Kit Manuel tops Stacked Poker Championship Main Event Day 1A
Almost 12 hours after play got underway, the opening flight of this year’s Stacked Poker Championship has been run and done with 20 of the 68 players who entered bagging a stack ahead of Day 2.
Leading the way is Kit Manuel with 219,500, who soared to the top of the pops late in the evening after a huge clash with Tony Xu. The chips went in on the turn with Xu holding A♥10♥ and Manuel A♠Q♠ on a A♦10♠5♥6♠ board. The 4♠ landed on the river to send the pot Manuel’s way.
He holds a narrow lead over Dion Mavrangelos and 2020 Stacked Poker Championship winner Michael Haddad, while plenty of big names are still in the running – Jonathan Karamalikis and Billy Argyros among them. Steve “The Big Show” Topakas also progressed after flying in from Melbourne Friday morning.
Saturday will see two flights running back-to-back with the second being a Turbo flight for those who bust out of the other two. Each flight allows for players to re-enter up to three times while a “Best Stack Forward” system allows those carrying a short stack to try and better it before Day 2 on Sunday.
As always, PokerMedia Australia will be on the floor from 12pm Saturday until finish to bring you all the live action.
| Player | Chips |
| Kit Manuel | 219,500 |
| Dion Mavrangelos | 190,000 |
| Michael Haddad | 186,500 |
| Jamie Brown | 181,000 |
| Christopher Colaneri | 109,500 |
| Billy Argyros | 109,500 |
| Jin Li | 102,500 |
| Max Chea | 97,000 |
| Obie Blanusa | 95,500 |
| Samuel K | 94,500 |
| Adam Lutley | 90,500 |
| Michael Mariakis | 83,000 |
| Joe Sanjaev | 65,500 |
| Elliot Esca | 64,500 |
| Adam Cusenza | 62,000 |
| Zhiifan Ye Mata | 60,500 |
| Daniel S | 57,000 |
| Stephen Topakas | 55,500 |
| Jonathan Karamilikis | 53,500 |
| Gavin Best | 53,000 |
Done and dusted
And that’s all she wrote folks. The final level of the day has come to an end and remaining 20 players are now bagging and tagging.
We’ll bring you final chip counts for the day as soon as they become available.
Kit hits
Kit Manuel has just won a huge pot against Tony Xu to soar into the chip lead moments before the end of the day’s play.
The hand began with Xu opening from the button and Manuel 3-betting from the small blind. Xu called.
The flop fell A♦10♠5♥ and Manuel led for 12,500. Xu called. On the 6♠ turn, Manuel checked and Xu bet 16,500. Manuel then announced he was all-in and Xu tank-called, showing A♥10♥ for top two.
Manuel still had plenty of outs, however, and binked one of them when the 4♠ landed on the river.
The huge clash sent Xu packing while Manuel soared to 225,000.
Are you serious?
It was folded around to Scott Calcogno in the cut-off who announced he was all-in for his last 21,600. Michael Haddad looked down from the big blind, looked at Calcogno, and said, “I’m sorry Scotty I have to call … I’ve got Kings.”
“Are you series,” Calcogno said as he rolled over K♣10♠. Unfortunately for Calcogno, Haddad was telling the truth and when the board ran out A♣4♥A♦7♦5♠ Calcogno’s day was done.
Haddad moves to 185,000.
Last level
The clock has ticked over into the final level of the night, meaning players will be bagging and tagging in about 40 minutes’ time or 11.30pm Adelaide time.
This event is not only a re-entry event with each player allowed up to three bullets per flight, it is also best stack forward meaning anyone that survives today has the opportunity to play again tomorrow and try to build a bigger stack.
Level 13: 1,000/2,000 (2,000)
Croc and roll
Nick Williams was all-in for his remaining 20,600 and Billy Argyros made the call.
It was a classic race with Argyros holding 10♠10♣ and Williams the two overs with A♦Q♥.
The board ran out K♠2♦3♥K♣4♦ and Argyros moves to 107,000.
Level down
With a little over one level to play tonight, it’s looking like we’re going to finish the evening with 68 entries on Day 1A.
There are currently 26 players remaining and the tournament staff have just broken a table to take us down to three tables in play.
Roman wrecked
On a 10♠J♠Q♣ flop, Michael Mariakis led for 6,000 and Roman Priplotski called.
The turn was the 8♦ and this time Mariakis bet 15,600. Priplotski shoved for not a whole lot more and Mariakis made the call.
