Event 2 (Day 1A): Christensen Climbs As Dinner Break Starts

Event 2 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $100,000 GTD)
Level 8 (Blinds 300/600/75)
Total Day 1A Entries: 140
Day 1A Players Remaining: 62

Erik Christensen (Miami, FL)

As the last minutes of Level 8 wind down, the remaining players in the field prepare for their (45) minute dinner break (6:05-6:50pm).  With the field shrinking down as each minute passes, we are beginning to see some larger stacks emerge.  One of the top stacks heading to dinner belongs to Erik Christensen (Miami, FL), who sits with just over 140,000.

Christensen is coming off a solid 2016, in which he had $57,112 in recorded tournament earnings.  He most recently reached the final two tables of the RRPO $3,500 Championship at Hard Rock Hollywood, finishing in 19th place for $12,890.  Erik had (9) total cashes last year, all of which were over $1,400.  He's going to need a deep run in this event to keep that steak going, but is off to the kind of start that will help get kickstarted.

Blog coverage will return once the cards are in the air for Level 9 (approximately 7:00pm), and will continue through the later stages of today's flight.

Event 2 (Day 1A): Palace Looking To Build Towers

Event 2 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $100,000 GTD)
Level 7 (Blinds 250/500/50)
Total Day 1A Entries: 134
Day 1A Players Remaining: 70

John Palace (Jupiter, FL) and Alan Bieler (pictured left)

Players returned from their second break of the day just moments ago, and now that Level 7 has started, the field has transitioned to (50) minute levels.  We keep harping back to the great structure, and the opportunity to pick spots and be patient (opposed to "blinding out/down"), which makes certain decisions that much harder.

The action was picked up in a hand between John Palace and Evan Teitelbaum moments ago, as the two were looking down at a flop of A♠ 7♣ 3♥.  Palace was deciding whether to call a 4,000 bet from Teitelbaum, which was about 30% of Palace's stack.  John would eventually make the call, and as the dealer placed down the K♦ on the turn, Teitelbaum would raise his head to get a good look at Palace's remaining stack.  

Palace would check, followed by Teitelbaum putting out a bet that would be enough to put John all-in.  After about a minute of thought, Palace would make the call, and his 10♠ 10♣ would be in rough shape against the A♦ 5♦ of Teitelbaum.  John would need to find one of the two remaining tens on the river to double up, and with those odds, he stood and began to collect his things.  He'd be able to return to his seat though, as the 10♦ dropped on the river, giving him the double up and new life in this opening flight.  Palace now sits with just over the starting stack, but has a lot of work to do in order to catch up to his neighbor (Alan Bieler), who is the current chip leader with just over 100,000.

Event 2 (Day 1A): "Real Time" Structure Sheet

Event 2 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $100,000 GTD)
Level 6 (Blinds 250/500/50)
Total Day 1A Entries: 126
Day 1A Players Remaining: 75

With registration open throughout the day for each of this event's starting flights, one of the decisions for players is what time to arrive.  There are numerous inquiries from players via phone or email asking, "If I show up at 6:30pm, what will the blinds be?"  The guessing game is no over for those players, as the "real time" structure sheet is posted below, offering up the actual time of each level/break on the right hand side:

Level	Small Blind	Big Blind	Ante	Time
1	25	50		12:00-12:40pm
2	50	100		12:40-1:20pm
3	75	150		1:20-2:00pm
		(10 Minute Break)
4	100	200		2:10-2:50pm
5	150	300	25	2:50-3:30pm
6	200	400	50	3:30-4:10pm
		(10 Minute Break)
7	250	500	75	4:20-5:10pm
8	300	600	75	5:10-6:00pm
		(45 Minute Break)
9	400	800	100	6:45-7:35pm
10	500	1,000	200	7:35-8:25pm
		(10 Minute Break)
11	600	1,200	200	8:35-9:25pm
12	800	1,600	300	9:25-10:15pm
		(10 Minute Break)
13	1,000	2,000	300	10:25-11:15pm
14	1,200	2,400	400	11:15-12:05am
		(End of Day 1)

Event 2 (Day 1A): The Polls That Matter

Event 2 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $100,000 GTD)
Level 5 (Blinds 150/300/25)
Total Day 1A Entries: 119
Day 1A Players Remaining: 86

Poll Located On Top Right Corner Of Blog

The Isle Casino Poker Room has always been considered very "player friendly," with the room's management team constantly listening to suggestions from it's regulars  in order to better the room and overall player experience.  The players are now going to be able to have their voice heard even more, as we introduce the implementation of "polls" to the blog.  The subject of these poll questions will relate to everything from live game play, tournaments, food, etc.  The results will be seen by "the powers that be" that head the poker room, and will be very beneficial to both players and staff.  

