Friday, July 25, 2014

Event 17 (Day 1A): Rothbard...Wire To Wire

Level 9 (Blinds 400/800/100)
Total Entries: 71
Players Remaining: 28

Rothbard Takes The Bonus
With just over 174,200, Michael Rothbard (Potomac, MD) bags the $5,000 chip lead bonus.  It looked a little shaky during the latter stages of the day, but Rothbard goes wire to wire.  He had 90,000 in Level 2 and 230,000 before other players could even see 100,000.

The end of Day 1A chip counts will be posted in about an hour, and tomorrow's live coverage of Day 1B will follow at 12:15pm.

Event 17 (Day 1A): Hastings In The Hunt

Level 9 (Blinds 400/800/100)
Total Entries: 71
Players Remaining: 30

After eliminating Jesse Chinni just moments ago, Brian Hastings has chipped up to 135,000, and he is now in the hunt for the end of flight bonus.  An update on the other contenders sees Michael Rothbard (175,000), Arnold Dinio (156,000), and Sandra Boyd (140,000) the only three ahead of Hastings.

When the clock reads 10:00, the tournament supervisor will pause the clock and announce how many hands remain in the night.  Once those hands are finished, the players left will bag and tag their chips for Day 2 on Sunday.  The end of Day 1A chip counts as well as the winner of the chip lead bonus will be posted on the live updates page shortly thereafter.

Event 17 (Day 1A): It's Wide Open Now

Level 9 (Blinds 400/800/100)
Total Entries: 71
Players Remaining: 31

As easy as it may seem to hold onto a solid chip lead, but doing it wire to wire is just not something that happens often.  Michael Rothbard has trended down since the end of Level 8, and he just lost a pot to Samuel Wasserman that makes the bonus accessible by a good number of players.  Rothbard would call a 38,000 raise on the turn of a board that read 9♠ Q♥ 5 10♠, and the two would see the 6 on the river.  With the pot over 90,000,  Rothbard would check to Samuel, who then pushed his remaining chips across his cards (~45,000).

Michael would fold his cards and with that conceding the pot to Wasserman, who chips up to 150,000.  Rothbard would be left with 181,000 after the hand, and although he still leads the field, the discrepancy is only a fraction of what it used to be.

Event 17 (Day 1A): Players In Contention

Level 9 (Blinds 400/800/100)
Total Entries: 71
Players Remaining: 33

With registration closed and the exact number of players remaining (33 active), we can now look at those who are in contention for the chip lead bonus.  There are many players who are just a couple of big pots away from a big number, but here are those who have the bonus in grasp to start the level:

Michael Rothbard - 216,000
Sandy Boyd - 155,000
Arnold Dinio - 151,000
Brian Hastings - 123,000
John Moore - 115,000
Faramarz Firoozabidi - 110,000

Event 17 (Day 1A): Here Comes Boyd

Level 8 (Blinds 300/600/75)
Total Entries: 71

Sandra Boyd (Williamsburg, VA)
There were hands waving over the media to Table 40, so it was clear something big was happening.  On  a flop of 4 6♠ 8♠, Matthew Shafman would have a bet of 28,000 in front of him.  Michael Rothbard had a raise to 48,000 in front of him, with Sandra Boyd (42,000) and Edward Stanish (35,000) all-in behind.  Shafman would fold with action back on him and the three hands would be tabled:

Rothbard: 9♠ 9♣ (over pair to board)
Boyd: A♠ 5♠ (combo draw)
Stanish: 5♣ 7♣ (flopped straight)

Turn: J
River: K♠

Stanish would ask aloud for his hand to hold, and it stayed clean on the turn.  The river would be a different story as it brought Sandra the flush, giving her the pot and almost quadrupling her stack.  Boyd now has 160,000 in front of her, and Rothbard dips below 200,000 after absorbing the loss.

Event 17 (Day 1A): Final Break Then Final Level

Players are heading out on their final (15) minute break of the day, and they will return to Level 9 and blinds of 400/800/100.  Once they return and the clock starts up for Level 9, registration will close for any and all entries, and the final numbers will be posted.  Updated chip counts will be taken while players are away from the table, and posted once they return.  Michael Rothbard has stayed steady and hasn't yet dipped back below 200,000, but other players are beginning to creep up the ladder.

