Event 1 (Flight 1G): All Smiles Making His Return To The Room

"Battles At The Beach"

Event 1 ($175 No Limit Hold'em $125,000 GTD)

Level 7 (Blinds 250/500/50)

Total Flight 1G Entries: 186

John DeSoto (Hialeah, FL)

The last time John DeSoto (Hialeah, FL) was in the poker room, he was part of a seven-way chop that ended Event 16 of the Isle Poker Classic.  DeSoto was sitting with less than (5) big blinds when the discussion of a chop began, and opposed to getting just over $1,000, John walked away with just over $5,000! The money he earned for his seventh place finish was the second most of his tournament career, behind a final table chop of a $350 No Limit Hold'em event during the 2011 Rock And Roll Poker Open (8th Place - $18,000).

DeSoto was looking to win a hefty pot as we approached his table, as he held a combo draw against a lower flush draw, and a set.  The river would brick his hand, but he would walk away from the table all smiles, and head to the cashier to re-enter the flight.  John is part of a group that bookends our look at notables in today's afternoon flight:

Maury Barrett

Marcel Dechamps

Parkinson Keevican

Robert Sacher

Steven Lake

Barry Chazen

Erik Nomberg

Charles Horton