Monster Stack Results

Deborah Holmstedt Wins the Monster Stack ($39,727)

The $570 Monster Stack $100,000 Guaranteed NLH event drew a total of 337 entries creating a prize pool of $168,500. When the dust settled Deborah Holmstedt was the last woman standing.

Holmstedt won her entry to the tournament through a high hand promotion in the poker room and turned her freeroll into $39,727 and her first Rivers Poker title.

Holmstedt started Day 2 near the top of the chip counts with over 800,000 and caught fire at the final table. She was a one woman wrecking crew and vaulted to the top when her ace king outflopped the pocket queens of Michio Cohen.

Holmstedt sent Cohen to the rail in fourth and Brian Ballantine was the next player to fall at the hands of Holmstedt. It was a heads up battle to remember and she picked the right time to make a move holding 5♣️2♦️.

This is the largest live tournament cash of her poker career and her first major title.

This concludes our Monster Stack Blog coverage. A full list of the final results will be posted as soon as they’re available.

Thank you to all the players, dealers and casino staff that made the Monster Stack a monster success. 

Day 2: Gilberto Taverasgarcia Eliminated in 2nd Place ($25,241)

$570 Monster Stack NLH
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 30: 125,000/250,000/25,000
Total Monster Stack Entries: 337
Players Remaining: 2

Deborah Holmstedt (left) Gilberto Taverasgarcia (right)

Gilberto Taverasgarcia limps in and Deborah Holmstedt moves all in for 14,900,000. Taverasgarcia quickly calls and Holmsted turns over 5♣️2♦️.

“I was trying to make a move says Holmsted as Taverasgarcia turns over his 6♠️6♥️. The dealer fans the A♦️3♦️Q♣️ flop and Holmsted picks up a gutshot straight draw.

“I’ll take a four” she says and right on cue the 4♣️ hits the turn. Holmstedt spikes her straight on the turn leaving Taverasgarcia drawing dead. The 9♥️ hits the river and the chips are shipped to Holmstedt.

Taverasgarcia is left severely short stacked and is eliminated just a few hands later. Taversgarcia is our Monster Stack runner up and will take home $25,241 for his second place finish.

Day 2: Taverasgarcia Fills Up to Stay Alive

$570 Monster Stack NLH
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 29: 100,000/200,000/25,000
Total Monster Stack Entries: 337
Players Remaining: 2

There was already about 2,000,000 in the pot on the A♦️A♣️J♣️3♣️ board. Gilberto Taverasgarcia moved all in for 5,800,000 and Deborah Holmsted snap called.

Taverasgarcia showed Q♠️Q♠️ but Holmsted had turned a straight with her 6♣️4♣️. It was all but over for Taverasgarcia but the A♥️ hit the river give him a full house. He doubles his stack and both players are playing nearly identical stacks of about 17,000,000 as heads up play continues.

Day 2: Heads Up Chip Counts

$570 Monster Stack NLH
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 29: 100,000/200,000/25,000
Total Monster Stack Entries: 337
Players Remaining: 2

Deborah Holmsted and Gilberto Taverasgarcia have just returned from a 10 minute break. Heads up play is back underway and Holmsted is leading with 20,800,000.

Taverasgarcia is playing 12,900,000 and they are both now guaranteed at least $25,241. One of these players will be taking home $39,727 along with the Monster Stack title.

Day 2: Brian Ballentine Eliminated in 3rd Place ($16,446)

$570 Monster Stack NLH
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 28: 80,000/160,000/20,000
Total Monster Stack Entries: 337
Players Remaining: 2

Brian Ballentine

Deborah Holmstedt limps in and Brian Ballentine moves all in from the small blind for about 3,300,000. Gilberto Taverasgarcia folds his big blind and Holmstedt snap calls.

Holmstedt: A♣️A♠️
Ballentine: 8♣️8♦️

The dealer fans the A♦️Q♥️J♠️ flop and Holmstedt flops top set of aces. The turn is the 8♥️ and Ballentine turns a set but will need the case eight on the river to stay alive.

The 3♦️ hits the river and Ballentine is eliminated in 3rd place taking home $16,446. Heads up play is now set to begin with Holmstedt holding 20,000,0000 of the 33,700,000 in play.

Day 2: Michio Cohen Eliminated in 4th Place ($12,014)

$570 Monster Stack NLH
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 28: 80,000/160,000/20,000
Total Monster Stack Entries: 337
Players Remaining: 3

Michio Cohen

The action folds to Deborah Holmstedt on the button and she raises to 800,000. Michio Cohen moves all in for about 5,000,000 from the small blind and Holmstedt calls.

