Isle Casino Poker : 01/06/18

Saturday, January 6, 2018

"January $100,000" (Flight 1E): Official End Of Flight 1E Chip Counts

"January $100,000"
$360 No Limit Hold'em | $100,000 GTD
Level 15 (Blinds 1,500/3,000/500)
Total Flight 1E Entries: 123
Flight 1E Players Remaining: 14

Thomas	Millward	270,000
Jose	Parra	245,000
Jerry	Erickson	242,500
Marc	Sacheli	225,000
Scott	Levitt	175,000
Andre	Chaviano	170,500
Nicholas	Persad	157,000
Michael	Newman	139,000
Paul	Balzano	138,000
Michel	Dubrevil	118,000
Justin	Levy	112,500
Richard	Whitebrook	110,000
Israel	Tzivin	58,000
Charlie	Wells	54,000

"January $100,000" (Flight 1E): Parra Looking To Bag Himself A Bonus

"January $100,000"
$360 No Limit Hold'em | $100,000 GTD
Level 15 (Blinds 1,500/3,000/500)
Total Flight 1E Entries: 123
Flight 1E Players Remaining: 19

There aftermath of Jose Parra's elimination of two players (late in Level 14), helping him eclipse the 200,000 mark.

With Ellen Smith all-in pre-flop for less than a starting stack, Jose Parra would be heads up with an unknown opponent for a live side pot. After the 6♣ 4♣ 3♠ flop, Parra checked first to act, and watched as his opponent shoved forward her stack of 45,000. Jose quickly made the call, and would be a big favorite with K♠ K♦, against J♠ 10♠ (Smith) and Q♦ Q♠ (A. Nonymous). The turn and river would run out clean for Parra, who scooped up the pot, and eclipsed the 200,000 mark.

Jose Parra - 240,000 (80bb)

The official chip counts from Flight 1E will be posted shortly after the bagging process has been completed.

"January $100,000" (Flight 1E): Final Flight Of The January $100,000 Beginning

"January $100,000"
$360 No Limit Hold'em | $100,000 GTD
Level 14 (Blinds 1,200/2,400/400 )
Total Flight 1E Entries: 123
Flight 1E Players Remaining: 25

The cards just got in the air for Flight 1F of the "January $100,000," which is the final opportunity for players looking to bag chips to get in action. There will be no live blogged coverage of the flight, but the official counts will be posted after the bagging process concludes (around 3:00am). Players that are able to find themselves a bag will return tomorrow afternoon (12:00pm), with detailed coverage from the moment the cards start flying, to the moment a winner is crowned.

"January $100,000" (Flight 1E): New Group Looking To Bag A Bonus

"January $100,000"
$360 No Limit Hold'em | $100,000 GTD
Level 13 (Blinds 1,000/2,000/300)
Total Flight 1E Entries: 121
Flight 1E Players Remaining: 33

Michel Dubreuil (Sherbrook, Canada) spends his time between the U.S. and Canada, with a majority of his cashes coming north of the border.

The official numbers are now in for Flight 1E, and with a total of (123) entries, this has been the largest of the five flights to have been played to this point. The official prize pool is now $113,700, and with one more flight this evening, we could see a final pool above $150,000. Listed below are updated chip counts from the three remaining tables in the tournament area:

Jose Parra - 185,000
Scott Levitt - 160,000
Michel Dubrueil - 140,000
Tom Millward - 125,000
Paul Balzano - 120,000
Richard Lightbrook - 100,000

"January $100,000" (Flight 1E): Player Still Remaining, As Registration Closes

"January $100,000"
$360 No Limit Hold'em | $100,000 GTD
Level 12 (Blinds 800/1,600/200)
Total Flight 1E Entries: 121

Scott Levitt (Delray Beach, FL) is not only still alive in the field, but he's currently thriving...sitting as one of the top stacks remaining.

For the past two days of live blogged coverage, this would be the point where we post the table lineups for the full field. Being that today's flight attracted such a large number, there are just took many tables to list all of the names. Therefore, we will give you a list of the notables that are still alive, as action heads to the final break.

