Big Stax 500 (Day 3): 1st Place - Kaplan ($40,362)

Level 30 (Blinds 60,000/120,000/15,000)
Players Remaining: 4

James Kaplan (Boca Raton, FL)
1st Place - $40,362 ***

*** Denotes chop

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): 2nd Place - Ferrigno ($39,606)

Level 30 (Blinds 60,000/120,000/15,000)
Players Remaining: 4

Frank Ferrigno (Wayne, NJ)
2nd Place - $39,606 ***

***Denotes chop

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): 3rd Place - Black ($38,415)

Level 30 (Blinds 60,000/120,000/15,000)
Players Remaining: 4

Joe Black (Bronx, NY)
3rd Place - $38,415 ***

*** Denotes chop

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): 4th Place - Deeter ($35,237)

Level 30 (Blinds 60,000/120,000/15,000)
Players Remaining: 4

Trevor Deeter (Langhorne, PA)
4th Place - $35,237 ***

*** Denotes chop

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Talking Chop Once More

Level 30 (Blinds 60,000/120,000/15,000)
Players Remaining: 4

Now that the playing field has evened out considerably, the players are once more discussing chop.  The stacks are being counted down to the number, and when any decision is made, it will be posted immediately.

***Update:  Players have decided on a chop, and the numbers are being verified by the tournament floor.  Everything has to be down to the exact dollar, so once the amounts are official, they will be posted on the blog.

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Mid-Level Chip Counts

Level 30 (Blinds 60,000/120,000/15,000)
Players Remaining: 4

Level 30 is half the way through, and here are the shifting stacks (up to the moment):

1. Trevor Deeter - 4,600,000
2. Frank Ferrigno - 5,700,000
3. Joe Black - 7,000,000
4. James Kaplan - 6,500,000

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Updated Chip Counts

Level 30 (Blinds 60,000/120,000/15,000)
Players Remaining: 4

Four handed chip counts updated:

1. Trevor Deeter - 4,100,000
2. Frank Ferrigno - 5,000,000
3. Joe Black - 8,400,000
4. James Kaplan - 6,900,000

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Ferrigno Doubles Through Black

Level 30 (Blinds 60,000/120,000/15,000)
Players Remaining: 4

Just after the entry was posted in regards to Frank Ferrigno, he gets it all-in pre against Joe Black, and was in superior shape.  Frank's AA > A3 of Black, and Frank is now over 6,000,000 (peaking for Day 3).  The chip stacks are beginning to even out more than they have been since reaching the final table, and counts will be posted shortly.

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Ferrigno Holding On

Level 30 (Blinds 60,000/120,000/15,000)
Players Remaining: 4

Frank Ferrigno came back from break with less than 20 big blinds, and has since been down to ten bigs and up to thirty.  He's yet to have been all-in and at risk since returning, but has been involved in a number of hands.

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Blinds Are Climbing

Players are going on a (10) minute break and will return to Level 30 (Blinds 60,000/120,000/15,000).  Here are chip counts on break:

1. Trevor Deeter - 4,400,000
2. Frank Ferrigno - 2,100,000
3. Joe Black - 9,800,000
4. James Kaplan - 6,600,000

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Deeter Doubles Through Black

Level 30 (Blinds 60,000/120,000/15,000)
Players Remaining: 4

Frank Ferrigno opened the pot to 375,000 and got three-bet by Joe Black to 875,000.  Kaplan would fold behind and Deeter would four-bet all-in (2,245,000).  Ferrigno would fold and Black would be left to decide what to do.  He said to Trevor that he would feel bad if he won, and he would feel bad if he lost as well.  Black also mentioned that he didn't want to give Deeter new life, but eventually put in the extra 1,400,000 for the call.  Deeter's A♦ K♠ > Q♠ 10♠ of Black, and Trevor is now back to 5,000,000.

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Kaplan Doubles Through Deeter

Level 29 (Blinds 50,000/100,000/10,000)
Players Remaining: 4

James Kaplan would open the button for 300,000, and Trevor Deeter would three-bet from the small blind to 1,050,000.  Kaplan would check his cards, check his stack, and then four-bet all-in (3,535,000).  Trevor put a stack of yellow chips across the line signifying a call, and the hands would be tabled:

Kaplan: 10♥ 10♦             Deeter: A♠ K♦

Flop: J♥ 6♠ 4♥

Turn: 5♥

River: 3♥

James Kaplan - 8,000,000
Trevor Deeter - 2,000,000

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Changing Chip Counts

Level 29 (Blinds 50,000/100,000/10,000)
Players Remaining: 4

Here are up to the minute chip counts (no notable hands to report):

1. Trevor Deeter - 5,400,000
2. Frank Ferrigno - 2,600,000
3. Joe Black - 13,000,000
4. James Kaplan - 3,600,000

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Black Putting On Pressure

Level 29 (Blinds 50,000/100,000/10,000)
Players Remaining: 4

Joe Black is now up to 12,200,000 and is putting consistent pressure on the short stacks.  He is far and beyond the most active player at the moment.  Although Kaplan and Ferrigno are being termed "short," they do have 30 big blinds, with (90) minute levels.

This is the attraction of these events to both recreational and professional players, super deep play through every stage of the event.

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): On Second Thought

Level 29 (Blinds 50,000/100,000/10,000)
Players Remaining: 4

The idea of a four way ICM chop was just shut down, and the cards are back in the air.  Four handed chip counts:

1. Trevor Deeter - 6,400,000
2. Frank Ferrigno - 3,600,000
3. Joe Black - 9,700,000
4. James Kaplan - 4,000,000

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Discussing A Chop

Level 29 (Blinds 50,000/100,000/10,000)
Players Remaining: 4

The clock is currently paused as players are discussing a four way chop.  Once a decision is made, it will be posted right away.

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): 5th Place - Rand ($13,848)

Level 29 (Blinds 50,000/100,000/10,000)
Players Remaining: 4

Rand Marsden (Sewell, NJ)
5th Place - $13,848

Marsden was the short stack at the table, and after calling Joe Black's open from the blind, the two would see a flop of 3 8 J.  Marsden would get his remaining 500,000 in, and would be open-ended with 8 9 against the A J of Black.  The turn and river would be no help to Marsden, and he would be the first to leave the table since coming back from dinner.

