Isle Classic Event #10 (Flight 1C): Remaining Isle Classic Schedule

2017 Isle Classic | Event #10
$360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)
Level 3 (Blinds 75/150/25)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 47

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

We have reached the halfway point of the 2017 Isle Classic, with nine trophies awarded to this point. Even though the series started with the $1,500 Isle Classic Main Event, there are still "headlining" events remaining on the second half of the schedule.  The first in mind happens to be the tournament that all of these opening flight chip leaders are earning entry in to.  Event #16 is a $1,100 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante tournament, which boasts a $50,000 guaranteed prize pool.  If recent history is a barometer of things to come, that event could be something very special.  The $250 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante (Event #8) that was run earlier this week was a massive hit, falling just two entries short of the (200) entry mark.  Also remaining are Event #18 ($175 No Limit Hold'em $100,000 GTD), and Event #19 ($100 No Limit Hold'em $50,000 GTD).  There are also great tournaments that fall in between those "headlining" events, including a $175 H.O.R.S.E. ($5,000 GTD), and a $150 No Limit Hold'em ($25,000 GTD).

Isle Classic Event #10 (Flight 1C): Newman's Notable Status Soars To New Heights

2017 Isle Classic | Event #10
$360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)
Level 2 (Blinds 50/100)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 39

Michael Newman (Nanuet, NY) returns to the Isle Poker Room for the first time since winning the 2017
Rock N' Roll Poker Showdown $3,500 Championship Event.

Michael Newman's (Nanuet, NY) tournament resume started back in 2011, but it wasn't until 2015, that he started putting in some serious volume.  From that volume came results, with Newman earning just over $90,000 in 2015.  He'd follow that breakout year with even better numbers, banking over $112,000 in cashes in 2016.  Michael made a habit of winning events over the course of those two years, with all of those titles coming at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood.

Going into this year's Rock N' Roll Poker Open, Newman had ten tournament wins at Hard Rock, with his largest worth $17,579.  Michael had other cashes that were worth more than that win, but was still searching for the elusive six-figure score.  After winning the $3,500 No Limit Hold'em Championship Event of the Rock N' Roll Poker Open (just two weeks ago), that search would be over.  Newman earned $374,240 for the win, along with the trophy...and the notability that comes along with it.  The life changing score almost matched his earnings heading into the event (which were over $400,000), and was an accomplishment that was reported across numerous media outlets in the poker community.  

Michael took a few weeks off after the score, but is now back in action, heading the first look at notables in this Flight 1C field.

Neil Blumenfield

Frank Scala

Marsha Wolak

Paul Shafran

Marc Levy

Skip McDonough

Jeff Kessler

Peter Vitantonio

Jonathan Steward

Tracy Scala

Scott Zakheim

William Underdown

Tom Gity

Isle Classic Event #10 (Flight 1C): Cards In The Air For Flight 1C, Looking For Another Bonus Winner

2017 Isle Classic | Event #10
$360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)
Level 1 (Blinds 25/50)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 14

20,000 unit starting stacks are waiting for players to arrive, as Flight 1C action of Event #10 began moments ago.

The tournament supervisor (Ralph Brandt) finished up the rules announcement moments ago, with action now underway for Flight 1C of Event #10 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $200,000 GTD).  Yesterday's opening day of the event saw a total of (131) entries over the course of two flights, with (19) players reaching the bagging process.  The two "bonus winners" from the flights were Chad Vetstein (who bagged 308,500 in Flight 1A), and Alvin Tight, who ended up bagging the overall lead with 331,500 (for Flight 1B).  There were a number of notables players to pack away chips for Sunday, including Jose Parra (297,000), Matthew Vetstein (112,000), Joseph Duchman (96,000), and Cameron Collins (46,500).

The combined prize pools from each flight totaled $39,955, which is a solid number for the first day of opening flights.  The pace should pick up over the next (48) hours, as the weekend begins, and player's schedules allow for more poker action.  We will allow the tournament area to fill up, before taking our first look at notables in the field.  Live blogged coverage will continue throughout the afternoon, concluding with the official end of flight chips counts for Flight 1C.

