"February $50,000" (Flight 1B): Player Can Take Advantage Of Potential Overlay With Day 2 Buy-In

"February $50,000"
$250 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 6 (Blinds 200/400/50)
Total Flight 1B Entries: 69

The second (and final) flight of this $250 buy-in event it just past it's halfway point, with the pace of entry short of what's needed to reach the posted guarantee ($50,000).  The current prize pool sits at $34,946, which is more than $15,000 away from the guarantee.  While the word of this potential overlay is spreading, players are asking questions about how they can get involved in the action.  Registration is still open this evening (until 1:00am), along with the optional Day 2 buy-in tomorrow.  Players can enter the tournament before 12:00pm (prior to first hand being dealt), and sit down with (15) big blinds.  We've seen numerous players turn these last second entries into final table scores, with many similar storylines expected during tomorrow's action.

"February $50,000" (Flight 1A): Official End Of Flight 1A Chip Counts

"February $50,000"
$250 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 10 (Blinds 500/1,000/100)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 104
Flight 1A Players Remaining: 27

Craig	Witz	173,300
Ebrahim	Figueroa	136,200
Ken	Habben	133,900
James	Mattingly	122,500
Harry	Behling	101,900
Gino	Charm	87,900
Robert	Leff	84,000
Michael	Marks	82,800
Robert	McManus	82,500
Joseph	Daddario	81,000
Ray	Millard	74,000
Ellen	Smith	74,000
Engelbarth	Varela	64,000
Eric	Mutschler	64,000
Eric	Brewster	59,300
Morris	Heider	58,900
Larry	Douglas	52,800
Julien	Durphy	49,100
Raymond	Winters	48,800
Dwight	Pinkerton	47,900
Joe	Mancuso	41,300
Nathaniel	Moore	34,600
Peter	Sass	33,600
Jorge	Chavez	26,800
Ginette	Plourde	19,400
James	Connors	16,400
Salvatore	Accardi	8,700

"February $50,000" (Flight 1A): Finishing Up The Action, Looking Towards A Busy Evening Flight

"February $50,000"
$250 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 10 (Blinds 500/1,000/100)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 104

Players are now a few minutes into Level 10, which is the final scheduled level of the flight.  When ten minutes remain on the tournament clock, action will be paused, and players will learn how many hands remain in the night.  Once those hands are completed at each table, the bagging process will begin, with those still left packing up their chips for tomorrow (12:00pm).

Players still interested in joining the action have tonight's flight (Flight 1B), which begins at 6:00pm, and ends just after 1:00am (with registration open throughout the night).  Just over (143) entries are needed to reach the guarantee, including tomorrow's optional Day 2 buy-in entries.

Official chip counts from Flight 1A will be posted once the bagging process is finished (and counts have been verified), with counts from Flight 1B posted on the blog around 2:00am (along with Day 2 seating assignments).

"February $50,000" (Flight 1A): Updated Chip Counts From The Field

"February $50,000"
$250 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 9 (Blinds 400/800/100)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 104

Raymond Millard (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) has quietly put himself into contention to bag one of the top Flight 1A chip stacks, returning from break with just over 100,000.

The cards are now back in the air, as the players use these last two levels to put themselves in position for tomorrow's Day 2 (12:00pm).  Craig Witz has dipped just slightly, while a group of player creep closer to eclipsing his number.  Witz's biggest threat at the moment is Raymond Millard (Ft. Lauderdale, FL), who has just over 100,000, and tons of tournament experience.  Millard has over $303,000 in lifetime tournament earnings, including an Isle Poker title from the 2014 Florida State Poker Championships, and a Borgata Poker title from the 2015 Borgata Poker Open.  

Listed below are the updated counts (included notables not on top of the leaderboard), tallied just as play resumed:

Craig Witz - 135,000
Raymond Millard - 105,000
Gino - Chen - 85,000
Ebrahim Figueroa - 90,000
Michael Marks - 70,000
James Mattingly - 65,000
Eric Brewster - 52,000
Ellen Smith - 40,000
Zaki Lichaa - 38,000
Eric Mutschler - 24,000
Nancy Thomas - 14,000

"February $50,000" (Flight 1A): It's Witz's World As Players Prepare To Head On Flight's Final Break

"February $50,000"
$250 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 8 (Blinds 300/600/75)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 103

Craig Witz (Hypoluxo, FL) is an intimidating figure at the table, with the size of his chip leading stack not making it any easier for players at the table.