Black continues to lead the way with close to 12,000,000.

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Black Wins A Big One

Level 29 (Blinds 50,000/100,000/10,000)
Players Remaining: 5

After Joe Black opened under the gun, Trevor Deeter three-bet to 650,000 from the button.  Joe would flat and the two would go to the flop: 9♠ 7♦ 5♣.  After Joe checked, Trevor would fire out a bet of 800,000.  After asking for the amount of the bet, and some deliberate thought, Black would make the call.  The turn would bring the 6♥ and Trevor would check to Joe, who would then put out a bet of 3,000,000.  Deeter would eventually fold his hand, giving Black the pot worth close to 6,000,000.

Big Stax VI Series - $230 Limit Omaha 8B (Results)

Total Players : 110		Prize Pool : $21,340
Place	Player Name		Prize
1	Laurence O'Halloran		$6,614
2	Wasyl Zaliwiciw		$4,055
3	Bruce Frank		$2,373
4	Michael Bees		$1,814
5	Michael Blakeney		$1,370
6	Marc Saia		$1,095
7	Robert Lambert		$896
8	John Hunter		$747
9	Robert Renner		$640
10	Charles Deravin		$551
11	Robert Toft Sr		$395
12	Barry Moody		$395
13	Joseph Heffers		$395

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Post Dinner Counts

Level 29 (Blinds 50,000/100,000/10,000)
Players Remaining: 5

Here are the counts back from dinner:

1. Trevor Deeter - 6,800,000
2. Rand Marsden - 900,000
3. Frank Ferrigno - 4,400,000
4. Joe Black - 9,100,000
5. James Kaplan - 1,700,000

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Back From Break

Level 29 (Blinds 50,000/100,000/10,000)
Players Remaining: 5

Players are once again taking their seats, and the next time they break for that long it will be at the conclusion of this event.

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Dinner Break

Players are now going on a (75) minute dinner break, and when they return to Level 29 the blinds will be going up to 50,000/100,000/10,000.  The play (as well as live coverage) will resume at approximately 9:10pm.

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Updated Chip Counts

Level 28 (Blinds 40,000/80,000/10,000)
Players Remaining: 5

Updated final table chip counts:

1. Trevor Deeter - 7,200,000
2. Rand Marsden - 900,000
3. Frank Ferrigno - 4,200,000
4. Joe Black - 8,300,000
5. James Kaplan - 3,200,000

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): 6th Place - Dascoli ($11,139)

Level 28 (Blinds 40,000/80,000/10,000)
Players Remaining: 5

John Dascoli (Hatboro, PA)
6th Place - $11,139

Trevor Deeter opened the pot to 160,000, and John Dascoli three-bet shoved 1,700,000.  When they action quickly folded back to Trevor, he would think for about three minutes, cutting out the chips for a call.  Deeter would eventually push the chips across the line for a call, and the two players would be racing.  Deeter's 99 > AQ of Dascoli on a runout of J 3 7 4 9.  

Deeter is now up to 7,000,000, and creeping close to the chip lead held by Joe Black.

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Mid-Level Chip Updates

Level 28 (Blinds 40,000/80,000/10,000)
Players Remaining: 6

Here are updated chip counts half the way through Level 28.  At the end of this level, players will be going on a (75) minute dinner break:

1. Trevor Deeter - 6,200,000
2. John Dascoli - 1,900,000
3. Rand Marsden - 700,000
4. Fran Ferrigno - 4,700,000
5. Joe Black - 9,000,000
6. James Kaplan - 2,100,000

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Slowing Down

Level 28 (Blinds 40,000/80,000/10,000)
Players Remaining: 6

The action has once again slowed down since returning from break, with only one sizable pot played. Joe Black and Frank Ferrigno once again tangled in said hand, with Ferrigno getting the better of Black.

To paint a picture of the table, it's pretty subdued with minimal table talk...if at all.  The players who were once driving conversation between the bunch have been eliminated, and the remaining six seem extremely focused.  Joe Black and Trevor Deeter have been the two most active players, while James Kaplan and Rand Marsden have been the most snug.

Big Stax 500 (Day 2): Break Time Chip Counts

Level 28 (Blinds 40,000/80,000/10,000)
Players Remaining: 6

Here are updated chip counts from break:

1. Trevor  Deeter - 5,200,000
2. John Dascoli - 2,100,000
3. Rand Marsden - 2,000,000
4. Frank Ferrigno - 3,300,000
5. Joe Black - 12,400,000
6. James Kaplan - 2,200,000

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): 7th Place - Lopes ($9,032)

Level 27 (Blinds 30,000/60,000/10,000)
Players Remaining: 6

Joseph Lopes (Barnegat, NJ)
7th Place - $9,032

Lopes grinder his stack down to six big blinds, as he was UTG on the last hand of the level.  He open shoved 365,000 and was called by Joe Black in middle position.  The action would fold around, and Lopes would see a runout that would sum up his day:

Lopes: K♠ J♥           Black: A♣ Q♦

Flop: 8♦ 10♦ K♥

Turn: K♦

River: 6♦

Lopes would outflop Joe Black, but watch as the turn and river would come running diamonds to send Lopes home.

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Break Time Once More

Players are again going on a (10) minute break, and when they return to Level 28, the blinds will be going up to 40,000/80,000/10,000.  The chip average for the remaining seven players is 3,600,000.

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): 8th Place - Martinson ($7,075)

Level 27 (Blinds 30,000/60,000/10,000)
Players Remaining: 7

Thos Martinson (Ft. Ann, NJ)
8th Place - $7,075

Thos Martinson was the shortest stack at the table, and he open shoved his remaining 795,000 under the gun plus one.  When the action folded to Rand Marsden, he would call the 795,000.  Frank Ferrigno was next to act and he would three-bet all-in (for a total of 1,270,000).  The action would be to Marsden to call the extra 400,000 and change, and after thinking for a moment, he said he was priced in and made the call:

Thos: Q♦ 10♠         Marsden: A♦ Q♠       Ferrigno: A♣ A♥

Flop: 9♠ 9♦ 5♣

Turn: Q♥

River: 5♠

Ferrigno's aces would hold, and he would chip up to 3,000,000, while knocking out Thos Martinson at the same time.

