Saturday, October 27, 2018

Isle Open Event #11 (Day 1B): Official End Of Day 1B Chip Counts

2018 Isle Open | Event #11
$1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event ($300,000 GTD)
Level 9 (Blinds 500/1,000/1,000)
Total Day 1B Entries: 56
Day 1B Players Remaining: 19

RobJonsson373,000
DavidRheem248,500
NoelAtherley230,500
MarkKerness208,500
EduardoChrist183,800
TomGity141,500
TonyUtnage100,300
MarkDube99,500
JoshuaLowing98,300
MitchGurshofsky93,400
BrandonCaputo84,600
BrettBader68,600
OferPeleg67,000
ClaytonFletcher59,400
MitchellSmith56,500
ZackMilchman46,500
IgorMerda45,800
HarryO'Brien40,000
AlexFunes31,100

Isle Open Event #11 (Day 1B): Entering Final Level Of Play, (27) Players Remain In The Field

2018 Isle Open | Event #11
$1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event ($300,000 GTD)
Level 9 (Blinds 500/1,000/1,000)
Total Day 1B Entries: 56


The tournament clock just transitioned to Level 9, which is the final scheduled level of play for Day 1B.  There are currently (27) players remaining in the field, but with players busting out (and players still entering), that number is sure to change by the bagging process).  Once the action has concluded for the day, and the bags have been packed with chips, we will post the official chip counts from the flight.

Isle Open Event #11 (Day 1B): Be In The Know, Follow All Of The Isle Poker Room's Social Media Outlets

2018 Isle Open | Event #11
$1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event ($300,000 GTD)
Level 8 (Blinds 400/800/800)
Total Day 1B Entries: 55


Players usually come to the blog to find any of the information they need related to the Isle Casino Pompano Park Poker Room, but there are additional social media outlets that players should keep an eye on.  For those that are on Twitter, you can follow the poker room @PokerIslePP, with daily posts (tournament schedules, announcements, chip counts, etc).  Those that are on Facebook should start keeping an eye on Isle Casino Pompano Poker...and don't forget to like/follow the page.

Twitter: @PokerIslePP
Facebook: Isle Casino Pompano Park


Isle Open Event #11 (Day 1B): Updated Chip Counts, Noel Atherley Takes The Chip Lead

2018 Isle Open | Event #11
$1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event ($300,000 GTD)
Level 7 (Blinds 300/600/600)
Total Day 1B Entries: 55


Players are back from their third break of the day, and are now entering the "homestretch" of Day 1B. Noel Atherley has been trending in the right direction since last check, and now leads the field with a stack of 195,000.  Atherley, whose poker career goes all the way back to 1988, is known by blog followers for his Isle Open win last year (besting Brian Hastings heads-up to win Event #15).  Updated counts from the last break are posted below:

Noel Atherley - 195,000 (325bb)
Tom Gity - 155,000 (258bb)
Harry O'Brien - 135,000 (225bb)
Chino Rheem - 115,000 (191bb)
Rob Jonsson - 114,000 (190bb)
Mark Kerness - 105,000 (175bb)
Brandon Caputo - 100,000 (166bb)


Isle Open Event #11 (Day 1B): After A Strong Showing From Clemson, Mitchell Smith Can Focus On Poker

2018 Isle Open | Event #11
$1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event ($300,000 GTD)
Level 6 (Blinds 300/500/500)
Total Day 1B Entries: 50

Mitchell Smith (Palm Beach, FL) is having a great Isle Open, with close to $10,000 in earnings, including a title in Event #4.

With these Day 1's on Saturday and Sunday, some players put poker on the back burner to start the day, and arrive once their team's game has finished.  Mitchell Smith (Palm Beach, FL) watched his Clemson Tigers win with ease this afternoon, and can now concentrate on tournament poker.  Smith is having an excellent series, shipping Event #4 ($250 Omaha 8B), and following that up with a second place finish in Event #8 ($1,000 8-Game Mix).  Smith now has over $384,000 in lifetime earnings, with four Isle Poker titles to his name.

