Isle Classic Event #10 (Flight 1C): Official End Of Flight 1C Chip Counts

2017 Isle Classic | Event #10
$360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)
Level 15 (Blinds 1,500/3,000/500)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 96
Flight 1C Players Remaining: 17

Johnathan	Steward C	270,500
Andre	Rakusa	234,000
James	Salmon	213,500
Pedro	Cortez	152,500
Lester	Trimino	145,500
Zachary	Mullennix	134,500
Timothy	Miles	132,000
Steven	Cohen	131,000
Wilmer	Diaz	101,500
Scott	Zakheim	98,500
Tracy	Scala	96,500
Peter	Vitantonio	73,000
Daniel	Watson	71,000
Matthew	Bellucci	64,000
Charlemagne	Benjamin	50,000
Richard	Rice	36,500

Isle Classic Event #10 (Flight 1C): Johnathan Steward Bags Flight 1C Chip Lead, Official Counts To Follow

2017 Isle Classic | Event #10
$360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)
Level 15 (Blinds 1,500/3,000/500)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 96
Flight 1C Players Remaining: 17

Johnathan Steward (Woodstock, GA) introduced himself to the blog last month, when he took second place money
in a chop that ended the "November $100,000" ($250 No Limit Hold'em).

The final hands have wrapped up for Flight 1C, with a total of (17) players packing up chips for Sunday's Day 2.  Johnathan Steward (Woodstock, GA) used a strong final few levels to grab the bonus, eclipsing both James Salmon and Andre Rakusa during the final hour of play.  Steward will head to Day 2 with 270,500, with the rest of the official counts from the flight to be posted shortly after 8:00pm.

Isle Classic Event #10 (Flight 1C): Updated (Full Field) Counts Heading To Final Level

2017 Isle Classic | Event #10
$360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)
Level 14 (Blinds 1,200/2,400/400)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 96
Flight 1C Players Remaining: 19

The remaining players in this flight will finish out this level, and then play until the 10:00 minute mark of Level 15.  At that point, the clock will be paused, and those players left will be informed of how many hands remain in the night.  The bagging process will then commence once those hands have been finished at each table, with end of Flight 1C chip counts to be posted shortly thereafter.  Listed below are the updated chip counts from the remaining field:

Table 1

1. Zachary Mullinex - 52,000
2. Pedro Cortez - 120,000
3. David Maslowski - 110,000
4. Tracy Scala - 114,000
5. Dan Wayson - 125,000
6. Peter Vitantonio - 35,000
7. James Salmon - 215,000
8. Richard Rice - 36,000
9. Andre Rakusa - 170,000

Table 3

1. TK Miles - 41,000
2. Jonathan Steward - 174,000
3. Wilmer Diaz - 118,000
4. Charlemagne Benjamin - 31,000
5. Lester Tramino - 165,000
6. A. Nonymous - 110,000
7. Chip Reed - 85,000
8. Kenneth Bruno - 37,000
9. Scott Zakheim - 85,000
10. Matt Belluci - 23,000

Isle Classic Event #10 (Flight 1C): Newman Saves Himself A Buy-In After Quadrupling Up

2017 Isle Classic | Event #10
$360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)
Level 12 (Blinds 800/1,600/200)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 95
Flight 1C Players Remaining: 30

Michael Newman (Nanuet, NY) saw a lot of action after he shoved from under-the-gun, assuming him a sizable pot
 if he was to win the hand.

At Table 3, Michael Newman opened the action from under-the-gun, by going all-in for just shy of 8,000 units.  He'd watch as A. Nonymous three-bet to 16,100, with Chip Reed calling, and Elliot Goldman calling for less (12,000).  Newman was getting four-to-one on his money, and while the dealer was sorting out the side pot, made a prophetic statement.  "All I need to do is flop my set," Michael mentioned, insinuating that he was all-in with a mid-sized pair.

The dealer then fanned out a flop of 8♥ 7♦ 3♦, with A. Nonymous betting out 11,000, causing Chip Reed to release his hand.  Michael Newman then turned over 8♠ 8♦, having flopped top set, and taking a big lead against A♦ J♥ (A. Nonymous) and 6♦ 6♣ (Goldman).  The turn would bring a little sweat, as the K♦ gave A. Nonymous a diamond draw.  Newman's had would end up holding, after the 10♣ on the river solidified his quadruple-up.  Elliot Goldman would win the side pot against A. Nonymous, who was left with just over 40,000.

