Friday, May 25, 2018

$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1C): Official End Of Flight 1C Chip Counts

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 14 (Blinds 1,200/2,400/400)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 108
Flight 1C Players Remaining: 15

TracyScala 286,500
MichaelMarks254,500
JoeMancuso231,000
AlGomez197,000
CarmenMali196,500
BrianEbert193,000
YuriChiozzo171,500
MichaelFane130,000
ThomasGari91,000
DavidWard89,000
GreggWeiss83,500
HarrySilver74,500
ArnoldCohen70,000
JohnWolfe68,500
SteveCosta30,000

$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1C): Coming Down The Homestretch, Two Levels Remain

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 14 (Blinds 1,200/2,400/400)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 108
Flight 1C Players Remaining: 24



Level 14 in winding down, will just two scheduled levels left in the flight, and three tables still active in the field.  While the live blogged coverage of the flight has concluded for the afternoon, the official end of Flight 1C chip counts will be posted after the bagging process, along with the winner of the flight's chip lead bonus.

Flight 1D began just a short while ago, with registration open for another four hours (plus).  The size of tonight's field will be a true gauge of how large this prize pool is actually going to get.  

$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1C): Coming Up On Yet Another Evening Of Full House Promotions

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 13 (Blinds 1,000/2,000/300)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 108
Flight 1C Players Remaining: 33



$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1C): Carmen Mali Heading To Final Break In Contention For The Chip Lead Bonus

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 12 (Blinds 800/1,600/200)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 108
Flight 1C Players Remaining: 37


Carmen Mali (Slingerland, NY) has steadily trended upward, and now finds himself in the top five on the leaderboard, as players get ready for their final break.

As play reaches the final break of the flight, we are beginning to see some new faces atop the chip counts, one of which is that of Carmen Mali (Slingerland, NY).  Mali is top five in chips with 135,000, and hopes to add to his lifetime earnings of $3,294.  While a potential cash is in sight if Carmen bags chips, the chip lead bonus is also a reality at this point.  There hasn't been a player to really separate themselves from the field, making the last four levels wide open for someone to grab a solid lead.  

Carmen Mali - 135,000 (84bb)

$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1C): A Favorable Flop Sees Peter Striano Climb The Leaderboard

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 11 (Blinds 600/1,200/200)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 108
Flight 1C Players Remaining: 45


It's been over two years since Peter Striano (Parkland, FL) has recorded a tournament cash, but it looks like that's about to change this weekend.

Peter Striano (Parkland, FL) has been out of the tournament scene for a few years, but he's looking to make the best of his return.  Peter has lifetime earnings over $105,000, recorded between two properties...the Isle Casino Poker Room, and Seminole Hard Rock.  Striano's tournament resume began in 2008, and while he only recorded (16) results in eight years, he made the most of the cashes.  Four of the cashes were more than five-figures, with two of those eclipsing the $20,000 mark.  

Now back in action Striano is seemingly picking up where he last left off (in 2016), with the help of some favorable runouts.  Peter eliminated Ariel Rosello Quintana just moments ago, after flopping middle set against Ariel's top-top.  Striano help 6♠ 6 on the A 6 2♠ flop, against the A♣ K♠ of Quintana, leaving Ariel drawing dead on the turn.  The 50,000 chip pot wasn't the largest of the day, but it did help Striano eclipse the 140,000 mark, which makes him one of the top stacks in Flight 1C.

Peter Striano - 142,000 (118bb)

$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1C): Updated Chip Counts From The Field, Tracy Scala Currently Leading Flight 1C

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 10 (Blinds 500/1,000/100)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 108
Flight 1C Players Remaining: 57


Nancy Birnbaum (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) is in full WSOP-prep mode, hoping to make a nice run in this event, and parlay that into a very successful summer.

