Event 1 (Day 1A): End Of Day 1A Chip Counts

Live! Summer Series Of Poker 
Event 1 ($300 No Limit Hold'em $125,000 Guarantee)
Total Day 1A Entries: 158
Day 1A Players To Bag: 25

Chip Counts (Numerical):

David	Vu	248,500
Cynthia	Albert	243,800
Gary	Schoengold	172,200
Sophia	Pappas	135,300
Jon	Cantor	125,500
Ben	Strickland	108,500
Giuseppe	Serio	105,500
Wyatt	Stiffler	96,000
Joshua	Gordon	93,400
Denis	Angelov	89,900
Ron	Hunt	86,500
Carmilo	Alfonso	80,900
Lisa	Hong	79,700
Marc	Cohen	68,200
Eric	Rivkin	66,200
Alan	Lee	65,900
An-Ming	Hwang	65,300
Wesley	Wyvill	64,900
Linh	Huang	59,800
Justin	Arnwine	58,400
Ray	Schackelford	57,700
Anthony	Hulbert	55,200
Lawrence	Solins	50,100
Joshua	Ford	35,100

Event 1 (Day 1A): A Little Extra Pocket Change

Level 16 (Blinds 1,500/3,000/500)
Total Day 1A Entries: 158
Day 1A Players Remaining: 25

David Vu (Wake Forest, NC)

The final hands are in the book and so is Day 1A of Event 1 of the Live! Summer Series Of Poker.  David Vu (Wake Forest, NC) would grab the chip lead midway through the day, and he would never look back.  Vu would bag 248,500 to end the night, and he is the first of three players to win the Day 1 "chip lead bonus" of $1,000.  Cynthia Albert did her absolute best to try and better that number, but fell short by just 5,000!!!  Albert's count of 243,500 is nothing to bat an eye at, coming back to Day 2 with over 60 big blinds.

The remaining players will be back for Day 2 on Thursday, but today's final chip counts will be posted once they are verified by the tournament floor.  Poker is very similar to baseball in the sense that it's most of the time a very quick turnaround.  The cards will be back in the air at 12:15pm tomorrow afternoon, as Day 1B will bring news faces...and a new chip lead bonus up for grabs.

Event 1 (Day 1A): Vu Making All The Right Moves

Level 16 (Blinds 1,500/3,000/500)
Total Day 1A Entries: 158
Day 1A Players Remaining: 25

With only (10) hands remaining before the clock is paused (and final number of hands are announced), it seems as if it's just a formality.  David Vu currently has over 300,000 in front of him, while no other play has even 200,000.  Vu was just deep in thought, as Benjamin Strickland jammed over 80,000 over David's opening raise.  Even though Vu could absorb the loss and still hold the chip lead, he would eventually fold pocket tens face up.  Benjamin gave Vu the courtesy show (pocket queens), proving that all of David's decisions at the moment seem to be the right ones.

Event 1 (Day 1A): And The Race Is On

Level 16 (Blinds 1,500/3,000/500)
Total Day 1A Entries: 158
Day 1A Players Remaining: 28

Those remaining in the field are looking up at David Vu going into the final level of the night, but the chip lead bonus is still up for grabs.  The tournament supervisor will pause the clock with 10:00 minutes remaining in the level, and players will then be told how many hands remain in the night.  Here are updated counts going into the final level:

David Vu - 240,000
Gary Schoengold - 145,000
An Hwang - 140,000
Wyatt Stiffler - 140,000
Cynthia Albert - 130,000
Sophia Pappas - 120,000
Gordon Shackelford - 115,000

Event 1 (Day 1A): From Peanuts To Piles

Level 15 (Blinds 1,200/2,400/300)
Total Day 1A Entries: 158
Day 1A Players Remaining: 28

Linh Hoang

Players usually think that be posting on the live updates page is a prelude to a steady decline...well Linh Hoang is trying to buck the trend.  Linh had 17,000 less than (10) minutes ago, and she now sits with over 100,000.  After doubling in the earlier hand mentioned, she would pick up a another small pot.

Just moment ago she would get in all-in pre (having her opponent covered) with 10♣ 10♦ against A♠ A♥.  The flop would seem safe for Nguyen Bui's aces, as the dealer fanned out J♥ 9♠ 9♥.  The Q♣ on the turn would bring Hoang some more outs, and the 8♠ on the river would cause a huge reaction from the table.  Bui would take the loss with class as he walked away from the table with a smile.

