Big Stax 1100 (Day 3): 1st Place - Greenawalt ($111,974)

Level 31 (Blinds 75,000/150,000/25,000)
Total Entries: 428
Players Remaining: 2
Chip Average: 10,700,000

Travis Greenawalt (Columbia, PA) - Big Stax 1100 Champion ($111,974)

Even Travis's heads-up opponent gave him a nod at the end of the of the battle, as Greenawalt went from a 3,000,000 chip deficit to champion in a matter of one level.  The final hand saw Greenawalt's pocket jacks trump Perry's K♥ 8♣ after a A♣ A♦ 5♥ 4♣ 9♠ runout.  This is Travis's largest lifetime cash by far, and probably feels really good after finishing runner-up in two major events at Borgata (both Heads-Up events).

The score of $111,974 almost matches his earnings coming into the day, which were a shade under $150,000.  Of the (22) results on his resume, this is the first outright win for Greenawalt, with the two runner-up finishes mentioned earlier.

Big Stax 1100 (Day 3): 2nd Place - Perry ($68,501)

Level 31 (Blinds 75,000/150,000/25,000)
Total Entries: 428
Players Remaining: 2
Chip Average: 10,700,000

Jacob Perry (Branchville, NJ) - 2nd Place ($68,501)

Jacob Perry's last words to Travis Greenawalt (other thanks congratulating him) were, "I didn't stand a chance heads up."  Now that may be a real stretch, because nobody get's down to heads-up play in such a quality tournament with playing exceptionally.  Perry had been furiously trending upwards since doubling during five-handed play, but everything seemed to come to a halt heads-up.

Down to his final 3,500,000, Perry shoved over an open from Travis, and was immediately called:

Perry: K♥ 8♣

Greenawakt: J♣ J♥

Runout: 5♥ A♣ A♦ 4♣ 9♠

Perry eclipsed his lifetime earnings with this cash alone, coming into the day with $41,850 total, and a top cash of $11,083.  His (15) total results go back to 2011, with this $68,501 score the highlight of his short tournament career.

Big Stax 1100 (Day 3): Greenawalt Chipping Perry Down

Level 31 (Blinds 75,000/150,000/25,000)
Total Entries: 428
Players Remaining: 2
Chip Average: 10,700,000

These two have been heads-up for just under (90) minutes, and it's been all Greenawalt.  Travis is now sitting with close to a 6-to-1 chip lead.  There hasn't been one particular hand that's really hurt Perry, just a lot of pots going Travis's way.  Here is the current chip counts between the two:

Travis Greenawalt - 16,400,000
Jacob Perry - 5,000,000

Big Stax 1100 (Day 3): Time Passing...No Change

Level 31 (Blinds 75,000/150,000/25,000)
Total Entries: 428
Players Remaining: 2
Chip Average: 10,700,000

We'd like to have some dramatic heads-up updates for you, but after more than (30) minutes of heads up play, the chip counts have changed minimally:

Travis Greenawalt - 11,500,000
Jacob Perry - 10,000,000

Big Stax 1100 (Day 3): Returning To Level 31

Level 31 (Blinds 75,000/150,000/25,000)
Total Entries: 428
Players Remaining: 2
Chip Average: 10,700,000

The chip counts were almost exactly what we published as players headed on a (10) minute break, and are now back in action, posting blinds of 75,000/150,000/25,000.  This could be a long one between two very experienced players...with a ton of chips between them.

*** Update ***

Things flipped flopped in a matter of a few hands, with Greenawalt now holding 11,000,000 to Perry's 10,500,000.

Big Stax 1100 (Day 3): Heads Up Chip Counts

Level 30 (Blinds 60,000/120,000/15,000)
Total Entries: 428
Players Remaining: 2
Chip Average: 10,700,000

Travis Greenawalt and Jacob Perry are now heads up for the Big Stax 1100 title, with the chips counts to start that matchup as such:

Jacob Perry - 12,400,000
Travis Greenawalt - 9,000,000

This may be the spot Travis has been waiting for all day, having proven success heads-up.  Travis has finished runner-up twice in Borgata heads-up events during their seasonal series, for a combined $48,000.  He most recently fell to Joseph McKeehen in the $1,500 Heads Up event during last months Borgata Poker Open, taking home over $18,000 for his second place finish.

Big Stax 1100 (Day 3): 3rd Place - Galazzo ($41,740)

Level 30 (Blinds 60,000/120,000/15,000)
Total Entries: 428
Players Remaining: 2
Chip Average: 10,700,000

Joe Galazzo (Union, NJ) - 3rd Place ($41,740)

If you didn't think Joseph Galazzo (Union, NJ) had a tough last hour, his final hand of the tournament may just change your mind.  Galazzo was all-in pre on the button, with Jacob Perry in the tank (in the small).  It was 4,105,000 for Perry to call, and after about three minutes of thinking, he would do just that:

Galazzo: A♦ 10♥

Perry: 9♦ 9♣ 

Flop: 4♣ A♥ 3♥

Turn: 8♦

River: 9♥

Perry flinched as the river hit, with Galazzo saying to the other players, "It's just not my night tonight."  Joseph wished everyone luck as he went to the tournament podium, collecting the third largest cash of his career ($41,470).

Big Stax 1100 (Day 3): Greenwalt Can't Lose To Galazzo

Level 30 (Blinds 60,000/120,000/15,000)
Total Entries: 428
Players Remaining: 3
Chip Average: 7,100,000

There was just an all-in and call between Joseph Galazzo and Travis Greenwalt, with the money getting in on the turn of a board reading 10♦ Q♠ 7♠ J♥:

Galazzo: Q♥ J♣
Greenwalt: J♦ J♠

River: 8♥

It was a cooler spot for Joseph, as Travis hits a one outer on the turn...that also gave Galazzo two pair.  The river would not come a queen, and Galazzo takes a huge hit to his stack, dropping down to 3,200,000.  Greenwalt on the other jumps to 9,000,000, and becomes the second player today to go from the short stack to the chip leader.

