$150 NLH $50,000 GTD (Flight 1E): Official End Of Flight 1E Chip Counts

$150 No Limit Hold'em

$50,000 GTD

Level 16 (Blinds 3,000/5,000/5,000)

Total Flight 1E Entries: 103

Flight 1E Players Remaining: 11

Pedro	Palacio	321,000
Joseph	Hernon	295,500
Craig	Witz	288,000
Harry	Eisenberg	272,000
Larry	Bass	227,500
Donald	Williams	192,000
Konstantinos	Hatzikontas	155,000
Ian	Cohen	138,000
Kris	Villanueva	88,500
Eugene	Aikes	63,500
Walter	Buss	20,500

$150 NLH $50,000 GTD (Flight 1E): Last Level Of Play, Bags Are Within Arm's Reach

$150 No Limit Hold'em

$50,000 GTD

Level 16 (Blinds 3,000/5,000/5,000)

Total Flight 1E Entries: 103

Flight 1E Players Remaining: 13

Flight 1E has entered it's final level, but it may be a "shortened" one.  While the afternoon is scheduled to end at this level's conclusion, if the 10% mark is reached before that point, the bagging process will begin then (when 11 players remain).  Flight 1A and Flight 1C (both afternoon flights before this) have finished as scheduled, but both nights flights (Flight 1B and Flight 1D) ended with over (20) minute left in the level.

Regardless of when things end, once the bags have been verified by tournament staff, we will have the official chip counts posted.

$150 NLH $50,000 GTD (Flight 1E): Official 2019 Battles At The Beach Schedule

$150 No Limit Hold'em

$50,000 GTD

Level 15 (Blinds 2,000/4,000/4,000)

Total Flight 1E Entries: 103

Flight 1E Players Remaining: 16

$150 NLH $50,000 GTD (Flight 1E): Two Tables Now Remain, Full List Of Active Players

$150 No Limit Hold'em

$50,000 GTD

Level 14 (Blinds 2,000/3,000/3,000)

Total Flight 1E Entries: 103

Flight 1E Players Remaining: 17

Level 14 started minutes ago, with blinds going up to 2,000/3,000/3,000, and a chip average of 114,000. There are two tables left in the Flight 1E tournament area, with (18) seats occupied, by the following players:

Table 1

1. Ian Cohen
2. Cesar Fuentes 
3. Guillermo Hamilton
4. Larry Bass 
5. Dino Hatzi
6. Harry Eisenberg
7. Walter Buss
8. Joseph Hernon

Table 3

1. Craig Witz
2. Pedro Palacio
3. Robert Mikuski
4. David Poces
5. Sal Popolo
6. Kris Villanueva
7. Gene Alkes
8. Donald Williams
9. Rafael Perez

$150 NLH $50,000 GTD (Flight 1E): Updated Chip Counts After Flight's Final Break

$150 No Limit Hold'em

$50,000 GTD

Level 13 (Blinds 1,500/2,500/2,500)

Total Flight 1E Entries: 103

Flight 1E Players Remaining: 22

Players are back from their final break of the flight, and are now posting blinds of 2,000/3,000, with a 3,000 big blind ante.  Posted below, are updated chip counts from the field, tallied moments after play resumed: 

Joseph Hernon - 200,000 (80bb)

Cesar Fuentes - 180,000 (72bb)

Pedro Palacio - 170,000 (68bb)

Kris Villanueva - 160,000 (64bb)

Ian Cohen - 160,000 (64bb)

Harry Eisenberg - 130,000 (52bb)

David Poces - 105,000 (42bb)

Craig Witz - 100,000 (40bb)

$150 LH $50,000 GTD (Flight 1E): Previewing The March 2019 Tournament Calendar (Including The Battles At The Beach Schedule)

$150 No Limit Hold'em

$50,000 GTD

Level 11 (Blinds 800/1,600/1,600)

Total Flight 1E Entries: 103

Flight 1E Players Remaining: 32

We are only days away from the release of both the March Tournament Calendar, and the schedule for the 2019 Battles At The Beach.  Posted above, is a "blog followers" only preview of the March Tournament Calendar, which has not been made "official" just yet (meaning there could be changes to what you see).  The month begins with a $140 No Limit Hold'em ($50,000 GTD) over it's first weekend, but is highlighted by the Battles At The Beach series, which runs form March 17th through April 3rd.  The Battle's Main Event is a $1,500 No Limit Hold'em ($300,000 GTD), that runs from March 29th through April 3rd.  