The first poll relates to the cash game side of the room, and poses the question: What game would you like to see spread on a more frequent basis?  The answers are all games that are approved for the room, but are rarely seen spread.  One of the many things that makes this poker room great, is the opportunity to play so many different games.  There are only a handful of rooms across the country where games like 2-7 Triple Draw, Badugi, Badacey, Razz, and Pineapple (just to name a few) are even approved.  Don't know how to play some of those game?  Maybe an interest from players will allow for some lower limit games to be started, offering and opportunity to learn.  Maybe it's 1/2 PLO you'd like to see played, being that only 2/5 and higher are spread.

The current poll will be up until Sunday (January 8th) at 8:00pm, with the results then posted for everyone to see.  We will then continue with new polls over the course of the year, and will hopefully see the results make a difference.  Maybe we will see some new games spread across the room, and even gain some real interest from players.

Event 2 (Day 1A): Bengis First Out Of The Gates

Event 2 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $100,000 GTD)
Level 5 (Blinds 150/300/25)
Total Day 1A Entries: 114
Day 1A Players Remaining: 84

Richard Bengis (Stormville, NY)

With the structure as it is for this event, you don't really expect to see too many 100-200 big blind pots across the field in the early stages of the day.  We happened to be over by Table 4 as one unfolded, with five players calling a 1,400 raise (pre), heading to a flop of 10♥ 3♣ Q♦.  Richard Bengis (Stormville, NY) would lead for 2,200 (first to act), and then watch as one opponent shoved for just over 5,200, and another three-bet to 25,000 (having everyone in the hand covered) after two folds.  Bengis would announce himself all-in, and after the three-better called, the hands would be tabled.  Richard turned over 3♦ 3♥, having flopped bottom, set, and was up against Q♥ 9♥ (shorter shove) and K♦ K♣ (player putting Bengis at risk).

The turn would bring the 9♠, giving outs to one of his opponents, but after the 8♠ fell on the river, Bengis would be safely home with the win.  The dealer then counted down his stack, which was exactly 32,525, and he would scoop in a pot worth close to 70,000.  Bengis has just over $4,000 in career tournament earnings, all from the Northeast (Foxwoods and Turning Stone), and is on the right track towards his first Florida tournament score.

Richard Bengis - 70,000

Event 2 (Day 1A): Field Continues To Grow

Event 2 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $100,000 GTD)
Level 4 (Blinds 100/200)
Total Day 1A Entries: 105
Day 1A Players Remaining: 91

Evan Teitelbaum (Parkland, FL)

This Day 1A field has already eclipsed the century mark in terms of entries, which gives us a prize pool of $31,500 (at the moment).  That is already well ahead of the pace needed to reach the $100,000 guarantee posted on the event, which will likely be reached at some point tomorrow afternoon.  That means that the five-figure score that will be waiting the eventual winner of this event continues to grow larger.  

A five-figure cash will likely help Evan Teitelbaum (Parkland, FL) eclipse the $700,000 mark in career tournament earnings.  Evan currently sits with $684,181, and is coming off a year in which he earned $67,426 (from 18 recorded cashes).  Much of that number from last year came here at the Isle, when he won a $100,000 Guaranteed event ($120 No Limit Hold'em) for $31,000.  Teitelbaum headlines the second wave of notables spotted in this Day 1A field:

Ricardo Eyzaguirre

Michael Newman

Alik Sitnyakovsky

Ira Marcus

Jeffrey Kessler

John Palace

Vendel Johnson

Bryce McVay

Marcus Skaggs

Event 2 (Day 1A): Getting In The Field Cheap

Event 2 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $100,000 GTD)
Level 3 (Blinds 75/150)
Total Day 1A Entries: 84
Day 1A Players Remaining: 74

There aren't many better feelings than getting something for a fraction of it's actual cost, which is why satellites into tournaments are so popular amongst poker players.  To this point, there have been five satellites run over the past three days, guaranteeing a total of (50) seats into this event.  Posted below are the results from those satellites:

Monday, January 2nd:

11:00am - $50 No Limit Hold'em - 1 In 10 Awards Seat (5 Seats Guaranteed)
Total Entries: 93