Today's flights are structured the same as the two that were played yesterday, and the two to follow tomorrow...with starting stacks of 20,000 units.  Levels 1-15 will be (30) minutes, and will transition to (40) minutes Levels 16+ (which is Day 2).  The chip leader from each flight will earn a "bonus," which is entry into Event #16 ($1,100 No Limit Hold'em $50,000 Guaranteed).

Friday, December 8th: Event #10 Rolls On With Second Pair Of Starting Flights

ICYMI: Action for the second "headlining" event of the 2017 Isle Classic got underway yesterday afternoon, with the first pair of opening flights for Event #10 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $200,000 GTD).  Flight 1A started at 11:00am, and attracted a nice sized field for the first of six starting flights.  The flight was comprised of (63) entries, ten of which were able to navigate their way to the bagging process.  Leading the group that's heading to Sunday's Day 2 was Chad Vetstein (Boston, MA), who used a big hand again Juan Rodriguez (Boca Raton, FL) to propel himself to the chip lead bonus (308,500).  Also successful in bagging chips from the flight was Chad's brother Matt Vetstein (112,000), Jose Parra (297,000), and Jorge Aristizobal (150,000).

Just as the players were beginning to bag their chips from Flight 1A, the second flight of the day got started, with the field growing for Flight 1B.  After twelve levels of open registration, the official numbers would be posted, with (68) total entries showing on the tournament clock.  Three more levels would be left in the night, and after the final Level 15 hand was dealt, a total of nine players remained.  The group was headed by Alvin Tight (331,500), who earned himself entry into Event #16 ($1,100 No Limit Hold'em $50,000 GTD), winning the chip lead bonus.  Other notables to bag chips from Flight 1B were Anthony Valiente (265,500), John Grasso (240,000), and Joseph Duchman (96,000).  

Tournaments: Today's tournament schedule hosts the second pair of Event #10 ($360 No Limit Hold'em) flights, with Flight 1C at 11:00am, followed by Flight 1D at 6:00pm.  The $360 No Limit Hold'em tournament carries a $200,000 guaranteed prize pool, and has four more flights over the next two days.  Each of the starting flights is structured the same, with starting stacks of 20,000 units.  Levels 1-15 will be (30) minutes, and will transition to (40) minutes Levels 16+ (which is Day 2).  The chip leader from each flight will earn a "bonus," which is entry into Event #16 ($1,100 No Limit Hold'em $50,000 Guaranteed).

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 started back on 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 #7 (Flight 1C): $360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD) 

- Players start with 20,000 in tournament chips

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

- Alternates and late entries will start with a full stack

- Levels will last (30) minutes through Level 15, and will the transition to (40) minutes Level 16+

- All Day 1's will play (15) complete levels or until 10% of the field remains (whichever comes first)

- The chip leader from each flight will earn a seat into Event 16 ($1,100 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante)

6:00pm - 2017 Isle Classic Event #7 (Flight 1D): $360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)

- Players start with 20,000 in tournament chips

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

- Alternates and late entries will start with a full stack

- Levels will last (30) minutes through Level 15, and will the transition to (40) minutes Level 16+

- All Day 1's will play (15) complete levels or until 10% of the field remains (whichever comes first)

- The chip leader from each flight will earn a seat into Event 16 ($1,100 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante)

Isle Classic Event #10 (Flight 1B): Official End Of Flight 1B Chip Counts

2017 Isle Classic | Event #10
$360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)
Level 15 (Blinds 1,500/3,000/500)
Total Flight 1B Entries: 68
Flight 1B Players Remaining: 9

Alvin	Tight B	331,500
Anthony	Valiente	265,500
Jon	Grasso	240,000
Engelberth	Varela	144,000
Riley	Fuller	117,000
Joseph	Duchman	96,000
Marcin	Plewinski	63,000
Brandon	Noe	60,500
Cameron	Collins	46,500