Stephen Smith
Zaki Lichaa
Larry Douglas
Jose Parra
Michael Newman
Al Gomez
Tom Millward
Marc Sacheli
Joshua Lowing
Scott Levitt

At the end of this level, players will take a ten minute break, and return to Level 13 (1,000/2,000/300).

"January $100,000" (Flight 1E): Parra Climbs, Joins A Small Group Above The Century Mark

"January $100,000"
$360 No Limit Hold'em | $100,000 GTD
Level 11 (Blinds 600/1,200/200)
Total Flight 1E Entries: 120

Jose Parra (Hialeah Gardens, FL) entered the field late, but has been trending steadily upwards since taking his seat.

The action at Table 9 was approached on the river, in a hand between Jose Parra and Larry Douglas. The full board read A♦ 10♦ J♦ 6♦ 6♠, and with just over 30,000 in the pot, Parra tossed out a wager of 20,000. With four diamonds out there, and a paired board, Douglas went deep into the tank. He had a stack that could absorb the call if he lost, but after about three minutes, he'd toss his hand face up in the muck (A♠ Q♥). Parra showed Douglas J♠ J♣, having flopped middle set, and rivered a full house. With that pot, Jose is above 120,000, and joins one other player in the field above the century mark (Tom Millward).

Jose Parra - 123,000 (102bb)

"January $100,000" (Flight 1E): Headlining Events For The Month Of January

"January $100,000"
$360 No Limit Hold'em | $100,000 GTD
Level 10 (Blinds 500/1,000/100)
Total Flight 1E Entries: 120

We are currently in the midst of the first of two multi-day events for the month, the second of which falls on the last weekend of January ($250 No Limit Hold'em $100,000 GTD). There are also numerous "headlining" events that are single day tournaments, including the the $2,500 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante ($100,000 GTD), and the $250 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante ($30,000 GTD). Listed below are the "special" events for the month of January:

January 8th - $130 No Limit Hold'em ($10,000)

January 11th - $100 No Limit Hold'em Survivor (5 @ $1,000 GTD)

January 12th - $175 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante ($15,000 GTD)

January 13th - $150 No Limit Hold'em ($15,000 GTD)

January 15th - $150 No Limit Hold'em ($20,000 GTD)

January 18th - $130 No Limit Hold'em ($10,000 GTD)

January 20th - $150 No Limit Hold'em ($15,000 GTD)

January 25th-28th - $250 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 gTD)

January 26th - $2,500 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante ($100,000 GTD)

January 29th - $130 No Limit Hold'em ($10,000 GTD)

January 31st - $250 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante ($30,000 GTD)

"January $100,000" (Flight 1E): First Look At Updated Chip Counts

"January $100,000"
$360 No Limit Hold'em | $100,000 GTD
Level 9 (Blinds 400/800/100)
Total Flight 1E Entries: 108

Robert Chusid (Miami, FL) has quietly vaulted to the top of the leaderboard, and looks to become the first player to eclipse the century mark.

Players are back from their second break of the day, and we are still looking for our first stack over the century mark. Robert Chusid (Miami, FL) returns from break as the chip leader, sitting with just over 85,000 in front of him. Chusid is a seasoned tournament veteran, with over $130,000 in live tournament earnings, with his best year (statistically) coming back in 2015 ($45,582).

Robert Chusid - 86,000
Dennis Gilman - 78,000
Jerry Erickson - 77,000
Michale Newman - 66,000
Joshua Lowing - 59,000
Francis Margaglione - 50,000
Stephen Smith - 40,000
Elliot Zaydman - 36,000

"January $100,000" (Flight 1E): Newman One Of The Top Stack, Heading To The Second Break

"January $100,000"
$360 No Limit Hold'em | $100,000 GTD
Level 8 (Blinds 300/600/75)
Total Flight 1E Entries: 102

Michael Newman (Nanuet, NY) is a dangerous player, especially once given some chips, as the players at Table 1 are learning at the moment.

After publishing our first post of the day, Francis Margaglione made us aware that he played last night (Flight 1D), and ended up falling short of bagging, after amassing a stack over 240,000 at one point. Francis is seeing the same fate this afternoon, after starting the day with almost 80,000, he was just all-in for his final 15,000 (but did happen to double up). With Margaglione dropping down as he has, some new players are atop the leaderboard, one of which is Michael Newman (Nanuet, NY). Newman is only a few months removed from that massive score at Hard Rock, when he shipped the $3,500 No Limit Hold'em Championship, earning over $374,000. Newman will be heading to the second break (at the end of this level) with over 80,000, with updated chip counts to follow, once play resumes in Level 9.