1. Paula Holder
2. Frank Traino
3. Daniel Genachthe
4. Gregg Weiss
5. Alfred Vargas
6. Diana Linke
7. Richard Contell
8. Carmen Mali
9. Pedro Palacio
10. Benjamin Robinson ($108)

6:00pm - $75 No Limit Hold'em - 1 In 6 Awards Seat (10 Seats Guaranteed)
Total Entries: 45

1. James Hamburger
2. Stephen Bromfield
3. Richard Vargas
4. Hugh Hardy
5. Richard Christensen
6. John Warner
7. Willie Wiggins
8. Marcus Skaggs
9. Michael Sklar
10. Maury Halperin

Tuesday, January 3rd:

11:00am - $50 No Limit Hold'em - 1 In 10 Awards Seat (5 Seats Guaranteed)

Total Entries: 67

1. George Berindei
2. Rodney Victor
3. David Padilla
4. Miguel Briganty
5. Dwight Pinkerton
6. Nelson Pacheco
7. Rafael Santoni ($252)

Wednesday, January 4th:

6:00pm - $75 No Limit Hold'em - 1 In 6 Awards Seat (20 Seats Guaranteed)
Total Entries: 112

1. Yigal Hen
2. Benjamin Robinson
3. Marcel Deschamps
4. Anthony Nassar
5. Paul Shafran
6. Mustafa Lobut
7. John Ambrosi
8. Rafael Lazo
9. Paula Holder
10. Robert Cavataio
11. Richard Stein
12. Michael Wetcher
13. John Kwon
14. Robert Perniola
15. Tuan Phan
16. Shamir Patel
17. Jeffery Burdeen
18. Alfonso Perez
19. Frank Scala
20. Karin Powsner

6:00pm - $75 No Limit Hold'em - 1 In 6 Awards Seat (10 Seats Guaranteed)

Total Entries: 57

1. Kimberly Gardner
2. Glen Canelstein
3. Jose Cabrera
4. Daniel Tatonetti
5. German Zaga
6. Frank Katana
7. David Walker
8. Jason Harvey
9. Raymond Rickard
10. Alfred Vargas

Event 2 (Day 1A): Looking To Notch First Score Of '17

Event 2 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $100,000 GTD)
Level 2 (Blinds 50/100)
Total Day 1A Entries: 75
Day 1A Players Remaining: 75

Andrew Touchette (Wakefield, MA)

A lap around the field yielded numerous names and faces familiar to the Isle Poker Room, most of which are looking to add their first 2017 tournament cash to their resume.  Andrew Touchette (@bankrollme87) is back in the room for the first time since the 2016 Isle Poker Open, a series in which he cashed in a trio of events (Event #1, Event #5, and Event #6).  Touchette followed that series up with a trip to Punta Cana Poker Classic, as well as a final table appearance during Event #8 ($580 NLH) of the WSOPC at Palm Beach Kennel Club.  Andrew currently share the table with two well known Florida-based tournament pros, Ory Hen (Cooper City, FL) and Ido Ashkenazi (Queens, NY).  Some other notables in this early Day 1A field include:

Gregg Weiss

Kenneth Bruno

Eric Mutschler

Carmen Mali

Hugh Hardy

Luis Santoni

David Walker

Nancy Thomas

Event 2 (Day 1A): Event 2 Action Underway

Event 2 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $100,000 GTD)
Level 1 (Blinds 25/50)
Total Day 1A Entries: 46
Day 1A Players Remaining: 46

It feels like the "unofficial" beginning of the Isle Poker Classic, as the "live blogging" is back in action, and cards are in the air for Day 1A of Event 2.  This "major structured" tournament is sure to attract a nice size field, with a $100,000 guarantee that will likely be window dressing once registration closes for the event on Day 2 (before the first card gets in the air).  The Day 2 open registration adds an interesting dynamic to this event, in the fact that we've seen numerous players buy into tournaments with the starting stack on Day 2, and then encounter some real success.

We don't want to get too far ahead of ourselves here though, as we have three full starting days ahead of us before Sunday's action.  In the short time since the cards got in the air, we have already spotted numerous familiar faces in the field, and will start the coverage with recognizing those players.  We will also catch you up on the Isle Poker Classic action to this point, as well as introducing some new features to blog.  Be ready to refresh those browsers throughout the day, and the 2017 Isle Poker Classic coverage is now underway!

