Live Classic Main (Day 3): Trophy Winner - Elia ($10,000 + Trophy)

Live Classic Main (Day 3)

$1,000 SNG (Trophy/$10,000)

Live Classic Trophy Winner Kevin Elia (Baltimore, MD)

Live! Classic Main (Day 3): 1st Place - Choe ($50,000) ***

Level 22 (Blinds 5,000/10,000/1,000)
Players Remaining: 8
Chip Average: 410,000

Minho Choe (Fulton, MD)
1st Place - $50,000

*** Denotes chop amount/place.  Players playing sit-n-go for trophy.

Live! Main Classic (Day 3): 2nd Place - Elia ($50,000) ***

Level 22 (Blinds 5,000/10,000/1,000)
Players Remaining: 8
Chip Average: 410,000

Kevin Elia (Baltimore, MD)
2nd Place - $50,000

*** Denotes chop amount/place.  Players playing sit-n-go for trophy.

Live! Classic Main (Day 3): 3rd Place - Saad ($45,000) ***

Level 22 (Blinds 5,000/10,000/1,000)
Players Remaining: 8
Chip Average: 410,000

Terry Saad (Fairfax, VA)
3rd Place - $45,000

*** Denotes chop amount/place.  Players playing sit-n-go for trophy.

Live! Classic Main (Day 3): 4th Place - Sita ($45,000) ***

Level 22 (Blinds 5,000/10,000/1,000)
Players Remaining: 8
Chip Average: 410,000

James Sita (Davidsonville, MD)
4th Place - $45,000

*** Denotes chop amount/place.  Players playing sit-n-go for trophy.

Live! Classic Main (Day 3): 5th Place - Punitas ($45,000) ***

Level 22 (Blinds 5,000/10,000/1,000)
Players Remaining: 8
Chip Average: 410,000

Gintautas Punitas (Richmond, VA)
5th Place - $45,000

*** Denotes chop amount/place.  Players playing sit-n-go for trophy.

Live! Classic Main (Day 3): 6th Place - Greenberg ($42,000) ***

Level 22 (Blinds 5,000/10,000/1,000)
Players Remaining: 8
Chip Average: 410,000

David Greenberg (Owings Mills, MD)
6th Place - $42,000

*** Denotes chop amount/place.  Players playing sit-n-go for trophy.

Live! Classic Main (Day 3): 7th Place - Welch ($38,900) ***

Level 22 (Blinds 5,000/10,000/1,000)
Players Remaining: 8
Chip Average: 410,000

Charles Welch (Dundalk, MD)
7th Place - $38,900

*** Denotes chop amount/place.  Players playing sit-n-go for trophy.

Live! Classic Main (Day 3): 8th Place - Goldkind ($38,900) ***

Level 22 (Blinds 5,000/10,000/1,000)
Players Remaining: 8
Chip Average: 410,000

Cliff Goldkind (Potomac, MD)
8th Place - $38,900

*** Denotes chop amount/place.  Players playing sit-n-go for trophy.

Live! Classic Main (Day 3): In Agreeance

Level 22 (Blinds 5,000/10,000/1,000)
Players Remaining: 8
Chip Average: 410,000

Discussing The Deal

It's difficult enough to get eight people to agree on where or what to eat for dinner, but the remaining eight players have agreed to a chop.  With the trophy up for grabs, all of the players have also agreed to play a $1,000 sit-n-go for the trophy (and the extra $10,000).

Here is the breakdown of the chop:

Total Prize Fund Remaining: $354,800

Payouts:

1. Minho Choe (Fulton, MD) - $50,000
2. Kevin Elia (Baltimore, MD) - $50,000
3. Terry Saad (Fairfax, VA) - $45,000
4. James Sita (Davidsonville, MD) - $45,000
5. Gintautas Punitas (Richmond, VA) - $45,000
6. David Greenberg -  (Owings Mills, MD) - $42,000
7. Charles Welch (Dundalk, MD) - $38,900
8. Cliff Goldkind (Potomac, MD) - $38,900

Live! Classic Main (Day 3): Discussing A Chop

Players are now discussing a deal, and once a decision is made, the chop numbers and information will be posted.

Live! Classic Main (Day 3): Chip Counts Updated

Level 22 (Blinds 5,000/10,000/1,000)
Players Remaining: 8
Chip Average: 410,000

1. Minho Choe - 580,000
2. David Greenberg - 320,000
3. Cliff Goldkind - 235,000
4. Kevin Elia - 515,000
5. Gintautas Punitas - 470,000
6. Charles Welch - 230,000
7. Terry Saad - 390,000
8. James Sita - 445,000

Live! Classic Main (Day 3): Break/Level Up

Players are going on their first break of the day, and when they return the blinds will be going up to 5,000/10,000/1,000.  The chip average of the nine remaining is 400,000 (40 blinds).

Live! Classic Main (Day 3): 9th Place - Emani ($7,987)

Level 21 (Blinds 4,000/8,000/1,000)

Players Remaining: 8

Chip Average: 400,000

Venkata Emani
9th Place - $7,987

The next had after folding to Goldkind, Emani called a raise pre from Minho Choe (on the button) out of position.  The two players went to the flop of K♠ J♦ 5♦, and Emani would check raise Choe's bet all-in.  Choe thought for a moment before making a big call:

Emani: 7♦ 8♦           Choe: A♥ 5♠

Flop: K♠ J♦ 5♦

Turn: Q♠ 

River: 2♣

Choe would call with bottom pair, and end up fading two overs and a flush draw.  Emani ended up playing for only about an hour today, but jumped three spots while he was gone.  Choe is now the chip leader of group, with over 530,000.

