Isle Classic Event #1 (Flight 1A): Ruberto Joins The Action Late, Now Owner Of WSOP Circuit Ring

2017 Isle Classic | Event #1
$1,500 No Limit Hold'em ($300,000 GTD)
Level 8 (Blinds 400/800/100)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 51

Tony Ruberto (Miami, FL) took no time getting involved at his new table, picking up one of the first pots he played, and helping grow his 30,000 chip starting stack.

While the day is almost three-quarters of the way through, players that enter now, are still sitting down with over (30) big blinds.  One of the most recent entries to sit down in the field is Tony Ruberto (Miami, FL), a name very familiar to followers of the blog.  Ruberto has six cashes in Isle Poker events this year, including back-to-back final table finishes in the inaugural $2,500 Single-Day, and the $1,500 No Limit Hold'em Florida State Poker Championships Main Event.

Most recently, Tony won his first WSOP Circuit ring, taking down the $580 No Limit Hold'em Six-Handed (Event #4) during the series at  Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood ($20,804).  Ruberto quickly got acclimated with his table mates, discussing a recent hand played against neighbor Victor Figueroa.  Just a reminder, registration for this flight is open until the bagging process begins, which is scheduled for the end of Level 12.

Isle Classic Event #1 (Flight 1A): Updated Chip Counts After Break

2017 Isle Classic | Event #1
$1,500 No Limit Hold'em ($300,000 GTD)
Level 7 (Blinds 300/600/100)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 51

Dolphus Powers (Weston, FL) is coming off a deep run last week here at the Isle Poker Room, when he finished in 17th place during the $250 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD) event.

Players returned a short while ago from their second break of the day, and are now posting blinds of 300/600/100 in Level 7.  The chip average currently sits at 45,000, which is well over (70) big blinds...offering super deep play to the (34) players that remain in the field.  Listed below are updated chip counts, tallied at the midway point of Level 7:

Tracy Scala - 120,000

Dolphins Powers - 90,000

Alan Saltzman - 76,000

Jamie Wiegrefe - 70,000

Danny Shiff - 65,000

Frank Scala - 60,000

TK Miles - 58,000

Niel Blumenfield - 52,000

Isle Classic Event #1 (Flight 1A): Shiff Runs Into A Set, But Runs Out A Straight

2017 Isle Classic | Event #1
$1,500 No Limit Hold'em ($300,000 GTD)
Level 6 (Blinds 250/500/75)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 44

Danny Shiff (Miami, FL) checking up on the blog...making sure that all of the details in regards to the most recent hand were correct.

Danny Shiff (Miami, FL) does not put in the same tournament volume that he once did, but when he does enter and event here at the Isle Poker Room, he seems to do well.  Shiff has over $854,000 in live tournament earnings, with his last Isle Poker tournament cash coming during this year's Florida State Poker Championship.  Danny reached the final table of the $1,500 No Limit Hold'em Championship Event, eventually finishing in sixth place (for $28,630).

Moments ago, the action at Table 9 was approached on the flop (5♣ 4♠ 2♠), with four players in the hand.  Shiff checked out of the small blind, followed by a bet of 2,000 by A. Nonymous, and two calls.  When action returned to Shiff, he would check raise to 7,000, with the original bettor immediately releasing his hand.  Kurtis Cross would be next to act, and he would three-bet to 15,000, clearing out the player behind, and leaving action back on Shiff.  Danny four-bet shoved for just over 10,000 more, with Kurtis quickly calling for less.

It would be the 5♥ 5♦ (top set) of Cross, against Shiff's 3♦ 4♣ (pair and straight draw), with the dealer placing down the 7 on the turn.  The A on the river would complete Shiff's straight, sending Cross to the rail, sending the 50,000 chip pot Danny's way.  Shiff is now one of the chip leaders in the field, with Flight 1A about to reach it's midway point.

Danny Shiff - 68,000 (136bb)

Isle Classic Event #1 (Flight 1A): Complete 2017 Isle Classic Schedule (Links To Structure Sheets)

2017 Isle Classic | Event #1
$1,500 No Limit Hold'em ($300,000 GTD)
Level 5 (Blinds 200/400/50)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 40

Listed below is the full schedule for the 2017 Isle Classic, along with links to structure sheets for each tournament.

