Event 9 (Flight H): Official Flight H Chip Counts

Event 9 ($350 No Limit Hold'em $300,000 Guarantee)
Level 14 (Blinds 1,200/2,400/300)
Total Flight H Entries: 88
Players Remaining: 15

Bernard	Muhire *	246,400
Steven	McCoy	182,500
Stuart	Greenbaum	177,700
Medhat	Ramzy	167,300
Oleg	Vayman	155,200
Joseph	Christman	142,000
Eric	Mutschler	126,600
Bruce	Rawoin	92,400
Stewart	Newman	85,900
Brian	Phyllis	84,600
Dophus	Power	72,700
Luke	McIntosh	56,000
William	Jennings	53,900
Anton	Ivaniuznhenkov	42,300
Walter	Bravo	30,500

*Denotes Flight H "chiplead bonus," and entry into $1,500 Isle Open Main Event

Event 9 (Flight I): Faces In The Final Friday Flight

Event 9 ($350 No Limit Hold'em $300,000 Guarantee)
Level 5 (Blinds 150/300/25)
Total Flight I Entries: 77
Players Remaining: 70

The final flight of the night has just over two levels of open registration remaining, then leaving tomorrow's trio of flights the final opportunity to try and bag chips for this event.  The field is full of notables, including:

Michael Russo
Luke Rosenberg
Marisa Steller
Sheddy Siddiqui
Reggie Bautista
Michael Gutterman
Bryan Rosen
Jorge Martinez
Daniel Palma
Joseph Levitt

Event 9 (Flight H): Updated Counts From The Field

Event 9 ($350 No Limit Hold'em $300,000 Guarantee)
Level 12 (Blinds 800/1,600/200)
Total Flight D Entries: 89
Players Remaining: 24

Bernard Muhire (Pompano Beach, FL)

Players in Flight H just started Level 12, and are posting new blinds of 800/1,600/200 (74,000 chip average).  There will be one final break at the conclusion of this level, and then the last two levels of the flight will be played.  Bernard Muhire (Pompano Beach, FL) has been steadily rising up the chip counts, and now sits with 140,000, only behind two of the remaining (24) players.  Muhire has over $50,000 in career earnings, most of which was from cashes in the last calendar year.  Bernard has cashes both here and at Seminole Hard Rock, but most notable made a deep run in this year's Colossus Event at the WSOP (114th Place - $6,038).

Stuart Greenbaum - 195,000

Steven McKoy - 165,000

Bernard Muhire - 140,000

"Al" - 130,000

Stewart Newman - 115,000

Eric Mutschler - 90,000

Event 9 (Flight G): Official End Of Flight G Chip Counts

Event 9 ($350 No Limit Hold'em $300,000 Guarantee)
Level 14 (Blinds 1,200/2,400/300)
Total Flight D Entries: 95 
Players Remaining: 10

Luis	Santoni *	342,800
Michael	Tufaro	342,500
Johnny	Riley	212,300
David	Shaw	211,400
Ian	Cohen	207,200
David	Wolfe	168,400
Kobi	Ribak	163,100
Brian	O'Keefe	146,000
Jeff	Kessler	114,300
Phil	Cole	19,400

*Denotes Flight G "chiplead bonus," and entry into $1,500 Isle Open Main Event

Event 9 (Flight H): The "Real McKoy"

Event 9 ($350 No Limit Hold'em $300,000 Guarantee)
Level 9 (Blinds 400/800/100)
Total Flight D Entries: 88
Players Remaining: 45

Steven McKoy (Coral Springs, FL)

Flight H players are on their second break of the day, and when they return to Level 9, that will signify the end of open registration.  One of the later entries of this flight was our Event 5 winner, Steven McKoy (Coral Springs, FL), who has seen some immediate success since entering.  McKoy is sitting with over 100,000, and already hearing it from table mate Stewart Newman.  "Make the title, 'Will McKoy Go Back To Back'," Newman said...and while we like the suggestion, we happen to like our title better.

As play nears Level 11, we will take a look updated chip counts, and focus on the chip lead race.

Event 9 (Flight I): Final Friday Flight Getting Underway

Event 9 ($350 No Limit Hold'em $300,000 Guarantee)
Level 1 (Blinds 25/50)
Total Flight I Entries: N/A

"Fanning Things Out"

Players for the third and final flight of the day are about to take there seats, and are hoping to be around until the wee hours of Saturday morning (bagging begins around 2:30am).  While the "late flights" don't receive the same detailed coverage as those that come before them, we will update you on the faces in the crowd, as well as some updated chip counts before the blog "calls it a night."  

