Saturday, May 26, 2018

$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1E): Official End Of Flight 1E Chip Counts

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 16 (Blinds 2,000/4,000/500)
Total Flight 1E Entries: 153
Flight 1E Players Remaining: 18

JoseCueto E398,000
KareemBernardo265,500
JaireWiegrefe261,500
JerryCavicchi250,000
MichaelRalyea192,000
AlexShefron191,500
JoeSchwartz190,500
DmitryAgrachov183,000
BryanSherman174,000
DonaldWilliams156,000
RussellGreenman154,000
GloriaPritchett149,500
EdwinChoi126,500
RichardWhitebrook104,000
JasonBartholomew85,000
JohnMayers83,500
AndrewDaire60,000
BobbyBass49,000

$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1E): Coming Down The Homestretch, Prize Pool Now Over $100,000 Guarantee

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 15 (Blinds 1,000/2,000/300)
Total Flight 1E Entries: 153
Flight 1E Players Remaining: 22



Play just entered Level 15, with new blinds being posted of 1,000/2,000/300, and a chip average of 139,000.  With only two levels left in the flight, there are (22) players remaining, with play currently shorthanded across three tables.  While live blogged coverage has finished for the day, end of Flight 1E chip counts will be posted as soon as they have been verified.

With (73) players in Flight 1F, the tournament has a officially eclipsed the $100,000 guarantee, and looks to reach the $175,000 mark.

$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1E): Looking Towards Promotions In June, $1,000 High Hands Returning To The Weekend

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 13 (Blinds 1,000/2,000/300)
Total Flight 1E Entries: 153
Flight 1E Players Remaining: 38


$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1E): "Thor" Looking Drop The Hammer, Climbing The Leaderboard

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 11 (Blinds 600/1,200/200)
Total Flight 1E Entries: 153
Flight 1E Players Remaining: 43


Jaime Wiegrefe (Miami, FL) had been flying under the radar for most of the afternoon, but has now put himself in the top ten of remaining stacks in Flight 1E.

Jaime Wiegrefe (Miami, FL), otherwise known as "Thor," is currently dropping the hammer on Table 5.  Wiegrefe has over $30,000 in career earnings, including numerous deep runs in multi-day tournaments here at the Isle Casino Poker Room.  Jaime's last notable cash came during the Battles At The Beach, when he finished fourth in the $560 No Limit Holde'm Single-Ante ($4,024).  Sitting with over 130,000, Wiegrefe is top ten in the remaining field, and in contention for the chip lead bonus.

Jaime Wiegrefe - 133,000 (110bb)

$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1E): Updated Chip Counts From The Field, Jason Seaton Leading The Way

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 10 (Blinds 500/1,000/100)
Total Flight 1E Entries: 153
Flight 1E Players Remaining: 54

Russell Greenman (Royal Palm Beach, FL) has seen success during the Florida State Poker Championships (both in 2015 and 2016), and hopes to pad the bankroll heading into the series (which runs in July).

Even with a field of this size, there are only a handful of players above the century mark, which is pretty surprising (considering the amount of chips in play).  Jason Seaton is the current chip leader, sitting with just over 170,000.  Research in regards to Seaton's tournament yields just two past results, with no cashes since January of 2010.  Sitting in the second spot is Russell Greenman (Royal Palm Beach, FL), who is pictured above, and currently sits with 140,000.  Greenman is also another player in the field with a limited resume, as he has career earnings just north of $4,000.  Regardless of past accomplishments, both players have a great chance to put themselves in solid position for Monday's Day 2.

Jason Seaton - 172,000 (172bb)
Russell Greenman - 140,000 (140bb)
Karim Bernardo - 130,000 (130bb)
Richard Whitebrook - 130,000 (130bb)
John Murphy - 105,000 (105bb)
John Mayers - 95,000 (95bb)
Donald Williams - 75,000 (75bb)
Jaime Wiegrefe - 70,0000 (70bb)

$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1E): Flight 1E Closes With (153) Entries, Combined Prize Pool Now At $97,584

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 9 (Blinds 400/800/100)
Total Flight 1E Entries: 153
Flight 1E Players Remaining: 69



Players have just returned from their second break of the day, with registration now closed for Flight 1E of the $200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD).  The flight closed with (153) total entries, of which (69) players still remain, hoping to make it to the end of Level 16 (when the bagging process is scheduled to start).  The $23,256 prize fund from this flight, combined with the total that came before it, give us a combined prize pool of $97,584.  Not only will the $100,000 guarantee be surpassed this evening, it will be in the rear-view mirror by the time tomorrow's final pair of flights have concluded. With players now comfortably back in their seats, we will take a lap around the field, and bring you updated chip counts.

