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

$150 No Limit Hold'em

$50,000 GTD

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

Total Flight 1G Entries: 119

Flight 1G Players Remaining: 11

Brent	Cahoon	366,000
Alvaro	Perez	347,000
Norman	Boothe	306,000
Daniel	Chlimper	268,000
Osman	Nasir	252,000
Lukas	Pribyl	222,000
John	Magnetta	180,000
TJ	Shulman	141,000
Alvaro	Vivas Grisales	128,000
Michael	Scheinberg	119,000
Rodolfo	Miret	53,000

$150 NLH $50,000 GTD (Flight 1G): Last Scheduled Level Of Play, Trying To Find Those Bags

$150 No Limit Hold'em

$50,000 GTD

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

Total Flight 1G Entries: 119

Flight 1G Players Remaining: 15

Flight 1G just entered Level 16, which is the final scheduled level of the afternoon/evening.  If the field happens to hit the 10% mark prior to the level's end (12 players), the clock will then be paused, and the bagging process will commence.  Regardless of when the flight ends, official chip counts from Flight 1G will be posted shortly after the bagging process has wrapped.

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

$150 No Limit Hold'em

$50,000 GTD

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

Total Flight 1G Entries: 119

Flight 1G Players Remaining: 19

$150 NLH $50,000 GTD (Flight 1G): Previewing The March Tournament Calendar

$150 No Limit Hold'em

$50,000 GTD

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

Total Flight 1G Entries: 119

Flight 1G Players Remaining: 24

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 1G): Noe Acosta Doubles Through John Magnetta, Ladders Up The Leaderboard

$150 No Limit Hold'em

$50,000 GTD

Level 12 (Blinds 1,000/2,000/2,000)

Total Flight 1G Entries: 119

Flight 1G Players Remaining: 28

Noe Acosta (Deerfield Beach, FL) didn't seem to love the idea of calling off his stack with a four club board (having flopped a ten-high flush), but didn't mind seeing that he had his opponent drawing dead.

When we approached Table 3, Noe Acosta and John Magnetta would be heads-up on the turn, of a board that read 6♣ J♣ A♣ 9♣.  Acosta had just put a bet out (unfortunately, the exact amount isn't known), with Magnetta quickly dropping in a raise to 45,000.  Acosta didn't look too pleased about the situation, but surprisingly announced himself all-in, to which Magnetta asked for a count.  It would be another 40,000 for John to call, which he begrudgingly chose to do:

Acosta: 10♣ 4♣

Magnetta: A♥ 3♥

River: 9♠

When the cards were tabled, Acosta would have the hand locked up, with Magnetta drawing dead.  John lost close to 30% of his stack, and fell out of the chip lead after the loss.  Acosta, on the other hand, is now sitting with a top five stack in the field.

Noe Acosta - 170,000 (85bb)

John Magnetta - 135,000 (67bb)

$150 NLH $50,000 GTD (Flight 1G): Valeria Ligeiro Flips Well, Doubles to Above Average Stack

$150 No Limit Hold'em

$50,000 GTD

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

Total Flight 1G Entries: 119

Flight 1G Players Remaining: 35

Valeria Ligeiro already fired once in this event, but she's looking much better this time around, having doubled up moments ago.

At Table 2, pre-flop action would see two players limp for 1,200 (this was one of the final Level 10 hands), and the small blind complete his bet.  Action would then be on Valeria Ligeiro, who would three-bet shove out of the big (for 33,600).  It looked like a classic spot for a squeeze play, and her opponent (who limped under the gun) seemed to feel the same way.  He cut out the chips for a call, gave it about one minute of thought, and placed the chips across his cards.  The two other players in the hand released, and the cards were tabled:

Ligeiro: 8♦ 8♣

A. Nonymous: A♣ Q♦

Runout: 10♦ 6♥ 2♣ K♠ 4♠

Things got a little sweaty on turn for Valeria, as her opponent gained extra outs, but she was able to fade and double.  She is know above average, sitting with a stack of 75,000.

