Isle Open Event #1 (Flight 1E): As The Weekend Arrives, So Do The Big Time Numbers

2018 Isle Open | Event #1
$200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD)
Level 1 (Blinds 100/100)
Total Flight 1E Entries: N/A

The weekend is officially here, with the Event #1 action about to heat up, after an already sizzling start to the tournament.  At the halfway point of the opening event, there have been a total of (369) entries, which equates to a prize fund of $58,302.  Considering the fact that these weekend flights are likely to be the largest of the eight, the is really no question whether the guaranteed number will be eclipsed ($100,000)...just how large the overall pool will end up.  

Of the (369) entries to this point, (43) players have been successful in reaching the bagging process, and will be returning on Sunday for Day 2 (12:00pm).  That group of player is led by Matthew Bretzfield (Kings Park, NY), who is just "in the zone," as they say.  After a two month span where Bretzfield cashed for over $125,000, it doesn't seem like his balloon is going to pop anytime soon.  Matthew bagged up 487,000 as the Flight 1C chip leader, which also leads the group to have bagged.  The top five overall stacks from the first four flights are posted below:

Matthew Bretzfield - 487,000
Lloyd Gunther - 413,500
Niel Blumenfield - 333,000
Harry Silver - 325,000
Didier Bramy - 271,000

Action is now underway for Flight 1E, which is the fifth (of eight) flight of Event #1, with things already off to a quick start.  Before we take a look at the early field, an official list of chip counts from the first four flights will be posted.

Friday, October 5th: Full Day Of Action, Including Two Event #1 Flights, A (10) Seat Guaranteed Satellite, And "Super High Hands"

ICYMI: Yesterday was the second day of action for the 2018 Isle Open, with the schedule hosting another pair of starting flights for Event #1 ($200 No Limit Hold'em $100,000 GTD).  The numbers continued to grow, as Flight 1C and Flight 1D attracted a combined (195) entries, of which (23) players reached the bagging process.  

The nine players to reach the bagging process from Flight 1C were led by Matthew Bretzfield (Kings Park, NY), who packed away 487,000 for Sunday's Day 2.  That number is currently leading the (43) players to have reached the bagging process, as Bretzfield looks to continue the incredible tournament run he's be on.  Other notables to bag from Flight 1C included former "November Niner" Neil Blumenfield (333,000), Paulius Bikus (158,500), Tracy Scala (151,000), and Pedro Palacio (127,500).

The top of the leaderboard was crowded at the end of Flight 1D, but when it was all said and done, it was Maury Halperin (Lauderdale By The Sea, FL) bagging the largest stack (236,000).  Other notables names that were one of the (14) to bag, included David Poces (226,000), Joseph Duchman (171,000), and Danielle Bastarache (154,500).

The official Event #1 numbers to this point have seen a total of (369) entries, of which (43) players have reached Day 2.  The currently prize fund sits at $58,302, which is will ahead of the pace to reach the posted guarantee, especially considering the largest of the flights will play out over the next (48) hours.

Tournaments: After four very successful flights for Event #1 of the Isle Open, we continue with the third pair of flights, and another $50 No Limit Hold'em Satellite (10 Seats) guaranteed.  The day's action begins at 11:00am, with Flight 1E of Event #1. There are six flights over the next three days, with players that bag chips returning on Sunday (at 12:00pm) for Day 2.  Each of the flights are structured with 20,000 unit starting stacks, levels that last (30) minutes, and registration that is open through Level 8 (and the break that follows).  Play is scheduled to conclude after Level 16, or when the field reaches the 10% mark, whichever happens first.  

Flight 1F of Event #1 is in the 6:00pm time slot, and carries the same structure as the afternoon flight before it.  There will be live blogged coverage of Flight 1E, with the official chip counts from both flights to be posted in the early morning hours (Tuesday).

Sandwiched in between the flights (2:00pm), is the $50 No Limit Hold'em Satellite Into Event #1, which guarantees (10) seats. The satellite is structured with 8,000 unit starting stacks, (20) minute levels, and registration that lasts eight levels.

Promotions: The high hand period runs from 10:00am-12:00am (midnight), with the opportunity to win $400 every (30) minutes.  During that period, the promotion sees tournament players eligible 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).

