$200 NLH "Isle New Year Kickstart" (Flight 1E): To No Surprise, Flight 1E Of The "Kickstart" Firing Right Out Of The Gate

"Isle New Year Kickstart"
$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 GTD

Level 3 (Blinds 100/200/200)

Total Flight 1E Entries: 70

Blaine McRae (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) has made a habit of final tabling recurring events here at the Isle, but will never shy away from a multi that offers value such as this tournament.

We are only three levels into Flight 1E, and it's already clear that things are going to be even busier than the afternoon flight from yesterday (Flight 1C).  The tournament area has seven active tables at the moment, with that number expected to grow, with still five levels of open registration remaining.  One of the first notables spotted in the field may not be a name familiar to those following the "live blogged coverage" of major events, but if you are checking the results on a daily basis, than you recognize Blaine McRae (Ft. Lauderdale, FL).  McRae is a recurring event "crusher" here at the Isle, cashing in what seems like numerous events every week.  In 2018, he totaled over $25,600 in tournament earrings, most of which were from recurring event results.  Blaine did have one headlining score just under a year ago, when he was part of a six-way chop in a $250 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD) event (outside of a series, here at the Isle Poker Room).  His sixth place share of the chop was worth $10,620, and still stands as Blaine's largest tournament cash.

McRae is joined in this early Flight 1E field by other notables, such as:

Stuart Greenbaum

Yi Ding

Daniel Genachte

Allan Bieler

Joseph Mancuso

Zaki Lichaa

Michael Weinberg

Abraham Mevorah

Vicki Holmes

William Reich

Ariel Rosello

$200 NLH "Isle New Year Kickstart" (Flight 1E): Official Chip Counts (Flight 1A-Flight 1D)

"Isle New Year Kickstart"
$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 GTD

Level 2 (Blinds 100/200)

Total Flight 1E Entries: 45

$200 NLH "Isle New Year Kickstart" (Flight 1E): With The Weekend Underway, Some Solid Showing Are Expected For Friday's Flights

"Isle New Year Kickstart"
$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 GTD

Level 1 (Blinds 100/100)

Total Flight 1E Entries: N/A

After three successful days to start the $200 No Limit Hold'em "Isle New Year Kickstart" ($100,000 GTD), we have reached the halfway point of the "starting period" for the event.  With four flights in the books, the "Kickstart" now has a total of (421) entries, and (48) players already heading to Sunday's Day 2.  The current prize pool sits at $66,618, and with the crowds expected this afternoon (and evening), we should see the $100,000 guaranteed number eclipsed tonight.  

Players are already seated in the field for Flight 1E, with the cards to start flying just minutes form now.  Today's live blogged coverage will begin with an post featuring full Day 2 chip counts to this point, followed by a look at notables in the Flight 1E field.

Friday, January 4th: "Kickstart" Continues To Impress, Should Eclipse Guarantee This Evening

ICYMI: The $200 No Limit Hold'em "Isle New Year Kickstart" ($100,000 GTD) continued it's impressive form yesterday, as Flight 1C and Flight 1D attracted a combined total of (212) entries.  There were (26) players that successfully booked their tickets to Day 2, with (15) coming out of Flight 1C, and (11) from Flight 1D.  The official chip counts from Flight 1C are listed below:

Nathaniel Moore - 248,000
Pedro Palacio - 224,500
Jason Atherley - 218,000
Michael Pawelek - 200,000
Linda Lipkins - 192,500
Noel Atherley - 172,500
Thomas Svensen - 144,000
John Mayers - 126,500
Andre Rakusa - 120,000
Michael Ingber - 93,000
Alexander Perez - 85,500
Kimberly Jones - 72,000
David Bleau - 65,000
Julian Wohlgemuth - 53,500
Randy Burnstein - 46,500

The two largest stacks (to this point) came out of Flight 1D, with the official chip counts from the evening flight listed below:

Rodney Moret-Rojas - 417,500
Douglas Decker - 414,000
Steven Krackomberger - 300,000
Kemball Grant - 247,500
Richard Saunders - 204,000
Jean Holland - 140,500
Paulo Treu - 131,000
Michael Zelen - 128,000
Leroy Jones - 114,000
Carey Pickus - 66,5000
Andrew Daire - 48,000

The "Kickstart" now has a total of (421) entries, of which (48) players have bagged chips for Day 2.  The current prize pool of $66,518 is more than halfway towards the posted guarantee ($100,000), with the number to potentially be eclipsed at some point today.

Tournaments: Today's schedule focuses strictly on the "Isle New Year Kickstart" with two starting flights (and a satellite) on the slate.  Flight 1E (at 11:00am) and Flight 1F (6:00pm) both carry the same structure: with 20,000 unit starting stacks, (30) minute levels, and registration that is open through Level 8.  Play is scheduled to conclude after Level 16, or if the 10% mark is reached before that point (which has happened the first two flights of the event).