Big Stax 1100 (Day 3): Three Handed Chip Counts

Level 30 (Blinds 60,000/120,000/15,000)
Total Entries: 428
Players Remaining: 3
Chip Average: 7,100,000

After the elimination of Steven Sarmiento, here are the three handed chip counts:

1. Joseph Galazzo - 8,600,000
2. Jacob Perry - 9,100,000
3. Travis Greenwalt - 3,700,000

Big Stax 1100 (Day 3): 4th Place - Sarmiento ($29,775)

Level 30 (Blinds 60,000/120,000/15,000)
Total Entries: 428
Players Remaining: 3
Chip Average: 7,133,000

Steven Sarmiento (Queens, NY) - 4th Place ($29,775)

With the play having slowed down to a crawl, the conversation amongst the players out of the hands and the rail was fantasy football.  It took a second to notice that there was a big hand going on between Steven Sarmiento and Jacob Perry.  On a flop of 9 5 6, Sarmiento's flop bet of 350,000 was raised to 1,100,000 by Perry.  Steven looked at the dealer and announced that he was all-in (about 1,100,000 more), and Perry quickly made the call:

Sarmiento: 9♠ 7♦

Perry: 10♦ 9♥

Turn: K♣

River: A♣

Perry held the lead when the cards we turned over, but Sarmiento had outs to a straight (and to make two pair).  The runout brought no help to Steven, and he would earn the second largest cash of his career (behind his Big Stax IV 3rd place finish - $39,315).

Big Stax 1100 (Day 3): Mush Puts Perry To The Test

Level 30 (Blinds 60,000/120,000/15,000)
Total Entries: 428
Players Remaining: 4
Chip Average: 5,400,000

After raising pre-flop, and then check-calling both the flop and the turn, Joseph Galazzo shoved the river for 2,970,000 on a board of 6♥ 9♥ J♠ 6♦ 10♣.  Perry was very surprised to see that line being taken by Galazzo, and he went into the tank for about three minutes.  Perry said that he was pretty strong, and did some math in his head, while surveying his own chips.  Eventually Perry pushed his cards towards the muck, and Galazzo picked up the pot worth close to 5,000,000.

Big Stax 1100 (Day 3): Updated Chip Counts At Break

Level 30 (Blinds 60,000/120,000/15,000)
Total Entries: 428
Players Remaining: 4
Chip Average: 5,400,000

Players are on a (10) minute break once again, and will return to Level 30 and blinds of 60,000/120,000/15,000.  Here are the up to the minute counts from break:

1. Joseph Galazzo - 3,800,000
2. Jacob Perry - 8,200,000
3. Travis Greenwalt - 4,800,000
4. Steven Sarmiento - 4,100,000

Big Stax 1100 (Day 3): "Anyone Rooting Against Me There?"

Level 29 (Blinds 50,000/100,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 428
Players Remaining: 4
Chip Average: 5,400,000

Travis Greenwalt shoved his remaining 1,980,000 over a 225,000 open from Jacob Perry UTG.  Sarmiento folded, and Joseph Galazzo asked for a count out of the big blind.  Once he found out the amount, he verbalized a call without much deliberating.  Perry folded behind, and the hands were tabled:

Greenwalt: 5♦ 5♠
Galazzo: 10♣ 10♥

Flop: 7♥ 5♥ 4♦
Turn: 8♦
River: Q♠

Greenwalt was standing for a reason, seemingly knowing that if he got called, the best spot he'd be in was a flip.  It was even worse when the cards were turned over, but his his big deficit would go away on the flop.  Travis's set had a commanding lead, and although Galazzo turned chop outs, it would not happen for him on the river.

Joseph Galazzo - 4,700,000
Travis Greenwalt - 4,400,000

Big Stax 1100 (Day 3): Welcome To Perry-ville

Level 29 (Blinds 50,000/100,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 428
Players Remaining: 4
Chip Average: 5,400,000

Here is the story of Level 29...Jacob Perry, Jacob Perry, and Jacob Perry.  Did we mention Jacob Perry has owned this level?  We wrote about his less than an hour ago being the short stack at the table, and looking to get a key double.  Since he doubled through Travis Greenwalt, he's won about 80% of the pots played.  He had a huge hand were he flopped a full house on a board of Kx 7x 7x (with Kx 7x), and got max value out of Travis.  He's currently sitting with 7,700,000 in front of him, and is only a few million out of the chip lead.

Big Stax 1100 (Day 3): Mid Level Chip Counts

Level 29 (Blinds 50,000/100,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 428
Players Remaining: 4
Chip Average: 5,400,000

Here are the updated chip counts midway through Level 29:

1. Joseph Galazzo - 9,200,000
2. Jacob Perry - 5,700,000
3. Travis Greenwalt - 1,700,000
4. Steven Sarmiento - 3,600,000

Big Stax 1100 (Day 3): Perry Doubles Through Greenwalt

Level 29 (Blinds 50,000/100,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 428
Players Remaining: 4
Chip Average: 5,400,000

Jacob Perry has been waiting patiently for his spot to try and double, and he successfully did so just moments ago.  The action was approached on the flop in the hand between Perry, Greenwalt, and Sarmiento.  The flop was 2♠ 6♥ 8♦, and Greenwalt had a bet of 300,000 in front of him after Perry checked.  Steven pushed his cards towards the muck, with Perry then announcing that he was all-in (1,520,000).  Greenwalt quickly made the call, and the cards would be exposed:

Greenwalt: J♠ J♣ (over pair to board)
Perry: 6♠ 8♠ (top two pair)

Turn: 9♥
River: Q♠

Perry flopped two pair in a spot that Travis was likely not getting away from, holding an over pair to the board.  Travis needed to hit a jack or counterfeit Jacob's hand, neither of which happened.  Perry would double to 3,700,000, with Greenwalt dropping down to 4,000,000.

