds)

This time it's Joe McKeehen getting super lucky, as he gets it in behind with 10 10 against Seth Zimmerman and his K K.  The flop runs out clean for Seth, but he would slam the table as a 10 spikes the turn, giving Joe the hand and eventually giving him the hand (and a full double to over 4,000,000).

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): Miracle Maggie Morris

Level 26 (Blinds 30,000/60,000/10,000)
Players Remaining: 19 
Chip Average: 3,000,000 (50 big blinds)

Maggie Morris once again found herself one of the shorter stacks, and was in pretty bad shape when she shoved the flop of 2 6 6 against Mike Kiotis.  Kiotis would make the call tabling JJ and Morris would be looking for help with her A3.  The turn would be no help, but the table reaction was clear that Maggie spiked an ace on the river to double up to 3,500,000 and keep us at 19 players.

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): Chris Rich Sent Home In 20th Place ($3,493)

Level 26 (Blinds 30,000/60,000/10,000)
Players Remaining: 19
Chip Average: 3,000,000 (50 big blinds)

Chris Rich was hovering around the 10 big blind mark, and managed to get in all-in pre against Mike Kiotis.  It was the 22 of Rich flipping with the AJ of Kiotis, and the J on the flop would make things very difficult for Rich.  Chris couldn't find his two-outer, and after the next elimination we will once again re-draw players (final 18).

Mike Kiotis - 6,000,000
Chris Rich - Eliminated in 20th place ($3,493)

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): Cervone Busts In 21st Place ($3,493)

Level 26 (Blinds 30,000/60,000/10,000)
Players Remaining: 20
Chip Average: 2,600,000 (43 big blinds)

Maggie Morris was once our chip leader earlier in the day, but since losing a large pot to Ray Ross in Level 24, she trended downward.  Morris got a well needed double up only moments ago as one of the shorter stacks, and only a few hands later sent home Mike Cervone, as her AK > AQ.  

Maggie Morris - 3,400,000
Mike Cervone - Eliminated in 21st Place ($3,493)

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): 22nd-24th Places ($3,070)

The following players have cashed in the event for $3,070:

22. Christopher Horter (Bensalem, PA)
23. Victor Otero (Manalapan, NJ)
24. David Elliot (Tinton Falls, NJ)

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): Break Time

Players are about to go on a (15) minute break, and will return to Level 25 and blinds of 30,000/60,000/10,000 (chip average of 2,500,000).  They will return to play the level and then go on a (75) minute dinner break.

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): Otero Eliminated In 23rd Place ($3,070)

Level 25 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/5,000)
Players Remaining: 22
Chip Average: 2,500,000 (62 big blinds)

In another blind v. blind situation, Seth Zimmerman and Victor Otero get it all-in pre-flop.  Unfortunately for Otero his KK < AK of Zimmerman, as Seth flops an ace and sends him home in 23rd place.  Victor was another player who was primarily under the radar throughout these later stages in the tournament, but was able to maneuver his way through to this point.  Otero collect $3,070 for his finish, while Seth chips up to just under 3,000,000.

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): Elliot Misses Big…Busts In 24th ($3,070)

Level 25 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/5,000)
Players Remaining: 23
Chip Average: 2,400,000

In a blind v. blind situation between Dave Elliot and Jonathan Sonne, all the chips get in with Elliot's tournament at risk:

Elliot: K♥ 5♥              Sonne: 10 2

Flop: 10♥ J♣ 2♥

Turn: Q♦

River: 8♠

Elliot would turn even more outs, but would whiff the river and be sent home in 24th place.  Sonne would chip up over 3,200,000, putting himself above average and in the middle of the remaining pack.

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): 25th-27th Places ($2,646)

The following players cashed in the event for $2,646:

25. Nancy Martin (Washington Crossing, PA)
26. Veronica Rivera (Clearwater, FL)
27. Russ Dunlevy (Gardenville, PA)

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): Nancy Martin Eliminated In 25th ($2,646)

Level 25 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/5,000)
Players Remaining: 24
Chip Average: 2,300,000

Nancy Martin (Washington Crossing, PA) was dealing with what was a bottom five stack for most of the day, managing to do her best with what she had.  Nancy would end up pushing the button short stacked, and was called by Zack Depew from the big blind:

Martin: A J                 Depew: Q 9

Flop: 9 9 8

Turn: 6

River: x

Nancy would collect her belongings and head to the cage to collect the $2,646 for her finish.  She is one of the most well liked players in the community, and got a big hug from Seth Zimmerman as she made her way to the podium.  We are sure to see Nancy once again throughout the series, and wish her the best of luck.

