Isle Open Event #11 (Day 1A): Official End Of Day 1A Chip Counts

2018 Isle Open | Event #11
$1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event  ($300,000 GTD)
Level 9 (Blinds 500/1,000/1,000)
Total Event #11 Entries: 76
Day 1A Players Remaining: 30

Joseph	DiPascale	275,000
Mack	Ham	220,200
Loni	Harwood	193,300
Marvin	Rettenmaier	163,600
Michael	Garavuso	148,700
Ron	Lane	139,600
Waldemar	Wasilewski	135,100
Skip	McDonough	128,000
Jeffrey	Saunders	116,500
Rodney	Moret-Rojas	114,300
Neil	Blumenfield	105,300
Fred	White	105,000
Dylan	Malcomson	102,000
Daniel	Stosiukiewicz	100,400
Oscar	Valdes	96,000
Heinz	Schluter	90,900
Josias	Santos	85,400
Josh	Kay	84,900
Ido	Ashkenazi	83,600
Erik	Christensen	81,600
Stephen	Horne	79,400
Rafael	Reis	70,100
Luis	Zedais	67,200
Brian	Hastings	53,000
Raminder	Singh	50,600
Victor	Figueroa	42,100
Juan	Martinez	41,600
Zani	Resucaska	39,200
James	Calderero	37,700
Kevin	Chan	27,200

Isle Open Event #11 (Day 1A): ICYMI...Tom Gity Wins Event #10 ($2,500 No Limit Hold'em 8-Max)

2018 Isle Open | Event #11
$1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event  ($300,000 GTD)
Level 8 (Blinds 400/800/800)
Total Event #11 Entries: 73

Yesterday's headlining tournament of the day was Event #11 of the Isle Open, a $2,500 No Limit Hold'em 8-Max.  In a field that consisted of some of the most notable names in the high-roller community, is was Tom Gity (Pompano Beach, FL) coming out on top. The $29,000 he earned for first place (in a heads-up chop) was the second largest recorded cash of Gity's career, and puts moves him into the 5th spot on the all-time cashes list here at the Isle Poker Room.  Full results from the event are listed below:

1. Tom Gity (Pompano Beach, FL) $29,000
2. Heinz Schluter (Germany) $27,672
3. Joshua Kay (Delray Beach, FL) $11,040
4. Ian O'Hara (Coral Springs, FL) $5,888

Isle Open Event #11 (Day 1A): Joseph Dipascale Climbs The Leaderboard, First To Eclipse 200,000

2018 Isle Open | Event #11
$1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event  ($300,000 GTD)
Level 7 (Blinds 300/600/600)
Total Event #11 Entries: 72

Joseph Dipascale (Naples, FL) just won a 120,000+ pot with pocket kings, which helped him become the first player in the field to eclipse the 200,000 mark.

Joseph Dipascale (Naples, FL) has now assumed the chip lead, becoming the first player to eclipse the 200,000 mark.  James has $211,793 in lifetime earnings, almost half of which came during his WSOP Main Event run last year.  Joseph finished in 69th place in the $10,000 No Limit Hold'em event, which was good for a return of $101,444.  Dispascale has yet to record any tournament results in 2018, but with the way things are looking this afternoon, a cash in this Isle Open Main Event seems to be a formality. 

Joseph Dipascale - 220,000 (366bb)

Isle Open Event #11 (Day 1A): Members Of The Century Club, As Day 1A Rounds The Homestretch

2018 Isle Open | Event #11
$1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event  ($300,000 GTD)
Level 6 (Blinds 300/500/500)
Total Event #11 Entries: 65

Mack Ham (Atlanta, GA) will head to the third break of the day as the chip leader, and looks to become the first player to eclipse the 200,000 mark.

The remaining Day 1A players are about to head on their second to last break of the flight, and will be returning to Level 7, with new blinds of 300/600/600.  There are six players to have eclipsed the century mark, led by Mack Ham.  Ham is a traveling tournament professional (who hails from Atlanta, GA), who has over $188,000 in lifetime earnings.  Mack is only a month removed from his largest tournament cash, when he finished runner-up in the WSOPC $2,200 NLH High Roller at Coconut Creek ($29,848).  The list of players to head to break with stacks over 100,000 is posted below:

Mack Ham- 195,000 (390bb)

Ron Lane - 140,000 (280bb)

Michael Garavuso - 140,000 (280bb)

Slip McDonough - 115,000 (230bb)

Juan Martinez - 110,000 (220bb)

Neil Blumenfield - 110,000 (220bb)

Isle Open Event #11 (Day 1A): It's Now A Family Affair For The Calderaro's

2018 Isle Open | Event #11
$1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event  ($300,000 GTD)
Level 6 (Blinds 300/500/500)
Total Event #11 Entries: 57

James Calderaro's son (who is also named James) won seat into the main during this morning's satellite, and is now in action at Table 10.