Mitchell Smith - 40,000 (80bb)

Isle Open Event #11 (Day 1B): Chino Rheem Returns To The Isle, Looking To Add Another Trophy To The Mantle

2018 Isle Open | Event #11
$1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event ($300,000 GTD)
Level 5 (Blinds 200/400/400)
Total Day 1B Entries: 45

Chino Rheem (Los Angeles, CA) joined the action just about an hour ago, sitting down to Table 1 with the most accomplished resume of anyone in the field.

This Isle Open Main Event is bringing out some of the best tournament players in the world...and not only those from Florida.  David "Chino" Rheem (Los Angeles, CA) took his seat in the field during the last level, arriving with the most decorated resume in the field.  Rheem has  over $8,928,000 in lifetime tournament earnings, spanning a career that started back in 2004.  Rheem's career is highlighted by three World Poker Tour titles, an Epic Poker League title, and a WSOP Main Event final table finish.  Chino has four scores over $1,000,000, with his largest cash coming from that seventh place finish in the Main Event ($1,772,650).

Chino Rheem - 45,000 (112bb)

Isle Open Event #11 (Day 1B): Updated Chip Counts After Second Day 1B Break

2018 Isle Open | Event #11
$1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event ($300,000 GTD)
Level 5 (Blinds 200/400/400)
Total Day 1B Entries: 45



Players are now back from their second break of the day, as we are more than half the way through Flight 1B.  Rob Jonsson still leads the chip counts, but has two players that are within striking distance of his number (Noel Atherley and Yaroslav Nakonechnyy).  Updated chip counts from the break are posted below:

Rob Jonsson - 135,000 (337bb)
Noel Atherley - 115,000 (287bb)
Yaroslav Nakonechnyy - 100,000 (250bb)
Harry O'Brien - 95,000 (237bb)
Mark Dube - 55,000 (137bb)
David Coughlin - 50,000 (125bb)
Tom Gity - 47,000 (117bb)
Chino Rheem - 41,000 (102bb)

Isle Open Event #11 (Day 1B): "And That's How You Do It," Gin On The River Gives Leads To Massive Pot For Jonsson

2018 Isle Open | Event #11
$1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event ($300,000 GTD)
Level 4 (Blinds 200/300/300)
Total Day 1B Entries: 40


"That's just how you do it," Brett Bader said to Rob Jonsson, after he check-raised the turn with a gut-shot, and promptly got there on the river. 

Table 9 was approached during a hand between Rob Jonsson and Jason Wandling, with the two players on the turn (of a board that read 10 9♣ 7 2).  Jonsson had checked to Wandling, who was on the button, and bet out 3,300.  Jonsson then put out a check-raise to 8,800, to which Wandling made the call.  The dealer then completed the board with the Q♠, with Jonsson pushing forward a bet of 17,900. After about a minute of thought, Wandling grabbed a stack of yellow chips (5,000 denomination), and announced he was all-in.

The all-in was enough to cover Jonsson's remaining stack, but he took no time before making the call, watching as Wandling tabled Q Q♣.  It was a cooler for Jason, as his set on the river, just happened to make Rob's K♠ J♠ the nut-straight.  Jonsson's stack was counted down (which was exactly 60,000), and Wandling shipped the amount across the table.

Robert Jonsson - 145,000 (483bb)
Jason Wandling - 8,000 (26bb)

Isle Open Event #11 (Day 1B): After Some Time Abroad, Rob Jonsson Makes His Way Back To The Isle Poker Room

2018 Isle Open | Event #11
$1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event ($300,000 GTD)
Level 3 (Blinds 100/200/200)
Total Day 1B Entries: 35

Rob Jonsson (Deerfield Beach, FL) experienced a lot of what Europe had to offer, visiting some of the nicest places in the world.