Isle Classic Event #10 (Flight 1A): Official End Of Flight 1A Chip Counts

2017 Isle Classic | Event #10
$360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)
Level 15 (Blinds 1,500/3,000/500)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 63
Flight 1A Players Remaining: 10

Chad	Vetstein A	308,500
Jose	Parra	297,000
Jorge	Aristizobal	150,000
Haim	Toorgerian	125,500
Matthew	Vetstein	112,000
Steven	Rosen	64,000
Rafael	Calero	61,000
David	Poces	55,000
Larry	Hirschfield	52,000
Yoav	Levy	35,500

Isle Classic Event #10 (Flight 1A): Chad Vetstein Bags Flight 1A Chip Lead, Official Counts To Follow

2017 Isle Classic | Event #10
$360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)
Level 15 (Blinds 1,500/3,000/500)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 63
Flight 1A Players Remaining: 10

Chad Vetstein (Boston, MA) wins the Event #16 seat ($1,100 No Limit Hold'em), after besting Jose Parra's
stack by the slimmest of margins.

After Chad Vetstein eliminated Juan Rodriguez in a pot that was close to 270,000, the chip lead bonus race actually became a race.  Vetstein and Jose Parra went back and forth...seemingly trading spots each and every hand.  Once the last hand was played, and the flight would become official, it would be Chad Vetstein (~305,000) topping the counts (by only a few thousand).  Players are now bagging up their chips, with the end of flight counts to be posted at 8:00pm.

Isle Classic Event #10 (Flight 1A): Parra Has Some Competition Up Top, But Still Holds Commanding Lead

2017 Isle Classic | Event #10
$360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)
Level 14 (Blinds 1,000/2,000/300)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 63
Flight 1A Players Remaining: 15

Juan Rodriguez (Boca Raton, FL) is coming off a nice result last night, earning $4,443 in an even chop of
Event #8 ($250 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante $30,000 GTD).

Jose Parra (Hialeah Gardens, FL) has shown no signs of slipping, since assuming the flight's chip lead more two hours ago.  He's the only player above the 200,000 mark, but he's plateaued of recent, allowing for other players to catch up.  Juan Rodriguez (Boca Raton, FL) is one of those players to creep towards Parra's number, now sitting with close to 175,000.  Rodriguez had a short turnaround this afternoon, arriving less than twelve hours after chopping yesterday's Event #8 (which played out late into the evening).

The remaining players in this flight will finish out this level, and then play until the 10:00 minute mark of Level 15.  At that point, the clock will be paused, and those players left will be informed of how many hands remain in the night.  The bagging process will then commence once those hands have been finished at each table, with end of Flight 1A chip counts to be posted shortly thereafter.

Isle Classic Event #10 (Flight 1A): Vetstein Brothers Seeing Success Late In Flight 1A

2017 Isle Classic | Event #10
$360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)
Level 13 (Blinds 1,000/2,000/300)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 63
Flight 1A Players Remaining: 17

Chad Vetstein (pictured left) and brother Matt, both seeing success as the opening Event #10 flight winds down.

With registration now closed, the official numbers are in for Flight 1A of Event #10.  The opening flight attracted a total of (63) entries, with $19,215 going towards the overall prize pool.  There are (17) players currently active in the field, all chasing Jose Parra for the chip lead bonus.  Two players that are only a double away from the chip lead, are Chad and Matt Vetstein.  The two brothers, originally from Boston, have both seen tournament success since moving down to Florida.  The pair of Vetstein's are sitting with stacks above the 100,000 mark, and need to navigate their way through two more levels, in order to reach the bagging process.