Big Stax 1100 (Day 3): The Slow Down...Again

Level 29 (Blinds 50,000/100,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 428
Players Remaining: 4
Chip Average: 5,400,000

With the chip average north of (50) big blinds, it shouldn't surprise many that the play has slowed down once again.  The only player that you can say is in "danger" (and we use that term lightly), is Jacob Perry, who sits with less than (20) big blinds.  Perry has already gotten a shove through since returning from break, but he doesn't seem like he's in any risk to just give things away.

Big Stax 1100 (Day 3): Break Time/Updated Chip Counts

Level 29 (Blinds 50,000/100,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 428
Players Remaining: 4
Chip Average: 5,400,000

Players have walked away from the table to take a (10) minute break, and they will return to Level 29 and blinds of 50,000/100,000/10,000.  Here are the four handed chip counts:

1. Joseph Galazzo - 8,900,000
2. Jacob Perry - 1,700,000
3. Travis Greenwalt - 4,400,000
4. Steven Sarmiento - 6,000,000

Big Stax 1100 (Day 3): 5th Place - Pochedly ($22,925)

Level 28 (Blinds 40,000/80,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 428
Players Remaining: 4
Chip Average: 5,400,000

Ryan Pochedly (Bensalem, PA) - 5th Place ($22,925)

Ryan Pochedly (Bensalem, PA) would lose two critical hands to Steven Sarmiento that would seal his fate in finishing fifth at this final table.  About three hands ago, Sarmiento would river a set of sevens to put a bad beat on Pochedly (we are assuming that, because he called the river we three over cards to the river seven).

Then just moments ago, Sarmiento opened the pot for 160,000, with Pochedly pushing for 1,300,000 out of the small blind.  After the big blind folded, Sarmiento asked for a count and then decided to call:

Pochedly: A♥ 4♠

Sarmiento: 3♦ 3♣

Flop: 7♥ 6♣ 9♥

Turn: J♣

River: K♣

Pochedly couldn't ask for a better spot with the ace-rag off, holding two overs against Sarmiento's small pair.  The runout would not be kind at all to Ryan, who would brick his outs and bust the final table in fifth place ($22,925).  Ryan was one of the more accomplished players to return for Day 3, with over $114,000 in career earnings coming into today, including a deep run in the 2012 WSOP Main Event.

Big Stax 1100 (Day 3): Updated Chip Counts

Level 28 (Blinds 40,000/80,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 428
Players Remaining: 5
Chip Average: 4,300,000

With (22) minutes remaining in the level, here are the updated chip counts:

1. Joseph Galazzo - 6,100,000
2. Jacob Perry - 2,100,000
3. Travis Greenwalt - 6,300,000
4. Steven Sarmiento - 6,000,000
5. Ryan Pochedly - 2,300,000

Big Stax 1100 (Day 3): 6th Place - Morina ($18,039)

Level 28 (Blinds 40,000/80,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 428
Players Remaining: 5
Chip Average: 4,300,000

Ideal Morina (Hazelton, PA) - 6th Place ($18,039)

It's been the complete opposite of the hours that passed prior to dinner, as we have now lost two players in a matter of (30) minutes.  Action folded around to the blinds (Sarmiento and Morina), with Steven open shipping enough to put Morina at risk.  Ideal thought momentarily before announcing a call, and the cards were tabled:

Sarmiento: A♠ Q♣

Morina: A♣ 7♦

Flop: 5♠ 4♠ 4♥

Turn: 6♣

River: 10♠

When the hands were exposed, it would be Sarmiento holding the lead, and nothing would change after the runout.  His better ace-high would take down the hand, eliminating Morina in sixth place ($18,039).  Ideal had four cashes prior to this one, all coming in Verona, NY.  He just won over seven times his career earnings coming into the event ($2,455), a new highlight for his tournament resume.

Big Stax 1100 (Day 3): 7th Place - Novak ($14,796)

Level 28 (Blinds 40,000/80,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 428
Players Remaining: 6

David Novak (Philadelphia, PA) - 7th Place ($14,796)

Players returned from dinner about (15) minutes ago, and it didn't take long for the chips to start flying.  In a five-bet pot pre-flop, David Novak and Travis Greenwalt got it all-in, with Greenwalt the final aggressor.  The two were almost even in chips, so the hand would determine both of the players tournament future:

Novak: A♣ K♦

Greenwalt: A♠ Q♥

Flop: 2♥ Q♠ 8♦

Turn: 9♠

River: 9♣

Novak stood up after the flop, seemingly shocked in what he was witnessing.  The lead he held just seconds ago was washed away on the flop, and he'd be left hoping for a three-outer to grab back the lead.  The turn and river brought a nine on each street, and all that was left was for the dealer to count down the two stacks.  Travis would have David covered by a few thousand chips, meaning Novak would be the first to depart after dinner, finishing in seventh place ($14,796).

The cash was the second largest of David's career, which includes a resume with a few deep runs in Big Stax events.  He also has a trophy win from Borgata last year, when he won a $600 + 60 No Limit Hold'em Deep Stack event during the Spring Poker Open ($41,064).