Holmstedt: A♠️K♠️
Cohen: A♥️Q♣️

The dealer fans the A♦️K♦️6♣️ flop and Holmsted flops top two pair. The 5♣️ turn card leaves Cohen drawining dead and the meaningless 8♣️ hits the river.

Cohen is eliminated in 4th place earning $12,014 and Holmstedt now has about 20,000,000 of the 33,700,000 chips in play.

Day 2: Deborah Holmstedt Leads the Final Four

$570 Monster Stack NLH
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 28: 80,000/160,000/20,000
Total Monster Stack Entries: 337
Players Remaining: 4

Just four Monster Stack players remain and it’s Deborah Holmstedt leading the way with 14,800. Below is an updated look at the chip counts from the final four.

Deborah Holmstedt- 14,800,000
Gilberto Taverasgarcia- 12,000,000
Michio Cohen- 5,500,000
Brian Ballentine- 1,400,000

Day 2: Aidan Hite Eliminated in 5th Place ($8,998)

$570 Monster Stack NLH
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 27: 60,000/120,000/20,000
Total Monster Stack Entries: 337
Players Remaining: 4

Aidan Hite

The Monster Stack final table players are falling fast and Aidan Hite has just been eliminated. He got the last of his chips all in preflop holding A♣️3♣️ against the 4♦️4♠️ of Gilberto Taverasgarcia.

The board ran out clean for Taverasgarcia and Hite is our 5th place Monster Stack finisher earning $8,998.

Gilberto Taverasgarcia- 12,300,000
Aidan Hite- Eliminated in 5th Place ($8,998)

Day 2: Nick Wildman Eliminated in 6th Place ($6,791)

$570 Monster Stack NLH
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 27: 60,000/120,000/20,000
Total Monster Stack Entries: 337
Players Remaining: 5

Nick Wildman got his last 1,200,000 all in preflop holding K♣️J♠️ against the A♦️5♦️ of Michio Cohen. He failed to improve and is our 6th place Monster Stack finisher earning $6,791.

Day 2: Jason Kwartler Eliminated in 7th Place ($5,190)

$570 Monster Stack NLH
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 27: 60,000/120,000/20,000
Total Monster Stack Entries: 337
Players Remaining: 6

Jason Kwartler

It folds around to Michio Cohen in the small blind and he moves all in for about 2,600,000. Jason Kwartler calls for his last 1,800,000 from the big blind and the hands are shown.

Cohen: K♦️10♦️
Kwartler: A♥️9♦️

The J♠️9♣️8♥️7♥️3♣️ runout improves Cohen to a straight and Kwartler is our 7th place Monster Stack finisher.

Michio Cohen- 5,500,000
Jason Kwartler- Eliminated in 7th Place ($5,190)

Day 2: Todd Dugan Eliminated in 8th Place ($4,010)

$570 Monster Stack NLH
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 27: 60,000/120,000/20,000
Total Monster Stack Entries: 337
Players Remaining: 7

Todd Dugan got the last of his chips in holding Q♥️J♥️ against the K♣️J♦️ of Gilberto Taverasgarcia. He failed to improve and is our 8th place Monster Stack finisher taking home $4,010.

Day 2: Big Stacks Clash, Holmstedt Moves Over 12 Million

$570 Monster Stack NLH
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 27: 60,000/120,000/20,000
Total Monster Stack Entries: 337
Players Remaining: 8

Deborah Holmstedt

Michio Cohen raises to 310,000 from under the gun and it folds to Deborah Holmstedt in the big blind. Holmsted moves all in for 6,065,000 and Cohen calls.

It’s the biggest pot of the tournament and it’s a classic coin flip situation with Holmstedt holding A♥️K♦️ against Cohen’s Q♦️Q♠️.

They see a flop of K♥️10♥️10♠️ and Holmstedt lets out a fist pump as she pairs her king to take the lead. The turn 4♥️ and river 10♣️ improve Holmstedt to a full house and she rakes in the massive pot to the chip lead.

Deborah Holmstedt- 12,350,000
Michio Cohen- 2,700,000

Day 2: Jeremy Meacham Eliminated in 9th Place ($3,117)

$570 Monster Stack NLH
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 27: 60,000/120,000/20,000
Total Monster Stack Entries: 337
Players Remaining: 8

Jeremy Meacham

The action folds to Jeremy Meacham in the small blind and he moves all in for about 1,500,000. Gilberto Taverasgarcia calls from the big blind and the hands are shown.