#ForTheBlog Updates:

@PokerIslePP @_relaxilla_ Bust 1A of the 200K. Fold down to 6 bigs. Shove 44 in early position and lose to ATO. Playing 1B now. #Fortheblog

— EC (@MiamiErikC) December 7, 2017

Isle Classic Event #10 (Flight 1A): Full Field Listing As Registration Closes (Final Break)

2017 Isle Classic | Event #10
$360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)
Level 12 (Blinds 800/1,600/200)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 63

Players are about to head on their final break of the night, and will return to play the final three levels of the flight.  Action will resume with Level 13, and blinds of 1,000/2,000/300, with a chip average of 63,000.  Listed below are the seating assignments for the (21) players remaining in the flight:

Table 1

1. A. Nonymous
2. Chip Reed
3. Matt Vetstein
4. Yoav Levy
5. Jorge Aristizabal
6. Erik Christensen
7. Haim Tooregeman
8. Sylvain Fontaine

Table 3

1. Steve Rosen
2. David Poces
3. Kenneth Bruno
4. Steve Smith
5. Michael Goldfarb
6. Chad Vetstein
7. Peter Vitantonio

Table 4

1. Rafael Calero
2. Jason Holzberg
3. Matthew Zarcadoolas
4. Larry Hirschfield
5. Juan Rodriguez
6. Jose Parra

Isle Classic Event #10 (Flight 1A): Bruno's Trip Was Short, Helps Jason Holzberg's Cause

2017 Isle Classic | Event #10
$360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)
Level 11 (Blinds 600/1,200/200)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 62

Jason Holzberg (Plainview, NY) is another player making his first appearance on the blog, but his tournament
history shows that he's no stranger to the Isle Poker Room.

At Table 4, Jose Parra would open the action with raise to 3,000, with Kenneth Bruno calling behind.  After one fold, action would be on Jason Holberg (Plainview, NY), who three-bet shoved for just over 34,000.  The remaining players folded behind, including the original raiser (Jose Parra), with only Bruno left to act.  Having bought in just minutes prior, Bruno tossed in his remaining stack of 16,000, only to watch Jason table K♠ K♥.  Kenneth followed by rolling over Q♠ Q♥, with the two watching a runout of K♦ 9♥ 8♦ 7♦ 7♥.  Bruno would be drawing dead on the turn, and quickly went to the cage to re-enter.

"Look what I started," Juan Rodriguez said to Holzberg, making mention to an earlier hand, when Juan doubled Jason up.

Jason Holzberg - 51,000 (42bb)

Isle Classic Event #10 (Flight 1A): Parra Pacing The Field, As Players Still Taking Advantage Of Open Registration

2017 Isle Classic | Event #10
$360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)
Level 10 (Blinds 500/1,000/100)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 61

Jose Parra (Hialeah Gardens, FL) has gained separation from the field, currently sitting with a stack
that is just under 200,000.

A quick lap around the field yields a new chip leader, with Jose Parra (Hialeah Gardens, FL) leading the way.  Parra sits with just under 200,000, with his nearest competitor hovering around the century mark, making him the clear favorite to bag the flight's chip lead.  One thing followers of the blog know, is that being a favorite this early assures no definitive success.  There are still two levels of open registration remaining, meaning a player (hypothetically) can sit down in the field now, and eclipse Parra's number in just short time.

One player utilizing this "extra" late registration option is Kenneth Bruno (West Palm Beach, FL), who is coming off of a deep run in Event #1 ($1,500 No Limit Hold'em $300,000 GTD).  Bruno made the final three tables of the tournament, and ended up finishing in 25th place ($2,217).

Isle Classic Event #10 (Flight 1A): Lichaa's Dark Shove Sees Some Resistance

2017 Isle Classic | Event #10
$360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)
Level 9 (Blinds 400/800/100)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 59

Since being featured earlier in the flight, Ido Ashkenazi (Davie, FL) had been eliminated from play on two separate occasions.  He's hoping that the third time is a charm, as he doubled-up moments ago, just a few hands into Level 9.  After Matthew Zarcadoolas opened to 1,600, Zaki Lichaa (Staten Island, NY) was next to act, and he'd three-bet to 6,600.  Ido Ashkenazi flatted the three-bet, and after players folded back around to Zarcadoolas, he would release his hand.  That would leave Lichaa the first to act in the heads-up hand, and he'd shove 15,100 even before the flop came out.

