Action was three-way to the 6♣5♣J♣ flop, where Angel Modica checked in the big blind.
Soheb Porbandarwala fired a bet of 42,000 in early position and Roger Lussier called on the button. Modica took some time before check-raising all in for 302,000.
Porbandarwala stuck in the call and Lussier got out of the way.
Angel Modica: 5♥5♦
Soheb Porbandarwala: A♣2♣
Porbandarwala flopped a flush, but Modica spiked the J♦ turn to make a full house. The 2♠ river completed the board, as Modica doubled up through Porbandarwala.
Maria Konnikova was all in on the button, at risk against Roberto Ilagan in the big blind.
Maria Konnikova: Q♣10♣
Roberto Ilagan: A♥K♦
Ilagan improved his advantage by hitting two pair on the A♣9♦9♥ flop. The 6♣ turn and 7♠ river completed the board, sending Konnikova to rail early on Level 20.
Three-way action to the 5♣7♣6♠ flop saw Yishu Yang move all in for 23,000 from the big blind.
Michael Bohmerwald made the call, as did Osman Nasir. Yang waited as both players checked through the A♣ turn and Q♠ river and the cards were turned up.
Yishu Yang: A♦8♦
Michael Bohmerwald: K♥7♥
Osman Nasir: 4♠4♥
Yang's pair of aces stood up as the best hand, staying alive and earning the triple-up.
Roger Lussier opened to 25,000 in middle position, only to see Jung Son three-bet to 60,000 on his left. Action folded back around to Lussier, who took a moment before moving all in for 238,000.
Son stuck in the call and the cards were turned up.
Roger Lussier: A♦K♦
Jung Son: K♠Q♣
Lussier was in great shape, facing no danger on the 6♠2♠3♣3♦10♠ runout to earn the double.
Stanton Tentnowski moved his short stack all in from the small blind, with Gerard Shasho making the call in the big blind.
Stanton Tentnowski: A♠J♦
Gerard Shasho: A♣8♥
Tentnowski remained ahead through the 7♣3♣Q♦ flop and A♥ turn, but got up from his seat as the 8♣ river hit the felt. Shasho connected for two pair, sending Tentnowski to the payout desk.
After four opening flights at Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia, it is time for the dramatic conclusion to the first edition of the PokerStars Open Philadelphia $1,100 Main Event.
An impressive total of 1,154 entries took their shot this week, with only 146 players bagging up for a spot in Sunday’s finale. Action begins at 11:15 a.m. local time, where the survivors of all four flights will join together to battle for this prestigious title.
At stake on Day 2 is a share of the $1,107,840 prize pool, with the top prize of $184,800 awaiting the champion.
Just four players return with at least 100 big blinds, led by Day 1c pace-setter Norman Rodriguez with 860,000 chips. Angel Lopez sits just behind with 841,000, while Day 1d chip leader Elliot Moore returns with 822,000 chips.
Michael Tweedlie (803,000) is the only other player with 100 bigs, climbing over 800,000 on Saturday’s final hand. Day 1a leader George Alberto ranks sixth, while Michael Bohmerwald led the way on Day 1a and will sit down on Sunday in eighth position.
Day 2 Top 10 Chip Counts
Rank
Player
Country
Chip Count
Big Blinds
1
Norman Rodriguez
Dominican Republic
860,000
108
2
Angel Lopez
United States
841,000
105
3
Elliot Moore
United States
822,000
103
4
Michael Tweedlie
United States
803,000
100
5
Justin Laudadio
United States
789,000
99
6
George Alberto
United States
776,000
97
7
Edric Nicoli
United States
741,000
93
8
Michael Bohmerwald
United States
719,000
90
9
Steven Christopher
United States
693,000
87
10
Osman Nasir
United States
690,000
86
PokerStars Open Trophy
The Live! poker room has been buzzing all week, and PokerStars is proud to serve this booming market. “I am absolutely thrilled with the turnout for the PokerStars Open Philadelphia,” Madeline O’Brien, PokerStars Live Events Associate Manager told PokerNews before the final day of action.
“Surpassing $1 million for the Main Event prize pool—doubling our original guarantee—is a true testament to the growing popularity of live poker tournaments and the strong reputation PokerStars has built within the poker community. The passion for live poker has created something really special here in Philly, and this momentum is just getting started.”
That momentum will certainly carry into Sunday’s exciting conclusion, as players will return to their seats at 11:15 a.m. local time. PokerStars AmbassadorMaria Konnikova is among the returning players, sitting inside the top 40 to start the day with 451,000 chips.
Maria Konnivoka
The first two flights finished on Level 17, and that is where action will resume with blinds of 4,000/8,000 along with a big blind ante of 8,000.
Players will navigate 60-minute levels until the trophy is handed out tonight. All 146 survivors have earned at least $1,420 by making to Day 2, and the battle for a spot at the final table begins this morning.
Don’t miss any of the action as the PokerNews team will bring you every exciting moment in our live reporting and social media channels. It’s sure to be a dramatic finish in Philadelphia, as the first PokerStars Open Main Event champion will be crowned.