Event 1 (Day 1A): Don't Forget Linh

Level 15 (Blinds 1,200/2,400/300)
Total Day 1A Entries: 158
Day 1A Players Remaining: 30

Updating the most recent post, there were actually four ladies remaining in the field!  Linh Hoang had just over ten bigs when she was spotted, but as the level transitioned she would double up with A J against K J (all-in pre).  Hoang now sits with close to 45,000 after winning the pot, but still sits as the shortest stacked lady of those still in.

There is less than an hour remaining in the night, and players are beginning to inquire about where the largest stack is.  There are a handful of players in the 150,000-180,000 range, with updated chip counts posted as players enter the final level.

Event 1 (Day 1A): Leading Ladies

Level 14 (Blinds 1,000/2,000/300)
Total Day 1A Entries: 158
Day 1A Players Remaining: 32

As the field dwindles (32 players remain), three ladies still stand strong, two of which are looking to bag the chip lead and grab the bonus.  Sophia Pappas was mentioned earlier in the day as a short stack, but turned things around and now has 135,000.  Doing even better is Cynthia Albert (Germantown, MD), who sits with a stack of 140,000.  Albert is not stranger to deep tournament runs, with over $91,000 in career earnings.  Cynthia's biggest cash was actually her first recorded, winning a Ladies Event at Foxwoods in 2006 (for $27,000).  Lisa Hong currently sits with the least chips of the three (50,000), but still has over 25 big blinds.

Event 1 (Day 1A): Winning A Serio-us Pot

Level 13 (Blinds 800/1,600/200)
Total Day 1A Entries: 158
Day 1A Players Remaining: 35

Giuseppe Serio

Approaching Table 28, James Sloat would have a bet of 12,000 in front of him (Sloat limp three bet Serio's 4,500 open), but all eyes were on Giussepe Serio.  Serio had just four-bet all-in for 79,900 more, and Sloat was deep in the tank.  James would cut out his chips and said out loud, "I know I'm supposed to fold here."  Sloat would eventually make the call, and Serio would stand as he tabled A♣ A♥.  Sloat nodded his head as he turned over K♥ K♠, and watched as the runout would bring no help.  Serio would vault himself to the top of the field with that pot, chipping up to 180,000.  James would be left with five big blinds after the hand, and would be eliminated moments later.

Event 1 (Day 1A): A Cagey Return

Level 13 (Blinds 800/1,600/200)
Total Day 1A Entries: 158
Day 1A Players Remaining: 38

With the day possibly ending at 19 players (12% of starting field), it was a question if that point would be reached.  The bustouts pre-dinner were fast and furious, but since returning the action has been pretty cagey.  Gary Schoengold had made a solid return, as the first hand at Table 28 took up almost eight minutes.  Schoengold was left to decide on a 22,000 all-in bet on the river from his opponent, on a board of K♥ 2♠ 4♣ Q♠ A♥.  Gary was in the tank for a solid five minutes, and although he had a healthy stack behind, his time thinking made it clear he wasn't giving anything away.  Schoengold would eventually announce a call, and his opponent would table K♣ Q♣ (two pair).  Gary would turn over A♦ K♠ for a better two pair, and he would chip up to 135,000 with the pot.

Event 1 (Day 1A): Returning From Dinner

Players are beginning to take their seats once again, with only (3) minutes on the clock until play resumes.  The blinds in Level 13 are 800/1,600/200, with a chip average amongst the remaining 39 players of 60,800.  There will be four more levels played (without a break), and those left will bag chips for Day 2 on Thursday at 12:15pm.

Event 1 (Day 1A): Dinner Break Chip Counts

Level 12 is about to end, and the 41 players remaining in the field are heading to dinner (45 minute break).  The action will pick back up at Level 13, with the blinds coming back going up to 800/1,600/200.  Here are some updated chip counts heading to dinner:

Wyatt Stiffler - 160,000
Sophia Pappas - 120,000
David Vu - 110,000
Joshua Gordon - 110,000
Guiseppe Serio - 102,000
Marc Cohen - 95,000
Gary Schoenngoid - 90,000
Andrew Hulbert - 90,000
Eric Rivkin - 65,000

Live coverage/tournament play will resume at 7:30pm.