Event	Date	Time	Tournament	GTD	Buy-In
1-A	Fri., December 1	11:00 AM	No Limit Hold'em - Flight 1A		$1,500	Structure
1-B	Sat., December 2	11:00 AM	No Limit Hold'em - Flight 1B	$300,000	$1,500
1-2	Sun., Demeber 3	Noon	Day 2		$1,500
2	Sat., December 2	6:00 PM	No Limit Hold'em	$10,000	$150	Structure
3	Sun., Demeber 3	6:00 PM	NLH - Turbo Bounty	$5,000	$100	Structure
4	Mon., December 4	11:00 AM	No Limit Hold'em	$7,000	$60	Structure
5	Mon., December 4	6:00 PM	No Limit Hold'em	$20,000	$130	Structure
6	Tue., December 5	11:00 AM	Limit Omaha 8B (Hi/Lo)	$8,000	$175	Structure
7	Tue., December 5	6:00 PM	No Limit Hold'em	$12,000	$60	Structure
8	Wed., December 6	11:00 AM	No Limit Hold'em - Single Day	$30,000	$250	Structure
9	Wed., December 6	6:00 PM	No Limit Hold'em	$5,000	$75	Structure
10-A	Thur., December 7	11:00 AM	No Limit Hold'em - Flight 1A		$360	Structure
10-B	Thur., December 7	6:00 PM	No Limit Hold'em - Flight 1B		$360
10-C	Fri., December 8	11:00 AM	No Limit Hold'em - Flight 1C	$200,000	$360
10-D	Fri., December 8	6:00 PM	No Limit Hold'em - Flight 1D		$360
10-E	Sat., December 9	11:00 AM	No Limit Hold'em - Flight 1E		$360
10-F	Sat., December 9	6:00 PM	No Limit Hold'em - Flight 1F		$360
10-2	Sun., December 10	Noon	Day 2
11	Sun., December 10	6:00 PM	NLH - Turbo Bounty	$5,000	$100	Structure
12	Mon., December 11	11:00 AM	No Limit Hold'em	$7,000	$60	Structure
13	Mon., December 11	6:00 PM	No Limit Hold'em	$25,000	$150	Structure
14	Tue., December 12	11:00 AM	H.O.R.S.E.	$5,000	$175	Structure
15	Tue., December 12	6:00 PM	No Limit Hold'em	$10,000	$130	Structure
16	Wed., December 13	11:00 AM	No Limit Hold'em - Single Day	$50,000	$1,100	Structure
17	Wed., December 13	6:00 PM	No Limit Hold'em	$8,000	$60	Structure
18-A	Thur., December 14	11:00 AM	No Limit Hold'em - Flight 1A		$175	Structure
18-B	Thur., December 14	6:00 PM	No Limit Hold'em - Flight 1B		$175
18-C	Fri., December 15	11:00 AM	No Limit Hold'em - Flight 1C	$100,000	$175
18-D	Fri., December 15	6:00 PM	No Limit Hold'em - Flight 1D		$175
18-E	Sat., December 16	11:00 AM	No Limit Hold'em - Flight 1E		$175
18-F	Sat., December 16	6:00 PM	No Limit Hold'em - Flight 1F		$175
18-2	Sun., December 17	Noon	Day 2
19-A	Sun., December 17	6:00 PM	No Limit Hold'em - Flight 1A		$100	Structure
19-B	Mon., December 18	11:00 AM	No Limit Hold'em - Flight 1B		$100
19-C	Mon., December 18	6:00 PM	No Limit Hold'em - Flight 1C	$50,000	$100
19-D	Tue., December 19	11:00 AM	No Limit Hold'em - Flight 1D		$100
19-E	Tue., December 19	6:00 PM	No Limit Hold'em - Flight 1E		$100
19-2	Wed., December 20	Noon	Day 2
20	Wed., December 20	6:00 PM	No Limit Hold'em	$8,000	$60	Structure
		Isle Classic Secondary Schedule
Satellite	Fri., December 1	6:00 PM	No Limit Hold'em	10 Seats	$175
Satellite	Sat., December 2	10:00 AM	No Limit Hold'em	3 Seats	$175

Isle Classic Event #1 (Flight 1A): Thor Holds Back On The Hammer

2017 Isle Classic | Event #1
$1,500 No Limit Hold'em ($300,000 GTD)
Level 4 (Blinds 150/300/50)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 39

Jamie Wiegrefe (Miami, FL) is also known as "Thor" at the poker table, using a miniature hammer as his card protector during tournaments.

