Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Nothing To Report

Level 30 (Blinds 60,000/120,000/15,000)
Total Entries: 775
Players Remaining: 8

The remaining eight players have now gone close to half of the level without anything significant to report to followers.  Tim Jurkiewicz was able to build his 700,000 stack by getting three shoves through, and he is now up to 1,600,000.

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Updated Counts At Break

Level 30 (Blinds 60,000/120,000/15,000)
Total Entries: 775
Players Remaining: 8

Here are the updated chip counts from break:

1. Wayne Kaufmann - 7,200,000
2. Jay Sharon - 4,900,000
3. Sardor Gaziev - 4,100,000
4. Joe Rieg - 3,000,000
5. Tim Jurkiewicz - 900,000
6. Ernest Gozman - 4,800,000
7. Eric Rappaport - 3,800,000
8. Matt Elsby - 2,600,000

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Rappy Is REALLY Backy

Level 29 (Blinds 50,000/100,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 775
Players Remaining: 8

It didn't take long for Eric Rappaport to get his newfound chips flying, as we approached the final table on the flop of a three-way hand.  The cards on the table read 8♣ 3♣ J♠, and Wayne Kaufmann had led the street for 300,000.  Rappaport then shoved for 1,625,000, with Matt Elsby making the call.  Kaufmann thought for a good while before pushing his cards towards the muck:

Rappaport: Q♣ 10♣ (combo draw)
Elsby: K♣ J♥ (top pair)

Turn: 10♠
River: A♣

The roller coaster than is the Big Stax 500 final table continues for Eric Rappaport, as he is now above 4,500,000.

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Rappy Is Backy

Level 29 (Blinds 50,000/100,000/10,000)

Total Entries: 775

Players Remaining: 9

Eric Rappaport was clearly upset with the outcome of the earlier hand with Jay Sharon, but can you really blame him?  That's tournament poker though, and he'd have to quickly forget about and recover.  That's exactly what he did just now, and he shoved from late position and was called by Wayne Kaufmann in the blind:

A10>j10 for a dub to 1.7m still 100k bb. On the comeback. LFG #Positive
— Eric Rappaport (@Rappy300) October 14, 2014

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): 9th Place - Busacca ($5,766)

Level 29 (Blinds 50,000/100,000/10,000)

Total Entries: 775

Players Remaining: 8

Sal Busacca ( Colts Neck, NJ)

Frank Reig open shoved with action folding to him (1,700,000), with Sal Busacca (Colts Neck, NJ) next to act.  Sal re-shoved for less (1,400,000), and everyone would fold behind:

Reig: A♣ K♣
Busacca: Q♣ Q♥

Flop: A♦ K♠ 3♣
Turn: 4♠
River: 8♥

Busacca was not happy to see the ace in the window, and was left hoping for running straight cards or one of the two queens remaining.  The turn and river brought neither, and Sal would be the second player eliminated from this final table.

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Rappy Loses Huge Pot

Level 29 (Blinds 50,000/100,000/10,000)

Total Entries: 775

Players Remaining: 9

In the first really big hand of the final table, Eric Rappaport is left with less than ten big blinds after losing aces to tens all-in pre to Jay Sharon.  The two got the chips in for a pot worth close to 3,700,000, with the board running out 7♥ 8♦ 3♣ 6♥ 10♦.  Sharon got up from his chair with a huge clap when the ten hit the river, while Eric just sat and waiting to hear how much he had to ship over to Jay.

Jay Sharon - 3,700,000
Eric Rappaport - 600,000

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): How He Ended Up Here

Level 29 (Blinds 50,000/100,000/10,000)

Total Entries: 775

Players Remaining: 9

Tim Jurkiewicz (Sayerville, NJ)

Saturday afternoon (Day 1C), Cullen Hofmann was sitting in Baltimore, MD trying to convince Tim Jurkiewicz to drive with him to Parx for this event.  Tim is primarily a cash game player, but eventually he gave in to Cullen and decided to take the trip. 

They arrived at Parx at around 5:30, and registered for the event, only playing a few minutes before having to depart the tournament area for dinner break.  To make things interested, the two also agreed to a $500 "last longer," which seemed all but over after returning from dinner.  

