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

"February $50,000 II"
$175 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 15 (Blinds 1,500/3,000/500)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 136
Flight 1A Players Remaining: 20

Michael	Plaxco	314,500
Zaki	Lichaa	298,000
Marc	Schiller	249,500
Brian	O'Keefe	233,000
Larry	Douglas	218,500
Corey "Max"	Martin	188,500
Brian	Baris	173,000
Trenton	Baker	115,000
Mike	Corbett	105,500
Jose	Tacher	101,500
John	Bilas	100,500
Jonathan	Hilton	99,500
Carey	Pickens	94,000
Vince	Francavilla	87,500
Gregg	Weiss	87,000
Daniel	Genachte	84,000
Hoa	Lang	67,000
Adam	Koppel	39,000
Bruce	Smith	33,500
Denis	Vital	32,000

"February $50,000 II" (Flight 1A): Play Entering The Final Level Of The Flight

"February $50,000 II"
$175 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 15 (Blinds 1,500/3,000/500)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 136
Flight 1A Players Remaining: 28

Play just entered Level 15, which is the final scheduled level of the flight, with the bagging process beginning at it's conclusion.  The clock will be paused with 10:00 minutes showing, and the remaining players will then be informed of how many more hands will be played.  Once that determined amount of hands is completed at each table, those still left will begin bagging up their chips.  The official chip counts from the flight will then be posted, once all of the player's bags have been verified by tournament staff.

Just as this flight is winding, the second of the four flights will be beginning, with the Flight 1B action starting at 6:00pm.  There will be no live blogged coverage of the flight, but official chip counts will be posted after it's conclusion (around 2:00-3:00am).

"February $50,000" (Flight 1A): Ageloff Climbs, As Flight 1A Closes With (135) Entries

"February $50,000 II"
$175 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 13 (Blinds 1,000/2,000/300)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 136
Flight 1A Players Remaining: 39

Brandon Ageloff (Coconut Creek, FL) is just returning from a trip to Australia, where he traveled to experience the fun that the Aussie Millions has to offer.

Players are back from their final break of the flight, with registration now closed...and the numbers official.  The first of four flights for the tournament attracted a total of (136) entries, and will contribute a total of $18,632 towards the overall prize pool (which is guaranteed at $50,000).  

On one of the final hands of Level 12, Brandon Ageloff (Coconut Creek, FL) won a pot worth close to 195,000 off of Michael Sinisgalli.  Sinisgalli check-raised flop (with flush draw), led turn (with same draw), and bombed river (with nine-high)...all while Ageloff was sitting with pocket aces (who just flatted both the flop and turn).  Sinisgalli would be eliminated a few hands later, while Brandon jumped to the top four stacks in the field.  Listed below are the grou of players that sit atop the leaderboard, and who will likely set the pace for the "chip lead bonus."

Michael Plaxco - 230,000 (115bb)
Marc Schiller - 205,000 (104bb)
Brandon Ageloff - 195,000 (97bb)
Brian O'Keefe - 170,000 (85bb)

"February $50,000 II" (Flight 1A): Registration Window Closing On Flight 1A, Schiller The New Name On Top

"February $50,000 II"
$175 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 12 (Blinds 800/1,600/200)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 134

Marc Schiller (Davie, FL) may have taken the unconventional route towards making a full house, but it was a winner none the less.

Marc Schiller (Davie, FL) had been flying under the radar for most of the afternoon, but can no longer hide from the media, as he became the only player to eclipse the 200,000 chip mark.  Schiller was just involved in a hand with Justin Levy, with the two on the river of a board that read J♥ 5♥ 6♦ 9♥ 9♣.  Schiller had a 31,000 bet in front of him (about pot sized), and Levy begrudgingly made the call.  Marc tabled 6♠ 9♠, having gone runner-runner to make a full house, causing Justin to helicopter his cards into the muck.  

That was the pot that put Schiller over the 200,000 mark, as he (and the rest of the field) prepare to head on their final break of the day.  Once play resumes (in Level 13), registration will be closed for the flight, with the next opportunity to play at 6:00pm (Flight 1B).  We will take a final look at chip counts after break, before concluding coverage of the flight (day will end after Level 15).

"February $50,000 II" (Flight 1A): Sinisgalli Sends Siele To The Rail, Vaults Up The Leaderboard

"February $50,000 II"
$175 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 11 (Blinds 600/1,200/200)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 131

Michael Sinisgalli (Miami, FL) has already seen success in an Isle Poker multi-flight event, chopping up the "November $100,000," a $250 buy-in tournament.

