POPC Main Event $1850 + 150 NL Hold’em
9:45 p.m. We have a result! All the money went in pre-flop as McLean Karr moved in from the small blind with As Ah as Dan Smith called with Ac Js. The flop was Ad 8s 7c, giving McLean a set of aces while Smith needed running cards for a straight. The 3s on the turn left Smith drawing dead, as the 4c on the river gave McLean the winning hand. The tournament staff counted down both player’s stacks and Karr had Smith covered by about 150,000 in chips, giving Karr the first place prize of $74,725, and diamond bracelet from Golden Nugget Jewelers from Philadephia. Dan Smith winds up with $51,983 for the runner-up finish.
McLean Karr
Main Event Champion
$74,706
Dan Smith
Main Event Runner-Up
That wraps up coverage of the Main Event here at Parx Casino, but there’s still two more tournaments left in the Parx Open Poker Classic. Be sure to check out the blog for updates and more!
9:32 p.m.: McLean just takes down a 525k pot, after Dan folds to his 235k flop bet. Dan still has a sizable chip lead.
Heads Up
9:19 p.m.: Here is our heads up chip count:
Dan Smith – 2.9 million
McLean Karr – 1.6 million
9:01 p.m. We’re down to heads-up as Ronald Lee is out in 3rd, earning $38,897. Dan Smith opened for 55k as Lee shipped it from the big blind with Ah Td as Smith called with Ad 3s. The flop moved into the lead on a flop of As 9s 3d. Lee wa down to the three remaining tens, but the Kh and 2d appeared on the turn and river, giving Smith the win and the lead with 2.7m in chips with McLean Karr holding the remaining 1.8m. Up for grabs is the $74,725 winner’s check and diamond bracelet.
Ronald Lee
3rd place – $38,977
8:58 p.m.: Dan now had 2.5 million, McLean 1.7 million, and Ronald 400k.
8:47 p.m.: On the button, McLean raised to 55k, which Matt Bowers called out of the big blind. The flop came out Kh 10s 3d, and McLean bet out 74k. Matt the raised all in, and Karr had some time to think as they counted out the exact amount. He then called, and Bowers showed QhQd, while McLean had Kd6c. The turn was a real sweat when the Jd came out, but the river 2h gave Karr the pot and sent Bowers home in fourth place.
Matt Bowers
4th place – $29,241
8:32 p.m.: Dan Smith opened the pot for 65k and Matt Bowers called. Mike Sica then shoved for 171k, and was called by both players. The flop came out 10c 9s 7h, and both players checked. After the 8c on the turn, Dan bet out 100k, and Bowers tanked before folding. Dan showed the QhJd for the nut straight and Sica was only drawing to a chop with AsQc. The river 6 put a straight on board, but that was only a formality. Mike is a class act, and we look forward to seeing him in the future.
Mike Sica
5th place – $21,924
8:09 p.m.: Coming off the break, here are your chip counts:
Dan Smith – 2.2 million
McLean Karr – 1.1 million
Matt Bowers – 848k
Ronald Lee -425k
Mike Sica – 210k
7:15 p.m.: Players are now on break from 7:15 -8:20 p.m.
6:35 p.m. The field is down to five as Dale Donahue ground his stack down to just 76,000 in chips and in the 20,000-chip big blind. Dan Smith opened for 48,000 as McLean Karr and Matt Bowers called while Donahue moved in his remaining chips. All three called to create a pot of over 300,000 chips. The flop was 9c 9s 8s as Smith checked, Karr bet out 119,000 as Bowers and smith called. The players with chips checked around when the 9d hit the turn. Smith led out for 195,000 when the 2d appeared on the river as Karr and Bowers folded. Smith turned over 9h 8h for quads, crushing Donahue’s meager 7d 4d, sending the Michigan native out in 6th, earning $17,057 his best career result. Smith is now the chip leader with over 1,700,000 as five remain.
