"$175 NLH $100,000 GTD" (Flight 1C): Steven Bennett Coming Off Career Highlighting Score

$175 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 4 (Blinds 100/200/25)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 72

Steven Bennett (Deerfield Beach, FL) sits down at the Isle Poker Room for the first time since earning the largest tournament cash of his career.

Looking at Steven Bennett's (Deerfield Beach, FL) tournament resume, one could say that he's one of the most overlooked players in the Florida community.  After recording his first tournament cash in August of 2012, Bennett went on to record an eye-popping (156) results since.  His career earnings entering the most recent Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open were just over $550,000, which was also very impressive to see.  Once the first event of the series was over...his earnings went up to $736,825, after shipping the $570 No Limit Hold'em (Event #1) tournament for $186,308.  Steven bested a field of 3,030 entries, to head a four-way deal that ended the event, helping him earn the largest score of his career.

Bennett would go on to cash in one more event during the series ($1,100 No Limit Hold'em WPT Deepstacks), and is now in the Flight 1C field.  Steven's is looking to best his largest Isle Poker Room score, which came back in October of 2015 ($570 No Limit Hold'em during the Isle Poker Open - 9th Place $18,605).  Some other notables in the field that are playing for the first time this tournament include:

Robert Campbell

Eddie Uehara

Ross Ramlal

Players will be taking their first break at the end of this level, returning to Level 5, and new blinds of 100/200/25.

"$175 NLH $100,000 GTD" (Flight 1C): Official Chip Counts (Flight 1A-Flight 1B)

$175 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 3 (Blinds 75/150/25)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 65

"$175 NLH $100,000 GTD" (Flight 1C): As This Event Grows, So Does The Buzz Surrounding Next Week's $200,000 GTD Single-Ante

$175 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 2 (Blinds 50/100)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 50

Before delving into today's action, we are going to give blog followers a brief reminder about next week's big tournament.  The $1,100 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante ($200,000 GTD) is the poker room's first multi-flight event to use the single-ante format, which has become so popular since introducing it to the Florida poker community last August.  The $1,100 price point is also running outside of the series for the first time ever, boasting a very healthy guaranteed prize pool of $200,000.  If that number seems a little out of reach for players, there are numerous (which is an understatement) opportunities to join for a fraction of the prize.  Beginning on April 23rd (Monday), and running through the final opening day of the tournament, a wide array of satellites are offered for players.  The above structure sheet and flyer list all of the information players would need to know in regards to the tournament.

"$175 NLH $100,000 GTD" (Flight 1C): Numbers Expected To Grow, As Third Starting Flight About To Get Underway

$175 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 1 (Blinds 25/50)
Total Flight 1C Entries: N/A

Players are just taking their seats, as Tournament Supervisor Ralph Brandt finishes up the rules announcement for Flight 1C.  This third starting flight (of eight total) comes after a very successful opening day, as the first pair of flights attracted a total of (211) entries.  Those are some impressive numbers to start the action, especially when you consider the event started on a Wednesday (when most typically start on Thursday).  If things were to stay on that exact pace, the final prize pool would fall somewhere around $115,000...but trends have proved that the field sizes are only going to grow over the next three days.  Of the entries from yesterday, (24) players were able to bag chips for Day 2, led by Anthony Abdo (Flight 1A) and Joseph Marchese (Flight 1B).  Those players both earned seats into next week's $1,100 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante ($200,000 GTD), courtesy of the flight's chip lead bonus.

Today's flights carry the same structure as those that came before, with starting stacks of 18,000 units, and levels that will last (25) minutes over the course of the event.  Registration is open through Level 8 (and the break that follows), with the day scheduled to end at the conclusion of Level 16 (or if the 10% mark is reached).  There are eight starting flights over the next four days, with an afternoon (11:00am) and evening (6:00pm) flight each day (Wednesday through Saturday).  Players that successfully bag chips for Day 2 will be returning this Sunday, with action resuming at 12:00pm.  The chip lead bonus is also back (as we just mentioned), with the top stack from each starting flight, earning a seat into next week's $1,100 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante ($200,000 GTD).