It's been a while since we've seen Rob Jonsson (Deerfield Beach, FL), who had been traveling through Europe for the past few months.  After spending time in places like Finland, Norway, and France...Jonsson is now back in the states, and back in action at the Isle Poker Room.  Jonsson is a player who shares his time playing both cash and tournament, with $35,213 in lifetime earnings.  His largest cash came this time last year, when he reached the Event #15 final table, during the 2017 Isle Open ($1,100 No Limit Hold'em).  The fifth place result was worth $8,349, and helped in making 2017 the best tournament year for Jonsson (in terms of total earnings).  Jonsson joined a group of late arriving players to the Day 1B field, a group that includes:

Nicholas Yunis
Mark Kerness
Matthew Zarcadoolas
Daniel Shiff
Alejandro Funes
Harold Pawluk

Isle Open Event #11 (Day 1B): Gity Grabs His Seat In The Field, As Players Head On Their First Break Of The Day

2018 Isle Open | Event #11
$1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event ($300,000 GTD)
Level 2 (Blinds 100/100/100)
Total Day 1B Entries: 31

Tom Gity (Pompano Beach, FL) is happy to add a five-figure score to his resume, but it's all about making his way to the top of the Isle Poker Room "all-time cashes" list.

Just like any athletic competition, momentum is a very real thing in tournament poker, with players finding a "groove." It's not uncommon to see players run off a few big cashes in row, or even win multiple events in a short period of time (we've seen players like Michael Marx and Matthew Bretzfield do it).  Tom Gity (Pompano Beach, FL) is just a few days removed from a nice tournament win, taking down Event #10 of the Isle Open ($2,500 No Limit Hold'em).  Gity chopped the tournament heads-up, earning $29,000 for the win (along with the trophy).  Tom is hoping to continue that good run this afternoon, after taking yesterday's flight off to rest.  

The second look at notables in the Day 1B field yields names such as:  

Jose Parra
Offer Peleg
Ory Hen
Clayton Fletcher 
Trent Smith
Gunnar Rabe
Harold O'Brien

Players are taking their first break at the end of this level, returning to Level 3, and new blinds of 100/200/200.

Isle Open Event #11 (Day 1B): "Hollywood" Henderson One Of The Notables In The Early Day 1B Field

2018 Isle Open | Event #11
$1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event ($300,000 GTD)
Level 2 (Blinds 100/100/100)
Total Day 1B Entries: 28

Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson has a life-story that could be a book...and it actually was put on paper, available for purchase on different outlets online.

One of the first players spotted in this afternoon's field was Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson (Austin, TX).  The former NFL player (who is also a Texas lottery winner and philanthropist) doesn't play in many tournaments, but he does pick a few a year to attend.  Henderson has one recorded cash on his Hendon Mob resume, having finished 20th during the 2010 Florida State Poker Championship Main Event ($1,000 No Limit Hold'em).  Thomas is currently seated at Table 1, and is sharing the felt with notables Frederico Dabus, Joshua Lowing, David Hinson, and Brandon Caputo.  Some other notables in the Day 1B field include:

David Coughlin
Kenneth Bruno
Richard Leger
Devon Marshall
Noel Atherley 
Lawrence Klur

Isle Open Event #11 (Day 1B): Official Chip Counts (Day 1A)

2018 Isle Open | Event #11
$1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event  ($300,000 GTD)
Level 1 (Blinds 100/100)
Total Day 1B Entries: 28



Isle Open Event #11 (Day 1B): Already Off To A Strong Start, The Isle Open Main Event's Second Starting Day Now Underway

2018 Isle Open | Event #11
$1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event  ($300,000 GTD)
Level 1 (Blinds 100/100)
Total Day 1B Entries: N/A


Players are finding their seats, with the second of three Event #11 ($1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event) opening days about to get underway.  Yesterday's Day 1A attracted some impressive numbers, with a total of (76) entries showing on the clock, at the point that the bagging process was reached.  There were (30) players to have successfully bagged chips for Monday's Day 2, led by Joseph DiPascale, who packed away 275,000.

A new group of players are ready to navigate their way to the Day 1B bagging process, with the day's action scheduled to conclude around 8:45pm.  The day is structured with starting stacks of 40,000 units, levels that last (50) minutes, and registration that is open throughout the day.  A full list of official chip counts from Day 1A will be posted shortly, followed by our first update from the Day 1B field.