Once the dealer fanned out the A♥ 10♠ 8♣ flop, Ido quickly made the call, watching as Zaki turned over A♠ K♦.  While a strong hand, he'd be behind the 8♥ 8♠ of Ashkenazi, who flopped bottom set.  The turn would pair the board (10♣), which gave Lichaa a tiny bit more hope.  The river brought the K♥, which was of no significance to Zaki, who would be left with just 1,800 after the hand.  Lichaa was then eliminated two hands later, with no signs of re-entering this flight in his future.

Ido Ashkenazi - 48,000 (60bb)

Isle Classic Event #10 (Flight 1A): Chip Reed The Leader At Second Break

2017 Isle Classic | Event #10
$360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)
Level 8 (Blinds 300/600/75)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 56

Chip Reed (Maryland) is a relative unknown in regards to the blog, with introduction coming just moments
ago, as he leads this Flight 1A field.

The remaining (30) players in this Event #10 opening flight are heading on their second ten minute break of the day, and will be returning to Level 9, with new blinds of 400/800/100.  There are some new names on the top of the leaderboard, as Chip Reed and Brendan Colter have assumed the top two spots.  Listed below are our first look at updated chip counts from the field, tallied just before the break began:

Chip Reed - 92,000

Brendan Colter - 86,000

Steve Smith - 83,000

Stephen Smith - 70,000

Rodney Moret-Rojas - 50,000

Jose Parra - 50,000

Juan Rodriguez - 48,000

Peter Vitantonio - 47,000

Isle Classic Event #10 (Flight 1A): Smith Wasn't Believing Moret-Rojas's "Story"

2017 Isle Classic | Event #10
$360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)
Level 7 (Blinds 250/500/75)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 51

Steve Smith (West Palm Beach, FL) seemed to go through a roller-coaster of emotions in his 
hand with Rodney Moret-Rojas, eventually coming up with the correct decision on the river.

Rodney Moret-Rojas (Troy, MI) introduced himself to the Isle Poker Room earlier this week, taking down Event #5 of the Isle Classic ($130 No Limit Hold'em $20,000 GTD).  Moret-Rojas headed a seven-way deal that was agreed to, taking home $3,240 for first place, which happened to be his first ever recorded cash (on Hendon Mob).

Rodney's good run seemed to carry over to this afternoon, as he was one of the chip leaders in Level 7...until his hand moments ago with Steve Smith.  The hand was approached on the turn of a board reading A♣ K♣ 10♠ 2♠, with Smith already having checked to Rodney.  Moret-Rojas followed with a bet of 12,000, into a pot that was already above 10,000.  "You got it," Smith asked Rodney, who just shrugged his shoulders in reply.  Smith casually tossed in a call, with the two players watching, as the board paired with the A♦ on the river.  Smith checked once again, with Moret-Rojas continuing his story, wagering 16,000 on the river (which was just enough to cover Smith).

"Man...do you have a full house...did you flop a straight," Smith said aloud, as he contemplated his decision.  Steve ended up stacking his chips, turning over the A, and pushed both the card and the stack towards the middle simultaneously (signifying a call).  Rodney nodded his head, and gave the "international 'your'e good' sign" with his body language.  "I tried to tell you i had it," Steve said to his opponent, who had no interest in conversation.

Steve Smith - 78,000 (156bb)

Rodney Moret-Rojas - 17,000 (34bb)

Isle Classic Event #10 (Flight 1A): Ido Ashkenazi Takes From Pete Chin...Again And Again

2017 Isle Classic | Event #10
$360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)
Level 6 (Blinds 200/400/50)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 48

Ido Ashkenazi (Davie, FL) started off the series with a bang...actually started off the "day before" the series should
we say.  Ido won the $2,500 NLH Single-Ante on November 30th, worth $43,240.

The $2,500 No Limit Hold'em Single Ante ($100,000 GTD) winner (Ido Ashkenazi) was short-stacked just before the first break of the day, sitting with 7,000 in front of him.  On the final hand of Level 4, Ido shoved for 5,300 over a flop bet (1,500)from Peter Chin (on a flop of A♦ 8♦ 9♠), causing Chin to release his hand.  The pot would bring Ido over 10,000, which was still just half of the day's starting stack.

