Event 1 (Flight 1A): Remaining Table Lineups

2017 "Battles At The Beach"

Event 1 ($175 No Limit Hold'em $125,000 GTD)

Level 14 (Blinds 1,200/2,400/400)

Total Flight 1A Entries: 107

As we enter the final three levels, here is a look at everyone who is still active in Flight 1A, listed by table lineups:

Table 8:

1. Miguel Capriles
2. Chad Freedman
3. Ido Ashkenazi
4. John Vidal
5. Robert Urspruch
6. Francis Margaglione
7. Frank Scala
8. Peter Bronstein
9. Luiz Stadler

Table 11:

1. Miguel Galindo
2. Joey Conti
3. Roberto Alvarado
4. Alfredo Vargas
5. Raymond Winters
6. Ken Shockett
7. Stuart Greenbaum
8. Wes Lasher
9. Nader Bahhur

Table 12:

1. Morris Heider
2. Marc Culberson
3. Evan Braunstein
4. Steve Westerholt
5. Thomas Gari
6. Craig Schlesinger
7. Allan Beier
8. Austin Bailey

Event 1 (Flight 1A): Updated Chip Counts

2017 "Battles At The Beach"

Event 1 ($175 No Limit Hold'em $125,000 GTD)

Level 13 (Blinds 1,000/2,000/300)

Total Flight 1A Entries: 29

Players have just returned from their final break of the flight, and will be playing four more levels (unless the field reaches the 10% mark).  The empty tables from break allowed for clear view of chip counts, as we now start focusing on the race for the chip lead:

John Vidal - 230,000

Francis Margaglione - 160,000

Thomas Gari - 150,000

Lou Stadler - 135,000

Ido Ashkenazi - 115,000

Craig Schlesinger - 105,000

John Vidal and Francis Margaglione currently share the same table, which could lead to some fireworks as we head down the homestretch.  There are only three active tables remaining, so we will follow up with a full field lineup shortly. 

Event 1 (Flight 1A): Sometimes You Just Have To Ask Politely

2017 "Battles At The Beach"

Event 1 ($175 No Limit Hold'em $125,000 GTD)

Level 11 (Blinds 600/1,200/200)

Total Flight 1A Entries: 107

John Vidal (Pompano Beach, FL)

The lap around the tournament area was about to yield updated chip counts, but we encountered a big hand in progress, so attention was shifted.  At Table 8, Phil S. opened the action with a raise to 2,500, with John Vidal flatting behind from the small blind.  The player in the big blind then three-bet shoved for just over 23,000, leaving action back on Phil.  Phil, who was just featured winning a sizable pot, also announced that he was all-in (having both players covered).  

Vidal was playing an effective stack of 83,000, and after just a few moments of thought, verbalized a call.  The hands were tabled, with both Vidal and the player in the big blind at risk:

Phil: Q♠ Q♦

Vidal: K♠ K♣

Player X: J♦ J♣

Runout: J♠ A♣ 3♣ 5♠ K♥

The jack was right in the window, leaving Vidal shaking his head in disgust.  Just as the dealer dropped the 5♠ on the turn, John asked aloud, "How about a king on the river please?"  His kindly stated request was granted, as he celebrated the K♥ on the river.  The dealer would count out his all-in, which was 79,200, and Phil sent that amount Vidal's way.  John is now the Flight 1A chip leader, sitting with just over 195,000.

Event 1 (Flight 1A): Winning Flips Is The Key

2017 "Battles At The Beach"

Event 1 ($175 No Limit Hold'em $125,000 GTD)

Level 10 (Blinds 500/1,000/100)

Total Flight 1A Entries: 107

Phil S. (Lauderhill, FL)

Whether it's in the first level of a tournament, or late at the final table, a player's success is usually determinant on how they "flip."  It's rare that any player will navigate their way through an event without running into a spot where things are a coin flip heading in.    Phil S. (Lauderhill, FL) just ran into one of those spots, and after being on the winning end, vaults himself towards the top of the leaderboard.

After four player limped for 1,000, an unknown player in the hijack raised to 12,000.  Phil, who was next to act on the button, three-bet shoved for 42,800.  After the limpets folded behind, the original raiser tanked for two minutes, eventually making the call:

Phil: A♦ Q♠

Player X: 9♥ 9♦

Runout: Q♥ J♦ 7♠ 4♣ 10♣

Phil would flop top pair, with his opponent needing to hit a two outer to win (heading to the river).  The four-spotter was a little bit of a sweat for Phil, but he'd end up doubling up through his opponent, and now sits with just under 95,000.

