Friday, January 6, 2017

Event 2 (Day 1B): Blumenfield Makes Late Run

Event 2 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $100,000 GTD)
Level 13 (Blinds 1,000/2,000/300)
Total Day 1B Entries: 140
Day 1B Players Remaining: 31
Total Event 2 Entries: 298

Neil Blumenfield (San Francisco, CA)

Players are now (10) minutes away from their final break of the night, and will return to Level 13, posting new blinds of 1,000/2,000/300.  Former "November Niner" Neil Blumenfield had been grinding an average to below average stack for most of the day, but has made his push over the last two levels.  Neil clearly likes his new table/tablemates better, as he's increased his stack to over 100,000, peaking at just the right moment.  He continues to be the consummate professional at the table, as players continually talk to him, and he engages without question.  It will be interesting to see how he fairs over the last two levels of the night, as a "November Niner" reaching Day 2 would make for a great storyline as this event plays out.

Event 2 (Day 1B): Coming Down The Homestretch

Event 2 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $100,000 GTD)
Level 12 (Blinds 800/1,600/200)
Total Day 1B Entries: 139
Day 1B Players Remaining: 32
Total Event 2 Entries: 297

Day 1B play has just entered Level 12, with blinds going up to 800/1,600/200.  The chip average amongst the remaining (32) players is currently 87,000, which equates to a very comfortable (54) big blinds.  Players will finish this level, before taking their final (10) minute break of the night, and then return to finish the last two levels (play will conclude around 12:00am).  Once the field is consolidated down to three table, we will update you on the remaining players (and table lineups), before shutting down "live blog" coverage for the night.  We will still bring you the end of flight chip counts, once the bagging process is done, and the numbers have been made official.

Event 2 (Day 1B): Luminita Lighting Things Up

Event 2 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $100,000 GTD)
Level 11 (Blinds 600/1,200/200)
Total Day 1B Entries: 138
Day 1B Players Remaining: 39
Total Event 2 Entries: 296

Luminita Petrica (West Palm Beach, FL)

Just over (90) minutes ago, we posted about the lack of success from the ladies in this event, and how this flight's hopes were solely on the shoulders of Petrica.  At the time, she was holding just over (20) big blinds, which quickly shrunk to (18) once the blinds went up.  Since then, Luminita had trended steadily upwards, and now sits with a top ten stack (165,000).  There is still a long way to go until the bagging process begins, but it looks as if Petrica may be the first female to bag chips and book a ticket to Day 2.

Event 2 (Day 1B): Top Stacks Heading To Break

Event 2 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $100,000 GTD)
Level 10 (Blinds 500/1,000/100)
Total Day 1B Entries: 135
Day 1B Players Remaining: 48
Total Event 2 Entries: 293

Pasquale Caiazza (Davie, FL)

Players are moments away from finishing up Level 10, and will be taking their second to last break (10 minutes), before returning to Level 11 and blinds of 600/1,200/200.  We are beginning to see some larger stacks emerge from the remaining group, with Pasquale Caiazza (Davie, FL) leading the way.  Caiazza has a pretty accomplished tournament resume, with over $123,000 in recorded earnings since 2012.  

Pasquale's stack of over 225,000 is currently 100,000 clear of his nearest opponent, and with only four levels remaining in the night, he's a favorite to bag the flight's chip lead.  Here are the top five stacks collected during the middle of Level 10:

Pasquale Caiazza - 225,000
Robert Transue - 110,000
Steve Smith - 108,000
Juan Rodriguez - 105,000
Maury Halperin - 90,000

Event 2 (Day 1B): Holding It Down For The Ladies

Event 2 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $100,000 GTD)
Level 9 (Blinds 400/800/100)
Total Day 1B Entries: 132
Day 1B Players Remaining: 56
Total Event 2 Entries: 290

Luminita Petrica (West Palm Beach, FL)
While one of the storylines during the 2016 Isle Poker Open was the success of the ladies, we are still waiting for the first female player to bag chips in this Event #2.  At the moment, Luminita Petrica (West Palm Beach, FL) is the last lady remaining, and needs to trend upwards in order to reach the end of this flight.  Petrica is hovering right around the starting stack, which still happens to be over (20) big blinds.