Thursday, April 19th: Abdo And Marchese Top The First Pair Of $175 NLH $100,000 GTD Flights, As The Action Continues Today

ICYMI: Yesterday was the opening day of the $175 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD), with the first two (of eight total) flights for the event.  If yesterday was sign of things to come, then we are in for a pretty special event, as both flights eclipsed the century mark (in regards to entries).  With Flight 1A getting (105) entries, and Flight 1B attracting (106) entries, a total of $27,852 is already going towards the overall prize pool.  The pace would eventually give us a prize pool close to $115,000, but history shows that the numbers are going to grow even larger moving forward.  

While much of the focus would be on the players that bagged chips for Sunday's Day 2, the real interest was in regards to who would win the chip lead bonus from each flight.  Earning the $1,100 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD) seat from Flight 1A was Anthony Abdo (289,000), while Joseph Marchese (331,500) grabbed the bonus during Flight 1B.  A total of (24) players successfully bagged chip from both flights, including names like Bret Grebow (310,500), James Hamburger (247,500), Sagi Zommer (245,500), Michael Tait (183,000), and Julian Wohlgemuth (152,000).  

A new group of players will be arriving to the poker room over the course of today, as the second pair of flights for the tournament are on tap.

Tournaments: The $175 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD) continues today, as the month's first multi-day tournament grows even larger.  There will be six more flights over the next three days, with players that successfully bag chips, returning on Sunday for Day 2.  The tournament is structured with starting stacks of 18,000 units, and levels that will last (25) minutes over the course of the tournament.  Registration is open through Level 8 (and the break that follows), with the opening flights scheduled to play through Level 16 (or unless the 10% mark is reached before that point).  The chip lead bonus is back in a big way, as the largest stack bagged from each flight, will earn a seat into next week's $1,100 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante ($200,000 GTD).  The next four days will have two flights each, with an afternoon flight (11:00am), and an evening flight (6:00pm).  Live blogged coverage will be available during each afternoon flight, as well as Day 2 (detailed coverage).

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 -  $175 No Limit Hold'em - Flight 1C ($100,000 GTD) 

- Players start with 18,000 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 (25) minutes

- All Day 1's will play (16) complete levels or until 10% of the field remains (whichever comes first)

6:00pm - $175 No Limit Hold'em - Flight 1D ($100,000 GTD) 

- Players start with 18,000 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 (25) minutes

- All Day 1's will play (16) complete levels or until 10% of the field remains (whichever comes first)

"$175 NLH $100,000 GTD" (Flight 1B): Official End Of Flight 1B Chip Counts, Joseph Marchese Bags The Lead

$175 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 16 (Blinds 2,000/4,000/500)
Total Flight 1B Entries: 106
Flight 1B Players Remaining: 13

Joe	Marchese B	331,500
Bret	Grebow	310,500
Sago	Zommer	245,500
Michael	Tait	183,000
Tyler	Bonofant	153,500
Jonathan	Shapiro	153,500
Rolando	Martinez	117,500
David	Poces	82,500
Steve	Bromfield	82,500
Robert	Leff	78,000
Farbrice	Mace	77,500
Kevin	McGillicuddy	59,500
Alex	Thomas	38,500

"$175 NLH $100,000 GTD" (Flight 1A): Official End Of Flight 1A Chip Counts

$175 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 16 (Blinds 2,000/4,000/500)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 105
Flight 1A Players Remaining: 11

Anthony	Abdo *	289,000
James	Hamburger	247,500
Tommy	Morgado	244,000
Rudy	Miret	229,500
Wilbert	Arechavaleta	193,000
Jaime	Wiegrete	186,000
Julian	Wohlgemuth	152,000
Bill	Farman	121,500
Lou	Stadler	96,500
Elliot	Zaydman	92,500
Alex	Tcaciuc	26,000

"$175 NLH $100,000 GTD" (Flight 1A): Anthony Abdo Leads The (11) That Remain From Flight 1A

$175 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 16 (Blinds 2,000/4,000/500)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 105
Flight 1A Players Remaining: 11

Anthony Abdo (West Palm Beach, FL) was in striking distance of the chip lead as the final level began, and pounced on that top spot to earn an $1,100 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante ($200,000 GTD).