Dean Donahue
6th place – $17,052
6:16 p.m.: It had been the second hand in a row that Ronald Lee opened the pot for 32k, and the second time that Dan Smith three-bet to 84k. The first time it folded around the Ronald and he folded as well. This time though, it was Will Failla who decided to four bet shove. Ronald folded, and before the dealer could count the chips, Dan had called.
Will: AdKc Dan: QsQh
Flop: 10h Jh 9d
Turn: 6h
River: 5c
Will Failla
7th place – $12,992
5:46 p.m.: McLean opens the pot for 36k from the hijack, and Will calls on the button. The flop comes out Jc 10s 9h, and then goes check-check. The turn brings the 4c, and McLean then checks. Will bets 40k on the turn, and Karr calls. The river is the Ks, and Mclean bets out 94k, which is quickly called by Will. Karr tables Qh2h for the straight, and takes a commanding chip leader.
5:24 p.m.: Larry’s newfound chips didn’t last too long, as he got his chips in the middle again, this time against Will Failla. The second time around though, he was a big dog, as his pocket tens were up against pocket kings.
Will: KsKh Larry: 10s10h
Flop: As 7h 9d
Turn: 3d
River: 5c
Larry Nelson
8th place – $10,556
5:12 p.m.: Larry Nelson just doubled through, as his 5c5s held up against Karr’s Ah3h. He had left himself with only 68k as his all in, and is now around 160k.
4:37 p.m.: Mike Sica just doubled up again, after his all in was called on the river by Will Failla. Sica had flopped a set of tens, on an ace high flop. The money didn’t get in until the river, but the pot brings him up to 500k.
4:28 p.m.: Will Failla opens for 30k, and Joe Palma shoved for 147k. Will then cut out his chips while thinking, and as he put in his chips, said to Palma, “King high right?” He was spot on:
Joe: Kc 10c Failla: Ad 5s
Flop: Ac Qs 9s
Turn: 5h
River: 5d
Joe Palma
3:55 p.m.: The remaining nine players are now on the first break of the day, here’s their chip counts:
- Ronald Lee – 1,100,000
- McLean Karr – 975,000
- Matt Bowers – 680,000
- Dan Smith – 631,000
- Will Failla – 350,000
- Mike Sica – 261,000
- Dale Donahue – 186,000
- Larry Nelson – 129,000
- Joe Palma – 100,000
The first 100 minutes featured plenty of aggression from Lee and Karr as they swapped the chip lead. Lou Santaro ran into a couple of big hands to be a surprise exit in 10th place. Donahue, Nelson and Palma appear to be trying to fold their way up the payouts as Sica was able to double through Karr to move into 6th place. Smith slips to 4th, biding his time and hoping to outplay his opponents. Failla has settled into the middle of the pack, but the veteran definitely feels comfortable with his play.
3:36 p.m.: In a battle of two of our bigger stacks at the table, McLean and Ronald just got tangled up in a hand together. Karr opened the pot for 29k, and was called by Ronald on the button and Donahue out of the blind. The flop came out 3c 3c 2s, which was followed by a 39k bet from Karr. Ronald then flatted on the button, and Dean folded. The turn brought the Qh, and McLean bet 98k, and was again called by Ronald. After the river Qs, the action went check-check. Karr showed A8 off, and Lee JJ. Lee wins this early battle, with surely more to come.
3:28 p.m.: Mike Sica just doubled through McLean Karr, and now sits with close to 240k. Sica was the other short stack beginning the day, but hopes to continue on this upwards path.
Mike “Little Man” Sica
3:11 p.m.: McLean Karr is once again our chip leader, over 1 million in chips. Joe Palma also just got involved in a sizable pot with Ronald Lee, and came out on the wrong side. Joe started the day as one of the shorter stacks, and it now below 150k.