This morning's $175 No Limit Hold'em Satellite into the main event finished up just a few minutes ago, with one spot being awarded a seat into the main, and a second place spot earning cash.  The winner of the satellite wasted no time jumping into Day 1A, as James Calderaro sat at Table 10 moments ago.  If the name sounds familiar...it should because James is the son of poker veteran James "Caldo" Calederaro.  The elder of the Calderero (who is currently seated at Table 1) has over $4,157,000 in lifetime tournament earnings, including a WPT title, and WSOP bracelet.  Reseach hasn't yielded any results on Hendon Mob for the youngest Calderaro, but there is no better time than now, to record a cash to kick off the resume.

Isle Open Event #11 (Day 1A): Updated Chip Counts At The Day's Midway Point

2018 Isle Open | Event #11
$1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event  ($300,000 GTD)
Level 5 (Blinds 200/400/400)
Total Event #11 Entries: 52

With players now back from their second break of the day, and half the way through Level 5, we have  reached the midway point of Day 1A.  Listed below, are some updated chip counts from the field:

Dylan Malcomson - 85,000

Juan Martinez - 75,000

Ido Ashkenazi - 70,000

Michael Garavuso - 63,000

Brian Hastings - 60,000

Kharlin Sued - 59,000

Skip McDonough - 57,000

Neil Bumenfield - 55,000

Stu Paterson - 48,000

Isle Open Event #11 (Day 1A): Deepstacks Charity Classic Reminder, Now Just Over One Week Away (Play With Phil Hellmuth And Norman Chad)

2018 Isle Open | Event #11
$1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event  ($300,000 GTD)
Level 4 (Blinds 200/300/300)
Total Event #11 Entries: 48

Join us November 1-4, 2018 for the Deep Stack Charity Classic, one of the most sought out poker events in the state!

Adding to our tradition of bringing you the Greatest Poker Celebrities in the World, one of the most celebrated poker players in history, poker legend Phil Hellmuth, will be joining the Deep Stack Charity Classic. Phil just won his unprecedented 15th WSOP Championship Bracelet and also holds the WSOP world record for the most cash finishes (136) and most final tables (57). Known throughout the poker community as one of the finest hosts of charity tournaments in the world, it will be a real treat to have Phil work his magic the entire weekend. Phil loves the Charity Classic and its players so much, that he can’t wait to return this year! 

The Deep Stack Charity Classic is also proud to welcome two ladies who are among the most acclaimed members of the Poker Halls of Fame. Linda Johnson and Jan Fisher, individually or collectively, have created or managed most of what has made the game of poker better for the players of the world, including the WPT, the TDA, the Poker Players Alliance and Cardplayer

Poker Cruises. Plus, they were two of the founders of Poker Gives, a nationally acclaimed charity and continue to be in demand for their unsurpassed seminars and coaching.

One of the highlights every year at the Charity Classic is the chance to get personally “Whamboozled” by ESPN’s WSOP Television Star, the hugely entertaining Norman Chad. As an encore treat, Norman returns to us to co-host a day of cash, prizes and “waking up with pocket aces.” 

Additionally, we will once again be sending the ENTIRE FINAL TABLE (and their guests) to The Venetian Las Vegas! The first Royal Flush could win a Spectacular Rolex, and we're again adding Super Royal Flush Grand Prizes! The first Royal Flush that occurs on the Flop will win a Sensational $15,000 Jewelry Shopping Spree!

Unless, of course, it’s a Diamond Royal Flush...then the First Diamond Royal Flush on the flop wins a $100,000 Prize Package, including a Magnificent 2018 Ultra Luxury Car valued at $69,000… with a Trunk Full of CASH!

On top of all of that, the event will feature thousands of dollars worth of door prizes, over $10,000worth of raffle prizes, the Spectacular Royal Flush Prizes, a delectable “over-the-top” meal from Farmer's Pick Buffet, legendary and iconic poker celebrities, and the very best prize packages anywhere (boasting over $70,000 in prizes GUARANTEED, with all of the top 10% awarded).  

Isle Open Event #11 (Day 1A): As The Day 1A Field Grows, So Does The List Of Notables In The Field

2018 Isle Open | Event #11
$1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event  ($300,000 GTD)
Level 4 (Blinds 200/300/300)
Total Event #11 Entries: 46

Brian Hastings (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) has been a regular on the Isle Poker Room tournament scene (larger buy-in events), and is currently in the running to potentially bag Day 2 chips for this main event.

