FSPC Main Event (Day 2): Everyone Loves A Free Roll

2017 Florida State Poker Championships
Event 20 - $1,500 No Limit Hold'em ($500,000 GTD)
Level 22 (Blinds 10,000/20,000/3,000)
Total Entries: 548
Players Remaining: 19/548

Shiff becomes the first player to eclipse 2,000,000, after eliminating Dave Bell in 20th place

The field lost two players a few moments ago, as David Bell was eliminated in 21st place ($6,621), and Austin Peck in 20th ($6,621).  On a board of 5♣ 6♣ 8♠ 7♦, Danny Shiff raised all-in over a turn bet from David Bell, with Bell making the call.  Shiff would have a a free roll holding J♣ 9♣, looking for any club or ten, while Bell was chopping at best with Q♥ 9♥.  The river would bring the 10♠, giving Shiff the jack-high straight, and helping him move north of 2,000,000.

Danny Shiff - 2,050,000

FSPC Main Event (Day 2): Final Level Of The Night, Payout Reminder

2017 Florida State Poker Championships
Event 20 - $1,500 No Limit Hold'em ($500,000 GTD)
Level 22 (Blinds 10,000/20,000/3,000)
Total Entries: 548
Players Remaining: 21/548

Players have just been informed by the tournament supervisor that this will be the final level of the night. At the end of this level, the bags will be broken out, and players will pack their chips up for tomorrow's Day 3 (which begins at 12:00pm).


Listed below is a reminder of what is still up for grabs in Event #20:

1. $142,173
2. $99,666
3. $64,096
4. $45,180
5. $34,689
6. $28,630
7. $23,777
8. $18,954
9. $14,219

10-12. $11,726

13-15. $9,395

16-18. $7,842

19-21 $6,621

FSPC Main Event (Day 2): 22nd-24th Places ($5,512)

2017 Florida State Poker Championships
Event 20 - $1,500 No Limit Hold'em ($500,000 GTD)
Level 22 (Blinds 10,000/20,000/3,000)
Total Entries: 548
Players Remaining: 21/548

The following players have been eliminated from the 2017 Florida State Poker Championships $1,500 Main Event, and have cashed for $5,512:

22. Michael Perez (Hollywood, FL) 
23. Michael Wetcher (Sunrise, FL) 
24. John Miller (Plantation, FL) 

FSPC Main Event (Day 2): Schein And Backer-Mayer The Biggest Movers Of Level 21

2017 Florida State Poker Championships
Event 20 - $1,500 No Limit Hold'em ($500,000 GTD)
Level 22 (Blinds 10,000/20,000/3,000)
Total Entries: 548
Players Remaining: 24/548

Al Schein (North Miami, FL)

Level 22 started a few moments ago, with blinds going up to 10,000/20,000/3,000, and a 715,000 chip average.  Outside of the bustouts during the last level, there were some sizable pots played.  The most notables of the level was won by Al Schein.  In a hand that was four-ways, Al Schein led for 40,000 on a flop of A♣ 2♦ 7♦.  Austin Peck would raise to 115,000, with Daryl Jace calling behind, and Schein following suit.  Schein showed aggression once again on the turn (J♠), shoving for close 400,000.  Peck re-shoved behind, which got Jace to fold his hand.  It was hand in cookie jar time for Schein, who rolled over Q 10, and was well behind Peck's 7♠ 7♣.  Schein would jump from the table after the K♠ arrived on the river, with the rest of the table watching in disbelief.  The hand would help Schein eclipse 1,000,000, while leaving Peck with under 350,000.

Joining Schein in the millionaires club during Level 21 was Sam Mayer-Backer, who chipped up to 1,700,000.

