Big Stax 1500 (Day 3): 1st Place - Prasetyo ($118,725)

Level 28 (Blinds 40,000/80,000/10,000)
Players Remaining: 1

Aditya Prasetyo (Cambridge, MA)
Big Stax 1500 Winner - $118,725

I guess the 4th time is the charm. We won!!
— Aditya Prasetyo (@KingsOnTilt) May 19, 2014

Big Stax 1500 (Day 3): 2nd Place - Liberto ($70,845)

Level 28 (Blinds 40,000/80,000/10,000)
Players Remaining: 1

Justin Liberto (Baltimore, MD)
2nd Place - $70,845

Big Stax 1500 (Day 3): Updated Chip Counts

Level 28 (Blinds 40,000/80,000/10,000)

Players Remaining: 2

Here are the updated chip counts for heads-up play.  It has not yet been determined if the two players are going to take the dinner break at the conclusion of this level.

Aditya Prasetyo - 13,700,000

Justin Liberto - 1,800,000

Big Stax 1500 (Day 3): Updated Chip Counts

Level 28 (Blinds 40,000/80,000/10,000)
Players Remaining: 2

Aditya Prasetyo - 13,000,000
Justin Liberto - 2,550,000

Big Stax 1500 (Day 3): Justin Dips Down Again

Level 28 (Blinds 40,000/80,000/10,000)
Players Remaining: 2

After losing two consecutive pots, Justin is now below 20 bigs (1,580,000).  Just as Liberto was building back up, he lost two crucial pots.  On a board of 5♦ 6♦ 7♣ J♦ K♥, Liberto ended up calling off 750,000 on the river only to see Aditya table 7♦ 8♦.  Justin would then get check-rasied off a pot only a few hands later, leaving him where he is now.

Big Stax 1500 (Day 3): Updated Chip Counts

Level 28 (Blinds 40,000/80,000/10,000)
Players Remaining: 2

Updated heads up chip counts:

Aditya Prasetyo - 11,600,000
Justin Liberto - 3,900,000

Big Stax 1500 (Day 3): Liberto Gaining Ground

Level 28 (Blinds 40,000/80,000/10,000)
Players Remaining: 2

Justin Liberto is now over 3,500,000 after turning broadway and getting paid 765,000 on the river.  Liberto got down to less than 10 bigs to start heads up play, but he is now sitting with close to 45.

Aditya Prasetyo - 12,000,000
Justin Liberto - 3,550,000

Big Stax 1500 (Day 3): Liberto Loses More Ground...Then Doubles

Level 27 (Blinds 40,000/80,000/10,000)
Players Remaining: 2

Justin Liberto has 13 big blinds, as he loses the first sizable pot heads up.  On a board of 4 7 8 10 K (with the action check-called by Aditya on the flop, check-check turn, and check-call river for 310,000).  Justin would turn over 10 2 on the river, but would see that Aditya rivered two-pair (K 8).

Only two hands later, Justin would be all-in for the first time in heads up play.  Aditya would call:

Justin: K♥ J♥           Aditya: K♦ 8♠

Flop: Q♥ 9♥ 3♣

Turn: 4♥

River: 10♦

Justin would double to 1,850,000.

Big Stax 1500 (Day 3): Break Time/Heads Up Chip Counts

Level 27 is now over and the field has been played down to the final two.  The blinds coming back will be 40,000/80,000/10,000, and here are the updated chip counts:

Justin Liberto - 2,000,000

Aditya Prasetyo - 13,550,000

We are now HU w 13.2 milli out of 15.5 milli in play, lets try to win this time LFG
— Aditya Prasetyo (@KingsOnTilt) May 19, 2014

Good news: I'm heads up. Bad news: I'm at a 6.5-1 deficit. Best news: no pressure #doubleanddoubleanddoubleanddoubleandwin
— Justin Liberto (@JustinLiberto) May 19, 2014

Big Stax 1500 (Day 3): 3rd Place - Cologna ($44,029)

Level 27 (Blinds 30,000/60,000/10,000)
Players Remaining: 2

Mike Cologna (Freehold, NJ)
3rd Place - $44,029

It seemed destined for the two short stacks to get involved with each other, as Liberto and Cologna got the chips in pre.  It was a race as Justin held 5♥ 5♣ against the A♥ 10♥ of Cologna, with Justin coming out on top.  The board would run out 3♦ 8♠ Q♥ J♥ Q♠, giving Cologna extra outs on the turn, but he was not able to find one that he needed.

