Saturday, October 6th: With The Event #1 Prize Pool Already Over $100,000, We're Expecting Big Things Out Of Final Pair Of Opening Flights

ICYMI: Yesterday brought out the big numbers for Event #1 ($200 No Limit Hold'em $100,000 GTD) of the Isle Open...big enough to eclipse the posted guarantee!!! The third pair of opening flights for the tournament attracted a combined total of (273) entries, of which (31) players bagged chips for tomorrow's Day 2.  

Flight 1E saw registration close with (150) entries, with numerous players grabbing the top spot, as the action played down to the final minutes of Level 16.  After the final hand was dealt, it would be Juan "JC" Madrid bagging the flight's chip lead (330,000).  He just bested Elliot Zaydman (320,000), as the two gained a good amount a separation from the rest of the field.

Flight 1F may have ended up with a smaller number than than it's afternoon partner (123 entries), but it ended up giving us the largest overall chip count, bagged by Wilnor Mercado (517,500).  Wilnor ended up with more than double his nearest competitor from the flight, as the second largest stack belonged to Cameron Collins (250,000).

The total numbers to this point of Event #1 have been nothing short of incredible, as the combined numbers of entries to this point, sits at (642).  The current prize pool is $101,436, with today's final pair of flights only helping that number balloon larger.

Tournaments: After six very successful flights for Event #1 of the Isle Open, we continue with the final pair of flights, and another $50 No Limit Hold'em Satellite (10 Seats) guaranteed.  The day's action begins at 11:00am, with Flight 1G 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 1H 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 1G

- 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 1H

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

2018 Isle Open | Event #1
$200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD)
Level 14 (Blinds 1,500/3,000/3,000)
Total Flight 1F Entries: 123
Flight 1F Players Remaining: 14

Wilnor	Mercado	517,500
Cameron	Collins	250,000
Peter	Sayet	240,000
Ari	Dinov	235,000
Robert	Chusid	210,000
Michael	Ralyea	178,000
Rodney	Moret	171,000
Antoine	Bahi	153,500
David	Maslowski	119,000
Mohamad	Kamalzadeh	111,500
Carey	Pickus	91,500
Myles	German	84,500
David	Kahan	69,000
Adam	Oerth	36,000

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

2018 Isle Open | Event #1
$200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD)
Level 14 (Blinds 1,500/3,000/3,000)
Total Flight 1E Entries: 150
Flight 1E Players Remaining: 17

JC	Madrid	330,000
Elliott	Zaydman	320,000
Joseph	Villarico	268,000
Olivier	Coulombier	249,500
Alan	Saltzman	243,000
Matthew	Zarcadoulus	207,000
Sean	Harper	195,500
Michael	Goldfarb	178,500
Julian	Wohlgemuth	174,000
Paul	Gold	166,000
Dan	Waysor	162,000
Elise	Scheisler	117,000
Jonathan	Marcu	92,000
Ken	Bruno	86,000
Marc	Sacheli	71,000
Richard	DeVivo	70,500
Alvaro	Vivas Grisales	48,500

Isle Open Event #1 (Flight 1E): Players Entering Final Level Of Play, Official Chip Counts To Follow

2018 Isle Open | Event #1
$200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD)
Level 14 (Blinds 1,500/3,000/3,000)
Total Flight 1E Entries: 150
Flight 1E Players Remaining: 21

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 1E, 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 1E): Seating Assignments For The Final Three Tables

2018 Isle Open | Event #1
$200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD)
Level 14 (Blinds 1,500/3,000/3,000)
Total Flight 1E Entries: 150
Flight 1E Players Remaining: 30

Tournament Supervisor Ralph Brandt broke Table 7 moments ago, leaving just three active tables remaining from this flight.  The following players are still alive, and looking to reach the flight's bagging process.

Table 4

1. Thomas Puccio
2. Fernando Ruiz
3. Jonathan Marcu
4. Elliot Zaydman
5. Joevanny Duran
6. Michael Marks
7. Julian Wohlgemuth
8. Olivier Colombier
9. Marc Sacheli
10. JC Madrid

Table 5

1. Keith Saunders
2. John Lane
3. Sean Harper
4. Paul Balzano
5. Dan Wason
6. Paul Gold
7. Kenneth Bruno
8. Tom Gity
9. Randy Sin
10. Elise Schisler

Table 6

1. Michael Goldfarb
2. Richard DeVivo
3. Artur Tishchenko
4. Alan Saltzman
5. Alvaro Grisales
6. Juan Mubarak
7. Johnathan Steward
8. Joseph Vittalico
9. Matthew Zarcadoolas
10. Michael Weinberg

Isle Open Event #1 (Flight 1E): Updated Chip Counts From The Field, As Flight 1E Play Enters The Homestretch

2018 Isle Open | Event #1
$200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD)
Level 13 (Blinds 1,500/2,500/2,500)
Total Flight 1E Entries: 150
Flight 1E Players Remaining: 32

Paul Balzano (Sunrise, FL) had been quiet for most of the afternoon, but was able to crack the top ten chip counts before the final break.