Priplotski showed Q♦Q♥ for top set but needed help against the 8♠9♠ of Mariakis. The river A♥ changed nothing and Priplotski is goneski.
Mariakis now has 95,000.
To the Max
Max Chea can’t say he isn’t running good. We wandered by bis table just in time to see him getting it all-in against Stephen Bee on a board reading J♣4♠5♦.
Bee showed A♣J♠ but was trailing Chea’s 4♣5♥. The turn and river bricked to send Bee to the rail and lift Chea to around 140,000 in chips.
At the same time as Chea was winning that massive pot, he was also involved in a $220 flip for another Main Event seat. He was dealt 3♥5♣ which quickly turned into the nuts on an A♦2♥Q♠4♥7♦ board.
Level 12: 800/1,600 (1,600)
AA v KK
Obie Blanusa has rocketed into the overall chip lead following a massive all-in clash with former chip leader Stephen Bee.
The chips went flying pre-flop with Bee looking good to score the knockout with A♦A♣ against the K♦K♥ of Blanusa.
The J♦7♣5♦ flop changed nothing but the K♣ turn quickly shifted the power base. The river was the meaningless 8♦ as Blanusa soars up the leaderboard.
| Obie Blanusa | 172,000 |
| Stephen Bee | 53,000 |
Notable stacks
| Player | Chips |
| Stephen Bee | 132,000 |
| Michael Haddad | 130,000 |
| Obie Blanusa | 107,000 |
| Tony Xu | 105,000 |
| “Horse” | 105,000 |
| Jin Lee | 94,000 |
| Joe Sanjaev | 93,000 |
| Nick Williams | 83,000 |
| Elliott Esca | 80,000 |
| Jamie Brown | 76,000 |
| Steve Topakas | 75,000 |
| Adam Lutley | 63,000 |
| Michael Mariakis | 55,000 |
| Billy Argyros | 38,000 |
| Scott Calcogno | 33,000 |
| Jonathan Karamalikis | 23,000 |
Level 11: 700/1,400 (1,400)
Break time
Players are on their final 10-minute break of the day.
Around the room
Drawing strong
On a K♠3♠10♦ flop, Michael Mariakis led for 8,000 and Kim Nguyen jammed. Mariakis called all-in for around 40,000 and it was off to the races with Kim holding K♦10♥ for top two and Mariakis drawing strong with A♠J♠.
The turn Q♠ hit both of Mariakis’s draws to rocket him into the lead and he held as the river bricked.
| Michael Mariakis | 85,000 |
| Kim Nguyen | 23,000 |
Level 11: 700/1,400 (1,400)
Level 10: 600/1,200 (1,200)
Bee buzzing
Neb Blanusa shoved for his remaining 11,500 and a player on the button called. Stephen Bee then shoved over the top, forcing the button to fold.
It was Bee out in front with Q♦Q♥ against the A♦7♥ of Blanusa, and when the board ran 9♦J♦9♣K♦8♠ Blanusa’s day was done – having already fired his maximum three bullets for the day.
Bee is up to 118,000.
Drinks for all
Defending Stacked Poker Championship Main Event champion Michael Haddad is known for having plenty to say and he’s having a good time again in today’s flight.
Moments ago he stood up and addressed the room with his booming voice, thanking everyone for their attendance and offering to buy the whole room a drink. He finished his speech by announcing, “And I raise … 2,500”.
The stacks
| David Sun | 120,000 |
| Tony Xu | 114,000 |
| Joe Sanjaev | 105,000 |
| Kim Nguyen | 94,000 |
| Lionel Seah | 64,000 |
Kim gets it in
After Michael Mariakis opened to 2,500 and Kim Nguyen called, Neb Blanusa 3-bet to 10,000. Mariakis folded while Kim called.
The flop came 6♦5♠8♠ and both players checked. On the 3♠ turn Kim checked again and Blanusa jammed. Kim snap-called and rolled over 6♦6♥ to be well out in front of Blanusa’s A♦K♠. The river bricked and Kim now sits with one of the big stacks.
| Kim Nguyen | 94,000 |
| Neb Blanusa | 11,000 |
JK in the house!
South Australian poker icon Jonathan Karamalikis has just arrived and is now seated at the “feature” table.
Karamalikis doesn’t play a whole heap these days – in fact he informed us this is his first tournament since the WPT DeepStacks Gold Coast Main Event last May – but his presence will no doubt still make his table mates nervous.