Ido spent the next level adding to his stack, which helped his cause moments ago, as he doubled through Peter Chin.  "I need a nine...I need a nine," Chin could be heard saying over at Table 3.  When the hand was approached, the two would be all-in (with Chin having Ashkenazi covered), with Ido holding a strong lead.  His A♦ K♠ had Chin's A♠ 9♦ drawing to three outs, after a flop of A♣ 2♣ J♦.  The turn and river would run clean for Ashkenazi, who cut out his stack of 16,550 for the dealer to match from Chin's stack.  Peter was then left with just six big blinds after absorbing the loss, and would be eliminated from play just moments ago.

Ido Ashkenazi - 36,000 (72bb)

Isle Classic Event #10 (Flight 1A): Jose Parra Progressively Stepping Up His Game

2017 Isle Classic | Event #10
$360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)
Level 5 (Blinds 150/300/50)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 41

Jose Parra (Hialeah Gardens, FL) had his breakout score in 2013, when he finished 
runner-up to Stephen Bokor in the Battles At The Beach $3,300 Main Event.

Jose Parra's (Hialeah Gardens, FL) tournament resume began in 2012, when he recorded cashes in a handful of events, totaling just over $7,000.  He then had his breakout score during the 2013 Battles At The Beach $3,300 No Limit Hold'em (Main Event), when he finished runner-up for $90,288.  Jose continued on for a few years, adding to his resume, before reaching his second five-figure score.  The $17.972 score came during the 2015 PPC Isle Casino Fall Series, and stands as his last score of that five-figure benchmark.  Parra has put in more volume this year though, entering events like the $2,500 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante, and most all of the major series main events.  His jump in buy-ins hasn't yet translated to larger scores, but he's seemingly on the precipice of something big, as his name in commonly found deep in events.

Jose is one of the most recent entries in the field, continuing the list of notables in today's afternoon flight:

Al Gomez

Richard Rice

Zaki Lichaa

Peter Vitantonio

Isle Classic Event #10 (Flight 1A): Stephen Smith Finds Himself With Some Familiar Company

2017 Isle Classic | Event #10
$360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)
Level 4 (Blinds 100/200/25)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 33

Stephen Smith (Juno Beach, FL) made yet another final table of an Isle Poker Room major series, finishing
fourth in last week's Event #1 ($18,431).

Flight 1A now has a field that is spread across four active tables, with numerous notables choosing this first starting flight to try and bag chips for Sunday's Day 2.  Table 4 hosted two players who were familiar with one another, as they were both seated at the Event #1 ($1,500 Isle Classic Main Event) final table.  Stephen Smith (Juno Beach, FL) came into that final table with the chip lead, but eventually exited in fourth place ($18,431).  His table mate to begin today's proceedings was Joseph Marchese (Coral Springs, FL), the eventual winner of the event.  Marchese has since departed the field, failing on his first attempt at bagging.

This has been a special year for Stephen Smith, as he started 2017 with a win during the Isle Classic (which ran in January).  Smith won this same event ($360 No Limit Hold'em), heading a six-way deal that ended the tournament.  The $28,462 that Smith earned for first place still stands as his largest tournament cash, and helped propel Stephen into making this his most successful statistical year of tournament poker.

Stephen Smith headlines our first look at notables in the field, a list that includes names like:

Zachary Mullenix

Nancy Thomas

Ido Ashkenazi

Seamus Hoban

Erik Christensen

Elliot Zaydman

Matthew Zarcadoolas

Players will be taking their first break of the day at the end of this level, returning to Level 5, and new blinds of 150/300/50.

Isle Classic Event #10 (Flight 1A): Action Underway For Second "Headlining" Event Of The Series

2017 Isle Classic | Event #10
$360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)
Level 1 (Blinds 25/50)
Total Flight 1A Entries: N/A

The dealers are getting a little creative in the tournament area, as they welcome players to 
their seats to begin the opening flight of Event #10.