Players are back from their final break of the night, and are now posting blinds of 1,500/2,500/2,500 in Level 13.  There are still (32) players looking to reach the bagging process, which begins at the end of Level 16, or if the field is left with (15) players.  

Updated chip counts tallied from break are posted below:

Joseph Villatico - 250,000 (100bb)

Keith Saunders - 180,000 (72bb)

Alan Saltzman - 170,000 (68bb)

Michael Marks - 150,000 (60bb)

Matthew Zarcadoolas - 145,000 (58bb)

Paul Balzano - 130,000 (52bb)

JC Madrid - 110,000 (44bb)

Paul Darpino - 110,000 (44bb)

Isle Open Event #1 (Flight 1E): Matthew Zarcadoolas Triples Up Before The 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 1E Entries: 150
Flight 1E Players Remaining: 43

Matthew Zarcadoolas (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) is in the midst of his best year of tournament poker, and looking to add to the statistics.

At Table 4, after a raise from Michael Marks to 4,200, Marc Sacheli would call from late position.  Matthew Zarcadoolas (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) then three-bet shoved for 23,400, with Marks going into the tank.  He'd eventually make the call, with Marc Sacheli than taking a good amount of time, before calling as well.  The three players went to the flop, with any further action between Sacheli and Marks going towards a side pot.

Just a few moments after the dealer fanned out a Q♣ 9♥ 6♥ flop, Michael Marks went all-in, with Sacheli quickly mucking his hand:

Zarcadoolas: Q♠ Q♦

Marks: A♦ Q♥

Turn: 9♣ 

River: 6♦

"Something black on the turn," Zarcadoolas said once the cards were tabled, knowing that a running-flush was Michael's best route towards a comeback.  Marks ended up drawing dead after the turn, with Zarcadoolas being pushed the 70,000+ pot.

Matthew Zarcadoolas - 75,000 (37bb)

Isle Open Event #1 (Flight 1E): Keith Saunders Featured Again, Wins Largest Pot Of Flight 1E To Take The Chip Lead

2018 Isle Open | Event #1
$200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD)
Level 11 (Blinds 800/1,600/1,600)
Total Flight 1E Entries: 150
Flight 1E Players Remaining: 49

Keith Saunders (Miami, FL) felt his aces shrink when Rodney Moret-Rojas announced all-in, but ended up making the correct call.

We happened to walk by Table 6 at the perfect time, as Keith Saunders and Rodney Moret-Rojas were involved in a hand.  The two were on a flop of Q 7 6, with Saunders leading out for 16,000, and Rodney shoving for close to 60,000.  Saunders wasn't thrilled about the action, considering it was a three-bet pot pre, and took a moment before making a decision (the two had similar sized stacks).

"What happened, did you flop a set," Saunders said aloud, before announcing a call:

Moret-Rojas: Q♦ 10♦

Saunders: A♣ A♠

Turn: A♥ 

River: 10♣

Rodney needed every bit of the ace on the turn, as Moret-Rojas ended up making two pair on the turn, which ended up being insignificant.  The pot was the largest of the afternoon, and helped make Saunders the new chip leader.

Rodney Saunders - 180,000 (112bb)

Isle Open Event #1 (Flight 1E): First Look At Updated Counts From The Field

2018 Isle Open | Event #1
$200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD)
Level 10 (Blinds 600/1,200/1,200)
Total Flight 1E Entries: 150
Flight 1E Players Remaining: 53

Joseph Villatico (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) finds himself atop the leaderboard, as he sits with 130,000 in Level 10.

