"February $50,000 II" (Day 2): Mitchell Smith Takes Home The Title ($15,089), Eric Mutschler Runner-Up ($10,580)

"February $50,000 II"
$175 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 32 (Blinds 80,000/160,000/20,000)
Total Entries: 552
Players Remaining: 1

Mitchell Smith (Palm Beach, FL) had a dream run to win this tournament, while Eric Mutschler continued his strong play to make his way to heads-up.

Eric Mutschler had a tough mountain to climb against Mitchell Smith (Palm Beach, FL), who started heads-up play with a commanding ten-to-one chip lead.  Only four hands would pass before Eric would be all-in and at risk:

Mutschler: A♥ Q♠
Smith: A♦ 4♦

Runout: J♣ 3♦ Q♦  10♠ 5♦

It just seemed like this tournament was Mitchell Smith's to win, as he gets it in with the worse hand against Mutschler...watches Eric flop strong against him...but makes a flush on the river to win.  Mitchell, who already had over $300,000 in tournament earnings, books his largest cash since December of last year (2017 Isle Classic).

Eric Mutschler (Tarpon Springs, FL), who was out of the spotlight for a short while, earns his second sizable score in less than a month.

"February $50,000 II" (Day 2): Crazy Runout Sees Michael Plaxco Eliminated In 3rd Place ($6,800)

"February $50,000 II"
$175 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 32 (Blinds 80,000/160,000/20,000)
Total Entries: 552
Players Remaining: 2

After having a rough WSOP Circuit at Coconut Creek, Michael Plaxco (Muscle Shoals, AL) got himself a little "saver" with this third place score.

With Mitchell Smith holding a majority of the chips, it looked like it may be a waiting game between Michael Plaxco and Eric Mutschler.  Plaxco ended up shoving just a few hands into three-handed play, and ended up getting called by Smith:

Plaxco: K♦ 9♣
Smith: 3♦ 3♥

Runout: J♣ 10♥ 3♣ Q♣ Q♠

When the flop came out, one could only think that this was meant to be Smith's day...until the turn gave Plaxco the straight.  Everything seemed to return to normal for Smith, who watched the board pair, giving him the winning full house.

"February $50,000 II" (Day 2): Carlos Loving Eliminated In 4th Place ($4,495) By Mitchell Smith

"February $50,000 II"
$175 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 32 (Blinds 80,000/160,000/20,000)
Total Entries: 552
Players Remaining: 3

Carlos Loving (Sarasota, FL) reached his first final table since last year's Isle Poker Open, just finishing in fourth place for $4,495.

Carlos Loving (Sarasota, FL) was short stacked for most of the final table, but ended up coming from behind against Elliot Zaydman, doubling to a manageable stack.  Moments ago, Loving shoved for 1,100,000 from the button, with Mitchell Smith re-shoving (for over 6,000,000) from the small blind.  Eric Mutschler folded his big blind, and the hands were tabled:

Loving: K♦ J♣
Smith: A♣ 10♠

Runout: Q♥ 9♦ 3♠ 2♦ 5♣

Loving wasn't in terrible shape when the cards were rolled over, and ended up flopping some extra equity.  He asked the dealer to give Smith a pair of tens, but ended up seeing no cards higher than a five on the turn or river.  Loving ended up earning $4,495 for his fourth place finish, while Smith collect yet another pot (and sits with over half of the chips in play).

"February $50,000 II" (Day 2): After Massive Lost Pot To Smith, Evan Kahan Out In 5th Place ($3,460)

"February $50,000 II"
$175 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 31 (Blinds 60,000/120,000/20,000)
Total Entries: 552
Players Remaining: 4

Evan Kahan (Boca Raton, FL) will remember that fateful hand against Mitchell Smith for a long time, as he went from first to worst in the blink of an eye.

Left with only 500,000 after losing that massive pot to Mitchell Smith, Evan Kahan's (Boca Raton, FL) shove would be called by Carlos Loving:

Kahan: 5♣ 6♣
Loving: K♣ Q♦

Runout: A♠ 7♦ 4♦ K♥ 5♠

Kahan ended up getting a very favorable flop for his hand, but was still looking for help on the turn and river.  He'd be drawing to eight outs heading to the final card, and was unable to find help, leaving him as the fifth place finisher.

