Big Stax 300 (Day 3): Quick Break

Level 29 (Blinds 50,000/100,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 1,651
Players Remaining: 10
Chip Average: 4,953,000

Players are now on a quick 15 minute break and will return to Level 29. 

The current chip average is just under 5,000,000, meaning players in that range now only have 50 big blinds to work with, as opposed to the 60 big blinds that the previous blind level was affording them. 

Scott Blackman is still the shortest stack in the room, sitting with just under 2,000,000, but Tyreem Williams and Ed Walsh are both under the 3,000,000 chip mark and sitting with under 30 bigs. 

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): Locking It Up On The Turn

Level 28 (Blinds 40,000/80,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 1,651
Players Remaining: 10

Scott Blackman (Egg Harbor Twp, NJ)

Scott Blackman has been up and out of his seat for most of the early portions of this Final Table. 

He's mostly been folding and then heading to the rail to lament how he hasn't even had a "marginal" spot to move all-in with. 

Well, he picked a certainly "marginal" spot and got there when he moved all-in for his final 710,000 from the cut off. 

The action was folded to Tyreem Williams in the small blind, who called. Ed Walsh folded in the big blind and Williams was slightly ahead. 

Blackman held 7♥4♥, to Williams' A♦10♣.

The flop of J♠5♥3♥ couldn't have been much better for Blackman, who "locked it up" on the turn when the 10♥ spiked. 

The needless 8♣ fell on the river and Blackman was doubling up to just over 1,500,000. 

Williams was chopped down to close to 2,600,000. 

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): Feeling Out The Final Table

Level 28 (Blinds 40,000/80,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 1,651
Players Remaining: 10

It's been nothing short of a cagey affair over the first 20 minutes of the Big Stax 300 Final Table. 

Few hands have made it past the flop, with most of the action being decided pre-flop or on a continuation bet by the pre-flop aggressor. 

A few numbers to note:

The chip average is currently 4,953,000 or 61 big blinds. 

The smallest stack in the room is still Scott Blackman with just under 10 bigs.

The next player eliminated will make $4,611. 

The current "chop value" is $27,262. 

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): Final Table Draw

Level 28 (Blinds 40,000/80,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 1,651
Players Remaining: 10

The final ten players have redrawn for a Final Table and will resume play with just over 45 minutes left in Level 28. 

The table draw and chip counts is as follows:

1. Tyreem Williams -3,400,000
2. Ed Walsh - 2,900,000
3. Joshua Hertz - 2,800,000
4. Mo Farah - 2,500,000
5. Chris Kostoulas - 11,000,000
6. Jonathan Borenstein - 5,600,000
7. Joe Shinn - 3,000,000
8. Joe Santoro - 9,500,000
9. Scott Blackman - 800,000
10. Ray Ross - 6,600,000

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): 11th Place - Menzer ($4,611)

Level 28 (Blinds 40,000/80,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 1,651
Players Remaining: 10

Michael Menzer (East Brunswick, NJ)

After Michael Menzer lost nearly half his stack to Chris Kostoulas in a previous hand, Kostoulas finished the job close to 10 minutes later, knocking Menzer out one spot away from the Final Table.

Kostoulas would flop a set of 4's on a board of 5♣4♥J♦10♣7♠ and moved all-in on the river. Menzer would tank for a moment and then call and look to the skies as he saw the young player turn over his flopped set. 

Kostoulas had Menzer's number over the last 20 minutes or so, but he'll be consoled by the fact that he cashes for just over $4,500. 

Kostoulas has been on a tear since returning from dinner and is now the chip leader of the Big Stax 300. 

Players are now redrawing to a ten handed Final Table, seating assignments will be posted shortly. 

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): 12th Place - Johnston ($4,611)

Level 28 (Blinds 40,000/80,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 1,651
Players Remaining: 11

John Johnston (Howard Beach, NY)

Chris Kostoulas is on a roll after the dinner break, and is now sitting with just over 10,000,000 in chips after he sent John Johnston to the rail in 12th place. 

Johnston moved all-in for his final 1,800,000 from the cut off and was called by Kostoulas in the small blind. 

The big blind fold and Kostoulas had his opponent dominated holding AK versus the A10 of Johnston. 

The board would run out clean and Johnston would be eliminated for just over $4,500. 

The Big Stax 300 is now one elimination away from the Final Table. 