While the size of the field was similar to yesterday's afternoon action (Flight 1A), the same can be said for the stack sizes across the field.  The current Flight 1B chip leader (Tracy Scala) sits with 125,000, which is just a few thousand short of where the Flight 1A leader was at this time.  Nancy Birnbaum is also towards the top of the leaderboard, as she plays in one of her final tournaments in Florida, before heading to Las Vegas for the WSOP.  Birnbaum hasn't yet crossed the century mark, but is sitting with a very manageable stack of 75,000.  The first tally of updated counts from the field are posted below:

Tracy Scala - 125,000 (125bb)
Peter Striano - 100,000 (100bb)
Ronald Higgins - 85,000 (85bb)
David Ward - 80,000 (80bb)
Nancy Birnbaum - 75,000 (75bb)
James Cochran - 65,000 (65bb)
Christian Barrett - 65,000 (65bb)
Joseph Mancuso - 50,000 (50bb)
Al Gomez - 30,000 (30bb)

$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1C): Official Numbers Are In For Flight 1C, (108) Entries And A Growing Prize Pool

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 9 (Blinds 400/800/100)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 108
Flight 1C Players Remaining: 58


Players are just returning from their second break of the day, and will be posting new blinds of 400/800/100 in Level 9.  Registration is now closed for Flight 1C, with a total of (108) entries, of which (59) players still remain.  The $16,416 from this flight brings the combined total for the tournament to $44,654, which is almost halfway to the posted number (and well ahead of the pace needed).

The $50 No Limit Hold'em Satellite is also seeing some great success, with (34) entries in the field, just halfway through the registration period.  That means that six seat are currently going to be awarded, with a seventh place earning a cash prize.  

Once players are comfortably back in their seats for Flight 1C, we will take a lap of the field, and bring you the first look at updated chip counts.

$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1C): Putting A Bow On The Month Of May, Less Than A Week Away From The $1,100 NLH Single-Ante ($50,000 GTD)

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 8 (Blinds 300/600/75)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 99




While this is the final multi of the month, it's not the last "headlining" event, as the final day of May sees an $1,100 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante, which boasts a $50,000 guaranteed prize pool.  The ever-popular single-ante format returns, but has a small tweak in the price point.  Opposed to the $2,500 buy-in that we've seen since August, this month's a little more attainable for players...especially considering players can get into the tournament for as little as $80.  Listed below, is the satellite schedule for next week's event:

Monday, May 28th (2:00pm) $80 No Limit Hold'em "Step-Satellite" Into $240 Satellite (1 In 5)

Monday, May 28th (6:00pm) $130 No Limit Hold'em Satellite Into $1,100 NLH Single-Ante (1 In 10)

Tuesday, May 29th (11:00am) $80 No Limit Hold'em "Step-Satellite" Into $240 Satellite (1 In 5)

Tuesday, May 29th (2:00pm) $80 No Limit Hold'em "Step-Satellite" Into $240 Satellite (1 In 5)

Wednesday, May 30th (11:00am) $240 No Limit Hold'em "Mega-Satellite" Into $1,100 NLH Single-Ante (5 Seats GTD)

Wednesday, May 30th (6:00pm) $240 No Limit Hold'em "Mega-Satellite" Into $1,100 NLH Single-Ante (5 Seats GTD)

$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1C): After Yesterday's Two Seat Guarantee Was Crushed, Today's Satellite Expecting Even Larger Numbers

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 7 (Blinds 250/500/75)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 95


Just as the registration window begins closing for Flight 1A of the $200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD), it opens up for those interested in playing the second of four $50 No Limit Hold'em Satellites for the tournament.  The $50 NLH Satellite got underway at 2:00pm, and will begin at that time for the next two days.  Players will be sitting down to starting stacks of 8,000 units, with levels that last (15) minutes over the course of the satellite.  Registration is open through Level 10, meaning players have over 2.5 hours to join the action, if they so choose.  This afternoon's satellite guarantees (2) seats into the $200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD), with Saturday's installment guaranteeing (5) seats, and Sunday's final satellite guaranteeing (3) seats.