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): The Ten Bigs Club

Level 27 (Blinds 30,000/60,000/10,000)
Players Remaining: 8

There are two players at the table with just over ten big blinds, and they are Thos Martinson (750,000) and Joseph Lopes (800,000).  There is (20) minutes remaining in the level at the moment, and with the blinds going up shortly, and keen eye will be kept on those players movements.

Joe Black continues to lead the way, with Trevor Deeter second in chips.  Rand Marsden has been by the far the least active player throughout the Day 3, but sits above chip average with 3,000,000.

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Mid-Level Chip Counts

Level 27 (Blinds 30,000/60,000/10,000)
Players Remaining: 8

Here are updated chip counts half the way through Level 27:

1. Trevor Deeter - 5,300,000
2. John Dascoli - 1,700,000
3. Thos Martinson - 1,400,000
4. Joseph Lopes - 800,000
5. Rand Marsden - 3,100,000
6. Frank Ferrigno - 1,100,000
7. Joe Black - 8,400,000
8. James Kaplan - 2,400,000

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): 9th Place - Schoultz ($5,419)

Level 27 (Blinds 30,000/60,000/10,000)
Players Remaining: 8

Mike Schoultz (Arlington, VA)
9th Place - $5,419

Mike Schoultz and Trevor Deeter played a number of hands against each other, with Deeter getting the best of Mike right before Schoultz's final hand.  Schoultz was left with about 25 bigs, and got his stack in on the turn of a board reading Q♦ 6♦ 10♥ 5♥:

Schoultz: Q♥ 9♥         Deeter: K♠ Q♠

Board: Q♦ 6♦ 10♥ 5♥

River: 5♣

Schoultz would miss his flush draw, and when the turn didn't pair his nine either, Mike would be eliminated in ninth place.

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Black Reading Well

Level 27 (Blinds 30,000/60,000/10,000)
Players Remaining: 9

Joe Black has taken a commanding chip lead at this final table after winning a pot versus John Dascoli (Black has over 8,600,000).  On a board of 10♥ 5♠ 3♥ J♦ 2♠, Joe check-called the flop (145,000)...the turn (575,000)...and the river (825,000).  On the river Dascoli would table A♥ Q♦, and Black would turn over 8♥ 5♥ for the win and send Dascoli under 2,000,000.

With the table still nine-handed, Joe Black has over 30% of the total chips in play.

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Updated Chip Counts

Level 27 (Blinds 30,000/60,000/10,000)
Players Remaining: 9

Here are updated counts coming back from break:

1. Trevor Deeter - 3,700,000
2. John Dascoli - 3,400,000
3. Thos Martinson - 1,900,000
4. Joseph Lopes - 900,000
5. Rand Marsden - 3,700,000
6. Mike Schoultz - 1,500,000
7. Frank Ferrigno - 1,100,000
8. Joe Black - 5,600,000
9. James Kaplan - 2,200,000

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): 10th Place - Abi-Zeid ($3,914)

Level 26 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)
Players Remaining: 9

George Abi-zeid (Miller Place, NY)
10th Place - $3,914

Joe Black continues his reign at the final table, as he sends home George Abi-zeid in 10th place, the only elimination during Level 26.  All the chips got in on the turn:

Abi-zeid: A♣ 10♣         Black: Q 10

Board: 5♣ Q♣ 6♠ 10♥

River: 10♦

Although Joe had a firm grip on the hand when the chips went in (turning two pair), Abi-zeid was still alive to more than a handful of outs.  The river would bring Black a full house, and Abi-zeid (who came into Day 3 second in chips) would be the first player to leave the final table.

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Going On Break

The ten players that still remain are going on their second break of the day, and they will return to blinds of 30,000/60,000/10,000.  The chip average at the table is still 2,500,000, which is just over 40 big blinds.

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Action Picks Up A Little

Level 26 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)
Players Remaining: 10

Trevor Deeter was faced with a 700,000 turn bet on a board of A J 4 A from George Abi-zeid.  The pot sized bet was called by Trevor and the players would see the K on the river.  George would ask Trevor what he had left, which was just over 800,000, and then proceed to check.  Deeter would then turn over A 10 (flopped an ace with nut flush draw), and Abi-zeid would look at his hand once more before sending the cards into the muck.

Trevor Deeter - 4,200,000
George Abi-zeid - 1,800,000

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): All The Shorties Doubling

Level 26 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)
Players Remaining: 10

The trend of the day has been the short stacks surviving (well...most of them), and breathing new life at the final table.  Mike Schoultz was left super short after losing the earlier pot to Joe Black, but he just doubled through James Kaplan.  Mike's 9 10 > K Q of Kaplan on the runout of A 10 2 8 7, putting him back over 1,000,000, while dropping Kaplan to just over 3,100,000.

In the first hour this field saw three departures, but since then they have not lost a players.  The final table is still ten handed with just over (24) minutes remaining in Level 26.

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Black v. Schoultz

Level 26 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)
Players Remaining: 10

The action was picked up on the flop of 10♠ 2♠ 2♥, and Mike Schoultz had a bet of 145,000 in front of him.  Joe Black was to act and he cut out a raise to 300,000 and put it across the betting line.  Schoultz would then himself cut out a three-bet to 650,000 (leaving 500,000 behind), and Black would then four-bet all-in.

Schoultz thought for about five solid minutes before deciding to lay down the hand, leaving ten blinds in front of him.  Black would flip over the A♥ before pushing his hand toward the dealer.

Joe Black - 3,300,000
Mike Schoultz - 500,000

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Deeter Over 2,000,000

Level 26 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)
Players Remaining: 10

Trevor Deeter (Langhorne, PA) is currently trying to build back the stack that he started the day with (just under 3,000,000).  He was down to 1,200,000 coming back from break, but just got it all-in pre over Joe Black's button raise.  Black made the call and Deeter's AA > A 10, giving him a pot worth over 2,000,000.