Thursday, January 5th: First Isle Poker Classic "Headline" Event Begins Today

There are (16) events on the 2017 Isle Poker Classic schedule (not including satellites), three of which would be considered "headline" events of the series (Event 2, Event 10, and Event 16).  This afternoon's schedule hosts the first flight of Event 2, a $360 No Limit Hold'em tournament with a $100,000 guaranteed prize pool.  Other than the fact that this tournament offers the largest guarantee of any of the series (Event 16 also boasts a $100,000 guarantee), Event 2 has to be considered the best "structured" event of the series.

Event 2 has three starting days (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday), and offers open registration until the cards are in the air for Day 2 (Sunday).  Players will start with 20,000 in tournament chips, with Levels 1-6 lasting (40) minutes, and then transitioning to (50) at Level 7 through the conclusion of the tournament.  It's about as close to a "major" style structure as you'll find for such an affordable price point.  Each of the starting flights are scheduled to end at the conclusion of Level 14, or until 8% of the field remains (whichever comes first).

Cards will be in the air at 12:00pm for Day 1A of Event 2, with coverage of the flight "live blogged." Also on the schedule for the day is another $75 No Limit Hold'em Satellite into Event 2, guaranteeing  (10) seats (1 in 6 awarded seat).

12:00pm - Isle Poker Classic Event #2 (Day 1A) $360 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 Guarantee):

- Players receive 20,000 in tournament chips
- All late registrants and re-entries will receive full stacks
- Levels 1-6 will be (40) minutes, Levels 7+ will be (50) minutes
- Late registration and re-entries for the first (14) levels, to include before the first card on Day 2

6:00pm - $75 No Limit Hold'em Satellite Into Event #2 (1 In 6 Wins Seat) (10 Seats Guaranteed):

- Players receive 12,000 in tournament chips

- All late registrants and re-entries will receive a full stack

- Levels are (20) minutes

- Late registration and re-entries for the first (6) levels

Isle Poker Classic: Event 1 Official Results

2017 Isle Poker Classic
Event 1 ($130 No Limit Hold'em - $20,000 Guarantee)
January 4th, 2017

Total Entries: 320
Prize Pool: $32,000

Official Results:

1	Marc Kropf			Pembroke Pines, FL		$6,305
2	Matan Yehudai			Hollywood, FL		$4,710
3	Aldring Gomez			Miami Beach, FL		$4,619
4	Brian Dunn			Plantation, FL		$3,806
5	Butch Mitchell			Pompano Beach, FL		$1,712
6	Gustavo Vazquez			Pembroke Pines, FL		$1,360
7	Sagi Zommer			Ft. Lauderdale, FL		$1,040
8	Hari Sukhu			Miramar, FL		$752
9	Michael Weinberg			Delray Beach, FL		$544
10	James Caughlin			Valdosta, GA		$416
11	Russell Stampler			Weston, FL		$416
12	Greg Barker			Delray Beach, FL		$416
13	Alexander Recio			Lake Worth, FL		$336
14	Rebecca Dellagloria			Ft. Lauderdale, FL		$336
15	John Scigliano			Cooper City, FL		$336
16	James Tomblin			Fort Lauderdale, FL		$288
17	Conley Howard			Boca Raton, FL		$288
18	Robert Valentine			Jupiter, FL		$288
19	Pietro Tornabene			Boca Raton, FL		$240
20	Domenico Barilla			Deerfield Beach, FL		$240
21	Robert Blanchette			Fort Lauderdale, FL		$240
22	Gabriel Ramos			Chapel Hill, NC		$240
23	Antonio De Araujo			Pompano Beach, FL		$240
24	Matthew Gallen			Keene, NH		$240
25	Bryce McVay			Jupiter, FL		$240
26	Adam Freedman			Boca Raton, FL		$240
27	Vicki Holmes			West Palm Beach, FL		$240
28	Jairo Velasquez			Ventnor, NJ		$208
29	Phillip Burgos Jr			Tamarac, FL		$208
30	Jasmine Nuss			Pompano Beach, FL		$208
31	Hugh Hardy			Pompano Beach, FL		$208
32	Scott Jaffe			Ft. Lauderdale, FL		$208
33	Stuart Wilsker			Delray Beach, FL		$208
34	Roy Paulena			West Palm Beach, FL		$208
35	Richard Gress			Plantation, FL		$208
36	William Greisman			Boyton Beach, FL		$208

Wednesday, January 4th: Kropf Headlines Four-Way Event 1 Chop, Satellites Return

Marc Kropf (Pempbroke Pines, FL) Event 1 "Winner"

The 2017 Isle Poker Classic got off to a very strong start last night, as the cards got in the air for Event #1 ($130 No Limit Hold'em) just after 6:00pm.