FSPC Main Event (Day 2): 25th-27th Places ($4,698)

2017 Florida State Poker Championships
Event 20 - $1,500 No Limit Hold'em ($500,000 GTD)
Level 21 (Blinds 8,000/16,000/2,000)
Total Entries: 548
Players Remaining: 26/548

The following players have been eliminated from the 2017 Florida State Poker Championships $1,500 Main Event, and have cashed for $$4,698:

25. D'Antonio Brown (Jonesboro, GA)
26. Alexander Haber (Pembroke Pines, FL)
27. Tom Gity (Pompano Beach, FL)

FSPC Main Event (Day 2): D'Antonio Brown Holds To Double Through David Bell

2017 Florida State Poker Championships
Event 20 - $1,500 No Limit Hold'em ($500,000 GTD)
Level 21 (Blinds 8,000/16,000/2,000)
Total Entries: 548
Players Remaining: 26/548

D'Antonio Brown (Jonesboro, GA)

We approached Table 3 during a hand between Michael Amato, D'Antonio Brown, and David Bell.  The three players were on the flop, which read 9♥ 3♠ 2♠.  Amato had already checked, and just as we walked up, Brown went all-in.  After getting an exact count (203,000), David Bell made the call, with Amato folding behind.

Brown was visibly displeased that Bell had made the call, but to his surprise, his Q♥ 2♥ was ahead of Bell's 8♠ 7♠.  The turn paired the board with the 9♣, followed by the 6♣ on the river.  D'Antonio faded a lot to double-up 440,000, while Bell dropped down to 510,000.

FSPC Main Event (Day 2): 28th-36th Places ($3,906)

2017 Florida State Poker Championships
Event 20 - $1,500 No Limit Hold'em ($500,000 GTD)
Level 21 (Blinds 8,000/16,000/2,000)
Total Entries: 548
Players Remaining: 26/548

The following players have been eliminated from the 2017 Florida State Poker Championships $1,500 Main Event, and have cashed for $3,906:

28. Harjinder Chawla (Miami, FL) 
29. Joel Gossett (Lake Worth, FL) 
30. David Diaz (Bartlett, TN)
31. Michael Chiappetta (Boca Raton, FL)
32. Maury Barrett (Mt. Dora, FL)
33. Tony Burns (Davie, FL)
34. Christopher Acosta (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
35. Erik Christensen (Hallandale Beach, FL) 
36. Raminder Singh (Delray Beach, FL)

FSPC Main Event (Day 2): Updated Chip Counts At Break

2017 Florida State Poker Championships
Event 20 - $1,500 No Limit Hold'em ($500,000 GTD)
Level 21 (Blinds 8,000/16,000/2,000)
Total Entries: 548
Players Remaining: 27/548

Players are heading on their second-to-last break of the night, and will be returning to Level 21, and blinds of 8,000/16,000/2,000 (608,000 chip average).  Posted below are the updated chip counts from the remaining three tables.

Table 1

1. Evan Teitelbaum - 878,000
2. Lowell Kim - 390,000
3. Michael Newman - 640,000
4. Al Schein - 570,000
5. Ian O'Hara - 310,000
6. Austin Peck - 810,000
7. Daryl Jace - 825,000
8. Brandon Ageloff - 268,000
9. Alex Hader - 265,000

Table 2

1. Frank Russo - 1,350,000
2. Israel De La Cerda - 880,000
3. Josias Santos - 1,200,000
4. Mark Perez - 375,000
5. Tony Ruberto - 470,000
6. Abbey Daniels - 320,000
7. Devon Shalmi - 855,000
8. Lenny Dove - 160,000

Table 3

1. Danny Shiff - 1,200,000
2. Michael Wetcher - 250,000
3. Steve Karp - 760,000
4. Michael Amato - 1,150,000
5. Jonathan Gold - 560,000
6. D'Antonio Brown - 260,000
7. David Bell - 590,000
8. Sam Mayer-Backer - 980,000
9. John Miller - 530,000

FSPC Main Event (Day 2): Wetcher's Races Well To Eliminate Joel Gossett In 29th Place ($3,906)

2017 Florida State Poker Championships
Event 20 - $1,500 No Limit Hold'em ($500,000 GTD)
Level 20 (Blinds 6,000/12,000/2,000)
Total Entries: 548
Players Remaining: 29/548

Michel Wetcher (Weston, FL)

After Michael Wetcher opened from early position to 26,000, action would fold around to Joel Gossett, who three-bet shoved for 82,000.  The remaining players dropped behind, and Wetcher would toss in a chip, signifying a call.  Gossett was likely to see that his K♦ Q♥ was flipping with Wetcher's 4♠ 4♥, and after the 10♠ 9♥ 3♦ flop, he'd gain four more outs.  The turn would pair the board with the 3♠, followed by the A♥ on the river, missing any of Gossett's outs.