"February $50,000 II" (Day 2): Updated Final Table Counts At Level Goes Up

"February $50,000 II"
$175 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 31 (Blinds 60,000/120,000/20,000)
Total Entries: 552
Players Remaining: 5

The blinds continue to climb even higher, with Level 31 starting just moments ago, and players posting 60,000/120,000/20,000.  Updated final table counts are posted below:

1. Evan Kahan - 500,000
2. Michael Plaxco - 2,400,000
3. Carlos Loving - 1,000,000
4. Mitchell Smith - 5,600,000
5. Eric Mutschler - 1,050,000

"February $50,000 II" (Day 2): Elliot Zaydman Eliminated ($2,870) In The Pot Of The Tournament, Mitchell Smith Commanding Chip Leader

"February $50,000 II"
$175 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 30 (Blinds 50,000/100,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 552
Players Remaining: 5

Elliot Zaydman (Coconut Creek, FL) was pretty quiet for most of the final table, but was left super short after taking a bad beat from Carlos Loving.

Final table action would fold to Elliot Zaydman, who shoved for 1,020,000.  Evan Kahan then re-shoved next to act (from the cutoff), having the entire table covered.  The button and small blind folded, but then Mitchell Smith announced he was all-in, sitting with 2,200,000 in front of him.  We had a three way pot brewing, with a main pot worth over 5,000,000:

Smith: A♥ A♠
Kahan: 8♣ 8♦ 
Zaydman: 10♣ 7♠

Runout: Q♠ Q♥ 6♥ K♠ 7♣

Smith had a dream situation, with two players all-in in front of him...and pocket aces in the big blind.  His hand would hold through the runout, and Mitchell would chip up to 5,600,000.  Elliot Zaydman was eliminated in sixth place ($2,870), while Kahan was left with just 600,000.

"February $50,000 II" (Day 2): Francis Cruz Falls Short, Eliminated In 7th Place By Mitchell Smith ($2,400)

"February $50,000 II"
$175 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 30 (Blinds 50,000/100,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 552
Players Remaining: 6

Francis Cruz (Dominican Republic) is just a few weeks removed from a runner-up finish in the $250 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante, and now adds another final table finish.

After calling a 190,000 open from Francis Cruz (Dominican Republic), Mitchell Smith shoved the A 8  2 flop, with Cruz making the call.  The two player's stacks were just about even, and before the stacks were counted down, the hands were tabled:

Flop: A♥ 8♠ 2♠

Cruz: Q♠ J♠ (flush draw)
Smith: A♠ 9♦

Turn: 8♥
River: 9♥

With less than ten big blinds behind, Francis was compelled to make the call, which would end up being his final hand of the tournament.  Cruz earned $2,400 for his seventh place finish, while Mitchell Smith chipped up to 2,300,000.

"February $50,000 II" (Day 2): Zachary Hammons Exits In 8th Place ($1,955)

"February $50,000 II"
$175 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 29 (Blinds 40,000/80,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 552
Players Remaining: 7

Zachary Hammons (Grand Prairie, TX) picked a wrong time to shove, running into Eric Mutschler's pocket kings, which ended up leaving Zachary with less than three bigs.

Zachary Hammons (Grand Prairie, TX) final hand was really a formality, as he was left with just three big blinds to shove (after losing a big hand to Eric Mutschler).  Hammons shoved in position a few hands back, but watched Eric Mutschler re-shove for less, with Zachary's A♥ 8♣ well behind Eric's K♠ K♦.  With just 210,000 after absorbing the loss, Hammons went all-in just a few hands later, and would be eliminated by Michael Plaxco.  Hammons, who came into the day as the chip leader, turned his $175 buy-in into a $1,955 payday.

"February $50,000 II" (Day 2): Final Table Chip Counts From Break

"February $50,000 II"
$175 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 29 (Blinds 40,000/80,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 552
Players Remaining: 8

Play has been surprisingly slow with the stacks as shallow as they are, with the increasing blinds only pushing the action more.  Players are on break, and will return to Level 29, with new blinds of 40,000/80,000/10,000.  Posted below are the updated counts from the break:

1. Elliot Zaydman - 600,000
2. Evan Kahan - 2,600,000
3. Michael Plaxco - 2,250,000
4. Carlos Loving - 1,700,000
5. Mitchell Smith - 580,000
6. Zachary Hammons - 1,300,000
7. Eric Mutschler - 700,000
8. Francis Cruz - 1,250,000

"February $50,000 II" (Day 2): Andre Rakusa Eliminated By Evan Kahan In 9th Place ($1,510)

"February $50,000 II"
$175 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 28 (Blinds 30,000/60,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 552
Players Remaining: 8

Andre Rakusa (Coral Springs, FL) found a cold run of cards in the tournament's later stages, and ended up a big underdog when all his chips got in.