The tournament had a $20,000 guarantee attached to it, but after attracting a total of (320) entries, the prize pool was inflated to $32,000.  There were (36) spots paid, with a min-cash earning players $208, and posted first place prize of $8,640.  The official results will be posted this afternoon, but we can tell you that the tournament ended in a four-way chop.  Marc Kropf (Pembroke Pines, FL) would be declared the "winner" once the deal was made, and would head home with $6,305 and the trophy.  The other three players that were a part of the deal were Matan Yehudai (2nd Place - $4,710), Aldring Gomez (3rd Place - $4,619), and Brian Dunn (4th Place - $3,806).

Today is an Isle Poker Classic "satellite day," with two more events offering seats into Event #2 on the schedule (along with the "Turbo High Hand" and "Spin to Win" promotions).

11:00am - $75 No Limit Hold'em Satellite Into Event #2 (1 In 6 Wins Seat) (20 Seats Guaranteed):

- Players receive 12,000 in tournament chips

- All late registrants and re-entries will receive a full stack

- Levels are (20) minutes

- Late registration and re-entries for the first (6) levels

6:00pm - $75 No Limit Hold'em Satellite Into Event #2 (1 In 6 Wins Seat) (10 Seats Guaranteed):

- Players receive 12,000 in tournament chips

- All late registrants and re-entries will receive a full stack

- Levels are (20) minutes

- Late registration and re-entries for the first (6) levels

Tuesday, January 3rd: 2017 Isle Poker Classic Begins!

We have finally reached the day that players circled on their calendars weeks ago, as the Isle Poker Classic officially begins this evening.  The first event on the schedule (Event #1) is a $130 No Limit Hold'em event with a $20,000 guaranteed prize pool.  That tournament begins at 6:00pm, and before the cards get in the air, there is one more satellite at 11:00am (into Event #2).

The satellites are clearly a favorite of the players, as yesterday's schedule was guaranteeing (15) seats into Event #2, but a total of (19) were awarded.  The 11:00am satellite ($50 NLH) attracted (93) total entries, as saw seats go to nine players (with the tenth player receiving $108).  There were many familiar names (of the nine) to have won themselves a seat, including Paula Holder, Daniel Genachte, Gregg Weiss, and Pedro Palacio.  The 6:00pm satellite ($75 NLH) attracted (45) total entries, and awarded (10) seats into Event #2, with more recognizable names earning entry (James Hamburger, Stephen Bromfield, Hugh Hardy, and Michael Sklar).

There is one more satellite on the schedule today, before the Isle Poker Classic officially begins this evening (6:00pm) with Event # 1 ($130 No Limit Hold'em - $20,000 Guarantee).

11:00am - $50 No Limit Hold'em Satellite Into Event #2 (1 In 10 Wins Seat) (5 Seats Guaranteed):

- Players receive 10,000 in tournament chips

- All late registrants and re-entries will receive a full stack

- Levels are (20) minutes

- Late registration and re-entries for the first (6) levels

6:00pm - Isle Poker Classic Event #1 $130 No Limit Hold'em ($20,000 Guarantee)

- Players receive 25,000 in tournament chips

- All late registrants and re-entries will receive a full stack

- Levels are (20) minutes in length

- Late registration and re-entries for the first (8) levels
- This is scheduled to be a one-day event 

Monday, January 2nd: It's "Satellite City" As Isle Classic Approaches

Last night's "daily" tournament was a $75 No Limit Hold'em event ($2,500 GTD), which attracted a total of (57) entries and boasted a prize pool of $3,310.  Things would end with a heads-up chop between Pedro Palacio (Delray Beach, FL) and Jason Harvey (Davie, FL).  Palacio, a name that frequented the blog during the 2015 Isle Poker Open, took home $1,152 as the "declared winner."  Harvey earned himself $900 for the runner-up finish, a bankroll boost that couldn't come at a better time, as the 2016 Isle Classic begins tomorrow.

One of the first "major" events on the Isle Classic schedule is Event #2, which is a $360 No Limit Hold'em tournament with a $100,000 guaranteed prize pool.  The tournament has an incredible structure, with (40) minute levels from Levels 1-6, then transitioning to (50) minutes through the conclusion of the event. Today's tournament schedule focuses on Event #2, as two satellites are offered for players to gain entry into the tournament for a fraction of the price.