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): Kostoulas Wins Leveling War

Level 28 (Blinds 40,000/80,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 1,651
Players Remaining: 12

Chris Kostoulas (New York, NY)

The action was picked up on a board of 5♥8♠9♠ with Chris Kostoulas checking to the pre-flop aggressor Michael Menzer.

Menzer would then bet out 175,000 only to see Kostoulas check-raise to 425,000.

Menzer would take a minute to think and cut out some chips before re-raising to 950,000. 

Most thought the action would end there, but Kostoulas immediately announced, "All-in" and Menzer now had a decision for all his chips.

Close to three minutes went by before he flicked his cards across the line and Kostoulas would take in the pot, putting him close to the 8,000,000 chip mark.

Menzer lost nearly 50% of his stack and is now well below half of the chip average. 

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): Pay Out Reminder

Level 28 (Blinds 40,000/80,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 1,651
Players Remaining: 12

As play picks back up, a reminder of the pay out structure is in order. 

1. $99,563
2. $59,758
3. $31,996
4. $22,115
5. $16,939
6. $13,175
7. $10,352
8. $7,999
9. $6,117
10. $4,611
11. $4,611
12. $4,611

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): Back From Dinner

Level 28 (Blinds 40,000/80,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 1,651
Players Remaining: 12

Players are back from the dinner break and will resume play in Level 28. 

The next hour or so will be an interesting one, as there are a handful of players that are below the 2,000,000 chip mark that will be looking to make a move to improve their stack after break. 

But, those same players will also have one eye on the pay out sheet, as the next few eliminations will bring some significant pay jumps. 

The next player eliminated will earn $4,611. Compare that to the first person eliminated from the Big Stax 300 Final Table (9th for $6,117) and you can quickly see that holding on just a few spots will bring a much better ROI on the $330 buy-in for the first "main event" of this series. 

Cards are in the air. 

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): Dinner Break Update

Level 28 (Blinds 40,000/80,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 1,651
Players Remaining: 12

Players are now on dinner break, and play will resume with 70 minutes remaining in Level 28 at 7:45 PM. 

Updated chip counts of the 12 remaining players is listed below:

Table 57:

1. Joe Shinn - 2,900,000
2. Scott Blackman - 900,000
3. Joshua Hertz - 3,000,000
4. Ed Walsh - 3,400,000
5. Mohammad Farah - 3,800,000
6. Ray Ross - 5,900,000

Table 58:

1. Jonathan Borenstein - 5,100,000
2. John Johnston - 2,000,000
3. Chris Kostoulas - 6,100,000
4. Tyreem Williams - 2,800,000
5. Michael Menzer - 3,100,000
6. Joe Santoro - 10,300,000

The chip average is 4,127,000, putting those players at just around 50 big blinds. 

But, there are 8 players under that mark, with Scott Blackman the shortest stacked player with just over 10 big blinds. 

Joe Santoro holds just over 20% of the total chips in play. 

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): Level Up, Closing In On Dinner

Level 28 (Blinds 40,000/80,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 1,651
Players Remaining: 12

The twelve remaining players will play close to 15 minutes of Level 28 and then be given a 75 minute dinner break. 

While on the dinner break, an updated set of chip counts will be posted. 

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): 13th Place - Rodrigo ($4,188)

Level 27 (Blinds 30,000/60,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 1,651
Players Remaining: 12

Richard Rodrigo (Lavallette, NJ)

After a couple minutes of tanking, Richard Rodrigo has been sent to the rail in 13th place. 

The action was folded to the cut off where Rodrigo raised to just under 400,000. 

Mo Farah folded on the button and Ray Ross raised from the small blind, enough to put Rodrigo all-in if he were to call. 

The big blind got out of the way, and the action was again on Rodrigo, who had committed nearly half his stack to the pot, and everyone expected a quick call.

But, that wasn't the case as Rodrigo went into a long tank. It became clear that his attempt to steal the blinds from late position had backfired and he now had to weigh the options of calling, putting himself at risk of being eliminated, or losing close to half his stack by folding. 

Rodrigo went Route 1, and called, Ross quickly tabled A♦K♠, while Rodrigo sheepishly turned over 8♠7♠. 

The flop would pair Ross as the 2♠K♣2♥ fell, but Rodrigo was given life with the 7♦ falling on the turn. 

The river would brick out and Ross would  score the knockout and increase his stack to over the 6,000,000 chip mark in the process.