LIve! Classic Main (Day 3): Goldkind Gets Through

Level 21 (Blinds 4,000/8,000/1,000)

Players Remaining: 9

Chip Average: 363,000

Cliff Goldkind once all-in once more from early position, and the action would fold around to Venkata Emani in the big blind.  Venkata since arriving has trended downward, and the all-in amount of 96,000 from Cliff ended up being only 20,000 less than Emani had in front of him.  Venkata would eventually push his cards towards the muck, becoming the final table short stack.

Live! Classic Main (Day 3): Goldkind Short Once More

Level 21 (Blinds 4,000/8,000/1,000)

Players Remaining: 9

Chip Average: 363,000

Cliff Goldkind is once again the short stack at the table after having to fold to a river all-in from Gintautas Punitas.  On a board of 9♠ 6♥ 7♥ 3♣, Goldkind check-called a bet of 36,000 for Punitas.  Cliff would then check the 6♠ on the river, and Punitas would go all-in.  Goldkind would think for about tthre minutes before folding, leaving himself with 120,000 (15 blinds).

Live! Classic Main (Day 3): Level Up (Chip Counts Updated)

Level 21 is about to begin, with blinds going up to 4,000/8,000/1,000.  The chip average among the remaining nine players is about 45 bigs.  Here are updated chip counts at break:

1. Minho Choe - 405,000
2. Venkata Emani - 241,000 (who has shown up to his seat)
3. David Greenberg - 275,000
4. Cliff Goldkind - 163,000
5. Kevin Elia - 535,000
6. Gintautas Punitas - 465,000
7. Charles Welch - 330,000
8. Terry Saad - 460,000
9. James Sita - 430,000

Live! Classic Main (Day 3): 10th Place - Ort ($6,589)

Level 20 (Blinds 3,500/7,000/1,000)

Players Remaining: 9

Chip Average: 338,000

Joseph Ort (Anapolis, MD)
10th Place - $6,589

After James Sita limped for the 7,000 and Choe folded, Joseph Ort would go all-in.  Sita asked for the count (60,000), and would make the call:

Ort: K♥ 6♣          Sita: A♦ 10♦

Flop: 10♣ 6♥ 10♠

Turn: 4♠

River: 4♥

Sita chips up to 430,000 after winning the hand, while Joseph Ort collect his largest live tournament cash to date ($6,589).

Live! Classic Main (Day 3): Goldkind Doubles

Level 20 (Blinds 3,500/7,000/1,000)

Players Remaining: 10

Chip Average: 327,000

Cliff Goldkind came into Day 3 with the shortest stack, and jumped one spot since play has resumed.  Plans have changed for Cliff slightly as he hits a two-outer to double up via Minho Choe.  Cliff open shoved his remaining 83,500 and when the action folded to Choe he made the call:

Choe: J♣ J♠           Goldkind: 9♣9♥

Flop: K♣ K♥ 2♠

Turn: 9♦

River: 4♦

Goldkind gets the double and now has over 175,000.  After losing that hand (and the hand prior to James Sita), Choe is left with 250,000.

Live! Classic Main (Day 3): Final Table

Level 20 (Blinds 3,500/7,000/1,000)

Players Remaining: 10

Chip Average: 327,000

With Roland's elimination, the players combined for the final table:

Table 39:

1. Minhoe Choe
2. Joseph Ort
3. Venkata Emani
4. David Greenberg
5. Cliff Goldkind
6. Kevin Elia
7. Gintautas Punitas
8. Charles Welch
9. Terry Saad
10. James Sita

Something that should of been mentioned earlier is that Venkata Emani has still not arrived for Day 3 play.  Emani bagged 256,000 coming into today's play, but is continuously getting blinded out as time passes.

Live! Classic Main (Day 3): 11th Place - Israelashvili ($6,589)

Level 20 (Blinds 3,500/7,000/1,000)

Players Remaining: 10

Chip Average: 327,000

Roland Israelashvili (Forest Hill, NY)
11th Place - $6,589

About two hands into the day, Charles Welch attempted a check-raise bluff on the river of a 200,000 pot.  It ended up unsuccessful as Putinas had rivered two pair and made the call.  The very next hand Roland open shoved from early position and Welch immediately called next to act:

Roland: A♣Q♠            Welch: J♥J♦

Flop: 2♣ 5♠ J♣

Turn: 2♦

River: K♥

The two players stacks had to be counted down after the hand, and Welch had Roland covered by only 3,000 in chips.  Welch recovers a little from his mistimed bluff, while the most accomplished player remaining in the field is sent to the cage to collect his winnings.

Live! Classic Main (Day 3): Payout Reminder

Level 20 (Blinds 3,500/7,000/1,000)
Players Remaining: 11
Chip Average: 300,000

Here is a reminder of the payouts for the players remaining:

Payouts:

1. $127,783
2. $73,876
3. $47,920
4. $32,945
5. $23,358
6. $19,767
7. $15,574
8. $11,581
9. $7,987

10-11. $6,589

Live! Classic Main (Day 3): The Layout

Level 20 (Blinds 3,500/7,000/1,000)
Players Remaining: 11
Chip Average: 300,000

Here is a reminder of the final two tables, and how they are laid out:

Table 39:

1. Roland Israelashvili - 191,500
2. Charles Welch - 447,500
3. Gintautas Punitas - 269,000
4. Kevin Elia - 496,000
5. Cliff Goldkind - 91,500

Table 38:

1. Venkata Emani - 256,000
2. Minho Choe - 369,000
3. Joseph Ort - 197,000
4. Terry Saad - 342,000
5. James Sita - 344,500
6. David Greenberg - 271,500

Live! Classic Main (Day 3): Getting Ready To Go

Players are still getting settled as they get their chips out of their bags, and prepare themselves for the long haul.  Mike Smith (Director Of Poker Operations) has just told the remaining players that they will be finishing the tournament today.  There was discussion of televising the final table with Poker Night In America in the house, but they will be offering two sessions of cash games.