The two players discussed a chop for only a few moments before deciding to play things out.

Big Stax 1500 (Day 3): Liberto Takes From Cologna

Level 27 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)
Players Remaining: 3

Justin Liberto just took down a pot from Cologna with an all-in check raised on a flop of A J 2, knocking Mike down to 750,000.  Liberto sits at just over 1,500,000 after winning the pot, and it doesn't get an easier on the two short stacks.  Blinds will be going up in seven minutes, as players will be going on a (10) minute break.

When they players return the blinds will be 40,000/80,000/10,000 (5,200,000 chip average).

Big Stax 1500 (Day 3): Cologna Doubles Through

Level 27 (Blinds 30,000/60,000/10,000)
Players Remaining: 3

Mike Cologna had just over ten blinds, having trended downward since three handed play began.  He just got it in pre versus Aditya, for a pot worth 1,600,000.  Cologna's AA > 77 of Aditya, but not without a sweat on the 5 6 9 J Q runout.

Big Stax 1500 (Day 3): Updated Chip Counts

Level 27 (Blinds 30,000/60,000/10,000)
Players Remaining: 3

Here are up to the minute chip counts:

1. Justin Liberto - 1,500,000
2. Mike Cologna - 1,250,000
3. Aditya Prasetyo - 12,800,000

Big Stax 1500 (Day 3): An Uphill Battle

Level 27 (Blinds 30,000/60,000/10,000)
Players Remaining: 3

It's going to be an uphill battle for either Mike Cologna or Justin Liberto, with Aditya holding close to 12,000,000 (of the 15,500,000 in play).  They both sit around 1,700,000, and have gotten the best of each in a few pots since getting down to three handed play.

Big Stax 1500 (Day 3): 4th Place - Scekic ($32,037)

Level 27 (Blinds 30,000/60,000/10,000)
Players Remaining: 4

Milos Scekic (Massapequa, NY)
4th Place - $32,037

Milos Scekic would see a flop heads up with Aditya Prasetyo, in a blind v. blind situation.  The flop would be A♥ 7♠ 9♥, and Prasetyo would check to Scekic.  Milos would put out a bet of 200,000, and Aditya would follow with a check raise to 500,000.  With the action back on Scekic, he would then three-bet to 1,200,000.  Prasetyo would continue once again with a five-bet all-in, leaving Milos sitting with his face in his hands...deciding what to do.  Milos would eventually announce a call and the hands would be tabled:

Scekic: A♦ J♣         Aditya: A♠ 9♣

Turn: 7♦

River: 2♠

Aditya's two pair would hold and he would watch as the dealer shipped over all of Milos's chips.  He now has close to 75% of the chips in play:

1. Justin Liberto - 2,600,000
2. Mike Cologna - 1,700,000
3. Aditya Prasetyo - 11,200,000

Big Stax 1500 (Day 3): Break Time Chip Counts

Here are the updated counts from break.  When players return to Level 27, the blinds will have gone up to 30,000/60,000/10,000 (3,900,000 chip average):

1. Milos Scekic - 3,000,000
2. Justin Liberto - 2,800,000
3. Mike Cologna - 1,700,000
4. Aditya Prasetyo - 8,100,000

Big Stax 1500 (Day 3): 5th Place - Ravindran ($25,002)

Level 26 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)
Players Remaining: 4

Dilip Ravindran (Jersey City, NJ)
5th Place - $25,002

Dilip shoved under the gun for 900,000 and the action would fold around to Aditya Prasetyo in the big blind.  Aditya would make the call, and his A 10 > 6 6 of Dilip, sending the chips Aditya's way and Dilip to the podium to get paid out.

There is (4) minutes remaining in Level 26, and players will be on a (10) minute break at its conclusion.  Updated chip counts will be posted once players leave their seats and go on break.