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): 14th Place - Ravidran ($4,188)

Level 27 (Blinds 30,000/60,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 1,651
Players Remaining: 13

Dilip Ravidran (Jersey City, NJ)

As per the usual, when the blogger calls that play is "slowing" an elimination is always close behind. 

The action was picked up at Table 57 with Mo Farah opening to 120,000 from late position. 

Dilip Ravindran then shoved from the small blind for just over 1,000,000 and Joe Shinn then re-shoved from the big blind, having Ravindran covered. 

Farah got out of the way, and the cards were turned up.

Ravindran: Q♣Q♥
Shinn: K♣K♦

The board ran out clean for Shin, J♣3♠2♣6♥5♥, but Farah was left thinking what could have been as he claimed to fold pocket 6's. 

Ravindran is eliminated in 14th place, good for just over $4,000. 

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): Play Slowing...

Level 27 (Blinds 30,000/60,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 1,651
Players Remaining: 14

The action has slowed considerably as there are now only 14 players remaining. 

There are some considerable pay jumps on the horizon, and with players so deep, no one wants to make a serious mistake at this stage of the tournament. 

There has been some movement between tables and here are the updated seating assignments and chip counts. 

Table 57:

1. Joe Shinn - 1,800,000
2. Scott Blackman - 1,300,000
3. Joshua Hertz - 3,000,000
4. Richard Rodrigo - 1,200,000
5. Mohammad Farah - 3,700,000
6. Ray Ross - 4,000,000
7. Dilip Ravindran - 1,100,000

Table 58:

1. Jonathan Borenstein - 1,200,000
2. John Johnston - 2,900,000
3. Chris Kostoulas - 7,500,000
4. Tyreem Williams - 2,000,000
5. Michael Menzer - 3,500,000
6. Ed Walsh - 3,200,000
7. Joe Santoro - 9,200,000

Players are also just under a half hour away from the Day 3 dinner break. 

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): 15th and 16th Place - Joslyn and Miller

Level 27 (Blinds 30,000/60,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 1,651
Players Remaining: 14

Greg Joslyn (Milford, PA)

The action is coming fast and furious here at the final two tables of the Parx Big Stax 300.

Another two short stacks have been sent to the rail, as first Bill Miller and then Greg Joslyn have been eliminated. 

Miller, who had well under the chip average, was forced to move in with two broadway cards, K♣Q♠, but could not find one against the pocket pair of Ray Ross. 

Miller missed out on a pay jump as Joslyn, who was eliminated just moments later is going to make close to $400 more for his 15th place finish. 

Joslyn was chipped down and eventually knocked out by Mohammad Farah, who is now close to the chip average for the first time in recent memory. 

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): 17th Place - Lutz ($3,764)

Level 27 (Blinds 30,000/60,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 1,651
Players Remaining: 16

Almost immediately after Michael Hollenberg's elimination in 18th place, there is another Big Stax casualty to report. 

The action was again picked up at Table 58 with Michael Menzer making a pre-flop raise to 125,000.

The action folded to Kevin Lutz who moved all-in for just under 700,000. 

Joshua Hertz, in the small blind, flatted the bet, putting the action back on a now alert Menzer. 

After a moment of thought and a stare down, Menzer folded. 

He was thankful when he saw Hertz turn over the goods, holding A♣A♠. 

Lutz held pocket 10's. 

The board ran out K♣5♣Q♣9♣10♠, giving Hertz the nut flush, and Lutz a needle on the way out as he hit his set on the river, which was a little too late. 

Kevin is eliminated in 17th place, good for just over $3,500.  

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): 18th Place - Hollenberg ($3,764)

Level 27 (Blinds 30,000/60,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 1,651
Players Remaining: 17

Michael Hollenberg (Rockaway, NJ)

The action was picked up with Michael Menzer making a pre-flop raise to 125,000. 

The action folded around to Michael Hollenberg on the button, who moved all-in for just under 300,000.

The blinds folded and Menzer, one of the bigger stacks in the room, made the easy call. 

The cards were turned up:

Menzer: K♠J♠
Hollenberg: 5♣5♥

The board ran out 3♠K♣J♥10♣9♠ and Menzer had a stranglehold after the flop.

Hollenberg would be looking for two outs, that would never get there as the turn and river bricked, and he was sent to the rail in 18th place. 

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): Players Returning From Break

Level 27 (Blinds 30,000/60,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 1,651
Players Remaining: 18


Players now back from a short 10 minute break and will return to Level 27. 