At 2:00pm, there is a $55 No Limit Hold'em Satellite into the "Isle New Year Kickstart." The satellite it structured with 10,000 unit starting stacks, (15) minute levels, and registration that is open through Level 8.

Promotions: The high hands will run from 9:00am-12:00am, 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.  

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).

From 12:00am-3:00am, the high hand will be awarded $100 every (60) minutes.

11:00am - $200 No Limit Hold'em "Isle New Year Kickstart" ($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

- Day 2 on Sunday, January 6th (12:00pm)

2:00pm - $55 No Limit Hold'em Satellite Into "Isle New Year Kickstart"

- Players start with 10,000 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 (15) minutes

6:00pm - $200 No Limit Hold'em "Isle New Year Kickstart" ($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

- Day 2 on Sunday, January 6th (12:00pm)

$200 NLH "Isle New Year Kickstart" (Flight 1D): Official End Of Flight 1D Chip Counts

"Isle New Year Kickstart"
$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 GTD

Level 16 (Blinds 2,500/5,000/5,000)

Total Flight 1D Entries: 110

Fight 1D Players Remaining: 11

Rodney	Moret	417,500
Douglas	Decker	414,000
Steve	Krackomberger	300,000
Kemball	Grant	247,500
Richard	Saunders	204,000
Jean	Holland	140,500
Paulo	Treu	131,000
Michael	Zelen	128,000
Leroy	Jones	114,000
Carey	Pickus	66,500
Andrew	Daire	48,000

$200 NLH "Isle New Year Kickstart" (Flight 1C): Official End Of Flight 1C Chip Counts

"Isle New Year Kickstart"
$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 GTD

Level 16 (Blinds 2,500/5,000/5,000)

Total Flight 1C Entries: 102

Fight 1C Players Remaining: 15

Nathaniel	Moore	248,000
Pedro	Palacio	224,500
Jason	Atherley	218,000
Michael	Pawelek	200,000
Linda	Lipkins	192,500
Noel	Atherley	172,500
Thomas	Svensen	144,000
John	Mayers	126,500
Andre	Rakusa	120,000
Michael	Ingber	93,000
Alexander	Perez	85,500
Kimberly	Jones	72,000
David	Bleau	65,000
Julian	Wohlgemuth	53,500
Randy	Burnstein	46,500

$200 NLH "Isle New Year Kickstart" (Flight 1C): Entering The Final Level Of Play, Within Reach Of Finding A Bag

"Isle New Year Kickstart"
$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 GTD

Level 16 (Blinds 2,500/5,000/5,000)

Total Flight 1C Entries: 102

Fight 1C Players Remaining: 21

The tournament clock just transitioned over to Level 16, which is the final scheduled level of Flight 1C.  When there are 10:00 minutes remaining in the level, the clock will be paused, and the tournament supervisor will announce how many hands remain.  Once those hands are completed at each table, the bags will be brought out, and players will be handed their "ticket" for Day 2 (Sunday at 12:00pm).  There is a small caveat though...if the field reaches the 10% mark before the ten minute mark, the flight will end there.

Once the bagging process is completed, official chip counts from Flight 1C will be posted.

$200 NLH "Isle New Year Kickstart" (Flight 1C): Thomas Svensen Feeling All Kins Of "Bleau"

"Isle New Year Kickstart"
$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 GTD

Level 15 (Blinds 2,000/4,000/4,000)

Total Flight 1C Entries: 102

Fight 1C Players Remaining: 23

Dave Bleau (Jupiter, FL) had one foot out the door, but outflopped the pocket aces of Thomas Svensen, and now has his sights set on bagging.

"You missed a big one just a few minutes ago," Thomas Svensen mentioned in passing, as he went into detail about said hand.  Svensen, who was one of the chip leaders in the field, decided to limp in with pocket aces.  When action came around to Dave Bleau, he would shove for just over 65,000, clearing out the players behind.  Svensen made the easy call, and would be up against Bleau's K♦ J♠, in seemingly great position to chip up to 200,000.  

Unfortunately for Svensen, the flop brought both and king and jack, and Thomas would be unable to recover from Bleau flopping two-pair.  Svensen was left with just over 130,000 after the hand, while Dave chipped up to the same amount.