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): End Of Day 2 Chip Counts

Players chip shave been bagged, and it's time for everyone to get some rest before the Day 3 restart at 2:15pm.  Here are the end of day counts for the remaining 11 players:

Kevin Elia - 496,000
Charles Welch - 447,500
Minho Choe - 369,000
James Sita - 344,500
Terry Saad - 342,500
David Greenberg - 271,500
Gintautas Putinas - 269,000
Venkata Emani - 256,000
Joseph Ort - 197,000
Roland Israelashvili - 191,500
Cliff Goldkind - 91,500

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): 12th Place - Kostelak ($6,589)

Level 19 (Blinds 3,000/6,000/1,000)
Players Remaining: 11
Chip Average: 280,000

John Kostelak (Enola, PA)
12th Place - $6,589

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): Five Hands Remain

The tournament floor has paused the clock with 10:00 remaining, and the 12 players seated have five more hands for the night.  They will then bag their chips, and the counts and seating assignments will be posted shortly thereafter.

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): 13th Place - Hesse ($5,591)

Level 19 (Blinds 3,000/6,000/1,000)
Players Remaining: 12
Chip Average: 272,000

Stephen Hesse (Houston, TX)
13th Place - $5,591

Stephen was the second shortest stack behind Gintautas Putinas, and happened to pick the wrong spot to try and double (all-in pre):

Hesse: QJ           Saad: QQ

Flop: J 6 A

Turn: 4

River: K

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): 14th Place - Bowker ($5,591)

Level 19 (Blinds 3,000/6,000/1,000)

Players Remaining: 13

Chip Average 252,000

Kyle Bowker (Walton, NY)
14th Place - $5,591

Bowker took a number of beats where he was a solid favorite, but took them all in stride.  Bowker recovered numerous times to build, peaking around 260,000.  He was all-in for 97,000 and called by Dave Greenberg:

Bowker: 8 8       Greenberg: Q Q

Flop: A J 7

Turn: 7

River: A

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): Snails Pace

Level 19 (Blinds 3,000/6,000/1,000)

Players Remaining: 14

Chip Average 233,000

Play has slowed down ever since we reached the money bubble, as the field has lost only one player in the last two hours.  Many of the players seem resigned to finishing off the remaining (35) minutes in the level and coming back tomorrow fresh.

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): Final Break

Players are going on their final break of the night, and when they return the blinds will have gone up to 3,000/6,000/1,000.  The chip average of 233,000 is just under 40 big blinds, and with the structure it will stay around that number for a while.  Level 19 will be the final of the night, and the remaining players will bag chips for Day 3 at 2:15pm.

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): Choe Finds A River

Level 18 (Blinds 2,500/5,000/500)

Players Remaining: 14

Chip Average 233,000

Munho Choe was the most recent to have a foot out the door, only to find a miracle river for the win.  Choe was all-in and called by Kyle Bowker on a board of 2 4 9 5 (rainbow), and Choe was way behind (Choe's 6 6 behind the J J of Bowker).  When the 3 spiked the river though, Munho would grasp victory from the jaws of defeat, and double to 140,000.

Kyle Bowker - 150,000
Munho Choe - 140,000

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): Bowker Wins A Big One

Level 18 (Blinds 2,500/5,000/500)

Players Remaining: 14

Chip Average 233,000

Kyle Bowker wins a pot worth close to 170,000, as Terry Saad check calls every street on a board reading 10 x Q 10 x.  After Saad called the river Bowker would turn over J 10 for the win, and get back over 200,000.

Kyle Bowker - 230,000
Terry Saad - 165,000

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): Updated Chip Counts

Level 18 (Blinds 2,500/5,000/500)

Players Remaining: 14

Chip Average 233,000

Table 38:

1. Kyle Bowker - 170,000
2. Munho Choe - 103,000
3. Joseph Ort - 290,000
4. Terry Saad - 285,000
5. James Sita - 300,000
6. David Greenberg - 175,000
7. Stephen Hesse - 180,000

Table 39:

1. John Kostelak - 295,000
2. Roland Israelashvili - 180,000
3. Charles Welch - 430,000
4. Giatautas Punitas - 225,000
5. Kevin Elia - 360,000
6. Venkata Emani - 202,000
7. Cliff Goldkind - 94,000

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): 15th Place - Dinio ($5,591)

Level 18 (Blinds 2,500/5,000/500)

Players Remaining: 14

Chip Average 233,000

Arnold Dinio (Bowie, MD)
15th Place - $5,591

Charles Welch's run good continues as he shoves all-in (having Dinio well covered) on the turn of a board reading 2♣ 6♠ 8♣ 8♥:

Welch: J♣ 9♣          Dinio: K♠K♣

River: 5♣

Welch's only outs were clubs, and that's exactly what fell on the river, sending Dinio home the first player to collect money.  Arnold is a Maryland Live! regular who just landed his second best live score.  Charles Welch continues to pad his chip lead and now sits with 440,000.

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): Level Going Up

Level 18 has just started with the blinds going up to 2,500/5,000/500 (chip average is 218,000).  The average sits just over 40 big blinds, so there is still a ton a deep play left.