Joe Black - 2,500,000
Trevor Deeter - 2,400,000

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Updated Chip Counts

Level 26 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)
Players Remaining: 10

Here are updated final table chip counts:

1. Trevor Deeter - 1,200,000
2. John Dascoli - 3,700,000
3. Thos Martinson - 1,900,000
4. Joseph Lopes - 1,800,000
5. Rand Marsden - 3,100,000
6. George Abi-zeid - 3,900,000
7. Mike Schoultz - 1,200,000
8. Frank Ferrigno - 1,200,000
9. Joe Black - 3,900,000
10. James Kaplan - 3,600,000

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Payout Reminder

Level 26 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)
Players Remaining: 10

Here is a reminder of what the remaining players are here for:

1. $70,290
2. $42,147
3. $23,693
4. $17,491
5. $13,848
6. $11,139
7. $9,032
8. $7,075
9. $5,419
10. $3,914

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Break Time

Players are going on their first (10) minute break of the day, and when they return to Level 26, the blinds will be going up to 25,000/50,000/5,000.  The chip average at the ten handed final table is 2,500,000 (50 bigs).

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Martinson Holds

Level 25 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/5,000)
Players Remaining: 10

Thos Martinson (Ft. Ann, NY) three-bet shoved his remaining 885,000 over the 110,000 open from Joe Black.  The action would fold back around to Joe, and after asking for a count, he would make the call.  Martinson's 10 10 > A Q of Black, and Thos becomes another short stacked player to double.  Thos now has 1,900,000 going into the first break of the day, up from the 1,000,000 he started with (90) minutes ago.

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Ferrigno Doubles Up

Level 25 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/5,000)
Players Remaining: 10

Frank Ferrigno had ten bigs in front of him, and he three-bet shoved over an open from Joseph Lopes.  Frank would once again have the best hand with pocket jacks against the pocket tens of Lopes.  The flop would come out A J 4, but Frank wouldn't be in the clear just yet.  Lopes was calling for a king or queen, but what he got on the turn was a ten.  Lopes would need the last ten in the deck to make quads, and the nine on the river surely gave a sweat, it would not be.

Ferrigno is now once again over 1,000,000, and has some breathing room with over 20 big blinds.

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Updated Chip Counts

Level 25 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/5,000)
Players Remaining: 10

Here are the updated chip counts from the final table:

1. Trevor Deeter - 1,600,000
2. John Dascoli - 2,800,000
3. This Martinson - 1,000,000
4. Joseph Lopes - 2,400,000
5. Rand Marsden - 3,800,000
6. George Abi-zeid - 3,200,000
7. Mike Schoultz - 1,700,000
8. Frank Ferrigno - 400,000
9. Joe Black - 4,400,000
10. James Kaplan - 3,000,000

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Black Flops Gin

Level 25 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/5,000)
Players Remaining: 10

In one of the first few hands at the final table, Frank Ferrigno and Joe Black got it all-in pre for a pot worth close to 4,600,000.  Frank would be in great shape with AA against the AK of Black, but the flop would run out two kings, and Ferrigno would be left searching for the last ace in the deck.  Joe Black would get the double, as Frank walked away from the table visibly perturbed with the result he just saw.

Joe Black - 4,600,000
Frank Ferrigno - 400,000

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Final Table

Level 25 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/5,000)
Players Remaining: 10

The final table has been set, and here is the lineup (with chip counts to follow):

1. Trevor Deeter
2. John Dascoli
3. This Martinson
4. Joseph Lopes
5. Rand Marsden
6. George Abi-zeid
7. Mike Schoultz
8. Frank Ferrigno
9. Joe Black
10. James Kaplan

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): 11th Place - Gross ($3,914)

Level 25 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/5,000)
Players Remaining: 10

Sheldon Gross (Hillsborough, FL)
11th Place - $3,914

As Patti was walking to the podium, the other short stack remaining got his last 250,000 in the middle.  It would be the classic race for Gross versus John Dascoli, but Sheldon's QQ did not flip well against the AK of Dascoli.  John would flop an ace, leaving Sheldon three outs in the deck, which he would not hit.

The players have now reached the final table, and the lineup with updated chip counts will be posted shortly.

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): 12th Place - Haggerty ($3,914)

Level 25 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/5,000)
Players Remaining: 12

Patti Haggerty (Scranton, PA)
12th Place - $3,914

Patti Haggerty was the second shortest stack remaining, and she would open shove her remaining 670,000.  George Abi-zeid was on her direct left and would make the call after a few moments in thought:

Haggerty: 7♦ 7♥          Abi-zeid: A♥ A♠

Flop: 7♠ 10♥ 4♥

Turn: 6♥

River: 3♥

Haggerty would out-flop Abi-zeid and take a huge lead in the hand.  The lead was no longer as safe on the turn when George would call out for a heart.  Abi-zeid would receive his wish on the river, and Patti would take the loss gracefully as she walked away from the table.

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Easy Come...Easy Go

Level 25 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/5,000)
Players Remaining: 12

James Kaplan was all-in under the gun for 970,000, and the action folded to George Abi-zeid, who was still stacking chips from a sizable pot won against Trevor Deeter.  George would announce a call, but he would watch the chips he just won leave his possession, as Kaplan's A 10 > A K.  The flop would be clean for George, but Kaplan would both turn and river a ten to double up (2,000,000).

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Gross Gets Another Chance

Level 25 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/5,000)
Players Remaining: 12

Sheldon Gross is now the short stack of the bunch, holding just over ten big blinds (400,000).  After James Dascoli limped, Gross limped behind on the button, and Thos Martinson would shove for the second hand in a row (1,200,000).  John would fold and Sheldon would make the call:

Gross: 3 3            Martinson: 9 9

Flop: Q Q 10

Turn: K

River: K

Gross had one foot out the door, but the flop brought chop outs for him, and he would get a refund plus a little after chopping the pot with Martinson.  Sheldon is still very short along with Patti Haggerty, the only players under 1,000,000.

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): 13th Place - Walsh ($3,312)

Level 25 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/5,000)
Players Remaining: 12

Ed Walsh (Langhorne, PA)
13th Place - $3,312

After an open to 110,000 from Rand Marsden, the action would fold around to Ed Walsh in the small blind.  Walsh would three-bet shove to 730,000,  and the decision would be to Rand to make the call.  Marsden did verbalize a call, and the hands were turned over:

Walsh: A♠ 10♦         Marsden: A♣ K♣

Flop: Q♣ 9♣ 7♥

Turn: 3♠

River: K♦

Rand is now up to 4,100,000 after winning the pot, while Walsh goes over $70,000 in lifetime earnings with that finish.