The final three hands of the night just finished up, and after the dust settled, it would be Anthony Abdo (West Palm Beach, FL) as the flight's chip leader.  Abdo will be bagging just under 300,000, and earns himself entry into next week's $1,100 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante ($200,000 GTD).  Official chip counts from the flight will be posted once all bags have been verified by tournament staff.  This will conclude live blogged coverage for the day, but followers can check back late this evening (rally early tomorrow morning) for official chip counts from Flight 1B.

"$175 NLH $100,000 GTD" (Flight 1A): Final Level Of Play, As The Race Reaches The Finish Line

$175 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 16 (Blinds 2,000/4,000/500)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 105
Flight 1A Players Remaining: 17

The tournament clock just transitioned into Level 16, which is the final scheduled level of flight.  Players will continue through the 10:00 minute mark, at which point the clock will be paused, and the amount of hands remaining will be announced.  Once those hands are finished at each table, the bagging process will begin, and players will pack up their chips for Sunday (Day 2 at 12:00pm).

The official chip counts from the flight, along with the winner of the chip lead bonus, will be posted once all bags have been verified.

"$175 NLH $100,000 GTD" (Flight 1A): "Thor" Looking To Throw Down The Hammer, Assumes Flight 1A Chip Lead

$175 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 15 (Blinds 1,500/3,000/500)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 105
Flight 1A Players Remaining: 20

Jamie Wiegrefe (Miami, FL) is commonly known in the poker community as "Thor," not only because of the look, but also the hammer that he uses as a card protector.  Jamie returned from break with 140,000, but since increased that number to over 300,000.  Wiegrefe currently leads the field, and is almost 75,000 clear of his nearest competitor (Anthony Abda - 226,000).

Wiegrefe is coming off a successful Battles At The Beach series, where he cashed in two events, including Event #10 ($560 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante).  Jamie reached the final table of that tournament, finishing in fourth place, and earning himself $4,024.  Thor's career earnings are just north of $46,000, with his career highlighting score coming last year, during the Isle Poker Room's $360 No Limit Hold'em ($200,000 GTD) last November.

Jamie Wiegrefe - 310,000 (103bb)

"$175 NLH $100,000 GTD" (Flight 1A): Seating Assignments For The Three Tables That Remain

$175 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 14 (Blinds 1,200/2,400/400)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 105
Flight 1A Players Remaining: 23

Play has just entered Level 14, as we get closer to the end of Flight 1A, with the field now down to (23) players. The tables lineups that remain in the field are listed below:

Table 1

1. Luiz Stadler
2. Charles MacLennan
3. Julio Melendez
4. Rudy Miret
5. Vlad Leonte
6. Rubert Perez
7. Tommy Morgado
8. Daniel Restrepo

Table 2

1. Joseph Gotlieb
2. Bill Farnan
3. Bob Chow
4. Julian Wohlgemuth
5. Elliot Zaydman
6. Alex Tcaciuc
7. James Hamburger

Table 3

1. Jamie Wiegrefe
2. Alberto Niebla
3. Bill Swicki
4. Anthony Abda
5. Monty Berger
6. Joshua Dichkewich
7. Jose Parra

"$175 NLH $100,000 GTD" (Flight 1A): Updated Chip Counts After Final Break, Things Getting More Competitive

$175 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 13 (Blinds 1,000/2,000/300)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 105
Flight 1A Players Remaining: 28

Monty Berger (Wellington, FL) is second in chips, and hoping to grab that lead when it matters, as the flight ends after Level 16.

Cards are back in the air after the final break, and while Julian Wohlgemuth continues to sit atop the leaderboard, he has a handful of players on his heels.  The race for the chip lead bonus is getting competitive as we reach the "homestretch," with some updated chip counts from the field listed below:

Julian Wohlgemut - 165,000 (82bb)

Monty Berger - 160,000 (80bb)

Jamie Wiegrefe - 140,000 (70bb)

Anthony Abda - 110,000 (52bb)

Elliot Zaydman - 100,000 (50bb)

Bill Swicki - 90,000 (45bb)

"$175 NLH $100,000 GTD" (Flight 1A): Wohlegemuth Extends Lead, As Players Head On Final Break

$175 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 12 (Blinds 800/1,600/300)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 105
Flight 1A Players Remaining: 32

Big stacks will usually steer clear of each other in these opening stages of a multi-flight tournaments, but that wasn't the case between Julian Wohlgemuth (pictured left), and Elliot Zaydman (not pictured).