The action at Table 3 opened with a raise to 825 from Jamie Wiegrefe (Miami, FL), with three players calling, including Jose Parra and Darryl Fish (out of the big blind).  The dealer than fanned out a flop of A♥ 8♣ K♣, with Fish checking, and Wiegrefe continuing for 1,000.  The three players called once again, with the group watching, as the 5♣ fell on the turn.  The card completed any flush draws, and would elicit checks all the way through.  After the J♦ on the river, the four players would check once again, with Wiegrefe quickly tabling K♥ K♦.  His set of kings were good for the win, and Jamie would collect the 10,000 chip pot.  Jamie chips up to 50,000, and is currently one of the larger stacks in the field, which has seen the arrival of the following players:

Steve Karp

Richard Rice

Uri Kadosh

James Salmon

Danny Schiff

Isle Classic Event #1 (Flight 1A): Father And Son Satellite Winners, Looking To Best Yesterday's Efforts

2017 Isle Classic | Event #1
$1,500 No Limit Hold'em ($300,000 GTD)
Level 3 (Blinds 100/200/25)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 36

Tracy Scala (Delray Beach, FL) was one of ten players to earn a seat into this event via Wednesday's $340 No Limit Hold'em Package Satellite.

Wednesday afternoon's tournament was a $340 No Limit Hold'em Package Satellite event, which offered (10) guaranteed packages that included entry into yesterday's $2,500 Single-Day ($100,000 GTD), and this weekend's Isle Classic Event #1 ($1,500 No Limit Hold'em | $300,000 GTD).  We've already seen what a $340 buy-in can turn into, as Ido Ashkenazi (Davie, FL) ended up winning yesterday's $2,500 Single-Day, taking home over $43,000 in the process.

Both Frank and Tracy Scala (father and son) won packages in Wednesday's satellite, and while they fell short of cashing yesterday, both are in today's field (looking to bag for Day 2).  The rest of the satellite winners yet to have arrived for this opening event include:

Tom Gity

Melisa Singh

Dale Smith

Ido Ashkenazi

Bernard Muhire

Daniel Genachte

Francklin Michel

Emmanuel Santos

Players are about to hear on their first break of the day, and will be returning to Level 4, with new blinds of 150/300/50.

Isle Classic Event #1 (Flight 1A): Darryl Fish Looking To Put A Bow On A Banner Year

2017 Isle Classic | Event #1
$1,500 No Limit Hold'em ($300,000 GTD)
Level 2 (Blinds 75/150/25)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 23

Darryl Fish (Cape Coral, FL) may be on his second entry of the day, but he has a lot to smile about in 2017, what's statistically been his best year of tournament poker.

Darryl Fish (Cape Coral, FL) was all smiles when he saw the camera, just as he was smiling moments before, when he ran pocket kings into the pockets aces of Howard Hoffman.  Fish would lose his stack in that hand, as all of the chips got in pre-flop, but he immediately walked to the cage to re-enter.  Darryl definitely has a lot to be happy about, which could probably explain the ease that he took the early beat.

Fish is coming off of a final table finish during the $3,500 No Limit Hold'em Rock N' Roll Poker Championship Event at Seminole Hard Rock (Hollywood).  Darryl would be eliminated by eventual champion Michael Newman in third place, earning just over $168,900.  It was Darryl's fourth final table finish of the year, all for sizable scores (including winning over $453,000 in the SHRPO $3,500 Championship Event).  Fish has over $852,700 in live tournament earnings this year, which is his best career year to date.  

While a majority of his earnings came from Hard Rock Hollywood in 2017, he did see great success here at the Isle as well.  Darryl was part of a three-way deal that ended the $1,500 No Limit Hold'em Florida State Poker Championships Main Event, seeing a return of $98,000 for his share.  Fish headlines an early group of notables in the field, including names like:

Stephen Smith

Jacquelyn Scott

Frank Scala

Tracy Scala

Frederico Dabus

Skip McDonough

Anthony Utnage

Erik Christensen

Kenneth Bruno

Neil Blumenfield

Isle Classic Event #1 (Flight 1A): Action Underway For 2017 Isle Classic, Doing Things A Little Different This Time

2017 Isle Classic | Event #1
$1,500 No Limit Hold'em ($300,000 GTD)
Level 1 (Blinds 50/100)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 13

The setups are ready for players to arrive, as the field trickles in slowly to begin this opening event of the series.