Thomas Svensen - 130,000 (32bb)

Dave Bleau - 130,000 (32bb)

$200 NLH "Isle New Year Kickstart" (Flight 1C): Remaining Players In the Flight 1C Field

"Isle New Year Kickstart"
$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 GTD

Level 14 (Blinds 2,000/3,000/3,000)

Total Flight 1C Entries: 102

Fight 1C Players Remaining: 24

The field is losing players at a rapid pace, but with the stack sizes growing across the tournament area, things should slow down a little bit.  Listed below, are the table lineups that remain active:

Table 1

1. Yoav Levy
2. Nathaniel Moore
3. Mike Pawelok
4. Pedro Palacio
5. Steven Lipkins
6. Chad Millward
7. Jason Atherley

Table 3

1. Joshua Wasserman
2. Julian Wohlgemuth
3. Randy Burnstein
4. Dave Bleau
5. Noel Atherley
6. Kevin Jackson
7. Thomas Svensen
8. Tim Shane

Table 9

1. Dai Lam
2. Javier Sarache
3. Khalil Hashir
4. Kimberly Jones
5. John Mayers
6. Alexander Perez
7. Michael Ingber
8. Linda Lipkins
9. Andre Rukasa

$200 NLH "Isle New Year Kickstart" (Flight 1C): Updated Chip Counts Following Flight's Final Break

"Isle New Year Kickstart"
$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 GTD

Level 13 (Blinds 1,500/2,500/2,500)

Total Flight 1C Entries: 102

Fight 1C Players Remaining: 26

Players are now back from their final break, and will play out the remaining four schedule levels (unless the 10% mark is reached before then, which is 11 players).  Updated chip counts from the field are listed below:

Jason Atherley - 175,000 (70bb)

Thomas Svensen - 150,000 (60bb)

Chad Millward - 150,000 (60bb)

Nathaniel Moore - 130,000 (52bb)

Javier Sarache - 130,000 (52bb)

Pedro Palacio - 125,000 (50bb)

Kimberly Jones - 100,000 (40bb)

$200 NLH "Isle New Year Kickstart" (Flight 1C): Two Players Catching Heat, As Flight 1C Heads Towards Final Break

"Isle New Year Kickstart"
$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 GTD

Level 12 (Blinds 1,000/2,000/2,000)

Total Flight 1C Entries: 102

Fight 1C Players Remaining: 31

Chad Millward (Boca Raton, FL) is a "youngster" when it comes to tournament poker (in a brick and mortar room), but has shown a lot of potential over the last two years.

Just moments ago, play entered Level 12, with the final scheduled break to commence at the level's conclusion.  During the last two levels, their have been a pair of players to vault up the leaderboard, both sitting with over 120,000.  Chad Millward and Javier Sarache both sit at Table 5, and while the two haven't clashed just yet, the potential is there for some serious fireworks.  Millward made three final tables last year (here at the Isle), two of which came during "major" events.  He is still looking for his breakthrough score, with his largest cash currently sitting at $5,809.

Chad Millward - 125,000

Javier Sarache - 123,000

Once players return from their final break of the day, we will bring you a final look at updated counts from the field.

$200 NLH "Isle New Year Kickstart" (Flight 1C): A Look At January In The Poker Room (Tournament Schedule And Promotions)

"Isle New Year Kickstart"
$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 GTD

Level 11 (Blinds 800/1,600/1,600)

Total Flight 1C Entries: 102

Fight 1C Players Remaining: 37

$200 NLH "Isle New Year Kickstart" (Flight 1C): Updated Chip Counts, As The Field Begins To Shrink Down

"Isle New Year Kickstart"
$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 GTD

Level 10 (Blinds 600/1,200/1,200)

Total Flight 1C Entries: 102

Fight 1C Players Remaining: 44

Now a full level removed from the registration break, the leaderboard is beginning to take shape.  Listed below, are updated chip counts from the field, tallied at the end of Level 9:

Allan Bieler - 120,000 (100bb)

Nathaniel Moore - 115,000 (95bb)

Pedro Palacio - 110,000 (91bb)

Linda Lipkins - 100,000 (83bb)

Javier Sarache - 80,000 (66bb)

Chad Millward - 75,000 (62bb)

Joshua Wasserman - 60,000 (50bb)

Jamie Wiegrefe - 55,000 (45bb)

Alexander Perez - 50,000 (41bb)

$200 NLH "Isle New Year Kickstart" (Flight 1C): Official Numbers From Flight 1C, Almost Halfway To The Tournament's Guarantee

"Isle New Year Kickstart"
$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 GTD

Level 9 (Blinds 500/1,000/1,000)

Total Flight 1C Entries: 102

Fight 1C Players Remaining: 49

Players are now back from their second break of the day, and the cards are in the air for Level 9 (which means that registration for Flight 1C is now closed).  The third flight of the "Isle New Year Kickstart" attracted a total of (102) entries, of which (49) still remain active in the field.  The prize pool from the flight is $16,116, and if you add that to the number from the first two flights, the combined number equals $49,138.  With five flights still scheduled, we are almost halfway to the tournament's guarantee.  During the next level, we will bring followers some updated chip counts from the field.