Petrica is looking to win her second trophy here at the Isle, having taken down Event #5 of the 2015 Isle Poker Open ($5,488).  Since that win, Luminita recorded four cashes during 2016, with one coming here and three last month at Turning Stone.  She's already off to a good start to this series though, having cashed in Event #1, finishing in 40th place for $131.

The players still remaining are about to finish up with Level 9, and will post new blinds of 500/1,000/100 in Level 10, before heading on their second to last break of the night.

Event 2 (Day 1B): Meltzer Looking To Best Last Night's Effort

Event 2 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $100,000 GTD)
Level 8 (Blinds 300/600/75)
Total Day 1B Entries: 124
Day 1B Players Remaining: 68
Total Event 2 Entries: 282

Jordan Meltzer (Decorah, IA)

As play was winding down last night, and the blog coverage was concluded, there were three tables remaining in the Day 1A field (and about 23 players still active).  One of those players was Jordan Meltzer, who had the unenvious position of reach the final few levels of the night, only to miss out on bagging.  

Seltzer finished 2016 with (18) recorded cashes, totaling $70,043 in earnings...a very solid tournament year by many players standards.  His largest cash of the year came during the 2016 RRPO at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood, when he final tabled the $350 buy-in Event #1 (7th Place - $24,529).  While that may have netted him the best return on investment for the year, his deep run in the 2016 WSOP Main Event was likely the highlight of his year (768th Place - $16,007).  Seltzer is currently off to a strong start today, sitting with just over 100,000 as the field heads towards dinner.

Dinner break will begin at 6:10pm, with Day 1B play resuming just before 7:00pm.

Event 2 (Day 1B): First Look At Chip Counts

Event 2 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $100,000 GTD)
Level 7 (Blinds 250/500/50)
Total Day 1B Entries: 116
Day 1B Players Remaining: 72
Total Event 2 Entries: 274

As players were away from the tables during the most recent break, we had an opportunity to scan the empty tables for updated chip counts.  There weren't many larger stacks emerging across the field, with everything pretty flat amongst those still active.  The chip average is 32,500, which is just 12,000 over the starting stack, and seemingly the range that currently trending across the field.  Here are some of the top counts post break, as well as notable stacks still alive:

Steve Smith - 97,000
Maury Halperin - 80,000
Johnathan Booker - 75,000
Kenneth Bruno - 65,000

Notables:

Yves Ferquiere - 44,000
Kobi Ribak - 40,000
Luke Rosenberg - 35,000
Tom Gity - 21,000
Neil Blumenfield - 18,000
Lou Stadler - 17,000

Event 2 (Day 1B): Booker Off To A Quick Start

Event 2 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $100,000 GTD)
Level 6 (Blinds 200/400/50)
Total Day 1B Entries: 110
Day 1B Players Remaining: 77
Total Event 2 Entries: 268

Johnathan Booker (Tampa, FL)

The field is currently half the way through Level 6, and at the conclusion of this level, will head on their second break of the day.  When play resumes with Level 7, the transition to (50) minute levels will occur, and will stay that way through the conclusion of the flight (and the tournament).  

During the most recent lap across the tournament area, we spotted our first player to eclipse the century mark, as Johnathan Booker sits with over 120,000 in front of him.  Research has not yielded much information about Booker, so we'll have to assume that he is working towards his first recorded tournament cash (although he was featured on the Seminole Hard Rock Tampa blog).  That stack would be top fifteen of the players already booked for Sunday's Day 2, but there is a lot of play remaining in the day, and it will be interesting to see where the early chip leader ends up.



