Tuesday, May 23rd: $25,000 GTD Crushes The Number Again, Finishes In Six-Way (Even) Chop

ICYMI: The $130 No Limit Hold'em ($25,000 GTD) event was the highlight of yesterday's tournament schedule, attracting a massive field, and finishing up with a prize pool well above the guarantee.  It was not the only tournament of the day though, as the $80 No Limit Hold'em w/ $10 Bounties ($2,000 GTD) kicked off the proceedings at 11:00am.  There were (25) entries that made up the $2,000 prize pool ($1,750 prize pool and $250 bounty pool), with three spots reaching the money in the event.  Once the money bubble was burst (around 3:15pm), the remaining trio agreed to a deal, with Paul Berenson (Delray Beach, FL) taking home first place honors.

1. Paul Berenson (Delray Beach, FL) $658
2. Jonathan Rackman (Boca Raton, FL) $576
3. Alberto Niebla (Miami, FL) $516

Around 5:45pm, there was a noticeable buzz around the poker room, as players began to arrive for the evening tournament ($130 No Limit Hold'em $25,000 GTD).  This event has been one of the most successful "daily" tournaments since it's inception, with over (307) entries and a $29,779 prize pool the last time it was run (May 8th).  It looked as if last night's installment was going to eclipse those numbers, but ended up falling just short...with (297) total entries and a $28,809 prize pool.  As expected, the field was a "who's who" of Isle tournament poker regulars, including Karin Powsner, Tom Gity, Rafael Ramos, Raminder Singh, Peter Fellows, and Omar Sader.  After registrations close, almost half of the field remained, and players were looking to reach their first goal...making the money.

A total of (38) spots were being paid in the event, with a min-cash worth $169, and first place scheduled to see $6,330!!  The money bubble burst just past 10:30pm, with Lou Ojeda (Miami, FL) the first to take the successful walk to the tournament podium to get paid.  Some other players to follow Ojeda included Elias Nassif (30th Place - $190), Raminder Singh (19th Place - $308), and Elliot Zaydman (12th Place - $533).  The final table was reached shortly after midnight, and while discussions of a deal weren't solidified right away, players knew it was just around the corner.  After four eliminations from the final table (including Philip Novick, Jean Chery, and Eric Kolodny), the remaining players agreed to an even chop, with each receiving $2,991.  Thomas Millward (Boca Raton, FL) would see his name atop the payouts, earning himself another Isle Poker tournament win for his resume.  The full final table payouts are posted below:

1. Thomas Millward (Boca Raton, FL) $2,991
2. Francisco Castil (Pembroke Pines, FL) $2,991
3. Michael Spadafore (Boynton Beach, FL) $2,991
4. Steve Moreno (Miami, FL) $2,991
5. Jose Jamie (Hollywood, FL) $2,991
6. Carlos Garcia (Miami, FL) $2,991
7. Philip Novick (Pembroke Pines, FL) $962
8. Jean Chery (West Palm Beach, FL) $791
9. Eric Kolodny (Sunny Isles, FL) $633
10. Alfredo Guevara (Hialeah, FL) $533

Tournaments: There are two tournaments on the daily schedule once again, starting a 11:00am with the $100 No Limit Hold'em ($3,000 GTD), which has steadily become the most popular daytime event of the week.  The field sizes have ranged from 45-65 in the past month, with players realizing how good of a value the event really is (25,000 starting stack and 20 minute levels).  

That tournament is then followed at 6:00pm by the $60 No Limit Hold'em ($12,000 GTD), also known at the "Tuesday $12k."  One of...if not, the premier tournaments on the schedule, this event usually sees field sizes above (350-400) players.  

Promotions: Outside of what we like to refer to as the "standard high hand" promotion, today's promotion calendar feature the "Early Bird Limit Hold'em" special.  This promotion sees those players, only playing limit hold'em, earn money for each full house they have (it's required that the hand also wins the pot).  Those playing 2/2 LHE will earn $20 for each full house, while those playing 2/4 LHE will earn $40 for each full house.

11:00am - $100 No Limit Hold'em ($3,000 GTD)

- Players start with 25,000 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 (20) minutes throughout the event

6:00pm - $60 No Limit Hold'em ($12,000 GTD)

- Players will begin with a 12,000 starting stack

- Late and re-entries for the first (8) levels

- Optional player "add-on" at the end of Level 8 ($20 for 8,000 tournament chips), with 100% of the "add-on" going to the prize pool

-  Levels are (20) minutes in length