$200 NLH "Isle New Year Kickstart" (Flight 1C): Allan Bieler Gets Late Holiday Gift, Climbs Up The Leaderboard

"Isle New Year Kickstart"
$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 GTD

Level 8 (Blinds 400/800/800)

Total Flight 1C Entries: 99

Allan Bieler is a tournament veteran, who wouldn't mind starting off the year with a nice five-figure score.

At Table 5, four players would limp for 600 (this hand took place late in Level 7), with action on Allan Bieler.  Bieler took a handful of chips (which totaled 2,900) and tossed them across his cards, waiting to see the action that followed.  Allan got called by one player, and the two would watch the dealer fan out a flop of J♦ 5♦ 4♣.  Bieler pushed forward a stack of orange chips (1,000 denomination), enough to put his opponent all-in.  Without much thought, the unknown player tossed in her remaining 13,000, and quickly turned over 6♠ 6♥.  Bieler followed by rolling over K♦ J♠, with his hand holding up through the runout.  With that pot, Allan eclipsed the 90,000 mark, and finds himself amongst the top five chip stacks in the Flight 1C field.

Allan Bieler - 90,000 (112bb)

Players will be taking their second break at the end of this level, and once the cards are in the air for Level 9, registration will be closed for the flight. 

$200 NLH "Isle New Year Kickstart" (Flight 1C): As Word Spreads About The "Kickstart," The Fashionably Late Notables Begin To Arrive

"Isle New Year Kickstart"
$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 GTD

Level 7 (Blinds 300/600/600)

Total Flight 1C Entries: 92

Kimberly Jones (Pompano Beach, FL) is currently sitting at one of the more "talkative" tables in the field, and looks to be enjoying the humor of Scott Efron.

When a tournament such a this "Isle New Year Kickstart" quickly gets out of the gate, word spreads amongst the community, about the likelihood of a massive prize pool.  That would explain the rush of late arrivals to this Flight 1C field, which is about to cross the century mark (in terms of total entries).  One of the most recent entries was Kimberly Jones (Pompano Beach, FL), who is hoping to "kickstart" her 2019.  After a 2016 in which she earned over $22,000, Jones followed that up with earnings of $2,845 (2017), and $3,850 (2018).  A final table finish in this event would likely eclipse those numbers alone (possibly combined), but first Jones needs to find a bag.  

Also looking to find a bag at the end of this flight (and also arriving late), are some of the following notables:

Thomas Millward

Chad Millward

Alan Munoz

Justin Levy

Eric Kolodny

Jason Atherley

Thomas Gari

Javier Sarache 

$200 NLH "Isle New Year Kickstart" (Flight 1C): Nathaniel Looking To Be Dormant No "Moore"

"Isle New Year Kickstart"
$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 GTD

Level 6 (Blinds 300/500/500)

Total Flight 1C Entries: 86

Nathaniel Moore (Boca Raton, FL) makes his way to the blog for the first time ever, as he holds a commanding lead over the Flight 1C field.

The most recent update showed Nathaniel Moore (Boca Raton, FL) atop the leaderboard, a name and face that wasn't recognizable to the Isle Poker Room's blog (and blogger).  A little bit of research helped shed some light on Moore's poker history, which is limited when it comes to tournament results.  Nathaniel recorded two cashes in 2017 (totaling $3,576), and has been absent from the spotlight since.  The lack of results would potentially lead one to assume about the ability of said player, but that would definitely be a poor judgment.  There are certain players that focus strictly on cash games, and rarely dip their feet in the tournament waters.  We don't know the reasoning behind Moore's absence from the tournament scene, but he's making his re-introduction in a big way.  Nathaniel still leads the Flight 1C field, containing to sit as the only player above the century mark.

Nathaniel Moore - 124,000 (248bb)

$200 NLH "Isle New Year Kickstart" (Flight 1C): Early Flight 1C Chip Counts

"Isle New Year Kickstart"
$200 No Limit Hold'em
$100,000 GTD

Level 5 (Blinds 200/400/400)

Total Flight 1C Entries: 78

Players are back from their first break of the day, posting new blinds of 200/400/400 in Level 5.  With four full levels now in the books, here is a look at some of the updated chip counts from the Flight 1C field:

Nathaniel Moore - 120,000 (300bb)

Alan Bieler - 70,000 (175bb)

John Mayers - 60,000 (150bb)

Pedro Palacio - 47,000 (117bb)

Shlomo Maman - 40,000 (100bb)

Linda Lipkins - 40,000 (100bb)

Scott Efron - 38,000 (95bb)

Andre Rakusa - 34,000 (85bb)