Event 17 (Day 1A): St. Hilaire Sticks Around

Level 8 (Blinds 300/600/75)
Total Entries: 71

James St. Hilaire (Glen Burnie, MD) has just under 20 big blinds in front of him, and moments ago open shoved from middle position.  He was called by Brian Kurrus, and watched then as the action folded around:

St. Hilaire: 5♣ 5♠       Kurrus: A♣ 10

Flop: K♠ K 9♣

Turn: 7♠

River: K♣

Although Kurrus didn't manage to flop a pair, he gained even more outs against James's pocket fives on the paired board.  The spade on the turn would help a little more, taking away any of Brian's outs that were spades.  The king on the river would seal the hand for St. Hilaire and he would double up to 21,000.

Event 17 (Day 1A): Full Field Update

Level 8 (Blinds 300/600/75)
Total Entries: 70

Keeping up with the trend of the series, here is the full field that remains active at the moment:

Table 29:
  1. Matteo Menna
  2. Arnold Dinio
  3. Jason Deutsch
  4. Roger Low
  5. Taylor Honkofsky
  6. Jesse Yaginuma
  7. Denis Gnidash
Table 30:
  1. Gang Tao
  2. Charles Reed
  3. Eric Rivkin
  4. John Moore
  5. Sang Kim
  6. James St. Hilaire
  7. Brian Kurrus
Table 31:
  1. Robert Miller
  2. Andrew Brokos
  3. Christian Harder
  4. Brian Hastings
  5. Elia Ahmadian
  6. Irving McKenzie
  7. Jesse Chinni
Table 32:
  1. Christopher Kojack
  2. Brian Woods
  3. Mark Shaffery
  4. Vichien Siprajim
  5. Cliff Goldkind
  6. Joshua Pollock
  7. Joe Wagner
  8. Samuel Wasserman
Table 40:
  1. Matthew Shafman
  2. Eric Landy
  3. Michael Rothbard
  4. Eric Montemaggi
  5. Sandra Boyd
  6. Edward Stanish
  7. Scott Blumenfeld
  8. Faramarz Firoozabadi

Event 17 (Day 2): The Life Of A Boss

Level 8 (Blinds 300/600/75)
Total Entries: 69

For The Fans At Home
Many of the faces that are in the field at the moment are those that poker fans have seen on TV, and follow on Twitter and other social media outlets.  A player not in the tournament walked by Table 31 and immediately went over to Brian Hastings and asked for a picture. Brian was happy to oblige, as Christian Harder snapped the shot for the fan.  Richie Smith jokingly said to the fan, "It's ok...you can ask Christian for a picture as well."  When the fan replied, "Alright then," the table erupted in laughter.

Harder was also more than happy to take a photo with the fan (pictured left), and the table continued on.  These players are some of the faces of poker (and Maryland poker), and it's great to see such classy representation.

Event 17 (Day 1A): Last Level To Register

Level 8 (Blinds 300/600/75)
Total Entries: 69

The clock just struck all zeroes on Level 7, and players are now posting blinds of 300/600/75 in Level 8.  Once this levels ends (and the 15 minute break that follows), registration and re-entry will be closed for the day.

Event 17 (Day 1A): Gnidash Out...And Back In Again

Level 7 (Blinds 250/500/50)
Total Entries: 69

Faramarz Firooazabdi
There is another name to eclipse the 100,000, as Faramarz Firoozabadi busts Denis Gnidash.  The action was caught just as Faramarz called Gnidash's all-in for just over 20,000:

Faramarz: 10 10♠
Gnidash: A K

Runout: 6 10♣ 3♠ 9♣ 9♠

Faramarz would have Gnidash drawing to running straight cards after the flop, and drawing dead after the turn.  Firoozabadi collects the pot and chips up to 104,000, as Denis walks over to the tournament podium and finds a new seat in the field.

Event 17 (Day 1A): Still Short...But Still Alive

Level 7 (Blinds 250/500/50)
Total Entries: 68

Kenneth Aldridge (Pleasant Garden, NC)
The media would be remiss to not mention a third WSOP bracelet winner in the field, especially when he doubles up to stay alive.  Kenneth Aldridge (Pleasant Garden, NC) won his bracelet in the $1,500 No Limit Hold'em (Six Handed) during the 2009 WSOP.  Aldridge would take home $428,259 for the score, and follow that up with a runner up finish at the 2011 WPT $3,500 Legends Of Poker Main Event ($365,800).