An opening day that was predicted to get (60) entries, is now well above that pace, in part to the large group of late arriving players to the field (which is expected with this buy-in and structure).  Any player joining the action now would sit down to over (100) big blinds, which is still a beyond manageable stack to start the day with.  Some of the most recent entries to the Day 1A field include:

Stuart Patterson
Steven Bennett
Juan Martinez
Erik Christensen
Phil Hui
Kharlin Sued
Michael Zonenashvili
Josias Santos
Frederic White
Mark Dube
Brian Hastings

Isle Open Event #11 (Day 1A): A Little International Flare, As Marvin Retenmaier Heinz Schulter Join The Field

2018 Isle Open | Event #11
$1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event  ($300,000 GTD)
Level 3 (Blinds 100/200/200)
Total Event #11 Entries: 43

Marvin Rettenmaier (Germany) comes from a place that seems to breed some of the best tournament players in the world, and showed his prowess right away, by winning the first ever tournament he played here at the Isle.

It's not often that we see players from outside the United States in these events during a series, but with WPT BestBet (Jacksonville) just finishing up, a handful of players have decided to stick around the "Sunshine State."  Both players are from Germany, one of which needs no introduction at all.  Marvin Rettenmaier (Germany) has been widely known as one of the most successful tournament players in the world, with over $6,832,000 in lifetime earnings (live).  Marvin has titles from the World Poker Tour, European Poker Tour, IPT, and WSOP (Asia Pacific).  He also happens to have an Isle Open title to his name, winning the $1,100 No Limit Hold'em (Six-Max), that wrapped up action this past Tuesday.  Rettenmaier earned $11,700 for the win, and got his week here at the Isle Casino Pompano Park started strong.

Also in the field from Germany, is Heinz Schulter, who finished runner-up in yesterday's $2,500 No Limit Hold'em (8-Max).  Schulter made a deal with Isle Poker notable Tom Gity (Pompano Beach, FL) taking home $27,672 for his second place share of the deal.  

Isle Open Event #11 (Day 1A): Moret-Rojas Returns To The Felt, Just Days After Shipping The Event #6 Trophy

2018 Isle Open | Event #11
$1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event  ($300,000 GTD)
Level 3 (Blinds 100/200/200)
Total Event #11 Entries: 38

Rodney Moret-Rojas (Troy, MI) got his hands on an Isle Open trophy just five days ago, and is in today's Day 1A field, looking to repeat the feat.

Players just returned from their first break of the day, and are now posting blinds of 100/200/200 in Level 3.  One of the most recent entries, also happens to be one of our newest Isle Open champions, as Rodney Moret-Rojas (Troy, MI) joined the action during Level 2.  Moret-Rojas was part of a group of four players to chop Event #6 ($360 No Limit Hold'em), with Rodney earning first place money and the trophy ($25,711).  The score was the second largest of Rodney's career, and helped him bring his career earnings north of $80,000.  This has been a landmark year for Moret-Rojas, who won his first WSOP Circuit ring earlier in February, taking down Event #7 ($3605 No Limit Hold'em "Monster Stack") of the series ($34,704).  

After a 2017 in which he earned $8,723 in tournament cashes (his first year on the scene), Rodney is just a small result away from eclipsing $100,000 in earnings this year (he currently has $97,985).  

Isle Open Event #11 (Day 1A): Dylan Malcomson More Than Doubles His Starting Stack, Just Over An Hour Into Play

2018 Isle Open | Event #11
$1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event  ($300,000 GTD)
Level 2 (Blinds 100/100/100)
Total Event #11 Entries: 36

Dylan Malcomson sits with a sense of comfort, having more than doubled his Day 1A starting stack, to a number that some players would be happy to bag at the end of this flight.

With 40,000 unit starting stacks, and levels of (50) minutes, it's extremely rare to see players get stacks in, this early in the proceedings.  We heard a "seat open" call from Table 9, and while the action from the hand is unknown, Dylan Malcomson was the recipient of a massive pot (for this stage in the day).  His 40,000 unit starting stack is now over 90,000, making him the clear chip leader to start the day.

Dylan Malcomson - 92,000 (920bb)

Isle Open Event #11 (Day 1A): Jay Romano In Action Early, Looking For Back-To-Back Six Figure Scores

2018 Isle Open | Event #11
$1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event  ($300,000 GTD)
Level 1 (Blinds 100/100)
Total Event #11 Entries: 18

Jay Romano (Parkland, FL) won the Isle Open Main Event in 2013, and is looking to grab himself a second title at the end of this weekend. 

Jay Romano (Parkland, FL) has one recorded result on Hendon Mob this year...but it's a special one.  Romano reached the final table of the opening event during the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open.  The $570 No Limit Hold'em tournament had (3,064) entries, and an official prize pool of $1,532,000. After seven players were eliminated from the final table, the final three players made a deal, with Jay earning third place money (which was worth $160,000).  It was Romano's second six-figure cash of his career, with his first coming during the 2013 Isle Open Main Event ($2,500 No Limit Hold'em).  His career earnings are now $337,197, and while its been close to two months since the score, Romano is back in action this afternoon.  