The rules announcement was made moments ago by Ralph Brandt, and the cards are now in the air for Event #1 of the 2017 Isle Classic.  At first glance, players looking at the schedule for the series will notice something different...as the opening event of the series carries the largest buy-in, and would be considered the "main event."  This $1,500 buy-in tournament carries a $300,000 guarantee, and offers one of the more generous structure...especially when the event reaches it's later stages (in the money and at the final table).

The structure sees players sitting down to starting stacks of 30,000 units, and playing (40) minute levels during these opening flights (Levels 1-12).  The pair of starting flights are scheduled to play twelve full levels, or until 10% of the field remains.  The level length will then transition to (50) minutes after Level 13, followed by one more transition to (60) minutes, once the final table is reached.

The "intimate" field to start the day was expected, as the starting time for these opening flights was pushed forward to 11:00am.  We tend to see a later arriving crowd in these larger buy-in events, especially considering that a player can buy in during Level 9 with (30) big blinds.

Friday, December 1st: Ido Ashkenazi Wins $2,500 Single-Day As The Calendar Turns, 2017 Isle Classic Begins

ICYMI: November's tournament calendar wrapped up yesterday, with two tournaments on the scheduled, beginning with the $2,500 No Limit Hold'em Single-Day ($100,000 GTD).  The event would see many of the familiar faces that have played in the past, joined by a group of winners from Wednesday's $340 No Limit Hold'em Package Satellite (along with a few new faces).  Registration for the tournament would close with (47) entries, equating to a prize pool of $108,100.  Once the payouts were made official, players still remaining would learn that seven spots would be paid, with just over $43,000 up top.  Andjelko Andrejevic (Belgrade, Serbia) would be eliminated on the bubble just as Level 13 was wrapping up, leaving a final table that hosted some big names (and a satellite winner).  That satellite winner (Ido Ashkenazi) would end up winning the tournament, as he bested WSOP bracelet winner Chris Bolek during heads-up play.

1. Ido Ashkenazi (Davie, FL) $43,240
2. Chris Bolek (Boca Raton, FL) $25,944
3. Chad Eveslage (Ramsey, IN) $14,053
4. Sean Perry (Las Vegas, NV) $8,648
5. Barry Hutter (Hollywood, FL) $6,486
6. Jose Parra (Hialeah Gardens, FL) $5,405
7. Victor Figueroa (Miami, FL) $4,324

Just as the $2,500 Single-Day was entering the money bubble phase, the 6:00pm tournament was getting underway, a $130 No Limit Hold'em ($20,000 GTD) event.  The tournament's registration would close with (196) entries in the field, and an official prize pool of $20,000.  A total of (25) players would reach the money in the event, with first place scheduled to take home $4,978.  The official payouts would eventually be altered, as a seven-way deal was agreed to.  The group of players to chop the event were all familiar names to the blog, headed by Daren Stabinski (Plantation, FL), who was declared the tournament's winner.

1. Daren Stabinski (Plantation, FL) $3,074
2. Rick Kalgstein (Sunrise, FL) $2,949
3. Joshua Wasserman (Deerfield Beach, FL) $2,600
4. Errol Massey (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) $2,194
5. Glen Canelstein (Coconut Creek, FL) $1,214
6. Odette Cutter (West Palm Beach, FL) $1,098
7. Antonio Colon (Princeton, FL) $1,015

Tournaments: Many of the names that were in attendance during yesterday's action will also be spotted this weekend, as the 2017 Isle Classic begins.  This series is a little different than those that have come before it, as the schedule actually begins with the largest buy-in.  The $1,500 No Limit Hold'em Event #1 is the "main event," and carries with it a $300,000 guarantee.  There are two opening flights, the first of which gets underway at 11:00am (Flight 1A), followed by Flight 1B tomorrow afternoon (also beginning at 11:00am).  The tournament is structured with starting stacks of 30,000 units, and levels that transition throughout the event.  The opening flights have levels that are (40) minutes, transitioning to (50) minutes on Day 2, and then (60) minutes once the final table is reached.  Registration is open through each starting flight, also to include Sunday afternoon, before the first cards are pitched for Day 2.

For those that would like the opportunity to get into this opening event for a fraction of the price, a $175 No Limit Hold'em Satellite Into Isle Classic Event #1 begins at 6:00pm, and guarantees (10) seats.  The satellite is structured with starting stacks of 12,000 units, and levels that last (20) minutes over the course of the evening.