$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1C): Ginold Cham Looking To Recapture The Battles At The Beach Magic

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 6 (Blinds 200/400/50)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 88




A familiar face from the Battles At The Beach is in the field this afternoon, earning over $16,000 during the most recent series (run in March).  Ginold Cham (Lake Worth, FL) ran deep in Event #1 ($175 No Limit Hold'em), earning $850 for his 24th place finish.  The day after the event's Day 2, Cham chopped the $250 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante (Event #7), earning second place money in the deal ($5,404).  That was Ginold's largest tournament cash of his career, but only for a few weeks, as he reached the final two tables of the $1,500 NLH Battles At The Beach Main Event.  Cham fell just short of the final table, exiting the tournament in 12th place, but earned himself $9,739.   That still stands as his best cash to date, and helped bookend the most successful series of his career.

Cham tops the second list of notables in today's flight, which includes names like:

Zaki Lichaa
Frank Scala
Gregg Weiss
Nancy Thomas
Diane Linke
Michael Corbett
Larry Stoddard
Danny Blackburn
Michael Graffeo
Tracy Scala
Brian Vazquez

$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1C): Ward Repping The Celtics Strong, Hoping To Bypass A Potential Game 7

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 5 (Blinds 150/300/50)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 75


For David Ward (Miami, FL), it's imperative that he bags chips during this flight, because he definitely wants to make it home for Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals.

As the Flight 1C field grows, there is one player that stands out amongst the crowd, as the all green attire can be seen across the room.  David Ward (Miami, FL) is a die-hard Boston sports fan, and is hoping to bag up some chips in today's flight, assuring himself the time to get home for tonight's Game 6 (between the Celtics and Cavs).  Ward usually sports the Celtics gear regardless of the time of year, but today's outfit is showing full support of his team, which is only one win away from the NBA Finals.  

While David's love for the Celtics is strong, so to is his affinity for tournament poker, as he's amassed lifetime earnings over $112,000.  After a year (2017) with over $10,000 in earnings, Ward has yet to record a tournament cash in 2018, but looks to try and change that over the course of the next few days.  When he sat down to his new table moments ago, Ward said that he "had just tripled up with aces," so it seems as if things are off to a good start today.

David headlines the first look at notables in the field, a group that is so large this afternoon, we need to split the list into two parts:

Alan Saltzman
Glenn Popkin
Elias Nassif
Arnold Cohen
Calixto Rodriguez
Frank Traino
David Poces
Craig Witz
Mauricio Duarte
Nancy Birnbaum
Kenneth Bruno
Allan Bieler

$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1C): "It's Gonna Be A Special Anniversary, Baby," Scotty Nguyen And Vanessa Russo Joining The FSPC Action

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 4 (Blinds 100/200/25)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 62



Posted below is the official schedule for the 2018 Florida State Poker Championship, which is the tenth anniversary of the prestigious series.  There are (17) primary events over the course of three weeks in July, including four "showcased" events, headed by the $1,500 No Limit Hold'em FSPC Main Event ($500,000 GTD).  The main event is one of the first "post-WSOP" majors, and has grown in popularity (and numbers) each and every year.  

Leading up to the main event, there are three other tournaments which carry six-figure guarantees, starting with Event #1.  The $175 No Limit Hold'em opening event has a $100,000 guaranteed prize pool, and eight opening flights for players to choose from.  Running from July 5th through July 9th, the event is sure to see one of the largest fields of the series.   Just a few days after Event #1's conclusion, Event #4 follows with the series' second six-figure guaranteed prize pool, as the $360 No Limit Hold'em event boasts a $200,000 guarantee.  With six flights running from July 12th through July 15th, the tournament will likely see the second largest prize pool of the series (behind the main event).  The third of four "showcased" events is Event #9, as the $1,100 No Limit Hold'em tournament offers yet another $200,000 guaranteed prize pool.  There are four opening flights that run from July 19th through July 22nd, with players returning on July 23rd for Day 2.

In between those events, there are thirteen other options for players to get their hands on a FSPC trophy, including four bounty events, an Omaha 8B Hi/Lo tournament, a Seniors Championship, and the addition of a six-max format.  


