$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1E): TJ Shulman Prepping For The Summer Of WSOP

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 5 (Blinds 150/300/50)
Total Flight 1E Entries: 108

TJ Shulman (Boynton Beach, FL) sits down to one of the most impressive resumes in the field, but that's partly because he is always using tournament experiences to better his game.

Any quality tournament player understands that each event, whether a buy-in of $200 or $2,000, is a took towards bettering their game.  TJ Shulman (Boynton Beach, FL) is a very accomplished tournament professional, with over $802,000 in career earnings, and a resume that sees results in buy-in of all price points.  Just a look at his two largest results shows an example of the point, with his best ever tournament cash coming in a $2,500 buy-in event ($109,500 win a the Delaware Park Poker Classic in 2013), and his second best in a $365 buy-in event ($102,398 win of Event #1 at the 2017 WSOP Circuit at Cherokee).  

Shulman is using today's event as a little prep for the WSOP, which begins in just one week.  Shulman made one final table at least year's series, finishing fifth in the $1,000 No Limit Hold'em Tag Team Event #61 ($17,059).  A win in this tournament would be a nice boost to the summer's bankroll, but an ever better boost to Shulman's confidence.  

Some other players in today's flight that would like to make a deep run include:

Gloria Pritchett
Andrew Blake
Frank Traino
Willie Wiggins
Scott Zakheim
Morris Heider
Steve Olivier
Glenn Popkin
Andrew Daire
Alberto Niebla
Zaki Lichaa
Roy Cohen

$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1E): Bringing In Some Special Guests For The 10th Anniversary Of The Florida State Poker Championships

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 4 (Blinds 100/200/25)
Total Flight 1E Entries: 97

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 1E): Looking Forward To Join, With Opportunities To Grab Free FSPC Seats

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

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 1E): As The Field Grows, So Does The Buzz Surrounding The $200 NLH ($100,000 GTD)

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

After four starting flights, the $200 NLH ($100,000 GTD) field has grown to (489) entries, of which (63) players have bagged chips for Monday's Day 2.  The combined prize pool currently sits at $74,328, with four flights yet to have been played.  The $100,000 guaranteed prize pool should be eclipsed during today's second flight (Flight 1F), with tomorrow's action helping to grow the overall number.  

A new group of players will be taking their seats in the tournament area momentarily, hoping that Flight 1E 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 1E, 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.

Players in today's flights have the initial goal to bag chips, but also have the chip lead bonus in mind, hoping to join the following players:

Nathan Schwartz - 495,000 (Flight 1D)

Andrew Kern - 372,500 (Flight 1B)

William Swicicki - 316,500 (Flight 1C)

Tracy Scala - 286,500 (Flight 1A)

Today's coverage will offer live look-ins during Flight 1E play, as well as updates on all of the upcoming "goings-on" at the Isle Poker Room.

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

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 16 (Blinds 2,000/4,000/500)
Total Entries: 489
Players Remaining: 63

Saturday, May 26th: Saturday Is For Flighting, As The $200 NLH ($100,000 GTD) Figures To Eclipse Guarantee Today

ICYMI: The second day of $200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD) action saw the numbers grow even larger, as the second pair of opening flights had a combined total of (275) entries.  Of that number, a total of (33) players bagged chips for Monday's Day 2.  Tracy Scala bagged the Flight 1C chip lead (286,500), besting Michael Marks by almost 30,000 chips.  Scala earns entry into next week's $1,100 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante, but more importantly, puts himself in great position for a deep Day 2 run.  Nathan Schwartz bagged the Flight 1D chip lead (495,000), which also happens to be the overall largest stack.

A look at the tournament's numbers sees a combined total of (489) entries to this point, which equates to a $74,328 prize pool.  The $100,000 guaranteed number will likely be surpassed in the early stages of tonight's evening flight (Flight 1F), with Sunday's action just padding the pool.  It was clear from the beginning that this was going to be a special tournament, and players are taking notice.  

Tournaments: Today continues the month's last multi, as the holiday weekend action continues 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 two 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 (afternoon) starting flight is scheduled to conclude after Level 16, which falls somewhere around 7:30pm, or if 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 (5) 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 8, with players having until approximately 4:30pm 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).