Promotions: From (9:00am-10:00am), the high hand will award $150 every (30) minutes.  The high hands will then transition from 10:00am-12:00am (midnight), with the opportunity to win $400 every (30) minutes.  During that period, the promotion sees tournament players eligible (Isle Open events not eligible for high hand) each half-hour for $100 high hands, 2/2 limit hold'em players eligible for $200 high hands, 2/4 limit hold'em players eligible for $300 high hands, and all other raked games (1/2-5/10 NLH, 4/8 Omaha 8B, 6/12 O.E., etc.) eligible for $400 high hands.  From 12:00am-9:00am, players are eligible for $100 high hands every hour.

It should also be noted that starting November 1st, 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).

11:00am - 2017 Isle Classic Event #1 (Day 1A) | $1,500 No Limit Hold'em Isle Classic Main Event | $300,000 GTD

- Players start with 30,000 in tournament chips

- Late and re-entries for the first (12) levels, to include before the first card on Day 2

- Alternates and late entries will start with a full stack

- Levels will last (40) minutes (Levels 1-12), transitioning to (50) minutes Levels 13+, and once again to (60) minutes once the final table is reached

6:00pm - 2017 Isle Classic (Secondary Schedule): $175 No Limit Hold'em Satellite Into Event #1 ($1,500 No Limit Hold'em Isle Classic Main Event | $300,000 GTD) | 10 Seats Guaranteed

- Players start with 12,000 in tournament chips

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

- Alternates and late entries will start with a full stack

- Level will last (20) minutes throughout the event

"$2,500 Single-Day:" Ido Ashkenazi Wins $2,500 Single-Day Title ($43,240), Besting Chris Bolek Heads-Up ($25,944)

$2,500 No Limit Hold'em
"Single-Day Series"
Level 23 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/50,000 Ante)
Total Entries: 47
Players Remaining: 1

It's the reason that poker players enter satellites...for the opportunity to parlay a smaller buy-in into a large tournament score.  Ido Ashkenazi (Queens, NY) is the $2,500 Single-Day winner, just (24) hours after winning a seat in the $340 Package Satellite.  Ashkenazi earns his fifth ever tournament win, which also happens to be the fourth largest cash of his tournament career.  We will see Ashkenazi this weekend as well, as the package satellite he won also included a seat into Event #1 of the Isle Classic (which begins today).

WSOP bracelet winner Chris Bolek (Boca Raton, FL) is another player who is very selective about the tournaments he plays, normally focusing on the highest limit cash games runs here at the Isle Poker Room.  Chris fell just short of his second Isle Poker tournament title, after winning the $2,500 Isle Classic Main Event in 2013.  Bolek will have an opportunity to repeat that feat this weekend, as the $1,500 Isle Classic Main Event begins later this afternoon.

"$2,500 Single-Day:" Chad Eveslage Eliminated In 3rd Place, Leaving Bolek And Ashkenazi Heads-Up For The Title

$2,500 No Limit Hold'em
"Single-Day Series"
Level 21 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/40,000 Ante)
Total Entries: 47
Players Remaining: 2

Chad Eveslage (Ramsey, IN) is pretty selective when it comes to which tournament's he plays, primarily focusing on cash games, but has played in multiple $2,500 Single-Days.

This installment of the $2,500 Single-Day is now heads-up, after the elimination of Chad Eveslage (Ramsey, IN) in third place ($14,053).  This is Chad's first cash since the end of September, when he reached the final table of the WSOP Circuit $1,675 Main Event at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood ($51,148).

"$2,500 Single-Day:" Barry Hutter Departs In 5th Place ($6,486), Quickly Followed By Sean Perry In 4th Place ($8,648)

$2,500 No Limit Hold'em
"Single-Day Series"
Level 20 (Blinds 15,000/30,000/30,000 Ante)
Total Entries: 47
Players Remaining: 3

Barry Hutter (Bradenton, FL) spent most of the afternoon into evening grinding an average to below average stack, but managed to turn that into a fifth place finish.

Barry Hutter (Bradenton, FL) is another player that has been in attendance for each of the four $2,500 Single-Day events, and earned his second cash moments ago.  Hutter was eliminated in fifth place, taking home $6,486 for his efforts.  The result brings his life earnings north of $3,735,000, which is (14th) on the all-time money list for the state of Florida (as list that contains some of the greatest names in tournament poker).

Another regular in these $2,500 Single-Days, Sean Perry (Encinitas, CA) was the chip leader when the money bubble burst, but would exit the field in fourth place.