Event 2 (Day 1B): If You Vote For It, It Will Be Played

Event 2 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $100,000 GTD)
Level 5 (Blinds 150/300/25)
Total Day 1B Entries: 96
Day 1B Players Remaining: 75
Total Event 2 Entries: 254

Vote For Poll On Top Right Corner Of Blog (Circled)
Yesterday afternoon, followers of the blog were introduced to the first "poll" of 2017, focusing on what cash game they'd like to see spread on a more frequent basis.  There were five options given, with options ranging from 1/2 PLO to 10/20 Limit Hold'em.  As quoted in the movie Field Of Dreams, "If you build it, they will come."  Those that are voting on the poll should know that whichever game garners the most votes after the polls closing (Sunday, January 8 at 8:00pm), will be run the following Wednesday afternoon at 12:00pm in the poker room.

Once again, here are the options to choose from:

- 1/2 PLO
- 10/20 Limit Hold'em
- 8/16 Mixed Game (2-7 Triple Draw, Badugi, etc.)
- 1/2 Pineapple
- 6/12 H.O.R.S.E

At the moment, the 6/12 H.O.R.S.E has the lead with 29% of the vote, but there are still two more days of open polling.  If any of those games are one you'd like to play in at the Isle Casino Poker Room, make sure to vote, and potentially be available next Wednesday.

Event 2 (Day 1B): Shulman Headlines Second Wave Of Notables

Event 2 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $100,000 GTD)
Level 5 (Blinds 150/300/50)
Total Day 1B Entries: 88
Day 1B Players Remaining: 74
Total Event 2 Entries: 246

TJ Shulman (Deerfield Beach, FL)

The field continues to grow at a steady pace, with many more familiar names joining the action of this Day 1B flight.  TJ Shulman (Deerfield Beach, FL) entered the tournament just before the first break, and is looking to build off what was a great year of tournament poker.  Shulman recorded (18) cashes over the course of 2016, totaling over $105,000 in earnings.  His "richest" score of the year came in November, when Shulman won his first WSOPC ring at Palm Beach Kennel Club ($25,092).  TJ also reached a final table at the 2016 WSOP (Tag Team Event), and won the Mike Sica Memorial Seniors Event at the Borgata.  There were also two Isle Poker cashes amongst the eighteen from last year, a number Shulman would like to eclipse early in this year's calendar.

Some other notables to arrive "fashionably late" to this starting flight include:

Carlos Torres
Stephen Bromfield
Luiz Stadler
Walter Bravo
Tom Gity
Daniel Ganachte
Alan Dobrow
Marsha Wolak
Luke Rosenberg
Frederick Allenspach
Hector Pacheco
Rafael Ramos

Event 2 (Day 1B): Former "November Niner" In The Field

Event 2 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $100,000 GTD)
Level 4 (Blinds 75/150)
Total Day 1B Entries: 74
Day 1B Players Remaining: 65
Total Event 2 Entries: 232

Neil Blumenfield (2015 "November Niner")

During the Isle Poker Open we had a player in attendance who reached the WSOP Main Event final table three times (Al Krux), and while that's a feat that's likely not to be repeated, our next notable in the field may have accomplished someone even more difficult.  Neil Blumenfield (San Francisco, CA) reached the final table of the 2015 WSOP Main Event, eventually finishing in third place for just under $3,400,000.  Neil's exit left Joe McKeehen and Joshua Beckley heads-up for the prestigious title, with McKeehen eventually hoisting the title.

Blumenfield has been very active on the circuit since the career highlighting score, recording (8) cashes last year, and totaling over $25,000 in earnings.  While some may say Doyle Brunson is known for his ten-gallon cowboy hat, Blumenfield was also remembered for his style during his WSOP run, rocking the hat and scarf throughout.  Players at the table have been doing a lot of chatting with Neil, who's been super personable and professional.  He's a great representative for the game of poker, and someone we'll be keeping our eye on as the Day 1B flight continues on.