Jurkiewicz lost an all-in pot and texted Cullen that he was out, but that was until the count of the chips was done.  Tim was actually left with 1.5 blinds after losing the hand...so he wasn't technically out.  He somehow managed to build up the 1.5 blinds, and actually ended up outlasting Hofmann, who bubbled the tournament.  So after all of the convincing and such, not only is Tim at the final table, but he's got Cullen's $500 in his pocket!!!

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Updated Counts From Break

Level 29 (Blinds 50,000/100,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 775
Players Remaining: 9

Here are the updated counts from break:

1. Wayne Kaufmann - 5,400,000
2. Jay Sharon - 2,700,000
3. Sardor Gaziev - 3,300,000
4. Joe Rieg - 2,000,000
5. Sal Busacca - 2,000,000
6. Tim Jurkiewicz - 1,100,000
7. Ernest Gozman - 6,100,000
8. Eric Rappaport - 3,600,000
9. Matt Elsby - 5,400,000

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): 10th Place - Ferrigno ($4,538)

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

Total Entries: 775

Players Remaining: 9

Frank Ferrigno (Wayne, NJ)

Frank Ferrigno (Wayne, NJ) was another player with Big Stax final table experience, having chopped a trophy event in a past series Big Stax 500 VI series).  This was his fourth Big Stax final table, which currently leads the rankings.

Ferrigno shoved over an open from Ernest Gozman, and once action folded around, Ernest called the raise:

Gozman: K♠ Q♠
Ferrigno: 10♣ 10♦

Flop: 5♠ 8♠ 6♥
Turn: 2♠
River: 8♦

Ferrigno thought for a second that he had won the hand, but then saw that he lost to a turned flush of Gozman.

Players are now going on break, and will be returning to Level 29 and blinds of 50,000/100,000/10,000.

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

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

Total Entries: 775

Players Remaining: 10

Here is the lineup for the Big Stax 500 final table (chip counts to come during break in 30 minutes):

1. Wayne Kauffman
2. Jay Sharon
3. Sardor Gaziev
4. Joe Rieg
5. Sal Busacca
6. Tim Jurkiewicz
7. Ernest Gozman
8. Frank Ferrigno
9. Eric Rappaport
10. Matt Elsby

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): 11th Place - Himmelbrand ($4,538)

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

Total Entries: 775

Players Remaining: 10

Greg Himmelbrand (Queens, NY)

The Big Stax 500 has now reached it's final table, as Greg Himmelbrand (Queens, NY) was just eliminated by Wayne Kaufmann.  After Wayne opened the pot for a raise, Greg shipping his stack of 1,400,000 (less than 20 bigs).  Action folded around back to Wayne, and he'd quickly make the call:

Himmelbrand: A♦ Q♣
Kaufmann: K♠ K♣

Flop: 10♥ 6♠ 9♦
Turn: 3♦
River: 5♣

Kaufmann's pocket kings would hold up, the third time that exact hand has faded a hand with an ace in it today for Wayne.  The players are now finding their seats at the final table, and the cards will be back in the air shortly.

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): 12th Place - Kaplan ($4,538)

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

Total Entries: 775

Players Remaining: 11

James Kaplan (Boca Raton, FL)

James Kaplan (Boca Raton, FL) was looking to make his second Big Stax final table, and add a second title to his resume.  He was getting short, and shoved all-in for just under (20) big blinds.  There would be two folds behind, but when the action was on Matt Elsby, he would make the call:

Elsby: A♣ Q♥

Kaplan: J♦ 10♦

Flop: 6♠ 4♣ 3♣

Turn: 3♠

River: 4♠

Elsby continues his trend upwards, since dropping down below 1,000,000 when there were three tables remaining.  Matt is currently sitting with 4,800,000 are winning that pot.

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Back From Dinner

Level 28 (Blinds 40,000/80,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 775
Players Remaining: 12

Players have returned from dinner, and are finishing the final hour of Level 28, with blinds of 40,000/80,000/10,000 (2,500,000).  Eight of the twelve remaining players are currently below the chips average, which likely means we should see some action as the blinds grow higher.