Event 9 (Flight G): Final Level Flurry

Event 9 ($350 No Limit Hold'em $300,000 Guarantee)
Level 14 (Blinds 1,200/2,400/300)
Total Flight D Entries: 95 
Players Remaining: 10

Luis Santoni (Aguada, Puerto Rico)

The final levels of these opening flights have been drama filled, and Flight G was no different.  The line between a free $1,500 Isle Open Main Event seat was 500 chips!!!  With about (20) minutes remaining in the final level of the day, it looked as if the race was between Michael Tafuro and David Shaw, with both holding over 300,000.  

That was until Shaw and Luis Santoni tangled in one of the largest pots of the day.  Things seemed pretty simple to start, as it folded around to the two players in the blinds.  Shaw would raise to 7,400 out of the small, with Luis defending after a quick peak at his cards.  The dealer then fanned out a flop of A♣ 3♠ 3♣, and Shaw threw out a bet of 15,000.  Luis would glance over at Shaw...pause...and say with a smile, "Ok, I'm all-in."  

Shaw seemed surprised at first, being that Santoni was playing close to 150,000 behind.  David made the call pretty quickly, and everyone at the table stood up.  It would be Shaw's A♦ J♥ well ahead of the 10♣ 4♣ of Santoni.  The dealer placed down the 10♥ on the turn, giving Luis a few more outs, and followed with the J♣ on the river.  For a moment Shaw thought he won the hand, until realizing that the river jack was that of the clubs brand.  Luis doubled to over 340,000, and the race was really too close to call.  Both Tafuro and Santoni seemed content to ride with what they had, as neither player got involved in a hand over the last (7) hands of the night.  When the chips were verified and the dust settled, Santoni would narrowly top Tafuro, by just over an ante!!!   The remaining (10) players have now exited the tournament area, and once the bags are verified, we will be posting the official end of flight counts.

Event 9 (Flight G): Full Field Counts From Break

Event 9 ($350 No Limit Hold'em $300,000 Guarantee)
Level 13 (Blinds 1,000/2,000/300)
Total Flight D Entries: 95 
Players Remaining: 18

With the field shrinking down to the number it is, we can give you an update with each player remaining, as well as their chip counts (from break):

Table 9:

1. Devon Shalmi - 40,000
2. David Shaw -  160,000
3. Luis Santoni -  85,000
4. A. Nonymous -  76,000
5. Gino Cham -  180,000
6. David Thalheim - 115,000
7. Kobi Ribak - 88,000
8. Allen Schein - 92,000

Table 10:

1. Michael Tafuro - 320,000
2. Mark Miller - 40,000
3. Joe Niblett - 48,000
4. Jeff Kessler - 90,000
5. Johnny Riley - 190,000
6. Ian Cohen - 61,000
7. Phil Cole - 110,000
8. Alton Mendeleson - 33,000 
9. David Wolff - 185,000

Event 9 (Flight H): New Field Takes First Break

Event 9 ($350 No Limit Hold'em $300,000 Guarantee)
Level 5 (Blinds 150/300/25)
Total Flight D Entries: 72
Players Remaining: 58

As we reach the final stages of Flight G, we can start focusing on the "beginning" stages of Flight H.  This flight is on pace to soar passed the morning flight, and there have already been a good numbers of notables in play:

Jeffrey Morrison
Shaun Glennon
Eric Mutschler
Walter Bravo
Dopes Powers
Sheddy Siddiqui
Dave Henry
David Albertson
Stewart Newman
Sean Shah
Omid Saidat

One Flight G concludes, we will shift our focus to the middle flight of the day, and update you on any late arrivals/updated chip counts.

Event 9 (Flight G): Updated Flight G Chip Counts

Event 9 ($350 No Limit Hold'em $300,000 Guarantee)
Level 12 (Blinds 800/1,600/200)
Total Flight D Entries: 95 
Players Remaining: 28

David Wolff (Sarasota, FL)

A short time has passed since we last checked in on Flight D, so we thought it a good time to scan the field and update chip counts.  Play just transitioned into Level 12, which means there will be final break at it's conclusion, and those remaining will return to finish off the last two levels of the flight.  Defending event champ Michael Tafuro is putting together a good campaign to make another deep run, and sits behind only Johnny Riley and David Wolff in chip counts:

Johnny Riley - 210,000

David Wolff - 195,000

Michael Tafuro - 175,000

David Shaw - 100,000

Gino Cham - 95,000

Wolff is coming off of a career best score, making a deep run this past August at SHR, finishing in 21st place during their SHRPO $5,250 No Limit Hold'em Championship Event ($32,500).