Taverasgarcia: 6♥️6♣️
Meacham: K♣️Q♣️

The board runs out clean for Taverasgarcia A♠️8♠️7♠️2♠️J♥️ and Meacham is eliminated in 9th Place.

Gilberto Taverasgarcia- 8,800,000
Jeremy Meacham- Eliminated in 9th Place ($3,177)

Day 2: Dinner Time

$570 Monster Stack NLH
$100,000 Guaranteed
End of Level 26: 50,000/100,000/10,000
Total Monster Stack Entries: 337
Players Remaining: 9

The Monster Stack players are now on a one hour dinner break and we are down to the final nine. We will pick back up on the action when play resumes at approximately 7:10 P.M.

Day 2: Taverasgarcia Takes from Cohen

$570 Monster Stack NLH
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 26: 50,000/100,000/10,000
Total Monster Stack Entries: 337
Players Remaining: 9

Gilberto Taverasgarcia

Brian Ballentine raises to 230,000 from the hi-jack and Gilberto Taverasgarcia reraises to 600,000 from the button. Michio Cohen makes it 1,300,000 from the small blind and it folds back to Taverasgarcia who calls.

They go heads up to the K♦️Q♠️4♦️ flop and both players check. The turn is the 7♥️ and Cohen check calls a bet of 550,000 from Taverasgarcia. The river is the A♣️ and Cohen checks to Taverasgarcia who moves all in for about 2,800,000.

Cohen folds and Taverasgarcia flashes his Q♦️Q♣️ for a flopped set of queens while he drags in the pot.

Gilberto Taverasgarcia- 7,000,000
Michio Cohen- 6,750,000

Day 2: Geoff Parker Eliminated in 10th Place ($2,612)

$570 Monster Stack NLH
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 26: 50,000/100,000/10,000
Total Monster Stack Entries: 337
Players Remaining: 9

Geoff Parker

Geoff Parker raises to 500,000 from early positin and it folds to Michio Cohen on the button. Cohen moves all in for about 7,000,000 and it folds back to Parker who calls for about 1,100,000.

Cohen: A♥️K♠️
Parker: Q♣️Q♠️

There is an ace in the window for Cohen on the A♠️9♠️9♦️ flop and Cohen takes the lead. The turn 10♣️ and river 3♣️ are no help to Parker and he is eliminated in 10th place earning $2,612. Cohen extends his chip lead and is now over 8,000,000 with just 9 players remaining.

Day 2: Kwartler Doubles Through Wildman

$570 Monster Stack NLH
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 26: 50,000/100,000/10,000
Total Monster Stack Entries: 337
Players Remaining: 10

Jason Kwartler

Michio Cohen raises to 225,000 from middle position and Jason Kwartler moves all in for 960,000. Nick Wildman calls from the cutoff and it folds back to Cohen who folds.

Kwartler: K♦️K♥️
Wildman: 9♥️9♠️

The board runs out clean for Kwartler 10♥️8♠️7♦️7♣️5♠️ and his kings hold up to earn him the double up.

Jason Kwartler- 2,170,000
Nick Wildman- 2,200,000

Day 2: Final Table Set, Michio Cohen Leads

$570 Monster Stack NLH
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 25: 40,000/80,000/10,000
Total Monster Stack Entries: 337
Players Remaining: 10

Michio Cohen

Brian Ballentine

The Monster Stack final table is now set and it’s Michio Cohen leading the at with 6,500,000. Brian Ballentine is right on his heels with 5,900,000 and Mitchell Hite rounds out the top three with 5,100,000.

Below are the updated final table chip counts as well as what’s at stake.

Seat 1. Deborah Holmstedt- 2,450,000
Seat 2. Michio Cohen- 6,500,000
Seat 3. Todd Dugan- 1,115,000
Seat 4. Jason Kwartler- 1,600,000
Seat 5. Aidan Hite- 5,100,000
Seat 6. Nick Wildman- 3,500,000
Seat 7. Geoff Parker- 925,000
Seat 8. Brian Ballentine- 5,900,000
Seat 9. Jeremy Meacham- 2,800,000
Seat 10. Gilberto Taverasgarcia- 3,585,000

Payouts
1. $39,727
2. $25,241
3. $16,446
4. $12,014
5. $8,998
6. $6,791
7. $5,190
8. $4,010
9. $3,117
10. $2,612

Day 2: Wildman Eliminates Wade Meacham

$570 Monster Stack NLH
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 24: 30,000/60,000/10,000
Total Monster Stack Entries: 337
Players Remaining: 14

Wade Meacham

Wade Meacham got his last 935,000 all in preflop holding pocket tens against the pocket jacks of Nick Wildman. He is sent to the rail in 15th place and will take home $2,191.