Sean Perry's (Encinitas, CA) departure leaves the final table three handed, with one satellite winner remaining, up against two of the more well known players from the Isle Poker Room (Chad Eveslage and Chris Bolek).  Perry would earn $8,648 for his fourth place finish, which happens to be his first cash in the $2,500 Single-Day, after multiple efforts.

"$2,500 Single-Day:" Jose Parra Eliminated In 6th Place ($5,405)

$2,500 No Limit Hold'em
"Single-Day Series"
Level 18 (Blinds 10,000/20,000/20,000 Ante)
Total Entries: 47
Players Remaining: 5

Jose Parra (Hialeah Gardens, FL) has been a frequent attendee of the $2,500 Singe-Day, and just earned his first cash in the event, departing in sixth place.

Jose Parra (Hialeah Gardens, FL) had been grinding the Florida tournament poker circuit since 2012, but it wasn't until the 2017 Florida State Poker Championships, that he introduced himself to the blog.  Parra ended up cashing in three events during the summer series, including a deep finish in the $360 No Limit Hold'em (Event #7), collecting $4,423 for his 12th place finish.  Parra has since been fixture in the premier events here at the Isle Poker Room, including the first three runnings of this $2,500 Single-Day event.

Today's sixth place finish is worth $5,405, and marks Jose's largest cash since September of 2015, when he chopped an event here at the Isle for $17,972.

"$2,500 Single-Day:" Victor Figueroa Eliminated In 7th Place ($4,324)

$2,500 No Limit Hold'em
"Single-Day Series"
Level 14 (Blinds 5,000/10,000/10,000 Ante)
Total Entries: 47
Players Remaining: 6

Victor Figueroa (Miami, FL) became the shortest stack after the elimination of Andjelko Andrejevic on the bubble, lasting a full level before exiting the final table.

Victor Figueroa (Miami, FL) had just over 125,000 when the money bubble burst, and immediately shoved blind v. blind (against Chad Eveslage) the hand after Andjelko Andrejevic left the table.  That shove would get through, but even with the addition of the big blind and ante, Victor was still left with less than (20) bigs.  Figueroa managed to navigate his way through another level, but was unable to find the critical double-up he needed.  

This would be Victor's first cash in the $2,500 Single-Day, for which he'd earn $4,324.  The remaining players are now guaranteed $5,405.

"$2,500 Single-Day:" After Bypassing A Dinner Break, Andjelko Andrejevic Eliminated By Sean Perry On The Bubble

$2,500 No Limit Hold'em
"Single-Day Series"
Level 13 (Blinds 4,000/8,000/8,000 Ante)
Total Entries: 47
Players Remaining: 7

Andjelko Andrejevic (Belgrade, Serbia) was super short as the tournament reached it's final table, sitting with just ten bigs, up against players with close to (100) big blinds.

The final table players decided to bypass a dinner break on the money bubble, and instead took just a short ten minute break from the action.  Andjelko Andrejevic returned from break with just ten bigs on the bubble (70,000), and would be eliminated by Sean Perry shortly after play resumed.  The remaining players are all guaranteed $4,324, but the number that their set on is the $43,240 up top.  Listed below are the updated chip counts from the final table:

1. Jose Parra - 805,000
2. Sena Perry - 1,320,000
3. Ido Ashkenazi - 595,000
4. Chris Bolek - 815,000
5. Barry Hutter - 470,000
6. Victor Figueroa - 135,000
7. Chad Eveslage - 465,000

Updates (moving forward) will be posted as each player is eliminated, through the conclusion of this event.

"$2,500 Single-Day:" Final Table Reached, With Field On The Money Bubble

$2,500 No Limit Hold'em
"Single-Day Series"
Level 12 (Blinds 3,500/7,000/7,000 Ante)
Total Entries: 47
Players Remaining: 9

The action has been quicker than expected, as the field has reached it's final table of nine before the scheduled (30) minute dinner break (at the end of this level).  Listed below are the final table seating assignments (with chip counts) post re-draw.

1. Jose Parra - 960,000
2. Sean Perry - 690,000
3. Ido Ashkenazi - 895,000
4. Chris Bolek - 600,000
5. Andjelko Nadmekvic - 115,000
6. Frank Scala - 325,000
7. Barry Hutter - 375,000
8. Victor Figueroa - 330,000
9. Chad Eveslage - 470,000

"$2,500 Single-Day:" Official Event Numbers, Updates From The Field

$2,500 No Limit Hold'em
"Single-Day Series"
Level 11 (Blinds 3,000/6,000/6,000 Ante)
Total Entries: 47
Players Remaining: 12

The tournament clock was photographed when (14) players remaining, but the field is now just five eliminations from reaching the money, with first place scheduled to take home $43,240.

