2014 Seneca Fall Poker Classic Main Event: Rick Block Dominates Day 2, Leads Final Table
The 2014 Seneca Fall Poker Classic Main Event continued Sunday with 65 of the original 263 entries returning to the balcony of the Seneca Niagara Hotel & Casino. After nearly 14 hours on the felt, the day ended with nine players eyeing the trophy and the $57,736.
Rick Block is on top heading into the final day. Block grinded out a short stack for most of Day 2 but went on a rush with two tables remaining, working it up from 250,000 to almost 2.5 million when play came to a close.
Among those joining Block at the final table are Joe Ciffa, Andre Smith and 19-year-old Veerab Zakarian, who needs a take a school exam at 8 a.m. Monday morning before driving back to Niagara Falls to play for the title.
Main Event Final Table
| Place | Player | Chips |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rick Block | 2,488,000 |
| 2 | Anthony Sgroi | 993,000 |
| 3 | Dave Grana | 977,000 |
| 4 | Veerab Zakarian | 852,000 |
| 5 | Joe Ciffa | 627,000 |
| 6 | Joseph [Removed:340] | 581,000 |
| 7 | Thomas MacKenzie | 555,000 |
| 8 | Randy Lingenfelter | 499,000 |
| 9 | Andre Smith | 321,000 |
Only the top 24 places were paid in this tournament, meaning more than half of those returning on Sunday would go home empty-handed. Among those who failed to make the money were Lou Tomassi, DJ MacKinnon, Kyle Gauchat and Ronny D'Grillo, who landed on the bubble. D'Grillo moved all in for his last 34,500 from early position. Matt Dubuc, Anthony Sgroi and Block all called and checked it down on a jack-high board. D'Grillo tabled A♥Q♦ but he was bested by Sgroi's pocket kings.
From there, Dan Wagner, Scott Gaddi, Chris Gras, Vincent Palma and Robert Donegan hit the rail short of the final table. Donegan was among with leaders with 18 left but made a timely misstep against Ciffa that removed him from the tournament.
Donegan opened to 50,000 from early position, Ciffa called from middle position and Thomas MacKenzie called on the button. The dealer fanned the 3♦4♦6♦ flop and Donnegan made a huge overshove for 464,000. Ciffa snap-called, and MacKenzie folded.
Ciffa showed A♦Q♦ for an ace-high flush, and Donegan sheepishly tabled his K♥J♦ as he was was only drawing to a miraculous chop. The Q♥ and 10♣ completed the board and Donegan made his way out of the room.
Ciffa held the chip lead until Block completely took over the tournament, eventually eliminating Dean Metzger in 10th place to finish the day with nearly 2.5 million in chips. Joseph [Removed:340] opened from under the gun, Block called from directly behind, and action folded to Metzger in the big blind. He shoved for 195,000, and both players called.
Block and [Removed:340] checked the 4♦J♣8♣ flop, and then [Removed:340] checked again on the 9♠ turn. Block bet 200,000 and [Removed:340] called, bringing the 6♠ on the river. [Removed:340] check-called a bet of 100,000.
"Straight," said Block as he tabled the Q♦10♥. Metzger and [Removed:340] both mucked, and Metzger was eliminated in 10th place.
Block won an event at the Seneca Fall Poker Classic last year and will look to add another title on Monday. Our final table overage begins at noon ET so be sure to follow the updates right here. See you then!
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