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): The Final 25

Level 25 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/5,000)
Players Remaining: 25
Chip Average: 2,200,000 (54 big blinds)

Here is the table draw for the remaining 25 (we lost Russ Dunlevy in 27th and Veronica Rivera in 26th):

Table 57:

1. Chris Horter
2. (empty)
3. Igor Skochilo
4. Robert Santora
5. William Daloisi
6. Chris Laieta
7. Mike Shasho
8. Juan Valdez
9. Joe Gola

Table 58:

1. Zack Depew
2. Joe McKeehen
3. Mike Kiotis
4. Mark Rebuck
5. Maggie Morris
6. Antonio Walker
7. Mike Cervone
8. Nancy Martin
9. Chris Rich

Table 59:

1. Jonathan Sonne
2. Ted Ely
3. Ray Ross
4. (empty)
5. Seth Zimmerman
6. Victor Otero
7. Pierre Deissler
8. Rocco Luciano
9. Dave Elliot

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): 28th-36th Places ($2,276)

The following players have cashed for $2,276:

28. Nathan Tuthill (Fredricksburg, VA)
29. Eric McCarty (Tunkhannock, PA)
30. Mike Kalfa (Little Egg Harbor, NJ)
31. Julie Thomas (Fairview Park, OH)
32. Vince Strausser (Chalfont, PA)
33. Shing Har (Little Neck, NY)
34. Matthew Zambanini (Wilmington, DE)
35. Tarun Gulati (Glastonbury, CT)
36. Bill Fleming (Scranton, PA)

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): It's The Roc

Level 25 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/5,000)
Players Remaining: 26
Chip Average: 2,100,000 (53 big blinds)

Rocco Luciano

There was an all-in announcement from Table 59, and it was Rocco Luciano who had gone all-in, putting Russ Dunlevy in a position to decide on his tournament.  The board was K 6 7 4, and Rocco has raised Dunlevy's turn bet enough to put him all-in.  While Dunlevy was waiting for a count, he was saying out loud how he didn't think he could fold the hand.  Russ would announce a call and immediately ask Rocco if he had a set, to which Luciano would table 77 and the answer would be right in front of him.  Luciano would fade one of the final two aces remaining, and jump up to over 5,000,000.

Nathan Tuthill (Fredricksburg, VA) would also be eliminated during that hand at an outer table, leaving the remaining 26 players to find new seats.

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): Like Joe…If We Could Be Like Joe

Level 25 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/5,000)
Players Remaining: 29
Chip Average: 1,921,000 (49 big blinds)

5985000 going to 40k bb
— Joe McKeehen (@dude904) February 24, 2014

What Joe McKeehen is forgetting to mention in that Tweet is that he is currently the chip leader of the 29 players remaining.  As mentioned in the most recent post, players will re-draw tables with 27 left.

Eric McCarty's miracle run from the moment he quadrupled early in Day 1C is over, as he's eliminated only two hands back from break (28 remain).

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): Going To Break

Players are going on break for (15) minutes, and when they return the blinds in Level 25 will be 20,000/40,000/5,000 (chip average of 50 bigs).  Going into break we had a big pot brewing between Maggie Morris and Ray Ross.  Morris opened UTG to 65,000 and was three-bet to 145,000 by Robert Santora on her direct left.  Action folded to Ross who flatted, as did Morris behind.  The three players would see a flop of Q 10 3, which would be checked to Ross in position.  After Ross fired 370,000, he was immediately raised to 740,000 by Morris.  Santora would fold and it would now be Ross who was deliberate in his thought process before three-betting to 1,950,000.  After Maggie thought for about 3-4 minutes, she sent the cards into the muck.

While the final hand of the level between those two was finishing up, we lost both Julie Thomas and Mike Kalfa.  Updated chip counts will come shortly once the re-draw at 27 players is completed (29 remain at the moment.