There is still one Meacham left in the hunt as his brother is sitting behind a very healthy stack of about 2,000,000.

Nick Wildman- 2,500,000
Wade Meacham- Eliminated in 15th place ($2,191)

Day 2: Aidan Hite Vaults to the Top

$570 Monster Stack NLH
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 24: 30,000/60,000/10,000
Total Monster Stack Entries: 337
Players Remaining: 16

Aidan Hite

In one of the last hands before the break Aidan Hite and Deborah Holmstedt got involved in a massive pot. A player in early position raised to 90,000 and it folded to Hite on the button. He re-raised to 225,000 and with the action on Deborah Holmstedt in the small blind she made it 500,000.

Hite made the call and they went heads up to the Q♣️2♠️2♥️ flop. Holmstedt lead out with a bet of 800,000 and Hite moved all in for about 2,500,000. She quickly called turning over A♥️A♠️ but Hite had flopped a full house holding Q♠️Q♦️.

The massive pot was shipped to Hite who takes a massive chip lead with over 6,000,000 and just 16 players remaining.

Aidan Hite- 6,300,000
Deborah Holmstedt- 1,250,000

Day 2: Deborah Holmsted Out in Front

$570 Monster Stack NLH
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 22: 20,000/40,000/5,000
Total Monster Stack Entries: 337
Players Remaining: 27

Deborah Holmsted

We are down to the final 27 Monster Stack players and they are now all guaranteed at least $1,651. Deborah Holmsted who started the day with 857,000 has moved into the lead. Holmstedt is now playing about 3,000,000 but there are plenty of players right on her heels.

Michio Cohen

Nick Wildman

Michio Cohen who entered just before the start of Day 2 continues to climb and he’s not up to 2,700,000. Other big stacks include Gilberto Taverasgarcia (2,600,000), Aidan Hite (2,400,000) Jason Kwartley (2,000,000) and Nick Wildman (1,600,000).

Day 2: Aidan Hite Bursts the Bubble

$570 Monster Stack NLH
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 21: 15,000/30,000/5,000
Total Monster Stack Entries: 337
Players Remaining: 35

Aidan Hite

The player in the big blind moved all in for 270,000 over Aidan Hite’s raise from the small blind. Hite made the call turning over A♠️9♦️ but was dominated by the big blind’s A♦️J♥️.

The dealer spread the 9♠️9♣️6♦️ flop and Hite improves to trip nines to put a hammerlock on the hand. The turn 7♠️ and river 6♥️ improve Hite to a full house.

His opponent is sent to the rail on the bubble and the remaining 35 players are now all in the money and guaranteed a minimum of $1,517.

Day 2: Shaun Deeb Catches the Bluff

$570 Monster Stack NLH
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 20: 12,000/24,000/4,000
Total Monster Stack Entries: 337
Players Remaining: 45

Shaun Deeb

Shaun Deeb and Gilberto Taverasgarcia are heads up on the K♥️5♣️2♦️ flop and Taverasgarcia checks to Deeb who bets 50,000. Taverasgarcia calls and both players check the Q♦️ turn card.

Gilberto Taverasgarcia

The river is the J♥️ and Taverasgarcia leads out with a bet of 150,000. Deeb makes the call and Taverasgarcia knuckles the table “good call” he says turning over A♥️3♦️ for just ace high.

Deeb shows 6♠️6♦️ and adds another pot to his stack. He is chipping up fast and is now up to over 1,500,000.

Shaun Deeb- 1,550,000
Gilberto Taverasgarcia- 1,900,000

Day 2: Jason Kwartler Nearing Two Million

$570 Monster Stack NLH
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 19: 10,000/20,000/3,000
Total Monster Stack Entries: 337
Players Remaining: 53

Dennis Zollo (left) Jason Kwartler (right)

The Day 2 Monster Stack action has been fast and furious and players are falling fast. Just 53 remain as we inch closer to the money bubble and the chips are flying.

Jason Kwartler started Day 2 with 783,000 but a lot can change in less than two levels of play. Kwartler continues to drag in pot after pot and is now in contention for the chip lead with just shy of 2,000,000.

Monster Stack Final Payouts, $39,727 Up Top

The $570 Monster Stack $100,000 Guaranteed NLH event drew a total of 337 entries creating a prize pool of $168,500. The final 35 players will all make the money and be guaranteed at least $1,517.

One lucky winner will be taking home $39,727 for their efforts. Below is a full list of the final Monster Stack tournament payouts.