In addition to the "standard" high hands, from 6:00pm through 12:00am, players are eligible for the "Super High Hands." Players that make a qualifying royal flush, will be awarded up to $3,000, depending on what game they are playing (No Limit Hold'em and Pot Limit Omaha are awarded the $3,000).  Players that make a qualifying straight flush, will be awarded up to $1,200, depending on what game they are playing (No Limit Hold'em and Pot Limit Omaha are awarded the $1,200).  Full rules and payouts are posted in the poker room, and on social media (Twitter and Facebook).

11:00am - 2018 Isle Open | Event #1 | $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

- Levels will last (30) minutes

2:00pm - $50 No Limit Hold'em Satellite Into 2018 Isle Open Event #1 ($200 No Limit Hold'em $100,000 GTD) 10 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

- Levels will last (20) minutes

6:00pm - 2018 Isle Open | Event #1 | $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

- Levels will last (30) minutes

Isle Open Event #1 (Flight 1D): Official End Of Flight 1D Chip Counts

2018 Isle Open | Event #1
$200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD)
Level 16 (Blinds 2,500/5,000/5,000)
Total Flight 1D Entries: 108
Flight 1D Players Remaining: 14

Maury	Halperin	236,000
David	Poces	226,000
Garrett	Rogers	216,000
Howard	Becks	205,000
Joseph	Duchman	171,000
Danielle	Bastarache	154,500
Brett	Biegler	153,000
Richard	Gayle	152,000
Haim	Toorgeman	141,500
Jeff	Oldakowski	138,500
Vito	Polero	133,000
James	Salmon	120,000
Claudio	Kalili	94,000
Andrew	Daire	36,500

Isle Open Event #1 (Flight 1C): Official End Of Flight 1C Chip Counts

2018 Isle Open | Event #1
$200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD)
Level 16 (Blinds 2,500/5,000/5,000)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 87
Flight 1C Players Remaining: 9

Matt	Bretzfield	487,000
Neil	Blumenfield	333,000
Walter	Buss	183,000
Paulius	Bikus	158,500
Tracy	Scala	151,000
Philip	Consolo	139,000
Pedro	Palacio	127,500
Dylan	Malcomson	117,000
Michael	Stewartson	87,000

Isle Open Event #1 (Flight 1C): Entering The Final Scheduled Level, With Focus Firmly On Finding A Bag

2018 Isle Open | Event #1
$200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD)
Level 16 (Blinds 2,500/5,000/5,000)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 87
Flight 1C Players Remaining: 9

The tournament clock just transitioned to Level 16, with players now posting blinds of 2,500/5,000/5,000.  Play for the day is scheduled to stop at the conclusion of this level, or will pause if the field reaches eight players before that time.  When 10:00 minutes remain on the clock, the moving clock will be paused, and players will be informed of how many hands remain in the flight.  Once those hands are completed, the bags will be brought out, and remaining players will pack away their chips for Sunday's Day 2.  Those interested in official chip counts from Flight 1C, can check the blog in just a short while, as they will be posted once made official by tournament supervisors.

Isle Open Event #1 (Flight 1C): Beckley More Than Doubles, Leaves Herbert Nairn With Dust

2018 Isle Open | Event #1
$200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD)
Level 14 (Blinds 2,000/3,000/3,000)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 87
Flight 1C Players Remaining: 15

Joshua Beckley (Marlton, NJ) had been hovering around chip average for most of the day, but saw his stack diminish over the last few levels.  He just doubled through Herbert Nairn, and is now once again over the average.

Table 4 was approached during a hand between Joshua Beckley and Herbert Nairn, with the cards already exposed on the table (Beckley was all-in on the flop).  On the J♦ 9♦ 4♣ flop, Beckley held Q♣ 10♣ against Nairn's 6♥ 6♠, but still needed help to stay alive.  The 2♠ on the turn was no help to Joshua, but the K♥ on the river completed his straight, and helped him chip up to over 120,000 (more than double what he started the hand with).  

Hebert Nairn was left with under 20,000 after losing the hand, and would be eliminated just two hands later.