2:47 p.m.: We have lost our first player at the final table, and it’s local Lou Santoro. Ronald lee opened for 16k, and Lou called out of the big blind. The flop came As 7c 8h, and Lou checked to Lee, who then bet out 41k. Lou called, and the turn was the 10h, which Lou then checked raised Ronald’s 41k bet to 110k. Lee then went all in, and was called by Lou:
Lou: Ad 10s Ronald: 8s 8c
Flop: As 7c 8h
Turn: 10h
River: 5c
Lou Santoro
10th place – $7,308
2:23 p.m.: In our first big hand of the day, Ronald Lee opened under the gun for a 16k min raise, which was called by Dan Smith. Lou Santoro then raised to 46k, and got called by Matt Bowers, Ronald, and Smith. The flop came out Qh 9s 8c, and Ronald and Dan went check-check. Lou bet out 100k, and was immediately raised by Bowers to 320k. Lee and Smith folded behind, and Lou was left to sit and tank. He ended up folding his hand, saying he had kings. the over 400k pot goes to Bowers.
2:16 p.m.: The cards are in the air for Day 3.
12:58 p.m.: The Main Event will resume play at 2:00 p.m. today in the main poker room. Here are your seat assignments and chip counts:
- Lou Santoro – 602,000
- McLean Karr – 769,000
- Matt Bowers – 668,000
- Will Failla – 310,000
- Mike Sica – 107,000
- Joe Palma – 184,000
- Ronald Lee – 544,000
- Larry Nelson – 177,000
- Dean Donahue – 340,000
FINAL TABLE!!!
11:42 p.m.: The final table has been reached!!! Stan Strickland pushed in on a flop of Q J 6, and Matt Bowers snapped the call with QQ. There was no ten in sight to save Stan, and he walks out in 11th place.
Stan Strickland
11th place – $7,310
Updated Chip Counts
11:21 p.m.:
Dan Smith – 840
McLean Karr – 740
Ronald Lee – 570
Matt Bowers – 560
Lou Santoro – 450
Will Failla – 350
Dean Donahue – 260
Larry Nelson – 200
Stan Strickland – 160
Mike Sica – 145
Joe Palma – 120
11:02 p.m.: Matt Bowers just won a very sizable pot from McLean, shooting himself up the leaderboard. Karr has lost two big pots in this level, and has slipped under 600k.
10:49 p.m.: Lou Santoro just took down a nice pot, as he got tangled with McLean Karr. On a jack high board, McLean fired out a 50k bet, which was then raised by Lou to 150k. McLean gave it some good thought, and folded his hand, showing KJ. Lou did show AJ, and although it may have taken a bite out of Karr’s stack, it could of been much worse if he continued in the hand.
10:44 p.m.: Larry Nelson just doubled up through Mike Sica, with AA vs. JJ. Sica is now the shortest stack in the room, and is left with about 20 big blinds.
10:16 p.m.: Kobi Waldfogel is our most recent casualty, as McLean sends him to the rail. Kobi had AJ against the 55 of Karr. The board ran out Q 9 9, and after the 5 on the turn, Kobi was drawing dead. Kobi had a great POPC, winning a bracelet, and just missing our main event final table:
Kobi Waldfogel
12 place – $7,310
10:11 p.m.: The action and excitement has simmered down slightly, and the 12 players remaining fight for seats at our main event final table. Our chip average stands at 377k, with our two biggest stacks are in front of Dan Smith (780) and McLean Karr (700). Our shortest two stacks left are Joe Palma and Kobi Waldfogel.
A Flurry of Action
9:35 p.m.:
Ian Searing
13th place – $6,498
Rob Infanzon
14th place – $6,498
Robert Pyne
15th place – $6,498
Ted Willis
16th place – $5,686
(Not Pictured)
Hung Troung
17th place – $5,686
Back From Break
9:12 p.m.: We are back from break, and cards are in the air. First hand in, Robert Pyne was at risk with 77 against the QQ of Kobi Waldfogel. the board ran out 5 6 8, and with a four on the turn, Robert made a straight. The turn did give Kobi a flush draw, but he missed, and Pyne doubled up. Kobi is now around 70k.