1. $39,727
2. $25,241
3. $16,446
4. $12,014
5. $8,998
6. $6,791
7. $5,190
8. $4,010
9. $3,117
10-12. $2,612
13-15. $2,191
16-18. $1,854
19-27. $1,651
28-35. $1,517

Day 2: Lucky Lady for Kevin Rines

$570 Monster Stack NLH
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 18: 8,000/16,000/2,000
Total Monster Stack Entries: 337
Players Remaining: 70

Kevin Rines

Jonathan Kaufman raises to 35,000 from early position and Kevin Rines reraises to 105,000. It folds back to Kaufman who moves all in for 308,000 and Rines makes the call.

Rines: A♠️Q♣️
Kaufman: A♣️K♠️

Jonathan Kaufman

Kaufman is in great shape to double up and the 10♦️6♥️5♥️ flop is no help to Rines. The Q♠️ hits the turn and Rines pairs his queen to take the lead.

Kaufman will need a river jack or king to stay alive but the 3♥️ river card seals the deal for Rines. Kaufman is eliminated and Rines chips up to about 875,000.

Day 2: Campana Takes From Vanguilder

$570 Monster Stack NLH
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 18: 8,000/16,000/2,000
Total Monster Stack Entries: 337
Players Remaining: 81

Michael Campana

We catch up to the three handed action on a flop 9♥️8♦️5♠️. The action checks around and the turn is the A♠️.

Michael Campana leads out with a bet of 40,000 and Devan Vanguilder calls. They go heads up to the 6♠️ river and Campana slides out a bet of 100,000. Vanguilder calls turning over 7♣️7♥️ but Campana shows K♠️ 4♠️ for the rivered nut flush to take the pot.

Michael Capana- 900,000
Devan Vanguilder- 1,800,000

Day 2: Day 2 Play Underway, Devan Vanguilder Leads

$570 Monster Stack NLH
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 18: 8,000/16,000/2,000
Total Monster Stack Entries: 337
Players Remaining: 93

Devan Vanguilder

The cards are back in the air here on Day 2 of the Monster Stack and it’s Devan Vanguilder leading the way with 2,006,000. Tournament registration and re-entry is now closed. There were 14 last minute entries today bringing the Monster Stack total to 337 entries creating a prize pool of over $160,000.

We will be now picking up on all of the live action here on the Rivers poker blog and the final Monster Stack payouts and prize pool will be posted shortly.

Monster Stack Day 2 Chip Counts and Seating Assignments

By Table Number

Gilberto Taverasgarcia Leads Day 1B

$570 Monster Stack NLH
$100,000 Guaranteed
Returning to Level 18: 8,000/16,000/2,000
Total Mosnter Stack Entries: 323
Players Remaining: 77

Gilberto Taverasgarcia

Day 1B of the Monster Stack drew a total of 192 entries brining the combined Monster Stack total to entries. 45 players from this flight will be moving on to Day 2 and it’s Gilberto Taverasgarcia at the top of Day 1B chip counts. Taverasgarcia gained the chip lead in the mid stages of the day and never relinquished it putting 1,444,000in the bag.

Vinny Giuliano

Vinny Giuliano is the only other player this flight over a million with 1,027,000 and Ashley Deeb rounds out the top three Day 1B chip stacks with 803,000.

Devan Vanguilder from Day 1A will return with the overall Monster Stack chip lead with 2,006,000.

Ashley Deeb

77 Day 1A-B Monster Stack survivors will return on Sunday April 8 at 11 A.M. to resume Day 2 play and play down to a winner. Tournament registration and re-entry will remain open until the start of Day 2 and any new players or re-entries will receive a full 100,000 chip starting stack.

Below is a look at some of the big stacks and players from this flight that will be advancing. A full list of chip counts and Day 2 seating assignments will be posted here on the blog before the start of Day 2.

Gilberto Taverasgarcia- 1,440,000
Vinny Guiliano- 1,027,000
Ashley Deeb- 803,000
Jason Kwartler- 783,000
Cliff Rowe Jr.- 739,000
Mohamed Ibrahim- 720,000
Wade Meacham- 624,000
Jeremy Meacham- 494,000
Dennis Zollo- 220,000

Day 1B: Weiss Cracks Meacham’s Aces to Survive

$570 Monster Stack NLH
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 16: 5,000/10,000/2,000
Total Day 1B Entries: 192
Day 1B Players Remaining: 63

Sergey Weiss

Sergey Weiss raises to 20,000 from under the gun and the player in the cutoff calls. Jeremy Meacham raises to 55,000 from the button and it folds back to Weiss who moves all in for 63,000. The cutoff player folds and Meacham snap calls turning over A♠️A♣️.