A. Nonymous - 43,000 (21bb)

Michael Newman - 34,000 (17bb)

Elliot Goldman - 15,400 (7bb)

Isle Classic Event #10 (Flight 1C): Full Field Update As Registration Window Closes

2017 Isle Classic | Event #10
$360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)
Level 11 (Blinds 600/1,200/200)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 95
Flight 1C Players Remaining: 32

The final minutes are ticking off the clock for Level 11, with players about to post new blinds of 600/1,200/200 (Level 12).  There will be a final break at the end of the level, which will be the final break of the day, with registration for the flight closed once play resumes.  Listed below are the active players in the Flight 1C field (by seating assignment):

Table 1

1. Zacjary Mullinex
2. Pedro Cortez
3. David Maslowski
4. Tracy Scala
5. Skip McDonough
6. James Salmon
7. Marc Levy

Table 3

1. Raymond Roberty
2. Elliot Goldman
3. Wilmer Diaz
4. Michael Lutz
5. Lester Tramino
6. A. Nonymous
7. Kenneth Bruno
8. Cliff Conners
9. Matt Belluci

Table 4

1. William Underdown
2. Rodney Moret-Rojas
3. Scott Zakheim
4. Tom Gity
5. Elliot Zaydman
6. Dan Wayson
7. Chip Reed
8. Evan Lash
9. Michael Newman

Table 9

1. Jonathan Steward
2. Charlemagne Benjamin
3. TK Miles
4. Alberto Niebla
5. Andre Rakusa
6. Richard Rice
7. Peter Vitantonio
8. Georges Boyadjian

Isle Classic Event #10 (Flight 1C): Blumenfield Flops The Joint, But Is Heading Down The Escalator

2017 Isle Classic | Event #10
$360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)
Level 10 (Blinds 500/1,000/100)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 88

Rodney Moret-Rojas (Troy, MI) is looking to get his hands on a second Isle Classic trophy, a feat that not many players
have accomplished in any of the past series.

Rodney Moret-Rojas (Troy, MI) started the 2017 Isle Classic with a "clean slate," in terms of live tournament results, entering the series with a total of zero recorded cashes.  That quickly changed just a few days into the series, as he took home the Event #4 ($130 No Limit Hold'em) trophy, along with $3,240 in first place money.

Not much was known about Moret-Rojas's play during yesterday's opening flight, but we did learn that he has a propensity to get involved in pots...and isn't afraid to show a little gamble.  That was evident moments ago, with he got it all-in with Neil Blumenfield (having Neil covered), on a flop of K♥ Q♠ 10♥.  Blumenfield held A♣ J♥, having flopped the straight, but needed to fade Rodney's flush draw (Moret-Rojas also had chop-outs with A♥ 6♥).  There would be no suspense though, as Moret-Rojas turned the straight, leaving the former "November Niner" drawing dead.

Rodney Moret-Rojas - 90,000 (90bb)

Isle Classic Event #10 (Flight 1C): Rakusa Sends Nagui Yassa Packing, Picks Up Pot Of The Flight

2017 Isle Classic | Event #10
$360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)
Level 9 (Blinds 400/800/100)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 88

Andre Rakusa (Coral Gables, FL) rocketed up the leaderboard after a fortunate turn card against Nagui Yassa.

While making a lap of the field, the first thing to stand out was the chip stack of Andre Rakusa (Coral Gables, FL), which had more than doubled since break.  Andre was third in chips as Level 8 was ending, but after winning a massive pot against Nagui Yassa moments ago, he stands alone atop the leaderboard.

We weren't there to witness the hand in question, but Andre's table mate Richard Rice was kind enough to relay the details.  In a raised pot, Yassa shipped with A♠ J♠ on an A♥ x x 4♣ board, but ran into the A♦ 4♦ of Rakusa.  The two players were very close in stack size, with Andre holding just a few thousand more than Nagui.  

Andre Rakuda - 152,000 (190bb)

Isle Classic Event #10 (Flight 1C): Updated Chip Counts Headed To Second Break

2017 Isle Classic | Event #10
$360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)
Level 8 (Blinds 300/600/75)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 86

David Maslowski (Lake Worth, FL) is just over a year removed from his largest tournament cash, winning
$24,135 in a $570 No Limit Hold'em event during the 2016 Rock N' Roll Poker Open.

At the end of this level, players will be heading on their second break of the day, returning to Level 9 (and new blinds of 400/800/100).  The break also marks the halfway point of the flight, with four more levels of open registration once play resumes.  A group of players are beginning to separate themselves from the field, led by David Maslowski (Lake Worth, FL), who is just shy of the 100,000 mark.