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Black Draws First

Level 25 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/5,000)
Players Remaining: 13

Joe Black starts his day off with a little all-in pre (for just over one million), leaving Trevor Deeter to a decision.  Deeter a won a sizable pot to start the day with kings, and surveyed his situation before announcing a call.  The two hands would be tabled:

Black: K♠ Q♣             Deeter: A♦ Q♦

Flop: K♣ 2♥ 6♠

Turn: Q♠

River: J♣

Black gets the double to over 2,000,000, while Trevor drops down to 2,600,000.

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Cards In The Air

Level 25 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/5,000)
Players Remaining: 13

The players are taking their chips out of their bags and getting prepared to play for the trophy...and over $70,000.  The only player to not yet arrive is Patti Haggerty, and with the clock already running, she will begin to get blinded out.

This is going to be a big day for one or more of these players, as most of them will be earning the largest live tournament score to date.

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Final Day Table Draw

DAY 3	Table Order
Total Players:	630	13
Total Chips:	25,200,000	1,938,462
Name	Last Name	Chip Count	Table #	Seat #
Joe	Reddick	1,400,000	57	1
James	Kaplan	1,150,000	57	2
Rand	Marsden	2,970,000	57	3
EMPTY			57	4
Trevor	Deeter	2,965,000	57	5
Patricia	Haggerty	860,000	57	6
EMPTY			57	7
George	Abi-zeid	3,735,000	57	8
Ed	Walsh	880,000	57	9
Thos	Martinson	1,055,000	58	1
Mike	Schoultz	1,570,000	58	2
Joseph	Lopes	1,570,000	58	3
EMPTY			58	4
Frank	Ferrigno	2,310,000	58	5
John	Dascoli	4,045,000	58	6
EMPTY			58	7
Sheldon	Gross	670,000	58	8
EMPTY			58	9

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Day 3 Chip Counts (Alpha)

DAY 3	Alphabetical Order
Total Players:	630	13
Total Chips:	25,200,000	1,938,462
Name	Last Name	Chip Count	Table #	Seat #
George	Abi-zeid	3,735,000	57	8
John	Dascoli	4,045,000	58	6
Trevor	Deeter	2,965,000	57	5
Frank	Ferrigno	2,310,000	58	5
Sheldon	Gross	670,000	58	8
Patricia	Haggerty	860,000	57	6
James	Kaplan	1,150,000	57	2
Joseph	Lopes	1,570,000	58	3
Rand	Marsden	2,970,000	57	3
Thos	Martinson	1,055,000	58	1
Joe	Reddick	1,400,000	57	1
Mike	Schoultz	1,570,000	58	2
Ed	Walsh	880,000	57	9

Big Stax 500 (Day 2): 14th Place - Smith ($3,312)

Level 24 (Blinds 15,000/30,000/5,000)
Players Remaining: 13

Terry Smith (Frisco, CO)
14th Place - $3,312

Big Stax 500 (Day 2): Final Hands Of The Night

Level 24 (Blinds 15,000/30,000/5,000)
Players Remaining: 14

The clock is now paused and players are finishing out the final hands of the night.  Once the determined amount of hands are played at each table, players will bag their chips for Day 3 tomorrow, beginning at 1:00pm.  Chip counts will be posted once the stacks are verified and bagged.

Big Stax 500 (Day 2): 15th Place - Gulfraz ($3,312)

Level 24 (Blinds 15,000/30,000/5,000)
Players Remaining: 14

Kamran Gulfraz (Flushing, NY)
15th Place - $3,312

Kamran's last hand was a formality after losing the close to 3,000,000 pot to George Abi-zeid.  He would be eliminated only a few hands after.

Big Stax 500 (Day 2): Kamran Spirals

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

It was a seemingly dream situation for George Abi-zeid, as the board ran out 2 5 4 9 3, and with already close to 1,000,000 in the pot.  George had A 3 and had flopped the wheel, only to improve to the nut flush on the turn.  With the pot already bloated, Kamran Gulfraz announced himself all-in on the river (having George covered).  George quickly called and flipped over the nuts, with Gulfraz left to talk to himself.

George Abi-zeid - 2,900,000
Kamran Gulfraz - 350,000

Big Stax 500 (Day 2): Seeing The Future

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

Sheldon Gross

At Table 47, Kamran Gulfraz opened the pot for 100,000, and Sheldon Gross followed with a three-bet to 200,000.  The action would fold around the Kamran and he would just flat, saying to Gross, "I don't know how to play this hand, I'm going to double you up."  The flop would run out 10 8 3, and Gross would go all-in for 465,000.  Kamran would call, and surely he saw this coming, as his JJ < QQ of Sheldon.  Sheldon would double up to over 1,500,000, while Gulfraz drops to 2,200,000.

Kamran Gulfraz - 2,200,000
Sheldon Gross - 1,500,000

Big Stax 500 (Day 2): 16th Place - Netanelof ($2,920)

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

Georoh Netanelof (Rego Park, NY)
16th Place - $2,920

Big Stax 500 (Day 2): 17th Place - Siegel ($2,920)

Level 24 (Blinds 15,000/30,000/5,000)
Players Remaining: 16

Eric Siegel (Melville, NY)
17th Place - $2,920

Siegel was all-in only minutes after doubling up Schoultz, and he would be behind once again.  This time he had a little better of a sweat as his AJ < AK of John Dascoli, missing both flopped flush and broadway draws.

Siegel is just under $500,000 lifetime earnings with that cash, and just falls short of matching his best ever Big Stax finish (finished 16th place Big Stax III Series $1,000 Event).

Big Stax 500 (Day 2): Schoultz Doubles

Level 24 (Blinds 15,000/30,000/5,000)
Players Remaining: 17

Mike Schoultz was one of the shorter stacks coming back from break, and he continued to dip lower as Level 24 began.  He got a big double just moments ago when his AA > 10 10 of Eric Siegel, basically flip flopping the players positions.  Schoultz was all-in for 450,000, and he would double to just over 1,000,000.  Eric Siegel would be left with just over 400,000 after losing the hand.