Weiss shows 5♠️5♦️ and stands up preparing to make his exit. The dealer fans the Q♦️Q♥️5♥️ flop and Weiss flops a full house to take the lead. Meacham is now the one in need of help but the turn 2♠️ and river 8♠️ seals the deal for Weiss who earns the double up.

Sergey Weiss- 181,000
Jeremy Meacham- 305,000

Day 1B: Ashley Deeb Gaining Ground

$570 Monster Stack NLH
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 14: 3,000/6,000/1,000
Total Day 1B Entries: 188
Day 1B Players Remaining: 89

Ashley Deeb

Gilberto Taverasgarcia is holding the chip lead with over 700,000 but there are plenty of within striking distance. Ashley Deeb has quietly been building one of the biggest stacks in the room and is quickly gaining ground on our chip leader

She is now playing about 600,000 and will look to finish strong and join her husband Shaun tomorrow on Day 2 of the Monster Stack.

Day 1B: Gilberto Taverasgarcia Out in Front

$570 Monster Stack NLH
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 13: 2,500/5,000/500
Total Day 1B Entries: 185
Day 1B Players Remaining: 93

Gilberto Taverasgarcia

The field is starting to thin down and there are less than 100 Day 1B Monster Stack players remaining. The chips are flying and there are plenty of big stack emerging but none bigger than that of Gilberto Taverasgarcia.

He’s now sitting behind a mountain of over 700,000 and is well out in front of the field. Taverasgarcia will still have his work cut out for him in order to catch Day 1A overall chip leader Devan Vanguilder who bagged a staggering 2,006,000.

Day 1B: Sean Barringer Doubles Up

$570 Monster Stack NLH
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 10: 1,200/2,400/400
Total Day 1B Entries: 164

Sean Barringer

A player limps in from middle position and it folds to the button who raises to 11,000. With the action on Sean Barringer in the small blind he moves all in for 31,600. The player on the button makes the calls and they turn over their hands.

Barringer: K♣️6♣️
Button: A♦️J♦️

“Ship that pot right here dealer” Barringer says but the 9♥️5♦️3♠️ flop is no help. The turn is the 6♦️ pairing Barringer but giving his opponent the nut flush draw. The 6♥️ hits the river and Barringer improves to trip sixes to earn the pot and the double up.

Sean Barringer- 72,000

Day 1B: Jeremy Meacham Makes His Monster Stack Debut

$570 Monster Stack NLH
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 9: 1,000/2,000/300
Total Day 1B Entries: 154

Jeremy Meacham

We featured Wade Meacham earlier on the Rivers Poker Blog and his brother Jeremy is also among the Day 1B Monster Stack field. Jeremy Meacham had the best year of his young poker career in 2017.

He started the year off in February finishing 2nd in the WSOP Circuit $365 NLH event in Las Vegas earning over $15,000. He was right back at another final table in Las Vegas finishing 7th in the Aria NLH $1,000 event for over $14,500.

Meacham then made the journey to Florida and took down the $1,500 WPTDS Jax NLH Main Event. He earned over $117,000 along with his first WPTDeepStacks title.

If that wasn’t enough he followed that up by winning the $1,657 WSOP Circuit Foxwoods Main Event in August. Meacham notched his second six figure score of the year to his poker resume earning $156,735 and his first WSOP Circuit ring.

He has now amassed over $750,000 throughout his career and he is getting involved in plenty of pots here in the mid stages of Day 1B of the Monster Stack.

Day 1B: Jim Rue Shows the Bluff

$570 Monster Stack NLH
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 8: 800/1,600/200
Total Day 1B Entries: 146

Jim Rue

The action folds to the player in the hi-jack position and he raises to 2,000. Jeremy Meacham re-raises to 5,000 from the button and Jim Rue calls from the big blind. The hi-jack player calls and they go three handed to the K♠️10♦️4♠️ flop.

It checks to Meacham who bets 6,300 and Rue makes the call. They go heads up to the 2♦️ turn and both players quickly check.

The river is the 8♦️ and Rue leads out with a bet of 12,000. Meacham mucks his hand and Rue turns over A♠️6♠️ showing just ace high and a missed flush draw as he scoops the pot.