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Updated Counts At Dinner

Level 28 (Blinds 40,000/80,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 775
Players Remaining: 12

Here are the updated counts from dinner:

Table 57:

1. Ernest Gozman - 3,800,000
2. James Kaplan - 1,600,000
3. Tim Jurkiewicz - 1,700,000
4. Frank Ferrigno - 1,200,000
5. Matt Elsby - 2,600,000
6. Jay Sharon - 2,400,000

Table 58:

1. Eric Rappaport - 5,200,000
2. Sardor Gaziev - 5,000,000
3. Sal Busacca - 1,300,000
4. Joe Rieg - 1,100,000
5. Wayne Kaufmann - 3,300,000
6. Greg Himmelbrand - 1,300,000

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): 13th Place - Cimpan ($4,018)

Level 28 (Blinds 40,000/80,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 775
Players Remaining: 12

Andrew Cimpan (Sacramento, CA)

Jay Sharon opened the action at Table 57 in late position, with Andrew Cimpan (Sacramento, CA) shoving for just over 1,000,000 out of the blind.  Sharon made the call and the hands were tabled:

Cimpan: 10♣ 10♥
Sharon: A♥ K♦

Flop: A♠ K♠ K♣
Turn: 10♠
River: 8♣

Things were pretty much over on the flop, but Cimpan gained a glimmer of hope on the turn, but he couldn't get the perfect-perfect turn and river.  The former WPT Champion and Player Of The Year was eliminated in 13th place, but we are sure to see him once again in the main event later this week.

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): 14th Place - Luciano ($4,018)

Level 28 (Blinds 40,000/80,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 775
Players Remaining: 13

Rocco Luciano (Philadelphia, PA)

Rocco Luciano's (Philadelphia, PA) last hand was just a formality, as he was left with only 100,000 after doubling up Tim Jurkiewicz only a few hands prior.  In that hand, action folded around to the two players in the blinds, with Rocco's shove getting called by Tim (both players held around the same short stack):

Luciano: Q♠ 7♣
Jurkiewicz: 3♠ 3♥

Tim's pocket three's would hold up as the runout stayed clean, doubling up to 2,000,000 in the process.  Rocco was left with just over one big blind, and would be eliminated only a few hands later.

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Updated Chip Counts...Level Up

Level 28 (Blinds 40,000/80,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 775
Players Remaining: 14

There will be no break between the levels, because dinner break begins at 6:30 promptly.  Here are the updated chip counts from the end of Level 27:

Table 57:

1. Ernest Gozman - 1,800,000
2. James Kaplan - 1,800,000
3. Rocco Luciano - 1,200,000
4. Tim Jurkiewicz - 900,000
5. Matt Elsby - 3,600,000
6. Jay Sharon - 2,200,000
7. Andrew Cimpan - 1,300,000

Table 58:

1. Eric Rappaport - 5,400,000
2. Sardor Gaziev - 4,300,000
3. Sal Busacca - 1,000,000
4. Joe Rieg - 1,600,000
5. Frank Ferrigno - 1,300,000
6. Wayne Kaufmann - 3,000,000
7. Greg Himmelbrand - 1,900,000

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): 15th Place - DiRe ($4,018)

Level 27 (Blinds 30,000/60,000/10,000)

Total Entries: 775

Players Remaining: 14

Frank DiRe (Columbus, NJ)

"We got an all-in over here," Wayne Kaufmann said to the media, as we rushed over to the table.  Frank shoved from late position with Wayne calling out of the blind:

Kaufmann: K♥ K♦

DiRe: A♠ 9♣

Flop: 3♥ 10♥ 10♦

Turn: 5♣

River: 2♠

Frank would be in a tough spot, needing one of three aces after the flop to win (or running tens).  The pocket kings of Kaufmann would hold, and he's now up to 3,500,000.

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Rocco Gets A Chop Out Of It

Level 27 (Blinds 30,000/60,000/10,000)

Total Entries: 775

Players Remaining: 15

Andrew Cimpan opened the pot from middle position at Table 57 to 125,000.  Action folded around to Rocco Luciano in the small blind, who shoved for 880,000.  After getting the exact count, Cimpan made the call, and the hands were tabled:

Luciano: K♣ Q♥

Cimpan: A♦ K♠

Flop: K♥ 4♦ 9♠

Turn: 9♣

River: 9♦

It looked as if Rocco was going to head to the podium to get paid out, but the board ran out running nines, giving both players the same full house.