When players return from break, they will be posting blinds of 400/800/100, with just four more levels of open registration remaining.

"January $100,000" (Flight 1E): Lowing's Second Attempt Going A Little Better

"January $100,000"
$360 No Limit Hold'em | $100,000 GTD
Level 7 (Blinds 250/500/75)
Total Flight 1E Entries: 99

We approached Table 3 just as the dealer was organizing the main/side pot of a three-way all-in. Joshua Lowing was holding the lead with A♠ K♠ on a A♦ 8♦ 10♠ flop, up against A♥ Q♠ and 2♦ 5♦. The turn (3♣) and river (6♥) ran out clean for Joshua, who would eliminate one opponent, while doubling through another. After all of the pots were pushed Lowing's way, he'd collect over 68,000, which is more than double the current chip average (29,700).

Joshua Lowing - 68,400 (136bb)

"January $100,000" (Flight 1E): ...And Wrapping Up With Notables, Before Shifting To Action

"January $100,000"
$360 No Limit Hold'em | $100,000 GTD
Level 6 (Blinds 200/400/50)
Total Flight 1E Entries: 91

Sean Shah (Delray Beach, FL) is looking to start 2018 the same way he ended 2017, cashing in a tournament here at the Isle Poker Room.

We've seen a large rush of players entering the field over the past few levels, bringing the total number of entries close to the century mark (which we haven't seen yet during this event). Sean Shah (Delray Beach, FL) was one of those recent entries, coming off of his third year in a row with tournament results over six-figures. Shah cashed for just over $118,000 in 2017, highlighted by a win during the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open ($570 No Limit Hold'em Six-Max), which was worth over $20,000. Sean finished off the year with a cash during the Isle Classic, and hopes to start 2017 with another Isle Poker tournament score. Listed below is our final look at notables in the field, before we shift focus to the action at the tables:

Charlemagne Benjamin
Thomas Millward
Alan Saltzman
Justin Levy
Zaki Lichaa
Michelle Mcleod
Marc Sacheli
Sheldon Gross
Nicholas Persad
Steven Cohen

"January $100,000" (Flight 1E): Continuing The List Of Notables In The Field

"January $100,000"
$360 No Limit Hold'em | $100,000 GTD
Level 5 (Blinds 150/300/50)
Total Flight 1E Entries: 71

Joshua Lowing (Pensacola, FL) got off to a rough start this afternoon, but jumped right back in the field, and is hoping that his second attempt goes a little better.

"That's not a great way to start, getting three-outed," Joshua Lowing said, referencing his bust out hand against Francis Margaglione. Lowing quickly jumped back into action, looking to put himself in place to find a bag, and start off a successful 2018. Joshua cashed for over $96,100 in 2017, highlighted by three five-figure scores, including a fifth place finish in the Big Stax $2,500 at Parx Casino in Bensalem, PA ($20,233). While Joshua played a handful of events here at the Isle Poker Room over the course of the year, he was unable to record a cash, which he hopes to change over the next (24) hours. Lowing joins a growing list of notables in the field, which has already surpassed the numbers of the two afternoon flights that proceeded it.

Nagui Yassa

Thomas Gari

Manny Perez

"January $100,000" (Flight 1E): Margaglione Headlines List Of Notables...And Early Chip Counts

"January $100,000"
$360 No Limit Hold'em | $100,000 GTD
Level 4 (Blinds 100/200/25)
Total Flight 1E Entries: 62

Francis Margaglione (Davie, FL) is already in his comfort zone, sitting with over eight starting stacks, just two hours into the day.