Event 1 (Flight 1A): Francis Out In Front

2017 "Battles At The Beach"

Event 1 ($175 No Limit Hold'em $125,000 GTD)

Level 9 (Blinds 400/800/100)

Total Flight 1A Entries: 107

Francis Margaglione (Davie, FL) currently sits atop the leaderboard, but there is still a long way to go until the bagging process begins.

The first time Francis Margaglione (Davie, FL) was introduced to followers of the blog, it was during Event 5 (Isle Poker Open) coverage.  The tournament was special in the sense that players were allowed to buy-in up until the cards were in the air for Day 2.  Francis was one of a group of players to shell out the $570 buy-in, starting the day with a stack of only (15) big blinds.  It didn't take long before Margaglione spun that stack into something more playable, eventually riding it all the way to the final two tables.  Francis would eventually bow out in 13th place, but earned himself $2,332 for his "Day 2 entry."

Margaglione is looking to reach Day 2 the traditional way this time around, and is sitting with the largest stack in the field (150,000).  The stack sizes across the remaining field seem pretty flat, with the chip average currently at 38,000.

Event 1 (Flight 1A): Eclipsing The Century Mark

2017 "Battles At The Beach"

Event 1 ($175 No Limit Hold'em $125,000 GTD)

Level 8 (Blinds 300/600/75)

Total Flight 1A Entries: 101

As the minutes tick away in Level 8, the registration window for this first flight of Event 1 closes.  The players in the field will take a (10) minute break after Level 8, and once the cards are in the air for Level 9, registration will be closed.  Those who are looking to enter this event will still have numerous opportunities to join the action:

Flight 1B - Wednesday, February 15th (6:00pm)

Flight 1C - Thursday, February 16th (11:00am)

Flight 1D - Thursday, February 16th (6:00pm)

Flight 1E - Friday, February 17th (11:00am)

Flight 1F - Friday, February 17th (6:00pm)

Flight 1G - Saturday, February 18th (11:00am)

Flight 1H - Saturday, February 18th (6:00pm)

Once play resumes after break, we can focus our attention on the actual play at the tables, and look towards the "race for the chip lead."

Event 1 (Flight 1A): Faces In The Crowd

2017 "Battles At The Beach"

Event 1 ($175 No Limit Hold'em $125,000 GTD)

Level 7 (Blinds 250/500/50)

Total Flight 1A Entries: 92

Ido Ashkenazi (Queens, NY) is a Florida-based tournament professional who really needs no introduction.  Ido has over $460,000 in recording live tournament earnings, and is coming off of his most successful year to date.  Ashkenazi recorded (19) cashes in 2016, totaling $229,905...thanks to his largest tournament cash.  Ido was part of a heads up chop during Event 10 of the 2016 SHRPO (2nd Place - $158,304).

Unlike Ashkenazi, Jose Gallegos (Morristown, PA) is a player that needs an introduction to the Florida poker scene, having just moved down here last year.  Gallegos was grinding in the Northeast before escaping the cold weather, and managed to amass a resume with over $20,000 in live tournament earnings.  Jose's largest tournament cash came back in 2009, when he finished 75th during a $1,500 No Limit event at the World Series Of Poker ($4,718).

Event 1 (Flight 1A): Sandy Looking For Continued Success During The Beach

2017 "Battles At The Beach"

Event 1 ($175 No Limit Hold'em $125,000 GTD)

Level 6 (Blinds 200/400/50)

Total Flight 1A Entries: 90

Sandy Sanchez (Lauderdale, FL)

Sandy Sanchez (Lauderdale, FL) made a name for himself during the 2017 Isle Poker Classic, recording three cashes during the series:

Event 4 ($160 No Limit Hold'em) - 16th Place $284

Event 8 ($250 Omaha Hi/Lo 8B) - 9th Place $1,148

Event 16 ($150 No Limit Hold'em) - 52nd Place $399

Sanchez followed that up with a final table finish during the HORSE event at Hard Rock Hollywood (Lucky Hearts Poker Open), falling just short of the title (2nd Place - $3,303).  Sanchez's tournament resume is a mix of no limit and mixed game results, proving that he's not just a one trick pony.  

Sandy was spotted in our second wave of notables in the field, joining the likes of Stuart Greenbaum, Marc Culberson, Stephanie Tang, Ronald Levy, Harold Foster, and Craig Schlesinger.

Event 1 (Flight 1A): Thomas Coming Off Six-Figure Score

2017 "Battles At The Beach"

Event 1 ($175 No Limit Hold'em $125,000 GTD)

Level 4 (Blinds 100/200)

Total Flight 1A Entries: 82

Nancy Thomas (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) is coming off of her largest ever tournament cash, earning herself over $100,000 as part of a three-way chop in the opening event of the 2017 Lucky Hearts Poker Open at Hard Rock Hollywood.