$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1E): $1,100 NLH Single-Ante Accessible To All, Even If It's Not Via Chip Lead Bonus Entry

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 8 (Blinds 300/600/75)
Total Flight 1E Entries: 145




While this is the final multi of the month, it's not the last "headlining" event, as the final day of May sees an $1,100 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante, which boasts a $50,000 guaranteed prize pool.  The ever-popular single-ante format returns, but has a small tweak in the price point.  Opposed to the $2,500 buy-in that we've seen since August, this month's a little more attainable for players...especially considering players can get into the tournament for as little as $80.  Listed below, is the satellite schedule for next week's event:

Monday, May 28th (2:00pm) $80 No Limit Hold'em "Step-Satellite" Into $240 Satellite (1 In 5)

Monday, May 28th (6:00pm) $130 No Limit Hold'em Satellite Into $1,100 NLH Single-Ante (1 In 10)

Tuesday, May 29th (11:00am) $80 No Limit Hold'em "Step-Satellite" Into $240 Satellite (1 In 5)

Tuesday, May 29th (2:00pm) $80 No Limit Hold'em "Step-Satellite" Into $240 Satellite (1 In 5)

Wednesday, May 30th (11:00am) $240 No Limit Hold'em "Mega-Satellite" Into $1,100 NLH Single-Ante (5 Seats GTD)

Wednesday, May 30th (6:00pm) $240 No Limit Hold'em "Mega-Satellite" Into $1,100 NLH Single-Ante (5 Seats GTD)

$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1E): Two More Opportunities To Satellite Into This Event, With Guarantees Crushed To This Point

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 7 (Blinds 250/500/75)
Total Flight 1E Entries: 140


Just as the registration window begins closing for Flight 1E of the $200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD), it opens up for those interested in playing the third of four $50 No Limit Hold'em Satellites for the tournament.  The $50 NLH Satellite got underway at 2:00pm, and will begin at that time tomorrow as well.  Players will be sitting down to starting stacks of 8,000 units, with levels that last (15) minutes over the course of the satellite.  Registration is open through Level 10, meaning players have over 2.5 hours to join the action, if they so choose.  This afternoon's satellite guarantees (5) seats into the $200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD), with tomorrow's installment guaranteeing (3) seats.

The first pair satellites both guaranteed two seats, but more than five were awarded each time.  With today's field size, along with the five seat guarantee, we should see the largest of the four satellites this afternoon.

$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1E): Thomas Millward Looking To Reach His First Final Table Of 2018

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 6 (Blinds 200/400/50)
Total Flight 1E Entries: 126


Thomas Millward (Boca Raton, FL) has made numerous deep runs in 2018, but it still looking for that first final table cash.

Thomas Millward (Boca Raton, FL) is a regular a tournaments here at the Isle Poker Room, and has seen great success over the course of his career.  Thomas has amassed earnings of $67,567, spread across (57) results in the last eight years, many of which came in this room.  With two straight years of $20,000+ in tournament earnings (2016 and 2017), Thomas has been active in 2018, already cashing for over $5,000.  He's made numerous deep runs, but has cashed no higher than 12th place in an event this year (on the flip side, he's also cashed no lower than 19th place).  The handful of close calls sees Millward on the cusp of a final table, but he has to get off that "proverbial hump."  

Millward headlines the second look at notables in the Flight 1E field, joining the likes of:

Dmitry Agrachov
Julien Durity
Jaime Wiegrefe
Joseph Conti
Stuart Greenbaum
Bruce Kahn
Nagui Yassa
Stanton Drazen
Andre Bryan
Greg Rosen 
Scott Levitt
Bruce Snell

$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1E): TJ Shulman Prepping For The Summer Of WSOP

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 5 (Blinds 150/300/50)
Total Flight 1E Entries: 108


TJ Shulman (Boynton Beach, FL) sits down to one of the most impressive resumes in the field, but that's partly because he is always using tournament experiences to better his game.

Any quality tournament player understands that each event, whether a buy-in of $200 or $2,000, is a took towards bettering their game.  TJ Shulman (Boynton Beach, FL) is a very accomplished tournament professional, with over $802,000 in career earnings, and a resume that sees results in buy-in of all price points.  Just a look at his two largest results shows an example of the point, with his best ever tournament cash coming in a $2,500 buy-in event ($109,500 win a the Delaware Park Poker Classic in 2013), and his second best in a $365 buy-in event ($102,398 win of Event #1 at the 2017 WSOP Circuit at Cherokee).  

Shulman is using today's event as a little prep for the WSOP, which begins in just one week.  Shulman made one final table at least year's series, finishing fifth in the $1,000 No Limit Hold'em Tag Team Event #61 ($17,059).  A win in this tournament would be a nice boost to the summer's bankroll, but an ever better boost to Shulman's confidence.  

