Event 1 (Flight 1B): "Live Look-In," Coverage Returns For Flight 1C

2017 "Battles At The Beach"

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

Level 11 (Blinds 600/1,200/200)

Total Flight 1B Entries: 80

Just as the bagging process was finishing up for Flight 1A of Event 1, the second flight of that day was getting underway.  The "evening" flights for Event 1 begin at 6:00pm, and wrap up just before 2:00am (for those wondering about scheduling).  After Flight 1B registration closed, there were officially (80) total entries, bringing the combined field to (187) entries.  There are currently (19) players remaining, with a chip average of 84,000, meaning play is super deep at the moment (average is over 50 big blinds).  The flight is scheduled to end at the end of Level 16, but if the flight 1B field gets down to (7) players before that time, the clock will be paused and play will end for the night.

Official Flight 1B chip counts will be posted in the early morning hours, with "live blogged coverage" of Event 1 returning tomorrow afternoon (Flight 1C).

Event 1 (Flight 1A): Official Flight 1A Chip Counts

2017 "Battles At The Beach"

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

Level 16 (Blinds 2,000/4,000/500)

Total Flight 1A Entries: 107

Players Remaining: 13

Robert	Urspruch	396,500
Peter	Bronstein	277,000
Frank	Scala	258,000
Raymond	Winters	209,500
Evan	Braunstein	178,500
Stuart	Greenbaum	157,500
Thomas	Gari	147,000
Joseph	Conti	110,500
Ido	Ashkenazi	109,000
Craig	Schlesinger	106,500
Lou	Stadler	90,500
Allan	Bieler	83,000
Steve	Westerholt	21,500

Event 1 (Flight 1A): Urspruch Bags Flight 1A Bonus

2017 "Battles At The Beach"

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

Level 16 (Blinds 2,000/4,000/500)

Total Flight 1A Entries: 107

Players Remaining: 14

Robert Urspruch (Plantation, FL) may have trended downwards over the course of Level 14 and 15, but he used the final level as his platform towards grabbing the Flight 1A bonus.  He won a 100,000 pot holding the nut flush against his opponents jack-high flush, which propelled him to the chip lead once again.  Robert wouldn't relinquish the lead this time, as he earns himself a $1,500 Battles At The Beach Main Event seat.  End of Flight 1A chip counts will be posted once the bagging process is finished, and counts have been made official.

Event 1 (Flight 1A): It's Now Anyone's Bonus To Earn

2017 "Battles At The Beach"

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

Level 16 (Blinds 2,000/4,000/500)

Total Flight 1A Entries: 107

There will be no runaway chipleader this flight, as Robert Urspruch has dropped down, and a trio of other players have closed the gap.  While there are a handful of short stacks of the (17) players that remain, any of the players that are still active are just a "heater" away from grabbing that $1,500 Main Event seat.  The clock will be paused with 10:00 minutes remaining in Level 16, at which point the tournament supervisor will inform the players how many hands are left.  Once those hands are completed, the bagging process will begin, and we will update followers on the flight's chip leader.

Robert Urspruch - 290,000

Ido Ashkenazi - 265,000

Raymond Winters - 225,000

Petr Bronstein - 205,000

Event 1 (Flight 1A): Can't Spell Urspruch Without "UP"

2017 "Battles At The Beach"

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

Level 15 (Blinds 1,500/3,000/400)

Total Flight 1A Entries: 107

Robert Urspruch (Plantation, FL)

With the blinds increasing, and the stack ratio thinning out, we are witnessing a transfer of power.  John Vidal, who was the overall chip leader at last update, has been eliminated from Flight 1A play (at the hands of Robert Urspruch).  Urspruch, who has one recorded cash on Hendon Mob,  is now the favorite to bag the flight chip lead (with over 350,000).  There are two levels of play remaining, and two tables currently active (20 players left).

Event 1 (Flight 1A): Remaining Table Lineups

2017 "Battles At The Beach"

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

Level 14 (Blinds 1,200/2,400/400)

Total Flight 1A Entries: 107

As we enter the final three levels, here is a look at everyone who is still active in Flight 1A, listed by table lineups:

Table 8:

1. Miguel Capriles
2. Chad Freedman
3. Ido Ashkenazi
4. John Vidal
5. Robert Urspruch
6. Francis Margaglione
7. Frank Scala
8. Peter Bronstein
9. Luiz Stadler

Table 11:

1. Miguel Galindo
2. Joey Conti
3. Roberto Alvarado
4. Alfredo Vargas
5. Raymond Winters
6. Ken Shockett
7. Stuart Greenbaum
8. Wes Lasher
9. Nader Bahhur

Table 12:

1. Morris Heider
2. Marc Culberson
3. Evan Braunstein
4. Steve Westerholt
5. Thomas Gari
6. Craig Schlesinger
7. Allan Beier
8. Austin Bailey

Event 1 (Flight 1A): Updated Chip Counts

2017 "Battles At The Beach"

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

Level 13 (Blinds 1,000/2,000/300)

Total Flight 1A Entries: 29

Players have just returned from their final break of the flight, and will be playing four more levels (unless the field reaches the 10% mark).  The empty tables from break allowed for clear view of chip counts, as we now start focusing on the race for the chip lead:

John Vidal - 230,000

Francis Margaglione - 160,000

Thomas Gari - 150,000

Lou Stadler - 135,000

Ido Ashkenazi - 115,000

Craig Schlesinger - 105,000

John Vidal and Francis Margaglione currently share the same table, which could lead to some fireworks as we head down the homestretch.  There are only three active tables remaining, so we will follow up with a full field lineup shortly. 

Event 1 (Flight 1A): Sometimes You Just Have To Ask Politely

2017 "Battles At The Beach"

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

Level 11 (Blinds 600/1,200/200)

Total Flight 1A Entries: 107

John Vidal (Pompano Beach, FL)

The lap around the tournament area was about to yield updated chip counts, but we encountered a big hand in progress, so attention was shifted.  At Table 8, Phil S. opened the action with a raise to 2,500, with John Vidal flatting behind from the small blind.  The player in the big blind then three-bet shoved for just over 23,000, leaving action back on Phil.  Phil, who was just featured winning a sizable pot, also announced that he was all-in (having both players covered).  

Vidal was playing an effective stack of 83,000, and after just a few moments of thought, verbalized a call.  The hands were tabled, with both Vidal and the player in the big blind at risk:

Phil: Q♠ Q♦

Vidal: K♠ K♣

Player X: J♦ J♣

Runout: J♠ A♣ 3♣ 5♠ K♥

The jack was right in the window, leaving Vidal shaking his head in disgust.  Just as the dealer dropped the 5♠ on the turn, John asked aloud, "How about a king on the river please?"  His kindly stated request was granted, as he celebrated the K♥ on the river.  The dealer would count out his all-in, which was 79,200, and Phil sent that amount Vidal's way.  John is now the Flight 1A chip leader, sitting with just over 195,000.

Event 1 (Flight 1A): Winning Flips Is The Key

2017 "Battles At The Beach"

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

Level 10 (Blinds 500/1,000/100)

Total Flight 1A Entries: 107

Phil S. (Lauderhill, FL)

Whether it's in the first level of a tournament, or late at the final table, a player's success is usually determinant on how they "flip."  It's rare that any player will navigate their way through an event without running into a spot where things are a coin flip heading in.    Phil S. (Lauderhill, FL) just ran into one of those spots, and after being on the winning end, vaults himself towards the top of the leaderboard.

After four player limped for 1,000, an unknown player in the hijack raised to 12,000.  Phil, who was next to act on the button, three-bet shoved for 42,800.  After the limpets folded behind, the original raiser tanked for two minutes, eventually making the call:

Phil: A♦ Q♠

Player X: 9♥ 9♦

Runout: Q♥ J♦ 7♠ 4♣ 10♣

Phil would flop top pair, with his opponent needing to hit a two outer to win (heading to the river).  The four-spotter was a little bit of a sweat for Phil, but he'd end up doubling up through his opponent, and now sits with just under 95,000.

Event 1 (Flight 1A): Francis Out In Front

2017 "Battles At The Beach"

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

Level 9 (Blinds 400/800/100)

Total Flight 1A Entries: 107

Francis Margaglione (Davie, FL) currently sits atop the leaderboard, but there is still a long way to go until the bagging process begins.

The first time Francis Margaglione (Davie, FL) was introduced to followers of the blog, it was during Event 5 (Isle Poker Open) coverage.  The tournament was special in the sense that players were allowed to buy-in up until the cards were in the air for Day 2.  Francis was one of a group of players to shell out the $570 buy-in, starting the day with a stack of only (15) big blinds.  It didn't take long before Margaglione spun that stack into something more playable, eventually riding it all the way to the final two tables.  Francis would eventually bow out in 13th place, but earned himself $2,332 for his "Day 2 entry."

Margaglione is looking to reach Day 2 the traditional way this time around, and is sitting with the largest stack in the field (150,000).  The stack sizes across the remaining field seem pretty flat, with the chip average currently at 38,000.