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): 16th Place - Larrea ($3,534)

Level 27 (Blinds 30,000/60,000/10,000)

Total Entries: 775

Players Remaining: 15

Chris Larrea (Philadelphia, PA)

The departure of Chris Larrea (Philadelphia, PA) was swift, with the entire hand playing our before the media could arrive to the table.  The players at the table did recap the hand though, letting us know that Chris got it all-in pre with A♠ 4♣ against the Q♠ Q♣ of James Kaplan.

The pocket queens would hold, and James would chip up to 2,100,000, eliminating Larrea in the process.  Larrea's 16th place finish brings his career earnings over $25,000, and gives him his fourth career Big Stax cash.

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Daddy Won A Race

Level 27 (Blinds 30,000/60,000/10,000)

Total Entries: 775

Players Remaining: 16

"When you blog that hand, make sure you let my son know I won a race," Wayne Kaufmann said after doubling through Frank DiRe.  The chips got in pre for a pot worth just under 2,000,000, with Kaufmann at risk:

Kaufmann: 9♠ 9♣

DiRe: A♠ K♦

Flop: 10♣ 10♥ J♣

Turn: 3♦

River: 5♦

It was definitely a race, and the flop wasn't as kind as Wayne may have liked.  DiRe gained outs to win the hand, with the flop giving him outs to a straight, and to counterfeit Kaufmann's pair (and his ace and kind were live).  With the turn and river coming no higher than a five, Wayne would double up, sending some love as well to his son Nick.

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): 17th Place - Derosa ($3,534)

Level 27 (Blinds 30,000/60,000/10,000)

Total Entries: 775

Players Remaining: 16

Rocco Derosa (Bronx, NY) opened the pot from UTG, with action folding around to Sardor Gaziev on the button.  Gaziev made the call and the blinds then folded behind, with the two players now heads-up to the flop.  The dealer placed down a flop of 9♦ 8♣ 7♥, with Derosa leading out for 450,000.  Gaziev stood still for about a minute before announcing himself all-in, with Rocco thinking for a few moment before pushing forward the rest of his chips (about 700,000):

Sardor: 9♠ 9♥ (flopped set)

Derosa: Q♥ Q♦ (over pair)

Turn: K♥

River: K♠

Rocco seemed a little tentative when he made the call, almost as if he though his hand may not be good.  If that was his premonition, he clearly was correct in thinking so, as Sardor flopped top set.  Derosa eclipses his lifetime earnings with that cash alone, taking home with him today $3,534.

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Updated Chip Counts

Level 27 (Blinds 30,000/60,000/10,000)

Total Entries: 775

Players Remaining: 17

Here are the updated chip counts from break:

Table 57:

1. Eric Rappaport - 3,700,000
2. Sardor Gaziev - 3,100,000
3. Sal Busacca - 2,200,000
4. Joe Rieg - 850,000
5. Rocco Derosa - 1,300,000
6. Frank Ferrigno - 1,600,000
7. Wayne Kaufmann - 1,800,000
8. Greg Himmelbrand - 1,800,000

Table 58:

1. Ernest Gozman - 2,300,000
2. James Kaplan - 1,400,000
3. Rocco Luciano - 700,000
4. Tim Jurkiewicz - 600,000
5. Chris Larrea - 1,100,000
6. Matt Elsby - 2,500,000
7. Jay Sharon - 2,800,000
8. Andrew Cimpan - 1,300,000
9. Frank DiRe - 2,400,000

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): 18th Place - Heck ($3,524)

Level 27 (Blinds 30,000/60,000/10,000)

Total Entries: 775

Players Remaining: 17

Eric Rappaport seems to be using his birthday run good from yesterday, as he just eliminated David Heck in 18th place.  The action would be approached when the chip were just getting in (on the turn):

Board: 10♠ 4♦ 2♦ 8♠

Heck: Q♣ 10♣

Rappaport: 8♣ 8♥

River: A♠

Heck would check-call the flop, and then check-shove the turn, getting his chips in the moment his opponent happened to hit gin.  Heck is the first player to bust since the redraw, with players now on break for (10) minutes.  They will return to Level 27 and blinds of 30,000/60,000/10,000 (1,800,000 chip average).