Nancy Thomas (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) has been grinding the Florida tournament poker circuit for over six years, and just experienced the success of her hard work and determination.  When the ball dropped on January 1st, signifying the end of 2016, Thomas had an already impressive live tournament resume.  She boasted career tournament earnings over $80,000, accumulated over (31) recorded cashes.

Thomas then started the year with a final table finish during the 2017 Isle Poker Classic (Event 4 - 4th Place $2,066), unaware of the life changing week she was about to experience.  Thomas was just one of the 4,756 entries in the opening event of the 2017 Lucky Hearts Poker Open, making up what was one of the largest tournaments this state ever hosted.  As the days passed and the field dwindled down, Nancy found herself not only staying alive, but thriving.  Thomas would reach the final table, and once play got down to three-handed, a deal was struck between herself and the two remaining players...one of which was a Florida favorite Jerry Wong.  Wong ended up taking first place money and the trophy, but it was Nancy claiming second place, and a life changing score of $109,113.

The score hasn't changed Nancy one bit, as she is back at it in this $175 buy-in event, looking to add a first place to her resume for the first time in her poker career.  Nancy, along with the rest of this Flight 1A field, are on their first break of the day (and will be returning to Level 5 and blinds of 150/300/25).

Event 1 (Flight 1A): Looking To Earn A Few Days Off...And A Main Event Seat

2017 "Battles At The Beach"

Event 1 ($175 No Limit Hold'em $125,000 GTD)

Level 4 (Blinds 100/200)

Total Flight 1A Entries: 75

The tournament area has seven active tables at the moment, with a surprisingly strong start to Event 1.  There have been (75) total entries to this point, already totaling over $10,000 towards what will be the combined prize pool (eight flights total).  Those players looking to have a "better" opportunity to bag a flight chip lead (and a main event seat) need to look no further than these first few opening flight.  One does not need to be a math wizard to know that the possibilities of best a field in terms of chip lead, are greater when the field size is smaller.  Proven tournament trends show that the later tournament flights attract the largest fields, and a tougher route to navigate.  

The field is full of Isle Casino Poker notables, with the first wave including:

Luiz Stadler

Paul Shafran

Waldemar Wasilewski

Dwight Pinkerton

Frank Scala

Joseph Marchese

Morris Heider

Joe Niblett

Alan Dobrow

Francois Gagne

Nancy Thomas

Thomas Gari

Daniel Genachte

Event 1 (Flight 1A): Let The "Battles" Begin!!

"Battles At The Beach"

Event 1 ($175 No Limit Hold'em $125,000 GTD)

Level 1 (Blinds 25/50)

Total Flight 1A Entries: N/A

The "Battles At The Beach" series kicks off today, with two Event 1 starting flights on the schedule.

The tournament area of the poker room is beginning to fill up, as players take their seats for Event 1 of the 2017 Battles At The Beach series.  The second of four seasonal series is made up of (17) events (plus satellites) over the course of three weeks.  There are three "major" events during this series (Event 1, Event 8, and Event 14), with (14) side events sandwiched in between all of the action.  There are $1,000,000 in guarantees for the series, with this first tournament boasting a $125,000 guaranteed prize pool.

The opening event of the 2016 Battles At The Beach was a smaller buy-in event ($75 No Limit Hold'em), but it attracted an impressive 1,191 entries (topping the $50,000 guarantee).  This year's installment is a $175 buy-in, and is sure to eclipse the $125,000 guaranteed prize pool.  The tournament structure has a "mid-major" feel, with a 20,000 starting stack, and (25) minute levels throughout the event.

Cards will be in the air momentarily for this opening flight, with live coverage to begin after players have time to settle in.  It's going to be a great series, and you can look forward to live blogged coverage of the three "major events," along with all of the results from the side events.

Wednesday, February 15th: The "Battle" Begins, #Twinning Starts Series A Night Early

"Battles At The Beach" Runs From February 15th-March 7th

The Isle Casino Poker Room takes a short hiatus from the "daily tournament schedule," as the "Battles At The Beach" stands front and center for the next three weeks.  The series starts with the first of three "major" events, a $175 No Limit Hold'em event with a $100,000 guaranteed prize pool.  The multi-day tournament has eight flights schedule over the next four days, and sees players return on Sunday for Day 2, and the events' conclusion.  The "race for the chiplead" is even that much more important for Event 1, as each flights' chipleader will earn themselves entry into the Battle At The Beach $1,500 buy-in Championship Event.  It's going to be a very busy three weeks for the poker, as well as the blog, as live coverage of Flight 1A (Event 1) begins shortly after the cards get in the air (11:00am).