Big Stax 1500 (Day 3): Aditya Takes One From Liberto

Level 26 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)
Players Remaining: 5

In a heads up pot between Prasetyo and Liberto, the board would read 7♣ 10♦ J♦ Q♦ 3♠, and Prasetyo would have a river bet of 550,000 in front of him (after Justin checked river).  The pot was already over 1,900,000, and just would take a few looks at his chips before making the call.  Prasetyo would turn over 3 3, and just would fold his hand with a shake of his head.

Aditya Prasetyo - 7,700,000
Justin Liberto - 2,500,000

Big Stax 1500 (Day 3): Updated Chip Counts

Level 26 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)
Players Remaining: 5

Here are the updated chip counts:

1. Milos Scekic - 3,700,000
2. Justin Liberto - 3,600,000
3. Mike Cologna - 1,200,000
4. Aditya Prasetyo - 5,400,000
5. Dilip Ravindran - 1,000,000

Big Stax 1500 (Day 3): Dilip Doubles Through Prasetyo

Level 26 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)
Players Remaining: 5

Dilip Ravindran shoved his remaining chips from the small blind over an open from Prasetyo (button).  Aditya would make the call and Dilip would be at risk:

Dilip: J♠ 10♦       Aditya: A♠ K♥

Flop: Q♦ 8♥ 5♠

Turn: 2♥

River: 9♣

Ravindran would make a straight on the river, doubling up to 1,600,000.

Big Stax 1500 (Day 3): Ravindran Left With 10 Bigs

Level 26 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)
Players Remaining: 5

Dilip Ravindran is left with just under 600,000 after losing a sizable pot to Aditya Prasetyo moments ago.  Ravindran made calls on both the flop and the turn of a board  reading K♣ J♦ 9♥ 3♥ Q♣, but folded the river when Aditya put out enough to put Ravindran all-in.

Dilip Ravindran - 590,000

Big Stax 1500 (Day 3): Updated Chip Counts

Level 26 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)
Players Remaining: 5

Here are up to the minute chip counts:

1. Milos Scekic - 3,600,000
2. Justin Liberto - 2,900,000
3. Mike Cologna - 1,300,000
4. Aditya Prasetyo - 6,200,000
5. Dilip Ravindran - 1,300,000

Big Stax 1500 (Day 3): Dilip Picks Off Cologna

Level 26 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)
Players Remaining: 5

Mike Cologna is now the short stack among the five remaining players after a failed bluff against Dilip Ravindran.  On a board of K J 7 Q 7, Cologna put out a river bet of 375,000 (about half pot sized bet).  Dilip would talk to himself a little while thinking, but eventually put out the chips for a call.  Cologna would turn over A 4, while Ravindran would table K Q for the win.

Dilip Ravindran - 1,500,000 (30 bigs)
Mike Cologna - 1,000,000 (20 bigs)

Big Stax 1500 (Day 3): Break Time

Players are on a (10) minute break, and when they return the blinds will be going up to 25,000/50,000/5,000 (3,100,000 chip average).  Here are the updated counts from break:

1. Milos Scekic - 3,000,000
2. Justin Liberto - 3,500,000
3. Mike Cologna - 1,700,000
4. Aditya Prasetyo - 5,800,000
5. Dilip Ravindran - 900,000

Big Stax 1500 (Day 3): 6th Place - Botticello ($19,691)

Level 25 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/5,000)
Players Remaining: 5

John Botticello (Manalapan, NJ)
6th Place - $19,691

Justin Liberto opened the pot under the gun to 80,000, and get called in every except one (Cologna folded UTG +1).  The flop would come out 9♠ 5♠ 2♠, and both Milos and Justin would check.  John Botticello would be next to act and he would announce himself all-in (1,300,000).  Aditya Prasetyo was next to act, and he would stare down John's chips before also going all-in (3,800,000).  The table would fold behind and John would ask Aditya, "Ya on a draw?":

Flop: 9♠ 5♠ 2♠

Botticello: 5♥ 5♣       Prasetyo: A♠ 6♠

Turn: Q♠

River: K♣

Botticello's set would be flushed out by Aditya, and John would be eliminated in sixth place.  With that pot Aditya would assume the chip lead, sitting with 5,500,000.