The chip average is currently sitting at 2,913,000, or just over 45 big blinds. 

With close to 8 players under the chip average, the eliminations could come quickly over the next few levels. 

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): Updated Chip Counts

Level 27 (Blinds 30,000/60,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 1,651
Players Remaining: 18

Table 57:

1. Greg Joslyn - 1,700,000
2. Joe Shinn - 1,400,000
3. Scott Blackman - 2,300,000
4. Bill Miller - 730,000
5. Joe Santoro - 8,300,000
6. Richard Rodrigo - 1,000,000
7. Mohammad Farah - 700,000
8. Ray Ross - 4,200,000
9. Dilip Ravindran - 1,000,000

Table 58:

1. Jonathan Borenstein - 3,000,000
2. John Johnston - 2,300,000
3. Chris Kostoulas - 11,300,000
4. Tyreem Williams - 2,600,000
5. Michael Menzer - 3,500,000
6. Ed Walsh - 1,200,000
7. Kevin Lutz - 750,000
8. Michael Hollenberg - 300,000
9. Joshua Hertz - 2,700,000

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): The Final Two Tables

Level 26 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 1,651
Players Remaining: 18

Table 57:

1. Greg Joslyn
2. Joe Shinn
3. Scott Blackman
4. Bill Miller
5. Joe Santoro
6. Richard Rodrigo
7. Mohammad Farah
8. Ray Ross
9. Dilip Ravindran

Table 58:

1. Jonathan Borenstein 
2. John Johnston
3. Chris Kostoulas
4. Tyreem Williams
5. Michael Menzer
6. Ed Walsh
7. Kevin Lutz
8. Michael Hollenberg
9. Joshua Hertz

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): 19th Place - Cudd ($3,388)

Level 26 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 1,651
Players Remaining: 18

Geoff Cudd was able to build his short stack up, but couldn't quite get to average in the process.  He would once again find himself on the short side, and when action folded around to him in late position, he would open shove (900,000).  Scott Blackman called out of the big blind, and the hands were tabled:

Cudd: J♦ 7♦
Blackman: K♣ 9♣

Flop: 4♦ 5♠ 6♣
Turn: 6♥
River: 2♣

Cudd got about the best flop he could without hitting a pair, giving himself an extra eight outs to win the pot.  Geoff would whiff the turn and river, meaning Blackman's king high would be good to win the pot.  Players are now racking up their chips for a full re-draw, with the new seating assignments posted momentarily.

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): 20th Place - Pizzolato ($3,388)

Level 26 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 1,651
Players Remaining: 19

Chris Kostoulas is beyond recovering from his earlier hand with Shinn, as he just eliminated Guiseppe Pizzolato to cross the 10,000,000 mark and grab the chip lead.  The two players got it in pre-flop after Pizzolato jammed 1,500,000 over a 100,000 open from Kostoulas:

Kostoulas: J♥ J♦
Pizzolato: A♣ K♥

Flop: Q♥ J♠ 3♥
Turn: Q♣
River: 10♠

"Come on...lets go," exclaimed Kostoulas as the dealer was ready to put out the flop, and a good flop it was for Chris.  Guiseppe went from six outs to four, needing a ten on the turn or river to make a straight.  Kostoulas turned Guiseppe dead, and it ended up being a meaningful turn card, as Pizzolato made the straight on the river.

After the next elimination, there will be a full re-draw of the (18) players that remain.  Once that occurs, we will bring you the new seating assignments.

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): 21st Place - Lewit ($3,388)

Level 26 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 1,651
Players Remaining: 20

As we just mentioned in the last post, Geoffrey Lewit was left with a few antes in front of him after losing the earlier pot to Siroka, so his last hand was just a formality.  Just to recap the big hand between Lewit and Siroka, the two would get it in pre-flop, both holding less than (20) big blinds (and about even in chips):

Lewit: 10♦ 10♣
Siroka: K♥ Q♥

Flop: 9♥ 8♥ 2♥
Turn: J♣
River: 4♦

Lewit would be racing for his tournament life, but would be all but drawing dead after the flop...needing running full house cards to take back the hand.  By not just throwing in those remaining chips the following hand, Lewit did make a pay jump because of Siroka's elimination moments prior.