$150 NLH $50,000 GTD (Flight 1E): Updated Chip Counts From The Flight 1E Field

$150 No Limit Hold'em

$50,000 GTD

Level 10 (Blinds 600/1,200/1,200)

Total Flight 1E Entries: 103

Flight 1E Players Remaining: 38

Players are now a level removed from the registration break, with action spread across tournament tables.  Listed below, are some of the top stacks from the remaining Flight 1E field:

Ian Cohen - 150,000 (125bb)

Lawrence Smith - 140,000 (116bb)

Rafael Perez - 135,000 (112bb)

Craig Witz - 105,000 (87bb)

Harry Eisenberg - 95,000 (79bb)

Karin Powsner - 75,000 (62bb)

Kris Villanueva - 65,000 (54bb)

$150 NLH $50,000 GTD (Flight 1E): First Flight To Eclipse The Century Mark, Overall Prize Pool Now Over $40,000

$150 No Limit Hold'em

$50,000 GTD

Level 9 (Blinds 500/1,000/1,000)

Total Flight 1E Entries: 103

Flight 1E Players Remaining: 46

With the first hand of Level 9 being dealt just a few minutes ago, registration for Flight 1E is now officially closed.  The fifth (of eight) flight attracted (103) total entries, of which (46) players still remain active in the field.  The $11,639 from this flight now brings the overall prize pool to $40,454, and makes reaching the guarantee tonight, a realistic possibility.

Updated chip counts from the field will be posted at the beginning of Level 10.

$150 NLH $50,000 GTD (Flight 1E): Featured Players Experiencing A Little "Blog Run Good"

$150 No Limit Hold'em

$50,000 GTD

Level 8 (Blinds 400/800/800)

Total Flight 1E Entries: 97

Kristopher Villanueva (North Olmstead, OH) has continued to trend in the right direction since being featured on the blog, along with both Ian Cohen, and Craig Witz.

There is a select group of players (very superstitious players) that believe there is such thing as a "blog curse."  They are featured on the blog for one reason or another (notables, winning big hand, possible chip leader), and immediately afterwards, lose a big pot (or a significant portion of their stack).  While we all know there is no such thing as a "blog curse," it's a wonder players don't speak of the "blog run good."

Of the four players to have been featured in today's coverage, three of them are currently holding top five stacks, led by Kristopher Villanueva (who has close to 170,000).  Ian Cohen has eclipsed the century mark, and Craig Witz is on his way to doing the same thing.

Level 8 just started moments ago, and will be the final level with open registration.  There will be a (10) minute break at it's conclusion, and once the cards are in the air for Level 9, open registration for Flight 1E will be closed.  Official numbers from the flight will then be posted, followed by our second look at updated chip counts from the field. 

$150 NLH $50,000 GTD (Flight 1E): Cohen Quickly Climbs The Leaderboard, As Dream Flop Leads To Nice Pot

$150 No Limit Hold'em

$50,000 GTD

Level 7 (Blinds 300/600/600)

Total Flight 1E Entries: 93

Ian Cohen (Las Vegas, NV) has seven tournament wins here at the Isle Poker Room, including a Battles At The Beach, and Florida State Poker Championship trophy.

Table 1 was passed at the conclusion of a hand between Ian Cohen and Jose Garcia, with Cohen the beneficiary of a close to 80,000 pot.  The final board read 5♦ 7♣ 3♣ 2♣ K♥, with Cohen having held 6♣ 8♣ (combo draw), against Garcia's 3♠ 3♦ (bottom set).   It was a cooler for Garcia, who sat with a blank stare, as the dealer cut down both player's stacks.  Once those proceedings were done, Cohen would clean up a pile of chips worth 79,000, while Garcia dipped down to below the starting stack.

Ian Cohen - 79,000 (131bb)

Jose Garcia - 17,000 (28bb)

$150 NLH $50,000 GTD (Flight 1E): So New...We Got His First Name Wrong, But Kristopher Vllanueva Is No Longer A Stranger

$150 No Limit Hold'em

$50,000 GTD

Level 6 (Blinds 300/500/500)

Total Flight 1E Entries: 89

Kristopher Villanueva (North Olmstead, OH) is looking to take his talents to South Florida, after putting together an impressive resume in the Tampa area, over the last two years.

While collecting chip counts from the field, one of the faces wasn't recognizable, so he offered up a license when asked his name.  The wrong first name was written down and listed (as Joseph Villanueva), but we were informed after break, that his correct name is Kristopher Villanueva (North Olmstead, OH).  Once learning the correct name, we then quickly researched his Hendon Mob resume...and Kris can no longer fly under the radar.  Since relocating to the Tampa-area in 2018, Villanueva has quickly amassed tournament earnings of $82,263, including a $16,400 win just two weeks ago, during a $150 No Limit Hold'em ($50,000 GTD) at Derby Lane.  