John wanted to make sure he said hello to his wife Kathy, and kids Brandon and John who are following the blog!

Big Stax 1500 (Day 3): Updated Counts

Level 25 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/5,000)
Players Remaining: 6

Here are the updated counts with twenty minutes remaining in the level:

1. Milos Scekic - 2,900,000
2. Justin Liberto - 3,200,000
3. Mike Cologna - 2,400,000
4. John Botticello - 1,400,000
5. Aditya Prasetyo - 3,800,000
6. Dilip Ravindran - 1,500,000

Mike Cologna was the shortest stack at the table, but Justin Liberto just doubled him up moments ago.  On a board of 4♥ 3♦ J♣ 5♦, Justin bet enough on the turn to put Mike all-in.  Cologna would think for a moment before making the call, and doubling up with A♠ J♣ against the 10♦ 4♦ of Liberto.

Big Stax 1500 (Day 3): 7th Place - Bryan ($16,638)

Level 25 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/5,000)
Players Remaining: 6

Tim Bryan (Atlanta, GA)
7th Place - $16,638

Tim Bryan was the shortest stack at the table with less than fifteen bigs, and the action would fold around to him in the small blind.  He would put out a stack of yellow chips (325,000), and the action would be to John Botticello (second shortest in chips).  John would announce himself all-in, and Tim would actually take a few moments before putting in his final 190,000.  The two hands would be tabled:

Bryan: A♥ 9♥           Botticello: 8♥ 8♣

Flop: Q♥ 4♦ 3♠

Turn: 10♥

River: 3♦

Botticello would win the race and his pocket eights would hold up.  Botticello would chip up to 1,450,000 with the win, and now has over 30 bigs.

Big Stax 1500 (Day 3): Mid-Level Chip Counts

Level 25 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/5,000)
Players Remaining: 7

Here are the updated chip counts half the way through Level 25:

1. Milos Scekic - 3,200,000
2. Justin Liberto - 3,400,000
3. Mike Cologna - 1,100,000
4. Tim Bryan - 575,000
5. John Botticello - 600,000
6. Aditya Prasetyo - 3,400,000
7. Dilip Ravindran - 1,700,000

Big Stax 1500 (Day 3): 8th Place - Lind ($13,895)

Level 25 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/5,000)

Players Remaining: 7

Staffan Lind (Vero Beach, FL)
8th Place - $13,895

Staffan Lind would open under the gun to 80,000, and the action would quickly fold around to Milos Scekic in the big blind.  Milos would three-bet to 300,000 and watch as Lind put together a sizable four-bet and pushed it across the line.  Milos would then five-bet all-in (having Lind covered) and Staffan would toss one yellow chip across the line signifying a call:

Milos: A♠ A♥        Staffan: K♣ K♥

Flop: Q♥ J♦ 3♥

Turn: 6♦

River: 4♥

Staffan would run into a cooler as his kings were trailing at every point throughout the hand.  This was his second final table of the series, and he collecting a chip lead bonus ($1,000) during the Big Stax 300.

Milos is now over 3,200,000 with his new found chips, and players begin to spread out a get a little more comfortable at this seven handed final table.

Big Stax 1500 (Day 3): 9th Place - Zambanini ($10,399)

Level 25 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/5,000)
Players Remaining: 8

Matthew Zambanini (Wilmington, DE)
9th Place - $10,399

The action would fold around to Aditya Prasetyo on the button, and he would open the pot for a 80,000 raise.  Matthew Zambanini was next to act in the small blind and would three-bet shove his remaining stack.  Dilip Ravindran would fold the big blind, and after asking for a count (580,000 total), Prasetyo announced a call:

Aditya: K♠ Q♥        Matthew: K♥ 10♥

Flop: A♥ 9♠ J♣

Turn: 8♥

River: J♠

The flop would bring no extra outs for Zambanini, but he would turn the flush draw for a sweat going into the river.  The board pairing on the river would not help, and Matthew would be the first player to leave Day 3.  Aditya would add Matthew's chips to his stack, and he is now the chip leader with just under 4,000,000.