Joel would walk away in 29th place, earning $3,906, while Wetcher chipped up to 345,000.

FSPC Main Event (Day 2): Shiff Wants To Go Wire-To-Wire

2017 Florida State Poker Championships
Event 20 - $1,500 No Limit Hold'em ($500,000 GTD)
Level 20 (Blinds 6,000/12,000/2,000)
Total Entries: 548
Players Remaining: 29/548

Danny Shiff (Miami, FL)

Players are finishing up the first "post-dinner" level, with blinds in Level 21 going up to 6,000/12,000/2,000 (566,000 chip average).  To put something into perspective from earlier in the day, Danny Shiff (Orlando, FL) came into the day with what is now the chip lead...that's how dominant his Flight 1A performance was.  

While Shiff lost the chip lead for just a brief moment earlier (to Tom Gity), he is back in a commanding lead, holding over 1,300,000.  The player nearest to Shiff is still below the 1,000,000 chip mark, so his vision of wire-to-wire could potentially continue through Day 2...and into Day 3.

Danny Shiff - 1,375,000

FSPC Main Event (Day 2): Jace Knocks Out Chiappetta In 30th Place ($3,906)

2017 Florida State Poker Championships
Event 20 - $1,500 No Limit Hold'em ($500,000 GTD)
Level 19 (Blinds 5,000/10,000/1,000)
Total Entries: 548
Players Remaining: 32/548

Michael Chiappetta (Boca Raton, FL)

At Table 4, Michael Chiappetta (Boca Raton, FL) opened to 23,000, and would be three-bet by his neighbor to the left (Daryl Jace) to 50,000.  After action folded around, Chiappetta would four-bet shove for 200,000 total, with Jace making the call.  The two players would be racing, with Chiappetta holding 8♠ 8♦ against the A♠ Q♣ of Jace.  

The Q♦ 7♥ 4♣ flop left little in terms of hope for Chiappetta, who watched the turn and river bring no help, sending him home in 30th place ($3,906).  Jace chips up to 780,000 with that pot, and sits in prime position to make a deep run.

Daryl Jace - 780,000

FSPC Main Event (Day 2): Christensen And Acosta First To Go After Dinner, Burns Follows

2017 Florida State Poker Championships
Event 20 - $1,500 No Limit Hold'em ($500,000 GTD)
Level 19 (Blinds 5,000/10,000/1,000)
Total Entries: 548
Players Remaining: 35/548

The stacks across the field were pretty deep as players returned from break, so it was no surprise that action was a little slow coming back.  Eric Christensen (Miami, FL) was the first player eliminated post break, after twenty minutes of play had elapsed.  Just moments later, Chris Acosta (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) would be seen exiting Table 4, earning the second largest cash of his career.

While Tony Burns (Davie, FL) had both a live and virtual rail, the Hard Rock Tournament Director would bust moments ago, knocked out by Darryl Jace.

FSPC Main Event (Day 2): 37th-45th Places ($3,403)

2017 Florida State Poker Championships
Event 20 - $1,500 No Limit Hold'em ($500,000 GTD)
Level 19 (Blinds 5,000/10,000/1,000)
Total Entries: 548
Players Remaining: 35/548

The following players have been eliminated from the 2017 Florida State Poker Championships $1,500 Main Event, and have cashed for $3,403:

37. Jose Reyes (Coral Springs, FL) 
38. Robert Jonsson (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
39. Scott Hart (Coral Springs, FL) 
40. TK Miles (Miami, FL)
41. Maurice Hawkins (Plantation, FL)
42. Joshua Beckley (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
43. Ron Sorci (Parkland, FL)
44. Pedro Idrovo (Ecuador)
45. David Poces (Boca Raton, FL)