At the conclusion of this level, players will be heading on their final break of the flight, returning to finish up the last pair of levels for the day.  Play will resume in Level 9, with new blinds of 400/800/100, and a chip average just over 40,000 (50 big blinds).  Updated chip counts will follow the break, but it looks like we already know who the chip leader will be.  Craig Witz (Hypoluxo, FL) doubled his stack during Level 7, and sits as the only player above the century mark.  His 140,000 is almost 50,000 units clear of his nearest opponent, but as we know, everything can change over the final two levels.

Witz is coming off his first ever WSOP Circuit cash, running deep in the $365 No Limit Hold'em Event #2, and finishing 19th of 1,766 entries (worth $4,005).

Craig Witz - 140,000 (233bb)

"February $50,000" (Flight 1A): Mattingly Thanking The Dealer For The Fortunate Runout

"February $50,000"
$250 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 7 (Blinds 250/500/75)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 101

James Mattingly (Frisco, TX) has one cash on his resume from the state of Florida, and is looking to put himself into position to book a second.

James Mattingly (Frisco, TX) just vaulted up the leaderboard, with a little help from a favorable runout.  Mattingly and an unknown opponent managed to get all of their chips in pre-flop, for a pot worth over 50,000, with James putting his adversary at risk.  He was in pretty rough position when the cards were tabled, as his 9♥ 9♦ was up against 10♠ 10♣.  The Q♥ 2♠ 6♥ 7♥ runout did see him gain extra outs heading to the river, one of which he would hit, as the 10♥ dropped down on the felt.  Even though his opponent made a set, Mattingly held the nine of hearts, and a winning flush.  James is now over 70,000, and sits in the top ten of the (52) players that remain.

It the last name sounds familiar, that's because Mattingly's cousin is none other than former New York Yankees great (and current Miami Marlins skipper)...Don Mattingly.  "Yup...he's a great guy," James said, as he stacked up his newfound chips.

James Mattingly - 74,000 (148bb)

"February $50,000" (Flight 1A): Stop If You've Heard This Before...Michael Marks Towards The Top Of The Counts

"February $50,000"
$250 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 6 (Blinds 200/400/50)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 94

Michael Marks (North Lauderdale, FL) has been a mainstay on the poker blog, finding himself at the final table of the last two "headlining" events in the room.

Since the calendar year turned, it's been all coming up roses for Michael Marks (North Lauderdale, FL), who has crushed the multi-flight tournament action here at the Isle Poker Room.  Marks won the "January $100,000 II," a $250 No Limit Hold'em event just like this, taking home $20,094 for his efforts (that was first place money in a six-way deal).  Just one week later, Marks would once again reach the final table of a multi, taking home third place money in a three-way chop of the February $100,000 (a $360 No Limit Hold'em event that ran over Super Bowl weekend).  That result was worth $14,499, and helped bring his lifetime earnings across the prestigious $100,000 mark.

Scanning the tournament area for updated chip counts, Marks was the first stack to stand out (60,000).  While it's not currently the largest in the field, that number does put him in the top five, which shouldn't come as a surprise to many.

Gino Chen - 89,000 (222bb)
Eric Brewster - 85,000 (212bb)
Ebrahim Figueroa - 66,000 (165bb)
Michael Marks - 60,000 (150bb)
Craig Witz - 54,000 (135bb)

"February $50,000" (Flight 1A): The Multi-Flight Action Continues Next Week As Well

"February $50,000"
$250 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 5 (Blinds 150/300/50)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 81

Following this weekend's "condensed" multi-flight event, there is one day off (Sunday), before the final headlining event of the month begins.  Monday will see the first two (of six) starting flights for the $175 No Limit Hold'em event, which has a $50,000 posted guarantee.  The tournament is structured with starting stacks of 20,000 units, and levels that last (25) minutes over the course of the event.

Just like the event we are currently covering, the top ten chip stacks after all flights have been completed, will earn seats into the $275 No Limit Hold'em Satellite (into the $2,500 NLH Single-Ante).  There will be live blogged coverage of the event, with each afternoon flight being featured, along with detailed Day 2 coverage.