Kenneth just got in his remaining 10,000 in pre with Q Q♣ against the A A♠ of Kyle Bowker, but managed to flop a set and double up to 21,000.  Aldridge is still below the starting stack, but is still alive on his first bullet.

One player of note that was eliminated from this flight was Jane Hitchcock, leaving Sandy Boyd as the only female remaining in the field.

Event 17 (Day 1A): Back to Business

Level 7 (Blinds 250/500/50)
Total Entries: 67

Players have returned from dinner and they are ready to play the flight out (stops at conclusion of Level 9).  Here are some updated counts taken during dinner:

Michael Rothbard - 200,000
Samuel Wasserman - 100,000
John Moore - 85,000
Brian Hastings - 80,000
Matteo Menna - 75,000
Matthew Shafman - 74,000
Taylor Honkofsky - 44,000
Cliff Goldkind - 39,000
Christian Harder - 28,000
Denis Gnidash - 26,000

Event 17 (Day 1A): Dinner Break

Players are now heading on a (60) minute dinner break, with play resuming at approximately 7:50pm.  When they return the blinds will have gone up to 250/500/50, and there will still be two levels of registration open (ends after Level 8).   Updated chip counts will be posted shortly after players exit the tournament area.

Event 17 (Day 1A): Ladies Standing Strong

Level 6 (Blinds 200/400/50)
Total Entries: 63

There were two ladies to enter the field today (Jane Hitchcock and Susan Boyd), and both are still holding strong. Boyd is currently in better shape of the two with just over 60,000, while Hitchcock has just over the starting stack (32,000).  Both players have been able to stay away from Michael Rothbard, likely happy that they both have position on him.

Event 17 (Day 1A): Rothbard Still The Story

Level 6 (Blinds 200/400/50)
Total Entries: 62

There is a $5,000 bonus for the end of flight chip leader this evening, but for Day 1A it may be renamed the "Michael Rothbard Bonus."  Rothbard currently sits with 230,000 in front of him, just continuing his onslaught of the opening stages of this event.  Michael has over 13% of the total chips in play and he doesn't look to be slowing down at all.

The focus on players in contention for the bonus will still be updated throughout the rest of the day, but at the moment there is not another active player even over 100,000.

Event 17 (Day 1A): Moore Making Noise/Level Up

Level 6 (Blinds 200/400/50)
Total Entries: 61

John Moore (Columbia, MD)
Level 6 started just moments ago, with the blinds increasing to 200/400/50.  Those still active will finish this level before heading on a (45) minute dinner break.  There will then be three more levels played before the bagging process at the end of the night.

Another well known Maryland player, John Moore (Columbia, MD) has been trending upward since returning from break.  Moore currently sits with an above average stack of 80,000.  John may be recognized as more of a cash game player, but his breakout tournament score came just months ago.

John made a super deep run in Event #8 of this year's WSOP ($1,500 Millionaire Maker).  Moore finished in 13th place and earned himself $79,582.

Event 17 (Day 1A): Live! Regs Tangling

Level 5 (Blinds 150/300/25)
Total Entries: 61

Although the action on the hand was already over when approaching Table 29, the table talk explained much of the pertinent details.  On a board of 7 2 J♠ A 5♣, Richie Smith bet enough on the river to cover Arnold Dinio and put him at risk.  Dinio made the call with K♠ K♣ on the ace high board, and was complimented on his read by his table mates once Richie told him that the kings were good. After making the call and collecting the pot, Arnold doubles his original starting stack and sits with 62,000.

Event 17 (Day 1A): Harder's Late Arrival

Level 5 (Blinds 150/300/25)
Total Entries: 61

Christian Harder (Annapolis, MD)
Christian Harder (Annapolis, MD) got into the field just moments before players headed off to break.  He was seated at Table 31, directly to the right of Brian Hastings.  The lineup at that table is pretty beast, with Jason Deutsch, Brian Hastings, Tim Little, and Jesse Chinni making up half the names.

Harder is not only one of the top players out of Maryland, but he's also one of the top tournament players in the world.  Christian has over $2,960,000 in career tournament earnings, including his most recent cash during the Aria/PartyPoker WPT 500 (4th Place - $90,000).