Kris also has a major title to his name, winning the $560 No Limit Hold'em "Labor Day Weekend" event at Tampa Hard Rock (which had a $100,000 guarantee).  Villanueva was awarded the lion's share of a deal, taking home $35,987 for first, with second place taking $15,806 (it's something you'll rarely see happen in the tournament community).

Villanueva is now one of the chip leaders in the Flight 1E field, and can no longer fly under the radar in this flight.

Kristopher Villanueva - 80,000 (160bb)

$150 NLH $50,000 GTD (Flight 1E): Early Updated Chip Counts From The Flight 1E Field

$150 No Limit Hold'em

$50,000 GTD

Level 5 (Blinds 200/400/400)

Total Flight 1E Entries: 80

Players have now returned from their first break of the day, and are posting new blinds of 200/400, with a 400 big blind ante.  Registration is open for another four levels, and will close after the conclusion of the next break (after Level 8).  Listed below, are some updated chip counts from the Flight 1E field:

Michael Spadafore - 52,000 (130bb)

Kristopher Villanueva - 45,000 (112bb)

Donald Williams - 44,000 (110bb)

Robert Makuski - 38,000 (95bb)

Blaine McRae - 37,000 (92bb)

Craig Witz - 37,000 (92bb)

Ian Cohen - 36,000 (90bb)

$150 NLH $50,000 GTD (Flight 1E): Everyone Wants To "Run Like Pedro"

$150 No Limit Hold'em

$50,000 GTD

Level 4 (Blinds 200/300/300)

Total Flight 1E Entries: 70

Pedro Palacio (Coconut Creek, FL) is just one of many notables in today's Flight 1E field, hoping to bag chips this afternoon, and get a well deserved day off.

Pedro Palacio (Coconut Creek, FL) is another notable in today's field, that likes to frequent all of the poker rooms in the South Florida area.  While he dabbles in cash games, his specialty is tournaments, a poker platform that he's seen a lot of success.  Palacio has over $400,000 in lifetime tournament earnings, all won in the past five years (he recorded his first result in 2014).  A little but of run good is needed for any poker player to be successful, and Pedro has managed to experience the better side of variance in some critical spots over his years.  It gives other players the impression that he's "lucky," which is just a tiny part of his game.  Pedro is a student of the game (who has put in tons of hours), and can only smile and laugh, when others say that they want to "run like Pedro."

Part of "running like Pedro" is putting yourself in low variance/high equity spots, which he's no stranger to doing...and hopes to do this afternoon.   Palacio headlines the second look at notables in the crowd, joining the likes of:

Arie Ben-Mayor

Garry Fitzgerald

Harry Eisenberg

Donald Williams

Michael Boykin

Stanton Drazen

Jeffrey Goodman

Lesley Cutler

Players will be taking their first break of the day at the end of this level, returning to Level 5, and new blinds of 200/400/400.  Once the cards are back in the air, we will take a first look at updated chip counts from the field.

$150 NLH $50,000 GTD (Flight 1E): Coming Off "Monster Stack" Final Table Run At WSOPC, Craig Witz Joins The Flight 1E Action

$150 No Limit Hold'em

$50,000 GTD

Level 3 (Blinds 100/200/200)

Total Flight 1E Entries: 62

Craig Witz (Hollywood, FL) had a very real shot at getting his hand on a WSOP Circuit ring earlier this week, but fell short of the ultimate goal.

Craig Witz (Hollywood, FL) is a tournament notable here at the Isle Poker Room, and while we would like to see him play every tournament here (just like all of our other notables), there are other venues and tournament he frequents.  When our notables travel around to play, we wish nothing but success, and never forget to highlight their accolades here on the blog.

Witz most recently ran deep in Event #8 of the WSOP Circuit at Coconut Creek ($400 No Limit Hold'em "Monster Stack"), reaching the tournament's final table.  With $37,914 up top, Craig had the opportunity to grab a career best cash, but ended up bowing out in 9th place (which was worth $2,830).  He is another player that decided to bypass the Main Event at Coconut Creek, and is hoping to find a nice score in this $150 No Limit Hold'em ($50,000 GTD) event.  It's likely that first place in this tournament will be above the $10,287 mark that Witz is looking to eclipse (his largest tournament cash), so he'll gladly take some of that recent run good over the next few days.