$150 NLH $50,000 GTD (Flight 1G): Second Look At Updated Chip Counts From The Flight 1G Field

$150 No Limit Hold'em

$50,000 GTD

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

Total Flight 1G Entries: 119

Flight 1G Players Remaining: 47

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

Fernando Pages - 190,000 (158bb)
John Magnetta - 115,000 (95bb)
Steve Fassberg - 110,000 (91bb)
Alvaro Grisales - 95,000 (79bb)
Michael Weinberg - 85,000 (70bb)
Rudy Miret - 77,000 (64bb)
Eric Kolodny - 70,000 (58bb)
TJ Shulman - 65,000 (54bb)

$150 NLH $50,000 GTD (Flight 1G): Second To Last Flight Reaches New Heights, Flight 1G Closes With (119) Entries

$150 No Limit Hold'em

$50,000 GTD

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

Total Flight 1G Entries: 119

Flight 1G Players Remaining: 52

Players are back from their second break of the day, with Flight 1G becoming the largest of the seven flights to have been played.  Registration closed with (119) entries, and a prize pool of $13,447, which brings the tournament's overall number to $66,331.  Of the total Flight 1G entries, (52) still remain, all hoping to reach the end of flight bagging process.  Updated chip counts from the field will be posted at the beginning of Level 10.  

$150 NLH $50,000 GTD (Flight 1G): After Grabbing An Early Chip Lead, Eric Kolodny Heading On Registration Break In Same Spot

$150 No Limit Hold'em

$50,000 GTD

Level 8 (Blinds 400/800/800)

Total Flight 1G Entries: 113

Eric Kolodny (North Miami Beach, FL) is down from his peak number of 140,000, but still leads the Flight 1G field, with just one level of open registration remaining. 

To this point in the tournament, we've seen a lot of big stacks emerge from the completed fields, most of which reached their peak numbers towards the end of the flight (as one would imagine).  What we haven't seen yet, was a player quickly separate themselves from the rest of the field, like Eric Kolodny (North Miami Beach, FL) has done today.  

Eric has over 100,000 just a few levels into the day, and has continued to trend in the right direction since.  His tournament form has been very good as of late, recording two cashes in the WSOP Circuit that's wrapping up at Coconut Creek.  Kolodny finished 16th in Event #2 ($400 No Limit Hold'em) for $4,847, and followed that up with an 11th place finish in Event #9 ($400 Pot Limit Omaha), which was worth $703.

As player prepare to head on their second break (which will signify the end of registration), Eric leads the field with a stack of 115,000 to begin Level 8.

Eric Kolodny - 115,000 (143bb)

$150 NLH $50,000 GTD (Flight 1G): Thomas Gari Can't Catch A Break, As Things Come Up Roses For William Swicicki

$150 No Limit Hold'em

$50,000 GTD

Level 7 (Blinds 300/600/600)

Total Flight 1G Entries: 109

William Swicicki (Tamarac, FL) looked to be doubling up Thomas Gari, but instead, found himself a pot of 30,000 chips being pushed his way.

This tournament will not go in the highlight reel for Thomas Gari (Hollywood, FL), who has multiple failed attempts at bagging chips.  The savvy tournament veteran has run deep in two different flights, but watched as the ugly side of variance reared it's head, causing him to fall short of the bagging process.  Gari's head was left spinning after his most recent bustout hand, as he got it all-in with J♠ 8♣ (against William Swicicki), on a board that read 10♣ 8♠ 6♦ J♦.  When the cards were tabled, Thomas would see that he was up against A♣ 10♠, and only needed to fade five outs.  

The A♠ would hit the river (giving Swicicki a better two-pair), as Gari stared down at the board for about ten seconds, while the dealer pushed the pot William's way.  We do not yet know if Thomas will be re-entering this flight, waiting until tonight's flight, or passing on both of those options.

William Swicicki - 75,000 (125bb)

$150 NLH $50,000 GTD (Flight 1G): For Maurice Hawkins, "Home Is Where The Heart Is"

$150 No Limit Hold'em

$50,000 GTD

Level 6 (Blinds 300/500/500)

Total Flight 1G Entries: 95

Maurice Hawkins (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) earned $571,000 last year via tournament cashes, which stands as his second best year (statistically).