Joshua Beckley - 121,000 (40bb)

Isle Open Event #1 (Flight 1C): Updated Chip Counts Following Flight's Final Break

2018 Isle Open | Event #1
$200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD)
Level 12 (Blinds 1,000/2,000/2,000)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 87
Flight 1C Players Remaining: 16

Players have just returned from their final schedule break of the flight, and while the action is scheduled to conclude after Level 16, we could reach the 10% mark before that point.  If the field reaches nine players, the tournament clock will be paused, and those left will bag up their chips for Sunday.  Listed below, are the updated chip counts from the field, tallied during break:

Table 1

1. Joshua Wasserman - 175,000
2. Alvaro Grisales - 38,000
3. Georges Boyadjian - 85,000
4. Pedro Palacio - 170,000
5. Alexander Perez - 125,000
6. Matthew Bretzfield - 150,000
7. Dylan Malcomson - 120,000
8. Tracy Scala - 57,000

Table 4

1. Daniel Genachte - 20,000
2. Philip Consolo - 60,000
3. Walter Buss - 110,000
4. Herbert Nairn - 130,000
5. Paulius Bikus - 225,000
6. Joshua Beckley - 67,000
7. Neil Blumenfield - 68,000
8. Michael Stewartson - 130,000

Isle Open Event #1 (Flight 1C): Remaining Players Before Flight's Final Break

2018 Isle Open | Event #1
$200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD)
Level 12 (Blinds 1,000/2,000/2,000)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 87
Flight 1C Players Remaining: 22

Play is currently in Level 12, with blinds of 1,000/2,000/2,000, and a chip average of just under 70,000.  The players that remain at the end of this level, will head on a final ten minute break, before returning for the last four scheduled levels.  The seating assignments for the three remaining tables in the field are posted below:

Table 1

1. Joshua Wasserman
2. David Rivera
3. Georges Boyadjian
4. Gil Dalco
5. Pedro Palacio
6. Matt Bretzfield
7. Tracy Scala

Table 3

1. Dylan Malcomson
2. Walter Buss
3. Alvaro Grisales
4. Philip Consolo
5. Eugene Mirabello
6. Justin Levy
7. Alexander Perez
8. Daniel Genachte

Table 4

1. Alex Funes
2. Duane Dekeyser
3. Herbert Nairn
4. Paulius Bikus
5. Joshua Beckley
6. Neil Blumenfield
7. Michael Stewartson

Isle Open Event #1 (Flight 1C): Georges Boyadjian Not Going Anywhere Just Yet

2018 Isle Open | Event #1
$200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD)
Level 11 (Blinds 800/1,600/1,600)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 87
Flight 1C Players Remaining: 30

Georges Boyadjian's (Pompano Beach, FL) style makes him a player that's very capable spinning a stack up quickly.

After Zachary Mullennix and Georges Boyadjian both limped (for 1,200), a player in late position raised to 4,200, which cleared out the players behind.  Mullennix and Boyadjian both made the call, and the three saw a flop of J♣ 5♠ 3♥.  Both players checked to the original raiser, who bet 7,000, with Mullennix quickly making the call.  Just as Zachary's chips hit the felt, Georges tossed his remaining stack in (17,400), eliciting a fold from the bettor.  Mullennix tossed in a chip for a call, and the cards found their backs:

Mullennix: Q♥ J♥
Boyadjian: J♦ 5♦

Turn: 4♠
River: 4♣

Both players had flopped a piece, but Georges two pair held a commanding lead when the chips got in.  Boyadkian stood through the runout, but would have the opportunity to sit back down after the river, as he more than doubled up.

Georges Boyadjian - 52,000
Zachary Mullennix - 27,000

Isle Open Event #1 (Flight 1C): Updated Chip Counts From The Flight 1C Field

2018 Isle Open | Event #1
$200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD)
Level 10 (Blinds 600/1,200/1,200)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 87
Flight 1C Players Remaining: 35

Alexander Perez (Miami, FL) recorded his first cash just a few months ago, finishing in 11th place during Event #1 of the Card Player Poker Tour ($360 No Limit Hold'em).

Since last updated, Pedro Palacio (Coconut Creek, FL) has increased his chip lead, and now sits as the only player above the century mark.  Scott Carroll (Lantana, FL) was over 100,000 before the registration break, but has since dipped over the last thirty minutes of play.  Alexander Perez (Miami, FL), who recorded his first tournament cash during the opening event of the CPPT (Card Player Poker Tour), is currently sitting second in chips.