Event 2 (Day 1B): Satellite Winners From 1/5

Event 2 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $100,000 GTD)
Level 3 (Blinds 75/150)
Total Day 1B Entries: 65
Day 1B Players Remaining: 61
Total Event 2 Entries: 223

Just as players were heading to dinner break during yesterday's Day 1A flight, the second to last satellite into this tournament was beginning (6:00pm).  The $75 buy-in No Limit Hold'em Satellite guaranteed (10) seats into Event 2, and attracted a pretty solid crowd.  There were (10) seats awarded, along with cash for an 11th place finisher.  Posted below are the results from last night's event, with some familiar names gaining discounted entry into this tournament.

It should be mentioned that there is one final satellite on the schedule, once again offering (10) guaranteed seats into this Event 2.  The satellite begins at 6:00pm, and should likely be done somewhere between the hours of 12:00-1:00am (quick work to grab that $360 seat).

Thursday, January 5th
$75 No Limit Hold'em Satellite Into Event 2
(10) Seats Guaranteed

Results:

  1. Ilan Hadida (Event #2 Seat)
  2. Luciano Bianchi (Event #2 Seat)
  3. William Cook  (Event #2 Seat)
  4. Daniel Cruz (Event #2 Seat)
  5. Juan Rodriguez (Event #2 Seat)
  6. Antonio Campbell (Event #2 Seat)
  7. Eric Kolodny (Event #2 Seat)
  8. Yves Fequiere (Event #2 Seat)
  9. Richard Vargas (Event #2 Seat)
  10. James Salmon (Event #2 Seat)



Event 2 (Day 1B): "Real Time" Structure Sheet, Real Time Tournament

Event 2 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $100,000 GTD)
Level 2 (Blinds 50/100)
Total Day 1B Entries: 55
Day 1B Players Remaining: 54
Total Event 2 Entries: 214

Posted below is the "real time" structure sheet, offering players the opportunity to see what the blinds are (and how many big blinds they will arrive with), when they choose to arrive later in the day.  This is something that tournament players always inquire about during events with "all-day" registration, so it will be posted each starting flight in events as such.

Something else that should also be noted is the apparent success of this tournament, and what it means in regards to what the future holds at the Isle Casino Poker Room.  The first flight ended with a $47,500 prize pool, which as mentioned, is already close to half the way to the $100,000 posted guarantee.  The field is currently on the same entry pace as yesterday, which means that it's very likely the guarantee gets eclipsed as some point in today's flight.  It's pretty evident that if the proper platform is provided for players, they will make their way to the room, and in numbers.  These $360...$150...$100 buy-in (large guarantee) events are what players in this geographic flock to...and why not, they are amazing values.  With the success of these tournament, and these seasonal series, players can look forward to more tournaments, and larger guarantees...it's a win-win.  A positive situation enough to hold the "Battle Of The Beaches" series less than a month after the conclusion of the Isle Poker Classic.  The exact schedule has not been finalized, but you can mark your calendar for the last two weeks of February, leading into March.


LevelSmall BlindBig BlindAnteTime
1255012:00-12:40pm
25010012:40-1:20pm
3751501:20-2:00pm
(10 Minute Break)
41002002:10-2:50pm
5150300252:50-3:30pm
6200400503:30-4:10pm
(10 Minute Break)
7250500754:20-5:10pm
8300600755:10-6:00pm
(45 Minute Break)
94008001006:45-7:35pm
105001,0002007:35-8:25pm
(10 Minute Break)
116001,2002008:35-9:25pm
128001,6003009:25-10:15pm
(10 Minute Break)
131,0002,00030010:25-11:15pm
141,2002,40040011:15-12:05am
(End of Day 1)



Event 2 (Day 1B): New Faces, Same Goals

Event 2 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $100,000 GTD)
Level 1 (Blinds 25/50)
Total Day 1B Entries: 50
Day 1B Players Remaining: 46
Total Event 2 Entries: 209

Day 1B of Event 2 got started about (30) minutes ago, as a new group of players try to navigate their way through (14) levels of play, looking to bag chips for Sunday's Day 2.  As mentioned earlier, the same structure applies to this middle flight, with open registration throughout play today (as well as before the first card is in the air on Sunday).  Being that it's the beginning of the weekend, you can expect a later "rush" than usual, as those leaving work come straight down to join the action.  