Some other notables in the field early this afternoon include:

Ian Cohen

Karin Powsner

Zaki Lichaa

Joel Lumpkins

Bruce Klein

Allan Steinberg

Blaine McRae

Domingo Santo

Peter Bedard

Alan Levin

Robert Chusid

$150 NLH $50,000 GTD (Flight 1E): Official Day 2 Chip Counts (Flight 1A-Flight 1D)

$150 No Limit Hold'em

$50,000 GTD

Level 2 (Blinds 100/200)

Total Flight 1E Entries: 48

$150 NLH $50,000 GTD (Flight 1E): Saturday's Action Expected To Bring Out Largest Fields Yet, Flight 1E To Get Underway In Moments

$150 No Limit Hold'em

$50,000 GTD

Level 1 (Blinds 100/100)

Total Flight 1E Entries: N/A

We are officially stepping across the halfway point of the $150 No Limit Hold'em ($50,000 GTD), as four flights have been completed, and four remain...with Flight 1E to begin in just a few moments.  The event is already on pace to eclipse the $50,000 guarantee, and depending on how today's flights pan out, we may be looking at a pretty eye-popping final number.

To this point of the tournament, there have been (255) total entries, of which (28) players have bagged chips for Monday's Day 2.  Kenneth Berman, who bagged the Flight 1C chip lead (yesterday afternoon), currently sits atop the overall leaderboard (with a stack of 450,000).  The $28,815 prize pool is already halfway to the posted number, with the remaining flights needing to average (47) entries to eclipse the $50,000 mark.  

Flight 1E players are about ready to get things started, sitting down to their stacks of 20,000 units.  Levels for the day will last (30) minutes, with registration open through Level 8 (and the ten minute break that follows).  A full list of Day 2 chip counts will be posted to start today's coverage, followed by a look at some of the notables in the early afternoon field. 

Saturday, February 16th: Big Numbers Expected, As The $150 No Limit Hold'em $50,000 GTD Continues To Impress

ICYMI: Yesterday's schedule hosted the second pair of starting flights for the $150 No Limit Hold'em ($50,000 GTD), with the numbers trending in the "right" direction.  The two flights attracted a total of (141) entries, with (74) in Flight 1C, and (67) in Flight 1D.  From that combined total, (16) players bagged chips for Monday's Day 2, led by Kenneth Berman.  His Flight 1C chip leading stack of 450,000 was the largest we've seen to that point in the tournament, and still stands atop the Day 2 counts, after Donna Papa-Yacobellis bagged the Flight 1D lead with 402,000.

At the midway point of the event, the $150 No Limit Hold'em ($50,000 GTD) now has a total of (255) entries, of which (28) players are scheduled to return for Day 2.  The current prize pool of $28,815 well ahead of pace needed to reach the guarantee, with the largest flights expected over the next (48) hours.  

Tournaments: The $150 No Limit Hold'em ($50,000 GTD) continues today, with the third pair of flights, as well as a satellite for the event.  The action begins at 11:00am, with Flight 1E of the $150 No Limit Hold'em ($50,000 GTD), which is the third of eight total flights.  The structure for the flight sees players sit down to starting stacks of 20,000 units, playing levels that last (30) minutes, and registration that is open through Level 8.

At 3:00pm, players can choose to take lesser expensive routes into the weekend's event, with a $40 No Limit Hold'em Satellite, guaranteeing five seats into the $150 No Limit Hold'em ($50,000 GTD).  The satellite is structured with 10,000 unit starting stacks, (15) minute levels, and registration that is open through Level 8.

The second flight (Flight 1F) then gets underway at 6:00pm, carrying the same structure as the afternoon flight before it (20,000 unit starting stacks, (30) minute levels, and registration through Level 8).

Promotions: The high hands will run from 9:00am-12:00am, 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.  

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).

From 12:00am-3:00am, the high hand will be awarded $100 every (60) minutes.

11:00am - $150 No Limit Hold'em ($50,000 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

- Levels will last (30) minutes

3:00pm - $40 No Limit Hold'em Satellite Into $150 No Limit Hold'em ($50,000 GTD) 5 Seats GTD

- Players start with 10,000 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 (15) minutes

6:00pm - $150 No Limit Hold'em ($50,000 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

- Levels will last (30) minutes

$150 NLH $50,000 GTD (Flight 1D): Official End Of Flight 1D Chip Counts

$150 No Limit Hold'em

$50,000 GTD

Level 16 (Blinds 3,000/5,000/5,000)

Total Flight 1D Entries: 67

Flight 1D Players Remaining: 7

Donna	Papa-Yacobellis	402,000
Kemball	Grant	282,000
Charles	Simon	256,000
Avi	Hakmon	143,000
Brett	Kelly	110,000
Juan	Reyes	77,000
Robert	Transue	71,000