"February $50,000" (Flight 1A): "Hawks-view" Is On A Deep Run, And Another Isle Poker Title

"February $50,000"
$250 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 4 (Blinds 100/200/25)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 78

Maurice Hawkins (Plantation, FL) has a WSOP Circuit resume unlike anyone else in the world, but has chose today's tournament for his weekend poker action.

Maurice Hawkins (Plantation, FL) is known as a WSOP Circuit legend, with (11) circuit rings, including back-to-back Main Event wins.  With over $3,000,000 in career earnings, Hawkins holds the most accomplished resume in the current field, which has grown to (78) entries.  Outside of his circuit wins, there is no other room that Maurice has been more successful at, than the Isle Poker Room.  Hawkins has (6) Isle Poker tournament titles, many of which have come during major series over the last ten years.  Hawkins headlines the second group of notables in the field, which includes names like:

James McCraffrey
Dwight Pinkerton
Frank Traino
Robert Flacco
Joshua Lowing
George Lukawski
Craig Witz

"February $50,000" (Flight 1A): Mutschler Looking To Take A Different Path This Time Around

"February $50,000"
$250 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 3 (Blinds 75/150/25)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 62

Eric Mutschler (Tarpon Springs, FL) was absent from the blog for most of 2017, but has returned this year in excellent form, already recording three cashes (including two final table finishes).

The last time Eric Mutschler (Tarpon Springs, FL) was featured on the blog, he was clinging to a sub ten big blind stack, on the money bubble of this month's $250 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante ($30,000 GTD).  Eric was able to squeak into the money, but then began chipping up, and eventually reached the final table.  As play got down to eight-handed, Mutschler found himself in a familiar position, sitting with five big blinds.  He went into "grind-mode" once again, and navigated his way into a four-way chop, which saw him walk away with fourth place money ($3,211).

The cash was Eric's largest since 2016, which was his breakout year, earning over $35,000 in tournament cashes.  Mutschler earned his largest career cash during the Isle Open, when he took second place money, in a deal that ended Event #6 ($130 No Limit Hold'em).  The $10,655 cash was his second of the series, and was followed up by a $7,656 score during a $130 No Limit Hold'em "Structure Beast" chop later that December.  Bagging a sizable stack would help Eric from having to experience that same stressful single-ante grind, which is also the goal of numerous other notables in this early field:

Nancy Thomas

Glenn Popkin

Alan Dobrow

Edgard Mendes

Luis Santoni

Zaki Lichaa

Lynette Robinson

Joseph Mancuso

"February $50,000" (Flight 1A): Getting A "Sneak Preview" Of The Battles At The Beach Schedule

"February $50,000"
$250 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 2 (Blinds 50/100)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 50

The official "documents" are to be released in just a few days, but we are giving blog followers (along with Twitter followers) the first look at this year's Battles At The Beach schedule.  Widely known as one of the Isle Poker Room's "premier" tournament series, this year's installment has a little bit of everything for players, including large multi-flight tournaments, single-ante events, PLO, and mixed game action.

The series runs from March 11th through March 29th, with (18) trophy events, as well as six satellites into some of the "majors."  There are three multi-flight tournaments, with Event #1 ($175 NLH $100,000 GTD) running from March 11th-14th, and Event #16 ($360 NLH $100,000 GTD) running from March 26th-29th. 

Sandwiched between those two tournaments, is the $1,500 No Limit Hold'em Battles Of The Beach Main Event, which boasts a $500,000 guaranteed prize pool (March 22nd-26th).  The single-ante format is also prevalent on the schedule, with the series culminating with the $2,500 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante (Event #18), which has a $100,000 posted guarantee.

Live coverage of the entire series will be offered here on the poker room's blog, including live tournament updates, official chip counts from the multis, results from each and every event, and of course...player's photos and features.  Pictured below is a "peak" at the schedule, which should be considered "unofficially released."

"February $50,000" (Flight 1A): Friday Is Definitely For "Flighting," With Afternoon Action About To Begin

"February $50,000"
$250 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 1 (Blinds 25/50)
Total Flight 1A Entries: N/A

Today marks the beginning of the month's second multi-flight tournament, with a little "twist" involved.  Unlike many of the multiple starting flight events that have come before it, this $250 No Limit Hold'em ($50,000 GTD) tournament has just two opening flights.  Today is the day to try and bag chips for tomorrow's action, but players also have the optional Day 2 buy-in open to them, before 12:00pm on Saturday afternoon.