8:18 p.m.:
Scott Baumstein
18th place – $5,686
Last Two
7:40 p.m.: Here are your final two tables:
Table 50:
- Robert Pyne – 37.5k
- McLean Karr – 763k
- Will Failla – 345.5k
- Stan Strickland – 232.5k
- Scott Baumstein – 18th place
- Hung Troung – 88k
- Kobi Waldfogel – 137k
- Ian Searing – 167k
- Matt Bowers – 213k
- Joe Palma – 218.5k
- Dean Donahue – 364k
- Lou Santoro – 425.5k
- Larry Nelson – 97.5k
- Doylestown Rob – 41.5k
- Dan Smith – 590.5k
- Ronald Lee – 704k
- Mike Sica -84k
- Ted Willis – 51k
7:55 p.m. The money bubble meant the final 18 players withdrew for new seats as McLean Karr and Scott Baumstein tangled one final time, with the former WPT winner getting the last laugh. Baumstein was all-in and ahead on a flop of 8d 6h 2s with Ad 8h as Karr held middle pair with 9s 6d. The 7s gave Karr an up and down straight draw but it was the 9d on the river sending Baumstein to the pay window, collecting $5,686 for his 18th place finish.
Bubble Has Burst!!!
7:30 p.m.: The bubble has burst, and it couldn’t be any more drama packed. As they waited for table 48 to finish their hand and move on, Dan Smith opened the pot, and Hung Troung three bet him. Dan then four bet shoved, and Hung snapped called. Hung showed KK against Dan’s Ac8c, and with a A 3 6 flop, Hung couldn’t hold back his emotions. He was visible and audibly bothered, and the rest of the players wondered whether Dan had him covered. After the count was done, Hung was left with about 14k. the true drama then came though when on the next hand, we heard, “All in and a call!” To everyone’s surprise, it wasn’t from Hung’s table. Mike Candido had pushed on the button at table 47 for about 100k. Lou Santoro looked down at KK, and really didn’t have to think. Candido had Ad2h, and the kings held. The bubble was burst, and Hung somehow managed not to be the bubble boy.
7:15 p.m. On the money bubble, some of the players suggested a save for the bubble boy that was quickly shot down. McLean Karr gave an example why hand-for-hand play on the money bubble is crucial to tournament success. Karr raised from UTG to 10,000 as Scott Baumstein and the big blind called. Baumstein checked, the big blind bet out 15,500 as Karr raised to 43,800. Baumstein laid it down and the big blind called. The 2s on the turn had Karr calling the big blind’s bet of 30,000. The 4s on the river brought an instant check out of the player in the big blind. Karr cut out a stack of chips, putting the big blind to the test. The decision was for most of the player’s stack as he agonized over the decision. After several minutes of thought, the big blind folded, revealing 5h 5s for a flopped set. Karr collected the chips, leaving his foe to agonize over the decision as hand-for-hand play continued.
7:10 p.m.: Local Marvin Siegel was just knocked out by Ronald Lee, and we are one away from the cash.
7:04 p.m.: We have 20 players left, and will be hand for hand until we reach the money.
6:30p.m. Level 16 will resume shortly with 24 players remaining, here’s a few player’s chip counts with the average stack at 189,000 as the field returns to blinds of 2,000/4,000 with an ante of 400.
Ronald Lee – 600,000
McLean Karr – 480,000
Dan Smith – 325,000
Robert Infanzon – 281,000
Will Failla – 260,000
Scott Baumstein – 225,000
Stan Strickland – 160,000
Mike Sica – 65,000
5:50 p.m. Scott Baumstein gets his revenge on McLean Karr after the previously reported hand. Baumstein opens with a raise to 7,200 as Karr 3-bets to 19,300. Action is folded back to Baumstein who calls. The flop of Tc 3d 2d has Baumstein check-calling Karr’s 17,900 bet. Both players checked when the Kc hit the turn, then Baumstein checked the Ad river. Appearing to like the situation, Karr bet 23,700 as Baumstein re-raised all-in. Karr quickly called, but mucked as Baumstein showed 3h 3s for a flopped set of threes. Baumstein moves closed to 200,000 in chips as Karr falls to the 300,000 chip plateau.