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): The Final Two Tables

Level 26 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 775
Players Remaining: 18

Here are the final two tables for the Big Stax 500:

Table 57:

1. David Heck
2. Eric Rappaport
3. Sardor Gaziev
4. Sal Busacca
5. Joe Rieg
6. Rocco Derosa
7. Frank Ferrigno
8. Wayne Kaufmann
9. Greg Himmelbrand

Table 58:

1. Ernest Gozman
2. James Kaplan
3. Rocco Luciano
4. Tim Jurkiewicz
5. Chris Larrea
6. Matt Elsby
7. Jay Sharon
8. Andrew Cimpan
9. Frank DiRe

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): 19th Place - Liberto ($3,125)

Level 26 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 775
Players Remaining: 18

Eric Rappaport opened the action at Table 58 UTG, and watched as Justin Liberto three-bet shoved his remaining 600,000 UTG +1.  The action folded all the way back around the table, and Rappaport quickly made the call:

Rappaport: A♦ A♠
Liberto: 2♦ 2♣

Flop: K♦ 3♦ 4♦
Turn: 9♠
River: 8♣

The flop brought all diamonds, but Eric had the diamonds locked up.  That left Justin looking for either running straight cards, or another deuce to grab the lead.  The two-time Big Stax final table member couldn't find a miracle turn or river, and his elimination would send the field into a full redraw.  The new seating assignments will be posted shortly, with chip counts updated during break.

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): 20th Place - Briggs ($3,125)

Level 26 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 775
Players Remaining: 19

Action has been pretty lacking throughout this level...that was until moments ago when Michael Briggs (Hamilton, NJ) shoved pre and was called by Sal Busacca:

Briggs: Q♠ J♣
Busacca: K♠ K♣

Flop: A♥ 2♠ 3♣
Turn: 4♠
River: 9♦

Briggs had hopes of chopping the pot going into the river, but the nine on the turn was no help, sending him home in 19th place ($3,125).

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Elsby's Magic Continues

Level 26 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 775
Players Remaining: 20

Matt Elsby just left Rocco Luciano shaking his head, as the two got it in pre for a pot worth close to 1,400,000, with Matt at risk:

Rocco: K♠ K♥
Elsby: A♣ 7♠

Flop: K♦ 3♦ 5♠
Turn: 6♦
River: 4♥

On the turn you can hear Rocco saying aloud, "Don't do it."  Unofortunately for Luciano, his wishes were not granted, and Elsby hit a gutter-ball to double through.

Rocco Luciano - 1,800,000
Matt Elsby - 1,400,000

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): 21st Place - Berdichevskiy ($3,125)

Level 26 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 775
Players Remaining: 20

Alex Berdichevskiy (Huntington Valley, PA) was the shortest stack coming back from break, and he looked like he was in great shape to get a double moments ago.  He got it in pre-flop against Sardor Gaziev, and although he was behind when the hands were tabled, he flopped huge to take the lead:

Gaziev: A♠ 3♣
Berdichevskiy: 10♥ 7♠

Flop: K♣ 10♠ 7♣
Turn: 3♠
River: 3♦

Alex was shocked to see the runout after grabbing a commanding lead, but got up from the table quietly and went to collect his 21st place money ($3,125).

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Elsby Up And Down Right Away

Level 26 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 775
Players Remaining: 21

Matt Elsby (Chandler, AZ) came into the level with 1,100,000, but immediately dropped down to 400,000 after doubling up Rocco Derosa.  Only five hands later he would be all-in and at risk against Greg Himmelbrand:

Himmelbrand: K♠ 8♣
Elsby: A♠ J♥

Flop: K♣ 4♥ J♦
Turn: 10♦
River: Q♠

Elsby shrugged when he saw the flop come out, seemingly accepting the fate that he thought was in front of him.  That would be until the turn and river would run out a straight, giving him the win, and leaving Greg now shaking his head.