This tournament has a similar structure to the "February $100,000," which ran the first week of the month (Super Bowl weekend).  Players entering the tournament will sit down to starting stacks of 18,000 units, with levels that last (40) minutes over the course of the event.  Each flight will play through Level 10, with registration open throughout the flight, and until the first hand is dealt for tomorrow's Day 2 (at 12:00pm).  The chip lead bonus also returns (in a big way), as the top ten chip counts after both flights have been completed, with earn entry in the $275 No Limit Hold'em Satellite that runs on February 21st (into the $2,500 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante).

Live blogged coverage returns for the tournament, with this afternoon's Flight 1A getting the featured coverage, followed by detailed Day 2 updates.  Followers of the blog (and this weekend's tournament) will get a look at the 2018 Battles At The Beach schedule, before shifting focus to our notables in the field.

Friday, February 16th: Weekend Starts In A Big Way, With A $50,000 Guaranteed Multi

ICYMI: Thursday's tournament action started at 11:00am, with a tournament of the non-no limit hold'em variety.  The $150 H.O.R.S.E. attracted numerous players that love "all of the games," with (26) entries making up the field.  The $2,500 guarantee number was surpassed early in the registration period, officials closing with $2,912 in the prize pool.  Michelle Erb (Boca Raton, FL) ended up taking home first place money, in a deal that ended the event short of it's natural conclusion.  Listed below are the full results from the event: 

1. Michelle Erb (Boca Raton, FL) $823
2. Bruce Smith (West Palm Beach, FL) $665
3. Gernie Moorehead (Lake Worth, FL) $587
4. Allen Greene (Weston, FL) $524
5. Kerry Kicklighter (Jupiter, FL) $313

After the players were done "horsing around," the no limit action returned at 6:00pm, with players arriving for the $150 No Limit Hold'em "Double Green Chip Bounty" ($5,000 GTD).  Once again, the posted guarantee would be just a formality, as registration closed with (64) entries.  The official prize pool of $3,968 (with a $3,200 bounty pool) was spread across seven pay spots, with first place scheduled to take home $1,432.  The action would play down to the point where Cindy Radnovich and Robert Tanner were heads-up, with a deal being made, making Radnovich the "declared winner." Listed below are the full results from the event:

1. Cindy Radnovich (Deerfield Beach, FL) $1,309
2. Robert Tanner (Wellington, FL) $1,000
3. Thomas Allard (Royal Oak, MI) $571
4. Brandon Markland (Orlando, FL) $397
5. Danny Blackburn (Deerfield Beach, FL) $290
6. Steve Varela (Coral Springs, FL) $222
7. Edward Rappa (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) $179

Tournaments: The tournament schedule sees some a little "different" this weekend, as today starts the month's second multi, which has just one pair of starting flights.  The $250 No Limit Hold'em event carries a $50,000 guarantee, with an afternoon (11:00am) and evening (6:00pm) flight for players to try and bag chips in.  The tournament is structured with 18,000 unit starting stacks, and levels that last (40) minutes over the course of the event.  Each flight will play through Level 10, with registration open throughout the flight, and until the first hand is dealt for tomorrow's Day 2 (at 12:00pm).  The chip lead bonus also returns (in a big way), as the top ten chip counts after both flights have been completed, with earn entry in the $275 No Limit Hold'em Satellite that runs on February 21st (into the $2,500 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante).

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 - $250 No Limit Hold'em ($50,000 GTD) Flight 1A

- Players start with 18,000 in tournament chips

- Late and re-entries for the first (10) levels, including an optional Day 2 buy-in (before the first hand is dealt for Level 11)

- Alternates and late entries will start with a full stack

- Levels will last (40) minutes

- All Day 1's will play (10) complete levels

- The top ten stacks, after all of the starting flights have been completed, will earn entry into the $275 No Limit Hold'em Satellite into the $2,500 Single-Ante (on February 21st).

11:00am - $250 No Limit Hold'em ($50,000 GTD) Flight 1B

- Players start with 18,000 in tournament chips

- Late and re-entries for the first (10) levels, including an optional Day 2 buy-in (before the first hand is dealt for Level 11)

- Alternates and late entries will start with a full stack

- Levels will last (40) minutes

- All Day 1's will play (10) complete levels

- The top ten stacks, after all of the starting flights have been completed, will earn entry into the $275 No Limit Hold'em Satellite into the $2,500 Single-Ante (on February 21st).