During the hand, a player was eliminated at another table bringing the field down to 27 players, just nine short of the money. Will Failla and several racks of chips showed up at Baumstein and Karr’s table, sure to kick up the verbalizing to a higher level.
5:24 p.m.: As we walked over to table 47, we saw McLean Karr involved in a hand with Scott Baumstein. On a board of Ac 10h 6c 6d 3c, Baumstein faced a bet from Karr of 56500. Baumstein thought for a long while, talking the hand through. After cutting his chips and seeing what he had left, Baumstein made the call. Karr tabled 10c 5c, for the ten high flush. Karr is now over 400k, and again has regained the chip lead in the tournament.
4:57 p.m.: Things have slowed down, compared to our earlier rush of bustouts. Players are currently in Level 14, with 1200-2400 blinds and 300 ante. The average stack is 150k, with our largest stack hovering around 350k.
4:17 p.m.: Players are coming back from a 20 minute break, and 36 players remain. Two locals are beginning to experience some success, as Lou Santoro and Marvin “Uncle Marv” Siegel are both building up their stacks. Both came into Day 2 as short stacks, but Lou is over 200k, and Marvin just won a big pot putting him over 100k:
Marvin Siegel (Monroe, NJ)
3:45p.m.: McLean Karr started the day at the chip lead but not the first 90 minutes didn’t go his way as he slipped under 200,000 in chips. He’s making a comeback though after making a sick call. We pick up the action heads-up on a flop of Jc 7s 5d. Karr’s opponent led out for 7,200 as Karr called from the button. A bet of 10,200 was called by Karr when the 4s hit the turn. The river brought the Ts and a third bullet was fired, this time for 12,000. Karr cut out the chips to call, eventually sliding them into the middle. His opponent turned over Kh 5h, shocked to see Karr reveal 7d 6d for the higher pair, moving over 240,000 in chips.
3:15p.m.: We have a new chip leader in the Main Event! Robert “DoylesTown” Infanzon took out Rocco Luciano in a massive pot. From the button, Infanzon raised to 7,500 as Luciano re-raised to 15,500 from the small blind. Infanzon four-bet to 35,000 and snap-called when Luciano five-bet shoved for about 135,000. Infanzon showed pocket kings while Luciano turned over A-To. The cowboys held up sending Luciano to the rail as Infanzon rockets to the top with well over 300,000 in chips after starting the day with just under 80,000:
“Doylestown” Rob
3:05 p.m.: One hour into day 2, and the tournament staff is ready to break down another table as 46 players remain. Vincent Procopio, Dave Noyes and Nathan Ross are among the level 12 casualties as play now moves to level 13. Blinds are now up to 1,000/2,000 with an ante of 200.
2:57 p.m.:
Scott Baumstein and Dean Donahue
Will The Thrill and Lou Santoro
Ronald Lee (Brooklyn, NY)
2:35pm: The first half of level 11 featured a flurry of bustouts as Matt Stout and Matt Brady hit the rail shortly after play started. At table 47, Scott Baumstein eliminated Paul Volpe and Robert Melo in a huge pot. All the money went in pre-flop as Volpe held Qd Qc, Melo had 8s 8h and Baumstein turned over Ad Jd. The flop of Td Th 9d gave Baumstein the nut flush draw as his all-in opponents were sweating the action. The 3h was a blank for Volpe, but the 5d on the river sealed the deal putting Baumstein over 200,000 in chips.