Event 1 (Day 1A): Air Gordon

Level 12 (Blinds 600/1,200/200)
Total Day 1A Entries: 158
Day 1A Players Remaining: 46

Joshua Gordon

Table 29 seems to be where most of the action is, as there was once again a multi-way all-in pre-flop.  After David Vu opened the pot, Joshua Gordon would flat and both players would watch as Jason Rivkin shoved for just over 10,000.  Vu would make the call after action folded around, and Gordon would re-shove for 17,425.  David would make the call, putting both players at risk:

Vu: 9♦ 9♣        Gordon: J♠ J♣       Rivkin: A♣ J♦

Runout: 2♣ 2♠ 7♠ 6♦ 6♠

It would be the cleanest runout Gordon could imagine, only having to fade five outs throughout.  Jason would be eliminated from Day 1A action, while Gordon would chip up to 65,000.

Event 1 (Day 1A): Updated Chip Counts

Level 11 (Blinds 500/1,000/100)
Total Day 1A Entries: 158
Day 1A Players Remaining: 55

The field continues to shrink at a rapid pace, with only six active tables currently in the tournament area.  There is only one more break scheduled for the night (after Level 12), which will last (45) minutes long, giving those remaining an opportunity to grab some dinner.  Here are some updated chip counts from the tail end of Level 11:

Wyatt Stiffler - 144,000
Andrew Hulbert - 120,000
David Vu - 100,000
Marc Cohen - 85,000
Sophia Pappas - 85,000
Gordon Shackelford - 75,000
Eric Rivkin - 64,000
James Sloat - 50,000
Taylor Honkofsky - 45,000

Event 1 (Day 1A): "That Never Happens"

Level 10 (Blinds 400/800/100)
Total Day 1A Entries: 158
Day 1A Players Remaining: 61

Tayor Honkofsky

Taylor Honkofsky had been grinding a below average stack seemingly the entire day.  After two limps of 800, the cutoff would go all-in for 1,400, with action folded to Taylor in the small blind.  Honkofsky would re-shove for just under 10,000, leaving the action on Mark Helffrich.  Helffrich would make the call, James Sloat would fold behind, and the hands would be tabled:

Taylor: A♦ 10♦      Helffrich: A♥ 9♥       Cutoff: K♥ 6♥

Runout: 8♥ 2♣ K♦ Q♣ J♥

Honkofsky would actually have the best hand pre-flop, but would immediately find himself in bad shape (but was winning the side pot).  After the queen on the turn, Taylor would ask aloud for a jack, and that's exactly what he would get.  Honkofsky would make a straight and collect the pot worth close to 30,000, while eliminating the player in the cutoff (later identified as John Tsai).

Event 1 (Day 1A): Getting Some Much Needed Help

Level 10 (Blinds 400/800/100)
Total Day 1A Entries: 158
Day 1A Players Remaining: 65

While walking by Table 29, David Vu looked over and said, "You may want to blog this hand."  It was clear that David had lost a healthy chunk of his stack, and he even had a picture of the end result on his phone.  Vu and one other player had called a raise pre-flop from Andrew Hulbert, and the three players would see a flop of 3♥ 4♣ 6♠.  David would flop gin as he held 5♦ 7♦, and would just flat as the third player would push all-in over Hubert's flop bet.  After the 6♥ on the turn, Hulbert would go all-in and Vu would make the call.  Andrew would turn over A♠ A♣, and would begin to collect his things when Vu turned over his straight.  Vu's run good hit a brick wall as Hulbert would river an A♦, making a full house to collect the pot worth over 115,000.