Jim Rue- 110,000
Jeremy Meacham- 67,000

Day 1B: Monster Stack Field Continues to Grow

$570 Monster Stack NLH
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 7: 600/1,200/200
Total Day 1B Entries: 141

Dennis Zollo

The players continue to file into the poker room and it’s a packed house on Day 1B of the Monster Stack. Wade Meacham and Dennis Zollo are among the latest wave of players to take their seats and they certainly know a thing or two about tournament poker.

Zollo has racked up nearly $300,000 in live tournament earnings all over the country. He fell just short of his first WPT final table finishing in 19th place in January’s $3,500 WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open NLH Championship event.

Zollo took home nearly $30,000 for his finish and followed that up in March with another deep run in the Parx 500 Big Stax NLH event finishing 30th for over $2,500.

Henry “Wade” Meacham

Wade Meacham has just taken his seat at one of the outer tables in the poker room. Meacham holds 3 Borgata Poker titles, a SHRPO title and a PPC title. He has earned more than $450,000 throughout his career and will look to add his first Rivers Poker cash to his impressive poker resume here in the Monster Stack.

Day 1B: Chris Mayo Straightens One Out

$570 Monster Stack NLH
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 6: 500/1,000/200
Total Day 1B Entries: 133

Chris Mayo

We catch up to the heads up action on a flop of 7♠️6♣️5♥️ and a player checks to Chris Mayo who bets 9,100 into a main pot of over 20,000. His opponent check raises all in for 78,200 and Mayo thinks it over for quite some time. He eventually makes the call and they turn over the cards.

Mayo: 10♠️8♠️
Opponent: 5♦️4♠️

The turn is the 3♣️ improving the player to a straight and Mayo will need a river four or a nine to score the knockout. The 4♥️ completes the board and Mayo improves to an eight high straight to earn the pot and the elimination.

Mayo scoops the massive pot and is now one of the biggest stacks in the room with about 260,000.

Day 1B: Rosenberg Eliminates Saladin

$570 Monster Stack NLH
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 5: 400/800/100
Total Day 1B Entries: 126

Alan Rosenberg

Alan Rosenberg just eliminated a short stacked Rob Saladin and he is all smiles. “I knocked out the champ take my picture” jokes Rosenberg as he stacks his chips.

Rosenberg is now playing over 200,000 and Saladin hops right back in the field on one of the outer tables.

Day 1B: Besnik Islami Takes a Pot

$570 Monster Stack NLH
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 5: 400/800/100
Total Day 1B Entries: 124

Besnik Islami

A player in early position raises to 2,200 and Besnik Islami calls. The big blind calls and they go three handed to the 9♦️7♠️5♠️ flop.

The early position player bets 4,000 and Islami calls. The big blind folds and the dealer burns and turns the 5♥️.

The player fires out a bet of 9,000 and Islami quickly calls. The river is the 10♠️ and the player tosses out a bet of 25,000. Islami snap calls and his opponent fires his hand face down into the muck. Islami turns over his 5♦️4♥️ for trip fives to earns the pot.

Besnik Islami- 135,000

Day 1B: Cruising Past the $100,000 Guarantee On Break

$570 Monster Stack NLH
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 4: 300/600/75
Total Day 1B Entries: 115

The Day 1B Monster Stack players are now on a 10 minute color up break and the 25 chips are being taken out of play. There are already 115 entries this flight bringing the combined Day 1A-B Monster Stack total to 246 and counting.

There is already more than $120,000 in the prize pool and we have cruised right by the $100,000. Tournament registration will remain open until the start of Day 2 tomorrow at 11 A.M. so don’t miss your chance to get in on the Monster Stack NLH action.

Day 1B: Rob Saladin Looking for More

$570 Monster Stack NLH
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 3: 200/400/50
Total Day 1B Entries: 103

Rob Saladin

Rob Saladin got off to a red hot start yesterday on Day 1A of the Monster Stack. He found a full double up in the very first hand he played and never looked back. Saladin was in cruise control throughout much of the day and put a healthy stack of 261,000 in the bag.

This is a best stack forward event and players can bring their biggest stack to Day 2 so he is right back at it today looking for more. “What am I gonna do with that stack” he jokes as he takes his seat and gets in on the Day 1B Monster Stack action.

Day 1B: Phil Gisiano Among the Early Arrivals

$570 Monster Stack NLH
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 2: 150/300/50
Total Day 1B Entries: 94

Phil Gisiano

Day 1B of the Monster Stack NLH event is just underway and we are already seeing some familiar faces in the field. Phil Gisiano is among the early arrivals in the poker room.

Gisiano is fresh off a final table after finishing 5th in last month’s $1,200 Foxwoods Poker Classic NLH event. Gisiano took home nearly $10,000 for his efforts and will look to continue his recent heater here on his home turf.