2:19 p.m.:
Chipleader McLean Karr
12:53 p.m.: Here are your chip counts and table draws for everyone left in the tournament (sorted by stack size):
Chip Cnt. Name Table Seat
|
328,000 |
Karr McLean |
47 |
5 |
|
222,800 |
Robbo Luciano |
48 |
1 |
|
201,700 |
Brian Lemke |
50 |
1 |
|
169,500 |
Ronald Lee |
49 |
8 |
|
168,700 |
Kobi Waldfogel |
49 |
6 |
|
136,800 |
Robert Melo |
47 |
8 |
|
136,600 |
Alek Givotovsky |
50 |
6 |
|
135,300 |
Dan Smith |
50 |
2 |
|
131,000 |
John Renzi |
48 |
7 |
|
130,000 |
Joe Egan |
46 |
5 |
|
124,000 |
Robert Pyne |
50 |
5 |
|
121,800 |
Joe Palma |
56 |
8 |
|
110,400 |
Scott Baumstein |
47 |
3 |
|
101,200 |
Dean Donahue |
47 |
4 |
|
96,300 |
Mike Cologna |
56 |
2 |
|
91,900 |
Ted Willis |
49 |
1 |
|
83,900 |
Matt Stout |
48 |
4 |
|
80,900 |
Akim Akimov |
46 |
6 |
|
79,500 |
Robert Infanzon |
48 |
9 |
|
75,100 |
Hung Troung |
48 |
8 |
|
73,900 |
Michael Cohen |
48 |
5 |
|
73,700 |
Lawrence Paden |
56 |
7 |
|
71,600 |
Larry Nelson |
46 |
4 |
|
68,000 |
Will Failla |
56 |
3 |
|
67,700 |
Christian Harder |
46 |
1 |
|
67,200 |
Brian Kessler |
48 |
2 |
|
66,600 |
John Delay |
56 |
9 |
|
65,100 |
Bruce Lehrman |
47 |
9 |
|
64,000 |
Peter Kammerlen |
49 |
9 |
|
60,700 |
Dave Noyes |
55 |
2 |
|
56,900 |
Michael Barbaree |
47 |
2 |
|
56,800 |
Brad Radbill |
48 |
6 |
|
55,000 |
Nathan Ross |
55 |
8 |
|
53,200 |
Jeff Wicker |
56 |
4 |
|
53,100 |
Michael Candido |
56 |
5 |
|
52,200 |
Robert Mackie |
46 |
3 |
|
52,100 |
Stan Strickland |
55 |
5 |
|
50,600 |
Fritz Stoner |
47 |
6 |
|
47,700 |
Matt Bowers |
55 |
7 |
|
46,600 |
Vincent Procopio |
55 |
6 |
|
41,600 |
Edward Pham |
55 |
4 |
|
41,000 |
Joe Loscialo |
55 |
1 |
|
40,400 |
Lou Santoro |
46 |
7 |
|
36,500 |
Paul Volpe |
47 |
7 |
|
34,600 |
Kevin Strizziere |
56 |
6 |
|
34,300 |
Rick Austin |
46 |
9 |
|
32,700 |
Marv Siegel |
56 |
1 |
|
32,000 |
Tony Damat |
49 |
3 |
|
31,900 |
Steven McDonough |
49 |
5 |
|
31,300 |
Jeff Spence |
55 |
3 |
|
30,700 |
Mike Sica |
50 |
8 |
|
29,100 |
Ian Searing |
48 |
3 |
|
25,900 |
Sardor Gaziev |
55 |
9 |
|
25,600 |
Alex Zaverukha |
50 |
7 |
|
24,400 |
John Lakatosh |
46 |
2 |
|
24,400 |
Ray Coburn |
49 |
4 |
|
24,000 |
Casey Fosbenner |
49 |
7 |
|
20,000 |
Dean Schultz |
50 |
9 |
|
19,000 |
Daniel Yoo |
50 |
4 |
|
17,500 |
Matt Brady |
47 |
1 |
|
16,700 |
Gordon Eng |
50 |
3 |
1:52 a.m.: Here are some of your notable chip counts going into Day 2:
McLean Karr – 328k
Rocco Luciano – 222k
Brian Lemke – 201k
Ronald Lee – 170k
Kobi Waldfogel – 168k
Robert Pyne – 124k
Joe Palma – 122k
1:23 a.m.: We have 17 minutes left in Level 11, and we will be bagging up the chips and coming back tomorrow. 63 players remain, and we will try and get some chips counts for you going into Day 2.
