![[user153906]](/img/avatars/avatar.svg){kind=avatar}
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
Busted | |
|
Busted | |
|
|
Busted | |
|
|
Busted | |
|
Busted |
Level: 10
Blinds: 600/1,200
Ante: 200
Leo Kaplin is one of the early leaders here in Event #1 but his stack just took a hit courtesy of Chris Drake. Kaplin raised to 3,000 from middle position and Drake called from the cutoff. Tim Kelly thought for a moment from the button before folding, and the blinds followed.
The flop rolled out 
and Kaplin c-bet for 4,000. Drake responded with a raise to 12,000, and Kaplin called to see the 
hit the turn. Kaplin slowed down with a check and Drake quickly announced "all in" for 16,000. Kaplin went into the tank but decided to pass. Drake showed the 
for a massive draw/semi-bluff before raking in the pot.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
70,000
-10,000
|
-10,000 |
|
49,000
49,000
|
49,000 |
Level: 9
Blinds: 500/1,000
Ante: 100
Rick Block, one of our Players to Watch here at the WNY Poker Challenge, raised to 1,600 from the hijack and got calls from the cutoff, button and big blind. On the 
flop, action checked over to Block and he fired 3,300. The cutoff moved all in for a little more than 5,000, and Block called after the other two players got out of the way.
Cutoff: 
Block: 
Block needed to fade a heart to win the pot and he did just that when the 
and completed the board. Block is back above starting stack after dropping below 15,000 for much of the day.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
20,000
5,500
|
5,500 |
What can players look forward to during the WNY Poker Challenge? Earlier this week we spoke with Seneca Niagara Poker Room Manager Amanda Scarcelli about the series. Scarcelli has overseen the poker room in Niagara Falls since 2012.
PokerNews: What sort of things has the Seneca Poker Room been doing to prepare for the WNY Poker Challenge?
Scarcelli: To prepare for the WNYPC we have been hitting the radio hard, we made a commercial, advertised in poker magazines and social media. We gave away over 300 satellite seats and been running two step satellites since February 14th.
Are you introducing anything new to this series?
New to this series we are allowing 18-and-over players for events 10 through 16.
You've been running Main Event satellites for a couple months now. How many players have qualified so far?
We’ve qualified over 30 so far. We have about two weeks left and we plan on qualifying at least 80 total.
Some of the bigger poker tournaments in the past have been held on the balcony of the Seneca Niagara Casino. Where will tournaments be held for the WNY Poker Challenge?
We start off in the poker room with Events 1 through 9. Events 10 through 16 are on the hotel balcony.
The Seneca Poker Room has some of the best dealers I've seen on the tournament circuit. Where do you find these talented guys and girls?
Our dealers are very talented and sharp. Most of the dealers have been here since day one when the poker room opened 10 years ago.
Several of the tours and poker rooms around the world don't allow players to chop at the final table. We know that it's a common occurrence in Seneca Poker events. What's your opinion about deal making?
Our opinion on chops is to not get involved. We do prefer to see the tournament finish but if the players can all agree we don’t see a problem with it.
Andy Spears has won two of the major tournaments at Seneca over the past year. He's already told us that he's playing in next month's Main Event. Does anyone else have a chance?
Andy has definitely been on a roll the last couple of years — not just here. We are proud of him and he always makes it interesting to watch.
We feel all of our tournament players are skilled and experienced and have the ability to take first.
Who are some of the other players to watch for during the WNY Poker Challenge?
Some of the other players to watch are Travell Thomas, Jason Nablo, Alex Rivera, Shawn Smalls, Dietrich Kuhlman, Ray Book and Lou Tomassi. I could go on and on we have so many good players.
Finally, for those who haven't visited Niagara Falls before, where are the best spots to visit? Any tips for tourists?
My favorite spot is Prospect Point at the Horse Shoe Falls. You can feel the power of the falls and the mist of the water, but dress warm because it’s still a little chilly.
Level: 8
Blinds: 400/800
Ante: 100
Players are on a 15-minute break while the tournament staff colors up some of the chips. We'll be right back.
A player raised to 1,500 from middle position and Art Demmerley defended his big blind to see a flop of 
. Demmerley checked, his opponent bet 1,200, and Demmerley shoved for 6,300 total. Call.
Demmerley: 
Opponent: 
Demmerley's pair of kings were in front, and the 
turn and 
river gave him a flush to secure his double-up to 14,000.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
14,000
1,000
|
1,000 |
With the board showing 
, two players committed their stacks and Shamel Thomas called, having both covered. The player in Seat 10 revealed her hand first (), which was way behind Leo Kaplin's flopped straight with the 
. Thomas needed a lot of help with his .
The 
turn and 
river completed the board, and Kaplin increased his stack to around 45,000. He added even more in the next hand against Jason Nablo and is now sitting with around 50,000.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
50,000 | |
|
27,000
-19,500
|
-19,500 |