One of the major events going on across the country happens to be in Las Vegas, as the US Poker Open is currently in the middle of it's series at the Aria.  The US Poker Open and Poker Masters, are two series that run outside of the WSOP, and highly considered some of the most prestigious event a player can enter.  It's rare that you'll see a player that's taken runner-up in a Poker Masters event, sitting a $150 No Limit Hold'em ($50,000 GTD) tournament, but that just happened moments ago.

Well known tournament professional Maurice Hawkins (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) took his seat in the Flight 1G field before break, on a mission to add to his already impressive resume.  With over $3,525,000 in lifetime earnings, Hawkins is far and away the most accomplished player in today's field...so it makes one wonder why he's not trying to get one of those US Poker Open titles (after finishing second in the $10,000 No Limit Hold'em "Short Deck" event at last year's Poker Masters, earning $115,500).  

"Just wanted to be home, close to home and my family," Hawkins replied, when asked he why he bypassed the series.  Hawkins has always been one to put family first, and we are happy to have him here at the Isle Poker Room.

Some other late arriving notables into the Flight 1G field include:

TJ Shulman
Rudy Miret
John Magnetta
Michael Schneiderman

$150 NLH $50,000 GTD (Flight 1G): An Early Look At Updated Chip Counts From The Flight 1G Field

$150 No Limit Hold'em

$50,000 GTD

Level 5 (Blinds 200/400/400)

Total Flight 1G Entries: 89

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 1G field:

Erik Kolodny - 100,000 (250bb)

Alvaro Grisales - 75,000 (187bb)

Francklin Michel - 50,000 (125bb)

Richard Riviello - 43,000 (107bb)

Glen Gion - 40,000 (100bb)

Elliot Goldman - 35,000 (87bb)

Terry Siele - 31,000 (77bb)

Lesley Cutler - 30,000 (75bb)

$150 NLH $50,000 GTD (Flight 1G): Lesley Cutler In Search Of Her First "Breakout" Score

$150 No Limit Hold'em

$50,000 GTD

Level 4 (Blinds 200/300/300)

Total Flight 1G Entries: 74

Lesley Cutler (Dania Beach, FL) wasn't going to give up after a failed effort at bagging chips, and now finds herself in the second to last flight of the tournament.

While we make note of players that have hundreds of thousands in earnings, there are "notables" that have less than $10,000 in earnings.  Lesley Cutler (Dania Beach, FL) is a "frequent flyer" in events here at the Isle Poker Room, many of which are recurring tournaments.  She does have over $5,871 in lifetime earnings, with only one of the (10) career cashes coming in a multi-flight event.  That result actually happens to be her most recent score, when she took 118th place in the $250 No Limit Hold'em "Seminole Turnpike Series."

Lesley tried bagging chips earlier in the week, but after that effort was unsuccessful, she's back in this afternoon's field.  Cutler headlines the second look at notables in the field, joining the likes of: 

Benjamin Robinson

Zaki Lichaa

Steven Lake

Valeria Ligeiro

Brent Cahoon

Joseph Ryan

Alvaro Grisales

Paul Batten

Elliot Goldman

Thomas Gari

Players will be heading on their first break at the end of this level, with updated counts from the field posted once play resumes.

$150 NLH $50,000 GTD (Flight 1G): After A Career Best Year, Steven Bennett Hoping To Record First Score Of 2019

$150 No Limit Hold'em

$50,000 GTD

Level 3 (Blinds 100/200/200)

Total Flight 1G Entries: 59

Steven Bennett (Deerfield Beach, FL) was one of the first notables spotted in the field, hoping to bag chips, and notch his first tournament cash of 2019.

As we mentioned yesterday, it doesn't surprise us to see some of the "bigger" named notables in this tournament's field, even with the $1,700 No Limit Hold'em WSOP Circuit Main Event going on (at Coconut Creek).  With Day 2 resuming at 12:00pm for that tournament, players that were unable to bag (along with those that get eliminated over the course of the day), are likely to take the quick ride over here.  