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): Sita Doubles Via Bowker

Level 17 (Blinds 2,000/4,000/500)

Players Remaining: 15

Chip Average 218,000

James Sita double once again, and now he has one of the top stacks in the room.  Sita's chips got all-in on the flop of J 9 4, and Bowker called:

Flop: J 9 4

Bowker: Q Q       Sita: J J

Turn: 8 

River: 9

James Sita - 350,000
Kyle Bowker - 210,000

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): Israelashvili Doubles

Level 17 (Blinds 2,000/4,000/500)

Players Remaining: 15

Chip Average 218,000

Roland Israelashvili went from the chip leader with 25 left to the bottom tier with 17 remaining, and he is no back in the middle of the pack after doubling through Gintautas Putinas.  Roland's J 10 > 5 5 of Putinas (all-in pre), and he now is back to 170,000 (but still below chip average).  This level has five minutes remaining, and there will be two more full levels played before the end of the night.

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): Bubble Has Burst

Level 17 (Blinds 2,000/4,000/500)

Players Remaining: 15

Chip Average 218,000

The money bubble has burst as Kevin Elia knocks out Scott Blumenfeld.  Elia opened the pot for 12,000 and Scott three-bet shoved for just over 120,000.  Elia asked for a count, and before the dealer could cut the chip he announced a call:

Elia: 7♦ 7♥         Blumenfeld: A♥ 9♥

Flop: 5♠ 2♥ Q♣

Turn: 10♠

River: 8♠

Blumenfeld would be the bubble boy for the tournament, and the remaining players are all in the money.  The min cash is $5,591, and an updated chip count will be posted shortly.

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): Level Up

The remaining players have agreed to no longer play hand-for-hand, and have the clock move.  They were taking of 2:00 each hand until the bubble burst, but play will now resume with 43:00 remaining in Level 17 (Blinds 2,000/4,000/500).  There is a short pause while the tournament director colors off the black (100 denomination chips).

Live! Classic Mai (Day 2): Out Of Respect

Level 16 (Blinds 1,500/3,000/400)

Players Remaining: 16

Chip Average: 204,000

The action was picked up on the flop of A 8 9, and Joseph Ort led out for 30,000 (already 34,000 in the pot).  David Greenberg raised to 60,000, and after asking if Greenberg has a set of eights, Ort declared himself all-in (covering Greenberg).  The talk then continued as Ort told Greenberg he would show the hand if he folded, "Out of respect."  Greenberg would eventually fold A Q face up, and Ort would show him that he flopped two pair with A 9.  Greenberg now finds himself with about 30 big blinds after sitting with close to double that.

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): Back From Break

Level 16 (Blinds 1,500/3,000/400)
Players Remaining: 16
Chip Average: 204,000

Players are back from break and the cards are in the air once more.  Players will be staying in Level 16 until the money bubble bursts.  At the moment the smallest stack is Stephen Hesse with 53,000 (~18 big blinds).

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): Break Time

Players are taking a break (15 minutes), and because of hand-for-hand play, it is not yet a level change.  Players will come back with 11:15 in Level 16.

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): Kumar Busts, On The Money Bubble

Level 16 (Blinds 1,500/3,000/400)

Players Remaining: 16

Chip Average 204,000

Sumit Kumar was the shortest stack left after the elimination of David Lackey, and he would shove (35,000) over an open from Kostelak (12,000) and three-bet from Welch (25,000).  Kostelak would iso-shove next to act (70,000), and Welch would call, leaving us a three-way all-in:

Welch: AQ      Kumar: QQ       Kostelak: K♦K♣

Flop: 9♣ 4♣ 3♣

Turn: 5♣

River: 5

Kostelak would have the king of clubs to ice the pot on the turn, but his kings would of been the winning hand regardless.  That leaves us with 16 players, and one elimination from the money.  The clock has been paused and two minutes will roll off each hand until the money has been reached.

LIve! Classic Main (Day 2): Lackey Busts, Putinas Doubles

Level 16 (Blinds 1,500/3,000/400)

Players Remaining: 17

Chip Average 192,000

On a flop of 5 6 4, Roland check raised Gintautas Putinas all-in, and after Putinas called the pot would be worth over 300,000:

Flop: 5 4 6

Roland: 10 7       Putinas: K K

Turn: 6

River: J

Gintautas Putinas - 315,000

Roland Israelashvili - 140,000

As that hand was unfolding, Kyle Bowker would eliminate David Lackey in 18th place.  Kyle Bowker's 10 9 > 9 9 of Lackey, and players would be left two from the money.

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): Redraw At 18 (Updated Chip Counts)

Level 16 (Blinds 1,500/3,000/400)

Players Remaining: 18

Chip Average 181,000

Table 38:

1. Kyle Bowker - 216,000
2. David Lackey - 38,000
3. Venkata Emani -120,000
4. Minho Choe - 163,000
5. Joseph Ort - 370,000
6. Terry Saad - 280,000
7. James Sita - 205,000
8. David Greenberg - 182,000
9. Stephen Hesse - 68,000

Table 39:

1. John Kostelak - 81,000
2. Roland Israelashvili - 340,000
3. Charles Welch - 410,000
4. Gintautas Putinas - 140,000
5. Kevin Elia - 220,000
6. Sumit Kumar - 39,000
7. Scott Blumenfeld - 198,000
8. Arnold Dinio - 214,000
9. Cliff Goldkind - 78,000

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): Hamilton Busts, Redraw

Level 16 (Blinds 1,500/3,000/400)

Players Remaining: 18

Chip Average 181,000

Kyle Bowker eliminates Cameron Hamilton, as the board read 6 6 7 x 9, and Bowker's 9 6 > 5 8 of Hamilton.  Hamilton made a straight on the river, but Bowker made a full house with the river 9, and players are now redrawing once more.  Updated counts and seating assignments will be posted shortly.

LIve! Classic Main (Day 2): Lackey Doubles

Level 16 (Blinds 1,500/3,000/400)

Players Remaining: 19

Chip Average 172,000

With only four eliminations until the money is reached, there are a handful of short stacks amongst the group.  David Lackey was one of them, but has just doubled through Joseph Ort, as Lackey pushed the button and Ort called from the small blind (A6 > A4 for Lackey).  David's all-in amount was 28,800, so with antes and blinds he is just over 60,000.

