Level: 11
Blinds: 800/1,600
Ante: 200
2014 Western New York Poker Challenge
Event 2: $500 No-Limit Hold'em
Day: 1
Event Info
Final Results
Event Info
Level Info
2014 Western New York Poker Challenge
Buy-in
$450
Entries
112
Level
23
Blinds
12,000 / 24,000
Ante
3,000
![[user153906]](/img/avatars/avatar.svg){kind=avatar}
Level 10
: 600/1,200, 200 ante
Steve Przybyl raised to 3,100 from late position and the player in the small blind shoved for 16,800. Przybyl thought it over briefly before announcing a call.
Small Blind: 
Przybyl: 
The board ran out eight-high and Przybyl doubled up his opponent.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
59,000
-17,000
|
-17,000 |
Level 10
: 600/1,200, 200 ante
Randy Pfeifer assured us that he's "always smiling" (in reference to our earlier post), but scooping big pots certainly doesn't hurt his mood. We caught up with Pfeifer and another player looking at a board of 
. Pfeifer bet 6,200 and the other player called, bringing the 
on the river. Pfeifer fired 16,900 into the pot, and once again he induced a call. Pfeifer showed 
for a set of threes, and the other player mucked. Pfeifer is back above 130,000 and now chasing chip leader Joseph Elia.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
138,000
28,000
|
28,000 |
Level: 10
Blinds: 600/1,200
Ante: 200
Level 9
: 500/1,000, 100 ante
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
Busted | |
|
Busted | |
|
Busted |
Level 9
: 500/1,000, 100 ante
Four of the biggest stacks we're currently tracking are seated at Table 5. Art Demmerley (90,000) is in Seat 1, Jason Nablo (84,000) is in Seat 4, Rick Block (67,000) is in Seat 6, and Randy Pfeifer (106,000) is in Seat 7. This could get interesting,
Table 5 is usually reserved for final tables in the Seneca Poker Room, and we wouldn't be surprised to see a couple of these guys there later. Nablo and Demmerley are looking to make their second final table in as many days, and Block and Pfeifer are two of the toughest players in the field.
Level: 9
Blinds: 500/1,000
Ante: 100
Level 8
: 400/800, 100 ante
In case you missed it, here's our recent interview with Amanda Scarcelli about the Western New York Poker Challenge:
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
Level 7
: 300/600, 75 ante
The players are on a 15-minute color up break.