After allowing a full level to pass, and the tournament area to fill up, we are seeing a lot of new faces in this afternoon's flight. Francis Margaglione (Davie, FL) is in action for the first time this event, and didn't take long to get to work. As a matter of fact, Margaglione was on such a heater, that he left his starting table just five handed moments ago (after eliminating two players). Francis already has over 80,000 in front of him, and clearly has his eyes set on the chip lead bonus (and a $2,500 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante seat). Now...we've seen this before from Francis, amassing massive stacks at the beginning of flights, with the results to follow both positive and negative. Our early eye is on Margaglione, along with the rest of the players in action for the first time this week:

Michael Newman
Elliot Zaydman
Stephen Smith
Paul Balzano

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

"January $100,000" (Flight 1E): Official Chip Counts Flight 1A-Flight 1D

"January $100,000"
$360 No Limit Hold'em | $100,000 GTD
Level 2 (Blinds 50/100)
Total Flight 1E Entries: 55

"January $100,000" (Flight 1E): Big Numbers Expected As Weekend Warriors Look To Find A Bag

"January $100,000"
$360 No Limit Hold'em | $100,000 GTD
Level 1 (Blinds 25/50)
Total Flight 1E Entries: N/A

The second to last starting flight of the "January $100,000" is about to get underway (11:00am), with some big numbers expected over the next twelve hours. To this point, the tournament has attracted a total of (256) entries, with (37) players already heading to tomorrow's Day 2 (at 12:00pm). The $78,080 prize pool to this point, leaves the field just (72) entries away from reaching the $100,000 posted guarantee.

The players who bag the top four chip stacks, after all of the starting flights have been completed, with earn entry into the end of month $2,500 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante ($100,000 GTD). Listed below are the updated counts at the top of the leaderboard:

Joshua Wasserman - 216,500

Kathy Sapp - 213,500

Damion Loli - 198,500

Fancisco Palido - 197,000

Today's flights have starting stacks of 18,000 units, and play levels that last (30) minutes. The flights have open registration through Level 12, with action scheduled to conclude after Level 15 (or unless 10% of the field remains before that point).

There will be live blogged coverage of Flight 1E, which will offer a look at the combined chip counts from yesterday's opening pair of flight, followed by an update of some of the notables in this early afternoon field.

Saturday, January 5th: Final Pair Of "January $100,000" Starting Flights On Tap

ICYMI: Friday's tournament action started with Flight 1C of the January $100,000, with the cards getting in the air at 11:00am. After twelve levels of action, the flight's registration would close with a total of (71) entries, twenty of which were left after the final break of the afternoon. That number would almost cut in half after the final three levels of the night, with (12) players reaching the bagging process. Notable tournament local Jeff Kessler ended up bagging the flight's chip lead (149,000), but is not in the running for one of the four "chip lead bonus" spots. Rounding out the top three stacks from the flight were Matt Lambrecht (147,500), and Brandon Lulov (142,500). The full listing of chip counts from the flight can be found by clicking here.

Flight 1D began at 6:00pm, and ended up yielding three of the top four Day 2 stacks to have been bagged to this point. A total of (68) entries made up the field for the fourth of six starting flights, with nine players reaching the bagging process. The top three stacks from the flight belonged to Joshua Wasserman (216,500), Damion Loli (198,500), and Francisco Palido (197,000). Those three names (and stacks) are currently in the running for the "chip lead bonus," joining Flight 1A chip leader Kathy Sapp. A full listing of the chip counts from Flight 1D can be found by clicking here.

Tournaments: The "January $100,000" now has (256) entries, with (37) players heading to tomorrow's Day 2 (12:00pm). The official prize pool sits at $78,080, with only (72) entries needed from today's pair of flights to reach the guarantee.

The tournament action continues today, with the final pair of starting flights. Players in the flights sit down to starting stacks of 18,000 units, with levels that last (30) minutes over the course of the event. Registration is open through Level 12, with each opening flight scheduled to end after Level 15 is completed. There is a small change when it comes to the chip lead bonus, as the top four stacks after all of the starting flights have been completed, with earn entry into this month's $2,500 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante ($100,000 GTD). There are two flights on today's schedule, with Flight 1E beginning at 11:00am, followed by Flight 1F at 6:00pm.

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 - $360 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD) Flight 1E

- Players start with 18,000 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

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

- The top four stacks, after all of the starting flights have been completed, will earn entry into the $2,500 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante ($100,000 GTD) on January 26th.

6:00pm - $360 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD) Flight 1F