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): Zambanini And Har Bust Simultaneously

Level 24 (Blinds 15,000/30,000/5,000)

Players Remaining: 32

Chip Average: 1,900,000

The first elimination would occur at Table 58 in a blind versus blind situation between Matthew Zambanini and Ted Ely:

Ely: AK               Zambanini: A4

Flop: J 8 6

Turn: 3

River: 5

Ted Ely - 2,800,000

Matthew Zambanini - 34th Place ($2,276)

As that hand was finishing we would see Shing Har all-in against Maggie Morris:

Morris: AK              Har: AJ

Flop: J 8 6

Turn: K

River: 10

Maggie Morris - 4,400,000

Shing Har - 33rd Place ($2,276)

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): Gulati Eliminated in 35th Place ($2,276)

Level 24 (Blinds 15,000/30,000/5,000)
Players Remaining: 34
Chip Average 1,700,000

Gulati Ponders A Call

On a board of 5 7 9 6, Tarun Gulati (Glastonbury, CT) was left with a decision for his tournament.  Robert Santora has pushed the turn, which left Gulati thinking for a solid few minutes.  Tarun would eventually take the pile of yellow chip he was shuffling in his hand and drop them across the line.  He would be drawing dead once Santora turned over 88 (turned straight), and Gulati would collect his things.

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): 37th-45th Places ($1,958)

The following players have cashed in the tournament for $1,958:

37. Peter Chedid (Asbury Park, NJ)
38. Daniel Szetenderowicz (Philadelphia, PA)
39. Steven Sarmiento (Queens, NY)
40. Joseph Shaw (Philadelphia, PA)
41. Brian Dougherty (Philadelphia, PA)
42. Walter Jones (Newark, DE)
43. David Wheeler (Hamilton, NJ)
44. Daryl Black (Voorhees, NJ)
45. Justin Friedman (Yardley, PA)

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): McKeehen Busts Chedid

Level 24 (Blinds 15,000/30,000/5,000)
Players Remaining: 36
Chip Average: 1,600,000

Joe McKeehen continues to climb the leader board as he flats Peter Chedid's all-in (330,000) with an original raiser behind.  McKeehen would turn over AA against the AJ of Chedid, and Joe would push his stack above 3,100,000.  With that we are breaking another table, leaving us with four tables of nine (36 players).

Joe McKeehen - 3,100,000
Peter Chedid - 37th Place ($1,958)

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): Rivera Doubles, Sarmiento Busts

Level 24 (Blinds 15,000/30,000/5,000)
Players Remaining: 37
Chip Average: 1,505,000

Rivera Collects Her Double

We walked over just in time to see Veronica Rivera (Clearwater, FL) double to 1,250,000, but she still sits as one of the short stacks of the field.  

As that hand was ending, there was an all-in hand between Maggie Moriss and Steven Sarmiento , with Steven's tournament at risk:

Morris: 9 9           Sarmiento: J J

Flop: 6 7 10

Turn: 8

River: x

Sarmiento would be eliminated in 38th place after greeting to unfortunate side of variance, taking home $1,958.  This is Sarmiento's second deep run in our Big Stax 300, as he chopped last series' event for just under $40,000.

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): Top Five Stacks

Level 24 (Blinds 15,000/30,000/5,000)
Players Remaining: 38
Chip Average: 1,500,000

Here are the top five stacks in the room:

Mike Shasho - 3,800,000
Ray Ross - 3,400,000
Joe McKeehen - 2,900,000
Maggie Morris - 2,700,000
Julie Thomas - 2,400,000

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): 46th-54th Places ($1,694)

The following players cashed in the event for $1,694:

46. Ido Ashkenazi (New York, NY)
47. Peter Sennon (Bronx, NY)
48. Miguel Borrero (Jersey City, NJ)
49. Frank Williams
50. Jonas Wexler (Southampton, PA)
51. Tim Eisenhut
52. Jesse Mercado
53. Timothy Klein (New Egypt, NJ)
54. Doug Conover (Skillman, NJ)

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): First Break…Catching Up On Numbers

Players are on their first break of the day (with 38 remaining).  When they return to Level 24 the blinds will have increased to 15,000/30,000/5,000, and a chip average of 1,500,000.  Here is what the numbers look like at the moment:

Players Remaining: 38
Chip Average: 50 Big Blinds

Payouts Remaining:

1. $121,713
2. $63,509
3. $33,872
4. $20,641
5. $15,877
6. $11,643
7. $8,891
8. $6,721
9. $5,187

10-12. $4,657

13-15. $4,234

16-18. $3,863

19-21. $3,493

22-24. $3,070

25-27. $2,646

28-36. $2,276

37-38. $1,958

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): The Twitter Battle

Level 23 (Blinds 12,000/24,000/4,000)
Players Remaining: 54

@dude904 Ok. But just know I'm opening up my range today. Might even start playing AQ.
— Nancy (@TheReader23) February 24, 2014

It's been fun to watch the interaction between friends, as Nancy Martin and Joe McKeehen have been verbally sparring this morning (but all in fun).  If you'd like to see the entire back and forth, you can follow the two players:

Nancy Martin (@thereader23)
Joe McKeehen (@dude904)

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): Preview

At 1:00pm the remaining 54 players from this record field will take their seats and continue their path towards the $121,000 sitting on top of the mountain.  A mixture of well known notables, seasoned tournament pros, and well versed amateurs make up the remaining field.  We've seen a lot of Twitter love for the Parx regulars, including Nancy Martin, Ray Ross, Jonas Wexler, Pierre Deissler, and Joe McKeehen.