Big Stax 1500 (Day 3): Who Are They?

Level 24 is about to end, with blinds going up to 20,000/40,000/5,000 (1,700,000 chip average).  Here is a look (an actual look), of the remaining final table players:

Seat 1 - Milos Scekic

Seat 2 - Staffan Lind

Seat 3 - Justin Liberto

Seat 4 - Mike Cologna

Seat 5 - Tim Bryan

Seat 6 - John Botticello

Seat 7 - Aditya Prasetyo

Seat 8 - Matthew Zambanini

Seat 9 - Dilip Ravindran

Big Stax 1500 (Day 3): Action Underway Momentarily

Level 24 (Blinds 15,000/30,000/5,000)
Players Remaining: 9

The clock has 16:49 remaining in this level, which was the time when Greg Himmelbrand got eliminated last night.  Players are now taking their chips out of their bags, with the exception of Tim Bryan (who has yet to arrive).  Cards will be in the air in a matter of minutes and the final table play will begin.

Big Stax 1500 (Day 3): Liberto Leads The Way

When Kevin "Kevmath" Mathers throws a Tweet out there, the poker world is put on notice.  Many eyes will be on the coverage of the final table, as Justin Liberto continues a torrid month of tournament poker.  Liberto leads the way going into Day 3 with 3,800,000, but there are eight other players that aren't willing to hand Justin the trophy just for showing up.  Cards will be in the air at 1:00pm, and live coverage will be bringing every moment at the final table.

FT of the @parxpokerroom #bigstaxvi $1500 has @JustinLiberto leading the quest for 120k http://t.co/VrqR7hmNMq
— Kevin Mathers (@Kevmath) May 19, 2014

Big Stax 1500 (Day 3): Final Table Chip Counts

DAY 3	Table Order
Total Players:	311	Total Remaining:	9
Total Chips:	15,550,000	Avereage Chips:	1,727,778
Name	Last Name	Hometown	Chip Count	Table #	Seat #
Milos	Scekic	Massapequa,NY	2,695,000	57	1
Staffan	Lind	Vero Beach,FL	1,015,000	57	2
Justin	Liberto	Baltimore,MD	3,800,000	57	3
Mike	Cologna	Freehold,NJ	780,000	57	4
Tim	Bryan	Atlanta,GA	700,000	57	5
John	Botticello	Manalapan,NJ	915,000	57	6
Aditya	Prasetyo	Cambridge,MA	3,305,000	57	7
Matthew	Zambanini	Wilmington,DE	1,445,000	57	8
Dilip	Ravindran	Jersey City,NJ	680,000	57	9

Big Stax 1500 (Day 2): Himmelbrand Busts Final Stage Of Night

Level 24 (Blinds 15,000/30,000/5,000)
Players Remaining: 9

Greg Himmelbrand was never able to gain traction after losing what was a crucial spot (88 < QQ to Botticello), and he busted in the very late stages of Day 2:

Busto in 10th 66 < KJ after losing a lot w 88 to QQ earlier for $7600 and change. Pretty annoyed :/
— Greg Himmelbrand (@GregHPoker) May 19, 2014

Big Stax 1500 (Day 2): Final Hands

Level 24 (Blinds 15,000/30,000/5,000)
Players Remaining: 10

At one point it looked like the night was going to be over about two hours ago, but since deciding to play down to nine players, it's Level 24 that ends first.  Players will play their final hands of the night and then bag/tag for Day 3 tomorrow at 1:00pm.

Updated chip counts (End of Day 2) will be posted once the counts are verified.

Big Stax 1500 (Day 2): Updated Chip Counts

Level 24 (Blinds 15,000/30,000/5,000)
Players Remaining: 10 

Updated final table chip counts:

1. Milos Scekic - 3,000,000
2. Staffan Lind - 1,100,000
3. Justin Liberto - 3,400,000
4. Greg Himmelbrand - 500,000
5. Mike Cologna - 850,000
6. Tim Bryan - 680,000
7. John Botticello - 990,000
8. Aditya Prasetyo - 2,600,000
9. Matthew Zambanini - 500,000
10. Dilip Ravindran - 1,600,000