Big Stax 1100 (Day 3): Dinner Break/Chip Counts

Level 28 (Blinds 40,000/80,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 428
Players Remaining: 7
Chip Average: 3,050,000

Players have just left the table to head on their (75) minute dinner break, and will return to action at 7:45pm.  Here are the chip counts from those left as the exited the tournament area:

1. Joseph Galazzo - 6,300,000
2. Jacob Perry - 2,600,000
3. David Novak - 2,600,000
4. Travis Greenwalt - 2,800,000
5. Steven Sarmiento - 2,500,000
6. Ideal Morina - 1,700,000
7. Ryan Pochedly - 2,300,000

Big Stax 1100 (Day 3): 8th Place - Maguire ($11,645)

Level 28 (Blinds 40,000/80,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 428
Players Remaining: 7
Chip Average: 3,050,000

Tom Maguire (Florham Park, NJ) - 8th Place ($11,645)

Tom Maguire (Florham Park, NJ) was able to make it through close to three levels with a stack that never made it above (20) big blinds.  Now normally that would be good for a pay jump or two, but with the way this final table has been, it was just enough to stay alive.  With a stack that dipped below the (10) big blinds mark at the level's transition, Maguire open shoved after two folds to him.  Joseph Galazzo (who had just lost a pot to Jacob Perry) was next to act, and he cut out the chips for a call and pushed them across the line.  The players left folded behind, and Maguire's tournament would be at risk:

Maguire: 2♣ 2♥

Galazzo: K♣ 7♣

Flop: 3♦ 5♦ 6♦

Turn: K♥

River: 9♣

Maguire would be flipping for his tournament life, and he'd fade the all important flop.  Neither player held a diamond, but Galazzo added some straight outs to his arsenal.  The king on the turn would flip the script, and now Maguire would be looking for a miracle river to survive.  The nine on the river changed nothing, and Maguire's short stack magic ended in eighth place ($11,645).  This cash was Tom's third on his resume, with a cash in a 2009 $1,500 WSOP event and al final table finish in the 2011 Borgata Fall Poker Open $2,500 Championship Event (9th Place - $34,604).  Players have another (12) minutes before heading on dinner, before returning to finish out the tournament.

Big Stax 1100 (Day 3): Skipping The Break, Level Moving Up (Updated Counts)

Level 28 (Blinds 40,000/80,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 428
Players Remaining: 8
Chip Average: 2,675,000

It has now been two full levels since the final table has lost a player, and the blinds continue to climb. With dinner break beginning at 6:30pm, the (10) minute break between Levels 27/28 has been passed upon, with action continuing until dinner.  Here are the chip counts from the level's transition:

1. Tom Maguire - 670,000
2. Joseph Galazzo - 5,000,000
3. Jacob Perry - 1,900,000
4. David Novak - 4,600,000
5. Travis Greenwalt - 1,500,000
6. Steven Sarmiento - 2,400,000
7. Ideal Morina - 2,500,000
8. Ryan Pochedly - 2,100,000

Big Stax 1100 (Day 3): Perry Doubles Through Galazzo

Level 27 (Blinds 30,000/60,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 428
Players Remaining: 8
Chip Average: 2,675,000

Big Stax 300 winner Jonathan Boresntein has been on Jacob Perry's rail for the entire day, and when he was up from his chair moments ago, it was clear Jacob was all-in.  Perry got his remaining 840,000 all-in pre against Joseph Galazzo:

Perry: A♣ K♦
Galazzo: K♥ J♣

Flop: 2♦ A♥ A♦
Turn: 5♣
River: 6♠

It's not often that a player doesn't have to sweat at all when they're at risk, but Perry saw one of the exact hands he'd want to be up against, and he would also get the pure runout.  Galazzo would begin counting up the chips on the turn to send over Perry's way, and Joseph experiences his send bit hit of the day.

Joseph Galazzo - 5,300,000
Jacob Perry - 1,800,000

Big Stax 1100 (Day 3): Mid-Level Chip Counts

Level 27 (Blinds 30,000/60,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 428
Players Remaining: 8
Chip Average: 2,675,000

Things are beginning to pick up just a bit, with the last few hands going to flops...and we even saw a pot end at showdown!!!  Here are the updated chip counts midway through Level 27:

1. Tom Maguire - 800,000
2. Joseph Galazzo - 7,000,000
3. Jacob Perry - 1,000,000
4. David Novak - 4,900,000
5. Travis Greenwalt - 1,100,000
6. Steven Sarmiento - 2,000,000
7. Ideal Morina - 1,900,000
8. Ryan Pochedly - 2,100,000

Big Stax 1100 (Day 3): Most Excitement We've Had In A While

Level 27 (Blinds 30,000/60,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 428
Players Remaining: 8
Chip Average: 2,675,000

It took a long time, but we finally had out first dramatic moment in a while at the final table.  After Joseph Galazzo opened the pot to 120,000 and players folded to the button, Ideal Morina three-bet to 325,000.  The blinds quickly released, and action would be back on Galazzo, who would four-bet to 1,125,000.

Morina would then go in the tank for a solid five minutes, with the other players at the table getting up from their seats one by one.  First it would be Tom Maguire standing by the tournament podium, then David Novak would get up and stretch his legs, and Travis Greenwalt even decided to follow suit and leave the table.  While this was going on, Morina was cutting out chips, and piling them up, before breaking them back down.  This repeated a few times before he made the call, and the table commented on a moment of excitement finally happening.

Before the dealer placed down the flop, Galazzo asked Ideal what his stack size was...but didn't get an answer.  The flop came out 4♣ 6♠ 5♠, and Joseph immediately announced that he was all-in.  Morina thought about it once again (not as long as before), but eventually folded.  Galazzo added the 2,700,000 chips to his stack, and now assumes the final table chip lead.

Big Stax 1100 (Day 3): Same Story As Before

Level 27 (Blinds 30,000/60,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 428
Players Remaining: 8
Chip Average: 2,675,000

There has been minimal change since play returned over (30) minutes ago, with much of the same going on from Level 26.  It's now been over two hours since a player has been eliminated from the field, with Tom Maguire and Travis Greenwalt the only players to have been all-in and at risk during that time.  Travis was just all-in moments ago, with Joseph Galazzo contemplating a call...but once we broke out the pad and pen, the cards went into the muck.  "I thought we had an opportunity for the blogger," Jacob Perry said after Galazzo folded.  That's about the peak of excitement we've since in a long time.

