Main Event Day 1b | 2017 Western New York Poker Challenge

04-08-2017 21:20 UTC

The Collector, The Barber and The Suicide King

[user127999]

Level 9 : 400/800, 100 ante

Local hero Andy Spears is one of the most successful big-time tournament players in Western New York with over $1 million in career earnings.

Spears had what looked like a pretty big stack going into the break, just not coming out of it. Turned out it was all smoke and mirrors. One of the nicest guys you'll ever meet at the table, Spears spent the last level collecting up all the 25-denomination chips in advance of a color up. As a result, he had stacks on stacks of green, but they weren't really worth all that much.

Spears wasn't trying to fool anybody, he just wanted to make sure the color up went fast and smooth. Those greens are gone now and Spears' big stack went with it.

Speaking of fast and smooth, the legend that is Dan Wagner is now on 90,000 and climbing. He's two seats over from chip leader Jim Goertz and eyeing his chips with envy. He was recently seen salivating at the prospect of an obviously imminent confrontation.

In the meantime, it was a close shave for Andy Ranaletti as he almost got scalped getting it in with queens against Allison Schultz' aces. Ranaletti's run at the title of 2017 WNYPC Luckbox of the Series continued when he binked a queen to jump into contention.

Player	Chips	Progress
Dan Wagner	90,000	90,000
Andy Ranaletti	78,000	78,000
Andy Spears	37,000	37,000

Tags: Andy Ranaletti Andy Spears Dan Wagner

Level: 9

Blinds: 400/800

Ante: 100

04-08-2017 20:25 UTC

The Top Ten

[user127999]

Level 8 : 300/600, 75 ante

Halfway through Level 8 this is officially the midpoint of play.

Here's a look at the top ten stacks in the room right now with Canadian Jim Goertz having edged into the lead:

Player	Chips	Progress
Jim Goertz	175,000	86,000
Mark Bowersock	170,000	5,000
Al Bianco	140,000	25,000
Alan Findlay	130,000	20,000
Matt Brunskole	115,000	115,000
Mike Crystal	101,000	101,000
David Conron	90,000	20,000
Mark Allott	75,000	75,000
Blake Napierala	74,000	74,000
Sahar Khajavi	73,500	73,500

Level: 8

Blinds: 300/600

Ante: 75

04-08-2017 19:47 UTC

Buckeye Bowersock Builds

[user127999]

Level 7 : 250/500, 50 ante

Salem, OH's Mark Bowersock leads closing in towards the midpoint of this flight, sitting on over 160,000 now.

Bowersock had the on a board with all the other fours and an ace. One opponent had the full boat and was forced to carry the payments.

Then he hit a set of eights against two kings to crack 'em. No matter how you slice it, Bowersack's running hot and on top right now.

In the meantime, 2016 World Series of Poker No Limit Hold'em Colossus II 10th place finisher Hayden Glassman got it in with the flush and double-gutter combo draw. He hit, dragging an 80,000 pot to leap in contention and leave his opponent wondering how he called.

Math was clearly to blame.

Player	Chips	Progress
Mark Bowersock	165,000	165,000
Hayden Glassman	80,000	80,000

Tags: Hayden Glassman Mark Bowersock

04-08-2017 19:31 UTC

If It's Not Scottish, It's Crap

[user127999]

Level 7 : 250/500, 50 ante

Buffalo, NY resident Alan Findlay has risen to a spot among the leaders thanks to two big pots.

He flopped a pair and a flush draw on the first one. Then got it in against a worse flush when they both turned it.

A little later he flopped a club draw against two nines and all the money went in when the turned. Findlay's flush with six figures now and climbing.

Player	Chips	Progress
Alan Findlay	110,000

Tags: Alan Findlay

Level: 7

Blinds: 250/500

Ante: 50

04-08-2017 18:55 UTC

Money In The Bianco

[user127999]

Level 6 : 200/400, 50 ante

Buffalo, NY's own Al Bianco has suddenly vaulted into the Level 6 lead thanks to top two pair.

In fact, he's had top two over a worse two pair twice to dispatch two different players.

Everything is going as Bianco planned so far and he's now on the top of the counts.

Player	Chips	Progress
Al Bianco	115,000	115,000

Tags: Al Bianco

Level: 6

Blinds: 200/400

Ante: 50

04-08-2017 18:37 UTC

Positively Fifth Street

[user127999]

Level 5 : 150/300, 25 ante

Niagara-On-The-Lake, Canada's Jim Goertz has found the river kind today.

In fact, he's made more than his fair share of straights on fifth street already and was the first player over six-figures.

However, running into quad queens and quad aces means he is now sitting a bit shy of there. This despite his opponent with four aces being forced to call instead of raise in position on the river thanks to the single-chip rule.

Having likely saved a few chips there, Goertz still sits among the leaders going into Level 6.

Player	Chips	Progress
Jim Goertz	89,000	89,000

Tags: Jim Goertz