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): 22nd Place - Siroka ($3,058)

Level 26 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 1,651
Players Remaining: 21

Harold Siroka had just win a huge pot where he doubled through Geoffrey Lewit and left Lewit with just 50,000.  Everyone at the table assumed that Lewit would be the next to go, but after Ray Ross opened the next pot, Siroka three-bet shoved for close to 1,600,000.  Ross would go into the tank, and eventually announced a call:

Ross: A♥ K♥
Siroka: A♠ A♣

Flop: K♣ Q♦ 6♦
Turn: 8♣
River: K♠

Siroka would stand up and give a huge clap when the hands were tabled, but his celebration ended up being premature.  Ross was in really bad shape, and needed a special runout to win the hand...which is exactly what he got.  Ray couldn't believe the river, his eyes wide open in shock, as Siroka just stood down at the board.  Ray is now at 4,400,000 after winning that pot, and is in promising shape to make a run at his fourth Big Stax final table.

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): 23rd Place - Galazzo ($3,058)

Level 26 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 1,651
Players Remaining: 23

Joe Galazzo opened the pot at Table 58 to 100,000, with Joseph Santoro three-betting to 225,000.  Action folded around and Galazzo made the call, as the two players watched the dealer place down the flop of 2♠ 3♣ 4♦.  Galazzo checked and Santoro bet 450,000, with Joseph check-raising all-in for 1,400,000.  Santoro quickly made the call, and the hands were tabled:

Galazzo: 9♠ 9♦
Santoro: Q♠ Q♣

Turn: 4♥
River: K♠

Joseph Santoro continues to be the early story of Day 3, as he knocks out another opponent, and is pushing the 10,000,000 mark.  While Galazzo may walk away disappointed with his finish, he can take solace that in the fact that he finally got his first Big Stax cash after numerous efforts.

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): 24th Place - McKeon ($3,058)

Level 26 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 1,651
Players Remaining: 23

We've lost just as many players in (10) minutes of this level than we had the entire (90) minutes prior, as James McKeon (Lattingtown, NY) was just eliminated.  After an open under the gun to 115,000, Chris Kostoulas flatted UTG +2, and action would fold around to McKeon in the big blind.  James three-bet shoved for his remaining 700,000, and after Joshua Hertz folded, Kostoulas made the call:

McKeon: A♠ 3♥
Kostoulas: J♠ J♣

Flop: 8♠ 9♠ 8♥
Turn: 4♣
River: 5♣

McKeon shoved trying to pick up the pot right there and add an extra 250,000 to his stack, but Kostoulas flatted with a big hand, and his pair of jacks would hold.  That pot helps Chris recover slightly from the earlier hand against Shinn, when his flopped set fell to a rivered full house.

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): 25th Place - Tesone ($2,729)

Level 26 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 1,651
Players Remaining: 24

Jim Tesone (Princeton, NJ) was one of the shortest stacks returning from break, and it only took one hand for him to get it in pre against Geoff Cudd.  "Let's see how it works for me," Tesone said as he turned over A 3, referencing the hand earlier when Cudd doubled with those same holdings:

Tesone: A♠ 3♣
Cudd: 8♠ 8♦

Flop: A♣ K♦ 9♣
Turn: 8♣
River: 4♥

"How bad do I run," said Tesone after the eight spiked the turn, sending him home in 25th place ($2,729).  Cudd has now gone from a stack that was less than ten big blinds to over 2,000,000 with that pot.

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): Updated Chip Counts

Level 26 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 1,651
Players Remaining: 25

Table 57:

1. Joshua Hertz - 2,800,000
2. Chris Kostoulas - 5,500,000
3. Will Miller - 900,000
4. Giuseppe Pizzolato - 2,200,000
5. Mohammad Farah - 1,000,000
6. Kevin Lutz - 950,000
7. Scott Blackman - 1,300,000
8. Joe Shinn - 3,000,000
9. Jim McKeon - 650,000

Table 58:

1. Greg Joslyn - 2,600,000
2. Ray Ross - 2,700,000
3. Joe Galazzo - 1,550,000
4. Michael Hollenberg - 525,000
5. Joseph Santoro - 6,600,000
6. Jonathan Borenstein - 2,000,000
7. Harold Siroka - 1,000,000
8. Geoffrey Lewit - 800,000

Table 59:

1. Rich Rodrigo - 2,100,000
2. James Tesone - 500,000
3. John Johnston - 3,000,000
4. Mike Menzer - 2,700,000
5. Ed Walsh - 900,000
6. Dilip Ravindran - 700,000
7. Tyreem Williams - 2,400,000
8. Geoff Cudd - 900,000

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): First Break Of The Day

Level 26 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 1,651
Players Remaining: 25

Players are heading on their first break of the day, which will last ten minutes.  They will return to Level 26 and blinds of 25,000/50,000/5,000.  The chip average amongst the remaining (25) players equates to 1,981,000, which will give followers a better idea of how everyone stands after the chips counts are posted shortly.