Chrisitan is just one of a well known group of players to come out of Maryland, a poker community that has brought us the likes of Greg Merson, Anthony Gregg, Brock Parker, Daniel Kelly, Jeff Gross, and Phil Galfond.

Event 17 (Day 1A): Updated Chip Counts

Level 5 (Blinds 100/200/25)
Total Entries: 59

With players having exited the tournament area during break, accurate chip counts were collected from the field:

Michael Rothbard - 170,000
Jesse Chinni - 70,000
Susan Boyd - 64,000
Irving McKenzie - 63,000
John Moore - 52,000
Richie Smith - 48,000
Arnold Dinio - 36,000
Eric Rivkin - 33,000
Christian Harder - 30,000
Brian Hastings - 28,000
Jason Deutsch - 25,000
Cliff Goldkind - 23,000
Denis Gnidash - 13,000

Event 17 (Day 1A): Hastings Joins The Fray

Level 4 (Blinds 100/200/25)
Total Entries: 57

Brian Hastings (Ithaca, NY)
Add another WSOP bracelet winner to the field as Brian Hastings (Ithaca, NY) takes his seat at Table 31.  Brian is one of the top players in the world, known for both his online and live results.  Hastings has over $1,257,000 in recorded tournament earnings, including the bracelet won at the 2012 WSOP in Event # 12 ($10,000 No Limit Hold'em - Heads Up).

Hastings will be part of Poker Night In America, the televised cash game to be played the two days following the conclusion of this Main Event.

Players are currently going on their second (15) minute break and will return to Level 5 and blinds of 150/300/25.

Live! Summer Series Of Poker (Event 16): Final Results

Live! Summer Series Of Poker
July 23, 2014

Event 16 - $220 No Limit Hold'em
$10,000 Guarantee

Final Results:


Place Player Name Hometown Prize
1 Nathan Whiting Glen Burine MD $2,200
2 Jewel Lastner  Forest Hill MD $2,000
3 Behrooz Shahzad  Laurel MD $2,000
4 Ryan Sentz  Perry Hall MD $2,000
5 Stephen Kawata Elkridge MD $2,000
6 Timothy Bryan  Fort Lauderdale, FL $1,508
7 Alexander Wright  Brooklyn MD $1,508
8 Brendon Sadowski Aberdeen MD $1,508
9 Allan Taylor  Owings Mills MD $1,508
10 Yun Oh Ellicott City MD $1,508
11 Hewett Andrews  Joppa MD $1,508
12 Robert Kosydar  Severna Park MD $1,508
13 Michael Camp  Baltimore MD $1,508

Event 17 (Day 1A): All In Good Fun

Level 4 (Blinds 100/200/25)
Total Entries: 56

While most of the tables in the field are fairly quiet, with all of the electronic devices and headphones at the table, players at Table 29 are having a little fun.  The group has been very chatty throughout the day, with a ton of laughs being heard from that area of the room.  Christopher Kojack just happened to tweet out some of the hijinks:

Event 17 (Day 1A): Level Up/Players Shifting

Level 4 (Blinds 100/200/25)
Total Entries: 55

Antes are now introduced to the field in Level 4, as the blinds have just gone up to 100/200/25 (55 total entries).  Kyle Bowker (Walton, NY) busted late in the last level, with his return to this flight still in question.  Newcomer to the field Eric Rivkin (East Hampton, NY) has filled Kyle's empty seat at Table 30, and he is seated next to Oleksand Onufriychuk (on his second bullet).

Live! Summer Series Of Poker (Event 15): Final Results

Live! Summer Series Of Poker
July 21-24, 2014

Event 15 - $500 No Limit Hold'em (Re-Entry)
$150,000 Guarantee

Final Results:


Place Player Name Hometown Prize
1 Michael Dorsch Gibsonia, PA $32,567
2 Jefferey Chang Washington, DC $32,567
3 William Beer Catonsville, MD $27,000
4 Viet Le Roanoke, VA $26,300
5 Andrew Powderly Reisterstown, MD $26,016
6 Scott Calcagno Adelaide, SA $8,863
7 Tam Nguyen Harrisburg, PA $6,791
8 Sean Byars Fairfax, VA $4,834
9 David Tran Annandale, VA $3,453
10 Vincent Caesar Newark, DE $2,647
11 Timothy Weslow Odenton, MD $2,647
12 Demetrios Kappatos Sterling, VA $2,647
13 John Campbell Hummels Town, PA $2,072
14 Ravi Repole College Park, MD $2,072
15 William Kopp Brecksville, OH $2,072
16 Cory Robinson  Memphis, TN $1,726
17 Steven Kang Laurel, MD $1,726
18 Kenneth Taffaro Mooresville, NC $1,726
19 Matthew Brunskole Toronto, Canada $1,496
20 RJM McLaughlin Washington, DC $1,496
21 Sudha Baxter Silver Spring, MD $1,496
22 James Bushmire Greer, SC $1,496
23 Trenton Cunnigham Baltimore, MD $1,496
24 Nicholas Condo Philadelphia, PA $1,496
25 Kyle Bowker Walton, NY $1,496
26 Marc Gendleman Annapolis, MD $1,496
27 Vito DePaul Germantown, MD $1,496
28 Charles Welch Dundalk, MD $1,266
29 Eric Montemaggi Washington, DC $1,266
30 Theodore Hickman Frederick, MD $1,266
31 Ryan Sentz  Perry Hall, MD $1,266
32 William Bloom Marriottsville, MD $1,266
33 Darien Martin Baltimore, MD $1,266
34 Ralph Wong Washington, DC $1,266
35 Joseph Morris Leesburg, VA $1,266
36 Marc Gordon North Potomac, MD $1,266
37 Bradford Altman King George, VA $1,036
38 Jeromy Bitton Baltimore, MD $1,036
39 Daniel Chan New York ,NY $1,036
40 Dean Mikulla Frederick, MD $1,036
41 Douglas Swirsky Gaithersburg, MD $1,036
42 Jeffrey Yeh Miami, FL $1,036
43 Jeffrey Esterling Arnold, MD $1,036
44 Kunal Shah Baltimore, MD $1,036
45 Richard Ali Pittsburg, PA $1,036
46 Joshua Mischel Baltimore, MD $921
47 Jeffery Dolezal Fairfax, VA $921
48 Gang Tao Brooklyn, MD $921
49 Eric Laliberte Montreal, Canada $921
50 Harry Korotki Owings Mills, MD $921
51 Christopher Kojack Glen Burnie, MD $921
52 Michael Vida Herndon, VA $921
53 Reymundo Reyes Fort Washington, MD $921
54 Arnold Dinio Bowie, MD $921

Event 17 (Day 1A): Chinni Doubles

Level 3 (Blinds 100/200)
Total Entries: 51

Jesse Chinni (Ellicott City, MD)
While the action leading up to the all-in has not yet been verified, Jesse Chinni's stack would be all-in on a flop of 5♠ 7♠ A, with Irving Mckenzie's stack pushed towards the middle as well (having Jesse covered).  The hands were then tabled:

Chinni: 7♣ 7
Mckenzie: 6♠ 9♠

Flop: 5♠ 7♠ A
Turn: 2♣
River: Q

Chinni would fade the combo draw of Mckenzie and double to 94,000.  After absorbing the loss, Irving would still have just over the original starting stack to deal with.

Event 17 (Day 1A): Second Bullet Busts The First

Level 3 (Blinds 100/200)
Total Entries: 51

Joseph Cashen
Joseph Cashen was unlucky to bust his first bullet as he got his chips in with A 5on the turn of a board of A♣ 5 8 Q♠.  Matthew Shafman held A♠ K♣ and would win the hand when the river Q♣ hit the felt, counterfeiting Cashen's two pair.

Cashen bought back into the field, and just busted (effectively) Oleksand Onufriychuk.  Joseph flopped a set against Oleksand's over pair, doubling up and leaving Onufriychuk with just 600 in chips.  It has not yet been verified whether Oleksand will be entering back into the flight.  Cashen, on the other hand,  now sits with just over 43,000.

