FSPC Event 7 (Flight 1A): Official End Of Flight 1A Chip Counts

2017 Florida State Poker Championships
Event 7 - $360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)
Level 15 (Blinds 1,500/3,000/500)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 140
Flight 1A Players Remaining: 20/140

Quang	Phan	359,500
Mark	Kerness	297,000
Thomas	Cuce	274,500
Hal	Klein	193,000
Nancy	Thomas	161,000
Greg	Spinder	156,000
Eddie	Uehara	129,500
Joseph	Duchman	120,000
Paulo	Castro	112,000
Luke	Poljak	108,500
Alberto	Nrebla	104,000
Vincent	Aloi	103,500
Carlos	Sobenes	102,000
Brandon	Thal	96,000
Chandan	Mathur	92,500
Steven	Bennett	89,000
Roberto	Schmeda	81,500
Seamus	Hoban	81,000
Stephen	Smith	80,500
Jean	Zabin	62,000

FSPC Event 7 (Flight 1A): Almost Wire To Wire For Pham

2017 Florida State Poker Championships
Event 7 - $360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)
Level 15 (Blinds 1,500/3,000/500)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 140
Flight 1A Players Remaining: 22/140

Quang Pham (Boca Raton, FL)

The tournament clock is paused, and with just one hand remaining at both tables, Quang Pham (Boca Raton, FL) looks to have locked up the chip lead bonus.  Pham introduced himself to the blog just before the final break of the night, and he managed to continue the upward trend through the remaining three levels of the flight.  Pham will be awarded the Event #14 $1,100 No Limit Hold'em ($150,000 GTD) seat, and should enter Day 2 with at least a top ten stack.

Once the bagging process has concluded, the chip counts will be inputted, and published here on the blog.

FSPC Event 7 (Flight 1A): Coming Down The Homestretch

2017 Florida State Poker Championships
Event 7 - $360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)
Level 15 (Blinds 1,500/3,000/500)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 140
Flight 1A Players Remaining: 24/140

Joseph Duchman (Miami, FL)

The Flight 1A chip lead standings are still the same, with the race shaping up to be between Quang Pham, Mark Kerness, and Tom Kuce.  From what we've seen in the past though, the landscape can change dramatically over the course of a final level (especially with an $1,100 seat on the line).  While not currently in the "race," Joseph Duchman (Miami, FL) is above average in chips (150,000), and only one big pot from being right in the thick of things.  Duchman is coming off a FSPC trophy win, besting most of a massive Event #4 ($130 No Limit Hold'em $25,000 GTD), to head a chop that saw him earn over $5,000.  Also alive and looking to bag from this flight include:

Alberto Niiebla
Seamus Hoban
Stephen Smith
Jean Zabin
Luke Poljak
Hal Klein

The bagging process will begin at the end of this level, with the clock paused at the 10:00 minute mark, with a predetermined amount of hands to finish the night.  We will update you in regards to the chip lead bonus, and then follow with official Flight 1A chip counts, once the bagging process is completed.

FSPC Event 7 (Flight 1A): Kuce Looking To Add His Name To The Race

2017 Florida State Poker Championships
Event 7 - $360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)
Level 914 (Blinds 1,200/2,400/400)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 140
Flight 1A Players Remaining: 33/140

Tom Kuce (Pompano Beach, FL) 

Action at Table 1 was approached during a hand between Vincent Aloi and Tom Kuce, with Aloi checking to Kuce on a flop of A♥ K♠ 3♥.  Kuce placed forward a bet of 4,500, with Aloi making the call, and the turn bringing the 2♣.  Aloi would check once again, but after Kuce bet 11,000, Vincent chose to check-raise to 28,000.  Kuce made the call, which was followed by the 10♣ on the river, garnering a quick check from Aloi.  Kuce threw out a small bet of 15,500, with Aloi taking a glance back at his cards, and then tossing them in the muck.  Still third in chips, Tom Kuce closes the gap a little between himself and both Kerness and Pham.