Event 9 (Flight G): Breaking Down The Flight's Numbers

Event 9 ($350 No Limit Hold'em $300,000 Guarantee)
Level 9 (Blinds 400/800/100)
Total Flight F Entries: 83
Players Remaining: 57

Many players have been inquiring about the break down of each flight leading up to this point, so posted below are the exact numbers.  Each flight has played down to the end of Level 14, and we would expect the following flights to do the same (the larger fields have a lesser chance of reaching the 8% mark):

Event 9 (Flight G): Wrapping Up Registration, Starting Second Flight

Event 9 ($350 No Limit Hold'em $300,000 Guarantee)
Level 8 (Blinds 300/600/100)
Total Flight F Entries: 82
Players Remaining: 57

Players in Flight G are now finishing up Level 8, and after the break that follow finishes up, registration for the flight will be closed.  The Flight G coverage will then focus on our chip counts and race to the chip lead bonus, while also introducing Flight H coverage.

The 3:00pm flight has been one of the more popular flights each day, offering those who busted the first flight and those coming from work, the initial opportunity to play.  Registration is open until just after 7:00pm for Flight H...with Flight I then beginning, offering yet again another chance for players to join in.

Event 9 (Flight G): It's A Family Affair

Event 9 ($350 No Limit Hold'em $300,000 Guarantee)
Level 7 (Blinds 250/500/50)
Total Flight F Entries: 83
Players Remaining: 57

Sean Shah (Delray Beach, FL)

Michelle Shah (Delray Beach, FL) has been mentioned numerous times on the blog since the beginning of this series, with a lot of that focus coming during her deep run in Event 5 ($570 No Limit Hold'em).  Not mentioned yesterday though, during the Flight E action, was the moment where Michelle had a chance to share the felt with her brother Sean.

Sean Shah (Delray Beach, FL) may be a name you recognize, first from his deep run at the WPT Seminole Hard Rock Showdown $3,500 No Limit Hold'em (7th Place - $168,550), or more recently his bracelet run that feel just short this past WSOP.  Sean found himself heads-up for a bracelet (Event 12 - $565 PLO) against Ryan Laplante, but ended up settling for a runner-up finish and $117,531.  

Sean was not able to bag chips last night, and before we able to capture a photo of Sean for the blog, he was all-in and at risk with 10♠ 9♣ against 7♥ 8♦ on a flop of 7♦ 8♥ 9♠.  Shah was left with just two outs after his opponent filled up on the turn, and would be eliminated after not finding a nine on the river.  Sean re-entered after the first break of the day, and is working towards finding a bag for Day 2 of this event.

Event 9 (Flight G): Channeling The "Inner Kassouf"

Event 9 ($350 No Limit Hold'em $300,000 Guarantee)
Level 6 (Blinds 200/400/50)
Total Flight F Entries: 81
Players Remaining: 61

Marc Levy (Boyton Beach, FL)

William Kassouf quickly became a household name in the poker community after the ESPN coverage of this year's Main Event, mainly because of his behavior at the table.  The discussion among recreational players and pros alike sees opinions on both sides of the fence.  Talking at the table has forever been a part of poker, which we saw a lot of just now at Table 4.  

After George El-Khouri opened for 1,000, Marc Levy three-bet in position to 3,100.  George made the call and the two would be heads up, seeing a flop of J♥ 8♣ 8♦.  The action would follow with a check by both players, and after the 6♠ on the, George would check once again.  Levy then put out a bet of 4,150, and was quickly check-raised to 10,000.  It didn't take long before Levy announced himself all-in (21,150), and El-Khouri went into the tank.

"You're bluffing me," Levy asked.  "Can you believe he was bluffing me," Levy then asked his table mates.  George then asked Levy if he was holding an eight.  "Of course I don't have an eight, how can I have an eight."

El-Khouri eventually made the call with A♣ 6♦, and would be drawing dead against the 8♥ 3♥ of Levy.  Whether the table talk had any effect on the hand, Levy is now up to 55,000, and well above the current average.