Long regarded as one of Australia’s best players, he was inducted into the Australian Poker Hall of Fame in 2019 on the back of a lengthy resume that includes an Aussie Millions ring, victory in the 2010 APPT Sydney Main Event (when he was a sponsored Full Tilt pro) and multiple high roller titles across Australia and Macau – not to mention his online exploits.
Karamilikis was also one of eight inaugural inductees into the South Australian Poker Hall of Fame just a fortnight ago.
Level 9: 500/1,000 (1,000)
Spike Mike
Michael Mariakis opened in early position and was one of two players to call after a player on the button 3-bet. On the K♦10♠4♣ flop, both callers checked back to the button who continued for around 11,000. Mariakis then check-raised all-in. The original caller folded but the button called, showing A♥A♣ to have Mariakis in trouble with his K♠J♥.
Not to worry though – the K♥ landed on the turn and when the river bricked it was Mariakis chipping up to 60,000.
Ghinis downed
Alex Ghinis has been particularly aggressive with his 3-betting and 4-betting but he ran into a bit of trouble after trying to steal another pot.
After Andrew Michael opened to 2,000, Elliott Esca 3-bet to 4,800 from the button before Ghinis 4-bet to 11,100 out of the big blind.
Michael folded but Esca announced he was all-in for a total of 36,500. Ghinis thought briefly before letting it go.
| Alex Ghinis | 55,000 |
| Elliott Esca | 50,000 |
We’re back!
Players are back from their dinner break and the cards are in the air!
Level 8: 400/800 (800)
Break it up
We’re seven levels down and the players are now going on a 45-minute dinner break. We’ll see you at around 7.15pm local time!
Numbers game
As the clock ticks down towards the dinner break, we have 57 total registrations for the day with 40 players remaining. Re-entry is permitted all the way through today so expect that number to grow.
By way of comparison, this same flight attracted 53 runners last year while the Main Event saw a total of 126 runners in total. With an extra flight added to this year’s schedule, the target number is 150 starters. Will we get there?
Notable stacks
| Joe Sanjaev | 73,000 |
| Obie Blanusa | 68,000 |
| Lionel Seah | 65,000 |
| Jamie Brown | 60,000 |
| Michael Haddad | 59,000 |
| Tony Xu | 54,000 |
| David Sun | 46,000 |
| Adam Cusenza | 41,000 |
Level 7: 300/600 (600)
Adam at’em
In a 3-way pot starting at a 10♣9♦7♣ flop, Leeroy Turnbull shoved for his final 3,000 and Adam Cusenza called. The third player in the pot then shoved over the top for his remaining 12,000 and Cuzenza made the call.
The cards were turned with Cusenza showing Q♣Q♠, Turnbull
K♣2♣ for the flush draw and the third player 10♠7♦ for two pair.
The turn 4♥ and river 4♦ was enough to lift Cusenza to the win as he moves to 40,000 and eliminates both opponents.
Huey goes hard
Huey Lam opened to 1,600 and position and received two callers, including Marcus Sisouphan from the blinds.
On the 7♦4♠A♠ flop, Sisouphan checked to Lam who continued for 3,000. Sisouphan called.
The turn was the J♥ and this time Sisouphan check-called a bet of 4,000. On the 4♠ river, Huey announced he was all-in, with Sisouphan eventually folding while flashing the A♣.
| Huey Lam | 38,000 |
| Marcus Sisouphan | 28,000 |
Joe felts Jin
Joe Sanjaev opened to 1,000 and Jin Lee called in the blinds. The flop fell 9♠6♠6♦ and Jin check-raised Sanjaev’s 600 continuation bet to 4,500. Sanjaev called.
The turn was the Q♠ and this time Jin check-called a bet of 4,500. On the 10♣ turn, Jin again checked before calling when Sanjaev put him all-in.
Jin turned over A♠4♠ for the nut flush but Sanjaev had flopped massive holding 9♣9♥ to scoop the pot.
He is our tournament chip leader with 90,000 while Jin returns to the cage to fire another bullet.
Late arrivals
Some late starters in today’s flight include Billy Argyros, Emmanuel Seal, Michael Mariakis and Scott Calcogno.
Calcogno, who finished runner-up in Wednesday’s Terminator event, seems tio enjoy that format having won a WSOP bracelet at WSOP APAC in a Terminator Bounty event in 2014.
Max-imum impact
David Sun and Max Chea got it all-in on a Q♠10♣6♣ flop with Chea the all-in player and in strong position holding Q♣J♠ to Sun’s Q♦2♥.
The turn J♦ was enough for Chea to double through to 31,000, while Sun is still comfortable with 35,000.
We’re back!