Pedro Palacio - 180,000 (150bb)
Alexander Perez - 90,000 (75bb)
Scotty Carroll - 88,000 (73bb)
Oleg Efremov - 70,000 (58bb)
Neil Blumenfield - 66,000 (55bb)
Morris Heider - 65,000 (54bb)
Joshua Beckley - 58,000 (48bb)
Paulius Bikus - 45,000 (37bb)

Isle Open Event #1 (Flight 1C): Flight 1C Closes With (87) Entries, As The Overall Prize Pool Continues To Grow

2018 Isle Open | Event #1
$200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD)
Level 9 (Blinds 500/1,000/1,000)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 87
Flight 1C Players Remaining: 40

The cards are back in the air for Level 9 of Flight 1C, with registration now officially closed.  The third flight of Event #1 ($200 No Limit Hold'em $100,000 GTD) closed with a total of (88) entries, of which (40) currently remain.  The official prize fund from the flight is $13,746, bringing the overall number to $41,238.  Considering the trend of growing fields towards the weekend, we are looking at an official prize pool that is going to crush the number.  The flight is scheduled to play through the conclusion of Level 16, or until the 10% mark (which for this flight, is eight players).  The first look at updated chip counts from the field will be posted in less than thirty minutes.

Isle Open Event #1 (Flight 1C): Palacio Currently Pacing The Field, As Players Head On Their Second Break

2018 Isle Open | Event #1
$200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD)
Level 8 (Blinds 400/800/800)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 82

Pedro Palacio (Coconut Creek, FL) topped a tournament leaderboard at Coconut Creek, and was able to turn a free seat (into the $3,500 SHRPO WPT Championship Event) into over $86,000.

Play entered Level 8 just a few moments ago, which is the final level of open registration for Flight 1C.  There will be a ten minute break at the end of this level, which the registration officially closing at it's conclusion.  Official numbers from this third starting flight will then be published at the beginning of Level 9, and the tournament continues to attract very impressive numbers (today's afternoon flight has surpassed the numbers from yesterday's, which is always a very good sign for things to follow).

A scan of the field yielded two players that have separated themselves from the rest of the field, one of which belongs to Pedro Palacio (Coconut Creek, FL).  Palacio looks to be heading to break with over 125,000, almost triple the current chip average.  Earlier this year, Pedro turned around a satellite entry into the $3,500 No Limit Hold'em WPT SHRPO Championship Event, eventually reaching the tournament's final table.  He finished in 8th place, which was worth a career best $86,740, over $25,000 more than his previous largest score.

After players return from the ten minute break that follow this level, they will be positing new blinds of 500/1,000/1,000 (in Level 9).

Isle Open Event #1 (Flight 1C): Matthew Bretzfield Looking For Sixth Straight Final Table Finish

2018 Isle Open | Event #1
$200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD)
Level 7 (Blinds 300/600/600)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 67

It's been an insane two months of tournaments for Matthew Bretzfield (Kings Park, NY), who has earned over $125,000 in that short period of time.

Matthew Bretzfield's (Kings Park, NY) incredible run started back in August, when he turned a satellite entry for the $5,250 No Limit Hold'em SHRPO Championship Event, into a 10th place finish worth $62,415.  The cash was his largest by far, as Matthew didn't have a five-figure score before that point. That score would just be the beginning for Bretzfield, who then went on to earn another five-figure score, in the opening event of the Card Player Poker Tour (hosted here at the Isle Casino Pompano Park).  Matthew's second place share of the deal in the $360 No Limit Hold'em event was worth $22,374, and it seemed as if nothing could top that two week span.  That would be until Event #8 of that same Card Player Poker Tour series, when he took first place honors in the $1,100 No Limit Hold'em Main Event, taking home $35,443 for his efforts.  

Bretzfield went on to cash in two more events since the CPPT results, both of which were final table finishes (one during the WSOP Circuit at Coconut Creek).  Matthew has cashed for over $125,000 in the last two months, and has to be considered a favorite to make a deep run in this opening event of the Isle Open.

Isle Open Event #1 (Flight 1C): Another "November Niner" In The Field, As Joshua Beckley Headlines Second Wave Of Notables

2018 Isle Open | Event #1
$200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD)
Level 6 (Blinds 300/500/500)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 67

Just two short years after recording his first tournament cash, Joshua Beckley (Marlton, NJ) found himself a household name in the poker community.

We can now add a second "November Niner" in today's Flight 1C field, as Joshua Beckley (Marlton, NJ) takes his seat at Table 5.  Beckley was actually one of the two players to best Neil Blumenfield in the 2016 WSOP $10,000 No Limit Hold'em Main Event, finishing runner-up to Jospeh McKeehen.  The second place score was worth $4,470,896, and helped propel Beckley to worldwide poker fame.  Joshua has since been very active in the tournament community, and is coming off a final table cash in the WSOP Circuit $2,200 No Limit Hold'em High Roller (Coconut Creek), where he finished in 4th place (for $14,010).  Beckley has career earnings of $5,353,289, and has seen some nice tournament success, since moving to Florida early last year.