The mighty have already fallen, as early chip leader Marc Sacheli has seen his stack dip significantly, since play resumed post-break.  Joseph Villatico (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) has assumed the top spot on the leaderboard, as he entered Level 10 with 130,000.  Villatico has just over $14,000 in lifetime tournament earnings, and is looking for his first Isle Casino Pompano Park result since the 2015 Florida State Poker Championships.  Updated chip counts from beginning of Level 10 are posted below:

Joseph Villatico - 130,000 (108bb)

Paul Darpino - 125,000 (104bb)

Michael Marks - 120,000 (100b)

Julian Wohlgemuth - 115,000 (95bb)

Marc Sacheli - 100,000 (83bb)

Rodney Moret-Rojas - 95,000 (79bb)

Michael Garvuso - 95,000 (79bb)

Randy Sin - 95,000 (79bb)

Isle Open Event #1 (Flight 1E): Flight 1E Closes With (150) Entries, As The Prize Pool Crosses $82,000

2018 Isle Open | Event #1
$200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD)
Level 9 (Blinds 500/1,000/1,000)
Total Flight 1E Entries: 150
Flight 1E Players Remaining: 65

The cards are back in the air for Level 9 of Flight 1CE with registration now officially closed.  The fifth flight of Event #1 ($200 No Limit Hold'em $100,000 GTD) closed with a total of (150) entries, of which (65) currently remain.  The official prize fund from the flight is $23,700, bringing the overall number to $82,002.  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 1E): Marc Sacheli With A Massive Chip Lead, As The Registration Window Closes

2018 Isle Open | Event #1
$200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD)
Level 8 (Blinds 400/800/800)
Total Flight 1E Entries: 144

Marc Sacheli's (Miami, FL) largest cash of this year came during the Battles At The Beach, when he final tabled the $2,500 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante event (Event #18).

While it's not likely to happen, Marc Sacheli (Miami, FL) could walk away from the table right now, and still end up bagging close to 100,000.  The tournament veteran, with over $275,000 in lifetime earnings, holds a commanding chip lead over the rest of the field.  Sacheli was sitting with over 175,000 as Level 8 started, a number that would put him in the top fifteen, if things were to end right now.  That obviously is not the case though, as play is about to reach it's halfway mark, with players heading on their second break at level's end.

Once play resumes with Level 9 (500/1,000/1,000), registration for Flight 1E will be closed, and we will bring you all the pertinent numbers (to both this flight, and the tournament as a hole).  There is a very good chance that the guarantee will be reached during this evening's flight (Flight 1F), with tomorrow's pair of flights just padding the overall number.

Isle Open Event #1 (Flight 1E): Keith Saunders Looking To Roll (Tide) On Through The Afternoon

2018 Isle Open | Event #1
$200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD)
Level 7 (Blinds 300/600/600)
Total Flight 1E Entries: 135

Keith Saunders (Miami, FL) had one foot out the door, but was able to find a fortunate turn, and is now sitting with the chip average. 

Michael Tufaro was down to just 2,000, and after going all-in from early position, got a little help from Kenneth Berman.  Berman decided to iso-shove (for 24,000) after Thomas Gari called Tufaro's all-in, eliciting a fold, and making the hands heads-up.  Tufaro would more than triple up after winning the hand, but wasn't about to just sit on his ten big blind stack.

The very next hand, Tufaro would go all-in again, with Keith Saunders re-shoving for just over 13,000.  Berman decided to make the call, having both players covered, with the hands then tabled:

Tufaro: 7♥ 7♦
Saunders: A♣ K♦
Berman: 5♥ 6♥

Runout: 2♣ 2♠ 6♦ A♥ Q♦

Saunders, a former Alabama football player, was able to spike an ace on the turn to grab a commanding lead.  He was able to hold after the Q♦ on the river, and would more than double up to 36,000.

Keith Saunders - 36,000 (45bb)
Kenneth Berman - 4,000 (5bb)

Isle Open Event #1 (Flight 1E): Puccio Takes A Slice Out Of Robert DeVivo's Pie

2018 Isle Open | Event #1
$200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD)
Level 6 (Blinds 300/500/500)
Total Flight 1E Entries: 120

Thomas Puccio (Miami Beach, FL) last ran deep in the opening event of the Card Player Poker Tour, finishing in 16th place for $2,430.

Table 11 was approached with three players looking down at a flop of A♠ K♠ 4♥.  Thomas Puccio (Miami Beach, FL) had bet out 3,000 (into a pot close to 7,000), with Robert DeVivo going all-in (next to act), for close to 40,000.  The third party in the hand released, and Puccio quickly made the call, watching as Richard tabled A♦ Q♦.  It was a cooler for DeVivo, up against the A♣ A♥ of Puccio, needing some serious help to win the hand.

The turn brought the 6♥, which left Richard drawing dead, and sealed the double-up for Puccio.