12:57 a.m.: Unfortunately, the last of the Deepstacks crew has been eliminated, as Tristan Wade is sent home. On the other side of spectrum, McLean Karr is over 300k.
12:35 a.m.: The cream is definitely rising to the top in this main event. With 75 players left, it’s basically the who’s who of poker, with a solid local flare mixed in.
12:19 a.m.: We have 79 players left in the clubhouse room. All players left after Level 11 will be bagging up their chips and coming back tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. As we were typing this entry, we lost Deepstacks Live own, Michael Mizrachi.
11:51 p.m.: Currently moving up the ladder as well is Rocco Luciano (South Philadelphia), sitting with close to 200k:
Rocco Luciano (Philadelphia, PA)
Bringin’ Home The Bacon!
11:46 p.m.: McLean Karr is running roughshot through his table right now, just knocking out Chalie Hook, and feeding his already huge chip stack. He is over 200k and doesn’t look like he’s looking back.
11:43 p.m.: We are just coming off a 20 minute break, and we have 90 players remaining. The blinds are 500-1k with a 100 ante.
11:10 p.m.: The loud cheer heard from table 66 was from Hung “Kevin” Truong. He surely had something to cheer about, as he just won a 125k pot. The gentleman in the ten seat was a student in yesterday’s Deepstacks Live seminar, and went by the name of “Santa Clause.” Here is how the hand played out:
Flop: Kd 8c 2d (Santa was put all in by Kevin)
Santa: KhKs Kevin: Qd 6d
Turn: 6s
River: Ad
Kevin made the flush on the river, beating Santa’s top set, and sending him marching back to the North Pole (so terribly corny).
10:51 p.m.: 101 players remain, and our overwhelming chip leader right now is McLean Karr, with ~ 195k. Another pro experiencing some early success is Brian Lemke, who sits with about 115k:
Brian Lemke
10:27 p.m.: We are moving into Level 9, with 400-800 blinds and 75 ante. 108 players remain, and we will be breaking for 20 minutes at the end of this level.
9:50 p.m.: Another one of our POPC bracelet winners is experiencing some success in the early rounds of this event, Kobi Waldfogel just busted a player with sevens full. The ten on the turn gave his opponent three tens, while Kobi made the full house after flopping a set. He is now also over 100k:
Kobi Waldfogel
9:43 p.m.: Piggybacking off an earlier post, McLean Karr is now over 100k, with the chip average in the room at 40k.
9:25 p.m.: We are just coming back from a 20 minute break, in Level 8 with 300-600 blinds and 75 ante. We just lost one of our bracelet winners, Trevor Savage has been eliminated from the main event. Congrats on the POPC win, and the best of luck going forward.
The Wheeeel!!
8:53 p.m.: In a monster pot at table 70, we saw McLean Karr standing up, and wondered if he was about to make his way to the media lounge. We made our way over to see him standing over his Ad3c, on a board of 2d 4h 5d. He was up against 22 and AA, and he used the wheel to ride up to 85k:
McLean Karr
8:41 p.m.: The media lounge here at Parx gained a few friends today. Kevin Mathers (@Kevmath) and Tatjana Pasalic (@tattytats) are both here hanging out:
Tatjana Pasalic and Kevin Mathers
8:21 p.m.:
Chalie Hook
When two of the Parx tournament directors are standing over the same table, there is either a problem, or a pretty big hand. It would be the latter in this scenario, and Chalie Hook sends two players home. Hook had aces up against kings and jacks, and faded any bad beats. Chalie is the first player in the tournament to reach the 100k mark, and sits a little above the mark.