Saturday, October 27th: After A Successful Start To The Main Event, Second Of Three Flights Headlines Saturday's Schedule

ICYMI: Yesterday, we saw the beginning of Event #11 of the Isle Open, which is a $1,500 No Limit tournament (with a $300,000 guaranteed prize pool).  Registration is open throughout the day's play, so the numbers weren't made official until the bagging process began.  If the final numbers are a sign of things to come, we are in for a special main event.  Day 1A of Event #11 wrapped up with (76) entries, of which (30) players bagged chips for Monday's Day 2.  The prize fund currently sits at $102,600, which is already on pace to eclipse the tournament's posted guarantee of $300,000.  

Of the (30) players to bag chips, Joseph DiPascale (Naples, FL) packed away the largest stack, as he will head to Day 2 with 275,000.  The top five stacks from Day 1A belong to:

Joseph DiPascale - 275,000
Mack Ham - 220,200
Loni Harwood - 193,300
Marvin Rettenmaier - 163,600
Michael Garavuso - 148,700

Another opportunity to join the Day 2 action begins at 12:00pm, with Day 1B headlining today's schedule.

Tournaments: Today's tournament schedule is very similar to that of yesterday, except with a little swap of the satellites.  Today's schedule begins (at 10:00am) with a $340 No Limit Hold'em Mega-Satellite, that sees every 1 in 5 entries earn a seat into Event #11 ($1,500 No Limit Hold'em Isle Open Main Event).   The satellite is structured with 15,000 unit starting stacks, levels that last (25) minutes, and has registration open through Level 8. 

At 12:00pm, the second flight of Event #11 ($1,500 No Limit Hold'em $300,000 GTD) will see a new group of players trying to bag chips.  The tournament carries one of the best structures a player can find anywhere in the area, with a few welcome additions.  Players in the event sit down to starting stacks of 40,000 units, and will be playing levels that last (50) minutes during open registration (Levels 1-12).  On Day 2, once the first hand is dealt in Level 13, the length will then transition to (60) minutes (and stay that way throughout the event).  Each of the Day 1's are scheduled to play through Level 9, at which point, those players that remain with begin bagging their chips for Day 2 (Monday).  This was something that was integrated into the Main Event during last year's Isle Classic main, and players loved it.  There is no dinner break, so players begin action at 12:00pm, and are usually out of the door no later than 8:30-9:00pm.

The final event of the day (6:00pm) is a $175 No Limit Hold'em Satellite into Event #11.  This particular satellite has been very popular over the last few days, awarded seven seats into the main event on Wednesday.  The satellite is structured with 12,000 unit starting stacks, (20) minute levels, and registration that is open through Level 8.

Promotions: The high hand period runs from 10:00am-12:00am (midnight), with the opportunity to win $400 every (30) minutes.  During that period, the promotion sees tournament players eligible 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).

In addition to the "standard" high hands, from 6:00pm through 12:00am, players are eligible for the "Super High Hands." Players that make a qualifying royal flush, will be awarded up to $3,000, depending on what game they are playing (No Limit Hold'em and Pot Limit Omaha are awarded the $3,000).  Players that make a qualifying straight flush, will be awarded up to $1,200, depending on what game they are playing (No Limit Hold'em and Pot Limit Omaha are awarded the $1,200).  Full rules and payouts are posted in the poker room, and on social media (Twitter and Facebook).

10:00am - 2018 Isle Open | $340 No Limit Hold'em "Mega-Satellite" Into Event #11 ($1,500 NLH Main Event $300,000 GTD)

- Players start with 15,000 in tournament chips
- Late and re-entries for the first (8) levels
- Alternates and late entries will start with a full stack
- Levels will last (25) minutes

12:00pm - 2018 Isle Open Event #11 | $1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event ($300,000 GTD) Day 1A

- Players start with 40,000 in tournament chips
- Late and re-entries for the first (12) levels
- Alternates and late entries will start with a full stack
- Levels 1-12 will last (50) minutes, with Levels 13+ transitioning to (60) minutes


6:00pm - 2018 Isle Open | $175 NLH Satellite Into Event #11 ($1,500 Isle Open Main Event)

- Players start with 12,000 in tournament chips
- Late and re-entries for the first (8) levels
- Alternates and late entries will start with a full stack
- Levels will last (20) minutes