Registation for the $2,500 Single-Day ($100,000 GTD) closed just over an hour ago, with the tournament officially drawing a field of (47) entries.  The prize pool closed at $108,100, with seven players scheduled to reach the money, and $43,240 going to the tournament's winner.  Listed below are the seating assignments for the final two tables of the event:

Table 3

1. Ido Ashkenazi
2. Jose Parra
3. Sean Perry
4. Dale Smith
5. Chad Eveslage
6. Brandon Ageloff

Table 4

1. Frank Scala
2. Matthew Waxman
3. Barry Hutter
4. AJ Gambino
5. Victor Figueroa
6. Chris Bolek

"$2,500 Single-Day:" Melisa Singh Looking To Parlay Package Satellite Win Into Career Highlighting Scores

$2,500 No Limit Hold'em
"Single-Day Series"
Level 5 (Blinds 1,000/2,000/2,000 Ante)
Total Entries: 26

Melisa Singh (New York, NY) is currently one of seven players in the field from yesterday's $340 No Limit Hold'em Package Satellite.  

Yesterday's $340 No Limit Hold'em Package Satellite guaranteed players at least (10) packages, which included seats into today's $2,500 Single-Day, and this weekend's Isle Classic Event #1 ($1,500 No Limit Hold'em | $300,000 GTD).  One of those players to get their hands on a package was Melisa Singh (New York, NY), who joined the action during Level 3.  Singh is just one month removed from winning her first WSOP Circuit Ring, taking down the $250 No Limit Hold'em Ladies Event ($4,620).  That win actually came just a day after she fell one spot short of a ring, finishing runner-up to Najees Reyes in the $365 No Limit Hold'em (Event #11).  The second place finish was the largest cash of her career ($7,528), helping bring her lifetime tournament earnings north of $36,000.  Her solid tournament play has clearly caught the eye of other players, as mentioned in Melisa's tweet from earlier this afternoon.

Binked two satty seats & excited to play the $2500 & $1500 @IsleCasinoPP Flattered @BrandonAgs could sense I was a #SattyBeast and put me in. 🙌 😘

— Melisa Singh (@Melisa_Singh) November 30, 2017

"$2,500 Single-Day:" Ari Engel Extends His Florida Trip, In The Field After Final Table Finish

$2,500 No Limit Hold'em
"Single-Day Series"
Level 3 (Blinds 500/1,500/1,500 Ante)
Total Entries: 21

Ari Engel (Toronto, CA) has put together a resume, both online and live, that has made him one of the more well-known (and well respected) tournament players in the world.

Ari Engel (Toronto, CA) was first known in the poker world as 'BodogAri,' one of the best online players in the world.  After finishing college, Engel began playing online full-time, becoming the worlds top ranked player in a short time.  In 2006, he was among the highest volume online tournament player on the internet...which also happened to be the time that his live resume got it's start.  

Since 2006, Ari has recorded (237) cashes (courtesy of Hendon Mob), and amassed live earnings over $5,053,000.  He's been in the top (20) on the "number of cashes" each year since 2015, spending his time traveling all over the world to play.  Engel is coming off of a final table finish (yesterday), in which he finished in 5th place of the $3,500 No Limit Hold'em Rock N' Roll Championship Event.  The score was worth just over $93,500, but before he called it a trip here in Florida, he decided to drop in on this event (and potentially this weekend's Isle Classic Event #1).   Joining Ari in this early field is:

Alan Schein

Sean Perry 

Stephen Song

Michael Johnson

Brandon Ageloff

Brett Bader

Gregory Baird

AJ Gambino

"$2,500 Single-Day:" November's Tournament Action Wrapping Up, Cards In The Air For $2,500 Single-Day

$2,500 No Limit Hold'em
"Single-Day Series"
Level 1 (Blinds 500/1,000/1,000 Ante)
Total Entries: N/A

In terms of months without a major series, November has been special for tournaments, with the fourth "major" event getting underway moments ago.  There aren't multi starting flights for today's event, and players won't be bagging chips for Day 2...this is the $2,500 Single-Day ($100,000 GTD).