Big Stax 500 (Day 2): Updated Chip Counts

Here are the updated chip counts from the final break:

Table 47:

1. Georoh Netalenof - 900,000
2. Joseph Lopes - 660,000
3. John Dascoli - 2,400,000
4. Mike Schoultz - 500,000
5. George Abi-zeid - 2,000,000
6. Trevor Deeter - 3,100,000
7. Kamran Gulfraz - 2,300,000
8. Eric Siegel - 1,000,000
9. Sheldon Gross - 1,200,000

Table 50:

1. Ed Walsh - 1,100,000
2. Terry Smith - 1,400,000
3. James Kaplan - 1,100,000
4. Joe Black - 900,000
5. Frank Ferrigno - 2,000,000
6. This Martinson - 750,000
7. Rand Marsden - 1,900,000
8. Patti Haggerty - 675,000

Big Stax 500 (Day 2): Final Break

Players are going on their final break of the night, and when they return to Level 24 the blinds will be 15,000/30,000/5,000 (chip average of 1,500,000).  The updated chip counts will be posted once players leave their seats.

Big Stax 500 (Day 2): Liberto Leaves The Group

Level 23 (Blinds 12,000/24,000/4,000)
Players Remaining: 17

Justin Liberto had a difficult time finding traction after losing to big pots to John Dascoli after the first redraw.  He was just eliminated by Terry Smith, as Justin's 33  < 10 10 for his remaining 350,000.  Liberto made his second deep run of this series, including a $1,500 bonus in this event for bagging the Day 1A chip lead.

Players will be on their final break at the end of this level (15 minutes remain), and the chip counts of the remaining players will then be posted.

Out in 18th. Can't get 2nd in all of em
— Justin Liberto (@JustinLiberto) May 13, 2014

Big Stax 500 (Day 2): Final 18

Level 23 (Blinds 12,000/24,000/4,000)
Players Remaining: 18

Here is the new layout for the final eighteen players:

Table 47:

1. Georoh Netalenof
2. Joseph Lopes
3. John Dascoli
4. Mike Schoultz
5. George Abi-zeid
6. Trevor Deeter
7. Kamran Gulfraz
8. Eric Siegel
9. Sheldon Gross

Table 50:

1. Ed Walsh
2. Terry Smith
3. Justin Liberto
4. James Kaplan
5. Joe Black
6. Frank Ferrigno
7. This Martinson
8. Rand Marsden
9. Patti Haggerty

Big Stax 500 (Day 2): 19th-21st Places ($2,589)

The following players have cashed in the event for $2,589:

19. Rich Peticca (Philadelphia, PA)
20. Nancy Martin (Washington Crossing, PA)
21. Gaetano Taormina (Warwick, PA)

The remaining 18 players are redrawing for new seats, and the lineup will be posted shortly.

Big Stax 500 (Day 2): Ferrigno Flexes New Muscle

Level 23 (Blinds 12,000/24,000/4,000)
Players Remaining: 19

Frank Ferrigno just doubled through George Abi-zeid, as Ferrigno turned a set of tens against George's over pair (queens).  The money got in on the turn when Frank hit his set, and Ferrigno is now back over 1,000,000.

After the next elimination, players will once again redraw, and the new seating assignments and chip counts will be posted.

Big Stax 500 (Day 2): Martin Takes Brutal Beat

Level 23 (Blinds 12,000/24,000/4,000)
Players Remaining: 19

Only a few hands after the monster pot with Abi-zeid, Kamran Gulfraz got it in pre with Nancy Martin for a pot worth close to 900,000:

Martin: A J           Gulfraz: 6 4

Flop: A 9 3

Turn: 6

River: 6

Gulfraz would go runner-runner to leave Martin with less than 100,000.  Nancy took the beat in stride, and would be eliminated only a few hands later in 20th place.

Nancy what a great Run... @TheReader23 runner runner cooler
— Bob Brady (@BobBrady2) May 13, 2014

Big Stax 500 (Day 2): Gulfraz Slips Up

Level 23 (Blinds 12,000/24,000/4,000)
Players Remaining: 21

George Abi-zeid

Kamran Gulfraz came back from break with 1,900,000, and was top three of the players remaining.  He just got involved in a 2,500,000 pot with George Abi-zeid, and came out on the wrong end.  On a board of A 10 3 A, Gulfraz check-raised George's 150,000 bet all-in (George started the hand with 1,300,000).  George would make the call after a short while in the tank, and Gulfraz would tell him, "Nice call."  George's A 8 > 5 5 of Gulfraz, and now Abi-zeid is one of the top three stacks in the room.

George Abi-zeid - 2,500,000
Kamran Gulfraz - 400,000

Big Stax 500 (Day 2): 22nd-24th Places ($2,258)

The following players have cashed in the event for $2,258:

22. Robert Miller (Nanuet, NY)
23. She Wong (Forest Hills, NY)
24. Federico Ottenio (Brooklyn, NY)

Big Stax 500 (Day 2): Chip Counts

Here are the updated chip counts (before break):

Table 47:

1. She Wong - 1,000,000
2. John Dascoli - 2,400,000
3. Justin Liberto - 1,000,000
4. James Kaplan - 1,000,000
5. Rand Marsden - 1,200,000
6. Robert Miller - 90,000
7. This Martinson - 800,000
8. Gaetano Taormina - 180,000

Table 48:

1. George Abi-zeid - 1,200,000
2. Eric Siegel - 900,000
3. Frank Ferrigno - 875,000
4. Nancy Martin - 520,000
5. Ed Walsh - 1,400,000
6. Kamran Gulfraz - 1,900,000
7. Rich Peticca - 620,000

Table 50:

1. Sheldon Gross - 1,300,000
2. Mike Schoultz - 800,000
3. Georoh Netanelof - 400,000
4. Joe Black - 1,200,000
5. Trevor Deeter - 2,500,000
6. Joseph Lopes - 700,000
7. Terry Smith - 1,800,000
8. Patti Haggerty - 900,000

Big Stax 500 (Day 2): Break Time

The remaining 23 players are going on a (10) minute break, and when they return the blinds will be 12,000/24,000/4,000 (chip average is 1,095,000).  Updated chip counts will be posted shortly.