Matt Elsby - 1,200,000
Greg Himmelbrand - 970,000

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): First Break Of The Day/Updated Chip Counts

Level 26 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 775
Players Remaining: 21

Players are taking their first (10) minute break of the day, and will return to Level 26, and blinds of 25,000/50,000/5,000 (1,500,000 chip average).  Here are the updated chip counts from break:

Table 57:

1. Sardor Gaziev - 1,200,000
2. Frank DiRe - 3,200,000
3. Alex Berdichevskiy - 500,000
4. James Kaplan - 700,000
5. David Heck - 2,000,000
6. Tim Jurkiewicz - 1,400,000
7. Joe Rieg - 800,000

Table 58:

1. Sal Busacca - 400,000
2. Wayne Kaufmann - 2,500,000
3. Eric Rappaport - 2,100,000
4. Justin Liberto - 1,200,000
5. Andrew Cimpan - 1,300,000
6. Chris Larrea - 800,000
7. Michael Briggs - 1,400,000

Table 59:

1. Greg Himmelbrand - 1,500,000
2. Frank Ferrigno - 2,100,000
3. Matt Elsby - 1,100,000
4. Rocco Derosa - 900,000
5. Ernest Gozman - 2,800,000
6. Rocco Luciano - 2,900,000
7. Jay Sharon - 800,000

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): 22nd Place - Sandler ($2,753)

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

Total Entries: 775

Players Remaining: 21

With the last few minutes ticking off the clock for this level, Michael Sandler and David Heck decided to end the level with some drama.  David Heck check-called Sandler's shove of 600,000 on the flop:

Flop: Q♥ 7♣ 6♥

Sandler: A♥ 4♥

Heck: K♣ Q♠

Turn: 5♦

River: 10♣

Sandler was going strong with his flush draw and over card to Heck's pair of queens, but the turn and river wouldn't keep him in the tournament.  The former Big Stax 500 winner falls short of his ultimate goal, but returns to Day 3 and finishes in 22nd place for $2,753.  Those remaining have now reached another pay jump, with everyone left guaranteed at least $3,125.

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): 23rd Place - Pares ($2,753)

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

Total Entries: 775

Players Remaining: 22

The action at Table 58 folded around to Steve Pares (North Massapequa, NY), who was short stacked (are we noticing a trend yet), and shoved all-in.  Chris Larrea was on the button and made the call, with the blinds folding behind:

Pares: A♠ 9♣

Larrea: A♣ J♥

Flop: 2♠ 4♣ K♠

Turn: 5♣

River: K♣

"We're going to need something...some spades, a nine," Pares would say as the dealer was ready to run out the board.  There was no real sweat on the flop, but the turn did bring Steve extra outs to a chop.  It wasn't meant to be for Pares, and he would be eliminated in 23rd place ($2,753).

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): 24th Place - Williams ($2,753)

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

Total Entries: 775

Players Remaining: 23

Action at Table 58 folded around to the short stacks sitting next to each other, with Tyreem Williams in the cutoff and Chris Larrea the button.  Williams shoved for just over 300,000, with Larrea re-shoving for more.  The blinds both folded and the cards were tabled:

Williams: J♥ 7♠

Larrea: A♣ K♠

Flop: Q♣ J♠ 10♣

Turn: 8♥

River: 9♣

The jack would be the second card seen as the dealer peeled the flop, but that was about all of the sweat that Tyreem got out of the hand.  Larrea flopped broadway, with Williams needing runner-runner cards to make a full house, or straight cards to chop.  The dealer did run out a straight on board, but it wasn't good enough to keep Williams in the tournament.  This is Tyreem's second Day 3 of this series, a really solid accomplishment with the size and quality of these fields.

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Cimpan Gets A Huge Double

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

Total Entries: 775

Players Remaining: 24

Andrew Cimpan (Sacramento, CA) pushed his 470,000 across the line, with action folding around to Sal Busacca, who made the call:

Busacca: A♠ A♥

Cimpan: 8♣ 8♥

Flop: 10♥ 7♦ 9♥

Turn: 10♠

River: 6♠

"A litte bit of a sweat," one player at the table said as the flop ran out.  The turn paring the board would only make Sal's lead stronger, but Cimpan would hit one of his outs to make a straight on the river and double up over 1,000,000.

