$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1C): Ginold Cham Looking To Recapture The Battles At The Beach Magic

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 6 (Blinds 200/400/50)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 88

A familiar face from the Battles At The Beach is in the field this afternoon, earning over $16,000 during the most recent series (run in March).  Ginold Cham (Lake Worth, FL) ran deep in Event #1 ($175 No Limit Hold'em), earning $850 for his 24th place finish.  The day after the event's Day 2, Cham chopped the $250 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante (Event #7), earning second place money in the deal ($5,404).  That was Ginold's largest tournament cash of his career, but only for a few weeks, as he reached the final two tables of the $1,500 NLH Battles At The Beach Main Event.  Cham fell just short of the final table, exiting the tournament in 12th place, but earned himself $9,739.   That still stands as his best cash to date, and helped bookend the most successful series of his career.

Cham tops the second list of notables in today's flight, which includes names like:

Zaki Lichaa
Frank Scala
Gregg Weiss
Nancy Thomas
Diane Linke
Michael Corbett
Larry Stoddard
Danny Blackburn
Michael Graffeo
Tracy Scala
Brian Vazquez

$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1C): Ward Repping The Celtics Strong, Hoping To Bypass A Potential Game 7

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 5 (Blinds 150/300/50)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 75

For David Ward (Miami, FL), it's imperative that he bags chips during this flight, because he definitely wants to make it home for Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals.

As the Flight 1C field grows, there is one player that stands out amongst the crowd, as the all green attire can be seen across the room.  David Ward (Miami, FL) is a die-hard Boston sports fan, and is hoping to bag up some chips in today's flight, assuring himself the time to get home for tonight's Game 6 (between the Celtics and Cavs).  Ward usually sports the Celtics gear regardless of the time of year, but today's outfit is showing full support of his team, which is only one win away from the NBA Finals.  

While David's love for the Celtics is strong, so to is his affinity for tournament poker, as he's amassed lifetime earnings over $112,000.  After a year (2017) with over $10,000 in earnings, Ward has yet to record a tournament cash in 2018, but looks to try and change that over the course of the next few days.  When he sat down to his new table moments ago, Ward said that he "had just tripled up with aces," so it seems as if things are off to a good start today.

David headlines the first look at notables in the field, a group that is so large this afternoon, we need to split the list into two parts:

Alan Saltzman

Glenn Popkin

Elias Nassif

Arnold Cohen

Calixto Rodriguez

Frank Traino

David Poces

Craig Witz

Mauricio Duarte

Nancy Birnbaum

Kenneth Bruno

Allan Bieler

$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1C): "It's Gonna Be A Special Anniversary, Baby," Scotty Nguyen And Vanessa Russo Joining The FSPC Action

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 4 (Blinds 100/200/25)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 62

Posted below is the official schedule for the 2018 Florida State Poker Championship, which is the tenth anniversary of the prestigious series.  There are (17) primary events over the course of three weeks in July, including four "showcased" events, headed by the $1,500 No Limit Hold'em FSPC Main Event ($500,000 GTD).  The main event is one of the first "post-WSOP" majors, and has grown in popularity (and numbers) each and every year.  

Leading up to the main event, there are three other tournaments which carry six-figure guarantees, starting with Event #1.  The $175 No Limit Hold'em opening event has a $100,000 guaranteed prize pool, and eight opening flights for players to choose from.  Running from July 5th through July 9th, the event is sure to see one of the largest fields of the series.   Just a few days after Event #1's conclusion, Event #4 follows with the series' second six-figure guaranteed prize pool, as the $360 No Limit Hold'em event boasts a $200,000 guarantee.  With six flights running from July 12th through July 15th, the tournament will likely see the second largest prize pool of the series (behind the main event).  The third of four "showcased" events is Event #9, as the $1,100 No Limit Hold'em tournament offers yet another $200,000 guaranteed prize pool.  There are four opening flights that run from July 19th through July 22nd, with players returning on July 23rd for Day 2.

In between those events, there are thirteen other options for players to get their hands on a FSPC trophy, including four bounty events, an Omaha 8B Hi/Lo tournament, a Seniors Championship, and the addition of a six-max format.  

There is some excited news to follow in regards to the series, as both Scotty Nguyen and Vanessa Russo will be joining us for the FSPC $1,500 Main Event.  While they are in attendance, there will be a schedule meet and greet/autograph session (times and dates to be determined).  Structure sheets and satellite schedule will also be released in the upcoming weeks.