David Maslowski - 96,000
Rodney Moret-Rojas - 70,000
Andre Rakusa - 68,000
Peter Vitantonio - 63,000
Richard Rice - 60,000
Nagui Yassa- 60,000
Tracy Scala - 56,000
Charlemagne Benjamin - 53,000

Isle Classic Event #10 (Flight 1C): Coming Off "November $200,000" Win, Nagui Yassa The Early Chip Leader

2017 Isle Classic | Event #10
$360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)
Level 7 (Blinds 250/500/75)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 86

Nagui Yassa (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) headed a six-way deal that ended the "November $200,000," a $360 No Limit
Hold'em event that ran the first week of November.

Nagui Yassa (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) is the early chip leader of this afternoon's flight, which shouldn't come as too much of a surprise, as he won an event just like this last month.  Yassa headed a six-way deal that ended the $360 No Limit Hold'em tournament, which had a $200,000 guarantee (just like this event).  The $20,750 payday wasn't the largest of his career (which actually came two months earlier), but it stands as a top three cash on his resume.  

Nagui currently sits with just over 70,000, which is the largest stack in the field at the moment.  While the day isn't even half the way through, Yassa's comfort level in this tournament (along with his quick start) makes him a player to look out for, as the flight plays out.

Nagui Yassa - 73,000 (146bb)

Isle Classic Event #10 (Flight 1C): List Of Notables Grows Longer, TK Miles Finds Himself Back At the Isle

2017 Isle Classic | Event #10
$360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)
Level 4 (Blinds 100/200/25)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 61

TK Miles (Tallahassee, FL) has been to numerous stops since final tabling the Florida State Poker Championships
$1,500 Main Event.

The first two hours of the day have been somewhat surprising, considering that Level 1 had just (14) entries at it's midway point.  Since then, the field has seen a rush of players, and it's already shaping up to be the larger than both of yesterday's flights.  Even though TK Miles (Tallahassee, FL) prefers the larger buy-in tournaments here at the Isle Poker Room, he's made an exception for this event.  TK's last ten recorded scores were in events with buy-ins of $1,000 or more, but he does have a couple of cashes from tournaments at this price point on his resume.  Miles is just two months removed from a sizable score, finishing runner-up in the $1,675 No Limit Hold'em WSOP Circuit Main Event at Biloxi ($73,157).  This has been TK's best statistical year of tournament poker, and he hopes pad those numbers with a deep run in this event.  

Some other late arriving players in this Flight 1C field include:

Giovani Cantatore

James Salmon

David Moreno

Stephen Smith

David Inselberg

Edward Novak

Charlemagne Benjmain

Rodney Moret-Rojas

Players will be taking their first break of the day at the end of this level, and will be returning to Level 5, with new blinds of 150/300/50.

Isle Classic Event #10 (Flight 1C): Remaining Isle Classic Schedule

2017 Isle Classic | Event #10
$360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)
Level 3 (Blinds 75/150/25)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 47

10-A	Thur., December 7	11:00 AM	No Limit Hold'em - Flight 1A		$360	Structure
10-B	Thur., December 7	6:00 PM	No Limit Hold'em - Flight 1B		$360
10-C	Fri., December 8	11:00 AM	No Limit Hold'em - Flight 1C	$200,000	$360
10-D	Fri., December 8	6:00 PM	No Limit Hold'em - Flight 1D		$360
10-E	Sat., December 9	11:00 AM	No Limit Hold'em - Flight 1E		$360
10-F	Sat., December 9	6:00 PM	No Limit Hold'em - Flight 1F		$360
10-2	Sun., December 10	Noon	Day 2
11	Sun., December 10	6:00 PM	NLH - Turbo Bounty	$5,000	$100	Structure
12	Mon., December 11	11:00 AM	No Limit Hold'em	$7,000	$60	Structure
13	Mon., December 11	6:00 PM	No Limit Hold'em	$25,000	$150	Structure
14	Tue., December 12	11:00 AM	H.O.R.S.E.	$5,000	$175	Structure
15	Tue., December 12	6:00 PM	No Limit Hold'em	$10,000	$130	Structure
16	Wed., December 13	11:00 AM	No Limit Hold'em - Single Day	$50,000	$1,100	Structure
17	Wed., December 13	6:00 PM	No Limit Hold'em	$8,000	$60	Structure
18-A	Thur., December 14	11:00 AM	No Limit Hold'em - Flight 1A		$175	Structure
18-B	Thur., December 14	6:00 PM	No Limit Hold'em - Flight 1B		$175
18-C	Fri., December 15	11:00 AM	No Limit Hold'em - Flight 1C	$100,000	$175
18-D	Fri., December 15	6:00 PM	No Limit Hold'em - Flight 1D		$175
18-E	Sat., December 16	11:00 AM	No Limit Hold'em - Flight 1E		$175
18-F	Sat., December 16	6:00 PM	No Limit Hold'em - Flight 1F		$175
18-2	Sun., December 17	Noon	Day 2
19-A	Sun., December 17	6:00 PM	No Limit Hold'em - Flight 1A		$100	Structure
19-B	Mon., December 18	11:00 AM	No Limit Hold'em - Flight 1B		$100
19-C	Mon., December 18	6:00 PM	No Limit Hold'em - Flight 1C	$50,000	$100
19-D	Tue., December 19	11:00 AM	No Limit Hold'em - Flight 1D		$100
19-E	Tue., December 19	6:00 PM	No Limit Hold'em - Flight 1E		$100
19-2	Wed., December 20	Noon	Day 2
20	Wed., December 20	6:00 PM	No Limit Hold'em	$8,000	$60	Structure