With the minutes winding down in Level 27, Evan Kahan opened the action from middle position, with a raise to 150,000.  Players folded around to Andre Rakusa (Coral Springs, FL), who was in the small blind, and three-bet shoved for 730,000.  Kahan would call when action returned to him, and would have Andre dominated:

Rakusa: 2♥ 2♦ 
Kahan: 7♥ 7♦

Runout: J♥ 10♠ 5♥ 3♦ A♥

Rakusa needed to find some help in the runout, with both of his suits covered by the pocket sevens of Kahan.  There would be no miracle for Andre, who ended up departing the table in ninth place ($1,510).

"February $50,000 II" (Day 2): Final Table Chip Counts At Level's Transition

"February $50,000 II"
$175 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 28 (Blinds 30,000/60,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 552
Players Remaining: 9

Listed below are the updated chip counts from the final table, as the blinds once again increase, with players posting 30,000/60,000/5,000.

1. Elliot Zaydman - 700,000
2. Evan Kahan - 1,800,000
3. Michael Plaxco - 1,775,000
4. Carlos Loving - 1,100,000
5. Mitchell Smith - 800,000
6. Zachary Hammons - 1,600,000
7. Andre Rakusa - 850,000
8. Eric Mutschler - 825,000
9. Francis Cruz - 1,250,000

"February $50,000 II" (Day 2): A Quick Final Table For Michael Corbett, Eliminated In 10th Place ($1,270)

"February $50,000 II"
$175 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 27 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 552
Players Remaining: 9

Michael Corbett (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) only spent one hand at the final table, shoving from ahead, but finding an unkind runout.

Andre Rakusa would open the first hand at the final table, with action folding around to Evan Kahan, who was on the button.  After Evan chose to flat the raise, Michael Corbett shoved all-in from the small blind, for just over 600,000.  Rakusa released his hand after a few moments, with Kahan quickly making the call:

Corbett: A♦ J♣
Kahan: K♠ Q♠

Runout: Q♥ 8♣ 7♠ J♥ 6♦

Corbett was ahead when the cards were tabled, but ended up being out flopped by Kahan.  While the turn gave Michael a pair, he still needed help on the river, which never amounted.  The published author departed the final table in tenth place, earning himself $1,270.

"February $50,000 II" (Day 2): Ross Ramlal Eliminated On Final Table Bubble, Players Redrawing For The Final Time

"February $50,000 II"
$175 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 27 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 552
Players Remaining: 10

Ross Ramlal (Vero Beach, FL) is still looking for the magic he found in 2016, when he cashed for $28,000 in a $360 buy-in event during the Battles At The Beach.

Just a few moments after posting the most recent chip counts, Ross Ramlal (Vero Beach, FL) ran his pocket kings into the pocket aces of Michael Plaxco (Muscle Shoals, AL).  Ramlal was unable to find any help through the runout, and he would be eliminated in eleventh place ($1,270).  

The tournament clock was then paused, and players were given new seating assignments for the final table, which are posted below:

1. Elliot Zaydman
2. Evan Kahan
3. Michael Corbett
4. Michael Plaxco
5. Carlos Loving
6. Mitchell Smith
7. Zachary Hammons
8. Andre Rakusa
9. Eric Mutschler
10. Francis Cruz

"February $50,000 II" (Day 2): Updated Chip Counts On The Final Table Bubble

"February $50,000 II"
$175 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 27 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 552
Players Remaining: 11

Players are just one elimination away from the final table, with the blinds going up just moments ago (25,000/50,000/5,000).  The updated chip counts from the two tables are listed below:

Table 1

1. Carlos Loving - 1,250,000
2. Evan Kahan - 1,000,000
3. Michael Corbett - 700,000
4. Elliot Zaydman - 1,400,000
5. Andre Rakusa - 800,000
6. Francis Cruz - 670,000

Table 3

1. Mitchell Smith - 1,000,000
2. Michael Plaxco - 1,200,000
3. Eric Mutschler - 800,000
4. Zachary Hammons -1,000,000
5. Ross Ramlal - 800,000

"February $50,000 II" (Day 2): 13th-15th Places ($1,070)

"February $50,000 II"
$175 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 26 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 552
Players Remaining: 12

The following players have been eliminated from the "February $50,000 II" ($175 No Limit Hold'em), and have cashed for $1,070: 

13. Bobby Leff (Opa Locka, FL) 
14. Joshua Wasserman (Deerfield Beach, FL) 
15. Adel Jo (Miami, FL)

"February $50,000" (Day 2): Updated Chip Counts (Full Field)

"February $50,000 II"
$175 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 26 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 552
Players Remaining: 14