Tom Kuce - 250,000

FSPC Event 7 (Flight 1A): Updated Counts After Final Break

2017 Florida State Poker Championships
Event 7 - $360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)
Level 13 (Blinds 1,000/2,000/300)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 140
Flight 1A Players Remaining: 38/140

Mark Kerness (Delray Beach, FL)

Players return from break with four tables in the field, and a different makeup on the leaderboard.  Table 9 continues to host the largest stacks, as players were surveying the field during break.  "How much do they have...I only have 215,000," Tom Kuce said, referring to the stacks of Mark Kerness and Quang Pham.  Those are the top two on the leaderboard, with Kerness the first play to eclipse 300,000 in the field.  Posted below are updated counts tallied during break:

Mark Kerness - 320,000
Quang Pham - 285,000
Thomas Kuce - 215,000
Dave Gelley - 160,000
Stephen Smith - 140,000
Brandon Thall - 120,000

FSPC Event 7 (Flight 1A): Quang Pham First To Pull Away From The Field

2017 Florida State Poker Championships
Event 7 - $360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)
Level 12 (Blinds 800/1,600/300)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 140
Flight 1A Players Remaining: 43/140

Quang Pham (Boca Raton, FL)

Table 9 has hosted a majority of today's action, with a handful of the largest pots of the day occurring at that particular table.  After the most table break, the lineup at Table 9 includes Stephen Smith, Mark Kerness, Nancy Thomas, Nathan Potts, and Quang Pham.  Of that group, Pham is the only relatively unknown player, but that's about to change.  Quong is currently the overwhelming chip leader in the field, sitting with just shy of 300,000 in front of him.  Research on Hendon Mob did not yield any tournament results, which keeps everyone in the dark in regards to any statistical data.  Pham was informed by Nancy Thomas of the "chip lead bonus," with Pham's expression lighting up when he found out about the potential of an Event #14 seat (worth $1,100).

Quong Vinh - 297,000

FSPC Event 7 (Flight 1A): Kerness Calls The Clock On Smith

2017 Florida State Poker Championships
Event 7 - $360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)
Level 11 (Blinds 600/1,200/200)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 140
Flight 1A Players Remaining: 48/140

Stephen Smith (Juno Beach, FL) deep in the tank as the tournament floor counts down the clock.

Action at Table 9 was approached on a flop of J♦ 7♣ 4♣, with Mark Kerness (Delray Beach, FL) all-in for 36,000, and Stephen Smith in the tank.  Kerness believed that Smith had taken a sufficient amount of time with his decision, and called the clock on Stephen.  Ralph Brandt would make his way to the table, and Smith's sixty-second runoff would begin.  "This is either going to be a great call, or just a terrible call," Smith stated as he dropped in the chips for a call.  Kernels turned over J♣ 10♣, holding top pair and a flush draw, followed by Smith rolling over A♥ K♦.  The turn would bring the K♣, giving Smith a pair, but also sealing up the winning flush for Kerness.

Mark Kerness - 88,000

Stephen Smith - 62,000

FSPC Event 7 (Flight 1A): Gari Slips Quickly, Busts Flight 1A

2017 Florida State Poker Championships
Event 7 - $360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)
Level 9 (Blinds 400/800/100)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 140
Flight 1A Players Remaining: 68/140

Jeff Saylors (Lake Worth, FL)

When play resumed just over (45) minutes ago, Thomas Gari was sitting with just over 63,000, and looked to be on cruise control.  He would hit a road bump as Level 10 started though, and was eliminated from play in a matter of two hands.  Gari seemed to be in great shape to eclipse 100,000, and he had Jean Zabin all-in and at risk for pot worth 60,000.  Thomas held K♠ K♦ on a K♣ A♥ 3♥ flop, and was up against Zabin's 10♥ 9♥, needing to fade hearts.  The 4♣ on the turn only strengthened Gari's lead, but the 5♥ would fall on the river, and Zabin would earn the double.

The very next hand, Thomas Gari would get it in with A♠ J♦ versus Jeff Saylor's (Lake Worth, FL) 8♣ 8♠, only to see a seven-high board runout in front of him.  Gari quickly exited the table, while Sailors began to collect the pot, bring his total stack just above 55,000.

Jean Zabin - 63,000

Jeff Saylors - 57,000

FSPC Event 7 (Flight 1A): Updated Post-Break Chip Counts

2017 Florida State Poker Championships
Event 7 - $360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)
Level 9 (Blinds 400/800/100)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 140
Flight 1A Players Remaining: 68/140

Steven Bennett (Deerfield Beach, FL) 

Momentum, just as in competitive sports, is also a very real thing in poker.  Many players believe that confidence and a good mental state are key factors in tournament play.  Steven Bennett (Deerfield Beach, FL) already has (15) recorded cashes this calendar year, with four of his last five cashes of the final table kind.  Those final table finishes have totaled over $25,000, which helped bring his career earnings above the $500,000 mark.  Bennett is currently the leader in the field with 130,000, and would have to be considered an early favorite to bag that chip lead bonus.