Beckley tops the second list of notables in this Flight 1C field, joining the likes of:

Myles German
Blake Robbins
Paul Efron
Michael Garavuso
Stuart Greenbaum
Francois Gagne
Herbert Nairn
David Rivera

Isle Open Event #1 (Flight 1C): It's Been A Career Year For Rudy Miret, Who Looks To Reach Another Multi Final Table

2018 Isle Open | Event #1
$200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD)
Level 5 (Blinds 200/400/400)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 63

Rudy Miret (Pembroke Pines, FL) already has to sizable scores in large field multis here at the Isle, and is looking to add a trophy win to his resume.

2018 has been a banner year for Rodolfo "Rudy" Miret (Pembroke Pines, FL), in regards to tournament poker.  After a 2016 with just over $2,600 in live tournament earnings, and a 2017 with no recorded results, Miret has over $18,890 in cashes so far this year.  Miret can thank two healthy results from multis here at the Isle for that total number, as he was part of chops in an $175 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD) in April (4th Place - $10,559), and a $175 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD) in June (6th Place - $5,000).  In fact, four of Rudy's six tournament cashes this year, have come during Isle Poker Room multis.  This type of event would have to be considered Miret's "comfort zone," as he looks to bag up chips in this third flight of Event #1.

Rudy is just one, in a large group of notables currently in the Flight 1C field, joining the names like:

Tracy Scala

Frank Scala

Rodney Moret-Rojas

Kenneth Bruno

Pedro Palacio

Joshua Wasserman

Morris Heider

Paulius Bikus

Zachary Mullennix

Isle Open Event #1 (Flight 1C): Another Satellite Winner Looking To See Some Success

2018 Isle Open | Event #1
$200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD)
Level 4 (Blinds 200/300/300)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 55

Juan Madrid (Margate, FL), otherwise known as "JC," is looking to turn his satellite entry into a career best score.

During yesterday's coverage of Flight 1A, we featured Danny Blackburn (St. Louis, MO), who had won his seat into Event #1 through a satellite the night prior.  Blackburn ended up reaching the flight's bagging process, and is currently sixth in chips (211,000), of the twenty players to bag from Flight 1A and Flight 1B combined.  

Juan "JC" Madrid (Margate, FL) won himself a seat into Event #1 during yesterday's $50 No Limit Hold'em Satellite, and is now hoping to follow in the footsteps of Blackburn.  Madrid is a daily tournament grinder, who has seen his numbers trend in the right direction this year.  While he earnings to date have not yet eclipsed his career best number from 2016, JC has recorded six cashes to this point in the year, which is a career high.  The Isle Open also holds a place in Madrid's heart, as it was during this series in 2015, that he recorded his first ever tournament cash.  Madrid finished fourth in Event #16 ($120 No Limit Hold'em), kickstarting his resume with a $1,994 score.

Players will be taking their first break of the day at the end of this level, returning to Level 5, and new blinds of 200/400/400.

Isle Open Event #1 (Flight 1C): From Bracelet Winners To A "November Niner," Event #1 Attracting A Crowd

2018 Isle Open | Event #1
$200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD)
Level 3 (Blinds 100/200/200)
Total Flight 1C Entries: 45

Neil Blumenfield (San Francisco, CA) didn't search for all of the high-rollers and five-figure buy-in events after reaching the final table of the 2015 WSOP Main Event.  He continued playing the same tournaments he did prior to the score, including those of the particular price point.

One of the first players to be featured during yesterday's Flight 1A coverage, was WSOP bracelet winner Jacquelyn Scott.  Today, the first player focus is on a former "November Niner," as Neil Blumenfield (San Francisco, CA) was spotted at Table 4.  In 2015, Neil was able to reach what is widely known as the pinnacle of tournament poker...the WSOP $10,000 No Limit Hold'em Main Event final table.  His ride didn't stop there though, as Blumenfield went on to finish third in the event, cashing for $3,398,298.  While that is just a life-changing figure, the monster score did not change Blumenfield as a person.  He's continued to be visible in the poker community, playing in events of all different buy-ins, and holding himself with true class at the tables.

Neil has recorded (29) cashes since that fateful November evening, but is still searching for his second tournament win (his first came in 2008).  Blumenfield hopes that today's Flight 1C leads to finding a bag, and an eventual trophy for the mantle.