The cards are back in the air and the length of each level has increased too. After the first four levels of the day’s play clocked in at 30 minutes each, the rest of the day will see levels extended to 40 minutes each.
We will be playing 13 levels in total today.
Level 5: 200/400 (400)
Break time
Players are on their first 10-minute break of the day.
Chip counts
| Player | Chips |
| Joe Sanjaev | 88,000 |
| Michael Haddad | 57,000 |
| Obie Blanusa | 52,000 |
| Andrew Michael | 45,000 |
| Alex Ghinis | 44,000 |
Action stations
After an early position open to 750, seven players went to the flop which fell 9♥5♠J♥. It was checked to Pip Chea who bet 2,750. Jin Lee then announced he was all-in and Alex Ghinis went all-in over the top. Chea called and the cards were flipped.
It was Ghinis who had flopped huge with 5♦5♣, while Jin showed A♠A♣ and Chea A♥10♥ for the nut flush draw.
The turn was the 2♦ and the river the J♠ to leave both Chea and Jin short while Ghinis moves to 50,000.
Level 4: 150/300 (300)
We’re gonna need a bigger boat
Leeroy Turnbull opened to 800 and was called by three players.
The flop fell 9♠J♣9♥ and it was checked around.
On the K♥ turn, it was checked to Obie Blanusa who bet 2,600. Roman Priplotski folded while Turnbull made the call.
When the river landed 5♣, Turnbull led foir 7,000. Blanusa then shoved and Turnbull quickly called.
Turnbull showed J♠J♥ for the flopped boat but it wasn’t enough to topple Blanusa who showed K♠K♣.
Blanusa moves to 58,000 while Turnbull is left very short.
Bok back
We caught the action on a board reading 8♠K♣7♣A♣ and Bunteon Bok having announced he was all-in. His opponent thought only briefly before making the call with A♠K♠ but needed help against Bok’s 8♦8♥.
The river bricked to move Bok back up to 35,000.
Lam forces the fold
On a board reading 9♣A♠2♥J♥, Jamie Brown fired 5,000 and Huey Lam made the call.
The river was the 2♦ and Brown led out for another 5,000. Lam then announced he was all-in and Brown quickly let it go.
| Huey Lam | 41,500 |
| Jamie Brown | 17,500 |
Level 3: 150/300
Faces in the crowd
Level 2: 100/200
Blanusa blown away
Neb Blanusa has demonstrated his willingness to push with any two playable cards and he wasted no time getting his remaining chips into the middle with 6♣9♣.
Unfortunately he ran into the K♠K♣ of Marcus Sisouphan.
The board ran out J♠7♦K♥A♣A♥ to send Blanusa back to the rego desk to fire the second of the three bullets each player is allowed to fire in each flight.
Sisouphan moves back to 25,000.
Haddad off to flying start
On the first hand of the day’s play, Neb Blanusa out in a big opening raise to 3,500 from early position and received a call from both blinds, including defending champion Michael Haddad in the big blind.
The 9♦4♠5♥ flop was checked around as the K♣ landed on the turn. Again it was checked around before the small blind led for 6,000 on the A♦ river. Haddad made the call, while Blanusa folded.
The small blind showed 4♥5♦ for a flopped two pair but Haddad had the better of it with A♣9♠. He immediately climbs to 42,000.
Shuffle up and deal!
The cards are in the air!
Level 1: 75/150
Delayed start
There is a slight delay here at Stacked Social due to the fact that only a handful of players are on time for the start of play! A few are starting to take their seats now and we’re expecting play to begin shortly.
Welcome back to PokerMedia Australia’s coverage of the Stacked Poker Championship (SPC), live from the Stacked Social poker room in North Adelaide.
Our team is fully recharged after a day off on Thursday, which we took full advantage of to try out some of the local cafés and restaurants, and we’re ready for a huge day of action as the $2,200 SPC Main Event gets underway from 2pm.
Today is the first of three Day 1 flights with the other two both taking place on Saturday. They will include a standard flight starting at midday followed by a Turbo flight from 8pm.
Today’s flight will see 13 levels played, with the first four levels lasting 30 minutes each before the remaining nine levels of the day are extended to 40 minutes each. All levels from Day 2 onwards will be 45 minutes in length.
This is the second running of the SPC Main Event with last year’s inaugural series seeing Michael Haddad crowned champion and taking home the $100,000 top prize.
Who will collect this year’s $100k GTD first place prize?
Stay tuned to pokemedia.com.au as we bring you all the action right through until we crown our champion on Monday.
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