$260 Capital Region Classic $100,000 GTD NLH Event May 23-26

Day 1B of the $570 Monster Stack NLH $100,000 GTD is just underway and the poker room is bursting at the seams. We will be crowning our newest Monster Stack champion here tomorrow and there is another great poker tournament right around the corner.

The $260 Capital Region Classic NLH $100,000 Guaranteed event kicks off on May 23. There will be six Day 1 flights at 11 A.M. and 7 P.M. May 23-26. Players will receive a 25,000 starting and will also have the option to buy in before the start of Day 2 for $1,100 and receive a 100,000 chip starting stack.

As always players can check in on all of the upcoming poker tournaments by clicking the link provided below.

https://riverscasinoandresort.com/casino/poker-room/

Day 1B of the Monster Stack NLH Now Underway

Day 1A of the $570 NLH Monster Stack $100,000 Guaranteed event drew a total of 131 entries and just 32 players will be moving on to Day 2.

Day 1B is now underway and we are definitely expecting a full house. Players will receive 100,000 in tournament chips and registrations and re-entry (unlimited re-entry) will remain open until the start of level 18 (Day 2).

Levels 1-17 will last 30 minutes, levels 18-23 will last 40 minutes and levels 24+ will last 50 minutes. Day 1 play will wrap up after 17 levels of play or approximately 7 P.M. at which time the bagging process will begin.

The combined Monster Stack Day 1A-B survivors will return Sunday April 8 at 11 A.M. to resume Day 2 play and play down to a winner. We will now be picking up on all of the live Day 1A action right here on the Rivers Poker Blog.

Monster Stack Day 1A Chip Counts, Vanguilder Leads the Final 32

Devan Vanguilder Bags a Massive Chip Lead on Day 1A

$570 Monster Stack NLH
$100,000 Guaranteed
Returning to Level 18: 8,000/16,000/2,000
Total Day 1A Entries: 131
Day 1A Players Remaining: 32

Devan Vanguilder

Day 1A of the $570 Monster Stack NLH $100,000 guaranteed event drew a total of 131 entries. Just 32 players remain and after 17 levels of play it’s Devan Vanguilder leading the way with 2,006,000.

Vanguilder was the only player over the million chip mark and in one of the last hands of the night he scored a double knockout. He held big slick against the pocket kings and pocket queens and there was an ace in the window to vault him further into the lead.

Vanguilder is not only the only player to bag over two million but he is the only player over a million and is all alone at the top of the chip counts.

Deborah Holmstedt

Deborah Holmstedt sits in second with 857,000 and Nick Wildman rounds out the top three chip stacks with 827,000 after catching fire in the last three levels of the night.

The combined Day 1A-B Monster Stack survivors will return on Sunday April 8 at 11 A.M. to resume Day 2 play and play down to a winner.

Below is a look at some of the big stacks and players from this flight that will be advancing. A full list of chip counts and Day 2 seating assignments will be posted here on the blog before the start of Day 2.

Devan Vanguilder- 2,006,000
Deborah Holmstedt- 857,000
Nick Wildman- 827,000
Max Christopher Wiosha- 770,000
Brian Morgan- 611,000
Aidan Hite- 576,000
Anthony Casale- 512,000
Rob Saladin- 261,000
Darrin Keller- 169,000

Day 1A: Johnny Rodriguez Battles Back

$570 Monster Stack NLH
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 15: 4,000/8,000/1,000
Total Day 1A Entries: 126
Day 1A Players Remaining: 48

Johnny Rodriguez

Johnny Rodriguez had one foot out the door when he was down to just 7,000 during the last blind level. Although he was left with just one big blind Rodriguez did not quit and has battled back.

After chipping up to 37,000 Rodriguez just found a full double up holding 10♣️10♥️ against the K♥️J♠️ of his opponent. He is now playing close to 100,000 and will look to finish strong with his sights set on Day 2.

Day 1A: Geoff Parker Scores a Knockout

$570 Monster Stack NLH
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 14: 3,000/6,000/1,000
Total Day 1A Entries: 126
Day 1A Players Remaining: 50

Geoff Parker

The under the gun player moves all in for his last 63,000 and it folds to Jeff Barker in middle position. Barker re-shoves all in for about 100,000 and the rest of the table quickly folds.

Parker: K♦️K♣️
Opponent: A♣️9♣️

The board runs out clean for Barker Q♥️10♦️6♦️5♦️2♥️ and his pocket kings hold up to earn him the pot and the knockout.

Geoff Parker- 185,000