Isle Open Event 15 (Day 3): Noel Atherley Event #15 Champion ($44,916), Brian Hastings Runner-Up ($30,128)

2017 Isle Open | Event #15

$1,100 No Limit Hold'em | $150,000 GTD

Level 28 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)

Total Event 15 Entries: 180

Players Remaining: 2

Noel Atherley (Lantana, FL) turned a Day 2 buy-in into $44,916, and an Isle Open trophy.  A true veteran of the game, Noel beats one of the best from the "new school," as Brian Hastings gracefully bows out in second place ($30,128).

When action resumed after break, Noel Atherley (Lantana, FL) coupled good run and aggressive play, chipping Hastings down to ten big blinds.  Brian would shove the button for just over 490,000, with Atherley making the call, holding A♥ Q♣ against Brian's 10♦ 7♣.  Hastings took the lead after the 10♥ 6♣ 3♦ flop, but Noel would turn the A♠, standing up in celebration.  He faded a ten or seven on the river, and became the Event #15 winner.

Brian Hastings (Ithaca, NY) earns $30,128 for his runner-up finish, falling just one spot short of his first Isle Poker title.

Isle Open Event 15 (Day 3): Updated Chip Counts On First Break

2017 Isle Open | Event #15

$1,100 No Limit Hold'em | $150,000 GTD

Level 28 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)

Total Event 15 Entries: 180

Players Remaining: 2

Noel Atherley continued to dominate the action until the last few minutes of Level 27, at which point Brian won a handful of pots in a row to close the gap a little.  Players are taking their first break of the day, returning to Level 28 after ten minutes away from the table (25,000/50,000/5,000).  The transition is significant, as Hastings now has just over seventeen big blinds when action resumes.

Noel Atherley - 2,800,000
Brian Hastings - 880,000

Isle Open Event 15 (Day 3): Hasting Under 1,000,0000, Atherley Showing Aggression

2017 Isle Open | Event #15

$1,100 No Limit Hold'em | $150,000 GTD

Level 27 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/4,000)

Total Event 15 Entries: 180

Players Remaining: 2

After a few minutes of heads-up play, Noel Atherley and Brian Hastings had a brief discussion in regards to a deal.  Those talks quickly dissolved, and play would continue on, with Hastings started to draw things closer.  

Noel has shown a lot of aggression during the heads up play, while Hastings has definitely been much more calculated.  Moments ago, after Hastings opened to 90,000 (and Noel called), the two would see a flop of 2♠ 8♦ 9♠.  Noel check-called a 90,000 bet, followed by the 5♣ hitting the felt on the turn.  Atherley checked once again, with Hastings putting out another bet, this time for 225,000.  

Noel then quickly announced himself all-in, with Brian going in the tank, saying to Noel that he didn't think he'd do that with just one pair.  "That's all I have...just one pair.  But it's bigger than anything on the board," Hastings said, just moments before folding his hand.  Losing that pot would drop Hastings below 1,000,000, and give Noel a more than 2:1 chip lead.

Noel Atherley - 2,900,000

Brian Hastings - 900,000

Isle Open Event 15 (Day 3): Play Is Now Heads Up, As Justin Harvell Is Eliminated In 3rd Place ($17,774)

2017 Isle Open | Event #15

$1,100 No Limit Hold'em | $150,000 GTD

Level 27 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/4,000)

Total Event 15 Entries: 180

Players Remaining: 2

Justin Harvell (Nashville, TN) flip for the final table chip lead, but ended up on the losing end against Noel Atherley, exiting the event in third place ($17,774).

Only a few hands after Sheldon Gross's elimination, Brian Hastings would open the action with a raise to 65,000.  Justin Harvell was next to act in the small blind, and he'd three-bet to 290,000.  Action was then on Noel Atherley, who four-bet in the 700,000 range, with Hastings quickly releasing his hand.

Harvell announced himself all-in (for just over 1,000,000), with Noel making the quick call, and the two tabling their hands.  It would be the "classic race," with Harvell holding A♥ K♠ against Noel's Q♣ Q♦, and the board running out 2♣ 6♠ J♦ 5♠ 2♠.  Justin would be eliminated in third place, but the $17,774 he earned from the result is now the largest cash of his career.

Head-up play is already underway, with the chip counts listed below:

Noel Atherley - 2,500,000

Brian Hastings - 1,100,000

Isle Open Event 15 (Day 3): Gross Becomes The First Day 3 Departure ($10,811)

2017 Isle Open | Event #15

$1,100 No Limit Hold'em | $150,000 GTD

Level 26 (Blinds 15,000/30,000/4,000)

Total Event 15 Entries: 180

Players Remaining: 3

Sheldon Gross (Hillsboro Beach, FL) flopped two pair in a blind v. blind hand, but wasn't able to fade the combo draw of Noel Atherley.

The final table just experienced a few firsts...with the first all-in and call...and the first elimination.  In a blind v. blind confrontation, Sheldon Gross and Noel Atherley got it all-in (on the flop) for close to 1,400,000.  Gross held 9♥ 3♣ on a J♠ 9♠ 3♦ flop, and would be up against the 10♠ 8♠ of Atherley.  The turn brought Gross one card closer to doubling, but Noel completed his flush with the 4♠ on the river, meaning Sheldon would be the first Day 3 elimination.