The dealers are seated across the tournament area, with the "early bird" players moments away from getting the cards in the air for Event #10.  The $360 No Limit Hold'em tournament boasts a $200,000 guaranteed prize pool, with six starting flights over the next three days.  Each of the starting flights is structured the same, with starting stacks of 20,000 units.  Levels 1-15 will be (30) minutes, and will transition to (40) minutes Levels 16+ (which is Day 2).  The chip leader from each flight will earn a "bonus," which is entry into Event #16 ($1,100 No Limit Hold'em $50,000 Guaranteed).

Looking back at the history of the Isle Classic, the last time a tournament similar to this was run, was back in January of 2015.  The tournament was a $350 buy-in, and happened to be the opening event of the series (Event #1).  The $300,000 guaranteed prize pool was surpassed by almost $60,000, as a total of 1,231 entries made up the field.  The event ended in a heads-up chop, with Rob Brown ($68,593) taking home the trophy, and Sheddy Siddiqui ($60,000) runner-up honors.

Live coverage of this starting flight will continue through the bagging process, as will the two afternoon flights to follow.  All of the official chip counts from each flight will be posted here on the blog, as well as Day 2 seating assignments.  We will allow the tournament area to fill up, before taking a look at some of the notables that make up this opening flight of Event #10.

Thursday, December 7th: Recapping A Big Isle Classic Wednesday, $200,000 Guaranteed Event #10 Begins Today

ICYMI: Yesterday afternoon was the inaugural running of the $250 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante ($30,000 GTD), Event #9 on the 2017 Isle Classic Schedule.  There was some trepidation about how the tournament would be received the community, but only a few levels in, all questions were answered.  The guarantee was surpassed in Level 4, and players were lining up to grab seats in the field.  After eight levels of play, registration would close for the tournament, and the official prize pool would be listed at $39,600.  Even more eye-opening than that number, were the payouts for the event, with first place taking home just short of $10,000.  Once the money was reached, and (25) players remained in the field, we began to see numerous notable names heading to the podium to receive their payouts.  Recognizable names to cash in the tournament (but fall short of the final table) included Andre Rakusa, Matthew Zarcadoolas, Ian Cohen, Karin Powsner, Wilmer Diaz, Gregory Spinder, and Alan Dobrow.  Discussions of a deal began when play was nine-handed, but action would continue until six players remain.  At that point, an even chop was agreed to, with each player walking away with $4,443.  David Zaldivar (Miami, FL) ended up the tournament's winner, and walked away with the event's trophy.  Listed below are the results from the final table:

1. David Zaldivar (Miami, FL) $4,443
2. Michael Wetcher (Sunrise, FL) $4,443
3. Almog Biton (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) $4,443
4. Cangir Elcin (N. Miami Beach, FL) $4,443
5. Juan Rodriguez (Boca Raton, FL) $4,443
6. Jamie Mass (Delray Beach, FL) $4,443
7. Michel Dubreuil (Margate, FL) $1,348
8. Joseph Duchman (Miami, FL) $1,164
9. Bebert Benhamo (Concord, CA) $986
10. Jaehoon Baek (Vero Beach, FL) $857

As the final table deal was being struck, the action was just beginning to get serious for Event #9, the evening tournament on the Isle Classic schedule (6:00pm).  The $75 No Limit Hold'em tournament boasted a $5,000 guarantee prize pool, and would end up landing on the number (after a total of 67 entries).  One of the biggest storylines from the event was the return of Raminder Singh (Delray Beach, FL), who happened to be one of the most successful Isle Poker Room tournament players over the last year.  Raminder hadn't put in the same volume since the summer, but returned to win another Isle Poker trophy (after a heads-up deal).  The full results from the event are listed below:

1. Raminder Singh (Delray Beach, FL) $1,596
2. Marianne Dewitt (Lauderdale Lakes, FL) $1,152
3. Robert Lovett (Boynton Beach, FL) $613
4. Paul So (Canada) $438
5. Elliot Goldman (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) $338
6. Thomas Allard (Detroit, MI) $263
7. Harry Silver (Boca Raton, FL) $225
8. Charles Zusag (Plantation, FL) $200
9. James Sedlak (Pompano Beach, FL) $175