There is some excited news to follow in regards to the series, as both Scotty Nguyen and Vanessa Russo will be joining us for the FSPC $1,500 Main Event.  While they are in attendance, there will be a schedule meet and greet/autograph session (times and dates to be determined).  Structure sheets and satellite schedule will also be released in the upcoming weeks.

$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1C): Previewing The June Tournament Calendar, Added FSPC Seats Up For Grabs

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 3 (Blinds 75/150/25)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 48



Just a few days ago, the June Tournament Calendar was released to the public, with a buzz surrounding the newest "addition" to the recurring schedule.  Outside of the three showcased tournaments ($175 NLH $100,000 GTD, $200 NLH $100,000 GTD, and $360 NLH $50,000 GTD), there are "added free seats" to FSPC events to certain tournaments.  These "added free seats" are available to anyone playing in the following events:

Saturday, June 2nd (11:00am): $175 NLH "Double Green Chip Bounty" ($10,000 GTD)
Saturday, June 2nd (6:00pm): $150 No Limit Hold'em Deepstack ($10,000 GTD)
Saturday, June 16th (11:00am): $175 NLH "Double Green Chip Bounty" ($10,000 GTD)
Saturday, June 16th (6:00pm): $150 No Limit Hold'em Deepstack ($10,000 GTD)
Thursday, June 21st-Sunday, June 24th: $360 No Limit Hold'em ($50,000 GTD)
Saturday, June 30th (11:00am): $175 NLH "Double Green Chip Bounty" ($10,000 GTD)
Saturday, June 30th (6:00pm): $150 No Limit Hold'em Deepstack ($10,000 GTD)

In the listed events, seats can be won via the following "high hands:"

Top Two Quads* Wins FSPC Event #4 Seat ($360 NLH $200,000 GTD)
Straight Flush* Wins FSPC Event #9 Seat ($1,100 NLH Single-Ante $200,000 GTD)
Royal Flush* Wins FSPC Event #14 Seat ($1,500 NLH FSPC Main Event $500,000 GTD)

*High hands must use both hole cards to qualify

Just for clarification, players in the designated tournament (or flight of the designated multi) who have the top two "four-of-a-kinds" will be awarded the FSPC Event #4 Seat.

$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1C): Kicking Off The Weekend Strong, Flight 1C Action About To Begin

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 1 (Blinds 25/50)
Total Flight 1C Entries: N/A



After a very successful opening day of action, the $200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD) continues this afternoon, with the second pair of starting flights (of eight total).  Yesterday's numbers were much higher than anyone could have expected, as the first two flights attracted a total of (214) entries.  From that number, (30) players successfully bagged chips for Monday's Day 2.

A new group of players will be taking their seats in the tournament area momentarily, hoping that Flight 1C is their ticket to Day 2.  The structure mirrors that of yesterday: with 20,000 unit starting stacks, (30) minute levels, and registration open through Level 8 (and the break that follows).  Just as registration closes for Flight 1C, the second of four $50 No Limit Hold'em satellites will be getting underway (2:00pm), allowing players to enter the action for just a quarter of the buy-in.

With over $28,000 already in the overall prize pool, this tournament is already shaping up to be a special one.  Updates will be posted throughout the day, highlighting important moments over the course of the flight.


$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Day 2): Official Chip Counts (Flight 1A-Flight 1B)

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 16 (Blinds 2,000/4,000/500)
Total Entries: 214
Players Remaining: 30


Friday, May 25th: After A Very Strong Start, The "Holiday $100k" Enters Weekend Play

ICYMI: The $200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD) started yesterday, and drew numbers that nobody could have expected (for a Thursday).  The first pair of flights attracted a total of (214) entries, of which (30) players bagged chips for Monday's Day 2 (12:00pm).  The combined total of $28,248 heading to the overall prize pool has things way ahead of pace, as there are still six opening flights remaining.  Yesterday's chip lead bonus winners were William Swicicki (316,500) and Andrew Kern (372,500), both earning a seat into next week's $1,100 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante ($50,000 GTD).  The top five stacks from the opening day of action belong to:

Andrew Kern - 372,500
Brett Biegler - 344,500
William Swicicki - 316,500
Ray Nalbandian - 253,000
Jospeh Gale - 187,500

The current Day 2 chip average sits at 143,000, but that number will change over the next three days.  These weekend flights always grow larger in size, and with an extra day of play on the schedule because of the holiday (Sunday), we could be looking at an eventual prize pool over $150,000.  