Andrew Cimpan - 1,000,000

Sal Busacca - 400,000

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): 25th Place - Mermelstein ($2,418)

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

Total Entries: 775

Players Remaining: 24

We saw the shortest stack returning eliminated moments ago (Dippolito), with the third shortest stack falling suit in tough fashion.  Aaron Mermelstein (Philadelphia, PA) shoved his remaining 360,000 in pre-flop, getting called by Eric Rappaport:

Mermelstein: A♦ J♠

Rappaport: A♣ 10♥

Flop: A♠ 9♦ 4♣

Turn: K♦

River: 10♣

Eric would ask Aaron was his count was as the dealer began the runout, but after the three-outer on the river, he wouldn't be sending any chips Mermelstein's way.  Aaron took the tough beat in stride, wishing everyone else at the table good luck, and headed over to the tournament podium to get paid ($2,418).  Those remaining have just reached their first pay jump of the day, and are now guaranteed at least $2,753.

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): 26th Place - Dippolito ($2,418)

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

Total Entries: 775

Players Remaining: 25

Thing were a little cagey to start the day, with not many big pots at any of the tables, and all of the short stacks all-ins seeing no resistance.  That was until just moments ago at Table 59, when Steven Dippolito (Bellerose, NY) shoved his remaining 400,000 from late position.  Action folded around to Greg Himmelbrand in the big blind, who would announce a call, and we would see the first player at risk for the day:

Dippolito: A♠ Q♣

Himmelbrand: Q♠ J♣

Flop: K♠ 7♠ J♠

Turn: 2♥

River: K♣

The flop definitely wasn't short of drama, as Himmelbrand grabbed the lead, coming from behind to flop one of his live outs.  The flop would bring Dippolito a huge combo draw, but he would brick out on the turn and river, and become the first player eliminated from Day 3 ($2,418).

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Payouts Reminder

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

Total Entries: 775

Players Remaining: 26

Here is a reminder of the payouts that remain for the (26) players that are left:

1. $85,926
2. $51,150
3. $29,016
4. $21,130
5. $16,442
6. $12,685
7. $9,523
8. $7,663
9. $5,766

10-12. $4,538

13-15. $4,018

16-18. $3,534

19-21. $3,125

22-24. $2,753

25-26. $2,418

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

Level 25 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 775
Players Remaining: 26

The tournament supervisor has just made the rules announcement to the field, and the cards are about to get in the air for Day 3 of the Big Stax 500!!!  There are a lot of interesting story lines that could come out of this day,

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Getting Ready To Finish Things Off

Level 25 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 775
Players Remaining: 26

About half of the players remaining have arrived to take their chips out of the bags, with action to get underway in about (10) minutes.  Today schedule will see this event playing down to a winner, with levels lasting (90) minutes throughout the entire day.  There will be a dinner break (scheduled for 6:30pm), with all other breaks lasting (15) minutes between every level.  Cards will be in the air shortly, with live coverage all day!!

Big Stax 500 (Day 3): Day 3 Chips Counts/Seating Assignments

Level 25 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 775
Players Remaining: 26

Below are the seating assignments and chip counts for players returning for Day 3 at 1:00pm:

Name	Last Name	Chip Count	Table #	Seat #
Sardor	Gaziev	1,240,000	57	1
Frank	DiRe	1,740,000	57	2
Alex	Berdichevskiy	670,000	57	3
James	Kaplan	1,135,000	57	4
David	Heck	1,075,000	57	5
Timothy	Jurkiewicz	775,000	57	6
Joe	Rieg	1,130,000	57	7
Mike	Sandler	1,710,000	57	8
Michael	Briggs	1,200,000	57	9
Sal	Busacca	1,110,000	58	1
Rocco	DeRosa	1,070,000	58	2
Eric	Rappaport	1,750,000	58	3
Justin	Liberto	630,000	58	4
Cornel Andrew	Cimpan	835,000	58	5
Steve	Pares	640,000	58	6
Tyreem	Williams	520,000	58	7
Christopher	Larrea	710,000	58	8
Aaron	Mermelstein	455,000	58	9
Greg	Himmelbrand	685,000	59	1
Wayne	Kaufman	2,470,000	59	2
Frank	Ferrigno	1,695,000	59	3
Matt	Elsby	1,910,000	59	4
EMPTY			59	5
Ernest	Gozman	2,390,000	59	6
Rocco	Luciano	2,750,000	59	7
Steven	Dippolito	345,000	59	8
Jay	Sharon	430,000	59	9