Jay headlines the first look of notables in the Day 1A field, a list that includes names like:

David Poces

Arlene Vazquez

Kenneth Berman

Paul Shafran

Ido Ashkenazi

Isle Open Event #11 (Day 1A): Main Event Action Underway, With First Of Three Flights

2018 Isle Open | Event #11
$1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event  ($300,000 GTD)
Level 1 (Blinds 100/100)
Total Event #11 Entries: 18

After three weeks of tournaments, we have finally reached the $1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event of the Isle Open, which boasts a $300,000 guaranteed prize pool.  The structure for the event sees players sitting down to starting stacks of 40,000 units, with Level 1 through Level 12 lasting (50) minutes in length.  The levels with then transition after Level 13, and will last (60) minutes through the conclusion of the event.  Each of the three opening flights will play through Level 9, at which point those remaining will bag chips for Monday's Day 2. On Day 2, the first three levels of the day (Level 10 through Level 12) will still have open registration, with the window closing once the first hand is dealt in Level 13.

Last year's Isle Open Main Event (which was also a $1,500 No Limit Hold'em tournament), ended up attracting (404) entries, and had an official prize pool of $545,500.  Paul Balzano (Sunrise, FL) is the defending champion, as he earned $112,075 (along with the trophy).  As the Day 1A field gets settled in, we will allow for a few moments, before taking a look at our list of notables in this early afternoon.

ICYMI: "It's Time" (Best Bruce Buffer Voice), As The 2018 Isle Open Main Event ($1,500 NLH $300,000 GTD) It Upon Us

ICYMI: There was a lot of action during yesterday's tournament schedule, including Event #10, which was a $2,500 No Limit Hold'em (8-Max).  Official results from the tournament, along with the satellites that ran, have yet to been officially released.  Once they are disseminated to the media, we will bring you the results on the blog.

Tournaments: The 2018 Isle Open Main Event ($1,500 No Limit Hold'em $300,000 GTD) is finally upon us...the event that everyone has circled on their calendars.  The tournament carries one of the best structures a player can find anywhere in the area, with a few welcome additions.  Players in the event sit down to starting stacks of 40,000 units, and will be playing levels that last (50) minutes during open registration (Levels 1-12).  On Day 2, once the first hand is dealt in Level 13, the length will then transition to (60) minutes (and stay that way throughout the event).  Each of the Day 1's are scheduled to play through Level 9, at which point, those players that remain with begin bagging their chips for Day 2 (Monday).  This was something that was integrated into the Main Event during last year's Isle Classic main, and players loved it.  There is no dinner break, so players begin action at 12:00pm, and are usually out of the door no later than 8:30-9:00pm.

There are also two satellites for the main event on the schedule, with a $175 No Limit Hold'em Satellite Into Event #11 at 10:00am, and a $340 No Limit Hold'em Mega-Satellite Into Event #11 running at 6:00pm.

Promotions: The high hand period runs from 10:00am-12:00am (midnight), with the opportunity to win $400 every (30) minutes.  During that period, the promotion sees tournament players eligible 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).

In addition to the "standard" high hands, from 6:00pm through 12:00am, players are eligible for the "Super High Hands." Players that make a qualifying royal flush, will be awarded up to $3,000, depending on what game they are playing (No Limit Hold'em and Pot Limit Omaha are awarded the $3,000).  Players that make a qualifying straight flush, will be awarded up to $1,200, depending on what game they are playing (No Limit Hold'em and Pot Limit Omaha are awarded the $1,200).  Full rules and payouts are posted in the poker room, and on social media (Twitter and Facebook).

10:00am - 2018 Isle Open | $175 NLH Satellite Into Event #11 ($1,500 Isle Open Main Event)

- Players start with 12,000 in tournament chips

- Late and re-entries for the first (8) levels

- Alternates and late entries will start with a full stack

- Levels will last (20) minutes

12:00pm - 2018 Isle Open Event #11 | $1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event ($300,000 GTD) Day 1A

- Players start with 40,000 in tournament chips

- Late and re-entries for the first (12) levels

- Alternates and late entries will start with a full stack

- Levels 1-12 will last (50) minutes, with Levels 13+ transitioning to (60) minutes

6:00pm - 2018 Isle Open | $340 No Limit Hold'em "Mega-Satellite" Into Event #11 ($1,500 NLH Main Event $300,000 GTD)

- Players start with 15,000 in tournament chips

- Late and re-entries for the first (8) levels

- Alternates and late entries will start with a full stack

- Levels will last (25) minutes