As players were preparing for today's opening flight of Event 1, many chose to spend Valentine's Day with their partners, while others answered the age old question of "who loves it more."  There were (270) entries in last night's $40 No Limit Hold'em ($7,000 GTD), all trying to stake the claim at the "who loves it more title."  The tournament had an official prize pool of $9,130, and ended in an eight-way deal.  Hector Caraballo (Hialeah, FL) would earn the winner's share of the deal, walking away with $1,090 and the trophy.  Those that follow the blog would know that Hector and his twin brother Nestor are always in attendance during tournaments (daily or during a series), and are always looking to prove that #Twinning is always better than winning.  We will see both Caraballo brothers during the Battles At The Beach, as well as many more of the notables blog followers have become familiar with.

11:00am - Event 1 (Battles At The Beach) $175 No Limit Hold'em $125,000 Guarantee (Flight 1A)

- Players receive 20,000 in tournament chips
- All late registrants and re-entries will receive a full stack
- Levels will be (25) minutes in length throughout tournament
- All Day 1's will play 16 levels, or when 10% of the field remains (whichever occurs first)
- The chip leader from each flight will earn a $1,500 Main Event seat

6:00pm - Event 1 (Battles At The Beach) $175 No Limit Hold'em $125,000 Guarantee (Flight 1B)

- Players receive 20,000 in tournament chips
- All late registrants and re-entries will receive a full stack
- Levels will be (25) minutes in length throughout tournament
- All Day 1's will play 16 levels, or when 10% of the field remains (whichever occurs first)
- The chip leader from each flight will earn a $1,500 Main Event seat

Tuesday, February 14th: Love In The Air Before The "Battle" Begins

It's Valentine's Day at the Isle Casino Poker Room, and we're celebrating with a "couple" of tournaments.  The day gets started with the "Limit Love Bird Promotion" at 9:00am, as players who arrive between 9:00-11:00am receive an "Early Bird Card."  Those players are eligible for the promotion, which pays the first (50) full houses of the day (the game's minimum buy-in amount).  This promotion was so popular, that the "no limit" players wanted in, and they now have their "early bird" day on Thursday's.

The tournament action begins at 11:00am, as the cards get in the air for the $100 No Limit Hold'em "Monster Stack."  The tournament carries with it a $3,000 guaranteed prize pool, and has been one of the most popular "afternoon" events on the daily schedule.  At 6:00pm, the ever-popular Tuesday $10K begins, the final "daily" tournament for three weeks (as the Battle At The Beach begins tomorrow).  Being that it's Valentine's Day, and many people choose to spend this evening with their partner, the guarantee prize pool has been lowered to $7,000...which should still be reached with ease.

Last night's $130 No Limit Hold'em $20,000 GTD attracted a total of (121) entries, and had an official prize pool of $20,000.  The event had a posted prize first place prize of $6,600, but once a five-way chop was agreed to, Kenneth Berman (Hallandale Beach, FL) took home $4,800 for first.  The other players in the deal were Ariel Williams ($3,408), Elliot Zaydman ($2,663), Marcin Piewinski ($2,576), and Jonathan Ounjian ($2,503).

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 ($7,000 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, February 13th: $20,000 Guarantees Are Becoming A Thing

After one of the more successful weeks of "big guarantee" daily tournaments, another special event has been added to the schedule.  There were always two tournaments on today's schedule, but a small scheduling change means that a $130 No Limit Hold'em $20,000 GTD event sits in the 6:00pm spot (it was originally a $75 buy-in event).

It's a strong start to what is shaping up to be a very busy week in the poker room, with the 2017 Battle At The Beach series beginning on Wednesday (Event 1 - $175 No Limit Hold'em $125,000 GTD).

The day starts with the "Turbo High Hand" promotion, running from 9:00am-12:00pm, awarding $100 to the qualifying high hand every (10) minutes.  At 11:00am, the first tournament of the day begins, an $80 No Limit Hold'em w/ $10 Bounties ($2,000 GTD).  Things then culminate with the newly entered $130 No Limit Hold'em $20,000 guaranteed prize pool event.

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 (8) levels

- Alternates and late entries will start with a full stack

- Levels are (20) minutes in length

Sunday, February 12th: "Turbo High Hands" And $10K Guarantee...A Solid Sunday Schedule

During the week, "Turbo High Hands" mean $100 awarded every (20) minutes, from the hours of 9:00am-12:00pm.  On the weekend though that term takes on a new meaning, as things get a little bit richer.  From the hours of 2:00pm-9:00pm, $300 will be awarded to the qualifying high hand, with the clock turning over every (15) minutes.  That's over $1,200 up for grabs each hour, and $9,400 available throughout the length of the promotion.  With the potential for carryovers, players could earn themselves $600-$900 with just one high hand.