Event 1 (Day 1A): Rivkin v. Jedi Donkey II

Level 9 (Blinds 300/600/75)
Total Day 1A Entries: 158
Day 1A Players Remaining: 70

Walking over to Table 31, Jedi Donkey Pham would be all-in for 5,475 on a flop of 6♠ 4♣ 9♣.  The action would be to Eric Rivkin (with one player behind), who would raise to 11,000.  The action would fold behind, and Eric would table 8♥ 9♠.  Jedi would be drawing with the A♣ 8♣, but would not find any help on the turn or river.  Pham's day would end earlier that he would of liked, walking away from the table as Rivkin stacked his new chips.  Rivkin is back up to 75,000, while Jedi becomes one of a handful of notables to bust:

Izzet Burak Temel
Richard Pfaff
Jose De La rosa
Jedi Donkey Pham

Event 1 (Day 1A): Nice "Vu" From Here

Level 9 (Blinds 300/600/75)
Total Day 1A Entries: 158
Day 1A Players Remaining: 78

David Vu

There is only one player in the field that currently has over 100,000, and his name is David Vu.  Vu just called an all-in from Richard Pfaff, and nobody at the table was surprised when his 6♥ 6♣ beat Richard's 10♠ 10♣ (spiking a six on the river).

Even though the day is just half of the way through, Vu's stack of 130,000 makes him an early favorite for the end of Day 1A chip lead bonus ($1,000).  As mentioned in an earlier post, today's action will conclude after Level 16 (or) if 12% of the field remains.

Event 1 (Day 1A): It's A Break/Updated Chip Counts

Players are heading on their second (15) minute break of the day, and when they return to Level 9 the blinds will have gone up to 300/600/75.  There are 82 players active going to the break, and here are some of the larger stacks in the field:

David Vu - 84,000
Gordon Shackelford - 63,000
Ben Strickland - 58,000
Eric Rivkin - 57,000
Shlomo Yahana - 51,000
Andrew Hulbert - 50,000
Philip Rinaldi - 48,000
Billy Jacobini - 47,000
Sophia Pappas - 44,000
James Sloat - 33,000
Izzet Burak Temel - 26,000

Event 1 (Day 1A): Franklin Catches Lightning

Level 8 (Blinds 250/500/50)
Total Day 1A Entries: 158
Day 1A Players Remaining: 91

Andrew Franklin 

One of the players at Table 41 was overheard saying, "What...is everyone in this hand?"  Six players would go to the flop after a 1,200 open.  The dealer would fan out a flop of K♠ 10♠ 5♠, and the small blind would lead out for 3,000.  The only player to call would be Andrew Franklin, and the two would watch as the 4♣ came on the turn.  The player in the small blind would bet out once again, this time for 5,000.  Andrew would ask to see what his opponent had left, and would raise enough to put said player all-in.  The call would be made and Franklin would quickly turn over A♠ 7♠ for the nut flush, but wasn't out of the woods just yet, as he had to fade one out against the Q♠ J♠.  The river would bring the 8♣, and Franklin would chip up to 55,000 after winning the pot.

Event 1 (Day 1A): Third Of The Field Gone

Level 7 (Blinds 200/400/50)
Total Day 1A Entries: 158

Sophia Pappas

With tournament supervisors breaking some of the outer tables, only (10) active tables housing 99 players.  With the registration closed, the chip average can now be calculated (it sits at 24,000).

Sophia Pappas may have had future starting flights in mind, as she sat with less than (15) big blinds in front of her.  Pappas would then double up as her aces held against pocket fives, bringing her back above the starting stack.  Only moments later she would end up sending home that same opponent, as she would race well with A♣ K♥ against 2♠ 2♣.  Sophia is now over 40,000, and has shifted her thoughts to bagging this flight.

Event 1 (Day 1A): Registration Closes On Day 1A

Level 7 (Blinds 200/400/50)
Total Day 1A Entries: 158

As the final seconds of Level 6 tick off the clock, the window to register for Day 1A closes.  Level 6 was an active one for some of the notables in the field, as Jesse Letchworth busts his second bullet (and does not re-enter).  Jeromy Bittan was noted for tripling up only a level ago, but he trended steadily downward and has been eliminated as well.

Here are some updated chip counts from the end of Level 6:

Eric Rivkin - 76,000
Andrew Hulbert - 60,000
Marc Cohen - 55,000
Ben Porter - 38,000
James Sloat - 20,000
Joe Simmons - 20,000
Izzet Burak Temel - 18,000
Gordon Shackelford - 18,000
Charles Welch - 12,000

Event 1 (Day 1A): Rivkin Rakes In A Big One

Level 6 (Blinds 150/300/25)
Total Day 1A Entries: 154

Eric Rivkin (East Hampton, NY)

As players were transitioning into Level 6 (150/300/25), there was a massive pot brewing at Table 31.  Eric Rivkin and Jedi Donkey Pham were two of the top stacks in the room to start the hand, and the two would see a flop of K♠ K♣ 5♥.  Rivkin would bet out 2,000, only to be min-raised by Pham to 4,000.  Rivkin would make the call and the dealer would place the 7♥ on the felt.  This time Eric would check-call a 6,000 bet from Pham.  After the J♦ on the river, Rivkin would check once more, and Pham would fire out 15,000.  Eric would go into the tank for a few moments, but would eventually make the call.