11:00am - $50 No Limit Hold'em Satellite Into Event #2 (1 In 10 Wins Seat) (5 Seats Guaranteed):

- Players receive 10,000 in tournament chips

- All late registrants and re-entries will receive a full stack

- Levels are (20) minutes

- Late registration and re-entries for the first (6) levels

6:00pm - $75 No Limit Hold'em Satellite Into Event #2 (1 In 6 Wins Seat) (10 Seats Guaranteed):

- Players receive 12,000 in tournament chips

- All late registrants and re-entries will receive a full stack

- Levels are (20) minutes

- Late registration and re-entries for the first (6) levels

Sunday, January 1st: New Year, New Calendar

We would once again like to wish all of the blog followers and those related to the Isle Poker Room Pompano Beach a "Happy and Healthy New Year!"  While many were celebrating with friends and family when the ball dropped at midnight, there was a tournament winding down in the poker room.  The $110 No Limit Hold'em event attracted (91) total entries, and boasted a prize pool just over $7,200.  The event ended in a heads-up chop between Shamir Patel (Vero Beach, FL) and Vicki Holmes (West Palm Beach, FL), with Patel taking home $2,400 for the "winner's share."

Today's poker room action sees $300 High Hands awarded every (15) minutes from the hours of 2:00pm-9:00pm, along with one tournament on the schedule.  The $75 No Limit Hold'em ($2,500 GTD) tournament begins at 6:00pm, and offers players a starting stack of 12,000 tournament chips.

Saturday, December 31st: Ready To Ring In The New Year!!

As New Years Eve closes in, we would like to take this moment wish everyone associated with the Isle Casino Poker Room a happy and healthy New Year!!  Please be safe this evening wherever you are celebrating, but if you're interested in watching the ball drop while seeing a perfect flop, there is action on the schedule for the day.

Things get started in the early afternoon, as the cards get in the air for the $100 No Limit Hold'em "Big Stack Turbo" w/ $25 Bounties ($3,000 GTD).  While that tournament in winding down (around 6:00pm), the evening event will begin, a $110 No Limit Hold'em "New Monster Stack."

11:00am - $100 No Limit Hold'em "Big Stack Turbo" w/ $25 Bounties ($3,000 GTD):

- Players start with 18,000 in tournament chips

- Late and re-entries for the first (10) levels

- Alternate and late entries will start with a full stack

- Optional player add-on at the end of Level (10), with $25 getting players 10,000 in tournament chips.  100% of the money from add-ons goes into the prize pool

- Levels are (15) minutes in length throughout the tournament

6:00pm - $110 No Limit Hold'em "New Monster Stack:"

- Players will start with 25,000 in tournament chips

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

- Alternates and late entries will start with a full stack

- Levels are (25) minutes

Friday, December 30th: Another Final Table Chop, Final Weekend Of The Year

Claude Comtois (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)

We were beginning to get used to the $30,000 guarantee events on Thursday night's this month, but we were back to the $40 NLH ($10,000 GTD) last night.  The players were out in force once again, and the event ended up (391) total entries, which totaled with the optional "add-on" at registration's close, gave us a prize pool of $13,257.  The posted first place prize was over $3,500, another incredible return on investment for a $40 event, but the prize pool would be altered after the players agreed to a final table chop (10-way deal).  

Calude Comtois (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) would take home the trophy, along with the winner's share of the deal, which totaled $1,719.  While Comtois's name isn't that familiar to followers of the blog, we did see regular Raymond Rickard (6th Place - $1,033) notch yet another cash to what has been a great year of tournament poker for him.

Only three more tournament remain in the year, with one of those on the schedule this evening ($150 No Limit Hold'em - $10,000 GTD).  This early afternoon also hosts the final "Turbo High Hand" promotion of the year, with $100 given away to the qualifying high hand every (10) minutes (between the hours of 9:00am-12:00pm.

6:00pm - $150 No Limit Hold'em ($10,000 Guarantee):

- Players will start with 20,000 in tournament chips

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

- Alternate and late entries will start with a full stack

- Levels are (25) minutes in length throughout the event

Thursday, December 29th: Window Closing On 2016

While the tournament trend this month was ending events in a chop, last night's $100 No Limit Hold'em (Bounty) tournament was played down to an outright winner.  Jairo Carillo (Pompano Beach, FL) bested Roger Gebhardt (Canada) during heads-up play to take down the tournament, and walk away with $1,403.  