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): They Have Hesse-tory

Level 16 (Blinds 1,500/3,000/400)

Players Remaining: 19

Chip Average 172,000

It was a pot between Stephen Hesse and Charles Welch from Day 1A that would propel Welch to not only the end of day bonus, but chip lead going into Day 2.  The two were just involved in another huge pot, as the word "call" is heard from Table 39:

Board: A 3 Q 8 10

Welch slams down K J knowing he can't be beat, and Hesse helicopters is cards in the muck in disgust. With a pot already close to 50,000, Welch check raised Hesse 60,000 on the river.  So with the call that Stephen made, the pot would be close to 200,000.

Charles Welch - 490,000

Stephen Hesse - 70,000

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): It's A Cruel Game

Level 16 (Blinds 1,500/3,000/400)

Players Remaining: 19

Chip Average 172,000

Steven Bottcher and Venkata Emani were two of the shortest stacks remaining as the tournament draws close to the money, and they were also seated at the same table.  It would come down to one crucial pot for the two as they were all-in pre (with stacks within 10,000 of each other):

Emani: A K       Bottcher: 10 10

Flop: 8 7 3

Turn: 6

River: K

Emani would double to 87,000 and give a celebratory clap as he was able to sit back down in his chair.  After the next elimination the players will once again redraw, and the seating assignments and chip counts will be updated.

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): Level Up

Level 16 will be starting momentarily, with the blinds going up to 1,500/3,000/400.  Arnold Dinio is beginning to make some noise, as he creeps up to 200,000.  A bunch of those chips have come from one time chip leader Roland Israelashvili, who has now relinquished that title for the moment to Charles Welch.

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): Double-Double

Level 15 (Blinds 1,200/2,400/300)

Players Remaining: 20

Chip Average 163,000

James Sita was the short stack of the 21 players remaining a little earlier, but after doubling with A9 > 88, he had a little breathing room.  In a blind v. blind situation with David Lackey, Sita just doubled again to 150,000.  Sita was all in on the river (with a board of J 3 9 10 9), and his 10 9 > 7 8 of Lackey in what was a cooler spot for Lackey.

Lackey was left with 65,000 after losing the hand, and adding insult to injury, had to ask for his card protector back from Sita after the dealer pushed it to James with the pot.

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): The Champ Departs

Level 15 (Blinds 1,200/2,400/300)

Players Remaining: 20

Chip Average 163,000

Merson was left short after losing the hand to Dinio, and the following hand Greg opened the pot from the hijack.  Roland put enough chips in from the big blind to put Greg all-in, and Merson thought for a few moments before putting a pile of chips in for the call:

Merson: K♥ Q♠             Israelashvili: A♦ 10♥

Flop: A♠ 10♠ 8♣

Turn: 9♠

River: 5♣

Roland continues to separate himself from the rest of the field, and is the first and only player over 400,000.  Merson falls short of the money by only six spots (eliminated 21st), but wished everyone else good luck as he left the tournament area.

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): No Moore

Level 15 (Blinds 1,200/2,400/300)

Players Remaining: 21

Chip Average 155,000

John Moore has just been eliminated (22nd) by Charles Welch, as the two got the chips in pre, and Welch's JJ > 88 of Moore.  Welch had come into the day as the chip leader, and hovered around the 220-250,000 range throughout the day.  With that hand he moves over 300,000 for the first time this tournament and is behind only Roland Israelashvili.

While that hand was unfolding, Greg Merson lost a  sizable pot to Arnold Dinio.  After calling a river bet (and losing), Merson would dip below 35,000.

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): Thomas Out

Level 15 (Blinds 1,200/2,400/300)

Players Remaining: 22

Chip Average 145,000

Russell Thomas has just been eliminated after shoving over an open from Joseph Ort.  After asking for a count, Ort made his decision fairly quickly (the call was just over 50,000), and turned over his hand:

Ort: 7 7         Thomas: A Q

Flop: 3 10 4

Turn: 3

River: 8

Thomas goes out in 23rd (seven place from the money), as Joseph Ort eclipses the 200,000 mark.  Ort is another play who is in uncharted waters, as even a min cash in this tournament would surpass his career lifetime earnings.

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): Put On The Seatbelts

Level 15 (Blinds 1,200/2,400/300)

Players Remaining: 23

Chip Average 142,000

Players are taking their seats after an hour dinner break, and will play out the next five levels before bagging for Day 3.

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): Dinner Time

The 24 players remaining in the field are going on a (60) minute dinner break.  Play will resume (as well as the live coverage) at approximately 8:00pm.

Ethan Foxman was eliminated only moments before dinner break, as his AQ < AA of Joseph Ort.

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): Chada Out

Level 14 (Blinds 1,000/2,000/300)

Players Remaining: 24

Chip Average: 136,000

Carlos Chada has just been eliminated in 25th, only nine spots short of the money.  Chada came into the day with 32,200, and went into the redraw with 57,000.  There is (13) minutes remaining in this level, and at it's conclusion the remaining players will be going on a (60) minute dinner break.