As Table 4 was approached, Terry Siele could be seen standing from his seat, watching the dealer cut out his stack.  Terry had just called a five-bet shove -re-flop from Michael Sinisgalli (Miami, FL), and ended up on the losing end.  His Q♥ Q♠ was dominated by Sinisgalli's K♣ K♠, and he'd get no help from the 6♦ 3♣ 2♠ 2♥ 10♦ runout.  The two had very similar sized stacks, but Michael had Terry just covered, sending Siele to the exits.  

Sinisgalli, who was part of the five-way "November $100,000" ($250 No Limit Hold'em) deal, is now above 120,000.  He sits second in chips behind Michael Plaxco, with just two levels left in registration for this flight.

Michael Sinisgalli - 121,000 (100bb)

"February $50,000 II" (Flight 1A): $2,500 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante Returns This Week, Satellite On Wednesday

"February $50,000 II"
$175 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 10 (Blinds 500/1,000/100)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 127

Since it's inaugural running back in August of last year, the $2,500 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante event has found it's way to the schedule each month that followed (whether it was stand-alone, or during a series).  February's installment falls on this Friday (February 23rd), with a sizable field expected, as many players are in the area from out of town (because of the holiday and WSOPC).  We also may see some players from the last two multis in action as well, as (20) players will be entered into this Wednesday's satellite (from the chip lead bonus).

The $275 No Limit Hold'em satellite will be awarding at least two seats into the premier event, but players shouldn't be surprised if the final number of seats falls in the four to five range.  The satellite begins at 6:00pm (February 21st), and is structured with 16,000 unit starting stacks, and levels that last (20) minutes.

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

"February $50,000 II"
$175 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 9 (Blinds 400/800/100)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 123

Hoa Lang (West Palm Beach, FL) was seen stacking chips just before break, as she currently sits third overall in chips with 80,000 (100bb).

The cards are now back in the air, with just seven levels remaining in this flight, which is scheduled to end after Level 15.  While the landscape of the leaderboard is sure to change over the next three hours, some of the larger stacks (and notable stacks) to this point are posted below:

Michael Plaxco - 140,000 (175bb)
Larry Douglas - 84,000 (105bb)
Hoa Lang - 80,000 (100bb)
William Reich - 66,000 (82bb)
Gregg Weiss - 59,000 (73bb)
Edward Novak - 57,000 (71bb)
Zaki Lichaa - 55,000 (68bb)
Kenny Habben - 55,000 (68bb)
Daniel Genachte - 48,000 (60bb)

"February $50,000 II" (Flight 1A): Michael Plaxco Leads The Way, Updated Chip Counts To Follow Break

"February $50,000 II"
$175 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 8 (Blinds 300/600/75)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 123

Michael Plaxco (Muscle Shoals, AL) may be "out of his element" in regards to familiarity with surroundings, but the comfort never changes when sitting at the tournament felt.

Players are about to head on their second break of the day, with Michael Plaxco (Muscle Shoals, AL) leading the field with just under 100,000.  Placxco, a player who travels with the WSOP Circuit, brings an element of "unknown" to the table.  Many of the players that frequent these multi-flight events each month have history together, whether it be one...or numerous tournaments played.  Being from out of state, the only history Plaxco may have with table mates could be from the WSOP Circuit that's currently running at Coconut Creek.  

Michael has over $116,000 in lifetime tournament earnings, including a WSOP Circuit win from Tunica in 2013 ($365 No Limit Hold'em Turbo).  

Once players return from break, and the blinds go up to 400/800/100, we will scan the field to gather to first updated chip counts.

"February $50,000 II" (Flight 1A): Terry Siele Wins A Sizable Pot, As Potentially The High-Hand

"February $50,000 II"
$175 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 7 (Blinds 250/500/75)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 110

"Are you sure it wasn't during the last period," Terry Siele asked the dealer, as he could have faded the half-four sweat had the hand ended third-seconds earlier.

There were two calls of "all-in" from the dealer at Table 4, as we approached the table to see William Farnan and Terry Siele the pair with all of their chips in the middle, and action on Zaki Lichaa.  The three players were on a flop of 10♠ 9♥ 3♣, with Lichaa flashing an ace, before tossing his hand in the muck.  Farnan quickly tabled his K♠ 10♣, which would be well behind the 9♠ 9♣ of Siele, who had flopped middle set.  The 9♦ on the turn shut the door on a Farnan comeback, as Siele made quads...which was good for the 30,000 chip pot...and the current high hand.

This tournament is eligible for the high hand, and depending on whether one or two cards were used, players could see a return of their initial buy-in.  The clock had just transitioned from the previous half-hours high hand, so Terry still needs to sweat the next twenty minutes, before he earns himself some extra cash.