Live coverage of the event will continue at approximately 2:00pm, and we look forwards to crowning a champion for yet again a great tournament.

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): Table Draw

Name	Last Name	Hometown	Chip Count	Table #	Seat #
Chris	Rich	North Massapequa NJ	1,028,000	44	1
Victor	Otero	Manalapan NJ	358,000	44	2
Veronica	Rivera	Clearwater FL	315,000	44	3
Walt	Jones	Newark DE	701,000	44	4
Willaim	Daloisi	Staten Island NY	404,000	44	5
Paul	Kalfa	Little Egg Harbor NJ	460,000	44	6
Antonio	Walker	Willingboro NJ	255,000	44	7
Juan	Valdez	Philadelphia PA	2,582,000	44	8
Dave	Elliott	Tinton Falls NJ	1,970,000	44	9
Doug	Conover	Skillman NJ	1,220,000	57	1
Maggie	Morris	Valley Forge PA	2,127,000	57	2
Justin	Friedman	Yardley PA	590,000	57	3
Tarun	Gulati	Glastonbury	423,000	57	4
Eric	McCarty	Tunchannock PA	2,820,000	57	5
Mike	Kiotis	Thornton PA	481,000	57	6
Ray	Ross	Maple Glen PA	2,474,000	57	7
Steven	Sarmiento	Queens NY	374,000	57	8
Chris	Laieta	Bensalem PA	1,941,000	57	9
Seth	Zimmerman	New York NY	1,425,000	58	1
Nathan	Tuthill	Fredericksburg PA	207,000	58	2
Bill	Fleming	Clarks Summit PA	608,000	58	3
Julie	Thomas	Fairview Park NJ	1,787,000	58	4
Ted	Ely	Brooklyn NY	1,860,000	58	5
Matthew	Zambanini	Wilmington DE	507,000	58	6
Jonathan	Sonne	Philadelphia PA	931,000	58	7
Daryl	Black	Voorhees NJ	871,000	58	8
Pierre	Deissler	Mt. Laurel NJ	1,019,000	58	9
Mike "Big Dog"	Cervone	Merrick NY	785,000	59	1
Ido	Ashkenazi	New York NY	295,000	59	2
Russ	Dunlevy	Gardenville	1,726,000	59	3
Dave	Wheeler	Hamilton NJ	2,149,000	59	4
Mark	Rebuck	Carlisle PA	1,601,000	59	5
Rocco	Luciano	Philadelphia PA	219,000	59	6
Frank	Williams	Middle Island NY	659,000	59	7
Joel	Gola	Philadelphia PA	1,940,000	59	8
Tim	Eisenhut	Flemington NJ	518,000	59	9
David	DePew	Shohola PA	1,155,000	60	1
Robert	Santora	Bensalem PA	1,093,000	60	2
Mike	Shasho	Ramsey NJ	1,569,000	60	3
Brian	Dougherty	Philadelphia PA	717,000	60	4
Jonas	Wexler	Southhampton PA	700,000	60	5
Peter	Chedid	Long Branch NJ	664,000	60	6
Peter	Sennon	Bronx NY	486,000	60	7
Timothy	Klein	Plumsted NJ	366,000	60	8
Jesse	Mercado	Brooklyn NY	1,522,000	60	9
Nancy	Martin	Washington Crossing PA	690,000	61	1
Shing	Har	Little Neck NJ	775,000	61	2
Chris	Horter	Bensalem PA	746,000	61	3
Vince	Strausser	Chalfont PA	1,126,000	61	4
Joey	Shaw	Philadelphia PA	319,000	61	5
Miguel	Borrero	Jersey City NJ	1,200,000	61	6
Joeseph	McKeehen	North Wales PA	1,633,000	61	7
Daniel	Sztenderowicz	Philadelphia PA	569,000	61	8
Igor	Skochilo	Astoria NY	1,134,000	61	9