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): 26th Place - Lennon ($2,729)

Level 25 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 1,651
Players Remaining: 25

Players were discussing with the tournament supervisor what time dinner break was going to be today, but nobody was taking notice of the big hand going on at the table.  Justin Lennon would shove on a board reading 3♦ 7♦ 10♠ 4♦, with Joseph Santoro making the call.  Santoro would turn over his hand before Justin, showing that he had turned a queen high flush:

Santoro: Q♦ 5♦
Lennon: K♥ K♦

River: 8♠

Justin would need a diamond on the river to make a higher flush, but the black card on the river would end his day.  Lennon's amount wasn't verified, as it was quickly pushed the way of Santoro, but the shove was for close to 1,800,000.  With that pot, Joseph has taken the chip lead, holding 6,500,000.

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): Cudd Doubles Through Hollenberg

Level 25 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 1,651
Players Remaining: 26

The collective reaction at Table 59 made it clear that something notable just happened.  Geoff Cudd was all-in for his remaining 450,000 and at risk against Michael Hollenberg:

Cudd: A♠ 3♣
Hollenberg: A♣ K♠

Flop: 3♥ 3♦ 2♣
Turn: 5♦
River: K♥

Cudd had one foot out the door when the cards were tabled, but all he would have to worry about on the river was whether or not he would have to chop the pot.  Geoff is as close to 1,000,000 as he has been in a while in this tournament, while Michael is left with less than ten bigs (600,000).

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): 27th Place - Zambanini ($2,729)

Level 25 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 1,651
Players Remaining: 26

Justin Lennon would open the pot at Table 58 to 80,000, getting immediately three-bet by Joseph Santoro to 200,000.  The small blind folded, and Matthew Zambanini four-bet out of the big to 675,000.  Lennon folded and Santoro flatted the bet as the two went to the flop.  The dealer fanned out 8♦ Q♦ 10♥, and Matthew was quick to announce himself all-in (1,300,000).  Santoro begrudgingly said that he had to call, and Zambanini would be at risk:

Santoro: K♥ K♠
Zambanini: A♠ K♦

Turn: 6♥
River: 8♥

Zambanini was dismayed to see what he was up against, but he attention went to asking for an ace or jack.  The turn and river brought neither, and Matthew walked away from the table as the first player eliminated on Day 3.

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): The First Dramatic Moment Of The Day

Level 25 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 1,651
Players Remaining: 27

It took a little while, but we just had the first memorable moment of the day.  Chip leader Chris Kostoulas and Joe Shinn got it in pre for a pot worth 2,700,000, with Shinn experiencing a tournament players worst nightmare when the cards were exposed:

Shinn: A♦ A♠
Kostoulas: K♣ K♥

Flop: K♠ 10♠ 7♣
Turn: 10♣
River: A♣

Shinn would jump from his chair in disgust when he saw the flop, sick that Chris out flopped him.  Scott Blackman mentioned when the hands were tabled that he folded an ace, so it made the river that much more dramatic.  Shinn went to frustration to celebration after rivering the bigger full house, and he is now sitting with an above average stack.  The chip leader gets 20% taken from his stack, but it still one of the healthiest in the field.

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): 28th-36th Places ($2,400)

Level 25 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 1,651
Players Remaining: 27

The following players have cashed in the Big Stax 300 for $2,400:

28. Sophie Chen (Absecon, NJ)
29. Christopher Csik (Hoboken, NJ)
30. John Critelli (New Egypt, NJ)
31. Richard Wible (Ocean City, NJ)
32. Pradeep Deshpande (Scotch Plains, NJ)
33. Christopher Cheung (Millburn, NJ)
34. Kevin O'Brien (Englishtown, NJ)
35. Igor Rabinovich (Richboro, PA)
36. Ryan Connors (Middletown, NJ)

Big Stax 300 (Day 2): Off To A Cagey Start

Level 25 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 1,651
Players Remaining: 27

We have already played (15) minutes of Day 3, and still all (27) players remain.  There have been a few all-ins that got through, but other than that, there is only one notable hand to mention.  Harold Siroka found himself down to 200,000, and got those chips in pre against Joe Galazzo holding A 5 against A J.  Harold was in a less than envious position, and things got worse when Joe flopped a jack.  Siroka did flop a gut-shot wheel draw, and after a brick on the turn, Harold rivered the straight to double up over ten big blinds.