Event 1 (Flight 1A): Eclipsing The Century Mark

2017 "Battles At The Beach"

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

Level 8 (Blinds 300/600/75)

Total Flight 1A Entries: 101

As the minutes tick away in Level 8, the registration window for this first flight of Event 1 closes.  The players in the field will take a (10) minute break after Level 8, and once the cards are in the air for Level 9, registration will be closed.  Those who are looking to enter this event will still have numerous opportunities to join the action:

Flight 1B - Wednesday, February 15th (6:00pm)

Flight 1C - Thursday, February 16th (11:00am)

Flight 1D - Thursday, February 16th (6:00pm)

Flight 1E - Friday, February 17th (11:00am)

Flight 1F - Friday, February 17th (6:00pm)

Flight 1G - Saturday, February 18th (11:00am)

Flight 1H - Saturday, February 18th (6:00pm)

Once play resumes after break, we can focus our attention on the actual play at the tables, and look towards the "race for the chip lead."

Event 1 (Flight 1A): Faces In The Crowd

2017 "Battles At The Beach"

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

Level 7 (Blinds 250/500/50)

Total Flight 1A Entries: 92

Ido Ashkenazi (Queens, NY) is a Florida-based tournament professional who really needs no introduction.  Ido has over $460,000 in recording live tournament earnings, and is coming off of his most successful year to date.  Ashkenazi recorded (19) cashes in 2016, totaling $229,905...thanks to his largest tournament cash.  Ido was part of a heads up chop during Event 10 of the 2016 SHRPO (2nd Place - $158,304).

Unlike Ashkenazi, Jose Gallegos (Morristown, PA) is a player that needs an introduction to the Florida poker scene, having just moved down here last year.  Gallegos was grinding in the Northeast before escaping the cold weather, and managed to amass a resume with over $20,000 in live tournament earnings.  Jose's largest tournament cash came back in 2009, when he finished 75th during a $1,500 No Limit event at the World Series Of Poker ($4,718).

Event 1 (Flight 1A): Sandy Looking For Continued Success During The Beach

2017 "Battles At The Beach"

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

Level 6 (Blinds 200/400/50)

Total Flight 1A Entries: 90

Sandy Sanchez (Lauderdale, FL)

Sandy Sanchez (Lauderdale, FL) made a name for himself during the 2017 Isle Poker Classic, recording three cashes during the series:

Event 4 ($160 No Limit Hold'em) - 16th Place $284

Event 8 ($250 Omaha Hi/Lo 8B) - 9th Place $1,148

Event 16 ($150 No Limit Hold'em) - 52nd Place $399

Sanchez followed that up with a final table finish during the HORSE event at Hard Rock Hollywood (Lucky Hearts Poker Open), falling just short of the title (2nd Place - $3,303).  Sanchez's tournament resume is a mix of no limit and mixed game results, proving that he's not just a one trick pony.  

Sandy was spotted in our second wave of notables in the field, joining the likes of Stuart Greenbaum, Marc Culberson, Stephanie Tang, Ronald Levy, Harold Foster, and Craig Schlesinger.

Event 1 (Flight 1A): Thomas Coming Off Six-Figure Score

2017 "Battles At The Beach"

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

Level 4 (Blinds 100/200)

Total Flight 1A Entries: 82

Nancy Thomas (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) is coming off of her largest ever tournament cash, earning herself over $100,000 as part of a three-way chop in the opening event of the 2017 Lucky Hearts Poker Open at Hard Rock Hollywood.

Nancy Thomas (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) has been grinding the Florida tournament poker circuit for over six years, and just experienced the success of her hard work and determination.  When the ball dropped on January 1st, signifying the end of 2016, Thomas had an already impressive live tournament resume.  She boasted career tournament earnings over $80,000, accumulated over (31) recorded cashes.

Thomas then started the year with a final table finish during the 2017 Isle Poker Classic (Event 4 - 4th Place $2,066), unaware of the life changing week she was about to experience.  Thomas was just one of the 4,756 entries in the opening event of the 2017 Lucky Hearts Poker Open, making up what was one of the largest tournaments this state ever hosted.  As the days passed and the field dwindled down, Nancy found herself not only staying alive, but thriving.  Thomas would reach the final table, and once play got down to three-handed, a deal was struck between herself and the two remaining players...one of which was a Florida favorite Jerry Wong.  Wong ended up taking first place money and the trophy, but it was Nancy claiming second place, and a life changing score of $109,113.

The score hasn't changed Nancy one bit, as she is back at it in this $175 buy-in event, looking to add a first place to her resume for the first time in her poker career.  Nancy, along with the rest of this Flight 1A field, are on their first break of the day (and will be returning to Level 5 and blinds of 150/300/25).