Event 17 (Day 1A): Local Flare

Level 3 (Blinds 100/200)
Total Entries: 49

Players are making their way back to their tables with only one minute now remaining in break.  A trend that has been spotted for this event has been the number of local notables (players who call Live! their home room).  Many of these players are satellite winners from those run over the past two weeks, others are buying directly in:

Olasupo Dosunmu
Arnold Dinio
Christopher Kojack
Gang Tao
Oleksand Onufriychuk
Mark Taranto

Event 17 (Day 1A): First Break/Updated Counts

Players are going on their first (15) minute break of the day, and they will return to Level 3 and blinds of 100/200.  The total number of entries at the moment sits at (49), with already a few people firing more than one bullet.  Here are some updated chip counts as players leave their tables for a few moments:

Michael Rothbard - 97,000
Jesse Chinni - 50,000
Susan Boyd - 41,000
James St. Hilaire - 41,000
Matteo Menna - 34,000
Denis Gnidash - 24,000
Jason Deutsch - 23,000
Kyle Bowker - 18,000
Cliff Goldkind - 15,500
Joshua Gordon - 15,000

Event 17 (Day 1A): All Of The Chips Early

Level 2 (Blinds 75/150)
Total Entries: 49

Michael Rothbard (Potomac, MD)
It usually takes some time for the real action to begin in tournaments with this structure/starting stack.  Players sit down with over 300 big blinds, so to see those chips fly in the first level is a little unusual.  That is not the case for Michael Rothbard (Potomac, MD), who is sitting with 95,000 in front of him.  Michael has tripled his starting stack over the first (90) minutes of the flight, a number that most people would be happy bagging at the end of the day.

Not much is known about Rothbard the poker player, but some research shows his long history in the broadcast, sports, and agency business.  Michael was Vice President (Broadcast and Marketing) for the Washington Redskins, before starting his own company in 2003 (Execituve Media Communications).

Event 17 (Day 1A): Noticing The Notables

Level 2 (Blinds 75/150)
Total Entries: 47

Denis Gnidash (Fair Lawn, NJ)
While the number of out of state players traveling to play events during this series was a nice surprise, it was known ahead of time that this event was going to attract players from all over.  Denis Gnidash (Fair Lawn, NJ) has cashes across the country, and even one from the EPT in Barcelona.  Prior to heading to Las Vegas for this year's WSOP, he won the $2,200 Borgata Summer Poker Open Main Event for over $150,000.  Denis's last eight cashes have been in events with buy-ins over $1,000, so it was clear that this Main Event was in his sights.  Other late entries to walk into the tournament area over the past (45) minutes include:

Jason Deutsch
Tim Little
Jesse Chinni
Jane Hitchcock
Sandra Boyd
Vichien Siprajim
Brian Woods

Event 17 (Day 1A): A Solid Start

Level 2 (Blinds 75/150)
Total Entries: 43

The first level of the day is now in the books, and players will be posting blinds of 75/150 in Level 2. As the field continues to grow in size, it also gets a little tougher with each new name signing up.  Here are some of the players that were seated when the cards first got in the air:

James St. Hilaire
Matteo Menna
Kylel Bowker
Cliff Goldkind
Joseph Cashen
Joshua Gordon

Event 17 (Day 1A): Model Of Consistency

Level 1 (Blinds 50/100)
Total Entries: 32

Kyle Bowker (Walton, NY)
While Kyle Bowker (Walton, NY) may not have a WSOP bracelet, he does boast the best tournament resume of the active field.  Bowker has (92) recorded tournament cashes, totaling over $2,388,000.

Bowker has a WSOP circuit ring (2014 Harrah's Chester $1,675 Main) and numerous deep runs in the WSOP Main Event.  His breakout score came in 2006 when he finished 37th in the WSOP Main, taking home $247,000.  He would make history later that year when he became the first player to win two WCOOP bracelets in one year (2006 WCOOP Omaha Hi/lo and Stud Hi/Lo).

He cashed yesterday during Day 2 of Event 15, but his score before that was yet again another WSOP Main deep run.  Kyle finished in 71st place this year, earning himself $103,025.

Event 17 (Day 1A): Bracelets Of The Gold-Kind

Level 1 (Blinds 50/100)
Total Entries: 28

Cliff Goldkind (Potomac, MD)
There are a handful of "heroes" in the intimate field at the moment, with collective tournament earnings in play of over $5,000,000.  Of the players in the field, there is only one with a WSOP bracelet, and that is Cliff Goldkind (Potomac, MD).

