$1,100 Main Event Day 1b | 2026 PokerStars Open Philadelphia

03-19-2026 21:47 UTC-4

Chu Pays McNicholas

Josh Noy

Level 14 : Blinds 2,000/4,000, 4,000 ante

Tao Chu led out from the small blind for 16,000 on the 9♣9♥3♠ flop, and Michael McNicholas made the call on the button.

Chu checked the A♦ turn, and McNicholas fired 25,000 into the middle. The call was made, and Chu checked again on the 7♦ river.

McNicholas took some time before sliding out a bet of 85,500, leaving just 4,000 behind in his stack. After taking some time of his own, Chu counted out the call.

McNicholas turned over K♦9♦ for trip nines, earning a big pot as Chu mucked.

Player	Chips	Progress
Michael McNicholas	315,000 107,000	107,000
Tao Chu	188,000 246,000	246,000

Tags: Michael McNicholas Tao Chu

03-19-2026 21:38 UTC-4

Faro Runs Down Lett

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Josh Noy

Level 14 : Blinds 2,000/4,000, 4,000 ante

Justin Lett moved all in on the button, and Tim Faro made the call in the big blind.

Justin Lett: A♥K♦ All in
Tim Faro: Q♠J♠

Lett remained in front through the 4♣7♥8♠ flop, while the 7♠ turn brought Faro additional outs. Faro then completed a flush on the A♠ river, taking down the pot and sending Lett to the rail.

Player	Chips	Progress
Tim Faro	218,000 178,000	178,000

Justin Lett	Busted

Tags: Justin Lett Tim Faro

03-19-2026 21:31 UTC-4

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Josh Noy

Level 14 : Blinds 2,000/4,000, 4,000 ante

Level: 14

Blinds: 2,000/4,000

Ante: 4,000

03-19-2026 21:21 UTC-4

Pagan Paid Off by Zambanini

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Josh Noy

Level 13 : Blinds 1,500/3,000, 3,000 ante

Action was three-handed to the K♦7♠A♠8♦6♥ river, where Matthew Zambanini checked from the small blind.

Anthony Pagan slid out a bet of 35,000 from the big blind, and Tao Chu let his hand go on the button.

After taking some time, Zambanini tossed in a single calling chip. Pagan showed 8♠6♠ for two pair, good enough to claim the pot as Zambanini mucked while counting out his call.

Player	Chips	Progress
Tao Chu	434,000 9,000	9,000
Matthew Zambanini	255,000 55,000	55,000
Anthony Pagan	242,000 27,000	27,000

Tags: Anthony Pagan Matthew Zambanini Tao Chu

03-19-2026 21:12 UTC-4

Barnett Flips Out Andronache

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Josh Noy

Level 13 : Blinds 1,500/3,000, 3,000 ante

Constantin Andronache opened to 8,000 in the hijack, and made the call after Evan Barnett moved all in from the big blind.

Constantin Andronache: K♦Q♦ All in
Evan Barnett: 9♣9♥

Barnett slightly covered Andronache, and saw his pocket pair hold through the 8♦2♠5♣J♦6♠ runout to score the knockout.

Player	Chips	Progress
Tao Chu	425,000
Evan Barnett	173,000 140,000	140,000
Constantin Andronache	Busted

Tags: Constantin Andronache Evan Barnett

03-19-2026 21:00 UTC-4

Day 1b Numbers Confirmed

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Josh Noy

Level 13 : Blinds 1,500/3,000, 3,000 ante

With late registration closed, the tournament director has confirmed final numbers for the second flight.

Day 1b attracted a total of 141 entries, and action will continue until 18 players remain to bag up for Day 2.

03-19-2026 20:52 UTC-4

McNicholas Makes a Move

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Josh Noy

Level 13 : Blinds 1,500/3,000, 3,000 ante

Christoph Shum checked the 6♥6♠10♣ flop in middle position, and made the call when Michael McNicholas bet 11,000 from the cutoff.

Another check from Shum on the A♦ turn was met with a bet of 35,000 from McNicholas. Shum called again, and the 4♥ river completed the board.

One last check from Shum led to McNicholas announcing all in. That ended the hand, as Shum folded and McNicholas collected the pot.

Player	Chips	Progress
Christoph Shum	215,000 7,000	7,000
Michael McNicholas	208,000 96,000	96,000

Tags: Christoph Shum Michael McNicholas

Level: 13

Blinds: 1,500/3,000

Ante: 3,000

03-19-2026 20:29 UTC-4

End of Registration Break

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Josh Noy

Level 12 : Blinds 1,000/2,500, 2,500 ante

Level 12 has concluded, and players have been sent on a 15-minute break.

Registration will close for Day 1b when action resumes.