With the conclusion of that tournament, only (5) events now remain in the 2016 calendar year.  There two two tournaments on the schedule today, with the $80 No Limit Hold'em w/ $10 Bounties event beginning at 11:00am, and the $40 No Limit Hold'em ($10,000 GTD) following at 6:00pm.  Other than the "standard" high hands throughout the day, the Limit Hold'em Early Bird Promotion is also in play, with the window open to grab a ticket between the hours of 9:00am-11:00am.

11:00am - $80 No Limit Hold'em (Double Red Chip Bounty) $2,000 GTD

- Players will begin with a 10,000 starting stack

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

- Option player "add-on" at the end of Level 8 ($20 for 8,000 tournament chips), with 100% of the "add-on" going to the prize pool 

- Levels are (20) minutes in length

6:00pm - $40 No Limit Hold'em ($3,000 GTD)

- Players will begin with a 12,000 starting stack

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

- Optional player "add-on" at the end of Level 8 ($20 for 8,000 tournament chips), with 100% of the "add-on" going to the prize pool

-  Levels are (20) minutes in length

Wednesday, December 28th: "Tuesday $10K" Soars, "Spin To Win" Headlines Schedule

Roger Bartlett (Hollywood, FL)

Last night was the final "Tuesday $10,000 GTD" tournament of the month, and yet again the guaranteed was crushed by a field of (449) total entries.  That's one of the largest fields we've seen for this particular tournament, with a prize pool last night topping $15,000.  There would be (45) players making the money in the event, with a posted min-cash of $76, and a posted first place prize of $4,013.

Once again we saw many Isle Poker notables add a tournament cash to their resume, including Michael Gutterman, Michelle Milker. Michael Sklar, and Alan Werner.  After shipping last week's "Structure Beast," Adel Jo (Miami, FL) fell just short of the final table, finishing in 12th place and taking home $182.  The chop talks began once the field reached the final table, and after some time breaking down the numbers, a ten-way deal was agreed to.  Roger Bartlett (Hollywood, FL) was declared the winner, and took home the new first place prize of $1,613.

Wednesday is one of the busier days on the schedule each week, with the $2,000 Freezeout beginning at 10:00am, Turbo High Hands playing out from 9:00am-12:00pm, "Spin To Win" promotion taking over from 12:00pm-11:00pm, and $100 NLH Bounty starting up at 6:00pm.

10:00am - $2,000 Guaranteed No Limit Hold'em "Freezeout"

6:00pm - $100 No Limit Hold'em "Big Stack Turbo" w/ $25 Bounties ($5,000 GTD):

- Players will begin with a 18,000 starting stack

- Late and re-entries for the first (10) levels

- Option player "add-on" at the end of Level 10 ($25 for 10,000 tournament chips), with 100% of the "add-on" going to the prize pool 

- Levels are (15) minutes in length

Tuesday, December 27th: Recapping Monday's Action, Finally Tuesday $10K Of The Year

Frank Scala (Boca Raton, FL)

Yesterday's highlighting event of the day was the $130 No Limit Hold'em ($20,000 GTD) tournament, which got under way at 6:00pm.  The tournament attracted a total of (241) entries, which surpassed the guaranteed number, and yielded an official prize pool of $23,377.  Of the (241) entries, (27) of them would get paid, with tournament regulars Leonid Goldshteyn (19th Place) and John Scigliano (25th Place) earning themselves a min-cash.

Play continued once the field reached the final table, and after three eliminations (including Thomas Millward), the remaining player began to discuss a deal.  After crunching the numbers, the remaining seven player decided on a deal, with Frank Scala (Boca Raton, FL) being declared the winner (and taking home first place money worth $2,563).

Along with the "Limit Hold'em Early Bird" promotion on today's schedule, the "Tuesday 10K" plays out for the final table this year.  The $40 No Limit Hold'em tournament, which holds with it a $10,000 guaranteed prize pool, has quickly become one of the most popular events on each monthly schedule (as per the players).