Big Stax 1100 (Day 3): Break Time/Updated Chip Counts

Level 27 (Blinds 30,000/60,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 428
Players Remaining: 8
Chip Average: 2,675,000

The same players that went to break over (90) minutes ago are once again going on a (10) minute break, and they will return to Level 27 and blinds of 30,000/60,000/10,000.  The chip average of 2,675,000 is just over (44) big blinds, still allowing for some deep play at this all important final table.  Here are the updated chip counts from break:

1. Tom Maguire - 1,100,000
2. Joseph Galazzo - 4,800,000
3. Jacob Perry - 1,100,000
4. David Novak - 5,400,000
5. Travis Greenwalt - 1,000,000
6. Steven Sarmiento - 2,700,000
7. Ideal Morina - 3,300,000
8. Ryan Pochedly - 2,600,000

Big Stax 1100 (Day 3): Slow Moving From The Eight

Level 26 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 428
Players Remaining: 8

Since posting the most recent chip counts, the action at the final table has been slow and deliberate.  Only a couple of all-ins (none that were called), not many hands going to showdown, and just a few blind v. blind confrontations that ended before the flop.  The pay jumps are beginning to enter into the equation for these players, as the difference in eighth place and fifth place is over $10,000 (just a small example).  We can also look at the different between eighth place and first place...which is over $100,000.

Big Stax 1100 (Day 3): Updated Mid-Level Chip Counts

Level 26 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 428
Players Remaining: 8

The first half of Level 26 has brought a shift of chips from different seats, but the eight players that sat down to start the level still remain.  Here are the updated chip counts from the halfway mark of the level:

1. Tom Maguire - 700,000
2. Joseph Galazzo - 4,800,000
3. Jacob Perry - 1,800,000
4. David Novak - 5,700,000
5. Travis Greenwalt - 850,000
6. Steven Sarmiento - 1,700,000
7. Ideal Morina - 2,900,000
8. Ryan Pochedly - 3,100,000

Big Stax 1100 (Day 3): Sarmiento Doubles Through Greenwalt

Level 26 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 428
Players Remaining: 8

Travis Greenwalt opened the action to 100,000 from middle position, with Steven Sarmiento next to act.  Steven three-bet to 300,000, and after the rest of the player folded back around to Travis, he made the call.  The dealer placed down a flop of 8♦ 5♥ 10♥, with Travis checking right away, and Sarmiento announcing himself all-in (680,000) just as quick.  Greenwalt verbalized a call and the hands were turned over:

Sarmiento: Q♥ Q♦
Greenwalt: K♥ J♥ (flush draw and an over)

Turn: 6♦
River: A♦

Steven had to fade a bunch of outs to win the hand and double up, but the red cards on the turn and river wouldn't be the kind that completed Travis's hand.  The two would basically be dead even in chips after the dealer cut out the call and shipped it over, both holding 1,500,000.

Big Stax 1100 (Day 3): Making The Poker Purists Happy

Level 26 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 428
Players Remaining: 8

While we do need to make mention of the pot that just played out at the final table, that wasn't the original intention of this post.  Travis Greenwalt did just triple barrel on a board reading 8♠ A♣ 3♦ 5♠ 2♣ against Ideal Morina, building up a pot worth close to 1,500,000 before Greenwalt announced himself all-in on the river.  Ideal eventually released his hand, and the two would basically swap chip stacks (Travis chipped up to 3,000,000, while Morina ended up with 1,600,000 after the hand).

It was only a few moments before that hand that something very interested was spotted at the final table.  There are no iPads...no sunglasses...no headphones...this final table consists of eight players, their chips, and their cards.  Having covered poker for a very long time, I can safely say that this is one of the first times I can remember a table free of any electronics.  That doesn't make this final table and better or worse than others that have come before it, but it definitely was something surprising when it was noticed.

Big Stax 1100 (Day 3): Break Time/Updated Chip Counts

Level 26 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 428
Players Remaining: 8

Players are currently on their first ten minute break of the day, and will return to Level 26 and new blinds of 25,000/50,000/5,000.  The chip average of 2,675,000 is above (50) big blinds, which leaves a ton of play left for those that remain.  Here are the up to the minute chip counts from the final table:

1. Tom Maguire - 975,000
2. Joseph Galazzo - 4,400,000
3. Jacob Perry - 1,650,000
4. David Novak - 5,500,000
5. Travis Greenwalt - 1,800,000
6. Steven Sarmiento - 1,200,000
7. Ideal Morina - 2,800,000
8. Ryan Pochedly - 3,300,000

Big Stax 1100 (Day 3): 9th Place - Muldoon ($8,814)

Level 26 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 428
Players Remaining: 8

John Muldoon (Pearl River, NY) - 9th Place ($8,814)

The action to close Level 25 was fairly uneventful, with the exception of one pot between Steven Sarmiento and Joseph Galazzo (which was won by the latter).  With only a few minutes remaining in the level, John Muldoon opened the action for a raise UTG +2.  After a few folds, Joseph Galazzo flatted the raise, with action on David Novak in the small blind.  Novak ended up three-betting, but was met immediately with an all-in from Muldoon (just over 1,000,000).  Galazzo mucked his cards pretty quickly, with Novak making the call after some deliberation:

Muldoon: A♠ A♣

Novak: A♥ Q♥

Runout: 7♥ K♥ 3♥ 9♣ 9♦

Novak slammed the table when he saw the flop, letting the excitement of the moment show through.  "The didn't want any gray haired players left," Muldoon said jokingly as he walked to the tournament podium to get paid.  Only a few minutes later, the eight remaining players exited the table to go on break, and will be returning shortly.