$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1C): Previewing The June Tournament Calendar, Added FSPC Seats Up For Grabs

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 3 (Blinds 75/150/25)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 48

Just a few days ago, the June Tournament Calendar was released to the public, with a buzz surrounding the newest "addition" to the recurring schedule.  Outside of the three showcased tournaments ($175 NLH $100,000 GTD, $200 NLH $100,000 GTD, and $360 NLH $50,000 GTD), there are "added free seats" to FSPC events to certain tournaments.  These "added free seats" are available to anyone playing in the following events:

Saturday, June 2nd (11:00am): $175 NLH "Double Green Chip Bounty" ($10,000 GTD)

Saturday, June 2nd (6:00pm): $150 No Limit Hold'em Deepstack ($10,000 GTD)

Saturday, June 16th (11:00am): $175 NLH "Double Green Chip Bounty" ($10,000 GTD)

Saturday, June 16th (6:00pm): $150 No Limit Hold'em Deepstack ($10,000 GTD)

Thursday, June 21st-Sunday, June 24th: $360 No Limit Hold'em ($50,000 GTD)

Saturday, June 30th (11:00am): $175 NLH "Double Green Chip Bounty" ($10,000 GTD)

Saturday, June 30th (6:00pm): $150 No Limit Hold'em Deepstack ($10,000 GTD)

In the listed events, seats can be won via the following "high hands:"

Top Two Quads* Wins FSPC Event #4 Seat ($360 NLH $200,000 GTD)

Straight Flush* Wins FSPC Event #9 Seat ($1,100 NLH Single-Ante $200,000 GTD)

Royal Flush* Wins FSPC Event #14 Seat ($1,500 NLH FSPC Main Event $500,000 GTD)

*High hands must use both hole cards to qualify

Just for clarification, players in the designated tournament (or flight of the designated multi) who have the top two "four-of-a-kinds" will be awarded the FSPC Event #4 Seat.

$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1C): Kicking Off The Weekend Strong, Flight 1C Action About To Begin

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 1 (Blinds 25/50)
Total Flight 1C Entries: N/A

After a very successful opening day of action, the $200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD) continues this afternoon, with the second pair of starting flights (of eight total).  Yesterday's numbers were much higher than anyone could have expected, as the first two flights attracted a total of (214) entries.  From that number, (30) players successfully bagged chips for Monday's Day 2.

A new group of players will be taking their seats in the tournament area momentarily, hoping that Flight 1C is their ticket to Day 2.  The structure mirrors that of yesterday: with 20,000 unit starting stacks, (30) minute levels, and registration open through Level 8 (and the break that follows).  Just as registration closes for Flight 1C, the second of four $50 No Limit Hold'em satellites will be getting underway (2:00pm), allowing players to enter the action for just a quarter of the buy-in.

With over $28,000 already in the overall prize pool, this tournament is already shaping up to be a special one.  Updates will be posted throughout the day, highlighting important moments over the course of the flight.

$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Day 2): Official Chip Counts (Flight 1A-Flight 1B)

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 16 (Blinds 2,000/4,000/500)
Total Entries: 214
Players Remaining: 30

Friday, May 25th: After A Very Strong Start, The "Holiday $100k" Enters Weekend Play

ICYMI: The $200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD) started yesterday, and drew numbers that nobody could have expected (for a Thursday).  The first pair of flights attracted a total of (214) entries, of which (30) players bagged chips for Monday's Day 2 (12:00pm).  The combined total of $28,248 heading to the overall prize pool has things way ahead of pace, as there are still six opening flights remaining.  Yesterday's chip lead bonus winners were William Swicicki (316,500) and Andrew Kern (372,500), both earning a seat into next week's $1,100 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante ($50,000 GTD).  The top five stacks from the opening day of action belong to:

Andrew Kern - 372,500

Brett Biegler - 344,500

William Swicicki - 316,500

Ray Nalbandian - 253,000

Jospeh Gale - 187,500

The current Day 2 chip average sits at 143,000, but that number will change over the next three days.  These weekend flights always grow larger in size, and with an extra day of play on the schedule because of the holiday (Sunday), we could be looking at an eventual prize pool over $150,000.  