It looked as if Elliot Zaydman (Coconut Creek, FL) was going to take a sizable chip lead into the flight's final break, but that was before he got tangled in a hand with Julian Wohlgemuth.  Elliot would find his stack go from 130,000 to 90,000 after the confrontation, with Julian chipping up to 180,000.  Wohlgemuth's stack makes him the current favorite in the race for the chip lead bonus, with four more levels of play remaining after break.  Once the cards are back in the air for Level 13, we will bring you a second look at updated chip counts from the field.

"$175 NLH $100,000 GTD" (Flight 1A): Dwight Pinkerton Sends Lichaa To The Rail, Who's Just Not Feeling It

$175 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 11 (Blinds 600/1,200/200)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 105
Flight 1A Players Remaining: 33

Dwight Pinkerton's (Boca Raton, FL) last five tournament cashes have come here at the Isle Poker Room, including three final table finishes.

As we reach the later stages of the flight, the field is shrinking by the minute, with Zaki Lichaa the most recent elimination.  Lichaa shoved from early position (for just over 15,000), with action folding around to Dwight Pinkerton, who made the call.  The button and blinds folded behind, as both players then tabled their hands:

Lichaa: A♥ J♥

Pinkerton: K♠ K♥ 

Runout: 10♥ 9♠ 7♦ 2♥ Q♠

Considering the underdog Zaki was as they headed to the runout, the flop and turn were pretty favorable for him (without just hitting an ace to take the lead).  Lichaa ended up missing his outs on the river through, meaning he'd be eliminated from Flight 1A play.  "I just can't get anything going at this place," Lichaa said, as he headed towards the exits.  That may be a little of an understatement though, considering that (40) of his (49) recorded cashes came in this poker room.

Dwight Pinkerton - 78,000 (65bb)

"$175 NLH $100,000 GTD" (Flight 1A): Joshua Dichkewich Eliminates Frank Scala, Climbs The Leaderboard

$175 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 10 (Blinds 500/1,000/200)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 105
Flight 1A Players Remaining: 47

Joshua Dichkewich (West Palm Beach, FL) has over $14,000 in lifetime tournament earnings, but hasn't recorded a cash since August of 2017.

Frank Scala (Boca Raton, FL) was sitting with a stack just over chip average to start Level 10, but was just eliminated from Flight 1A play.  After doubling up Donald Williams (as his A♠ 10♠ was bested by J♦ 10♦), Scala would shove 11,900 over an open from Joshua Dichkewich.  Players folded back around to Joshua, who made the call, and put Scala at risk:

Scala: A♣ 6♦
Dichkewich: A♦ J♠

Runout: 10♠ 8♠ 7♠ 8♣ 8♦

The flop made a come from behind win even more difficult for Scala, who would play his final hand in Flight 1A.  With that pot, Joshua eclipses the 100,000 mark, and finds himself as one of the top stacks in the remaining field.

Joshua Dichkewich - 118,000 (118bb)

"$175 NLH $100,000 GTD" (Flight 1A): Updated Chip Counts From The Field Wohlgemuth Leads The Way

$175 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 9 (Blinds 400/800/100)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 105
Flight 1A Players Remaining: 49

Julian Wohlgemuth (Boynton Beach, FL) currently leads the field, as just under fifty players remain after registration's close, all trying to reach the Flight 1A bagging process.

Players have returned from their second break of the day, with a total of (49) players still active in the field.  Those still left will need to navigate their way through another eight levels to reach the bagging process, until the 10% mark is reached prior to that.  There has yet to have been a player to runaway with a strong chip lead, but Julian Wohlegmuth (Boynton Beach, FL) is currently the only player over 100,000.  Wohlgemuth has seen a lot of success during tournament on the recurring schedule, but is still looking for his breakthrough performance in a multi.  Julian finds himself as the leader in the race for the chip lead bonus, but there is a ton of time left for the landscape to shift.  Listed below, are some updated chip counts from the field:

Julian Wohlgemut - 110,000 (137bb)
Julio Fernandez - 80,000 (100bb)
Bill Swicki - 75,000 (93bb)
Magdiel Medina - 65,000 (81bb)
Dan Restrepo - 60,000 (75bb)
Alberto Niebla - 50,000 (62bb)
Luiz Stadler - 50,000 (62bb)
Elliot Zaydman - 48,000 (60bb)
Joseph Gotlieb - 45,000 (56bb)

"$175 NLH $100,000 GTD" (Flight 1A): Registration Window Closing On Flight 1A, Strong Numbers To Open

$175 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 8 (Blinds 300/600/75)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 104

Play has now reached the halfway point of Level 8, which means that players have just under thirty minutes until the close of registration for Flight 1A.  There have been (104) entries to this point, which means that over $13,000 will be going towards the overall prize pool.  With numbers like this to start the tournament, the $100,000 guarantee could be in the rear view mirror long before the final flight (on Saturday evening) even begins.  

There will be a ten minute break at the end of this level, with remaining players returning to Level 9, and new blinds of 400/800/100.  Once the cards are back in the air, we will publish the first look at updated chip counts from the field.

"$175 NLH $100,000 GTD" (Flight 1A): Joseph Gotlieb Finds A Fortunate Turn, Doubles Up (And Then Some)

$175 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 7 (Blinds 250/500/75)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 101

Joseph Gotlieb (Hollywood, FL) has four cashes this year, including a min-cash in the 2018 Battles At The Beach $1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event.

At Table 2, three players would be on the turn, of a board reading A♥ K♠ 6♦ 9♥.  An unknown player who was first to act, shoved all-in for 4,775, with Donald Williams making the call.  Joseph Gotlieb (Hollywood, FL) was last to act, and took a few moments before announcing that he would be all-in as well (for 9,475).  After getting the exact count, Williams made the call, and would put his two opponents at risk:

Board: A♥ K♠ 6♦ 9♥

Player X: A♦ 7♦ (top pair)

Williams: 10♥ 7♥ (combo draw)

Gotlieb: 9♠ 6♠ (two pair)

River: 5♠

Gotlieb was ahead when the hands were tabled, but needed to fade a bunch of cards on the river, in order to secure the win.  The WSOP Circuit Main Event champion from Seminole Hard Rock would more than double up, and is now over the starting stack since first sitting down.

Joseph Gotlieb - 28,000 (56bb)

"$175 NLH $100,000 GTD" (Flight 1A): Evan Kahan Given A Free Look A The River, Scoops Up Sizable Pot

$175 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 6 (Blinds 200/400/50)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 97

After four players at Table 1 limped for 400, Evan Kahan (Boca Raton, FL) would raise to 1,700, with three of the original limpers making the call.  Seeing an opportunity to potentially squeeze, the final player yet to act, decided to ship all-in for 4,775.  Everyone made the call though, as five players headed to a flop, with a pot already over 20,000.  The K♠ 6♣ 4♣ flop would get checked through, as would the 2♥ on the turn.  After the board completed with the 5♠, players once again checked around to Kahan, who announced all-in (for 11,325).  The rest of the active players folded, with Evan tabling 7♣ 8♦, having rivered the straight.  The all-in player flopped huge with 8♣ 5♣ (combo draw), but would exit the table.

Evan Kahan - 48,000 (120bb)

"$175 NLH $100,000 GTD" (Flight 1A): David Hixson Seeing His Good Form Carry Over This Afternoon

$175 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 5 (Blinds 150/300/50)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 87

David Hixson (Hollywood, FL) has (24) recorded tournament results on his resume, half of which have come at the Isle Poker Room.

We are only four levels into the day, so it may be a little early to discuss the chip lead, but David Hixson (Hollywood, FL) is off to a start that can't be ignored.  Hixson, who has been in great form this year, has already tripled his 18,000 unit starting stack. David has over $90,000 in lifetime tournament earnings, thanks to a good start to 2018.  Hixson first made a deep run in January's $250 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD), finishing in 21st place for $1,430.  He has since shipped two recurring tournaments, taking down an $80 No Limit Hold'em ($779) event during the first week of February, and following that up with a win the next week in a $100 No Limit Hold'em event ($1,510).

His run good continues this afternoon, as David currently sits with over 65,000, early in Level 5.