Big Stax 300 (Day 1C): Parting Words

Level 9 - Blinds 500/1,000/100

We've seen a ton of people bust and go back to the cage, with that "no quit" mentality, but some decide to call it a day (as we see on Twitter):

And busto. Got into massive pot in a spot where I'm beating most of his range. #wasntaheadthistime gg n gl pals

— Amanda Musumeci (@TheReaLMander) May 10, 2013

Big Stax 300 (Day 1C): Back Where It All Begins

Level 9 - Blinds 500/1,000/100                                                                                                                       

It's always nice to find players who most of the field would know...not because of career earnings or bracelets, but because they were in the box here at some point.  Both Jose Gallegos (Bensalem, PA) and Justin Davis (Pennsauken, PA) are former dealers here at Parx (poker room), and playing in this event.  This is the first we saw Justin, but Jose's second chance at bagging chips in this event.

 Jose Gallegos

Justin Davis

Big Stax 300: Level Up

Level has gone up, with the blinds increasing to 400/800/100.

Big Stax 300 (Day 1C): Cracking Aces...Nothing New

Level 7 - Blinds 300/600/100

We walked over to table 65 just as Silvio Mantuan had called the open shove of his opponent (22,000) on the flop of A♦ 7♦ 8♠.  When the cards were tabled is was the AA of his opponent against Silvio's J♦ 10♦.  The turn brought one of Mantuan's outs (9♠), and when the board didn't pair on the river he'd win the pot, knocking the player out and chipping up to 140,000.

Big Stax 300 (Day 1C): Numbers Update

Level 7 - Blinds 300/600/100

There have been a total of 304 entries so far today, bring the cumulative total to 847.

Big Stax 300 (Day 1C): Big Game Hunting

Level 7 - Blinds 300/600/100

Taking a lap during the break, we were able to find some of the bigger stacks in the field:

Kevin Mullens - 130,000

Vadim Faynleb - 108,000

Mike Dentale - 100,000

Paul Tarulli - 100,000

Big Stax 300 (Day 1C): Break Time Tweets

Some chip counts via Twitter:

Break 109k after having aces cracked 300/600/100 next #parxbigstax #teamheadsup
— Chad Himmelspach (@Spachy) May 10, 2013

Over 65k at color up break. Coming back to 300/600 with 100 ante @parxpokerroom
— Frank DiRe (@FLD15) May 10, 2013

32,250 on second break #thuggery
— Bad Beat Pete? (@peter_ippolito) May 10, 2013

34500 not having fun
— ParxFace (@parxface) May 10, 2013

Big Stax 300 (Day 1C): When You're Not Playing?

What do players do once they've bagged chips in an event like this.  Those who don't live in the area usually will stay close and maybe play cash in the down time.  Alex Rocha (S. Seatauket, NY) bagged 190,000 on Day 1A, and is using his time to rest up, and keep his Twitter followers entertained:

Just had a dream I won a big poker tournament. When asked how I felt I responded, "This is just so surreal. It feels like I'm dreaming."
— alex rocha (@THE_ALEX_ROCHA) May 10, 2013

And then I woke up. On the floor. Of a motel.
— alex rocha (@THE_ALEX_ROCHA) May 10, 2013

Big Stax 300 (Day 1C): Color Up Break

After the next handful of minutes tick off the clock, players will be going on their second (15) minute break of the day.  While on break the tournament floor will color off the green (25) chips.  Some players beginning to gain some traction in the field include Matthew Burnitz and Mike Dentale (both on second bullets).

Big Stax 300 (Day 1C): Always Welcome

Level 6 - Blinds 250/500/50

Pierre Deissler (Mount Laurel, NJ) took a shot somewhere else (who knows why?), but is in transit hoping to make his second cash in the Big Stax 300.  Pierre min cashed in the event for $990 last time around, but will surely look to improve on that:

Del park.Event 1. Utg w/ QQ aipf AK. K on turn 500k pot.@parxpokerroom here I come #tpedge

— Pierre Deissler (@PierreDeissler) May 10, 2013