There are a handful of Isle Poker tournament regulars currently seated in the field, choosing this flight to make their first appearance, including the likes of: 

Ronald Levy
Jeffrey Kessler
Robert Transue
Raymond Rickard
Michael Newman
Neil Blumenfield
David Coughlin
Luke Rosenberg

Friday, January 6th: Day 1B Of Event 2 Headlines, Promotions Anound

Day 1A of Event 2 (Isle Poker Classic) attracted a total of (158) entries, which is already halfway to the $100,000 guarantee posted on the tournament.  We saw a lot of familiar faces in the field for the opening flight of the event, and were introduced to some new players as the day played out.  Once the last hand was dealt at the end of Level 14, there were (18) players left to head to Day 2, lead by Ricardo Eyzaguirre (Orlando, FL).  Eyzaguirre bagged 373,000, which was just over 10,000 more than his nearest competitor (Greg Barker - 362,500).

The cards get in the air at 12:00pm for Day 1B of Event 2, with the same schedule applying.  Players will start with 20,000 tournament chips, and are scheduled to play (14) levels (40 minute levels from 1-6, and 50 minute levels from 7+).  If you don't want to put up the $360 buy-in for Event 2, the final satellite into Event 2 begins at 6:00pm, and offers a guaranteed (10) seats.

Looking at the cash side of the poker room, there are two promotions running today: the "Turbo High Hand," which runs from 9:00am-12:00pm, and (20) minutes high hands for $250 from 12:00pm-4:00pm/(20) minute high hands for $500 from 4:00pm-12:00am.

12:00pm - Isle Poker Classic Event #2 (Day 1B) $360 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 Guarantee):

- Players receive 20,000 in tournament chips
- All late registrants and re-entries will receive full stacks
- Levels 1-6 will be (40) minutes, Levels 7+ will be (50) minutes
- Late registration and re-entries for the first (14) levels, to include before the first card on Day 2

6:00pm - $75 No Limit Hold'em Satellite Into Event #2 (1 In 6 Wins Seat) (10 Seats Guaranteed):

- Players receive 12,000 in tournament chips
- All late registrants and re-entries will receive a full stack
- Levels are (20) minutes
- Late registration and re-entries for the first (6) levels

Event 2 (Day 1A): End Of Day 1A Chip Counts

Event 2 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $100,000 GTD)
Level 14 (Blinds 1,200/2,400/400)
Total Day 1A Entries: 158
Day 1A Players Remaining: 18


Ricardo Eyzaguirre 373,000
Greg Barker 362,500
Roy Paulena 292,000
Joseph Duchman 230,500
Evan Teitelbaum 215,500
Dustin Tragethon 205,000
Ido Ashkenazi 198,000
Alik Sitnyakovsky 177,000
John Palace 168,000
Marc Sacheli 161,000
Vendel Johnson 155,000
Albert Barney 136,000
Glen Canelstein 130,500
Yigal Hen 95,500
Al Gomez 86,500
Stefan Brand 75,000
Ryan Ricci 60,500
Eric Christensen 54,000

Event 2 (Day 1A): Day 1A Officially In The Books

Event 2 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $100,000 GTD)
Level 14 (Blinds 1,200/2,400/400)
Total Day 1A Entries: 158
Day 1A Players Remaining: 18

Day 1A of Event #2 (2017 Isle Poker Classic) has dealt it's last end, and (18) players have successfully reached the bagging process.  The tournament staff is currently verifying each bag/chip count, and once everything has been made official, the end of Day 1A chip counts will be posted.