Sheldon falls short of his first major title, but does earn $10,811 for his fourth place finish.  This result is Sheldon's largest since January of 2015, when he finished fourth in the $1,500 Isle Classic Main Event ($36,250).

Isle Open Event 15 (Day 3): Atherley The First To Push The Action

2017 Isle Open | Event #15

$1,100 No Limit Hold'em | $150,000 GTD

Level 26 (Blinds 15,000/30,000/4,000)

Total Event 15 Entries: 180

Players Remaining: 4

The first twenty minutes of Day 3 have been more of a "feeling out" period for the four returning players, with the first notable hand of the day playing out moments ago.  In a raised pot, Noel Atherley would shove for just under 1,000,000 on the turn, of a board reading J♠ 3♥ 5♠ 4♥ (against Brian Hastings).  The all-in would represent close to ninety-percent of Hastings chips, and he'd go deep into the tank.

"If you're taking this long, I want you to call," Atherley said to Hastings.

"You really don't want me to call," Hastings replied, possibly implying a draw heavy hand.  Brian would eventually muck his cards, with Noel flashing the J♥ as he tossed his hand in.

Noel Atherley - 1,300,000

Brian Hastings - 1,150,000

Isle Open Event 15 (Day 3): The Final Four Return To Finish Things Off, Action Underway Shortly

2017 Isle Open | Event #15

$1,100 No Limit Hold'em | $150,000 GTD

Level 26 (Blinds 15,000/30,000/4,000)

Total Event 15 Entries: 180

Players Remaining: 4

Thirteen hours of Day 2 action was not enough time to decide an Event #15 winner, as the $1,100 No Limit Hold'em ($150,000 GTD) tournament sees four players returning at 1:00pm to finish things off.  There are numerous storylines still in play, as the event still has a player that bought in on Day 2 (Noel Atherley)...an online legend and multiple WSOP bracelet winner that has over $2,599,000 in career live tournament earnings (Brian Hastings)...a "young gun" WSOP Circuit grinder looking for a first major title (Justin Harvell)...and a South Florida tournament veteran with (69) career results and $171,000 without a tournament win (Sheldon Gross).  Listed below are the chip counts (by seating assignment) and payout reminder, with live coverage of Day 3 action picking up in just a few minutes.

1. Noel Atherley - 1,251,000
2. Brian Hastings - 960,000
3. Justin Harvell - 791,000
4. Sheldon Gross - 611,000

Remaining Payouts:

1. $44,916
2. $30,128
3. $17,774
4. $10,811

Monday, October 23rd: Unfinished Event #15 Business, Big Guarantees Headline Isle Open Schedule

ICYMI: Thirteen hours of Day 2 action was not enough time to decide an Event #15 winner, as the $1,100 No Limit Hold'em ($150,000 GTD) tournament sees four players returning at 1:00pm to finish things off.  There are numerous storylines still in play, as the event still has a player that bought in on Day 2 (Noel Atherley)...an online legend and WSOP bracelet winner that has over $2,599,000 in career live tournament earnings (Brian Hastings)...a "young gun" WSOP Circuit grinder looking for a first major title (Justin Harvell)...and a South Florida tournament veteran with (69) career results and $171,000 without a tournament win (Sheldon Gross).  Listed below are the chip counts (by seating assignment) and payout reminder, with live coverage of Day 3 action picking up the moment the cards are in the air.

1. Noel Atherley - 1,251,000
2. Brian Hastings - 960,000
3. Justin Harvell - 791,000
4. Sheldon Gross - 611,000

Remaining Payouts:

1. $44,916
2. $30,128
3. $17,774
4. $10,811

There was also more Isle Open action yesterday, as Event #16 got the cards in the air at 2:00pm.  The $350 No Limit Hold'em event attracted a mix of Day 2 players from Event #15 that wanted a "second chance," and new names that were waiting for a lower price-point event to return (35 total entries and a prize poll of $10,500).  Scott "Joseph" Levitt (Delray Beach, FL) truly used the tournament as a second chance, turning a tough exit in Event #15, into an Event #16 win (heading a five-way chop).

1. Scott Levitt (Delray Beach, FL) $2,414
2. Elliot Zaydman (Coconut Creek, FL) $2,236
3. Joseph Duchman (Miami, FL) $2,014
4. Jose Clemente (Key West, FL) $1,919
5. Steven Pollack (Sunrise, FL) $1,917

Tournaments: The 2017 Isle Open schedule continues with two one-day tournaments today, beginning with the Event #17 | $175 No Limit Hold'em "Structure Beast" ($15,000 GTD) at 11:00am.    Players in the event have the opportunity to play a "major structured" tournament, sitting down to starting stacks of 15,000 units, and playing levels that last (30) minutes.  Registration is open until the end of Level 10, which is just before 4:30pm.