11:00am - $100 No Limit Hold'em "Monster Stack" ($3,000 GTD)

- Players start with 25,000 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 (20) minutes throughout the event

6:00pm - $40 No Limit Hold'em ($10,000 GTD)

- Players will begin with a 12,000 starting stack

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

- Optional player "add-on" at the end of Level 8 ($20 for 8,000 tournament chips), with 100% of the "add-on" going to the prize pool

-  Levels are (20) minutes in length

Monday, December 26th: Finishing The Year Off Strong

The holidays are now wrapping up, and while focus now turns to New Years Eve and turning the page on 2016, there are a few days of poker remaining before that happens.  The schedule may have been a little light yesterday because of Christmas, but things are going to be busy today, with a $130 No Limit Hold'em ($20,000) tournament headlining the slate.  This same tournament was run earlier in the month (12/12/16), and ended up attracting (269) total entries, which in turn built a prize pool well over $26,000.  Oleg Vayman (Brooklyn, NY) was declared the tournament winner after receiving first place money in an eight-way chop ($4,174).

Just like the three (December) Mondays that came before this, the "Turbo High Hand" promotion gets things started for the day (9:00am-12:00pm).  And while the evening tournament is the highlight, there is an afternoon tournament that begins at 11:00am.

11:00am - $80 No Limit Hold'em w/ $10 Bounties $2,000 GTD

- Players will begin with a 10,000 starting stack

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

- Option player "add-on" at the end of Level 8 ($20 for 8,000 tournament chips), with 100% of the "add-on" going to the prize pool 

- Levels are (20) minutes in length

6:00pm - $130 No Limit Hold'em  $20,000 GTD

- Players will begin with a 18,000 starting stack

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

- Alternates and late entries will start with a full stack

- Levels are (20) minutes in length

Sunday, December 25th: Merry Christmas From Isle Poker Room!

On behalf of everyone at Isle Casino Pompano Beach and the Isle Casino Poker Room, we would like to wish our players and followers a very Merry Christmas!!!  It's a special day to spend with family and friends, and we hope everyone has a happy, healthy...and safe holiday.

Things are going to feel pretty festive in the poker room this afternoon, as $300 high hands will be awarded to qualifying hands every (15) minutes from the hours of 2:00pm-9:00pm.  That's $1,200 up for grabs over the course of every hour for a seven hour period.

There is also one tournament on the schedule for the day, as the $135 No Limit Hold'em w/ $25 Bounties event begins as 6:00pm.

6:00pm - $135 No Limit Hold'em w/ $25 Bounties:

- Players will 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 are (20) minutes in length throughout the tournament

Saturday, December 24th: "Monster Stack" Stands Alone, Happy Hanukkah!!!

The holiday calendar sees Hanukkah and Christmas fall within (24) hours of each other, so while the holidays "officially" begin tomorrow for those who celebrate Christmas, those observing Hanukkah begin celebrating tonight.  We would like to take a moment to wish followers of the blog, Isle Poker Room players, dealers, Isle Poker Room staff, and everyone's "extended" family, a "Happy Holidays!"

It must feel like the holidays have arrived early for a two Isle Poker Room notables, as Bobby Perniola and Karin Powsner reached their second final table of the week.  As part of a four-way deal, Powsner took fourth place ($1,693), while Perniola was declared runner-up for $2,104.  The $150 No Limit Hold'em event attracted (110) total entries, and surpassed the posted $10,000 guaranteed by over $2,600.

Today's tournament schedule sees the return of the "New Monster Stack," a $110 No Limit Hold'em tournament with (25) minute levels, and a 25,000 starting stack.  There is a guarantee of $15,000 on today's event, which should attract a nice sized field.

2:00pm - $110 No Limit Hold'em "New Monster Stack" ($15,000 Guaranteed):

- Players will start with 25,000 in tournament chips

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

- Alternates and late entries will start with a full stack

- Levels are (25) minutes

Friday, December 23rd: Holiday Weekend Begins

It's beginning to feel a lot like the holidays in the poker room, as today's promotions just "gift" money to players at a rapid pace.  Things get started right away, with the "Turbo High Hands" gifting the qualifying high hands $100 every (10) minutes (from the hours of 9:00am-12:00pm).  There are then a few transitions as the day continues on.  The qualifying high hands will be awarded every (20) minutes for the next (12) hours (until midnight), with players receiving $250 between the hours of 12:00pm-4:00pm, and then $500 from 4:00pm-12:00am.  There is one tournament on the day's schedule, an evening event with a $10,000 guaranteed prize pool ($150 buy-in).

6:00pm - $150 No Limit Hold'em ($10,000 Guarantee):

- Players will start with 20,000 in tournament chips

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

- Alternate and late entries will start with a full stack

- Levels are (25) minutes in length throughout the event