FSPC Main Event (Day 2): Updated Chip Counts From Dinner Break

2017 Florida State Poker Championships
Event 20 - $1,500 No Limit Hold'em ($500,000 GTD)
Level 19 (Blinds 5,000/10,000/1,000)
Total Entries: 548
Players Remaining: 35/548

The remaining Event #20 players are heading on their hour long dinner break, which will run from approximately 6:45pm-7:45pm.  Play will resume with Level 19, and new blinds of 5,000/10,000/1,000, with a 470,000 chip average (47bb).

Table 1

1. Evan Teitelbaum - 705,000
2. Harjinder Chawla - 720,000
3. Michael Newman - 520,000
4. Al Schein - 368,000
5. Ian O'Hara - 245,000
6. Austin Peck - 695,000
7. Alex Hader - 130,000
8. Brandon Ageloff - 280,000
9. Maury Barrett - 90,000

Table 2

1. Frank Russo - 430,000
2. Erik Christensen - 285,000
3. Mark Perez - 410,000
4. Anthony Ruberto - 580,000
5. Abbey Daniels - 710,000
6. Tom Gity - 760,000
7. Devon Shalmi - 520,000
8. Steve Karp - 565,000

Table 3

1. Danny Shiff - 1,150,000
2. Michael Wetcher - 680,000
3. David Diaz - 175,000
4. Michael Amato - 800,000
5. Israel De La Cerda - 425,000
6. Joel Gossett - 260,000
7. David Bell - 650,000
8. Sam Mayer-Backer - 460,000
9. John Miller - 360,000

Table 4

1. Michael Chiappetta - 270,000
2. Darryl Jace - 500,000
3. D'Antonio Brown - 735,000
4. Jonathan Gold - 470,000
5. Josias Santos - 830,000
6. Chris Acosta - 270,000
7. Tony Burns - 190,000
8. Lenny Dove - 170,000
9. Lowell Kim 208,000

FSPC Main Event (Day 2): Full Field Lineup (Chip Counts To Follow)

2017 Florida State Poker Championships
Event 20 - $1,500 No Limit Hold'em ($500,000 GTD)
Level 18 (Blinds 4,000/8,000/1,000)
Total Entries: 548
Players Remaining: 44/548

Listed below are the seating assignments for the five remaining tables in the field, with updated chip counts to follow during dinner break (which begins at 6:48pm).

Table 1

1. Evan Teitelbaum
2. Harjinder Chawla
3. Michael Newman
4. Scott Hart
5. Ian O'Hara
6. Austin Peck
7. Alex Hader
8. Brandon Ageloff
9. Maury Barrett

Table 2

1. Frank Russo
2. Jose Reyes
3. Ron Sorci
4. Mark Perez
5. Anthony Ruberto
6. Abbey Daniels
7. Tom Gity
8. Devon Shalmi
9. Steve Karp

Table 3

1. Danny Shiff
2. Michael Wetcher 
3. David Diaz
4. Michael Amato
5. Maurice Hawkins
6. Joel Gossett
7. David Bell
8. Sam Mayer-Backer
9. Joshua Beckley

Table 4

1. Michael Chiappetta
2. D'Antonio Brown
3. Jonathan Gold
4. Pedro Idrovo
5. Chris Acosta
6. Tony Burns
7. Lenny Dove
8. Lowell Kim

Table 5

1. Erik Christensen
2. Al Schein
3. Robert Jonsson
4. John Miller
5. TK Miles
6. Israel De La Cerda
7. Josias Santos
8. Darryl Jace
9. Raminder Signh

FSPC Main Event (Day 2): 46th-54th Places ($2,989)

2017 Florida State Poker Championships
Event 20 - $1,500 No Limit Hold'em ($500,000 GTD)
Level 18 (Blinds 4,000/8,000/1,000)
Total Entries: 548
Players Remaining: 45/548