That tournament is followed at 6:00pm by Event #18, a $150 No Limit Hold'em tournament with a $25,000 guarantee.  This is a similar tournament to the one that runs on Monday during the "recurring tournament schedule," but attracts even larger fields during any of the major series over the course of the year.  The tournament is structured with starting stacks of 16,000 units, levels that last (20) minutes, and registration that is open until the end of Level 8.

Promotions: From (9:00am-10:00am), the high hand will award $150 every (30) minutes.  The high hands will then transition from 10:00am-12:00am (midnight), with the opportunity to win $400 every (30) minutes.  During that period, the promotion sees tournament players eligible (Isle Open events not eligible for high hand) 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-3:00am (Friday morning), players are eligible for $100 high hands every hour.

11:00am - 2017 Isle Open  Event #17 | $175 No Limit Hold'em "Structure Beast" | $15,000 GTD

- Players start with 15,000 in tournament chips

- Late and re-entries for the first (10) levels

- Alternates and late entries will start with a full stack

- Level will last (30) minutes throughout the event

6:00pm - 2017 Isle Open  Event #18 | $150 No Limit Hold'em | $25,000 GTD

- Players start with 16,000 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 (20) minutes throughout the event

Isle Open Event 15 (Day 2): Make Room For Day 3, As The Final Four Return At 1:00PM

2017 Isle Open | Event #15

$1,100 No Limit Hold'em | $150,000 GTD

Level 26 (Blinds 15,000/30,000/4,000)

Total Event 15 Entries: 180

Players Remaining: 4

The final hand of Level 25 was dealt moments ago, and the four remaining Event #15 players are currently bagging their chips.  Action will resume tomorrow at 1:00pm, picking up with Level 26, and blinds of 15,000/30,000/4,000 (900,000 chip average).  Listed below are the exact counts heading into the unscheduled Day 3:

1. Noel Atherley - 1,251,000
2. Brian Hastings - 960,000
3. Justin Harvell - 791,000
4. Sheldon Gross - 611,000

Isle Open Event 15 (Day 2): Hastings Catching Fire, Eliminates Jonsson In 5th Place ($8,349)

2017 Isle Open | Event #15

$1,100 No Limit Hold'em | $150,000 GTD

Level 25 (Blinds 12,000/24,000/3,000)

Total Event 15 Entries: 180

Players Remaining: 4

The "walk away" worked once for Rob Jonsson (Deerfield Beach, FL), but that would be the "one time," as there would be no returning.

When five-handed play started, both Rob Jonsson (Deerfield Beach, FL) and Brian Hastings were the shortest stacks.  Since that point, the two went in opposite directions, with Hastings spinning his stack up to close to 800,000 (from 265,000 to start the level).  Now the short stack, Jonsson would shove over an open from Hastings, who would make the call.

The two were flipping, with Jonsson holding K♦ Q♥ against Brian's 5♥ 5♠.  The 10♥ 3♥ 4♥ gave Jonsson even more outs, though you would never know, as he started to creep further away from the table.  His premonition was correct though, as Rob missed both the turn and river, exited the final table in fifth place.  The $8,349 that Jonsson earned for the fifth place finish is the largest cash of his career, and almost equaled his total live earnings coming into the tournament ($9,523).

Isle Open Event 15 (Day 2): Updated Chip Counts Heading Into Final Level

2017 Isle Open | Event #15

$1,100 No Limit Hold'em | $150,000 GTD

Level 25 (Blinds 12,000/24,000/3,000)

Total Event 15 Entries: 180

Players Remaining: 5

Final table play just entered Level 25, which will be the last full level of play in Day 2.  At the end of this level, the players will have to decide whether to bag chips for Day 3...or discuss a potential deal that would end the tournament tonight.  Listed below are the chip counts heading into the final (50) minutes:

1. Noel Atherley - 1,350,000 (56bb)
2. Brian Hastings - 265,000 (11bb)
3. Rob Jonsson - 435,000 (18bb)
4. Justin Harvell - 1,000,000 (41bb)
5. Sheldon Gross - 570,000 (23bb)

Isle Open Event 15 (Day 2): It's A Party Of Five, After Bruno Busts In 6th Place ($6,919)

2017 Isle Open | Event #15

$1,100 No Limit Hold'em | $150,000 GTD

Level 24 (Blinds 10,000/20,000/3,000)

Total Event 15 Entries: 180

Players Remaining: 5

It's been a banner year for Kenneth Bruno (Lake Worth, FL), who had $50,000 in earnings to this point of 2017, and just added a healthy score with this sixth place finish.

Kenneth Bruno (Lake Worth, FL) experienced each side of the spectrum in these later stages of the day...from being super short with two tables left, to second in chips on the final table bubble.  Bruno wasn't able to find much traction at the final table though, and ended up shoving ten bigs (200,000) from middle position, only to see Noel Atherley three-bet to 500,000 on the button.  The blinds would release their hands, and Bruno quickly tabled his A♠ 10♣, already beginning to collect his things. 

Kenneth happened to be right in the assumption that he didn't have the best of it, with Atherley tabling A♥ K♣.  The K♠ 8♦ 4♠ flop all but shut the door for Bruno, who would be drawing dead on the turn.  The $6,919 that Bruno earned for sixth place is his largest cash since May of this year.