The tournament is structured with 100,000 unit starting stacks, and levels that last (30) minutes over the course of the event.  A glance at the structure sheet will have players noticing the single-ante, with the big blind posting a collective ante for the table.  The single ante allows for a quicker pace of play, more hands throughout the tournament, and a smooth experience for both players and dealers.  

This is the fourth running of the Single-Day, and the second that has a posted guarantee.  Three of the four past tournaments have eclipsed the $100,000 mark, with the only one to fall short coming in September (on the heels of a major hurricane).  We've seen winners like Ian O'Hara, Jonathan Jaffe, and Alex Turyansky...and expect those players (along with other big names) in today's field.  There will also be (10) satellites winners from yesterday's $340 Package Satellite, the largest number of seats that have ever been  awarded to this tournament.

"Live look-ins" will be provided throughout the early stages of the event, with in the money coverage posted both here on the blog, and on the @PokerIslePP Twitter handle.

Thursday, November 30th: $2,500 Single-Day The "Appetizer" To The 2017 Isle Classic

ICYMI: Yesterday's tournament action began with the $340 No Limit Hold'em Package Satellite, which offered (10) guaranteed packages into today's $2,500 NLH "Single Day" ($100,000 GTD), and this weekend's Isle Classic $1,500 NLH Event #1 ($300,000 GTD).  The $340 entry, for the opportunity to win $4,000 worth of buy-ins, was clearly a satellite that players couldn't pass up.  A total of (124) entries made up the field, with just over (70) players remaining once registration closed...all hoping to grab one of those ten packages.  Listed below are the winner's of the satellite, and names you'll see in coverage over the next (72) hours.

1. Emmanuel Santos
2. Dale Smith
3. Ido Ashkenazi
4. Melissa Singh
5. Tom Gity
6. Bernard Muhire
7. Daniel Genachte
8. Tracy Scala
9. Francklin Michel
10. Frank Scala

The package satellite was followed at 6:00pm by a $80 No Limit Hold'em tournament.  The event saw registration close with (22) entries, and a prize pool of $1,254.  Three spots were scheduled to get paid, and after the money bubble burst (and the elimination of Diane Linke in third place), the final two players agreed to a heads up deal (with results listed below).

1. Vincent Green (Boynton Beach, FL) $577
2. Paul Humphrey (Ocala, FL) $426
3. Diane Linke (Boynton Beach, FL) $251

Tournaments: Today's tournament action gets started an hour later than normal, as the cards start flying for the $2,500 No Limit Hold'em Single-Day ($100,000 GTD).   The one-day event is structured with 100,000 unit starting stacks, and levels that last (30) minutes over the course of the event.  The actual blind structure is proportionate to the starting stacks, with the big blind posting a single ante for the table.  This is the second time that the Single-Day has a posted guarantee, with the first coming last month, during the 2017 Isle Open.  That event attracted a total of (59) entries, and saw registration close with a prize pool of $135,700.  Alex Turyansky bested the field to win the event's trophy, and just over $46,000.  There will be live look-ins throughout the day, along with updated coverage via the blog, and Twitter (@PokerIslePP).

The "Single-Day" is followed at 6:00pm by another big event (in terms of daily tournaments), with the $130 No Limit Hold'em tournament offering a $20,000 guaranteed prize pool.  The tournament is structured with starting stacks of 16,000 units, and levels that last (20) minutes over the course of the event.

Promotions: From (9:00am-10:00am), the high hand will award $150 every (30) minutes.  The high hands will then transition from 10:00am-12:00am (midnight), with the opportunity to win $400 every (30) minutes.  During that period, the promotion sees tournament players eligible (Isle Open events not eligible for high hand) each half-hour for $100 high hands, 2/2 limit hold'em players eligible for $200 high hands, 2/4 limit hold'em players eligible for $300 high hands, and all other raked games (1/2-5/10 NLH, 4/8 Omaha 8B, 6/12 O.E., etc.) eligible for $400 high hands.  From 12:00am-9:00am, players are eligible for $100 high hands every hour.

It should also be noted that starting November 1st, 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).

12:00pm - $2,500 No Limit Hold'em Single-Day ($100,000 GTD)

- Players start with 100,000 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

- Ante is to be posted by the big blind (is a single ante), and in an all-in situation, the big blind is to be considered as having been posted first.

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

- Players will begin with a 16,000 starting stack

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

- Alternates and late entries will receive full stacks

- Levels are (20) minutes in length throughout