Thomas Puccio - 28,000 (56bb)

Richard DeVivo - 13,000 (26bb)

Isle Open Event #1 (Flight 1E): Before Matthew Bretzfield, There Was The Run Of Michael Marx

2018 Isle Open | Event #1
$200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD)
Level 5 (Blinds 200/400/400)
Total Flight 1E Entries: 108

Michael Marks (North Lauderdale, FL) was completing his incredible run, long before Matthew Bretzfield even arrived in Florida. 

Tournament poker is a very difficult task to "master," which is why different people are winning different tournaments all of the time.  Sometimes, like what we are seeing right now with Matthew Bretzfield, a player will go on an unprecedented run of scores.  Much of our focus recently has been on the wild ride that Bretzfield is currently on, but long before Matthew embarked on his journey, there was the run that Michael Marks (North Lauderdale, FL) went on earlier this year.  

In back-to-back weeks (last week of January and first week of February), Marks took home first place in a $250 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD), and third place in a $360 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD).  The first place finish was worth $20,094, and the third place finish was worth $14,499, for a combined total over $35,000 in cashes over a ten day span.  If that wasn't impressive enough, Marks went on take ship another Isle Poker multi ($200 No Limit Hold'em $100,000 GTD), worth $20,072.

The results helped bring his lifetime earnings north of $130,000, with his last cash coming during the most recent Florida State Poker Championships.  Michael headlines the second look at notables in today's field, joining the following names:

Elliot Zaydman

Oleg Efremov

Luciano Nardi

Tim Shane

Erik Kolodny

Paula Alibrandi

Alvaro Grisales

Jaime Wiegrefe

Richard Aronson

Isle Open Event #1 (Flight 1E): Poker Is Kind Of A "Daily Show" For Johnathan Steward

2018 Isle Open | Event #1
$200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD)
Level 4 (Blinds 200/300/300)
Total Flight 1E Entries: 89

Johnathan Steward (Woodstock, GA) already had a second place finish in an Isle Poker Room multi under his belt, but is looking for that trophy win, to add to the resume.

Sometimes being a good dealer makes a good player, and other times, being a good player helps one to be a good dealer.  Both of those statements apply to Johnathan Steward (Woodstock, GA), who is an employee at a poker room in the surrounding area, and also a player...when he's not working.  Since arriving to Florida late last year, Steward has recorded four tournament cashes, including a second place finish in a $250 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD) event (that was run here at the Isle last November).  

The second place was actually his share of a five-way deal, in which he earned $11,607.  That cash was good for tops on Steward's resume, which now boasts lifetime earnings of $16,401.  Johnathan's schedule doesn't afford him as much time as he'd like to be on this side of the felt, but he managed to pencil this opening event of the Isle Open into his week.  

Steward tops the list of notables in this early Flight 1E field, which has already become the largest afternoon flight to have been played, with more than four levels of registration still remaining.  Some other notables in the field include:

Tom Gity

David Coughlin

Joseph Mancuso

Alan Saltzman

Ronald Levy

Nagui Yassa

Michael Tufaro

Michael Weinberg

Joseph Schwartz

Rodney Moret-Rojas

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

Isle Open Event #1 (Flight 1E): Carey Pickus Is "Playing Poker Like A Girl," A Telling Everyone About It

2018 Isle Open | Event #1
$200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD)
Level 3 (Blinds 100/200/200)
Total Flight 1E Entries: 77

Carey Pickus (Palm Beach, FL) decided to take some of the things she's experienced over her time playing poker, and write about them on her blog.

Carey Pickus (Palm Beach, FL) has been around the game for close to ten years now, and along with $115,000 in lifetime tournament earnings, comes a lifetime of experiences as well.  Recently, Carey decided to put some of her thoughts on paper (or should be say keyboard), and started her own blog.  The catchy site name is "Playpokerlikeagirl.com," and once there, followers can read Pickus's published pieces on poker, begin a female poker player, and just life itself.

One of the photos on the blog is a screenshot of an article written, which noted Carey's deep run in the $700 No Limit Hold'em "Goliath" event, during the Goliath Phamous Poker Series this summer (held at Planet Hollywood).  She ended up being the last woman standing, eventually finishing in 14th place, for a cash of $11,519.  The result was Carey's second largest of her career, behind her final table finish at the $1,100 MSPT Mid-Season Championship in 2014 (5th Place - $42,017).  Carey is looking to get things started strong this afternoon, and hopefully grab day off, before returning for Sunday's Day 2.

Isle Open Event #1 (Flight 1E): Official Chip Counts (Flight 1A-Flight1D)

2018 Isle Open | Event #1
$200 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD)
Level 2 (Blinds 100/200)
Total Flight 1E Entries: 55