Steven Bennett - 130,000

Dave Coughlin - 105,000

Tom Kuce - 100,000

Nathan Pitts - 90,000

Stephen Smith - 75,000

Luke Poljak - 70,000

Thomas Gari - 63,000

FSPC Event 7 (Flight 1A): "Fear The Beard"

2017 Florida State Poker Championships
Event 7 - $360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)
Level 8 (Blinds 300/600/75)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 131

Nathan Pitts (Canton, GA)

Moments ago, Nathan Pitts (Canton, GA) was part of a three-way all-in with Nicholas Chiappetta and Paul Shafran, having both players covered and holding A♠ A♥.  Pitts would be up against Shafran's Q♠ Q♣  and Chiappetta's A♣ K♠, as the three watched the dealer run out a board of J♥ K♦ 6♠ 6♣ 9♦.  Pitts saw his pocket aces hold up, and he'd win a pot worth over 40,000, bringing his stack to close to 85,000.  That stack puts him in the top five of the field, with updated chip counts to be published following the break after this level.

Once that break is over, and the cards are in the air for Level 9, registration will be closed for this flight.  Over $40,000 will be going towards the overall prize pool from this flight, leading "those in the know" to believe that we may have another massive prize pool for this second major of the series.  When play does resume, players will be posted new blinds of 400/800/100.

FSPC Event 7 (Flight 1A): Such Thing As "Too Much Action"?

2017 Florida State Poker Championships
Event 7 - $360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)
Level 7 (Blinds 250/500/50)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 122

Nancy Thomas (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)

During one of the first hands of Level 7, Nancy Thomas (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) was holding A♠ A♣ on a board of 3♦ 6♠ 8♥.  She had gotten a handful of calls after opening for a raise pre-flop, and fired 11,000 into a pot with just over 7,000 in the middle.  The bet would clear most of the field, but she saw resistance from an unknown player, who decided to shove his 14,000 stack.  "What are you guys calling me with," Thomas asked the table as she made the call.  We can't speak for the rest of the players in the hand, but Thomas's all-in opponent was holding Q♠ Q♣.  Nancy's pocket aces would hold up, and she'd chip up to over 60,000.  Regardless of how the game play is at Table 9, Nancy is winning hands, which is exactly how'd she like things to continue.

Nancy Thomas - 64,000

FSPC Event 7 (Flight 1A): Let's Not Forget About The "Chip Lead Bonus"

2017 Florida State Poker Championships
Event 7 - $360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)
Level 6 (Blinds 200/400/50)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 106

Zachary Mullenix (Pittsburgh, PA)

There have been many different things mentioned about this tournament so far in today's coverage, with the exception of the "chip lead bonus."  Just like in Event #1, when chip leaders from each flight were earning seats into Event #14 ($1,100 No Limit Hold'em $150,000 GTD), players from each Event #7 flight will be doing the same.

The focus on the race for the chip lead is still hours away, but it's never too late to look at who's leading the way at the moment.  Zachary Mullenix and Nicholas Chiappetta were locked up in a hand as we approached, with the two on the turn of a board that read J♥ 7♣ 3♣ 8♥, and Chiappetta just having called a 6,500 bet from Mullenix (with over 10,000 already in the pot).  The river would bring the 2♣, which completed one of the two flush draws, but didn't deter Mullenix.  He would announce himself all-in, putting Nicholas to a decision for his stack, and causing him to eventually release his hand.  Zachary raked in the pot, and chipped up to 58,000, putting himself towards the top of the leaderboard.

Zachary Mullenix - 58,000

Nicholas Chiappetta - 9,000

FSPC Event 7 (Flight 1A): Aloi Looks To Be Enjoying Tournament Action

2017 Florida State Poker Championships
Event 7 - $360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)
Level 5 (Blinds 150/300/25)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 98

Vincent Aloi (Coconut Creek, FL) 

Vincent Aloi (Coconut Creek, FL) is a fixture in the highest limit cash games that are run here at the Isle Casino Poker room, and can be heard from every corner of the room.  With the amount of hours that Aloi dedicates to the cash side, it's not surprise that his Hendon Mob resume shows only one cash worth $1,403 ($350 No Limit Hold'em 2015 Coco Spring Poker Open - 33rd Place).  Aloi was present for a good portion of Sunday's Event #1 Day 2, when he was sweating good friend and high-limit confidant Doran Malinasky (Hollywood, FL).  Doran ended up making a deep run in the event, but fell short of the final table, finishing in 24th place ($1,089).  Having spent the day watching tournament poker may have lit a fire in Aloi, who just entered the field moments.  He didn't waste much time before getting involved in a sizable pot, on the very first hand he played.  Some other late arrivals in this Flight 1A field include:

Joseph Duchman

Steven Bennett

Jose Parra

Seamus Hoban

FSPC Event 7 (Flight 1A): Hal Klein Steps Into The Ring Once Again

2017 Florida State Poker Championships
Event 7 - $360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)
Level 4 (Blinds 100/200)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 83

Hal Klein (Delray Beach, FL) 

Looking at Hal Klein's (Delray Beach, FL) Hendon Mob resume, there are a few trends that stand out amongst the (29) recorded cashes.  Many of those cashes came in events that were non-no limit, and they were spread out across sporadic dates.  Klein's focus is not strictly on tournaments, as he does put in solid hours playing cash as well.  Hal has over $173,000 in career earnings, highlighted by a runner-up finish in the 2013 Isle Poker Classic Main Event ($55,500).  Klein heads the second wave of notables int he field, that includes the likes of:

Zachary Mullenix

Edward Jaffy

Joseph Ritzie

Adam Koppel

Tracy Scala

Kenneth Bruno

Paul Shafran

Joseph Mancuso

Players will be taking their first break of the day at the conclusion of this level, and will be returning to Level 5, with new blinds of 150/300/25.

FSPC Event 7 (Flight 1A): Quick Turnaround For Latest FSPC Champion

2017 Florida State Poker Championships
Event 7 - $360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)
Level 3 (Blinds 75/150)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 70

Chien Chui (Coconut Creek, FL) 

Yesterday's only trophy event was Event #6, a $100 No Limit Hold'em "Big Stack Turbo Bounty," which had an $18,000 guaranteed prize pool.  The tournament was an overwhelming success, and ended up with a prize pool (including the bounties) that was close to $25,000.  The tournament did end in a six-way deal, with former Isle Casino Poker dealer Chien Chui (Coconut Creek, FL) earning top billing.  Along with the trophy (and notoriety), Chui walked away with $3,222, almost matching her career earnings coming into the event.

Even though she finished up the tournament well after midnight, Chui was one of the first players entered into this Flight 1A field, and is looking to grab another piece of hardware for the mantel.  Chien is joined in the field full of "early birds," which includes name like:

Thomas Gari

Alberto Niebla

Benjamin Robinson

Stephen Smith

James Hamburger

Andre Bryan 

Luke Poljak

Joseph Marchese

Paul Shafran

FSPC Event 7 (Flight 1A): Checking In On Yesterday's "Spin To Win"

2017 Florida State Poker Championships
Event 7 - $360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)
Level 2 (Blinds 50/100)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 54

From 12:00pm-11:00pm yesterday, the "Spin To Win" high hand promotion was running, one of the most popular poker promotions you'll find in the state (as well as one of the richest).  The player with the "winning" high hand from each half hour is awarded an opportunity to spin the "money wheel," which sits located in the "stage area" of the poker room, closest to the cashier.  There are over (70) different slots on the wheel, all with different monetary amounts.  The "major" amounts that can be won are $1,000, $2,000, $3,000, and $5,000.  If (and only if) the high hand that qualifies is a royal flush, the $5,000 "Jackpot" slice is worth $25,000.  Posted below are all of the results from yesterday's promotion (along with the game the player was playing):

12:30pm: $750 (8/16 8-Game Mix)

1:00pm: $500 (5/10 NLH)

1:30pm: $3,000 (2/5 NLH)

2:00pm: $500 (2/2 LHE)

2:30pm: No Qualifying Spin

3:00pm: $200 (2/4 LHE)

3:30pm: $525 (1/2 NLH)

4:00pm: $450 (1/2 NLH)

4:30pm: $425 (1/2 NLH)

5:00pm: $300 (2/5 NLH)

5:30pm: $3,000 (2/4 LHE)

6:00pm: $400 (1/2 NLH)

6:30pm: $325 (1/2 NLH)

7:00pm: $475 (1/2 NLH)

7:30pm: $275 (2/4 LHE)

8:00pm: $5,000 (1/2 NLH)

8:30pm: $275 (6/12 O.E.)

9:00pm: $400 (2/2 LHE)

9:30pm: $250 (2/4 LHE)

10:00pm: $300 (2/2 LHE)

10:30pm: $475 (2/2 LHE)

11:00pm: $500 (2/4 LHE)

There was $11,000 awarded on three spins alone yesterday, just solidifying the fact that this promotion continues to be one of the best available!!!

