Thursday, November 23: Maurice Hawkins Headlines Even Chop Of "Single Ante," Thanksgiving Brings The Beginning Of The "November $100,000 II"

ICYMI: The Wednesday before Thanksgiving was scheduled with two tournaments, the first of which was the $120 No Limit Hold'em "Monster Stack" ($3,000 GTD).  The cards got in the air at 11:00am, and once registration closed, there would be (21) entries in the field.  The $3,000 prize pool would be spread across five pay spots, with Todd Kasten (Lake Worth, FL) heading a deal that would end the tournament.  Kasten earned $955 for first place, sitting with an overwhelming chip lead when the ICM numbers were broken down.

1. Todd Kasten (Lake Worth, FL) $955
2. Lizih Gong (Cambridge, MA) $685
3. Dana Leonaggeo (Pompano Beach, FL) $526
4. Arnold Cohen (West Palm Beach, FL) $500
5. Harry Freeman (Palm Beach Gardens, FL) $334

The evening time slot was occupied by the $175 No Limit Hold'em "Single-Ante" event, which boasted a very healthy $25,000 guaranteed prize pool.  This is the same structure that is used for the $2,500 "Single-Day Series," with the big blind posting a single ante for the table.  Of the (161) entries in the field, there were only a few that could say they've had experience with this structure, one of which would eventually be declared the tournament's winner.  Once registration closed, the remaining players would see the $25,000 prize pool broken down into (21) pay spots.  The tournament clocked scrolled slowly, showing a first place prize of $6,641.  Many familiar names cashed in the event, including Juan Rodriguez (21st place), Seth Medoff (15th place), and Alex Alvarez (11th  place).  Play continued on once the final table was reached, and wouldn't stop until the elimination of Tom Gity (in fourth place).  At that point, the remaining three players agreed to an even chop, each earning  $4,520 for their efforts.  Maurice Hawkins (Lake Worth, FL) would be declared the tournament's winner, adding yet another Isle Poker title to his impressive resume.

1. Maurice Hawkins (Lake Worth, FL) $4,520
2. John Ambrosi (Melbourne, FL) $4,520
3. Daniel Saffer (Davie, FL) $4,520
4. Tom Gity (Pompano Beach, FL) $1,561
5. Moises Natanel (Hallandale Beach, FL) $1,205
6. Joseph DiPrima (Boca Raton, FL) $999
7. Franc Nemanic (Coconut Creek, FL) $865
8. Seth Parsons (Troy, MI) $763
9. Rodney Moret-Rojas (Troy, MI) $665
10. Jerry Willis (Margate, FL) $575

Tournaments: This evening begins the "November $100,000 II," with the first of five flights beginning at 6:00pm.  The $250 buy-in tournament is the third of four six-figure guaranteed tournaments during the month of November.  The five starting flights conclude on Saturday, with those players that bagged chips, returning on Sunday for Day 2.  The tournament is structured with starting stacks of 20,000 units, and levels that last (30) minutes over the course of the event.  Registration for the tournament is open through Level 15, which means that the opportunity to buy-in on Day 2 is also going to be available.  The top two chip leaders from each flight will earn a "chip lead bonus," and gain entry into next week's $340 Package Satellite (into the $2,500 Single Day Series and Event #1 of the Isle Classic).  Live blogged coverage of the "November $100,000 II" will pick up on Sunday, offering updates from the moment the cards get in the air...to the moment a winner is declared.

Promotions: From the moment the doors to the poker room open (9:00am) this morning, and running until 4:00pm, high hands will be awarded every (30) minutes (and will be worth $150).  After 4:00pm, the high hand promotion will continue as regularly scheduled:

...$400 every (30) minutes.  During that period, the promotion sees tournament players eligible ("November $100,000 II" flights not eligible) each half-hour for $100 high hands, 2/2 limit hold'em players eligible for $200 high hands, 2/4 limit hold'em players eligible for $300 high hands, and all other raked games (1/2-5/10 NLH, 4/8 Omaha 8B, 6/12 O.E., etc.) eligible for $400 high hands.  From 12:00am-9:00am, players are eligible for $100 high hands every hour.

It should also be noted that starting November 1st, players are able to win the high hand using only one card in their hand!!!  The payouts for those that use one card are different than the standard numbers listed above, and can be found (full listing of one-card payouts on flyers in the poker room).

6:00pm - "November $100,000 II" (Flight 1A) | $250 No Limit Hold'em  | $100,000 GTD

- Players start with 20,000 in tournament chips

- Late and re-entries for the first (15) levels, including before cards are in the air for Day 2 (Sunday at 12:00pm)

- Alternates and late entries will start with a full stack

- Levels will last (30) minutes

- The top two chip leaders from each flight will win a seat into the $340 No Limit Hold'em Package Satellite on Wed., November 29th (satellite into $2,500 Single-Day Series and $1,500 Isle Classic Event #1).