Big Stax 500 (Day 2): 25th-27th Places ($2,017)

The following players have cashed for $2,017:

25. Kevin Lutz (Bellmawr, NJ)
26. Mike Vails (Columbus, IN)
27. Dave Inselberg (Long Beach, NY)

Big Stax 500 (Day 2): 28th-36th Places ($1,776)

The following players cashed in the event for $1,776:

28. Igor Burokhov (New York, NY)

29. Chris Bloom (Philadelphia, PA)

30. Jeff Wicker (Bristol, PA)

31. Joshua Hertz (Chesterfield, NJ)

32. Allison Schultz (New York, NY)

33. Alex Queen (Bethlehem, PA)

34. Eric Rivkin (East Hampton, NY)

35. TJ Shulman (Boyton Beach, FL)

36. Harry Piacitelli (Plymouth Meeting, PA)

Big Stax 500 (Day 2): Final 27 Redraw

Level 22 (Blinds 10,000/20,000/3,000)
Players Remaining: 26

Here are the seating assignments for the remaining 26 players, as Dave Inselberg was busted right after Igor Burokhov:

Table 47:

1. She Wong
2. John Dascoli
3. Justin Liberto
4. Mike Schoultz
5. James Kaplan
6. Rand Marsden
7. Robert Miller
8. This Martinson
9. Gaetano Taormina

Table 48:

1. Federico Ottenio
2. George Abi-zeid
3. Eric Siegel
4. Frank Ferrigno
5. Nancy Martin
6. Ed Walsh
7. Mike Vails
8. Kamran Gulfraz
9. Rich Peticca

Table 50:

1. Sheldon Gross
2. Georoh Netanelof
3. Kevin Lutz
4. Joe Black
5. Trevor Deeter
6. Joseph Lopes
7. Terry Smith
8. Patti Haggerty

Big Stax 500 (Day 2): Mardsen Ruins Burokhov

Level 22 (Blinds 10,000/20,000/3,000)
Players Remaining: 29

Igor Burokhov was cruising earlier in the day, sitting with over 1,000,000 in the second level of the day.  He was just in a great spot against Rand Marsden (Sewell, NJ), but ended up with less than 10 big blinds.  The two players got the money in on the turn, in a pot that would be over 900,000.  The two hands were tabled:

Igor: J♠ 10♠            Rand: 8♥ 8♣

Board: 7♦ 3♠ 6♠ 10♦

River: 9♦

Marsden would spike a non-spade nine on the river to steal away the pot from Burokhov, who was left with 190,000 after the hand.  Burokhov would bust only a few hands later and the clock is paused as players are about to redraw.

Big Stax 500 (Day 2): Liberto Loses A Chunk

Level 22 (Blinds 10,000/20,000/3,000)
Players Remaining: 29

Justin Liberto is now down to 800,000, and those lost chips went the way of John Dascoli.  Dascoli came into the day with 185,000 and now has 1,700,000.

Since dinner the field has lost:

Alex Queen
Allison Schultz
Jeff Wicker

Big Stax 500 (Day 2): Deeter Busts Queen

Level 22 (Blinds 10,000/20,000/3,000)
Players Remaining: 32

Trevor Deeter

After an open from Joe Black and call from Trevor Deeter, Alex Queen shoved for 226,000 out of the small blind.  Black would fold behind and after a few moments, Deeter would begrudgingly call.  Deeter's QJ would be way ahead of the J 10 of Queen, and the runout would not help Alex.  His run at back to back falls short, and he finishes in 33rd place.

Deeter is now one of the chip leaders with 1,650,000.

Big Stax 500 (Day 2): Shorties Staying Alive

Level 22 (Blinds 10,000/20,000/3,000)
Players Remaining: 33

Dave "Coldstone" Inselberg was another short stacked players returning from dinner, and he just doubled through Sheldon Gross.  Inselberg was all-in pre (blind v. blind) for 100,000, and he had Gross dominated (A9 > A5).  Dave is now breathing new life as well with 230,000.

Big Stax 500 (Day 2): Queen Triples (...He Was Short)

Level 22 (Blinds 10,000/20,000/3,000)
Players Remaining: 33

Alex Queen came back from dinner with a little over three big blinds.  He just pushed his last 68,000 in the middle and got called in two spots.  The action would go check-check until the river on a board that read 8 9 A 2 J.  Joe Black would check the river and the third player in the hand would bet 20,000.  Joe would call and his opponent would turn over J J, and his rivered set would win the side pot.  Alex Queen would turn over A A (flopped set), and he breathes new life with 260,000.

Big Stax 500 (Day 2): Play Resumes

Level 22 (Blinds 10,000/20,000/3,000)
Players Remaining: 33

Players are back from dinner and are taking their seats.   The levels now are (90) minutes, and play will continue until the end of Level 24 (or) the final table.

Big Stax 500 (Day 2): Updated Counts Before Dinner

Level 21 (Blinds 8,000/16,000/2,000)
Players Remaining: 34

Players will be going on a (75) minute dinner break at the end of this level (~ 20 minutes).  Day 2 play will resume at approximately 8:05pm, as will the live coverage of the event.  Here are some updated counts half the way through Level 21:

Kamran Gulfraz - 1,800,000
Justin Liberto - 1,700,000
Sheldon Gross - 1,500,000
James Kaplan - 1,200,000
Alex Queen - 1,000,000
Joe Black - 1,000,000
George Abi-zeid - 1,000,000
Nancy Martin - 830,000
Kevin Lutz - 680,000
Jeff Wicker - 570,000
Trevor Deeter - 510,000
Igor Burokhov - 450,000

Big Stax 500 (Day 2): 37th-45th Places ($1,535)

The following players cashed in the event for $1,535:

37. James Snyder (Enola, PA)
38. Brian Grogan (Middle Village, NY)
39. Paul Shedaker (Croydon, PA)
40. Jason Groelly (Mechanicsville, PA)
41. Ido Ashkenazi (New York, NY)
42. Joel Frank (Rocky Hill, NJ)
43. Louis Russo (Brooklyn, NY)
44. Mickey Woll (Atlantic City, NJ)
45. Kent Wuethrich (Sugar Run, PA)