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

- 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) *5 Seats GTD*

- Players start with 8,000 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 (15) minutes

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

- 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 1D): Official End Of Flight 1D Chip Counts

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 14 (Blinds 1,200/2,400/400)
Total Flight 1D Entries: 167
Flight 1D Players Remaining: 18

Nathan	Schwartz D	495,000
Patrick	Biancone	298,500
Norman	Simmons	273,000
Nasim	Tukhi	256,500
David	Kahan	255,000
Uri	Tenenboim	251,500
Sean	Nasciemento	183,500
Ken	Bruno	165,500
Maan	Thakur	161,000
Sagi	Zommer	139,000
Karen	Duffy	138,500
Robert	Chusid	136,500
Courtland	Twyman	123,500
Camillo	Poerio	118,000
Zyad	Qasem	94,000
Billy	Michel	92,500
Omar	Yates	92,000
Diego	Alejandro Gonzalez	76,000

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

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 14 (Blinds 1,200/2,400/400)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 108
Flight 1C Players Remaining: 15

Tracy	Scala	286,500
Michael	Marks	254,500
Joe	Mancuso	231,000
Al	Gomez	197,000
Carmen	Mali	196,500
Brian	Ebert	193,000
Yuri	Chiozzo	171,500
Michael	Fane	130,000
Thomas	Gari	91,000
David	Ward	89,000
Gregg	Weiss	83,500
Harry	Silver	74,500
Arnold	Cohen	70,000
John	Wolfe	68,500
Steve	Costa	30,000

$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1C): Coming Down The Homestretch, Two Levels Remain

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 14 (Blinds 1,200/2,400/400)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 108
Flight 1C Players Remaining: 24

Level 14 in winding down, will just two scheduled levels left in the flight, and three tables still active in the field.  While the live blogged coverage of the flight has concluded for the afternoon, the official end of Flight 1C chip counts will be posted after the bagging process, along with the winner of the flight's chip lead bonus.

Flight 1D began just a short while ago, with registration open for another four hours (plus).  The size of tonight's field will be a true gauge of how large this prize pool is actually going to get.  

$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1C): Coming Up On Yet Another Evening Of Full House Promotions

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 13 (Blinds 1,000/2,000/300)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 108
Flight 1C Players Remaining: 33

$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1C): Carmen Mali Heading To Final Break In Contention For The Chip Lead Bonus

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 12 (Blinds 800/1,600/200)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 108
Flight 1C Players Remaining: 37

Carmen Mali (Slingerland, NY) has steadily trended upward, and now finds himself in the top five on the leaderboard, as players get ready for their final break.

As play reaches the final break of the flight, we are beginning to see some new faces atop the chip counts, one of which is that of Carmen Mali (Slingerland, NY).  Mali is top five in chips with 135,000, and hopes to add to his lifetime earnings of $3,294.  While a potential cash is in sight if Carmen bags chips, the chip lead bonus is also a reality at this point.  There hasn't been a player to really separate themselves from the field, making the last four levels wide open for someone to grab a solid lead.  

Carmen Mali - 135,000 (84bb)

$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1C): A Favorable Flop Sees Peter Striano Climb The Leaderboard

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 11 (Blinds 600/1,200/200)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 108
Flight 1C Players Remaining: 45

It's been over two years since Peter Striano (Parkland, FL) has recorded a tournament cash, but it looks like that's about to change this weekend.

Peter Striano (Parkland, FL) has been out of the tournament scene for a few years, but he's looking to make the best of his return.  Peter has lifetime earnings over $105,000, recorded between two properties...the Isle Casino Poker Room, and Seminole Hard Rock.  Striano's tournament resume began in 2008, and while he only recorded (16) results in eight years, he made the most of the cashes.  Four of the cashes were more than five-figures, with two of those eclipsing the $20,000 mark.  

Now back in action Striano is seemingly picking up where he last left off (in 2016), with the help of some favorable runouts.  Peter eliminated Ariel Rosello Quintana just moments ago, after flopping middle set against Ariel's top-top.  Striano help 6♠ 6♥ on the A♦ 6♦ 2♠ flop, against the A♣ K♠ of Quintana, leaving Ariel drawing dead on the turn.  The 50,000 chip pot wasn't the largest of the day, but it did help Striano eclipse the 140,000 mark, which makes him one of the top stacks in Flight 1C.