Play has just transitioned into Level 26, with the blinds going up to 20,000/40,000/5,000.  The current chip average sits at 788,000, meaning that an average stack would have less than twenty big blinds.  Listed below are the updated chip counts from the field:

Table 1

1. Joshua Wasserman - 325,000
2. Carlos Loving - 850,000
3. Evan Kahan - 500,000
4. Michael Corbett - 630,000
5. Elliot Zaydman - 1,350,000
6. Andre Rakusa - 1,400,000
7. Francis Cruz - 1,000,000

Table 3

1. Mitchell Smith - 1,250,000
2. Michael Plaxco - 1,000,000
3. Eric Mutschler - 815,000
4. Zachary Hammons - 515,000
5. Ross Ramlal - 1,100,000
6. Vivek Jacob - 300,000
7. Bobby Leff - 200,000

"February $50,000 II" (Day 2): 16th-18th Places ($875)

"February $50,000 II"
$175 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 25 (Blinds 15,000/30,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 552
Players Remaining: 15

The following players have been eliminated from the "February $50,000 II" ($175 No Limit Hold'em), and have cashed for $875: 

16. Corey Dunbar (West Palm Beach, FL) 
17. Steven Novak (Lake Worth, FL) 
18. Antonio Albanes (Key Largo, FL) 

"February $50,000 II" (Day 2): Seating Assignments After First Redraw

"February $50,000 II"
$175 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 25 (Blinds 15,000/30,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 552
Players Remaining: 18

After the elimination of in Vasilii Leschenko 18th place, the clock was paused, and players were given new seating assignments (first redraw, with next coming at final table).  Antonio Albanes and Steven Novak were eliminated on the final hand before redraw by Elliot Zaydman, leaving sixteen for the redraw  Listed below are the new lineups for the final pair of tables in the tournament area:

Table 1

1. Joshua Wasserman
2. Carlos Loving
3. Evan Kahan
4. Michael Corbett
5. Elliot Zaydman
6. Corey Dunbar
7. Andre Rakusa
8. Francis Cruz

Table 3

1. Mitchell Smith
2. Michael Plaxco
3. Eric Mutschler
4. Zachary Hammons
5. Ross Ramlal
6. Adel Jo
7. Vivek Jacob
8. Bobby Leff

"February $50,000 II" (Day 2): 19th-21st Places ($730)

"February $50,000 II"
$175 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 25 (Blinds 15,000/30,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 552
Players Remaining: 18

The following players have been eliminated from the "February $50,000 II" ($175 No Limit Hold'em), and have cashed for $730: 

19. Vasilii Leschenko (Russia)
20. Rafiki Brown (Sunrise, FL)
21. Gil Guadalpi (North Miami, FL)

"February $50,000 II" (Day 2): Updated Chip Counts At Second Break, Smith Field's First Millionaire

"February $50,000 II"
$175 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 25 (Blinds 15,000/30,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 552
Players Remaining: 19

Mitchell Smith (Winnsboro, SC) was one of the short stacks on the money bubble, but just became the first player to have a stack north of 1,000,000.

The remaining players are heading on their second break of the day, and will return to Level 25, with new blinds of 15,000/30,000/5,000.  After doubling through Rafiki Brown, Mitchell Smith (Winnsboro, SC) became the first player to eclipse the 1,000,000 chip mark, and leads the field at break (with three other players to cross that point since.  Listed below are some of the other big stacks in the field, with a full field update coming at the first redraw (when eighteen players remain):

Mitchell Smith - 1,200,000 (40bb)
Andre Rakusa - 1,175,000 (39bb)
Carlos Loving - 1,100,000 (36bb)
Ross Ramlal - 1,000,000 (33bb)
Zachary Hammons - 775,000 (25bb)

"February $50,000 II" (Day 2): 22nd-24th Places ($605)

"February $50,000 II"
$175 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 24 (Blinds 12,000/24,000/4,000)
Total Entries: 552
Players Remaining: 21

The following players have been eliminated from the "February $50,000 II" ($175 No Limit Hold'em), and have cashed for $605: 

22. Jonathan Hilton (Chattanooga, TN)
23. Donald Williams (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
24. Salvatore Accardi (Pompano Beach, FL)

"February $50,000 II" (Day 2): 25th-27th Places ($510)

"February $50,000 II"
$175 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 24 (Blinds 12,000/24,000/4,000)
Total Entries: 552
Players Remaining: 24

The following players have been eliminated from the "February $50,000 II" ($175 No Limit Hold'em), and have cashed for $510: 

