Event 1 (Day 1B)

Level 17 (2,500/5,000/500)
Total Event 1 Entries: 1,757
Players Remaining:  332
Average Stack: 132,000

In total, 332 players have advanced from the four Day 1 sessions of the $500,000 GTD opening event of this year’s Fall Poker Open. They will return to Level 17, to not only play into the money, but to also play down to the final 18 players. Going from over 300 down to just two tables is not going to be a quick process, so the returning Day 2 players should all be prepared for a series grind, a grind that will start at 12 PM.

The majority of the Day 2 restart will take place in the Signature Room, with Tables 1-25 starting and finishing their day in the Signature Room. All other tables will start in the Poker Room and then move themselves across the hall as the field consolidates prior to the money bubble. That money bubble likely won’t come into focus for a few hours and when an official Event 1 payout structure is produced, we’ll post it for both players and blog followers to reference.

Before players lock up an Event 1 cash, they need to know where they’re sitting to start Day 2 and that information is provided below in our searchable and sortable Day 2 seating assignment chart:

Read More

Level 16: (2,000/4,000/400)
Total Day 1A & 1B Entries: 540
Players Remaining: 104
Avg Chips: 132,000

This Day 1C field is just a few minutes from the first break of the day and while we are going to continue with our 1C coverage on the other side of that break, heading into it, there is some housekeeping to address from yesterday’s two starting flights. In total, 540 players entered Day 1A and 1B and when it was all said and done, 104 players advanced to Thursday’s Day 2 session.

There were a few big stacks to come out of each flight but player’s trying to make Day 2 today will all be chasing Stephanie Hubbard, who bagged just shy of 475,000. That number is more than 150,000 chips better than her nearest competitor, as Dennis McCann came out of Day 1A with 310,000. Those two were the only players over the 300,000 chip mark, with a handful of players falling just short of that number, including John Castaldo, Jon Gottlieb and Roman Valerstein, to round out the top five.

It will be interesting to see if anyone in either of today’s flights can match Hubbard’s massive stack, as a nearly 500,000 chip stack is usually good for the clubhouse lead heading into Day 2 in BPO opening events. A complete list of the 104 players that have already advanced is provided below in our sortable and searchable chart:

It should also be noted that this event is a best stack forward tournament, meaning that players are allowed to play future starting flights, even if they’ve already bagged chips.

Read More

Level 16: (2,000/4,000/400)
Total Entries: 540
Flight B Entries: 227
Players Remaining: 48
Avg Chips: 118,229

When the smoke cleared it was John Castaldo bagging 295,000. Castaldo held a healthy stack through much of the night and is leading the returning 48 players. A full list of chips counts will be posted as soon as they are available.

Here is a list of some of the top chip stacks that will be returning for Day 2.

John Castaldo: 295,000
Chris Lim: 282,000
Mohsen Salha- 275,000
Gordon Dunlop- 195,000
Matt Stout-166,000

Read More

Level 16: (2,000/4,000/400)
Total Entries: 540
Flight B Entries: 228
Players Remaining: 59
Avg Chips: 94,583

Brian Lee raises to 9,000 from early position.The action folds to the player in the big blind and he moves all in for 91,000 which is much of Lee’s remaining stack. Lee goes into the tank for a few moments before sliding out the call.

Lee: {5s}{5d}
Opponent: {Ah}{ks}

The dealer spreads a flop of {kc}{3c}{2s} and Lee’s opponent takes the lead flopping a king. Lee will need a five or running straight cards to win the pot. The {5h} spikes on the turn giving Lee a set of fives. His opponent will need a river four for a straight to win the pot. The {jh} completes the board. Lee scoops the pot and eliminates his opponent.

Brian Lee: 210,000

Read More

Level 16: (2,000/4,000/400)
Total Entries: 540
Flight B Entries: 228
Players Remaining: 60
Avg Chips: 94,583

This will be the last level of play before the players bag and tag their chips.

Read More

Level 15: (1,500/3,000/400)
Total Entries: 540
Flight B Entries: 228
Players Remaining: 60
Avg Chips: 94,583

Chris Lim was all in for 145,700 on a flop of {9c}{7c}{6d} with over 50,000 in the main pot already. His opponent made the call and the hands were revealed.

Lim: {9h}{9s}
Opponent: {Ks}{kh}

Lim was way out in front with his top set and would need to avoid a king to scoop the biggest pot of the night. The turn brought the {ad} and the {6c} completed the board earning Lim the massive double up. Lim is the chip leader with over 350,000 with just a few minutes left to play in level 15.

Read More

Level 12: (200/800/1,600)
Total Entries: 540
Flight B Entries: 228
Players Remaining: 73
Avg Chips: 77,740

The action folds around to Jesse Cohen on the button who moves all in for his last 33,700. The player in the small blind calls and the hands are revealed.

Cohen: {9s}{7s}
Opponent: {as10h}

The dealer fans a flop of {ks}{4s}{4h} and Cohen flops a flush draw. The turn brings the {3h} which is no help to Cohen. The {9c} completes the board and Cohen doubles up to around the chip average with his pair of nines.

Jesse Cohen: 71,000

Read More

Level 13: (1,000/2,000/300)
Total Entries: 540
Flight B Entries: 228
Players Remaining: 84

John Castaldo: 220,000
Brian Lee: 170,000
Chris Lim: 165,000
Roman Valerstein- 105,000

Read More

Level 12: (200/800/1,600)
Total Entries: 540
Flight B Entries: 227
Players Remaining: 110

Matthew Wantman registered the tournament in the 11th level just before late registration closed. Wantman has had success here at Borgata winning the Borgata Winter Open in January for over $50,000. Wantman is coming off his best month as a poker pro this past October. He began by chopping the Foxwoods Poker Finals for $58,000. Wantman finished his October by chopping the $2,700 Foxwoods Poker Finals Main Event for $107,000. If his November is anything like his past month Wantman will be one to look out for here in Event 1.

Read More

Level 11: (600/1,200/200)
Total Entries: 512
Flight B Entries: 199
Players Remaining: 110

We caught up to the heads up action between Brian “Suhkoon” Lee and his opponent on a board reading {3c}{6d}{2c}{9c}{3h}. The player bet 12,100 into a pot of about 25,000. Lee moved all in covering his opponent who had 43,000 chips behind. Lee’s opponent thought it over but eventually threw his hand into the muck. Lee is now one of the biggest stacks in the room.

Brian “Suhkoon” Lee: 167,000

Read More