Big Stax 500 (Day 2): How It's Gonna Work

Level 24 (Blinds 15,000/30,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 775
Players Remaining: 26

Tournament Director Tom Martucci has announced to the field that the clocked will be paused with 10:00 minutes remaining, with the remaining amount of hands to be announced then.  Once those hands are finished, players will bag up for Day 3 tomorrow at 1:00pm.  There will not be another redraw overnight, so the seats that the players are in now, will be the ones they return to tomorrow.  The table draw and chip counts will be posted about (60) minutes after the end of play.  Live coverage of this event will pick back up tomorrow at 1:00pm.

Big Stax 500 (Day 2): 27th-36th Places ($2,158)

Level 24 (Blinds 15,000/30,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 775
Players Remaining: 26

The following players have cashed in the Big Stax 500 of the Bgig Stax VIII series for $2,158:

28. Joseph Munoz
29. Emmanuil Digilov (Staten Island, NY)
30. James McKeon (Latting, NY)
31. DJ MacKinnon (East Amherst, NY)
32. Cathy Dever (Ephrata, PA)
33. Robert Sichelstiel (Perkasie, PA)
34. Michael McGuire (Mahwah, NJ)
35. Ken Silberstein (Edison, NJ)
36. Vincent Masino (Deer Park, NY)

Big Stax 500 (Day 2): Rocco Sends Field Into Redraw...Munoz Out

Level 24 (Blinds 15,000/30,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 775
Players Remaining: 26

Action was approached at Table 45 as Rocco opened the button to 65,000, with Joe Munoz left to decide out of the big (350,000 behind).  Munoz ended up calling the raise and the two would go to the flop:

Flop: 9♠ 5♦ 3♣

Munoz checked to Rocco, who pushed across a stack that would be enough to put Munoz all-in.  Joe gave it a moment of thought before saying to Rocco, "I don't think you have anything," before pushing his remaining chips across the line:

Rocco: 2♠ 5♠
Munoz: 8♥ 8♦

Turn: 6♠
River: Q♠

Joe looked like he was in good shape to double up, but Rocco went runner-runner flush to bust him and send the field into a full redraw.

Big Stax 500 (Day 2): Digilov Leaves Field...One From Redraw

Level 24 (Blinds 15,000/30,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 775
Players Remaining: 28

You could hear Andrew Cimpan call clock at Table 47, and walking over we'd see Emmanuil Digilov tanking over a bet from Wayne Kaufmann that would put him all-in.  Digilov only had 230,000 in front of him, and with about (50) second remaining in his window to call, he'd push the chips across:

Flop: 5♠ 8♥ 9♥

Kaufmann: K♥ 10♥
Digilov: 4♠ 4♣

Turn: 2♥
River: 4♥

The river was meaningless to the hand, even though Digilov made a set.  He'd be drawing dead on the turn when Wayne made his flush, and Emmanuil would be eliminated in 29th place ($2,158).  After the next elimination, the field will go through a full redraw.

Big Stax 500 (Day 2): MacKinnon Ousted By Larrea

Level 24 (Blinds 15,000/30,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 775
Players Remaining: 30

After three limpers for 30,000, action would be on DJ MacKinnon in the small blind.  DJ would announce himself all-in for 335,000, with the first limper to fold (Gozman).  Chris Larrea was next to act, and he would stand up and think for a moment before verbalizing a call.  Chris Csik thanked Larrea for calling and folded behind:

MacKinnon: A♥ J♦
Larrea: 5♠ 5♥

Runout: 3♥ K♦ 3♦ K♣ 4♦

MacKinnon would find no help in the runout, and ended up busting the tournament in 31st place ($2,158).

Big Stax 500 (Day 2): No More Ladies Standing

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

Total Entries: 775

Players Remaining: 31

Cathy Dever (Ephrata, PA) was looking to make a third Big Stax final table in a row, but her chances took a hit last level when her pocket jacks lost to ace-rag off.  She was doing her best to manage with a stack of 10-15 bigs, but ended up running A♠ J♥ into the A♣ A♥ of Greg Himmelbrand.  Greg is now up to 1,100,000, and looking for yet another Big Stax final table.