We have reached the halfway point of the 2017 Isle Classic, with nine trophies awarded to this point. Even though the series started with the $1,500 Isle Classic Main Event, there are still "headlining" events remaining on the second half of the schedule.  The first in mind happens to be the tournament that all of these opening flight chip leaders are earning entry in to.  Event #16 is a $1,100 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante tournament, which boasts a $50,000 guaranteed prize pool.  If recent history is a barometer of things to come, that event could be something very special.  The $250 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante (Event #8) that was run earlier this week was a massive hit, falling just two entries short of the (200) entry mark.  Also remaining are Event #18 ($175 No Limit Hold'em $100,000 GTD), and Event #19 ($100 No Limit Hold'em $50,000 GTD).  There are also great tournaments that fall in between those "headlining" events, including a $175 H.O.R.S.E. ($5,000 GTD), and a $150 No Limit Hold'em ($25,000 GTD).

Isle Classic Event #10 (Flight 1C): Newman's Notable Status Soars To New Heights

2017 Isle Classic | Event #10
$360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)
Level 2 (Blinds 50/100)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 39

Michael Newman (Nanuet, NY) returns to the Isle Poker Room for the first time since winning the 2017
Rock N' Roll Poker Showdown $3,500 Championship Event.

Michael Newman's (Nanuet, NY) tournament resume started back in 2011, but it wasn't until 2015, that he started putting in some serious volume.  From that volume came results, with Newman earning just over $90,000 in 2015.  He'd follow that breakout year with even better numbers, banking over $112,000 in cashes in 2016.  Michael made a habit of winning events over the course of those two years, with all of those titles coming at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood.

Going into this year's Rock N' Roll Poker Open, Newman had ten tournament wins at Hard Rock, with his largest worth $17,579.  Michael had other cashes that were worth more than that win, but was still searching for the elusive six-figure score.  After winning the $3,500 No Limit Hold'em Championship Event of the Rock N' Roll Poker Open (just two weeks ago), that search would be over.  Newman earned $374,240 for the win, along with the trophy...and the notability that comes along with it.  The life changing score almost matched his earnings heading into the event (which were over $400,000), and was an accomplishment that was reported across numerous media outlets in the poker community.  

Michael took a few weeks off after the score, but is now back in action, heading the first look at notables in this Flight 1C field.

Neil Blumenfield

Frank Scala

Marsha Wolak

Paul Shafran

Marc Levy

Skip McDonough

Jeff Kessler

Peter Vitantonio

Jonathan Steward

Tracy Scala

Scott Zakheim

William Underdown

Tom Gity

Isle Classic Event #10 (Flight 1C): Cards In The Air For Flight 1C, Looking For Another Bonus Winner

2017 Isle Classic | Event #10
$360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)
Level 1 (Blinds 25/50)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 14

20,000 unit starting stacks are waiting for players to arrive, as Flight 1C action of Event #10 began moments ago.

The tournament supervisor (Ralph Brandt) finished up the rules announcement moments ago, with action now underway for Flight 1C of Event #10 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $200,000 GTD).  Yesterday's opening day of the event saw a total of (131) entries over the course of two flights, with (19) players reaching the bagging process.  The two "bonus winners" from the flights were Chad Vetstein (who bagged 308,500 in Flight 1A), and Alvin Tight, who ended up bagging the overall lead with 331,500 (for Flight 1B).  There were a number of notables players to pack away chips for Sunday, including Jose Parra (297,000), Matthew Vetstein (112,000), Joseph Duchman (96,000), and Cameron Collins (46,500).