25. Pedro Palacio (Delray Beach, FL) 
26. Larry Douglas (Okeechobee, FL)
27. Jose Simon Jimenez (London, UK)

"February $50,000 II" (Day 2): 28th-36th Places ($415)

"February $50,000 II"
$175 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 23 (Blinds 10,000/20,000/3,000)
Total Entries: 552
Players Remaining: 27

The following players have been eliminated from the "February $50,000 II" ($175 No Limit Hold'em), and have cashed for $415:

28. Harry Silver (Boca Raton, FL) 
29. Hoa Lang (West Palm Beach, FL) 
30. Zaki Lichaa (Pompano Beach, FL) 
31. John Holley (Destin, FL) 
32. Nancy Birnbaum (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) 
33. Daniel Genachte (Deerfield Beach, FL) 
34. Amit Savami (Miami, FL) 
35. Carey Pickus (Palm Beach, FL) 
36. Mehrdad Mehrassa (Prince George, BC)

"February $50,000 II" (Day 2): Sometimes You're The Hammer, Sometimes You're The Nail

"February $50,000 II"
$175 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 23 (Blinds 10,000/20,000/3,000)
Total Entries: 552
Players Remaining: 29

Francis Cruz (Dominican Republic) flipped the script on Daniel Genachte, flopping a set with an under pair to steal a sizable pot away.

One of the better sayings that relates to poker, "Sometimes you're the hammer, sometimes you're the nail."  After putting a pretty bad beat on Zaki Lichaa before the money bubble, Daniel Genachte just saw the same thing happen to him.  The pre-flop action had already concluded, with Genachte all-in for his 250,000 stack, up against Francis Cruz:

Cruz: 8♥ 8♣ 
Genachte: J♠ J♣

A♦ 8♠ 9♣ 10♣ 4♥

Genachte slammed the table when he saw the flop, with Cruz finding himself middle set.  The turn actually brought more outs to Genachte, but he'd fall short of the comeback.  Daniel walks away in 33rd place ($415), while Francis Cruz chips up to 850,000.

Francis Cruz - 850,000 (42bb)

"February $50,000 II" (Day 2): 37th-45th Places ($380)

"February $50,000 II"
$175 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 22 (Blinds 8,000/16,000/2,000)
Total Entries: 552
Players Remaining: 36

The following players have been eliminated from the "February $50,000 II" ($175 No Limit Hold'em), and have cashed for $380:

37. Engelberth Valera (Coral Springs, FL) 
38. Trent Baker (Estero, FL) 
39. Errol Massey (Hollywood, FL) 
40. William Swicki (Boca Raton, FL) 
41. Tim Shane (Boca Raton, FL) 
42. Jeffrey Silverstein (Delray Beach, FL)
43. Michelle Duberle (Margate, FL) 
44. Joseph Mancuso (Deerfield Beach, FL) 
45. Brian O'Keefe (Sunrise, FL)

"February $50,000 II" (Day 2): 46th-49th Places ($345)

"February $50,000 II"
$175 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 21 (Blinds 6,000/12,000/2,000)
Total Entries: 552
Players Remaining: 42

The following players have been eliminated from the "February $50,000 II" ($175 No Limit Hold'em), and have cashed for $345:

46. Vincent Francavilla (Pompano Beach, FL) 
47. Vitaly Chaika (Hallandale Beach, FL) 
48. Jose Rosario (Sunny Isles Beach, FL) 
49. Jose Tacher (Sunrise, FL)

"February $50,000 II" (Day 2): Updated Chip Counts At First Break

"February $50,000 II"
$175 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 21 (Blinds 6,000/12,000/2,000)
Total Entries: 552
Players Remaining: 44

Andre Rakusa (Coral Springs, FL) has been the biggest mover of the day, increasing his stack by over five times, since play began over two hours ago.

After close to two hours of play, the (44) players still remaining are currently on their first break of the day, and will be returning to Level 21 (6,000/12,000/2,000).  Some of the players to start the day on top still remain, with new names vaulting up the leaderboard.  Andre Rakusa (Coral Springs, FL), who is a player very familiar to blog followers, increased his stack from 150,000 to 730,000.  Listed below are some of the top stacks, collected during the first break of the day:

Zachary Hammons - 825,000 (68bb)
Andre Rakusa - 730,000 (60bb)
Rafiki Brown - 620,000 (51bb)
Elliot Zaydman - 510,000 (42bb)
Michael Corbett - 480,000 (40bb)
Vivek Jacob - 470,000 (39bb)
Donald Williams - 360,000 (30bb)
Eric Mutschler - 340,000 (28bb)
Francis Cruz - 320,000 (26bb)
Pedro Palacio - 320,000 (26bb)