FSPC Event 7 (Flight 1A): Second Of Four FSPC "Majors" Gets Underway Today

2017 Florida State Poker Championships
Event 7 - $360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)
Level 1 (Blinds 25/50)
Total Flight 1A Entries: N/A

It's been four days since the conclusion of Event 1 of the 2017 Florida State Poker Championships, with five more trophies awarded since Sunday night.  This afternoon marks the beginning of the second "major" tournament of the series, the $360 No Limit Hold'em $200,000 GTD (Event #7).  This tournament boasts the second largest guaranteed prize pool of the series, and is an event that attracts players from all sides of the spectrum (from recreational to professional).  This price point tournament has run with different guarantees in the past, but has always been one of the more successful events run in the room.

The tournament's structure sees players sitting down to starting stacks of 20,000 units, and playing levels lasting (30) minutes during each of the six starting flights.  Those levels will transition to (40) minutes on Day 2, offering up some deeper play in the later stages of the event.  Registration is open for the first eight levels of each flight, with play scheduled to finish (15) complete levels, or until 13% of the field remains.

Live blogged coverage will be offered for each of the afternoon flights (Flight 1A, Flight 1C, and Flight 1E), with today's coverage beginning in just a short while.

Thursday, July 13th: Chien Chiu Adds Her Name To Trophy Winners, Event #7 Begins Today

ICYMI: There were two events on the FSPC schedule yesterday, the first of which was a satellite into this weekend's tournament (Event #7 - $360 No Limit Hold'em $200,000 GTD), which begins today (with two flights).  The $60 buy-in satellite offered (10) guaranteed seats, but after (117) entries made up the field at registration's close, players found out that (14) seats (plus one cash spot) would be awarded.  There were many notable names to earn a seat to Event #7 for a fraction of the price, including Joseph Petrolino, Jeffrey Lutin, Joel Goetz, Michael Bonsignore, Ian Bishop, Daniel Genachte, Patrick Carnakie, Jim Gleason, Joseph Mancuso, David Coughlin, Juan Peralta, Roberto Alvarado, Rosanna De La Rosa, and Francois Gagne.

The evening tournament was another trophy event (Event #6), which would once again soar past the posted guarantee.  The $100 No Limit Hold'em "Big Stack Turbo Bounty" ($18,000 GTD) event got underway at 6:00pm, and after ten levels of play (at which point registration was closed), there were a total of (313) entries in the field.  Once the optional add-ons were tacked onto the overall prize pool, it would officially be posted as $19,690 (plus $7,825 bounty pool).  A total of (40) spots would be paid in the event, with a min-cash earning $105, and the posted first place prize $4,275.  Brian O'Keefe (Sunrise, FL) would be the first player to cash in the event ($105), and would be followed by names like Robert Transue (23rd place), David Miller (20th place), and Andre Rakusa (11th place).  The final table would be reached just after 11:30pm, and after the eliminations of four players, a six-way chop would be agreed to, with everyone earning over $1,500.  Chien Chiu (Coconut Creek, FL) would be the tournament's declared winner, and would take home the trophy, along with a first place prize that almost matched her career earnings coming in.

1. Chien Chiu (Coconut Creek, FL) $3,222
2. Jason Brown (Boca Raton, FL) $2,033
3. Altabal Mohamed (Cutler Ridge, FL) $1,974
4. Esteban Llarena (Doral, FL) $1,762
5. Cory Petruny (Lighthouse Point, FL) $1,655
6. Garrick Young (Miami Gardens, FL) $1,509

Tournaments: Today begins Event #7, which is one of the four "major" events on the FSPC schedule. The $360 No Limit Hold'em event carries with it a $200,000 guaranteed prize pool, and if the first two weeks have been a barometer, we could see some big numbers.  There are six total flights for the event, with a pair each day (Thursday, Friday, Saturday), and Day 2 on Sunday.  Players sit down to starting stacks of 20,000 units, and will be playing (30) minute levels during each Day 1 starting flight (transitioning to 40 minutes on Day 2).  All Day 1's will play through Level 15, or until 13% of the field remains (whichever comes first).

Promotions: Today's "special" promotion (outside of the standard high hands), is the Limit Hold'em Early Bird, in which the first (50) full houses (in a limit hold'em game) are paid the minimum buy-in for the designated game.  Those players in the 2/2 LHE game will receive $20 for each "winning" full house (or better), while those in 2/4 LHE will receive $40.

11:00am - FSPC Event #7 (Flight 1A): $360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD) 

- Players start with 20,000 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 (30) minutes during Day 1 flights, transitioning to (40) minutes on Day 2

- All Day 1's will play (15) complete levels or until 13% of the field remains (whichever comes first)

6:00pm - FSPC Event #7 (Flight 1B): $360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)

- Players start with 20,000 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 (30) minutes during Day 1 flights, transitioning to (40) minutes on Day 2

- All Day 1's will play (15) complete levels or until 13% of the field remains (whichever comes first)