Terry Siele - 48,000 (96bb)

"February $50,000 II" (Flight 1A): Edward Novak Is Back, At Not Yet Under The Hood

"February $50,000 II"
$175 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 6 (Blinds 200/400/50)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 106

Edward Novak (Simsbury, CT) may have won the $1,500 NLH Isle Open Championship (2016), but that doesn't mean that he shies away from opportunities to play quality events with smaller buy-ins (such as this).

The field eclipsed the century mark just a few minutes ago, with the 2016 Isle Open $1,500 NLH Championship Event winner the (100th) entry.  Edward Novak (Simsbury, CT) bested a stacked final table to truly "earn" that title, as there was no deal-making that fateful evening.  Edward was able to best names like Robert Gianquitti, Paul Balzano, Joshua Hillock, Sam Panzica, AJ Gambino...before defeating Isaiah Goldman during heads-up play.  The $166,071 score still stands as Novak's career best, as his sits with a resume that has just under $300,000 in lifetime earnings,

Novak is usually very difficult to photograph, as he plays with his hood on, which ends up covering almost all of his face.  He's yet to have assumed that patented look today, which allows for the fans at home to get a clear look at the Isle Open champion.

"February $50,000 II" (Flight 1A): William Reich Runs Into A Really Tough Spot

"February $50,000 II"
$175 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 5 (Blinds 150/300/25)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 95

Even with stacks that sit over (80-100) big blinds, players are still finding themselves in pots that are massive for this point in the flight.

Passing Table 1, three players were looking down at a flop of Q♥ J♥ 4♠, with Emiliano Frade checking to Eric Brewster.  Brewster tossed out a bet of 500, with William Riech raising all-in (next to act) for just under 10,000.  Emiliano looked pained by the size of the bet, but eventually tossed all of his chips across his cards as well (which was just over the 20,000 unit starting stack).  Brewster went into the tank, talking aloud to himself, before releasing his hand.  Both players then tabled their cards, with Reich running top two-pair (Q♠ J♦) into Frade's bottom set (4♥ 4♦).  The dealer then followed with the 2♣ on the turn, and the 3♠ on the river, which locked up the pot for Frade.  

Reich could only tap the table before walking away, as he knew there was no way that the chips weren't getting in.  Frade is now over 33,000, and sitting with a comfortable stack that's well over one hundred big blinds.

Emiliano Frade - 33,400 (111bb)

"February $50,000 II" (Flight 1A): Poker Players Have Short Memories, Donald Williams Puts Yesterday Behind Him

"February $50,000 II"
$175 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 4 (Blinds 100/200/25)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 83

Donald Williams (Plantation, FL) lost the "classic race" to bust the WSOP Circuit Main Event yesterday, but put that behind him, and is now in today's opening flight.

One of the great things about tournament poker is the abundance of options, in regards to events that are available to play. Less than (24) hours ago, Donald Williams (Plantation, FL) was making a deep run in the $1,675 No Limit Hold'em WSOP Circuit Main Event at Coconut Creek, and now he's in today's field.  While Donald fell short of his ultimate goal, he did take home a nice score for his 18th place score ($12,417), which was his largest tournament cash since 2011.  That was Donald's fourth tournament cash of the year, with all of his results being 26th place finishes or better.

Williams joins a growing field, which is already at (90) entries, with over $12,000 going towards the overall prize pool.  The numbers may have been a little light this past weekend, but from the looks of this afternoon, we are in for nice showing in this event.  As we lapped the field for a second time, Donald Williams was just one of the many recognizable faces in the field:

Frank Scala
Alan Saltzman
Hoa Lang
Bruce Smith
Richard Leger
Terry Siele
Thomas Gari
Harry Silver
David Poces
Kenneth Habben
Stanton Drazen
Justin Levy

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

"February $50,000 II" (Flight 1A): Brewster Back In Action, Looking For A Better Result

"February $50,000 II"
$175 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 3 (Blinds 75/150)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 70

It didn't take long to find one of the players from this past weekend's final table, as Eric Brewster (who finished in sixth place) was spotted on Table 1.