7:58 p.m.: Players are now settling back into their tournament routine after the dinner break, hopefully spent at Chickie and Pete’s. Tristan Wade told me about his bad luck, “I haven’t won a hand since level 1″, the DeepStacks Live pro told me, his stack down to 30,500. The remaining 139 players are now at level 7, with blinds at $200/$400 with a running ante of 50. A few of the notables still in contention include Michael Mizrachi, Matt Brady, Matt Stout, Brian Lemke, Will Failla, McLean Karr, John Renzi, Chris Amaral and Shawn Busse.
7:32 p.m.: We are lucky enough to have @Kevmath (Kevin Mathers) with us for the Main Event. For anyone following who may not know who he is, where have you been? Kevin is highly regarded in the poker journalistic field. He has worked with many well-known publications, and followed tournaments all over the country. He will be updating the tournament as well, and we look forward to hearing from him.
7:16 p.m.: Daniel Yoo, our Event 1 runner-up looks to be creeping up the leaderboard, he has over 70k in chips, and just scooped up another pot:
Daniel Yoo (previously pictured)
7:11 p.m.: We are back from dinner break, and will be resuming play with 146 players.
5:40 p.m.: We will be on dinner break, and updating chip counts once we resume play.
5:28 p.m.: With 20 minutes until dinner break, we have our first player beginning to separate himself from the field. With ~ 75k, Michael Mizrachi is our chip leader in the clubhouse room. The dinner break will be from 5:50-7:oo p.m.
5:03 p.m.: We are in Level 5, with 100-200 blinds and 25 ante. 158 of the 181 entrants still remain.
4:34 p.m.: Everyone is currently on a 20 minute break, and here are a few of our notable chip counts:
Tristan Wade – ~ 42k
Michael Mizrachi – ~ 47k
Tyng Low – ~ 55k
Matt Glantz – ~ 45k
4:17 p.m.:
Pros Vincent Procopio and Mike Sica
3:53 p.m.: The registration is now closed, and here are your final payouts:
Entrants: 181
Prize Pool: $324, 804
Payouts:
- $74, 706
- $51,969
- $38,977
- $29,232
- $21,924
- $17,052
- $12,992
- $10,556
- $8,932
- $7,308
- $7,308
- $7,308
- $6,496
- $6,496
- $6,496
- $5,684
- $5,684
- $5,684
3:37 p.m.: Local to Parx, Tom Ly having some early success:
Tom Ly
3:11 p.m.: As we walked by the Grinder’s table, we saw him involved in a hand with Event 1 bracelet winner Kheong Chin. On a board of 5d 5s 2h Kd, we walked up as the river came out the 8s. In a pot already over 15k, Chin bet 11k on the river, and Grinder pushed all in. Chin thought for a moment and called, and Grinder tabled 5h 6d. Chin the sheepishly grinned and showed 5c 3d, and the excitement was for naught, as they would be chopping the pot.
2:43 p.m.: Players are now back from break, and before the first break, Deepstacks Live instructor Tristan Wade has 51k.
2:10 p.m.: We are currently in our first of many 20 minute breaks, and we will return with 75-150 blinds.
2:01 p.m.: The notable names continue strolling in, including the crew from Deepstacks Live:
Mike Matusow
Michael Mizrachi
Tristan Wade
Chalie Hook
Chris Torina
Matt Brady
1:21 p.m.: Douglas Friedmutter, our POPC “O-fer” is our early chip leader, with 60k. Douglas has played in every event of our POPC, but has yet to walk away with any cashes. He hopes that Event 11 may bring him some better luck, and a different outcome.
12:44 p.m.: A lot of bracelet winners and cashes from our POPC already seated:
Trevor Savage
Gordon Eng
Jason Paster
Lou Santoro and Justin Friedman
Daniel Yoo
James “Lighthouse” Boyle
12:15 p.m.: The clubhouse room definitely has a different buzz this afternoon, as players are filing in for our Parx Poker Open Classic Main Event. There are many recognizable faces in the crowd, and we will be bringing you all of them as the day continues. Registration is open during the first three levels, and through the first break. Players are receiving $25k in chips, and the levels are 60 minutes. This is a three-day event, with our final table culminating on Monday afternoon.