Pham would table 9♥ 9♠ as Eric lifted up his head to see the hand, but they would be no good against Rivkin's Q♠ Q♦.

Eric Rivkin - 73,000
Jedi Donkey Pham - 10,000

Event 1 (Day 1A): Bittan Triples Up

Level 5 (Blinds 100/200/25)
Total Day 1A Entries: 150

Jeromy Bittan

There was a audible celebration from Table 29, as Jeromy Bittan stood from his seat.  Bittan was already all-in by the time the action was caught, and he watched as Jesse Meyer would call William Kerr's all-in (Kerr had both players covered) on a flop of 7♦ 6♦ 4♥:

Bittan: 10♦ 5♦       Meyer: Q♦ 8♦        Kerr: A♦ A♥

Turn: 4♥

River: 8♠

Kerr was only a river card away from chipping up to 100,000, but the dealer would table the 8, and Bittan would steal the pot away (tripling up to 49,000).  Meyer would be eliminated from field, while Kerr would actually break even after all of the madness (winning the side pot with Meyer).

Event 1 (Day 1A): First Break/Registration Window Closing

Players are heading on their first (15) minute break of the day, and when they return to Level 5, the blinds will be going up to 100/200/25.  The tournament clock currently shows 145 total entries for the day, with registration open for another two levels after break.  Registration will be closing at approximately 3:35pm, with more opportunities to get in tomorrow and/or Wednesday.

Event 1 (Day 1A): Charles In Charge

Level 4 (Blinds 100/200)
Total Day 1A Entries: 142

Charles Welch (Baltimore, MD)

The last time Charles Welch (Baltimore, MD) was pictured on the Live! Updates Page, it was for chopping the $3,500 Live! Poker Classic Main Event.  Charles would take home $37,990 as part of the deal, which to this date is his largest recorded tournament cash.

What many people may not have known is the fact that Welch won a satellite to get into the event, eventually parlaying that into a five-digit score.  Charles has had three cashes since that event, including a 39th place finish in Event 9 of the 2014 WSOP ($1,000 No Limit Hold'em).  Welch is currently seated at Table 30 and has just over the starting stack in front of him.

Event 1 (Day 1A): Updated Chip Counts

Level 4 (Blinds 100/200)
Total Entries: 133

The blinds have just gone up, with players now posting 100/200 (last level before antes).  A few players have already started to build above average stacks, including:

Lawrence Solins - 43,000
Jedi Donkey Pham - 39,000
James Sloat - 32,000
Eric Rivkin - 27,000
Richard Pfaff - 23,000
Joe Simmons - 21,000
Taylor Honkofsky - 18,000

Event 1 (Day 1A): Satellites Running This Week

Level 3 (Blinds 75/150)
Total Entries: 127

What would a tournament series be without the option to satellite into events for fractions of the price?  This week there will be four satellites run for $70, awarding (1) seat for every $500 in the prize pool to Event 5 ($500 NLH Double Black Chip Bounty $30,000 Guarantee) or Event 15 ($500 NL Hold'em $150,000 Guarantee).  Here is the schedule for the week:

Monday July 7 - 7:15pm
Tuesday July 8 - 7:15pm
Wednesday July 9 - 7:15pm
Thursday July 10 - 11:15am

Event 1 (Day 1A): Blinds Going Up...So Is Hulbert

Level 3 (Blinds 75/150)
Total Day 1A Entries: 122

Andrew Hulbert

As the number of entries in the field continues to climb, so do the blinds, as players are now posting 75/150 in Level 3.  On the final hand of the level at Table 32, Anthony Hulbert would be sitting with the all-in button in front of him on the river.  The board would read 2♦ A♠ 7♠ K♥ 10♠, and the action would be across the table on Andrew Hippler.  With the pot already over 10,000 Hippler would make the call (for his tournament life), only to see Hulbert table A♥ A♦.