Tournaments: Today begins the second largest event of the series, as the first pair of starting flights for Event #10 get underway at 11:00am.  The $360 No Limit Hold'em tournament carries a $200,000 guaranteed prize pool, and has six flights over the next three days.  Each of the starting flights is structured the same, with starting stacks of 20,000 units.  Levels 1-15 will be (30) minutes, and will transition to (40) minutes Levels 16+ (which is Day 2).  The chip leader from each flight will earn a "bonus," which is entry into Event #16 ($1,100 No Limit Hold'em $50,000 Guaranteed).  Today's schedule sees Flight 1A beginning at 11:00am, followed by Flight 1B at 6:00pm.  There will be live coverage of the afternoon flight (and each afternoon flight to follow), with official chip counts posted from the evening flights.

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 started back on 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 #7 (Flight 1A): $360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD) 

- Players start with 20,000 in tournament chips

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

- Alternates and late entries will start with a full stack

- Levels will last (30) minutes through Level 15, and will the transition to (40) minutes Level 16+

- All Day 1's will play (15) complete levels or until 10% of the field remains (whichever comes first)

- The chip leader from each flight will earn a seat into Event 16 ($1,100 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante)

6:00pm - 2017 Isle Classic Event #7 (Flight 1B): $360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD)

- Players start with 20,000 in tournament chips

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

- Alternates and late entries will start with a full stack

- Levels will last (30) minutes through Level 15, and will the transition to (40) minutes Level 16+

- All Day 1's will play (15) complete levels or until 10% of the field remains (whichever comes first)

- The chip leader from each flight will earn a seat into Event 16 ($1,100 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante)

Isle Classic | Event #9 | $75 No Limit Hold'em ($5,000 GTD) | Official Results

2017 Isle Classic | Event #9
$75 No Limit Hold'em ($5,000 GTD)
Total Entries: 67
Prize Pool: $5,000

Payouts:

1. Raminder Singh (Delray Beach, FL) $1,596
2. Marianne Dewitt (Lauderdale Lakes, FL) $1,152
3. Robert Lovett (Boynton Beach, FL) $613
4. Paul So (Canda) $438
5. Elliot Goldman (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) $338
6. Thomas Allard (Detroit, MI) $263
7. Harry Silver (Boca Raton, FL) $225
8. Charles Zusag (Plantation, FL) $200
9. James Sedlak (Pompano Beach, FL) $175

Isle Classic | Event #8 | $250 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante ($30,000) | Official Results

2017 Isle Classic | Event #8
$250 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante ($30,000 GTD)
Total Entries: 198
Prize Pool: $39,600

Payouts:

1. David Zaldivar (Miami, FL) $4,443
2. Michael Wetcher (Sunrise, FL) $4,443
3. Almog Biton (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) $4,443
4. Cangir Elcin (N. Miami Beach, FL) $4,443
5. Juan Rodriguez (Boca Raton, FL) $4,443
6. Jamie Maas (Delray Beach, FL) $4,443
7. Michel Dubreuil (Margate, FL) $1,348
8. Joseph Duchman (Miami, FL) $1,164
9. Bebert Benhamo (Concord, CA) $986
10. Jaehoon Baek (Vero Beach, FL) $857
11. Alan Dobrow (Melville, NY) $857
12. Elber Caruci (Venezuela) $857
13. Gregory Spinder (Parkland, FL) $733
14. Joey Prosper (Miami, FL) $733
15. Claude Ferland (Boca Raton, FL) $733
16. Wilmer Diaz (Miami, FL) $608
17. Frank DiMaria (Boston, MA) $608
18. Christian Santos (Delray Beach, FL) $608
19. Debra Levin (Boca Raton, FL) $485
20. Denis Buslaev (Boca Raton, FL) $485
21. Karin Powsner (Pompano Beach, FL) $485
22. Ian Cohen (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) $366
23. Matthew Zarcadoolas (Pembroke Pines, FL) $366
24. John Joffey (Davie, FL) $366
25. Andre Rakusa (Miami, FL) $297