Some other players in today's flight that would like to make a deep run include:

Gloria Pritchett
Andrew Blake
Frank Traino
Willie Wiggins
Scott Zakheim
Morris Heider
Steve Olivier
Glenn Popkin
Andrew Daire
Alberto Niebla
Zaki Lichaa
Roy Cohen

$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1E): Bringing In Some Special Guests For The 10th Anniversary Of The Florida State Poker Championships

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 4 (Blinds 100/200/25)
Total Flight 1E Entries: 97



Posted below is the official schedule for the 2018 Florida State Poker Championship, which is the tenth anniversary of the prestigious series.  There are (17) primary events over the course of three weeks in July, including four "showcased" events, headed by the $1,500 No Limit Hold'em FSPC Main Event ($500,000 GTD).  The main event is one of the first "post-WSOP" majors, and has grown in popularity (and numbers) each and every year.  

Leading up to the main event, there are three other tournaments which carry six-figure guarantees, starting with Event #1.  The $175 No Limit Hold'em opening event has a $100,000 guaranteed prize pool, and eight opening flights for players to choose from.  Running from July 5th through July 9th, the event is sure to see one of the largest fields of the series.   Just a few days after Event #1's conclusion, Event #4 follows with the series' second six-figure guaranteed prize pool, as the $360 No Limit Hold'em event boasts a $200,000 guarantee.  With six flights running from July 12th through July 15th, the tournament will likely see the second largest prize pool of the series (behind the main event).  The third of four "showcased" events is Event #9, as the $1,100 No Limit Hold'em tournament offers yet another $200,000 guaranteed prize pool.  There are four opening flights that run from July 19th through July 22nd, with players returning on July 23rd for Day 2.

In between those events, there are thirteen other options for players to get their hands on a FSPC trophy, including four bounty events, an Omaha 8B Hi/Lo tournament, a Seniors Championship, and the addition of a six-max format.  


There is some excited news to follow in regards to the series, as both Scotty Nguyen and Vanessa Russo will be joining us for the FSPC $1,500 Main Event.  While they are in attendance, there will be a schedule meet and greet/autograph session (times and dates to be determined).  Structure sheets and satellite schedule will also be released in the upcoming weeks.

$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1E): Looking Forward To Join, With Opportunities To Grab Free FSPC Seats

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 3 (Blinds 75/150/25)
Total Flight 1E Entries: 75



Just a few days ago, the June Tournament Calendar was released to the public, with a buzz surrounding the newest "addition" to the recurring schedule.  Outside of the three showcased tournaments ($175 NLH $100,000 GTD, $200 NLH $100,000 GTD, and $360 NLH $50,000 GTD), there are "added free seats" to FSPC events to certain tournaments.  These "added free seats" are available to anyone playing in the following events:

Saturday, June 2nd (11:00am): $175 NLH "Double Green Chip Bounty" ($10,000 GTD)
Saturday, June 2nd (6:00pm): $150 No Limit Hold'em Deepstack ($10,000 GTD)
Saturday, June 16th (11:00am): $175 NLH "Double Green Chip Bounty" ($10,000 GTD)
Saturday, June 16th (6:00pm): $150 No Limit Hold'em Deepstack ($10,000 GTD)
Thursday, June 21st-Sunday, June 24th: $360 No Limit Hold'em ($50,000 GTD)
Saturday, June 30th (11:00am): $175 NLH "Double Green Chip Bounty" ($10,000 GTD)
Saturday, June 30th (6:00pm): $150 No Limit Hold'em Deepstack ($10,000 GTD)

In the listed events, seats can be won via the following "high hands:"

Top Two Quads* Wins FSPC Event #4 Seat ($360 NLH $200,000 GTD)
Straight Flush* Wins FSPC Event #9 Seat ($1,100 NLH Single-Ante $200,000 GTD)
Royal Flush* Wins FSPC Event #14 Seat ($1,500 NLH FSPC Main Event $500,000 GTD)

*High hands must use both hole cards to qualify

Just for clarification, players in the designated tournament (or flight of the designated multi) who have the top two "four-of-a-kinds" will be awarded the FSPC Event #4 Seat.

$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1E): As The Field Grows, So Does The Buzz Surrounding The $200 NLH ($100,000 GTD)

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 1 (Blinds 25/50)
Total Flight 1E Entries: N/A




After four starting flights, the $200 NLH ($100,000 GTD) field has grown to (489) entries, of which (63) players have bagged chips for Monday's Day 2.  The combined prize pool currently sits at $74,328, with four flights yet to have been played.  The $100,000 guaranteed prize pool should be eclipsed during today's second flight (Flight 1F), with tomorrow's action helping to grow the overall number.  