The following players have been eliminated from the 2017 Florida State Poker Championships $1,500 Main Event, and have cashed for $2,989:

46. Yaroslav Nakonechnyy (Sunny Isles Beach, FL) 
47. Phillip Hui (San Antonio, TX)
48. Brad Ruben (Hernando, FL)
49. Salomon Cohen (Caracas, Venezuela)
50. Alexander Gambino (Plantation, FL) 
51. Richard Kirsch (Davie, FL) 
52. Kobi Ribak (Delray Beach, FL) 
53. Eric Beller (North Miami Beach, FL) 
54. Jose Ordonez (Miami Beach, FL) 

FSPC Main Event (Day 2): 55th-63rd Places ($2,678)

2017 Florida State Poker Championships
Event 20 - $1,500 No Limit Hold'em ($500,000 GTD)
Level 18 (Blinds 4,000/8,000/1,000)
Total Entries: 548
Players Remaining: 53/548

The following players have been eliminated from the 2017 Florida State Poker Championships $1,500 Main Event, and have cashed for $2,678:

55. Jonathan Borenstein (Teaneck, NJ)
56. Haim Nagar (Hollywood, FL) 
57. Fabio Pereira (Sunny Isles Beach, FL) 
58. Joseph Couden (Coconut Creek, FL) 
59. Adam Adler (Hallandale Beach, FL) 
60. Paul Balzano (Sunrise, FL) 
61. Robert Zlatkiss (Orlando, FL) 
62. Michael Rizzuto (Pompano Beach, FL) 
63. Matthew Smith (Margate, FL) 

FSPC Main Event (Day 2): Karp Rivers Reyes To Double, Peaking Above Average

2017 Florida State Poker Championships
Event 20 - $1,500 No Limit Hold'em ($500,000 GTD)
Level 17 (Blinds 3,000/6,000/1,000)
Total Entries: 548
Players Remaining: 63/548

Steve Karp (Dona, FL)

The action at Table 2 would be approached, with Steve Karp having just shoved for 138,000, over a three-bet from Jose Reyes (37,000).  There original opener folded after Karp's shove, with Reyes quickly making the call.  Karp turned over K♣ Q♦, and would racing against the 8♥ 8♠ of Reyes, who would be in line to eclipse 400,000 (if his pocket eights could hold).

The flop 5♥ 6♦ 7♦ stayed clean for Reyes, and after the 6♠ on the turn, Karp would be looking for one of six outs.  The underdog would prevail though, as the K♠ came on the river, allowing Karp to more than double in the hand.  After starting the day with 54,500, Karp is now sitting with 320,000, and is above chip average for the first time since his opening flight.

Steve Karp - 320,000

Jose Reyes - 225,000

FSPC Main Event (Day 2): 64th-69th Places ($2,375)

2017 Florida State Poker Championships
Event 20 - $1,500 No Limit Hold'em ($500,000 GTD)
Level 17 (Blinds 3,000/6,000/1,000)
Total Entries: 548
Players Remaining: 63/548

The following players have been eliminated from the 2017 Florida State Poker Championships $1,500 Main Event, and have cashed for $2,375:

64. Anthony Barbera (Miami, FL) 
65. Michael Aron (Palm Beach Gardens, FL) 
66. Joshua Kay (Boca Raton, FL) 
67. Andres Morales (Boca Raton, FL) 
68. Daryl Fish (Miami, FL) 
69. Manuelic Minaya (Tampa, FL) 

FSPC Main Event (Day 2): No Need For Hand-For-Hand, Main Event In The Money

2017 Florida State Poker Championships
Event 20 - $1,500 No Limit Hold'em ($500,000 GTD)
Level 16 (Blinds 2,500/5,000/500)
Total Entries: 548
Players Remaining: 69/548

Josias Santos (Kissimmee, FL)

Things slowed down dramatically when the field reached (71) players, but after close to thirty minutes without an elimination, there were two in a matter of seconds.  At Table 5, Josias Santos opened to 11,500, with an unknown player on the button making the call.  Anthony Astarita was in the small blind, and he would shove for 104,000.  Santos decided to just call, with close to 200,000 behind, leaving the button player with a big decision.  The button made the call after a few minutes of thought, and the three would head to the flop, with Astarita all-in (and eligible for the main pot).  

