Sunday, November 20th: Sundays Are For Bounties, And High Hands

Yesterday's tournament action saw both tournaments end in five-way chops, with the afternoon event agreeing to split things evenly, and Angelo Ingham (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) taking down the "winner's" share in the evening event ($1,187).  Full results will be posted tomorrow in the "Week In Review," but we still have one more day of tournament until the "week" can be made official.

Both tournaments on today's schedule are "bounty" events, meaning that every person you eliminate throughout the respective tournament you play, you receive that player's bounty to keep ($10 in the afternoon event, and $25 in the evening).  Sunday's are also about the high hand promotion, as $300 will be handed out every (15) minutes to the qualifying high hand, running from 2:00pm-9:00pm.

11:00am - $70 No Limit Hold'em w/ $10 Bounties ($2,000 GTD):

- Players will 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
- Optional players add-on at the end of Level 8 ($20 for 8,000 units), with 100% of the add-on money going to the prize pool
- Levels are (20) minutes in length throughout the tournament

7:00pm - $135 No Limit Hold'em w/ $25 Bounties ($3,000 GTD):

- Players will start with 12,000 in tournament chips
- Late and re-entries for the first (8) levels
- Alternates and late entries will start with a full stack
- Levels are (20) minutes in length throughout the tournament

Saturday, November 19th: Weekend Warriors Out In Force

For many players who have numerous engagements that keep them from being able to spend time playing poker during the week, it's Saturday and Sunday they look forward to on the felt.  Those are the "weekend warriors," and while the cash games will be busiest over the weekends, it's the tournament lineup they come for.  Things get started at 11:00am, as the $100 NLH "Big Stack Turbo" w/ $25 bounties event gets underway, boasting a $3,000 guarantee.  While many professional tournament grinders enjoy the long levels and minimal blind skips, this Big Stack Turbo offers the opportunity to play a poker tournament (potentially see a great return on investment), and still have non-poker plans at night.

The guarantee grows to $5,000 for the evening event, which starts at 7:00pm, and has a very affordable $75 buy-in.  Both events on the schedule will attract nice side fields, so don't be surprised when both guarantees are surpassed (with some room to spare).

11:00am - $100 No Limit Hold'em "Big Stack Turbo" w/ $25 Bounties ($3,000 GTD):

- Players start with 18,000 in tournament chips

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

- Alternate and late entries will start with a full stack

- Optional player add-on at the end of Level (10), with $25 getting players 10,000 in tournament chips.  100% of the money from add-ons goes into the prize pool

- Levels are (15) minutes in length throughout the tournament

6:00pm - $75 No Limit Hold'em ($5,000 Guaranteed):

- Players start with 25,000 in tournament chips

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

- Alternate and late entries will start with a full stack 

- Levels are (20) minutes in length throughout the tournament 

Friday, November 18th: Friday Night Lights, Gity Grinds Out Another Win

There would be no chopping late last night, as Tom Gity (Pompano Beach, FL) won the $100 NLH "Monster Stack" outright, besting Thomas Roth during heads-up play.  This is Gity's first "recorded" tournament win here at the Isle, but he's won a handful more of these daily tournaments before the official results were tracked.  The $3,025 first place prize brings Gity's recorded tournament earnings over $120,000, and puts him in the lead for final tables reached this month.

Friday's tournament schedule sees one tournament on the schedule, as the $150 No Limit Hold'em ($10,000 GTD) event kicks off at 6:00pm.  These weekend events alway attract a nice sized field, and with a 20,000 starting stack and (25) minute levels, the structure is perfect for a one-day event.

6:00pm - $150 No Limit Hold'em ($10,000 GTD):

- 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 are (25) minutes in length throughout the tournament

Thursday, November 17th: "Early Bird," Free Roll," "Monster Stack"...Repeat

When the cards get in the air on this Thursday, November 17, you'll see the true "early birds" arriving for their "early bird tickets."  Those tickets and a live limit cash game (2/2 or 2/4) will allow players to qualify for the full house promotion, which earns the winner the minimum buy-in for the respective game being played.  You'll also spot the tournament early birds as well, as one of the handful of Free Roll events for the month kicks off at 10:00am.  Today's version comes with a $2,000 guarantee, and will have the official results posted during the "weekly tournament recap."

The "Monster Stack" is back at 6:00pm, offering players the opportunity to buy-in for $100, and receive a sizable starting stack of 25,000.

10:00am - $2,000 Guaranteed No Limit Hold'em "Free Roll:"

- Players will start with 4,000 in tournament chips
- Freezeout format, with no add-ons, no re-buys, no re-entries
- An optional ($10) dealer add-on prior to a player playing their first hand for 4,000 additional chips
- Levels are (15) minutes in length throughout tournament

6:00pm - $100 No Limit Holdem "Monster Stack" ($7,000 GTD):

- Players will start with 25,000 in tournament chips
- Late and re-entries for the first (8) levels
- Alternates and late entries will all start with a full stack
- Levels are (20) minutes in length throughout tournament

Wednesday, November 16th: It's All About "Spinning To Win"

While most all of the focus today is going to be on the money wheel, and the "Spin To Win" high hand promotion, we need to just mention last night's tournament.  The $40 buy-in NLH event ($10,000 guaranteed) attracted over (400) entries, clearly emerging as the current "player's favorite," in terms of daily tournaments.  As mentioned in the event recap (posted earlier), things ended in a final table chop (ten ways), with Glen Canelstein (Coconut Creek, FL) taking home the trophy and $1,635.

Today is the promotion day that players circle on the calendar, as the money wheel is back in action, with qualifying high hands spinning every (30) minutes (12:00pm-11:00pm).  As we've been doing since the blog's inception, the results from the day's spins will be posted tomorrow afternoon.  There is only one tournament on the schedule today, the $100 NLH Big Stack Turbo w/ $25 Bounties event, which begins at 7:00pm.