Big Stax 1100 (Day 3): 10th Place - Nacht ($6,622)

Level 25 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 428
Players Remaining: 9

Steve Nacht (Paramus, NJ) - 10th Place ($6,622)

It wouldn't take long for Joseph Galazzo to get right back in action, as he opened the very next pot after doubling up Tom Maguire.  Both Perry and Novak folded behind, with action then on Steve Nacht.  Nacht took both hands and pushed his stacks across the line, and players quickly folded their cards, waiting to see what Galazzo would do.  Joseph asked for a count from the dealer, and was told the number was 920,000.  The player known as "Mush" to many of his friends made the call, but dropped his head in disappointment, seeing once again that he'd be behind in a critical all-in situation:

Nacht: A♠ K♥

Galazzo: A♥ J♠

Runout: 8♦ J♥ Q♠ 3♦ 9♣

"I'm going to use my one time now," Nacht said jokingly, looking over and smiling at Tom Maguire.  Joseph told him that he wasn't going to need it, but that wouldn't be the case after he flopped one of his three outs.  Nacht reacted very well to busting the tournament, smiling as he got up and wishing the rest of the players good luck.  Galazzo ends up not only recouping the chips he lost in the pot with Maguire, but padding his chip stack a little bit more.

This would be the third recorded cash of Nacht's career, and the largest as well to date.  His earnings are now north of $10,000, and he can say he notched his first cash here at Parx as well.

Big Stax 1100 (Day 3): Maguire Doubles Through Galazzo

Level 25 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 428
Players Remaining: 10

After the first two players folded, Tim Maguire opened the action by shoving his remaining stack of just over ten big blinds (425,000).  Joe Galazzo was next to act, and after sitting motionless for about a minute, he cut out the chips for a call and pushed them across the line.  The remaining players would fold behind, and Maguire would say to his rail, "I'm going to use my one time:"

Maguire: A♦ 10♦
Galazzo: A♣ 9♥

Runout: 2♠ 5♣ 8♠ 3♣ K♥

Tim would be able to save his one time, because he actually had the best hand once the cards were tabled.  His better ace-high would hold, and Maguire doubled his short stack to a more manageable (20) big blind stack.

Big Stax 1100 (Day 3): Perry Doubles Through Greenwalt

Level 25 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 428
Players Remaining: 10

The final table just saw it's first all-in and a call, with Jacob Perry at risk.  "We have the ace-king against ace-ten," said Perry as he turned to his rail sitting about ten feet behind him.  The ace-ten Perry referenced was held by Travis Greenwalt, who made the call of 655,000 before the cards were turned over:

Perry: A♥ K♦
Greenwalt: A♠ 10♦

Runout: 4♥ K♣ 8♦ 2♣ 7♠

Things would be pretty bleak for Travis after the flop, needing running straight cards or running tens to win the pot.  The drama was over for Perry on the turn, and he'd be able to sit back down to his seat, watching as the dealer cut out Greenwalt's chips before sending them over.

Travis Greenwalt - 1,650,000
Jacob Perry - 1,450,000

Big Stax 1100 (Day 3): Final Table Set

Level 25 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 428
Players Remaining: 10

Here is the final table for the Big Stax 1100:

1. Tom Maguire
2. Joseph Galazzo
3. Jacob Perry
4. David Novak
5. Steve Nacht
6. Travis Greenwalt
7. Steven Sarmiento
8. Ideal Morina
9. John Muldoon
10. Ryan Pochedly

Big Stax 1100 (Day 3): 11th Place - Al-Keliddar ($6,622)

Level 25 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 428
Players Remaining: 11

Yaser Al-Keliddar (Arlington, VA) - 11th Place ($6,622)

Yaser Al-Keliddar (Arlington, VA) was pretty active to start the day, both winning and losing a few pots over the first (15) minutes of the day.  After Ryan Pochedly opened the pot for a raise to 110,000, Yaser shoved all-in over the raise for a total of 856,000.  David Novak was in the big blind, and after asking for an exact count, he announced a call.  Pochedly folded behind, and we would have our first player at risk for the day:

Al-Keliddar: K♦ J♠

Novak: A♠ K♥

Flop: 3♦ Q♠ A♣

Turn: 5♦

River: A♥

Al-Keliddar was in a less than envious position going into the flop, but he ended up flopping more outs than he had going in.  A ten on either the turn or river (or running jacks) would give Yaser the double, but the sweat was just that...a sweat.  There would be no comeback card for Al-Keliddar, and he'd be the first player eliminated from Day 3 action.  This cash for $6,622 is the fifth career for Yaser, and brings his career earnings north of $38,000.

Players are now being redrawn for the final table, with the lineup to be published in just a few moments.

Big Stax 1100 (Day 3): Cards In The Air

Level 25 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 428
Players Remaining: 11

Tournament supervisor David Rolo just went over the rules announcement with the (11) players to return for Day 3, and the cards are now in the air.  Making a Big Stax final table is a prestigious thing for a tournament player, so even the short stacks (Tom Maguire, Steve Nacht, Jacob Perry) will do their absolute best to fade one more elimination.  Once the first person busts for the day, those remaining with consolidate at the final table, finding their final seating assignment for the tournament.

Big Stax 1100 (Day 2): 11 Players Coming Back For Day 3

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

Total Entries: 428

Players Remaining: 11

Chip Average: 1,945,000 (49 big blinds)

Save for the lull in the middle of the day in which it took roughly 90 minutes for the field to condense from 50 players to 47 players, it was a day jam-packed with intense action - more than could possibly be captured here on the blog, but we hope it served you well, nonetheless.

117 players started Day 2 of the Big Stax 1100, but Day 3 will resume play at 1pm on Monday with the following 11 players remaining:

Seat	Table 45	Chips
1	Ryan Pochedly	2,675,000
2	Tom Maguire	615,000
3	Yaser Al-Keliddar	980,000
4	David Novak	2,820,000
5	Ideal Morina	2,775,000
Seat	Table 46	Chips
1	Steven Sarmiento	2,935,000
2	Travis Greenawalt	2,975,000
3	Joe Galazzo	3,175,000
4	Steve Nacht	650,000
5	Jacob Perry	875,000
6	John Muldoon	930,000

All 11 players are guaranteed at least $6,622, but be sure to follow along here to find out who emerges with the $111,974 prize for first place.

Big Stax 1100 (Day 2): 12th Place - Harder ($6,622)

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

Total Entries: 428

Players Remaining: 11

Chip Average: 1,945,000 (65 big blinds)

12th Place - Christian Harder

Just as the clock was ticking down to 10 minutes remaining and the tournament supervisor was announcing that 5 more hands would be played tonight, Christian Harder put his tournament life on the life against David Novak.