Tournaments: Today continues the month's last multi, with action getting weekend play, for the $200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD).  The event runs through Monday (May 28th), with a pair of flights on the schedule for each of the next three days (an 11:00am and 6:00pm).  The tournament is structured with 20,000 unit starting stacks, and levels that last (30) minutes.  Registration for the opening flights is open through Level 8 (and the break that follows).  Each starting flight is scheduled to conclude after Level 16, which falls somewhere around 7:30, or is the 10% mark is reached (players remaining in the field).  The chip lead bonus is back, as the top stack from each opening flight will earn a seat into next week's $1,100 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante ($50,000 GTD).

There is also a satellite for the $200 NLH ($100,000 GTD) on the schedule (each of the next three days), with the action getting underway at 2:00pm.  Today's $50 NLH Satellite has (2) seats guaranteed, and is structured with 8,000 unit starting stacks, and levels that last (15) minutes.  Registration for each of the satellites is open through Level 10, with players having until approximately 5:00pm to join the action.

Promotions: From (9:00am-10:00am), the high hand will award $150 every (30) minutes.  The high hands will then transition from 10:00am-12:00am (midnight), with the opportunity to win $400 every (30) minutes.  During that period, the promotion sees tournament players eligible (Isle Open events not eligible for high hand) each half-hour for $100 high hands, 2/2 limit hold'em players eligible for $200 high hands, 2/4 limit hold'em players eligible for $300 high hands, and all other raked games (1/2-5/10 NLH, 4/8 Omaha 8B, 6/12 O.E., etc.) eligible for $400 high hands.  From 12:00am-9:00am, players are eligible for $100 high hands every hour.

It should also be noted, that players are able to win the high hand using only one card in their hand.  The payouts for those that use one card are different than the standard numbers listed above, and can be found (full listing of one-card payouts on flyers in the poker room).

...And one other big thing to note...from 7:00pm-10:00pm this evening, we will see the second running of Full House Promotion (but with some sizable changes):



11:00am - $200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD) Flight 1C

- Players start with 20,000 in tournament chips
- Late and re-entries for the first (8) levels
- Alternates and late entries will start with a full stack
- Level will last (30) minutes throughout the event
- The top stack from the flight will earn a seat into the $1,100 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante ($50,000 GTD) on May 31st.

2:00pm - $50 No Limit Hold'em Satellite Into $200 NLH ($100,000 GTD) *2 Seats GTD*

- Players start with 8,000 in tournament chips
- Late and re-entries for the first (10) levels
- Alternates and late entries will start with a full stack
- Level will last (15) minutes

6:00pm - $200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD) Flight 1D

- Players start with 20,000 in tournament chips
- Late and re-entries for the first (8) levels
- Alternates and late entries will start with a full stack
- Level will last (30) minutes throughout the event
- The top stack from the flight will earn a seat into the $1,100 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante ($50,000 GTD) on May 31st.

$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1B): Official End Of Flight 1B Chip Counts

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 16 (Blinds 2,000/4,000/500)
Total Flight 1B Entries: 116
Flight 1B Players Remaining: 14

AndrewKern B372,500
BrettBiegler344,500
RayNalbandian253,000
CarlosTorres Vazquez161,000
RonJohnston150,000
CareyPickus146,500
SimonWelds136,000
CarlosMatoso127,500
DanieleCondorelli113,500
TomGity107,500
AngelSantiago Marrero104,500
BobbyPierre104,500
RobTannenbaum95,000
JoseVargas64,500