Event 9 (Flight G): Defending Champ In The Field

Event 9 ($350 No Limit Hold'em $300,000 Guarantee)
Level 4 (Blinds 100/200)
Total Flight F Entries: 60
Players Remaining: 53

Michael Tafuro (Ft. Myers, FL)

During coverage of Event 6, we took a look back at the 2015 Isle Poker Open, and the results from each event.  This same tournament last year attracted a total of 1,142 entries, and a prize pool of $330,600.  When the dust settled and action had concluded, it was Michael Tafuro (Ft. Myers, FL) who was the final player standing.  The $76,026 first place prize was a sizable score for any player, but it wasn't even the largest of Tafuro's year.  Only months prior, Michael finished fifth in Event 5 ($570 NLH) during the 2015 WPT SHRPO for $87,765.  Tafuro has a total of $257,086 in tournament earnings, with all but one of his (20) cashes happening in the state of Florida.

Event 9 (Flight G): Official Day 2 Chip Counts (Flights A-F)

Event 9 ($350 No Limit Hold'em $300,000 Guarantee)
Level 3 (Blinds 75/150)
Total Flight F Entries: 54
Players Remaining: 51

Official Flight A-F Chip Counts

Listed above are the (56) players already headed to Day 2, including numerous names we've been made familiar with since the beginning of the series.  The current Day 2 chip average sits at 135,000, which would see those returning with average come back to over (40) big blinds.  Are you envisioning yourself bagging chip lead?  It looks like you're going to need over 250,000 for these upcoming flights, as the fields are going to be much larger than those that gave us top stacks of 195,000 (Flight B).

Event 9 (Flight G): Faces In The Crowd

Event 9 ($350 No Limit Hold'em $300,000 Guarantee)
Level 2 (Blinds 50/100)
Total Flight F Entries: 32
Players Remaining: 31

Eric Mutschler (Oakland Park, FL)

The field size for this flight has close to doubled over the first level of the day, which could be a trend we begin to see over the weekend.  In multi-flight events like Event 9, the largest field sizes trend towards the final two days of play (as well as those that coordinate with the weekends).  Eric Mutschler fired two bullets into the tournament on the first day of play, less than (24) hours after finishing runner up in Event 6 for $10,655.  Mutschler was not able to find a bag on Wednesday, but after a day off from poker, he's back in the field now and searching for a better result.

Also joining Eric in the early goings of this flight:

Michael Russo
James Hamburger
Eric Becks
Howard Becks
Alan Schein
Ian Cohen
Joe Niblett
David Wolff
Jeffrey Kessler

Event 9 (Flight G): The Early Start For The Early Flight

Event 9 ($350 No Limit Hold'em $300,000 Guarantee)
Level 1 (Blinds 25/50)
Total Flight F Entries: 19
Players Remaining: 19

Tournament Director Ralph Brandt just finished up with the rules announcement, and the cards are now in the air for Flight G of Event 9.  The event has already attracted a total of 364 entries leading up to today, as we expect a number in the ballpark of 1,000 entries by the time the final flight wraps up tomorrow.  

Players are sitting down to starting stacks of 20,000, and playing levels lasting (30) minutes through Level 14 (transition to 40 minutes on Day 2).  We saw three more players book tickets into the Isle Open Main Event (Daniel Cruz, Tom Gity, and Mike Plewinski), all chip leaders of their respective flights.

There were also a handful of notables to bag chips and earn themselves a day off until Day 2, including Ellen Lambeth, Juan Rodriguez, Jose Delacruz, Michelle Shah, Jessica Dawley, and Michael Ortiz.  A total of (56) players are waiting to return on Sunday for Day 2, in addition to the final fields we see today and tomorrow.

Event 9 (Flight F): Official End Of Flight F Chip Counts

Event 9 ($350 No Limit Hold'em $300,000 Guarantee)
Level 14 (Blinds 1,200/2,400/300)
Total Flight F Entries: 53
Players Remaining: 7

Marcin	Plewinski *	308,500
Michael	Ortiz	198,600
Marcus	Wu-Hamel	152,800
Brian	Appell	145,300
Scott	Hecker	129,800
Joseph	Zelnick	79,300
Ben	Robinson	46,000

*Denotes Flight F "chiplead bonus," and entry into $1,500 Isle Open Main Event