Harder opened to 80,000 under the gun and was re-raised to 190,000 from Novak in the big blind. Harder shoved all-in for about 900,000 total and Novak made the call.

Harder: 9♥ 9♦      Novak: A♦ K♦

Flop: 7♦ 4♦ 2♠
Turn: Q♦
River: A♠

Not only did Novak get a pair on the river, but he made a flush on the turn to become one of the chip leaders.

Harder was eliminated in 12th place.

Big Stax 1100 (Day 2): 19th-21st Places ($4,201)

Level 23 (Blinds 12,000/24,000/4,000)

Total Entries: 428

Players Remaining: 18

Chip Average: 1,189,000 (50 big blinds)

The following players have cashed in the event for $4,201:

19. Kane Kalas (Coral Gables, FL)

20. Aaron Overton (Philadelphia, PA)

21. Nancy Martin (Washington Crossing, PA)

Big Stax 1100 (Day 2): 22nd-24th Places ($3,745)

Level 23 (Blinds 12,000/24,000/4,000)

Total Entries: 428

Players Remaining: 18

Chip Average: 1,189,000 (50 big blinds)

The following players have cashed in the event for $3,745:

22. Igor Rabinovich (Richboro, PA)

23. Milos Scekic (N. Massapequa, NY)

24. James Kaplan (Boca Raton, FL)

Big Stax 1100 (Day 2): 25th-27th Places ($3,288)

Level 23 (Blinds 12,000/24,000/4,000)

Total Entries: 428

Players Remaining: 18

Chip Average: 1,189,000 (50 big blinds)

The following players have cashed in the event for $3,288:

25. Matt Glantz (Lafayette Hill, PA)

26. Reggie Lopez (Bronx, NY)

27. Zach Daly (Stoneham, MA)

Big Stax 1100 (Day 2): 13th Place - Seymour ($5,480)

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

Total Entries: 428

Players Remaining: 12

Chip Average: 1,780,000 (59 big blinds)

13th Place - Richard Seymour

After starting the day with just 50,000 chips, Richard Seymour built up a big stack in a hurry and was one of the chip leaders with 50 players remaining. But he seemed to plateau at that point, hovering between 500,000-800,000 for hours on end while many players in the room built up stacks 3 or 4 times his amount.

But in the end, it was a player who barely had him covered that sealed his doom.

Jacob Perry raised to 65,000 from under the gun before Seymour shoved all-in for his final 425,000 chips.

Perry toiled with the decision but made the call and it was a race.

Seymour: A♥ J♠      Perry: 10♠ 10♦

Flop: 6♥ 6♣ 5♣

Turn: K♦

River: 8♦

Unable to pair either of his over cards, Seymour was eliminated in 13th place.

Big Stax 1100 (Day 2): 13-Handed Chip Update

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

Total Entries: 428

Players Remaining: 13

Chip Average: 1,650,000 (55 big blinds)

38 minutes remain on the clock, but players are 3 eliminations away from the final table.

Which will come first?!

Here are the stacks at the moment.

Seat	Table 45	Chips
1	James Lillis	17th
2	Christian Harder	1,100,000
3	Ryan Pochedly	2,900,000
4	John Alexander	14th
5	Tom Maguire	550,000
6	Dave Johnston	16th
7	Yaser Al-Keliddar	820,000
8	David Novak	1,500,000
9	Ideal Morina	3,000,000
Seat	Table 46	Chips
1	Richard Seymour	500,000
2	Steven Sarmiento	3,400,000
3	Joe Elia	18th
4	Travis Greenawalt	2,700,000
5	Joe Galazzo	3,200,000
6	Steve Nacht	800,000
7	Daniel Woolson	15th
8	Jacob Perry	600,000
9	John Muldoon	375,000

Big Stax 1100 (Day 2): 15th Place - Woolson ($5,480)

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

Total Entries: 428

Players Remaining: 13

Chip Average: 1,650,000 (55 big blinds)

15th Place - Daniel Woolson

After Travis Greenawalt raised to 60,000 from UTG+2, four players flat-called - Joe "Mush" Galazzo, Steve Nacht, Daniel Woolson and John Muldoon.

Flop: Q♣ 7♣ 9♦

Muldoon and Greenawalt checked, allowing Mush to bet 110,000. Woolson made the call, but the other three players folded.

Turn: 5♦

Mush stacked up 12 yellow 25,000 chips for a bet of 300,000. Woolson pushed all-in, which was only about 150,000 more than Mush's bet. He didn't have anything other than a couple of high cards and a gut-shot straight draw, but he couldn't very well afford to let a 1.12 million chip pot go for 150,000 and made the call.

Mush: K♣ J♥ (King high, gutshot straight draw)

Woolson: Qx Jx (top pair)

River: 10♣

For someone who got 7-outed in a massive pot, Woolson sure did take it in stride. He calmly stood up and walked to the cage for his $5,480 payday.

Moments later, John Alexander was eliminated from Table 45 in 14th place.

Big Stax 1100 (Day 2): 16th Place - Johnston ($4,795)

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

Total Entries: 428

Players Remaining: 15

Chip Average: 1,430,000 (48 big blinds)

16th Place - Dave Johnston ($4,795)

Between Friday and Saturday, there were 420 entrants into this Big Stax 1100.

But, dear blogger, doesn't the total number of entries say 428?

You're absolutely right. 8 people took advantage of the fact that registration didn't close until the start of play today and purchased a ticket this morning.

Dave Johnston was one of those players.

Some of those eight players were ones who bought tickets into Flights 1A or 1B and failed to bag chips, but Johnston just showed up this morning for the first time, fired one late bullet and turned it into 300% profit.