Tournaments: Today continues the month's last multi, with action getting weekend play, for the $200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD).  The event runs through Monday (May 28th), with a pair of flights on the schedule for each of the next three days (an 11:00am and 6:00pm).  The tournament is structured with 20,000 unit starting stacks, and levels that last (30) minutes.  Registration for the opening flights is open through Level 8 (and the break that follows).  Each starting flight is scheduled to conclude after Level 16, which falls somewhere around 7:30, or is the 10% mark is reached (players remaining in the field).  The chip lead bonus is back, as the top stack from each opening flight will earn a seat into next week's $1,100 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante ($50,000 GTD).

There is also a satellite for the $200 NLH ($100,000 GTD) on the schedule (each of the next three days), with the action getting underway at 2:00pm.  Today's $50 NLH Satellite has (2) seats guaranteed, and is structured with 8,000 unit starting stacks, and levels that last (15) minutes.  Registration for each of the satellites is open through Level 10, with players having until approximately 5:00pm to join the action.

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 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).

...And one other big thing to note...from 7:00pm-10:00pm this evening, we will see the second running of Full House Promotion (but with some sizable changes):

11:00am - $200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD) Flight 1C

- Players start with 20,000 in tournament chips

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

- Alternates and late entries will start with a full stack

- Level will last (30) minutes throughout the event

- The top stack from the flight will earn a seat into the $1,100 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante ($50,000 GTD) on May 31st.

2:00pm - $50 No Limit Hold'em Satellite Into $200 NLH ($100,000 GTD) *2 Seats GTD*

- Players start with 8,000 in tournament chips

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

- Alternates and late entries will start with a full stack

- Level will last (15) minutes

6:00pm - $200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD) Flight 1D

- Players start with 20,000 in tournament chips

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

- Alternates and late entries will start with a full stack

- Level will last (30) minutes throughout the event

- The top stack from the flight will earn a seat into the $1,100 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante ($50,000 GTD) on May 31st.

$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1B): Official End Of Flight 1B Chip Counts

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 16 (Blinds 2,000/4,000/500)
Total Flight 1B Entries: 116
Flight 1B Players Remaining: 14

Andrew	Kern B	372,500
Brett	Biegler	344,500
Ray	Nalbandian	253,000
Carlos	Torres Vazquez	161,000
Ron	Johnston	150,000
Carey	Pickus	146,500
Simon	Welds	136,000
Carlos	Matoso	127,500
Daniele	Condorelli	113,500
Tom	Gity	107,500
Angel	Santiago Marrero	104,500
Bobby	Pierre	104,500
Rob	Tannenbaum	95,000
Jose	Vargas	64,500

$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1A): Official End Of Flight 1A Chip Counts

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 16 (Blinds 2,000/4,000/500)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 100
Flight 1A Players Remaining: 16

William	Swicicki A	316,500
Joe	Gale	187,500
Eric	Kolodny	184,500
Hermes	Andino	154,500
Edward	Novak	144,500
Russell	Williams	138,500
Abbey	Daniels	123,500
Filomeno	Giannino	119,500
Richard	Sharp	116,000
Solange	Lucas	106,000
Ken	Fifer	80,000
Bob	Cushing	76,500
Ron	Rentz	73,500
Pauilius	Bikus	66,500
Alfred	Forman	61,000
Alvaro	Vivas Grisales	52,500

$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1A): Entering Final Level Of Play, Official Chip Counts To Follow

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 16 (Blinds 2,000/4,000/500)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 100
Flight 1A Players Remaining: 18

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 Monday (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.

$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1A): Less Then An Hour Away From One Of The Newest (And Most Popular) Promotions

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 13 (Blinds 1,000/2,000/300)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 100
Flight 1A Players Remaining: 27

$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1A): Eric Kolodny Assumes The Top Spot, As Play Pushes Towards Final Break

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 12 (Blinds 800/1,600/200)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 100
Flight 1A Players Remaining: 30

Eric Kolodny (N. Miami Beach, FL) just moved his 200,000 chip stack to a new table, and immediately found himself involved in a sizable pot, putting a new opponent to a decision for his entire stack.