There is one tournament on the schedule for the day, a $150 No Limit Hold'em event with a $10,000 guaranteed prize pool.  This same tournament was held last Sunday, but there was no guarantee, being that it was up against the Super Bowl.  With the NFL season now over, there should be a sizable field for this tournament, with the guarantee just a formality once registration closes.

2:00pm - $150 No Limit Hold'em ($10,000 GTD)

- Players will 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 are (25) minutes

Saturday, February 11th: Saturday Starts With Bounty Hunting, Ends With "New Monster Stack"

After a day full of high hand promotions (and a $10,000 GTD tournament), the schedule "calms down" for (24) hours.  The word calm is being used lightly though, as there are still high hands given away every (30) minutes (for the entire day).  No limit players earn $200, Omaha and O/E players earn $150, while limit players (and eligible tournaments) earn $100 (with rollovers).

There are two tournaments on the schedule, with the $100 No Limit Hold'em "Big Stack Bounty" w/ $25 Bounties at 11:00am, followed by the "New Monster Stack" ($120 No Limit Hold'em $8,000 GTD).  Last week's "New Monster Stack" was one of the largest fields of the week, attracting a total of (189) entries, and ending up with an official  prize pool of $16,065...doubling the posted guarantee.  First place was originally just under $5,000, but the tournament ended in a four way-deal, with Brian Sparks (Oklahoma City, OK) earning $3,754 for the win.

11:00am - $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

6:oopm - $120 No Limit Hold'em "New Monster Stack" ($8,000 GTD):

- Players will start with 25,000 in tournament chips 

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

- Alternates and re-entries will start with a full stack

- Levels are (25) minutes in length 

Friday, February 10th: Full Slate Of High Hands, $10,000 GTD "Nightly" For Weekend Warriors

Friday's are one of the busiest days of the week in the poker room, and with the schedule that's laid out, today will see players out in force.  Things get started right as the doors open, with the "Turbo High Hand" promotion beginning at 9:00am.  From the 9:00am-12:00pm period, qualifying high hands will receive $100, awarded every (10) minutes.  There are frequent rollovers with this "turbo" structure, making it an even more appealing promotion.

At 12:00pm, the high hands then transition to $250 (12:00pm-4:00pm), awarded every (20) minutes.  If the opportunity to win $750 each hour wasn't enough...things then double from 4:00pm-11:00pm, with the qualifying high hands winning $500 every (20) minutes!!!  That's $15,000 in high hands up for grabs over the course of the day, so a full house should be expected (no pun intended).

There is one tournament on the schedule this evening, as the $150 No Limit Hold'em gets started at 6:00pm, offering up a $10,000 guaranteed prize pool.  This week has seen some of the largest "daily" tournament fields in a long time, so tonight's event should be no exception.

6:00pm - $150 No Limit Hold'em  $10,000 GTD

- Players will begin with a 20,000 starting stack

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

- Alternates and late entries will start with a full stack

- Levels are (25) minutes in length

Thursday, February 9th: $25,000 GTD "Nightly" Headlines Schedule

After the success of Tuesday night's evening event ($130 No Limit Hold'em $20,000 GTD), tournament players were immediately shifting their focus to tonight's scheduled event.  The day starts with the "No Limit Early Bird Promotion," offering an immediate payout of $60 for the first (50) full houses of the day.  Then, beginning at 11:00am, is the first of two tournaments on the schedule for the day ($80 No Limit Hold'em w/ $10 Bounties $2,000 GTD).  Just as the afternoon tournament is winding down, registration will open for the event players have been looking forward to since the monthly calendar was released ($130 No Limit Hold'em $25,000 GTD).  Tuesday's "nightly" beat the guarantee by over $10,000, so a field of over (300) entries should be expected for tonight.

Sandwiched between two night's of massive guarantees, we had last night's "PM" event, a $100 No Limit Hold'em "Big Stack Bounty" w/ $25 Bounties ($5,000 GTD) tournament.  Registration closed with a total of (60) entries, with eight players scheduled to make up the payouts.  After the eliminations of Larry Rheinschmidt (8th place) and Patrick Ryan (7th place), the remaining six players agreed to a deal.  Jared Carter (Pompano Beach, FL) was the recipient of the "winner's share," walking away with $587.

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  $25,000 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

Wednesday, February 8th: Last Night's Massive Turnout, "Spin It To Win" Front And Center

Raymond Nalbandian (Lake Worth, FL)

It's well known that the larger guarantee tournaments will bring in the players, but last night's turnout for the $130 No Limit Hold'em ($20,000 GTD) was very unexpected.  Once registration closed for the event, there were over (330) total entries, making up a massive prize pool worth over $32,000. A good portion of Isle Poker Room's familiar faces were in attendance, many of which ended up reaching the money (36 players were paid in the event).  The final table was reached just after 1:00am, and after a discussion amongst those remaining, a ten-way deal was agreed to.  Raymond Nalbandian (Lake Worth, FL) would be declared the "winner," taking home $3,670 for his efforts.  Some other notables to make up the chop included: Michael Mora (4th place), Irwin Block (6th place), Frank Scala (7th place), Sandy Sanchez (8th place), and Jean Chery (10th place).  There is a similar event on the schedule for Thursday (6:00pm - $130 No Limit Hold'em $25,000 GTD), so it will be interesting to see how it stacks up to yesterday's field.