We apologize profusely for cursing him. He was eliminated in 16th place literally within 60 seconds of being asked whether his first bullet was this morning. But kudos to him for ignoring the first 15 levels of play and turning his 10-big blind stack into a spot at the final two tables.

The only other remaining player who bought in this morning is Richard Seymour, who arrived with about 4 levels remaining in play last night and decided to give it one more go this morning after his brother bagged chips.

Big Stax 1100 (Day 2): 17th Place - Lillis ($4,795)

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

Total Entries: 428

Players Remaining: 16

Chip Average: 1,340,000 (45 big blinds)

17th Place - James Lillis ($4,795)

Coming back from the last break, James Lillis was the shortest stack left in the room, and it took him less than 10 minutes to get that short stack into the middle of the table.

Sitting in the hijack seat, he shoved all-in for about 350,000 and was immediately called by Christian Harder in the cutoff seat.

Harder: A♥ Q♦       Lillis: K♣ J♠

Flop: Q♣ 6♣ 6♠

Turn: 3♣

River: 6♦

Lillis was unable to pair either of his hole cards or make a flush on the river while Harder made a full house. Lillis goes home in 17th place.

Big Stax 1100 (Day 2): Chip Updates At Final Level

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

Total Entries: 428

Players Remaining: 17

Chip Average: 1,260,000 (42 big blinds)

Players are currently on a 10-minute break (during which the orange 1,000 chips were removed from play) and will return to play one more level before wrapping up for the night.

If they reach the final table before the end of this level, play would end then, but that seems unlikely with the rate of play over the past 40 minutes or so.

Only one player has been eliminated since players reached the final 2 tables, and Joe Elia's chips merely padded the already huge stack of Travis Greenawalt. Greenawalt was the early chip leader today, but was down around 500,000 for an hour or two before scoring a large percentage of the past 10-15 knockouts in the room.

Seat	Table 45	Chips
1	James Lillis	375,000
2	Christian Harder	830,000
3	Ryan Pochedly	1,700,000
4	John Alexander	950,000
5	Tom Maguire	800,000
6	Dave Johnston	450,000
7	Yaser Al-Keliddar	680,000
8	David Novak	1,600,000
9	Ideal Morina	2,400,000
Seat	Table 46	Chips
1	Richard Seymour	750,000
2	Steven Sarmiento	2,750,000
3	Joe Elia	18th Place
4	Travis Greenawalt	3,400,000
5	Joe Galazzo	2,000,000
6	Steve Nacht	1,000,000
7	Daniel Woolson	550,000
8	Jacob Perry	600,000
9	John Muldoon	500,000

Big Stax 1100 (Day 2): Chip Counts After a Double Up

Level 23 (Blinds 12,000/24,000/4,000)

Total Entries: 428

Players Remaining: 18

Chip Average: 1,189,000 (50 big blinds)

Yaser Al-Keliddar

While counting the chips at the tables, Yaser Al-Keliddar was pushing all-in and getting a call from James Lillis.

Al-Keliddar: A♥ 7♥      Lillis: 10♣ 10♠

Flop: A♦ J♦ 8♦

Turn: 6♥

River: 3♦

He paired his Ace on the flop and was lucky his opponent didn't have any diamonds as the board ran out all sorts of red.

Al-Keliddar was the shortest stack in the room before that double up, but now he's in much better shape.

Seat	Table 45	Chips
1	James Lillis	300,000
2	Christian Harder	800,000
3	Ryan Pochedly	1,400,000
4	John Alexander	1,000,000
5	Tom Maguire	1,100,000
6	Dave Johnston	450,000
7	Yaser Al-Keliddar	800,000
8	David Novak	1,700,000
9	Ideal Morina	2,400,000
Seat	Table 46	Chips
1	Richard Seymour	550,000
2	Steven Sarmiento	2,800,000
3	Joe Elia	700,000
4	Travis Greenawalt	2,400,000
5	Joe Galazzo	1,800,000
6	Steve Nacht	1,200,000
7	Daniel Woolson	900,000
8	Jacob Perry	350,000
9	John Muldoon	650,000

Big Stax 1100 (Day 2): Final 2 Tables

Level 23 (Blinds 12,000/24,000/4,000)

Total Entries: 428

Players Remaining: 18

Chip Average: 1,189,000 (50 big blinds)

Well, the theme of the day has been knockouts coming in bunches.

It took forever to get from 50 down to 47, but then the field dropped from 47 to 44 in roughly 30 seconds.

27 to 22 took 12 minutes, but then play hovered at 22 for about half an hour before another outburst of knockouts sent the field to 18 and the final 2 tables.

Aaron Overton and Kane Kalas were the latest victims of the madness, seen leaving for the cages in close pursuit of Nancy Martin and Igor Rabinovich.

These remaining players are guaranteed at least $3,288:

Seat	Table 45	Table 46
1	James Lillis	Richard Seymour
2	Christian Harder	Steven Sarmiento
3	Ryan Pochedly	Joe Elia
4	John Alexander	Travis Greenawalt
5	Tom Maguire	Joe Galazzo
6	Dave Johnston	Steve Nacht
7	Yaser Al-Keliddar	Daniel Woolson
8	David Novak	Jacob Perry
9	Ideal Morina	John Muldoon

Big Stax 1100 (Day 2): Muldoon KOs Rabinovich

Level 23 (Blinds 12,000/24,000/4,000)

Total Entries: 428

Players Remaining: 20

Chip Average: 1,070,000 (45 big blinds)

John Muldoon

Igor Rabinovich was down to his final 41,000 chips and shoved from cutoff position.

Joe Galazzo and John Muldoon both made the called and checked all the way to the river, when Muldoon bet Galazzo out of the hand.

"Hope you know what you're doing here," said Galazzo.

Muldoon hit broadway on the river, giving him the stone cold nuts. Safe to say he knew what he was doing.

Moments later, the poker room got a lot less lovely when Nancy Martin was eliminated in 21st place.

With those 2 knockouts, the average chip stack has now eclipsed the 1,000,000 mark.