Event 1 (Flight 1A): Looking To Earn A Few Days Off...And A Main Event Seat

2017 "Battles At The Beach"

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

Level 4 (Blinds 100/200)

Total Flight 1A Entries: 75

The tournament area has seven active tables at the moment, with a surprisingly strong start to Event 1.  There have been (75) total entries to this point, already totaling over $10,000 towards what will be the combined prize pool (eight flights total).  Those players looking to have a "better" opportunity to bag a flight chip lead (and a main event seat) need to look no further than these first few opening flight.  One does not need to be a math wizard to know that the possibilities of best a field in terms of chip lead, are greater when the field size is smaller.  Proven tournament trends show that the later tournament flights attract the largest fields, and a tougher route to navigate.  

The field is full of Isle Casino Poker notables, with the first wave including:

Luiz Stadler

Paul Shafran

Waldemar Wasilewski

Dwight Pinkerton

Frank Scala

Joseph Marchese

Morris Heider

Joe Niblett

Alan Dobrow

Francois Gagne

Nancy Thomas

Thomas Gari

Daniel Genachte

Event 1 (Flight 1A): Let The "Battles" Begin!!

"Battles At The Beach"

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

Level 1 (Blinds 25/50)

Total Flight 1A Entries: N/A

The "Battles At The Beach" series kicks off today, with two Event 1 starting flights on the schedule.

The tournament area of the poker room is beginning to fill up, as players take their seats for Event 1 of the 2017 Battles At The Beach series.  The second of four seasonal series is made up of (17) events (plus satellites) over the course of three weeks.  There are three "major" events during this series (Event 1, Event 8, and Event 14), with (14) side events sandwiched in between all of the action.  There are $1,000,000 in guarantees for the series, with this first tournament boasting a $125,000 guaranteed prize pool.

The opening event of the 2016 Battles At The Beach was a smaller buy-in event ($75 No Limit Hold'em), but it attracted an impressive 1,191 entries (topping the $50,000 guarantee).  This year's installment is a $175 buy-in, and is sure to eclipse the $125,000 guaranteed prize pool.  The tournament structure has a "mid-major" feel, with a 20,000 starting stack, and (25) minute levels throughout the event.

Cards will be in the air momentarily for this opening flight, with live coverage to begin after players have time to settle in.  It's going to be a great series, and you can look forward to live blogged coverage of the three "major events," along with all of the results from the side events.

Wednesday, February 15th: The "Battle" Begins, #Twinning Starts Series A Night Early

"Battles At The Beach" Runs From February 15th-March 7th

The Isle Casino Poker Room takes a short hiatus from the "daily tournament schedule," as the "Battles At The Beach" stands front and center for the next three weeks.  The series starts with the first of three "major" events, a $175 No Limit Hold'em event with a $100,000 guaranteed prize pool.  The multi-day tournament has eight flights schedule over the next four days, and sees players return on Sunday for Day 2, and the events' conclusion.  The "race for the chiplead" is even that much more important for Event 1, as each flights' chipleader will earn themselves entry into the Battle At The Beach $1,500 buy-in Championship Event.  It's going to be a very busy three weeks for the poker, as well as the blog, as live coverage of Flight 1A (Event 1) begins shortly after the cards get in the air (11:00am).

As players were preparing for today's opening flight of Event 1, many chose to spend Valentine's Day with their partners, while others answered the age old question of "who loves it more."  There were (270) entries in last night's $40 No Limit Hold'em ($7,000 GTD), all trying to stake the claim at the "who loves it more title."  The tournament had an official prize pool of $9,130, and ended in an eight-way deal.  Hector Caraballo (Hialeah, FL) would earn the winner's share of the deal, walking away with $1,090 and the trophy.  Those that follow the blog would know that Hector and his twin brother Nestor are always in attendance during tournaments (daily or during a series), and are always looking to prove that #Twinning is always better than winning.  We will see both Caraballo brothers during the Battles At The Beach, as well as many more of the notables blog followers have become familiar with.

11:00am - Event 1 (Battles At The Beach) $175 No Limit Hold'em $125,000 Guarantee (Flight 1A)

- Players receive 20,000 in tournament chips
- All late registrants and re-entries will receive a full stack
- Levels will be (25) minutes in length throughout tournament
- All Day 1's will play 16 levels, or when 10% of the field remains (whichever occurs first)
- The chip leader from each flight will earn a $1,500 Main Event seat

6:00pm - Event 1 (Battles At The Beach) $175 No Limit Hold'em $125,000 Guarantee (Flight 1B)

- Players receive 20,000 in tournament chips
- All late registrants and re-entries will receive a full stack
- Levels will be (25) minutes in length throughout tournament
- All Day 1's will play 16 levels, or when 10% of the field remains (whichever occurs first)
- The chip leader from each flight will earn a $1,500 Main Event seat