Today's schedule focuses more on high hand promotions, as things get started with the "Turbo High Hands" from 9:00am-12:00pm.  A high noon, things transition to the ever popular "Spin It To Win," a promotion that gave away over $30,000 last month alone (runs from 12:00pm-11:00pm).  There is one tournament on the schedule, the $100 No Limit Hold'em "Big Stack Turbo" w/ $25 Bounties $5,000 GTD), which begins at 6:00pm.

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, February 7th: $20,000 GTD "Nightly" Headlines Tuesday's Schedule

For those players that frequent tournaments at the Isle Casino Poker Room, the likelihood of sharing the table with Daniel Genachte (Deerfield Beach, FL) at some point is very high.  Genachte is a staple in the poker room, playing a handful of tournaments each week (at the least), along with the occasional cash game.  Genacthe added $800 to his career live tournament earnings of $181,946, after chopping yesterday's afternoon tournament ($80 No Limit Hold'em w/ $10 Bounties).  The tournament had (54) total entries, and ended with an official prize pool of $2,508.  The evening tournament ($75 No Limit Hold'em) also ended in a chop, as a deal was struck once the four players reached the money.  Markus Petteway (Pompano Beach, FL) headed the deal, earning himself $505, followed by Abimael Mathurin (2nd place), Leslie Hyde (3rd place), and Ginette Quevillon (4th place).

Tuesday's schedule offers up a full slate of action, starting with the "Limit Early Bird Promotion," paying out the first (50) full houses throughout the day.  The "Monster Stack" returns for the afternoon tournament, a $100 buy-in tournament that offers up a 25,000 starting stack, and a "major-ish" feeling structure with (20) minute levels.  Much of the focus is on the "nightly" tournament though, as it carries with it a $20,000 guaranteed prize pool.  Outside of a tournament series...or special "monthly event," it's rare to find a one-day tournament that offers a guarantee of that size.  It's becoming commonplace though at the Isle, as another event with a $25,000 guarantee is on the schedule for this week (Thursday PM).

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 - $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

Monday, February 6th: The NFL's Version Of "A Chip And A Chair"

If there is anything that last night's Super Bowl taught the viewing public, it was that no matter how grim things look, it's not over until "it's over."  The feeling of what happened is similar to the old tournament poker adage of "a chip and a chair."  It's what makes sports great, and entail, what makes poker such a captivating game.  While the NFL season concluded with that James White touchdown, the poker season continues in the Isle Poker Room, with a high hand promotion and two tournaments on the daily schedule.

The day (and week) starts with the "Turbo High Hand" promotion, with $100 awarded to the qualifying high hands (every 10 minutes) between the hours of 9:00am-12:00pm.  The afternoon tournament (11:00am) on the schedule is a $80 No Limit Hold'em w/ $10 Bounties ($2,000 GTD), followed by a $75 No Limit Hold'em event at 6:00pm.

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 - $75 No Limit Hold'em

- Players will begin with a 10,000 starting stack

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

- Alternates and late entries will begin with a full stack

- Levels are (20) minutes in length

Sunday, February 5th: Weekend Winds Down, As All Eyes Are On Houston

A majority of the public's eyes will be on Houston this evening, and Super Bowl LVI, but our focus is currently on yesterday's action.  The first "Free Roll" in a long while drew an impressive crowd of (201) total entries.  There were twenty players to make the money in the tournament, with Marc Freund (Plantation, FL) taking home first place ($632).  Some other Isle Poker notables to finish in the money included Paul Davis (2nd place), Ruth Corneau (9th place), Glen Canelstein (12th place), Sarah Bilia (18th place), and Thomas Moran (19th place).

The truly surprising event of the day was the "nightly" event, as the $120 buy-in "New Monster Stack" event more than doubled the $8,000 guaranteed prize pool.  A total of (189) entries made up the prize pool of $16,065, with eighteen players earning money.  The tournament ended in a four-way deal, with Brian Sparks (Oklahoma City, OK) earning the "winner's share" of $3,754.  The other three players to round out the deal included Joshua Daff (2nd place), Andres Ramirez (3rd place), and David Coughlin (4th place).  The same event returns to the daily schedule next weekend, so it will be interesting to see the turnout, as the tournament takes a hiatus during the "Battle Of The Beach."