Just a day removed from his deep run in the "February $50,000," Eric Brewster (West Palm Beach, FL) is back in action, one of the numerous early notables in today's field.  Brewster reached the final table of the $250 No Limit Hold'em event (Saturday), eventually bowing out in sixth place ($1,630), running his pair of nines into a larger pocket pair.  Tournament poker is very much about "runs," so it's no surprise when we see players making back-to-back deep runs, like Michael Marks (North Lauderdale, FL) earlier this month.  Brewster headlines the first look at notables in the field, joining a list with names like:

Tom Gity

Christopher Gilkey

Michael Corbett

Paul Shafran

Ellen Smith

George Tardugno

Kenneth Bruno

"February $50,000 II" (Flight 1A): Taking A Good Look At The 2018 Battles At The Beach Schedule

"February $50,000 II"
$175 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 2 (Blinds 50/100)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 30

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 II" (Flight 1A): After A Day Off, The Multi-Flight Action Returns

"February $50,000 II"
$175 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 1 (Blinds 25/50)
Total Flight 1A Entries: N/A

After a brief return to the recurring tournament schedule (yesterday), the multi-flight action returns this afternoon, as the "February $50,000 II" begins in just a few moments (11:00am).  The event has four total starting flights, with an 11:00am and 6:00pm flight (today and tomorrow), and Day 2 on Wednesday afternoon (12:00pm).  

The tournament is structured with starting stacks of 20,000 units, and levels that last (25) minutes over the course of the event.  Each of the starting flights will play through Level 15, or until 10% of the field remains (whichever comes first).  Each afternoon flight will end shortly before 6:00pm, while each evening flight will end shortly before 1:00am.  Registration is open through Level 12, which is just over (5.5) hours into each flight.

The chip lead bonus is the same as this past weekend's multi, with the top ten stacks (after all flights have been completed) earning a seat into the $275 No Limit Hold'em Satellite into the $2,500 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante.

Live blogged coverage will be offered for each of the afternoon flights (Flight 1A and Flight 1C), as well as detailed Day 2 coverage (Wednesday), as the event plays down to a winner.

Monday, February 19th: The Month's Final Multi Begins Today, As "February $50,000 II" Runs Through Wednesday

ICYMI: Sunday's tournament action returned to the recurring schedule, beginning with the $120 No Limit Hold'em "Monster Stack" ($3,000 GTD), which got underway at 11:00am.   The tournament attracted a total of (31) entries, which equated to a prize pool that fell directly on the posted number ($3,000).  The payouts were scheduled to see four players reach the money, but when action was on the money bubble, the remaining players agreed to a deal.  Alex Glazunov (Palm Beach Gardens, FL) was the tournament's "declared winner," while Alan Levin (Webster, NY) was the recipient of the extra pay spot.  Posted below are the official results from the event:

1. Alex Gladunov (Palm Beach Gardens, FL) $667
2. Pedro Palacio (Delray Beach, FL) $637
3. Andrew Daire (Delray Beach, FL) $610
4. Emiliano Frade (Plantation, FL) $571
5. Alan Levin (Webster, NY) $515

A short while after the "Monster Stack" ended, the 6:00pm event would get underway, which was a $130 No Limit Hold'em "Turbo Bounty" ($3,000 GTD).  After ten levels of open registration, the field would close with (41) entries, which equated to a prize pool of $3,157.  Six players were scheduled to reach the money, with action playing through the money bubble in the event.  Once play was three-handed, a deal was agreed to, with Robert Tanner (Wellington, FL) the tournament's declared winner (earning $886).  Results from the tournament are listed below:

1. Robert Tanner (Wellington, FL) $886
2. Patrick Biancone (Delray Beach, FL) $782
3. Jose Tacher (Sunny Isles, FL) $731
4. Denise Westerfield (Coconut Creek, FL) $316
5. Barry Chazen (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) $253
6. Ellen Lambeth (Palm Coast, FL) $189

Tournaments: Today's schedule hosts the first pair of starting flights for the month's last multi, a $175 No Limit Hold'em event, which has a $50,000 guarantee.  The event has four total starting flights, with an 11:00am and 6:00pm flight (today and tomorrow), and Day 2 on Wednesday afternoon (12:00pm).  

The tournament is structured with starting stacks of 20,000 units, and levels that last (25) minutes over the course of the event.  Each of the starting flights will play through Level 15, or until 10% of the field remains (whichever comes first).  Each afternoon flight will end shortly before 6:00pm, while each evening flight will end shortly before 1:00am.  Registration is open through Level 12, which is just over (5.5) hours into each flight.

The chip lead bonus is the same as this past weekend's multi, with the top ten stacks (after all flights have been completed) earning a seat into the $275 No Limit Hold'em Satellite 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 - $175 No Limit Hold'em ($50,000 GTD) Flight 1A

- 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 (25) minutes

- All Day 1's will play (15) complete levels, or until the field reaches it's 10% mark, whichever comes first

- 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).

6:00pm - $175 No Limit Hold'em ($50,000 GTD) Flight 1B

- 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 (25) minutes

- All Day 1's will play (15) complete levels, or until the field reaches it's 10% mark, whichever comes first

- 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).