Steven Bennett (Deerfield Beach, FL) is a tournament veteran with just under $800,000 in lifetime tournament earnings.  Almost one-third ($262,871) of that number was won in the past twelve months, making 2018 the most successful year of tournament poker for Bennett.  His year was highlighted by a four-way chop during Event #1 ($570 No Limit Hold'em) of the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown, in which he took first place for $186,308. 

Steven has yet to have recorded a cash in 2019, but made sure he was in today's field early, hoping to take advantage of a full day of poker.  Some other notables in this early field include:

Seymour Field

Arthur Lucas

Bernie Boudle

Howard Foster

Amy Lawson

Alan Greenstein

Hashim Burney

Terry Siele 

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

$150 No Limit Hold'em

$50,000 GTD

Level 2 (Blinds 100/200)

Total Flight 1G Entries: 38

$150 NLH $50,000 GTD (Flight 1G): With A Prize Pool Already Above $52,000, These Final Pair Of Flights Expected To Attract Strong Numbers

$150 No Limit Hold'em

$50,000 GTD

Level 1 (Blinds 100/100)

Total Flight 1G Entries: N/A

When this tournament was announced to the public, the sentiment was that the $50,000 guarantee would be eclipsed pretty easily, but nobody thought that it would happen on Saturday.  After yesterday's solid showing (213) combined entries), this $150 No Limit Hold'em ($50,000 GTD) event enters it's final pair of flights, with a prize pool of $52,884.  That means that the numbers from today's Flight 1G and Flight 1H, will just "pad" the overall prize pool, and make the payouts "healthier."

The cards got in the air just moments ago for Flight 1G, with players hoping to join the (50) names that have already bagged chips for tomorrow's Day 2 (12:00pm).  As have those in the flights that came before this, players will be sitting down to starting stacks of 20,000 units, with levels that last (30) minutes (and registration that is open through Level 8).

A full list of Day 2 chip counts will be posted during our Level 2 update, followed by a look at some of the notables in today's early crowd.

Sunday, February 17th: With A Prize Pool Already Over $52,000, The $150 No Limit Hold'em ($50,000 GTD) Has Become A "Can't Miss" Event

ICYMI: When we look back at the $150 No Limit Hold'em ($50,000 GTD), we will consider Saturday the day that "made" the tournament a special one.  After four opening flights came and went without eclipsing the century mark (in terms of entries), yesterday's pair of flights both cruised past the number.  There was a combined total of (213) entries over the course of the day, with Flight 1E attracting (103) entries, and Flight 1F closing with (110) entries.  From that number, (22) players bagged chips for Day 2, joining the (28) that booked tickets on Thursday and Friday.  Kenneth Berman still sits atop the overall leaderboard, as the Flight 1E (Pedro Palacio - 321,000) and Flight 1F (Gilberto Vega - 347,000), could not eclipse his number.

Heading into the final day of action for the event, we have a total of (468) entries, of which (50) players are scheduled to return for Day 2.  The prize pool of $52,884 has already eclipsed the posted guarantee, so today's final pair of flights will just add "padding" to the final number.

Tournaments: The $150 No Limit Hold'em ($50,000 GTD) opening stage wraps up today, with the final pair of flights, as well as final satellite for the event.  The action begins at 11:00am, with Flight 1G 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 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 1H) 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 1G

- 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 1H

- 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 1F): Official End Of Flight 1F Chip Counts

$150 No Limit Hold'em

$50,000 GTD

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

Total Flight 1F Entries: 110

Flight 1F Players Remaining: 11

Gilberto	Vega	347,000
Dave	Recke	343,000
Renato	Paiva	301,000
Gloria	Jackson	263,000
Scott	Bailey	196,000
Jacobo	Milhem	183,000
James	McCaffrey	148,000
Andre	Tapia	138,000
Jose	Ordila	109,000
Joseph	Biegler	108,000
Hollander	Preap	66,000