For those interested in "pre-gaming" before the Super Bowl begins, there is one high hand promotion and one tournament on the schedule today.  From 2:00-9:00pm, the "Turbo High Hand" promotion returns, with qualifying high hands receiving $300 (every 15 minutes).  Tournament player can look forward to the 2:00pm event, a $150 No Limit Hold'em tournament, with (25) minute levels and a 15,000 starting stack.

2:00pm - $150 No Limit Hold'em 

- Players will 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 are (25) minutes

Saturday, February 4th: "A Lot Of Action," Including $2,000 High Hands

On any other day, the $5,000 Free Roll tournament may be the headlining event, or maybe it would be the $8,000 guaranteed prize pool "Monster Stack."  Not today though, as much of the focus will be on the cash game action, and the $2,000 high hands awarded every hour from 1:00pm-10:00pm.

The Free Roll event that was mentioned begins at 10:00am, and makes its return to the tournament schedule for the first time in almost a month.  These free roll events usually attract somewhere between (150-200) total entries, and ends in the late afternoon (approximately 3:00-4:00pm).  Only a short while after the conclusion of the free roll, the 6:00pm "New Monster Stack" begins.  The $120 No Limit Hold'em tournament carries with it an $8,000 guaranteed prize pool, with (25) minute levels and a 25,000 starting stack.

10:00am - $5,000 No Limit Hold'em "Free Roll"

6:00pm - $120 No Limit Hold'em "New Monster Stack" ($8,000 GTD):

- 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, February 3rd: High Hands Headline Friday's Schedule To Begin Weekend

While Wednesday's "Spin To Win" promotion holds strong as the most popular promotion for players, Friday's promotions sit a close second.  Things get started right as the doors open, with "Turbo High Hands" offering up $100 (every 10 minutes) to the qualifying high hands (with carryover).  The "Turbo High Hands" run from 9:00am-12:00pm, then transitioning to a new promotion from 12:00pm-4:00pm ($250 every 20 minutes).  Things get a little richer from 4:00pm-12:00am, with $500 awarded to the qualifying high hand every 20 minutes.

9:00am-12:00pm: $100 awarded every (10) minutes (with carryover)

12:00pm-4:00pm: $250 awarded every (20) minutes (with carryover)

4:00pm-12:00am: $500 awarded every (20) minutes (with carryover)

There is one tournament on Friday's schedule, a $150 No Limit Hold'em event with a $10,000 guarantee.  The tournament begins at 6:00pm, and boasts a very solid structure, with (25) minute levels and a 20,000 starting stack.

6:00pm - $150 No Limit Hold'em  $10,000 GTD

- Players will begin with a 20,000 starting stack

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

- Alternates and late entries will start with a full stack

- Levels are (25) minutes in length

Thursday, February 2nd: No Limit Players Try Out The Early Bird, "Thursday $10K"

When the "Early Bird Limit Promotion" was introduced last year, it quickly became one of the more popular promotions with the players, and succeeded in getting things off to a quick start.  The times of arriving to the room and waiting for a table to open were no more, as a handful of limit games were being spread, and players were earning a single buy-in (depending on limit) for each full house that was drawn.

It's now time for the no limit hold'em players to join in on the action, as the "Early Bird No Limit Promotion" gets underway this morning.  Players arriving to play no limit between the hours of 9:00-11:00am will receive an "early bird card," which entail enters them in the promotion.  The first (50) full houses of the day with be paid $60 (for 1/2, 2/5, and 5/10 NLH), with the promotion running until the quota has been filled.

There are two tournaments on today's schedule, including the "Thursday $10K," a $40 No Limit Hold'em event with a $10,000 guaranteed prize pool.  This same tournament, which is usually held on Tuesday's, usually attracts somewhere between (300-400) entries.  While the tournament ends in a chop more often than not, the posted first place prize is normally over (100) times the buy-in.

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 - $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

Wednesday, February 1st: New Month...Same Great Promo, "Spin To Win" Headlines Day

February may be the shortest month on the calendar, but there will surely be no shortage of action in the Isle Casino Poker Room.  The "February Poker Calendar" has a revamped daily tournament schedule, a $5,000 "Free Roll," the top high hand promotions in the area, along with the beginning of the 2017 Battle At The Beach.

While today starts off with the "Turbo High Hand" promotions, and finishes with the $100 No Limit Hold'em "Big Stack Turbo Bounty ($5,000 GTD), the focus will be on what's sandwiched between the two...the "Spin To Win" high hand promotion.  The "money wheel" became a favorite of the players the moment it was introduced, but last month brought things to a new high.  the wheel yielded $5,000 winners week after week in January...and that was just the beginning.  There were numerous winners over $1,000 each Wednesday, as January 2017 became the richest "Spin To Win" month since it's inception.  The wheel will be spinning from 12:00pm-11:00pm, with the qualifying hand from each half hour earning the opportunity to win up to $5,000 ($25,000 if high hand is royal flush).