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): Final 25 (Updated With Chip Counts)

Level 14 (Blinds 1,000/2,000/300)
Players Remaining: 25
Chip Average: 131,000

Table 37:

1. Cliff Goldkind - 110,000
2. John Grimes - Eliminated 27th
3. Terry Saad - 230,000
4. Jame Sita - 51,000
5. David Lackey - 85,000
6. Joseph Ort - 160,000
7. Kevin Elia - 190,000
8. Ethan Foxman - 105,000
9. Carlos Chada - 57,000

Table 38:

1. Venkata Emani - 90,000
2. Arnold Dinio - 91,000
3. Greg Merson - 93,000
4. Sumit Kumar - 100,000
5. Roland Israelashvili - 390,000
6. Joseph Stiers - Eliminated 26th
7. Steven Bottcher - 50,000
8. John Kostelak - 47,000
9. David Greenberg - 140,000

Table 39:

1. Gintautas Putinas - 95,000
2. Charles Welch - 250,000
3. Stephen Hesse - 120,000
4. Cameron Hamilton - 70,000
5. John Moore - 110,000
6. Russell Thomas - 88,000
7. Munho Choe - 165,000
8. Kyle Bowker - 190,000
9. Scott Blumenfeld - 170,000

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): Remaining 27

Level 14 (Blinds 1,000/2,000/300)
Players Remaining: 27
Chip Average: 131,000

Here are the new seating assignments after redraw:

Table 37:

1. Cliff Goldkind
2. John Grimes
3. Terry Saad
4. James Sita
5. David Lackey
6. Joseph Ort
7. Kevin Elia
8. Ethan Foxman
9. Carlos Chada

Table 38:

1. Venkata Emani
2. Arnold Dinio
3. Greg Merson
4. Sumit Kumar
5. Roland Israelashvili
6. Joseph Stiers
7. Steven Bottcher
8. John Kostelak
9. David Greenberg

Table 39:

1. Gintautas Putinas
2. Charles Welch
3. Stephen Hesse
4. Cameron Hamilton
5. John Moore
6. Russell Thomas
7. Munho Choe
8. Kyle Bowker
9. Scott Blumenfeld

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): Harder Out, Redraw

Level 14 (Blinds 1,000/2,000/300)
Players Remaining: 27
Chip Average: 121,000

The tournament clock is paused as players are about to find their new seats.  Only a few hands back from break Christian Harder was all-in pre and at risk against Roland Israelashvili:

Ran it up then KK < AJ for 145k at 1/2k. #tilt
— Christian Harder (@realcharder30) March 23, 2014

Harder came in as the second shortest stack of the 51 to return, and at one point had it up over 100,000.  Roland is one of the chip leaders after scooping that pot, with updated chip counts to come.

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): Break From The Madness

Players are going on their second break of the day, and when they return to Level 14 the blinds will be 1,000/2,000/300.  The field is still one more elimination away from the redraw.

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): Merson Crosses 100K, Smith Gone

Level 13 (Blinds 800/1,600/200)
Players Remaining: 30
Chip Average: 110,000

Greg Merson is now just over 100,000 after winning a sizable pot from Venkata  Emani with KJ on a board of J J x 10 Q.  Emani showed his hand after the action was over (he had AQ).

Richard Smith has just been eliminated in 29th place, as his AQ < KK of Stephen Hesse.  Hesse would turn quads and the only formality was whether Hesse had Smith covered.  While the count was happening at the table, the field also lost Ed Frits (28th place).  Once the next player is eliminated, there will be a full redraw.

Ed Frits - Eliminated in 28th
Richard Smith - Eliminated in 29th

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): Bringing The Counts

Level 13 (Blinds 800/1,600/200)
Players Remaining: 30
Chip Average: 110,000

Once the number gets down to 27 players, there will be a full redraw.  Once the redraw occurs there will be a full listing of the players remaining, the new seating assignments, and updated chip counts.

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): Huge Call, Gregg Out

Level 13 (Blinds 800/1,600/200)
Players Remaining: 30
Chip Average: 109,000

Gregg All-In

The action at Table 39 was picked up on the turn, as Anthony Gregg led out the turn and was raised by Venkata Emani (on a board of 8♣ Q♦ 2♦ 5♣).  Gregg would call the raise and the two players would go to the turn (pot was about 25,000).  After the 4♦ on the river, Gregg would announce himself all-in and Emani would go deep in the tank.  He would ask for a count (35,100), and Venkata would eventually make the call.  Gregg would table 10♦ 9♣, and would be eliminated in 33rd after Emani tabled KQ for the win.

While Gregg's hand was unfolding, there were two more players to bust:

Josh Brikis - Eliminated in 31st
Adam Peterson - Eliminated in 32nd
Anthony Gregg - Eliminated in 33rd


Out about 15 from the money
— Josh Brikis (@JBrikis) March 23, 2014

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): Level Up

Level 13 is about to begin, and blinds will be going up to 800/1,600/200.  The chip average is just over 100,000 at the moment, with a break coming at the conclusion of this level.

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): Parting Tweet

Level 12 (Blinds 700/1,400/200)
Players Remaining: 32
Chip Average: 100,000

Busto. Did the best I could while winning 0 all ins. Think I'm taking a break from live MTTs again. Gl to everyone who has my chips.
— James St. Hilaire (@JamesStHilaire) March 23, 2014

James St. Hilaire - Eliminated in 34rd place

Richard Smith had the chip lead bonus snatched from his hands at the end of the night (Day 1B), but still came into Day 2 super healthy (135,800).  Smith was all-in for his remaining 20,000 with J9 on a board of 2 K J 5.  Stephen Hesse has made the call with QQ and Smith was a card away from going home, until a 9 spiked the river to double him up and keep him around.

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): Toole Is Frits-ed

Level 12 (Blinds 700/1,400/200)
Players Remaining: 33
Chip Average: 99,000

Jacod Toole has just been eliminated in 35th as his QQ < AA of Ed Frits (all-in pre).  Frits is now up to 47,000, and this is all after having a solid craps session during the most recent (15) minute break.

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): Schakelford Gone

Level 12 (Blinds 700/1,400/200)
Players Remaining: 35
Chip Average: 94,000

Gordon Shackelford was moved to Table 39 with the shortest stack of the field (7,500), and was all-in his first hand dealt.  Greg Merson three-bet next to act (which cleared the rest of the field), and Gordon's 99 < AK of Merson after the 7 K 10 Q 4 runout.  Merson continues to add to his stack and is now over 70,000.