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): Crowning A New Champion

Level 25 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 1,651
Players Remaining: 27

We are down to three tables in the Big Stax 300, with a new champion to be crowned over the next (24) hours (well maybe).  The reason that the word maybe is used?  Defending champion Scott Blackman (Little Egg Harbor, NJ) is still alive, and he headlines a very talented group of players trying to make sure that he doesn't go back-to-back.  Chris Kostoulas (New York, NY) returns as the chip leader with 5,750,000, putting on a dominant display to end Day 2.  If it's local notables your looking for, Day 3 has them as well, with Ray Ross, Mohammad Farah, Kevin Lutz, Joseph Galazzo, Jonathan Borenstein, and Jim Tesone all looking to put their hands on the trophy once things are decided.  Will we see one of the relative unknowns make their name in the poker community?  All of these answers will be known as the action unfolds today at 1:00pm, with live coverage picking up once the cards are in the air. 

Big Stax 300 (Day 3): Day 3 Chip Counts/Seating Assignments

Level 25 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 1,651
Players Remaining: 27

Table 57:

1. Joshua Hertz - 3,225,000
2. Chris Kostoulas - 5,750,000
3. Will Miller - 2,925,000
4. Giuseppe Pizzolato - 670,000
5. Mohammad Farah - 930,000
6. Kevin Lutz - 1,155,000
7. Scott Blackman - 2,530,000
8. Joe Shinn - 1,130,000
9. Jim McKeon - 820,000

Table 58:

1. Greg Joslyn - 2,560,000
2. Ray Ross - 1,170,000
3. Joe Galazzo - 1,275,000
4. Justin Lennon - 3,030,000
5. Joseph Santoro - 2,470,000
6. Jonathan Borenstein - 1,925,000
7. Matthew Zambanini - 1,935,000
8. Harold Siroka - 1,400,000
9. Geoffrey Lewit - 1,070,000

Table 59:

1. Rich Rodrigo - 710,000
2. James Tesone - 2,400,000
3. Michael Hollenberg - 930,000
4. John Johnston - 2,695,000
5. Mike Menzer - 2,940,000
6. Ed Walsh - 1,235,000
7. Dilip Ravindran - 805,000
8. Tyreem Williams - 780,000
9. Geoff Cudd - 1,040,000

Big Stax 300 (Day 2): Final Hands Of Day 2

Level 24 (Blinds 15,000/30,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 1,651
Players Remaining: 29

The action had slowed down significantly over the final (30) minutes of the night, with no eliminations at all, and just one player all-in and at risk.  Tournament Director Tom Martucci has announced to the (29) that remain that there will be four hands left in the night.  Once those hands are over, players will bag their chips for Day 3 tomorrow at 1:00pm.

There will be no redraw overnight, as players will have a redraw at (27) during the first level of play tomorrow.  Chip counts and seating assignments will be posted approximately one hour after play ends.

Big Stax 300 (Day 2): The Landscape

Level 24 (Blinds 15,000/30,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 1,651
Players Remaining: 32

Here are the table lineups for the four that remain:

Table 45:

1. John Johnston
2. Joe Galazzo
3. Geoffrey Lewit
4. Kevin Lutz
5. Joe Shinn
6. Tyreem Williams
7. James McKeon

Table 46:

1. Guiseppe Pizzolato
2. Richard Wible
3. Jim Tesone
4. Scott Blackman
5. Geoff Cudd
6. Richard Rodrigo
7. Gregory Joslyn
8. Harold Siroka

Table 47:

1. Michael Hollenberg
2. Mike Menzer
3. Joshua Hertz
4. John Critelli
5. Bill Miller
6. Mohammed Farah
7. Sophie Chen
8. Justin Lennon
9. Matthew Zambanini

Table 48:

1. Chris Csik
2. Chris Kostoulas
3. Ed Walsh
4. Pradeep Deshpande
5. Ray Ross
6. Joseph Santoro
7. Jonathan Borenstein
8. Dilip Ravindran