Big Stax 500 (Day 2): Notables Still Alive

Level 21 (Blinds 8,000/16,000/2,000)
Players Remaining: 39

Of the players remaining in the field, over half would be considered notables to the room.  Here are those notables still alive for the top prize:

Frank Ferrigno
Eric Siegel
Dave Inselberg
Nancy Martin
Patti Haggerty
Allison Schultz
Eric Rivkin
Kevin Lutz
Alex Queen
Joe Black
Trevor Deeter
Igor Burokhov
Justin Liberto
TJ Shulman
Joseph Lopes

Big Stax 500 (Day 2): Level Going Up

Level 21 is about to begin, with blinds going up to 8,000/16,000/2,000.  This level will be the last before a (75) minute dinner break, and will also be the last at (60) minutes.  From here on out the levels will increase to (90) minutes.   The chip average amongst the remaining 42 players is currently 600,000.

Big Stax 500 (Day 2): 46th-54th Places ($1,295)

The following players cashed in the event for $1,295:

46. Thai Ha (Factoryville, PA)
47. Sean Byars (Reston, VA)
48. Elan Branas (New York, NY)
49. Miguel Borrero (Jersey City, NJ)
50. Laurence Wolf (Annapolis, MD)
51. Thomas Belmonte (Staten Island, NY)
52. Sandeep Patel (Parsippany, NJ)
53. Jesse Letchworth (Colonial Heights, VA)
54. Rob Melo (Howard Beach, NY)

Big Stax 500 (Day 2): Updated Chip Counts

Level 20 (Blinds 6,000/12,000/2,000)
Players Remaining: 46

Players will have one more level (after this current level) before they go on dinner break, and also until the blind levels increase to (90) minutes.  Here are the updated chip counts from the field:

Kamran Gulfraz - 1,600,000
Justin Liberto - 1,450,000
James Kaplan - 1,300,000
Kevin Lutz - 1,100,000
Federico Ottenio - 950,000

Big Stax 500 (Day 2): Liberto Leads The Way

Level 20 (Blinds 6,000/12,000/2,000)
Players Remaining: 51

Justin Liberto

Justin Liberto (Baltimore, MD) is in familiar territory, leading the way in a Big Stax event.  Coming off his chop of the Big Stax 300, he proceeded to then bag the chip lead Day 1A of this event.  After going down to 400,000 a few levels ago, he is now at 1,400,000.  Liberto is currently seated at Table 47 with the likes of Paul Shedaker, Laurence Wolf, and TJ Shulman.

Big Stax 500 (Day 2): Break Time

Players are going on their second (15) minute break of the day, and they will returning to blinds of 6,000/12,000/2,000 when they return to Level 20.  The chip average amongst the remaining 51 players is currently 494,000.

Big Stax 500 (Day 2): Black Gets It Back

Level 19 (Blinds 5,000/10,000/1,000)
Players Remaining: 53

Joe Black went from the top of the pack to the middle after losing that crucial hand earlier to Nancy Martin (full house over full house).  Joe just recouped those chips in a pot with Jesse Letchworth worth over 600,000.  The two players got the money in on a flop of K♦ 9♦ 7♥, with Letchworth holding the 4♦ 5♦ and Black 7♦ 7♣.  The turn A♦ would be brutal to Joe as the lead is grasped from him, a the 2♦ on the river would give Joe the bigger flush and the win.

Joe Black - 610,000
Jesse Letchworth - Eliminated

Big Stax 500 (Day 2): 55th-62nd Places ($1,054)

The following players have cashed in the event for $1,054:

55. Steven  Sarmiento (Queens, NY)

56. Kristophe Gmerek (Midland Park, NJ)

57. Allan Lubin (Watchung, NJ)

58. Valerie Novak (Perry Hall, MD)

59. Kevin Grabel (Southampton, PA)

60. Pierre Deissler (Mt. Laurel, NJ)

61. Staffan Lind (Vero Beach, FL)

62. Cameron Shahab (Smyrna, GA)

Big Stax 500 (Day 2): Updated Chip Counts

Level 19 (Blinds 5,000/10,000/2,000)
Players Remaining: 58

Here are updated chip counts from the field.  One noticeable thing is that Igor Burokhov is no longer on the leaderboard, as he's trended down below 600,000 after moving tables:

Nancy Martin - 1,200,000
Frank Ferrigno - 970,000
Alex Queen - 930,000
Georh Netanelof - 850,000
Mickey Woll - 840,000
Justin Liberto - 840,000
Kevin Lutz - 780,000

Big Stax 500 (Day 2): Deissler Down

Level 19 (Blinds 5,000/10,000/2,000)
Players Remaining: 59

Pierre Deissler (Mt. Laurel, NJ) grinded a short stack all the way into the money, but could not make it last much longer.  He was all-in for 114,000 and called by Patti Haggerty, but couldn't win the flip as his 55 < QJ of Patti.

On the other side of the spectrum, Kevin Grabel came into the day as one of the chip leaders after bagging the Day 1B chip lead.  He too has just been eliminated...proof positive that it's always anyones tournament to win, regardless of the stack coming into Day 2.

Busto. Wheeee. 55<QJo @Patticakespoker Happy w play. Glgl to all other CoolKidz #TPEdge
— Pierre Deissler (@PierreDeissler) May 12, 2014

Big Stax 500 (Day 2): Clock Is Moving

After the bubble burst it only left a few minutes remaining in Level 18, and they have now ticked away.  The blinds in Level 19 will be 5,000/10,000/2,000 (60 players remain).  The chip average amongst those remaining players is 420,000.

Big Stax 500 (Day 2): Bubble Bursts

Level 18 (Blinds 4,000/8,000/1,000)
Players Remaining: 62

Frank Loffreno three-bet jammed his remaining 40,000 after an open from Joshua Hertz.  Frank would be ahead going in with 10 10 agains the K J of Loffreno.  The flop would run clean for Frank, but Hertz would turn a king to take the lead, and eventually take down the hand.  The players remaining are all guaranteed $1,054 (min-cash).