Only moments after Shackelford's departure we also lost Matthew Chang:

#watdahell 4bet w/KK pre vs AKdd Roland...all in on Qd10dx on flop...d turn d river...doubt he would've folded aipf w/his stack...oh well
— Matthew Chang (@ChangMatt) March 23, 2014

Matthew Chang - Eliminated 36th
Gordon Shackelford - Eliminated 37th

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): Baker Busted

Level 12 (Blinds 700/1,400/200)
Players Remaining: 36
Chip Average: 91,000

There have been two players eliminated simultaneously, as Robert Kosydar and David Baker are now done for the day.  Kosydar was one of the shorter stacks and all-in against Arnold Dinio (AJ < AA), and at the same time David Baker was all-in against Terry Saad (AJ <AK).

David Baker - Eliminated 38th
Robert Kosydar - Eliminated 39th

Our second table of the day has just been broken, and good friends Anthony Gregg and Greg Merson are now seated together at Table 39.

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): Merson Doubles

Level 12 (Blinds 700/1,400/200)
Players Remaining: 39
Chip Average: 84,000

Greg Merson

Since winning a pretty sizable pot right before break, Minho Choe has trended steadily downward.  He was involved in a hand with Greg Merson, and on a board of 3 J 2 5, Merson shipped his remaining 18,400 (pot was close to 15,000).  Choe thought momentarily before making the call, and he would be behind as Merson's KK > A2.  Greg now has over 60,000 and is peaking for the day.

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): Bottcher Doubles

Level 12 (Blinds 700/1,400/200)
Players Remaining: 39
Chip Average: 84,000

Steven Bottcher doubles through Josh Brikis as his KK > AK, bring his chip stack up to 60,000.  After losing the hand, Brikis is down to 50,000, just under the stack that he started Day 2 with only a few hours ago.

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): Break Time

Players are going on their first (15) minute break of the day, and when they return to Level 12 the blinds will be going up to 700/1,400/200.

Moments before break there was a 170,000 pot between Minho Choe and Day 1B chip leader Terry Saad.  After Saad flatted a three bet from Choe on a flop of A♥ K♦ 6♥, Choe pushed his remaining 32,200 on the turn (which was the 8♠).  Saad made the call and Choe's KK > A6, in a tough spot for Terry, flopping top and bottom against middle set.

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): Hofmann's Run Ends

Level 1 (Blinds 600/1,200/200)

Players Remaining: 39

Chip Average: 84,000

Cullen Hofmann came into the day as the shortest stack, and managed to find himself a double during the first level.  His table broke and he was moved to Table 39, where he was just eliminated by James Sita.  The all-in happened on the river, with a board of Q 3 A 2 K, and Hofmann made a quick exit after showing KQ and throwing it in the much (Sita had rivered broadway with J 10, while Hofmann rivered two pair).

Another Classic Exit. KQ vs J10. Flop AQxxK. Good job Gods. You got me again!!
— HMan (@CullenHMan) March 23, 2014

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): Temel Eliminated

Level 11 (Blinds 600/1,200/200)

Players Remaining: 40

Chip Average: 80,000

Charles Welch opened the button, and Izzet Temel three-bet all-in from the small blind for 20,800.  Welch would make the call and eliminate Temel as Charles's KQ > 55 of Temel.  Izzet's run for five cashes in the series falls short, but his last month of poker has been one that anyone would sign up for at the blink of an eye.

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): Rapid Fire

Level 11 (Blinds 600/1,200/200)

Players Remaining: 42

Chip Average: 77,000

- Michael Phelps is eliminated in 44th place as his 77 < 99 of Scott Blumenfeld.

- Jacob Toole doubles through Jeff Esterling, as he turns two pair with Q9 on a board of Q 4 3 9 2, chipping up to just under 70,000.  Only two hands after Esterling shipped the chips Toole's way, he finds himself all-in against Arnold Dinio, and busts in 43rd place as Jeff's K 10 < A 5 of Dinio.

- Alex Fernandez shoves the button and is called by Roland Israelashvili.  Alex's A6 < AQ of Roland, and Fernandez is knocked out in 42nd place.  Roland has close to doubled the stack that he started the day with, and now sits with 170,000.

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): Charder Continues, Cashen Busts

Level 11 (Blinds 600/1,200/200)

Players Remaining: 44

Chip Average: 74,000

Christian Harder Doubles Again

It was only a few minutes ago that Christian Harder had 17,000 in front of him, and now after doubling once more through Richard Smith (JJ > 66), he is over 100,000.

Jospeh Cashen was eliminated in 45th place just moments ago by Ethan Foxman, with Cashen super short (7,500), and watching as his A 5 <  A Q of Ethan (2 2 6 J A runout).

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): Charder Triples Up

Level 11 (Blinds 600/1,200/200)

Players Remaining: 45

Chip Average: 73,000

Christian Harder had the all-in button in front of him, and 16,900 right next to it.  Stephen Hesse flatted the amount, and Izzet Burak Temel then reshoved for just over 23,000.  Hesse would make the call and the three players would table their hands:

Harder: 9♦9♥        Hesse: A♦J♠       Temel: A♥K♣

Flop: 5♣ 6♠ 2♦

Turn: 7♦

River: 7♣

Harder would triple up to 51,000, while Temel would be left with less than 10 bigs (7,800).

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): Level Up

Level 10 (Blinds 500/1,000/100)

Players Remaining: 45

Chip Average: 73,000

Level 11 has just started, and the blinds are going up to 600/1,200/200.  In the final minutes of Level 10 Matt Glantz was eliminated in 46th as his 99 < KK of David Lackey (all-in pre).  Our first table of the day has broken, and there has been some slight shuffling as players find their new seats.