Peter Striano - 142,000 (118bb)

$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1C): Updated Chip Counts From The Field, Tracy Scala Currently Leading Flight 1C

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 10 (Blinds 500/1,000/100)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 108
Flight 1C Players Remaining: 57

Nancy Birnbaum (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) is in full WSOP-prep mode, hoping to make a nice run in this event, and parlay that into a very successful summer.

While the size of the field was similar to yesterday's afternoon action (Flight 1A), the same can be said for the stack sizes across the field.  The current Flight 1B chip leader (Tracy Scala) sits with 125,000, which is just a few thousand short of where the Flight 1A leader was at this time.  Nancy Birnbaum is also towards the top of the leaderboard, as she plays in one of her final tournaments in Florida, before heading to Las Vegas for the WSOP.  Birnbaum hasn't yet crossed the century mark, but is sitting with a very manageable stack of 75,000.  The first tally of updated counts from the field are posted below:

Tracy Scala - 125,000 (125bb)
Peter Striano - 100,000 (100bb)
Ronald Higgins - 85,000 (85bb)
David Ward - 80,000 (80bb)
Nancy Birnbaum - 75,000 (75bb)
James Cochran - 65,000 (65bb)
Christian Barrett - 65,000 (65bb)
Joseph Mancuso - 50,000 (50bb)
Al Gomez - 30,000 (30bb)

$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1C): Official Numbers Are In For Flight 1C, (108) Entries And A Growing Prize Pool

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 9 (Blinds 400/800/100)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 108
Flight 1C Players Remaining: 58

Players are just returning from their second break of the day, and will be posting new blinds of 400/800/100 in Level 9.  Registration is now closed for Flight 1C, with a total of (108) entries, of which (59) players still remain.  The $16,416 from this flight brings the combined total for the tournament to $44,654, which is almost halfway to the posted number (and well ahead of the pace needed).

The $50 No Limit Hold'em Satellite is also seeing some great success, with (34) entries in the field, just halfway through the registration period.  That means that six seat are currently going to be awarded, with a seventh place earning a cash prize.  

Once players are comfortably back in their seats for Flight 1C, we will take a lap of the field, and bring you the first look at updated chip counts.

$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1C): Putting A Bow On The Month Of May, Less Than A Week Away From The $1,100 NLH Single-Ante ($50,000 GTD)

$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 Guaranteed
Level 8 (Blinds 300/600/75)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 99

While this is the final multi of the month, it's not the last "headlining" event, as the final day of May sees an $1,100 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante, which boasts a $50,000 guaranteed prize pool.  The ever-popular single-ante format returns, but has a small tweak in the price point.  Opposed to the $2,500 buy-in that we've seen since August, this month's a little more attainable for players...especially considering players can get into the tournament for as little as $80.  Listed below, is the satellite schedule for next week's event:

Monday, May 28th (2:00pm) $80 No Limit Hold'em "Step-Satellite" Into $240 Satellite (1 In 5)

Monday, May 28th (6:00pm) $130 No Limit Hold'em Satellite Into $1,100 NLH Single-Ante (1 In 10)

Tuesday, May 29th (11:00am) $80 No Limit Hold'em "Step-Satellite" Into $240 Satellite (1 In 5)

Tuesday, May 29th (2:00pm) $80 No Limit Hold'em "Step-Satellite" Into $240 Satellite (1 In 5)

Wednesday, May 30th (11:00am) $240 No Limit Hold'em "Mega-Satellite" Into $1,100 NLH Single-Ante (5 Seats GTD)

Wednesday, May 30th (6:00pm) $240 No Limit Hold'em "Mega-Satellite" Into $1,100 NLH Single-Ante (5 Seats GTD)

$200 NLH $100,000 GTD (Flight 1C): After Yesterday's Two Seat Guarantee Was Crushed, Today's Satellite Expecting Even Larger Numbers

$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 second 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 two 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 Saturday's installment guaranteeing (5) seats, and Sunday's final satellite guaranteeing (3) seats.