Andrew would push his hand towards the muck, and Hulbert would rake in the pot worth over 30,000.

Event 1 (Day 1A): Starting Off Strong

Level 2 (Blinds 50/100)
Total Day 1A Entries: 115

Richard Pfaff

It didn't take long for the chips to start flying, as the action at Table 41 was caught on the flop.  On a board reading  2♦ 3♣ 10♥, Gordon Shackelford had a bet of 1,400 sitting in front of him.  The action would be on Richard Pfaff, who would collect a handful a chips and put in a raise to 4,400.  Gordon would look over Pfaff's way before announcing himself all-in, with Richard immediately making the call:

Pfaff: 10♣ 10♦ (top set)       Gordon: 2♣ 3♦ (bottom two)

Turn: K♣

River: 4♦

Shackelford would need to go runner-quads in order to win, with his hope dashed right away on the turn.  Pfaff quickly doubles his starting stack and sits with 31,000.

Event 1 (Day 1A): Keeping Tabs...And Tweets

Level 1 (Blinds 50/100)
Total Entries: 105

The first level of the day is just about in the books, with the blinds in Level 2 going up to 50/100.  The notables continue to take their seats, as Alan Lee, Joe Simmons, and Eric Rivkin all entered towards the end of Level 1.  This is Eric's first event since returning from Las Vegas and the WSOP, coming off a nice score at the Wynn Summer Classic.  Rivkin took down a $300 NL Hold'em during the series for just under $10,000.

Throughout the Live! Summer Series, one of the best ways to update chip counts or to find information regarding seating assignments and chips counts is Twitter.  If you're looking to get your updates noticed, make sure to Tweet @LivePoker (or) use the #LivePoker.

For live updates during the Live! Summer Series of Poker go to our blog: http://http://t.co/UQ3LCM9gLE #LivePoker @LivePokerRoom
— Maryland Live! (@MarylandLive) July 7, 2014

Event 1 (Day 1A): Familiar Faces In The Field

Level 1 (Blinds 25/50)
Total Day 1A Entries: 93

Jason Rivkin (Tinton Falls, NJ)

The flow of players to enter the tournament area and take their seats has been steady since 11:30am, as tables begin to fill up.  There have already been a handful of recognizable faces spotted in the crowd, including:

Jason Rivkin
Aaron Pinson
Izzet Burak Temel
Jonathan Robinson
Jose De La Rosa
Andrew Hippler
Taylor Honkofsky
Andrew Interdonato
Jesse Letchworth
Gordon Shackelford
James Sloat

Event 1 (Day 1A): Cards In The Air

Level 1 (Blinds 25/50)
Total Day 1A Entries: 61

The rules announcement has just been made for the players seated, and the cards are now in the air!!! Today's play will run through Level 16, with registration open until the end of Level 6.  Players who are unable to make this first starting flight (or do not bag chips) still have the opportunity to play Day 1B or 1C (Tuesday/Wednesday respectively).

As the players begin to settle in, a list of notables will be posted, along with all of the action that follows.

Live! Summer Series Event 1 ($125,000 Guarantee) Kicks Off At 12:15pm

It was only four months ago that Live! Poker Room's first ever tournament series (Live! Poker Classic) was finishing, and filming of Poker Night In America wrapped up.  Since that day, both players and staff alike have been looking forward to the next series, with the wait finally ending this afternoon.  Event 1 of the 2014 Live! Summer Series Of Poker kicks off this highly anticipated series, with cards in the air at 12:15pm.  The $300 buy-in no limit hold'em event carries with it a $125,000 guarantee, with the opportunity to enter over three starting days (Monday-Wednesday).

Players will begin with a 15,000 starting stack, with levels lasting (30) minutes throughout Day 1, transitioning to (40) minutes on Day 2 (Thursday).  Late entries as well as re-entries are allowed for the first six levels, with Day 1 play finishing up after the conclusion of Level 16.  For a full structure sheet with rules, click here.  There are also two things that can not go by unmentioned in relation to this opening event:

- The chip leader at the end of each Day 1 will receive a $1,000 bonus.
- The winner of this event will be rewarded a seat into the $2,200 Live Summer Series Main Event.

Live coverage of Event will begin today at 12:15 and continue through the event's conclusion on Thursday.