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): Catching Up

Level 10 (Blinds 500/1,000/100)

Players Remaining: 47 

Chip Average: 70,000

Here is a quick fire review of the recent action:

- Valerie Novak has been eliminated in 49th place.  Novak came into the day as one of the shorter stacks in the field, and there are now no more woman remaining.

- Kevin Elia chips up to 113,000 after knocking out Rafael Sa'adah, as Elia's A♣ 10♣ > 6♣ 7♣ on a runout of K♠ K♣ 5♣ J♥ Q♣.

- Cullen Hofmann doubles to 22,000.

- Anthony Gregg doubles to 45,000.

- Tim Little is eliminated in 47th place as his K♦ J♦ < A♦ 5♦ of Day 1B chip leader Terry Saad.

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): First Level Action

Level 10 (Blinds 500/1,000/100)

Players Remaining: 49

Chip Average: 66,900

The action was missed at Table 37, but Hakima Muhammed has been the second player to be eliminated from Day 2 action.  Izzet Temel (Arlington, VA) doubled through chip leader Charles Welch, as his QQ > AQ, sitting now with 57,000.  Temel has already cashed in four events earlier in the series, and has gotten himself out of the 15-20 blind hole at the moment.

Both players that were mentioned earlier that had not shown up (Phelps and Emani) have now taken their seats, only missing about (20) minutes of play.

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): Faro First Gone

Level 10 (Blinds 500/1,000/100)

Players Remaining: 50 

Chip Average: 65,500

Russel Thomas opened the pot for 2,000 and Rafael Sa'adah flatted behind.  Tim Faro then three-bet shoved for just over 17,000, and Thomas flatted.  Sa'adah would fold after some brief thought, and the two hands would be tabled:

Faro: A K         Thomas: K K

Flop: 4 Q K

Turn: 5 

River: 4

Faro would find himself in even worse shape after the flop then he was going in, and would need to go runner straight to win the hand.  The turn would have him drawing dead and Faro would be the first player to leave the tournament area today.

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): Where Are They?

Level 10 (Blinds 500/1,000/100)
Players Remaining: 51
Chip Average: 64,216

Of the 51 players to bag chips going into today, two have yet to arrive to their seats: Michael Phelps (47,800) and Venkata Emani (52,600).  Both players are below chip average, but still have close to fifty big blinds.  Today is the first time that certain players are playing with each other, and there seems to be a feeling out period at the moment.

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): Getting Settled

Level 10 (Blinds 500/1,000/100)

Players are still taking their chips out of the bags, and play will resume shortly after a brief delay.  The tournament director has just announced that the button will be in seat three, and Day 2 play is about to begin.

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): Restart At 1:15pm

The 51 players to bag chips will be returning to play at 1:15pm, with blinds in Level 10 at 500/1,000/100.  The chip average coming back is 64,000 (64 big blinds), and the two largest stacks belong to Day 1A chip leader Charles Welch (260,900), and Kyle Bowker (153,500).  Some of the biggest names in poker are still in contention for the title, including (just to name a few of many):

Matt Glantz (88,400)

Russell Thomas (85,100)

Anthony Gregg (51,300)

Greg Merson (45,600)

Live! Classic Main (Day 2): Day 2 Seating Assignments

First Name	Last Name	Chip Count	Table #	Seat #
Cliff	Goldkind	56,700	36	1
Anthony	Gregg	51,300	36	2
Joseph	Ort	53,500	36	3
Venkata	Emani	52,600	36	4
Joseph	Stiers	130,000	36	5
Ray	Shackleford	32,900	36	6
Sumit	Kumar	94,500	36	7
James	St. Hilaire	49,400	36	8
Valerie	Novak	26,800	36	9
Richie	Smith	135,800	37	1
Hakima	Muhammed	33,300	37	2
Charles	Welch	260,900	37	3
Izzet	Temel	37,400	37	4
Scott	Blumfeild	43,700	37	5
Alex	Fernandez	27,500	37	6
Roland	Israelashvili	92,600	37	7
Michael	Phelps	47,800	37	8
Christian	Harder	14,300	37	9
Jacob	Toole	55,700	38	1
Arnold	Dinio	68,300	38	2
Joseph	Cashen	80,700	38	3
Jeff	Esterling	50,400	38	4
Adam	Peterson	40,800	38	5
Gintautas	Putinas	33,300	38	6
Ethan	Foxman	91,800	38	7
Ed	Frits	28,000	38	8
EMPTY			38	9
David	Lackey	68,600	39	1
James	Sita	62,000	39	2
EMPTY			39	3
Matt	Glantz	88,400	39	4
Cameron	Hamilton	120,000	39	5
Terry	Saad	136,200	39	6
David	Baker	63,800	39	7
Greg	Merson	45,600	39	8
Tim	Little	17,800	39	9
Robert	Kosydar	20,300	44	1
Carlos	Chada	32,200	44	2
Kyle	Bowker	153,500	44	3
Cullen	Hofmann	13,300	44	4
John	Kostelak	33,000	44	5
Minho	Choe	103,800	44	6
EMPTY			44	7
John	Grimes	59,200	44	8
Stephen	Hesse	53,900	44	9
Matthew	Chang	43,300	45	1
Steven	Bottcher	67,500	45	2
Russell	Thomas	85,100	45	3
Josh	Brikis	54,800	45	4
David	Greenberg	78,400	45	5
Rafael	Sa'adah	41,500	45	6
Kevin	Elia	58,300	45	7
Tim	Faro	29,800	45	8
John	Moore	55,200	45	9