While Ronald Rentz has hovered around the 100,000-125,000 mark, two players have trended in the right direction, one of which became the first to eclipse the 200,000 mark.  Eric Kolodny (N. Miami Beach, FL) is now the Flight 1A chip leader, and is looking to repeat his performance from earlier this year.  During February's $360 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD), Eric took second place in a three-way chop that finished the event, earning himself $14,499.  Kolodny has a lot of experience in these types of event, and with over $159,000 in lifetime earnings, he's likely very comfortable in the spot he's in.  With only four levels remaining after the break, Eric's sites are firmly on the chip lead bonus ($1,100 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante $50,000 GTD seat).

Eric Kolodny - 225,000 (140bb)
Russell Williams - 185,000 (115bb)

$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1A): Updated Chip Counts From The Field, Starting To Get Crowded Atop The Leaderboard

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 11 (Blinds 600/1,200/200)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 100
Flight 1A Players Remaining: 37

Joe Gale (Staten Island, NY) has put himself in contention for the chip lead bonus, with the flight entering the homestretch after the next break (which follows Level 12).

As the flight enters it's final quarter, the leaderboard is starting to get crowded, as a handful of players have caught up to Ronald Rentz.  Joe Gale and Kenny Fifer are just a few thousand chips behind the leader, looking to stay in contention for the chip lead bonus, as there are still five levels remaining in the flight (after the conclusion of this level).  Updated chip counts from the field are posted below, including numbers from some of the notables that still remain:

Ronald Rentz - 130,000 (108bb)
Joe Gale - 126,000 (105bb)
Kenny Fifer - 125,000 (104bb)
Elissa Halbriech - 120,000 (100bb)
Eric Colony - 110,000 (91bb)
Alan Saltzman - 90,000 (75bb)
Paulius Bikus - 67,000 (55bb)
Abbey Daniels - 50,000 (41bb)
Carey Picks - 50,000 (41bb)
Alvaro Grisales - 40,000 (33bb)

$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1A): Numbers Official, Remaining Players Now Focused On Finding A Bag

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 9 (Blinds 400/800/100)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 100
Flight 1A Players Remaining: 47

The tournament clock showing all of the relevant numbers to this opening flight of the $200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD).

With play now back underway, the numbers have been made official for Flight 1A of the $200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD).  The field closed with exactly (100) entries, of which (47) still remain at the start of Level 9.  There will be $15,200 going towards the overall prize pool from this flight, and with another seven flights still remaining, once can only surmise how large this prize pool is going to get.

$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1A): Field Eclipses Century Mark As Registration Closes, Ronald Rentz Leading The Way

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 8 (Blinds 300/600/75)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 100

Ronald Rentz (West Palm Beach, FL) leads the Flight 1A field at the second break, just one of three players to have eclipsed the 100,000 mark.

Players are about to head on their second break of the day, and will be returning to Level 9, with new blinds of 400/800/100.  Once the first hand of Level 9 is dealt, registration will be closed for this opening flight, which ended up being more successful than anyone could have imagined.  Eclipsing the century mark on a Thursday afternoon bodes very well for this tournament, which could potentially see numbers even larger than this month's $175 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD).  That tournament ended up with 1,070 entries, and an official prize pool of $141,240.

Ronald Rentz (West Palm Beach, FL) currently leads the field at break, leaving a stack of over 110,000 on the table.  Rentz is a recreational player with just under $10,000 in live tournament earnings, with his last cash coming back in January of last year.  Of his eight total recorded results, Rentz has cashed in three Isle Casino Poker tournaments, including his career best ($2,857) score during the 2016 Florida State Poker Championships.

Once play resumes, we will bring you the first look at updated chip counts from the field. 

$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1A): First Of Four Satellites Underway, Opportunity To Join The Action For Just $50

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 7 (Blinds 250/500/75)
Total Flight 1A Entries: 95

Just as the registration window begins closing for Flight 1A of the $200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD), it opens up for those interested in playing the first of four $50 No Limit Hold'em Satellites for the tournament.  The $50 NLH Satellite got underway at 2:00pm, and will begin at that time for the next three days.  Players will be sitting down to starting stacks of 8,000 units, with levels that last (15) minutes over the course of the satellite.  Registration is open through Level 10, meaning players have over 2.5 hours to join the action, if they so choose.  This afternoon's satellite guarantees (2) seats into the $200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD), with the same number of seats guaranteed to be awarded tomorrow. Saturday's installment of the satellite will have a (5) seat guarantee, with Sunday's final satellite guaranteeing (3) seats.