Event 4 (Day 1)
$400+$50 H.O.R.S.E.
$25,000 Guaranteed
End of Level 14: Limits 2000/4000
Entries: 85
Remaining: 40
Average Chips: 42,500
Day one is over, with big stack Jeff Jerome holding back Roland Israelashvili for the the lead.
Jerome, here flashing some Jacksons to the mixed game groupies, finished with 96,400.
Other stacks of note:
Filippos Stavrakis – 80,700
Barry Levy – 53,200
Barak Zaken – 62,000
Roland Israelashvili – 80,800
Christopher Amarai – 73,500
Fan favorite Al Goldsmith hit a steel wheel in O8, pushing him up to 72,400 in the final level.
Chris Reslock escapes an all-in with a chop from Filippos Stavrakis. Chris bagged a few ante chips to carry on!
Official counts and seat draws will be posted when available.
Day 2 players should gather Saturday, September 8 at noon.
Good luck!
$400+$50 H.O.R.S.E.
$25,000 Guaranteed
Level 14: Limits 1500/3000
Entries: 85
Remaining: 48
Average Chips: 35,417
With a big bet left, Amnon Filipi completed in Stud, setting up an inevitable all in. Only Barry Levy, a former Borgata H.O.R.S.E. champion, gave action.
Amon commits on fourth with a favorable drawing card, dropping in two chips while Barry looks on.
On fifth they got all the chips in, with Amnon turning over a card to show a one liner, and then a hidden pair of tens as well. The equity was extremely close, as Barry had tens and one higher card, a 
blocking Filippi’s straight opportunity.
However, the river gave Barry two pair as he binked a six, which he flipped up quickly, while Amnon studied his last downcard.
He then reached over to Barry’s board and grabbed that to complete his straight.
Amnon grabs the card he needs, acknowledging he missed on seventh.
The two shook hands, and Amnon is out. It’s a breather for Levy, who is still under average but now with a playable stack.
Back on action table 1, Ernie Vidal escapes with a chop and a little extra in this three way pot. Still alive, after the beat from Hoffmann.
$400+$50 H.O.R.S.E.
$25,000 Guaranteed
Level 13: Limits 1500/3000
Entries: 85
Remaining: 56
Average Chips: 30,357
Gary’s spot is gone, only the red circle remaining.
Jeff Jerome just turned over a set of fours in Stud8 to knock out Gary Kosakowski.
Jerome now is around 80,000 after a brief downturn.
Roland, meanwhile, has pushed past 70,000 as well.
$400+$50 H.O.R.S.E.
$25,000 Guaranteed
End of Level 12: Limits 1200/2400
Entries: 85
Remaining: 58
Average Chips: 29,310
Funaro, meanwhile, still holding on, found himself all in on fourth street in Stud when three bets went in between him, Ross Hoffmann and Ernie Vidal. Hoffmann and Vidal traded the lead after Ernie bet out on fifth, but ultimately it came down to Ross catching pure on the end.
Vidal watching Hoffmann’s upcards carefully. That’s Ron Fast on his left.
With two spades showing, Ross needed to improve over what looked like at least two pair on a straightening runout for Vidal.
Hoffman got there, and turned over the nut flush, and eyes turned to the all-in player. Funaro missed his own better flush draw for the main, leaving Ross with a big stack nearing 50,000.
“You got it on on the river!” cried out Ernie in frustration, who knew where he was at.
Key pot for Hoffmann at this stage, who nearly doubles at Vidal’s expense. That’s the now departed Funaro’s all-in button.
Meanwhile, Roland Israelashvili continues in command as the exits mount.
$400+$50 H.O.R.S.E.
$25,000 Guaranteed
End of Level 11: Limits 1000/2000
Entries: 85
Remaining: 70
Average Chips: 25,000
Shapiro rises during the pot with Fooden, holding little back and his tournament so far riding on this pot.
On William Munley’s table, Dan Shapiro got all but two big bets in with a strong low and jacks for high, only to face a flush and settle for a chop. There was some controversy over change from a bet, but with the next hand already dealt, there was nothing the floor could do within the rules. However, his opponent, Bart Fooden, with the flush returned him an ante to keep the game moving along.
Frank, in grey, and everyone else turn to Ron, who stares at his useless cards at showdown.
Next door on 1, Frank Funaro, very short, raised from the button, only to be reraised by the big, Ron Fast. Fast started with an 
, but found the unfriendly on the flop you don’t want to see, allowing Funaro, now committed with a low to scoop and survive. During the hand, it wasn’t clear to Ron how much Frank had, causing a brief stir.
Roland maintains the lead with over 60,000.
We take a short break.
$400+$50 H.O.R.S.E.
$25,000 Guaranteed
Level 11: Limits 1000/2000
Entries: 85
Remaining: 72
Average Chips: 23,611
Tournament juggernaut Roland Israelashvili is now on top, holding over 50,000.
Gary Kosakowski, another noted mixed game performer, just made open KK work versus Jerome and a short stack in stud.
Crippled, the short stack then got in his last two bets, a pip ahead with high cards, only to have Gary run out trip deuces. Game over.
$400+$50 H.O.R.S.E.
$25,000 Guaranteed
End of Level 9: Limits 600/1200
Entries: 85
Remaining: 80
Average Chips: 21,250
Paired on Sixth Street: Sheila Stimson, with a good low possible, does not like to have to fold her Razz hand now. Neverthless, Scott “Fantastic” Greenwald, foreground, gets the bet through, his own board looking strong and clean.
In a very close field, it appears Jeff Jerome on 6 has the lead by a few big bets, holding over 45,000.
$400+$50 H.O.R.S.E.
$25,000 Guaranteed
Level 9: Limits 600/1200
Entries: 84
We return to action in a few moments, post registration.
Obli Kuppusamy and Cat before break on table 8.
William Munley on 2 has a well above average stack and a far above average mixed games resume.
Barak Zaken uses this special chip layout against his opponents.
$400+$50 H.O.R.S.E.
$25,000 Guaranteed
End of Level 8: Limits 500/1000
Entries: 84
We head to break, the Guarantee reached, but no clear chip leader here in H.O.R.S.E.
Bob Camano leans forward on table 8 to see what the Cat is up to now. Amnon look on from seat one. Cat can’t find a bet on seventh, howver, but it doesn’t matter – a Stud8 split.
One of the big stacks, Stewart Williams, quartering his opponent in O8 before the break.
LHE on 1: Danny Coronel, left, looks over at Pam Jamison and Jeff Gellert in the small.
Action renews at 9:15 – when registration closes, as well.
$400+$50 H.O.R.S.E.
$25,000 Guaranteed
End of Level 7: Limits 400/800
Entries: 82
At 300/600 limits, from the BB in LHE, Chris Kusha check-raised the button Jason Lucas on 
.
Lucas, far left, calls the lead, then watches the small blind release. Both face pressure from Kusha, background.
The SB overcalled, and the dealer brought the 
. Only Lucas paid Kusha’s lead.
Chris led the blank river and got the inevitable call. He turned over 
for a turned flush.
In the next hand, Lucas flatted an open, and called down all streets. Losing to aces, Jason had only a few big bets left and was in trouble.
Fortunately for him, his next choice paid off.
Opening 
, he turned the nut straight, got a call there, and on the board pairing river.
What do I do – I only have the nuts.
We’re a level away from the end of registration – still time to get in the mix!