January's tournament action concluded with two events yesterday, the first being the $100 No Limit Hold'em "Monster Stack."  The $3,000 guaranteed prize pool tournament attracted a total of (44) entries, and an official prize pool of $3,388.  Once players reached the money, the final five players agreed to a chop, with Martin Kaplan (West Palm Beach, FL) earning the "winner's share" ($875).  The "Tuesday $10K" ($40 No Limit Hold'em $10,000 GTD) had a field of (383) entries, and officially ended up with a prize pool of $12,801.  The posted first place prize for the tournament was $3,461, another incredible return on a $40 investment.  The tournament once again ended in a multi-way chop, with George Barbarino (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) heading the seven-way deal.  His winner's share was worth $2,210, George's largest recorded tournament cash to date.  Some other Isle Poker notables included in the deal were Danielle Bastarache (2nd Place), Barry Chazen (4th Place), and Stephen Bromfield (5th Place).


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, January 31st: Wrapping Up January With "Monster Stack" And "Tuesday $10K"

If January's poker action is a sign of things to come, than 2017 is looking to shape up as something really special at the Isle Casino Poker Room.  There were (16) players crowned "champion" during the 2017 Isle Poker Classic (January 2nd-22nd), an incredible amount of money won from the "Spin To Win" promotion, the introduction of new tournaments to the daily schedule, and that's just naming a few of the highlights to start the year.  

Before we close the books on the first month of the year, there is one more action packed day on the schedule to talk about.  Tuesday's tournament action sees two of the most popular tournaments return, with the "Monster Stack" ($100 No Limit Hold'em $2,000 GTD) in the afternoon, and the "Tuesday $10K" ($40 No Limit Hold'em $10,000 GTD).

Yesterday's headlining tournament, the "Structure Beast" ($150 No Limit Hold'em $20,000 GTD), attracted a total of (197) entries, eclipsing the posted guarantee and officially ending with a prize pool of $22,655.  The posted first place prize was over $7,000, but the event would end in a final table chop, with Arie Ben-Mayor (Parkland, FL) earning the "winner's share" ($2,780).  There were a handful of very familiar names involved in the deal, including Bryce McVay (3rd Place), Irwin Block (6th Place), Alberto Niebla (7th Place), Karin Powsner (8th Place), and John Palace (10th Place).  The evening event from Monday ($130 No Limit Hold'em $2,000 GTD) also ended in a deal, with Stephen Smith, David Campiglia, and Paul Mitchell chopping up the $2,000 prize pool three ways.

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, January 30th: New Week, Return Of The Structure Beast

After a weekend tournament schedule that introduced two new events, this week starts off with the return of a "player favorite."  The Structure Beast is back, once again offering players the opportunity to play a "major-like" structured event, for a daily tournament buy-in.  The tournament carries with it a $20,000 guaranteed prize pool, which is the second richest daily event of the month (excluding Isle Poker Classic events).  The deep structure allows for a lot of play, but even if things don't go as planned during the "Beast," a second chance event follows 6:00pm ($130 No Limit Hold'em $2,000 Guaranteed Prize Pool).

11:00am - $150 No Limt Hold'em "Structure Beast" $25,000 Guarantee:

- Players receive 12,000 in tournament chips
- All late registrants and re-entries will receive a full stack
- Levels are (30) minutes in length
- Late registration and re-entries for the first (12) levels

6:00pm - $130 No Limit Hold'em  $2,000 GTD

- Players will begin with a 20,000 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, January 29th: The "New" Tournaments Continue To Roll In

Yesterday's tournament schedule introduced players to a "new" addition to the schedule, with the $240 No Limit Hold'em w/ $50 Bounties event.  The tournament carried with it a $15,000 guaranteed prize pool, and ended up attracting a total of (89) entries.  Enrique Perez (Miami, FL) would be the inaugural "Big Bounty" winner, earning $3,583 in a three-way deal with Kevin Talty (East Willston, NY) and Craig Browne (Ft. Lauderdale, FL).  The tournament paid out nine spots, with Isle Poker regulars Robert Transue (5th Place) and Tom Gity (6th Place) notching another tournament cash.

The trend of "new" tournaments continues this afternoon, as the $150 No Limit Hold'em ($10,000 Guarantee) sees it's first run in the poker room.  The tournament offers an excellent structure, with (25) minute levels throughout the event, and a starting stack of 20,000 tournament chips.

2:00pm - $150 No Limit Hold'em ($10,000 GTD)

- Players will 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 are (25) minutes