Isle Open Championship (Day 1A): Atherley Decides To Try Out A Starting Flight

2017 Isle Open | Event #21
$1,500 No Limit Hold'em Isle Open Championship| $500,000 GTD
Level 3 (Blinds 100/200/25)
Total Day 1A Entries: 51

Noel Atherley (Lantana, FL) made headlines here at the Isle Poker Room, winning Event #15 earlier this week, after buying into the tournament on Day 2.

Noel Atherley (Lantana, FL) had some great stories, even before his Event #15 win occurred earlier this week, about the "good ol' days" of poker.  After Noel shipped the trophy, he spent some time talking to the media, reminiscing about the days when he played poker for a living.  Atherley spoke of WSOP Main Events where it was "winner-take-all," major tournament fields that consisted of only fifty players, sharing the felt with names like Stu Ungar, and just growing up with the game.

He can now add another story to the list, buying in on Day 2 of Event #15 (before the first card was pitched), and starting with just 20,000 units.  Noel started the day as the third shortest stack, and begun play with only twelve big blinds.  While the five other players to buy in on Day 2 were busting at a rapid pace, Atherley was spinning his stack up.  Noel entered the unscheduled Day 3 of the event as the chip leader, and ended up eliminating each of his three opponents, on his way to the title ($44,916).

Atherley is not the only "returning champ" in the field, as Edward Novak (Simsbury, CT) took his seat just a few minutes ago.  Novak is the defending champion of this particular event, and is looking to become the first two-time Isle Poker championship event winner.

Players are heading on their first break of the day in just a few moments, and will be returning to Level 4, with new blinds of 150/300/50 (31,000 chip average).