Goldkind won Event # 19 of the 2012 WSOP ($1,500 No Limit Hold'em), earning himself $559,514.  He bested a final table that hosted the likes of Barry Shulman and David Peters, eventually beating notable tournament pro Kenni Nguyen heads up.

Cliff has since recieved a degree from graduate school (just months ago), and is now concentrating on his poker career.  His most recent score came last week when he won Event 11 ($230 No Limit Hold'em) of this series.

Event 17 (Day 1A): Let's Get This Show On The Road

Level 1 (Blinds 50/100)
Total Day 1A Entries: 24

Tournament supervisor Jason Heidenthal is just finishing up with the rules announcement for the players that are already seated, and the cards are now in the air.  The structure for this event lends for late arrivals, so the stream of players entering the event should be steady all afternoon.  Once players have an opportunity to take their seats and get comfortable, a list of familiar faces in the crowd will be posted.

Event 17 (Day 1A): It's Time!!!

You can call it the "high point," "focal point," "best part," but however you choose to term it, it's the Live Summer Series Of Poker Main Event.  Event 17 will draw some of the top players in the world, traveling from all over the country to play in the $2,200 No Limit Hold'em event with a $250,000 Guarantee.

The Day 1A starting flight will see players sitting down to a 30,000 starting stack, with (60) minute levels throughout the tournament.  Late entries and re-entries are allowed for the first eight levels, with a total of nine levels played on each Day 1 starting flight.  The chip leader at the end of each starting flight will earn themselves a $5,000 bonus.  The action begins at 12:15pm, with live coverage kicking off the minute the cards are in the air.

Event 15 (Day 2): 1st Place - Dorsch ($32,567)

Level 28 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 543
Players Remaining: 5

Michael Dorsch (Pittsburgh, PA)
The remaining players have taken their time breaking down the numbers, and have agreed to a five-way chop.  Here are the numbers they agreed to:

Michael Dorsch - $32,567
Jefferey Chang - $32,567
William Beer - $27,000
Viet Le - $26,300
Andrew Powderly - $26,016

Event 15 (Day 2): 2nd Place - Chang ($32,567)

Level 28 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 543
Players Remaining: 5

Jefferey Chang (Washington D.C.)
The remaining players have taken their time breaking down the numbers, and have agreed to a five-way chop.  Here are the numbers they agreed to:

Michael Dorsch - $32,567
Jefferey Chang - $32,567
William Beer - $27,000
Viet Le - $26,300
Andrew Powderly - $26,016

Event 15 (Day 2): 3rd Place - Beer ($27,000)

Level 28 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 543
Players Remaining: 5

William Beer (Baltimore, MD)
The remaining players have taken their time breaking down the numbers, and have agreed to a five-way chop.  Here are the numbers they agreed to:

Michael Dorsch - $32,567
Jefferey Chang - $32,567
William Beer - $27,000
Viet Le - $26,300
Andrew Powderly - $26,016

Event 15 (Day 2): 4th Place - Le ($26,300)

Level 28 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 543
Players Remaining: 5

Viet Le (Roanoke, VA)
The remaining players have taken their time breaking down the numbers, and have agreed to a five-way chop.  Here are the numbers they agreed to:

Michael Dorsch - $32,567
Jefferey Chang - $32,567
William Beer - $27,000
Viet Le - $26,300
Andrew Powderly - $26,016

Event 15 (Day 2): 5th Place - Powderly ($26,016)

Level 28 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 543
Players Remaining: 5

Andrew Powderly (Reiterstown, MD)
The remaining players have taken their time breaking down the numbers, and have agreed to a five-way chop.  Here are the numbers they agreed to:

Michael Dorsch - $32,567
Jefferey Chang - $32,567
William Beer - $27,000
Viet Le - $26,300
Andrew Powderly - $26,016

Event 15 (Day 2): 6th Place - Calcagno ($8,863)

Level 28 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 543
Players Remaining: 5

Scott Calcagno (Melboune, Aus)
Scott Calcagno was the second shortest stack and would open shove for 675,000.  Next to act would be Tam Nguyen (shortest stack), and he would shove as well for less.  Action would fold around to Michael Dorsch in the big blind, and he would make the call...putting both players at risk:

Calcagno: 7 7
Nguyen: Q♣ Q
Dorsch: K♠ K

Runout: A♠ 9♠ 6♠ 2♣ 9

Players are once again discussing a chop, and the update on that discussion will be updated shortly.