The combined prize pools from each flight totaled $39,955, which is a solid number for the first day of opening flights.  The pace should pick up over the next (48) hours, as the weekend begins, and player's schedules allow for more poker action.  We will allow the tournament area to fill up, before taking our first look at notables in the field.  Live blogged coverage will continue throughout the afternoon, concluding with the official end of flight chips counts for Flight 1C.

Today's flights are structured the same as the two that were played yesterday, and the two to follow tomorrow...with starting stacks of 20,000 units.  Levels 1-15 will be (30) minutes, and will transition to (40) minutes Levels 16+ (which is Day 2).  The chip leader from each flight will earn a "bonus," which is entry into Event #16 ($1,100 No Limit Hold'em $50,000 Guaranteed).

Friday, December 8th: Event #10 Rolls On With Second Pair Of Starting Flights

ICYMI: Action for the second "headlining" event of the 2017 Isle Classic got underway yesterday afternoon, with the first pair of opening flights for Event #10 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $200,000 GTD).  Flight 1A started at 11:00am, and attracted a nice sized field for the first of six starting flights.  The flight was comprised of (63) entries, ten of which were able to navigate their way to the bagging process.  Leading the group that's heading to Sunday's Day 2 was Chad Vetstein (Boston, MA), who used a big hand again Juan Rodriguez (Boca Raton, FL) to propel himself to the chip lead bonus (308,500).  Also successful in bagging chips from the flight was Chad's brother Matt Vetstein (112,000), Jose Parra (297,000), and Jorge Aristizobal (150,000).

Just as the players were beginning to bag their chips from Flight 1A, the second flight of the day got started, with the field growing for Flight 1B.  After twelve levels of open registration, the official numbers would be posted, with (68) total entries showing on the tournament clock.  Three more levels would be left in the night, and after the final Level 15 hand was dealt, a total of nine players remained.  The group was headed by Alvin Tight (331,500), who earned himself entry into Event #16 ($1,100 No Limit Hold'em $50,000 GTD), winning the chip lead bonus.  Other notables to bag chips from Flight 1B were Anthony Valiente (265,500), John Grasso (240,000), and Joseph Duchman (96,000).  

Tournaments: Today's tournament schedule hosts the second pair of Event #10 ($360 No Limit Hold'em) flights, with Flight 1C at 11:00am, followed by Flight 1D at 6:00pm.  The $360 No Limit Hold'em tournament carries a $200,000 guaranteed prize pool, and has four more flights over the next two days.  Each of the starting flights is structured the same, with starting stacks of 20,000 units.  Levels 1-15 will be (30) minutes, and will transition to (40) minutes Levels 16+ (which is Day 2).  The chip leader from each flight will earn a "bonus," which is entry into Event #16 ($1,100 No Limit Hold'em $50,000 Guaranteed).

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-9:00am, players are eligible for $100 high hands every hour.

It should also be noted that started back on 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).

11:00am - 2017 Isle Classic Event #7 (Flight 1C): $360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD) 

- Players start with 20,000 in tournament chips

- Late and re-entries for the first (12) levels

- Alternates and late entries will start with a full stack

- Levels will last (30) minutes through Level 15, and will the transition to (40) minutes Level 16+

- All Day 1's will play (15) complete levels or until 10% of the field remains (whichever comes first)

- The chip leader from each flight will earn a seat into Event 16 ($1,100 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante)

6:00pm - 2017 Isle Classic Event #7 (Flight 1D): $360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)

- Players start with 20,000 in tournament chips

- Late and re-entries for the first (12) levels

- Alternates and late entries will start with a full stack

- Levels will last (30) minutes through Level 15, and will the transition to (40) minutes Level 16+

- All Day 1's will play (15) complete levels or until 10% of the field remains (whichever comes first)

- The chip leader from each flight will earn a seat into Event 16 ($1,100 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante)

Isle Classic Event #10 (Flight 1B): Official End Of Flight 1B Chip Counts

2017 Isle Classic | Event #10
$360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)
Level 15 (Blinds 1,500/3,000/500)
Total Flight 1B Entries: 68
Flight 1B Players Remaining: 9

Alvin	Tight B	331,500
Anthony	Valiente	265,500
Jon	Grasso	240,000
Engelberth	Varela	144,000
Riley	Fuller	117,000
Joseph	Duchman	96,000
Marcin	Plewinski	63,000
Brandon	Noe	60,500
Cameron	Collins	46,500