Monday, July 17th: Diane Linke Heads Event #7 Chop, Seniors Championship Returns to FSPC

ICYMI: Yesterday was a special day at the Isle Casino Poker Room, as (177) players returned for Day 2 of Event #7 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $200,000 GTD).  The event had a prize pool of over $342,000, and offered up a first place prize of $57,564.  The top six payout spots were all over $11,000, which meant big numbers for any potential dealmaking that could occur.  Many of these tournaments with such massive prize pools are conducive for deal making, with the minority playing down to an outright winner.  As players got down to the final two tables, the ramification of each decision (and each hand) loomed large for those remaining.  There were no discussion of a chop until the final table was reached, but things were quickly shut down.  The "fickle" nature of tournament poker then reared it's head, as Juan Garcia (Doral, FL) watched his pocket kings fall to Diane Linke's pocket jacks, with Diane flopping a set.  Garcia would have had a hefty chip lead if the hand played out different, but instead he'd be out in tenth place, earning $4,423.  The conversation turned to a chop once again, and after the ICM numbers were calculated, a nine-way deal was agreed to.  Diane Linke (Delray Beach, FL) held the chip lead at the time the deal was made, so she would earn top prize, alone with the Event #7 trophy.  A recap of the event will be posted later this afternoon, with the final table results posted below:

1. Diane Linke (Delray Beach, FL) $32,500
2. John Magnetta (Boynton Beach, FL) $26,189
3. Andre Bryan (Miami, FL) $25,671
4. Erik Nomberg (Dix Hills, NY) $25,392
5. Nancy Thomas (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) $17,776
6. Ory Hen (Cooper City, FL) $16,990
7. Abbey Daniels (Coral Springs, FL) $16,943
8. Megan Endres (Coral Springs, FL) $16,389
9. Michael Tait (Plantation, FL) $15,452

There was also an evening tournament on the schedule, as Event #8 began at 6:00pm ($100 No Limit Hold'em "Big Stack Turbo Bounty" $5,000 GTD).  The tournament attracted a total of (116) entries, and ended up with an official prize pool of $7,305.  The event ended in a four-way chop, with David Kahan (Boca Raton, FL) taking home first place money (and the trophy).  Posted below are the results from the deal:

1. David Kahan (Boca Raton, FL) $1,442
2. Danilo Parada (Oakland Park, FL) $1,321
3. Trent Smith (Vero Beach, FL) $1,087
4. Mark Solodkin (Hollywood, FL) $947

Tournaments: There are two events on the Florida State Poker Championships schedule, the first of which sees the return of the Seniors' No Limit Hold'em Championship (Event #9).  The $175 buy-in event offers an $8,000 guaranteed prize pool, and an excellent structure for the one-day event.  Players in the tournament sit down to starting stacks of 15,000 units, and play (25) minute levels throughout the day.

The evening tournament (6:00pm) is Event #10 ($40 No Limit Hold'em $10,000 GTD), a one-day tournament that is very popular with the players.  The structure sees players sitting down to starting stacks of 12,000 units, and playing levels of (20) minutes.  There is an optional add-on at the end of registration, with $20 getting players 8,000 units (100% of add-on goes into the prize pool).

Promotions: Outside of the "standard high hand" promotion, there will be "Turbo High Hands" from 9:00am-12:00pm.  During that window of time, $100 will be awarded to the qualifying high hand every (10) minutes (rollovers apply).

11:00am - FSPC Event #9 - $175 No Limit Hold'em Seniors' Championship ($8,000 GTD)

- Players will begin with a 15,000 starting stack

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

- All late registrants and re-entries will receive a full stack 

- Levels are (25) minutes in length

6:00pm - FSPC Event #10 - $40 No Limit Hold'em ($10,000 GTD)

- Players will begin with a 15,000 starting stack

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

- Levels are (20) minutes in length

- Optional add-on at the end of Level 8 ($20 for 8,000 units, 100% goes towards the prize pool)

- All late registrants and re-entries will receive a full stack