Event 15 (Day 2): 7th Place - Nguyen ($6,791)

Level 28 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 543
Players Remaining: 5

Tam Nguyen (United States)
Scott Calcagno was the second shortest stack and would open shove for 675,000.  Next to act would be Tam Nguyen (shortest stack), and he would shove as well for less.  Action would fold around to Michael Dorsch in the big blind, and he would make the call...putting both players at risk:

Calcagno: 7 7
Nguyen: Q♣ Q
Dorsch: K♠ K

Runout: A♠ 9♠ 6♠ 2♣ 9

Since Nguyen was the shortest stack of the three players, he finishes in 7th place.

Players are once again discussing a chop, and the update on that discussion will be updated shortly.

Event 15 (Day 2): 8th Place - Byars ($4,834)

Level 28 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 543
Players Remaining: 7

Sean Byars (Fairfax, VA)
Sean Byars was the shortest stack coming back from break, and just got it in pre against Andrew Powderly:

Byars: 4♠ 4♣
Powderly: J J

Flop: A♠ 6 8
Turn: 9
River: A

Byars was a big dog when they cards were tabled and could not find any help on the runout. This will be Sean's largest recorded lifetime score, with his 47th place finish in the Big Stax VI 500 at Parx Casino ($1,295).

Event 15 (Day 2): ICM Thoughts?

Level 28 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 543
Players Remaining: 8

It will be interesting to see how the talk over the numbers effects the play at the final table.  The player who is eliminated next will earn $4,834, while the lowest number discussed during the ICM talk was just over $14,000.  The chip average at the moment is exactly (20) big blinds, with only two players at the table over that number.

Event 15 (Day 2): No Chop

Level 28 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 543
Players Remaining: 8

After breaking out the ICM calculator and going over the numbers, players have decided not to chop and continue playing for a little longer.

Event 15 (Day 2): Break Time/Chip Updates

Players are heading on break and will be returning to blinds of 25,000/50,000/5,000 in Level 28.  Here are updated final table chip counts:
  1. Viet Le - 1,100,000
  2. Michael Dorsch - 950,000
  3. Andrew Powderly - 925,000
  4. William Beer - 950,000
  5. Sean Byars - 450,000
  6. Scott Calcagno - 625,000
  7. Tam Nguyen - 730,000
  8. Jefferey Chang - 2,500,000

Event 15 (Day 2): Nguyen-ing

Level 27 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 543
Players Remaining: 8

Tam Nguyen shoved under the gun for 200,000, with the action folding around to William Beer on the button.  Beer would make the call and the hands would be tabled:

Beer: Q♠ J♣       Nguyen: 9 9♠

Flop: 4♠ 8 6♠

Turn: 6

River: 8♠

Nguyen would continue to double up his short stack, keeping himself alive (but still short).  Tam has stayed alive with a stack below (20) big blinds for over three levels now.

Event 15 (Day 2): Calcagno Doubles...Still Short

Level 27 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 543
Players Remaining: 8

Scott Calcagno open shoved for his remaining 210,000, with action folding around to Michael Dorsch in the small blind.  Dorsch would make the call and Andrew Powderly folded behind.  Calcagno would be at risk, but held the best hand going in with A K against Dorsch's Q 10.  The board would quickly runout clean for Scott and he would double to just under 500,000, still half the average stack though.  Michael Dorsch continues his roller coaster day and is back down to 620,000 after absorbing the loss.

Event 15 (Day 2): 9th Place - Chan ($3,453)

Level 27 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 543
Players Remaining: 8

David Tran (Annandale, VA)
The fact that David Tran finished in eigth place (even made the final table) is a true feat.  Tran was down to 60,000 when the blinds were 10,000/20,000, managed to get a few doubles, and got himself right back in the mix.  He was the second shortest stack at the table, and shoved over an open from Andrew Powderly (Powderly would call):
&
Powderly: A Q
Tran: K♣ J♠

Runout: Q♣ J♠ 4♠ 9♣ 3

Tran had nine prior results to this one, total just under $16,000.  This is the second largest score of David's career, with his largest coming earlier this series during Event 4 ($350 No Limit Hold'em - 4th Place $6,649).