$1,100 WPTDeepStacks Tampa Main Event
$300,000 Guaranteed | Structure
Level 9: 300/600 with a 75 ante
Flight A Entries: 181

Level 9 is upon us and that means time is running out to join the first flight of the WPTDeepStacks Tampa Main Event. Even after the level comes to an end, there will still be the hour-long dinner break to get in if they wish.

David Tuthill exercises his entry option before the break. The former WSOP Circuit Main Event has curtailed his play as of late but he’s made an appearance a few times this series.

$1,100 WPTDeepStacks Tampa Main Event
$300,000 Guaranteed | Structure
Level 8: 250/500 with a 50 ante
Flight A Entries: 170

The entry count is up to 170 with two hours remaining in registration so the 191 from last year is in play. That would be a great start to the Main Event with two bigger days coming up.

Tampa poker pro Michael Laake was a recent addition after the second break and he has a big milestone on the horizon. He owns several titles, including a 2016 SHR Tampa Winter Poker Open win, and his career total sits just south of $1 million earned. If Laake wins this tournament, that would do it.

$1,100 WPTDeepStacks Tampa Main Event
$300,000 Guaranteed | Structure
Level 7: 200/400 with a 50 ante
Flight A Entries: 170

We didn’t see the preflop action but we heard the post-flop noise. We hustled over to see Corey Major all in for 14,000 against John Pappas with his dominating .

The table erupted when the dealer spread the flop. Major hit a full house, Pappas had the old flopped quads, and Major couldn’t find a one-out win on the turn or river. Major took it in stride and Pappas moved up to 41,000.

“Man, he took that really well,” Pappas commented about Major.

$1,100 WPTDeepStacks Tampa Main Event
$300,000 Guaranteed | Structure
Level 7: 200/400 with a 50 ante
Flight A Entries: 168

The break is over and players returned to their seats for another set of three levels. This time they will go on a 60-minute dinner break with plenty of time to enjoy the amenities on property.

We found a big stack this time. There were no standouts at the first break but Andrea Ruosi established himself by the time they hit the second. The Italian player is sitting nicely with 125,000 with a lot of time to run it up further.

$1,100 WPTDeepStacks Tampa Main Event
$300,000 Guaranteed | Structure
Level 6: 150/300 with a 25 ante
Flight A Entries: 165

We have reached the end of another three levels and Main Event players are leaving the tables for the next break. The entry count continues to move north and we are less than 30 away from topping last year’s first flight numbers.

$1,100 WPTDeepStacks Tampa Main Event
$300,000 Guaranteed | Structure
Level 6: 150/300 with a 25 ante
Flight A Entries: 162

The field is filling in and more familiar faces are getting into the game. And then there’s the family grinding together.

We’re used to seeing Marie Harrell in our big games throughout the year. Her most recent big score came in the delayed WPTDeepStacks Immokalee that ran in Hollywood this past April and she also has a WPTDeepStacks final appearance in Jacksonville.

Now her son Trey is trying to follow in her successful footsteps and he’s in the field this afternoon as well.

$1,100 WPTDeepStacks Tampa Main Event
$300,000 Guaranteed | Structure
Level 5: 100/200 with a 25 ante
Flight A Entries: 160

Brent Pasquarella opened the action from the button and the small blind opponent three-bet shoved for 6,675. The big blind released and Pasquarella called to put him at risk.

Pasquarella:
Small Blind:

Not a conventional coin flip but Pasquarella picked up the KO when the board ran to pair his seven.

Brent Pasquarella – 34,600

$1,100 WPTDeepStacks Tampa Main Event
$300,000 Guaranteed | Structure
Level 4: 75/150 with a 25 ante
Flight A Entries: 152

This is the third running of the WPTDeepStacks Tampa Main Event which means we’ve only had two past champions. And one of them is playing today.

Anthony Astarita won the inaugural Main Event in 2016 by topping the 538-entry seat for more than $130,000. He also went deep in the Main Event last year and made it down to the last three tables.

$1,100 WPTDeepStacks Tampa Main Event
$300,000 Guaranteed | Structure
Level 4: 75/150 with 25 ante
Flight A Entries: 146

The first break is complete and cards are back in the air. They have another three levels to look forward to before doing it again.

Unlike the previous events in the series, we had no standout stacks after two hours of play. Michael Parisi, down here from Chicago for the Main Event, had one of the bigger stacks with 44,000 and that puts him at or near the top.

We expect to see much bigger stacks in two hours.

$1,100 WPTDeepStacks Tampa Main Event
$300,000 Guaranteed | Structure
Level 3: 75/150
Flight A Entries: 144

Level 3 is coming to an end which means it’s about time for players to enjoy their first break from the action. With 144 entries so far, the Main Event is well on its way to hitting the $300,000 guaranteed prize pool.