A new group of players will be taking their seats in the tournament area momentarily, hoping that Flight 1E is their ticket to Day 2.  The structure mirrors that of yesterday: with 20,000 unit starting stacks, (30) minute levels, and registration open through Level 8 (and the break that follows).  Just as registration closes for Flight 1E, the second of four $50 No Limit Hold'em satellites will be getting underway (2:00pm), allowing players to enter the action for just a quarter of the buy-in.

Players in today's flights have the initial goal to bag chips, but also have the chip lead bonus in mind, hoping to join the following players:

Nathan Schwartz - 495,000 (Flight 1D)
Andrew Kern - 372,500 (Flight 1B)
William Swicicki - 316,500 (Flight 1C)
Tracy Scala - 286,500 (Flight 1A)

Today's coverage will offer live look-ins during Flight 1E play, as well as updates on all of the upcoming "goings-on" at the Isle Poker Room.

$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Day 2): Official Chip Counts (Flight 1A-Flight 1D)

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 16 (Blinds 2,000/4,000/500)
Total Entries: 489
Players Remaining: 63



Saturday, May 26th: Saturday Is For Flighting, As The $200 NLH ($100,000 GTD) Figures To Eclipse Guarantee Today

ICYMI: The second day of $200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD) action saw the numbers grow even larger, as the second pair of opening flights had a combined total of (275) entries.  Of that number, a total of (33) players bagged chips for Monday's Day 2.  Tracy Scala bagged the Flight 1C chip lead (286,500), besting Michael Marks by almost 30,000 chips.  Scala earns entry into next week's $1,100 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante, but more importantly, puts himself in great position for a deep Day 2 run.  Nathan Schwartz bagged the Flight 1D chip lead (495,000), which also happens to be the overall largest stack.

A look at the tournament's numbers sees a combined total of (489) entries to this point, which equates to a $74,328 prize pool.  The $100,000 guaranteed number will likely be surpassed in the early stages of tonight's evening flight (Flight 1F), with Sunday's action just padding the pool.  It was clear from the beginning that this was going to be a special tournament, and players are taking notice.  

Tournaments: Today continues the month's last multi, as the holiday weekend action continues for the $200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD).  The event runs through Monday (May 28th), with a pair of flights on the schedule for each of the next two days (an 11:00am and 6:00pm).  The tournament is structured with 20,000 unit starting stacks, and levels that last (30) minutes.  Registration for the opening flights is open through Level 8 (and the break that follows).  Each (afternoon) starting flight is scheduled to conclude after Level 16, which falls somewhere around 7:30pm, or if the 10% mark is reached (players remaining in the field).  The chip lead bonus is back, as the top stack from each opening flight will earn a seat into next week's $1,100 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante ($50,000 GTD).

There is also a satellite for the $200 NLH ($100,000 GTD) on the schedule (each of the next three days), with the action getting underway at 2:00pm.  Today's $50 NLH Satellite has (5) seats guaranteed, and is structured with 8,000 unit starting stacks, and levels that last (15) minutes.  Registration for each of the satellites is open through Level 8, with players having until approximately 4:30pm to join the action.

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 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 - $200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD) Flight 1E

- Players start with 20,000 in tournament chips
- Late and re-entries for the first (8) levels
- Alternates and late entries will start with a full stack
- Level will last (30) minutes throughout the event
- The top stack from the flight will earn a seat into the $1,100 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante ($50,000 GTD) on May 31st.

2:00pm - $50 No Limit Hold'em Satellite Into $200 NLH ($100,000 GTD) *5 Seats GTD*

- Players start with 8,000 in tournament chips
- Late and re-entries for the first (8) levels
- Alternates and late entries will start with a full stack
- Level will last (15) minutes

6:00pm - $200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD) Flight 1F

- Players start with 20,000 in tournament chips
- Late and re-entries for the first (8) levels
- Alternates and late entries will start with a full stack
- Level will last (30) minutes throughout the event
- The top stack from the flight will earn a seat into the $1,100 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante ($50,000 GTD) on May 31st.

$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1D): Official End Of Flight 1D Chip Counts

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 14 (Blinds 1,200/2,400/400)
Total Flight 1D Entries: 167
Flight 1D Players Remaining: 18

NathanSchwartz D495,000
PatrickBiancone298,500
NormanSimmons273,000
NasimTukhi256,500
DavidKahan255,000
UriTenenboim251,500
SeanNasciemento183,500
KenBruno165,500
MaanThakur161,000
SagiZommer139,000
KarenDuffy138,500
RobertChusid136,500
CourtlandTwyman123,500
CamilloPoerio118,000
ZyadQasem94,000
BillyMichel92,500
OmarYates92,000
DiegoAlejandro Gonzalez76,000