Santos checked the Q♥ J♥ 7♦ flop, with his opponent going all-in (and having him covered).  Josias tossed a chip for a call, and we'd have two players at risk on the bubble.  "Do you have pocket queens," the player on the button asked, as he turned over J♠ J♣.  Josias shook his head as he tabled A♥ K♥, with players beginning to crowd the rail.  The deal would snap the 3♥ on the turn, giving Santos the flush, which would be followed by the 8♦ on the river.  The active player's stacks were super close, and although the player on the button would be left with peanuts (after shipping over 216,000), he'd end up making the money...

...Because Jacobo Fernandez was eliminated moments later, experiencing a cruel runout to become the tournament's bubble boy.  Fernandez was all-in and at risk with Q 6 on a Q 6 7 board, against the A Q of Lenny Dove.  The turn and river would bring running tens, counterfeiting a Jacobo's two pair, and sending the field into the money.

Josias Santos - 750,000

FSPC Main Event (Day 2): Big Stacks Emerging As Money Bubble Looms

2017 Florida State Poker Championships
Event 20 - $1,500 No Limit Hold'em ($500,000 GTD)
Level 16 (Blinds 2,500/5,000/500)
Total Entries: 548
Players Remaining: 75/548

Tom Gity (Pompano Beach, FL)

With the day now four hours old, the landscape of of the leaderboard has seen some drastic changes.  Tom Gity (Pompano Beach, FL) has eclipsed Danny Shiff as the tournament's chip leader, becoming the only player above the 700,000 mark.  Tom is a tournament veteran with over $139,000 in career earnings, but it's interesting to note that this will be his first ever main/championship event cash in this poker room.

Tom Gity - 730,000
Danny Shiff - 655,000
Michael Wetcher - 590,000
Abbey Daniels - 475,000
Erik Christensen - 450,000
Brad Ruben - 440,000
Devon Shalmi - 420,000
Maurice Hawkins - 400,000

FSPC Main Event (Day 2): Ruberto The Lone "Day 2 Buy-In" To Thrive

2017 Florida State Poker Championships
Event 20 - $1,500 No Limit Hold'em ($500,000 GTD)
Level 16 (Blinds 2,500/5,000/500)
Total Entries: 548
Players Remaining: 78/548

Anthony Ruberto (Miami, FL)

The Day 2 buy-in option allows players the opportunity to run-up the 30,000 starting stack, which was (12) big blinds to start the day.  The success rate for those players this afternoon has been dismal, with the exception of Anthony Ruberto (Miami, FL).  Ruberto has turned that starting stack into 330,000, which is now (66) big blinds.  Anthony made a deep run the last time he played in a main event here at the Isle, finishing in 30th place during the 2017 Battles At The Beach $1,500 Main Event  ($3,904).

Uri Kadosh was mentioned earlier as another Day 2 buy-in experiencing some success, be he has since been eliminated from the field.  We are now less than ten eliminations away from the money bubble, with hand-for-hand play to begin when (71) players remain.

FSPC Main Event (Day 2): Gianquitti's Queens Couldn't Hold, Leave Short Of The Money

2017 Florida State Poker Championships
Event 20 - $1,500 No Limit Hold'em ($500,000 GTD)
Level 15 (Blinds 2,000/4,000/500)
Total Entries: 548
Players Remaining: 82/548

It would be next to impossible to catch all of the meaningful hands that play out across the field, but when  things go down and the media isn't there, Twitter is like a "blogger's assistant."  Ryan Gianquitti's departure tweet was just posted moments ago, giving a brief synopsis of his final hand:

Busted isle main in gross fashion. QQs on button to ug raise, plus one flat and another flat. I 3 bet and plus one jams AK. 400k pot

— Ryan Gianquitti (@quitti33) July 30, 2017