7:00pm - $100 No Limit Hold'em "Big Stack Turbo" w/ $25 Bounties ($5,000 GTD):

- Players will begin with a 18,000 starting stack

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

- Option player "add-on" at the end of Level 10 ($25 for 10,000 tournament chips), with 100% of the "add-on" going to the prize pool 

- Levels are (15) minutes in length

ICYMI: Tuesday Night "Monster Stack" Recap

Tuesday November 15, 2016 - $40 No Limit Hold'em ($10,000 Guaranteed Prize Pool)

The Poker Room was as full as you'll see it during the $40 buy-in $10,000 GTD

The $40 No Limit Hold'em $10,000 Guarantee.  If this was Jeopardy, that would be the clear answer to, "What has become the most popular 'daily' tournament at the Isle Casino Pompano?"  There isn't another tournament in the area that can even hold a candle to the value of this event, offering a first place prize somewhere around an eighty buy-in return on investment.  Tuesday night's tournament began at 6:00pm, and only a few levels in, there were over 200 entries and a line by the registration window.  

"There's just no way you can pass up on a forty-dollar buy-in tournament like this," a player said to his friend as they were waiting for a new table to open.  As the tournament area began to grow, we spotted many of the "usual suspects" in the field, including the likes of Dave Henry, Yves Fequiere, Terry Faust, Luke Rosenberg, Hugh Hardy, Robert Perniola, and the Caraballo twins (Nestor and Hector).  One thing we are noticing as "season" begins down here in Florida, is the influx of new faces and names to these events...a main proponent towards fields like this (reaching over 400 entries).  

There is a tournament labeled a "Bankroll Builder" here at the Isle, but you can't help but label Tuesday night's event as such.  With a total of (401) entries once registration closed, the prize pool soared well past the $10,000 guarantee, closing at $14,308.  There were (45) places getting paid, with a min-cash earning players $72, and a first place prize of $3,772.  Four of the ten players who reached the final table were scheduled to make over $1,000, but that was until the tournament reached the early hours of the morning.  For those that may not be aware, the poker room closes at 3:00am during the week.  Therefore, any tournament scheduled for one day that is still going when "closing time" approaches is given two options...agree to a deal amongst those left, or bag up the chips to return the following day.

The final table was reached around 1:30am, and with the impending closing of the poker room just over (90) minutes away, the players agreed on a ten-way chop.  Glen Canelstein (Coconut Creek, FL) would be awarded the first place prize (and trophy), and ended up eclipsing his career earnings with this cash alone ($1,635).  There were a lot of notables to end up cashing in the event, with the official results posted below:

ICYMI: November 6th-13th "Week In Review"

Things might have started off slowly last week as players had the 2016 Isle Poker Open "hangover," but everything picked up at a rapid place as the week went along.  The week started off on Monday, November 7 with the first ever "Structure Beast," which attracted over (200) entries, and saw things end in a three-way chop between Ian Cohen, Rick Kalgstein, and Jack Sumner (of Slum Donkey Poker fame).

12:00pm - $150 No Limit Hold'em "Structure Beast" ($20,000 GTD):

1. Ian Cohen ($5,140)
2. Rick  Kalgstein ($5,000)
3. Jack Sumner ($4,194)
4. Vendel Johnson ($1,919)
5. Vito Polera ($1,481)
6. Jerome Salmon ($1,125)
7. Dave Albertson ($877)
8. Brian Baris ($651)
9. Greg McKenzie ($462)
10. Matthew Jones ($367)
11. Scott Hecker ($367)
12. Lawrence Hawkins ($367)
13. Tom Gity ($308)
14. Luis Guarda ($308)
15. Raminder Singh ($308)
16. David Rose ($272)
17. Alexander Paulan ($272)
18. Eric Beringer ($272)

7:00pm - $40 No Limit Hold'em ($3,000 GTD)

1. Craig Caffro ($897)
2. Bouavanh Rojanaphong ($610)
3. Michael Brinson ($606)
4. Joann Coliny ($547)
5. Heather Oken ($246)
6. Lawrence Kalgstein ($191)
7. Wing Chau ($155)
8. Lynne Fremont ($118)
9. Amit Savani ($82)

Tuesday, November 8 started with the ever popular "Early Bird Limit Hold'em" promotion, but in terms of tournament recaps, we had the "Monster Stack" event in the early afternoon, and one of the month's handful of "Free Rolls" ($5,000 Guaranteed) in the evening.

11:00am - $100 No Limit Hold'em "Monster Stack" ($3,000 GTD):

1. Michael Dotson ($998)
2. Miguel McDonald ($981)
3. Jacques Titley ($557)
4. Jeffrey Dana ($512)
5. Gregg Weiss ($494)

6:00pm - $5,000 Guaranteed No Limit Hold'em "Free Roll:"

1. Bruno Goulart ($880)
2. Rocco Dicondina ($795)
3. Michelle Milker ($604)
4. Francisco Castillo ($593)
5. Zachary Epstein ($497)
6. Jeffrey Cogswell ($442)
7. Robert Perniola ($398)
8. Luis Guarda ($88)
9. Michael Boykin ($75)
10. Michael Gutterman ($68)
11. Terry Faust ($68)
12. Vito Polera ($68)
13. Jeremiah Pinto ($58)
14. Steven Korn ($58)
15. Daniel Kolchkov ($58)
16. Louis Leo ($50)
17. John Scigliano ($50)
18. David Walker ($50)
19. Peter Leone ($50)
20. Kyana Rodriguez ($50)

When it comes to promotions, there is no day more popular than Wednesday, and the "Spin and Win" "high hand" promotion.  With all of the activity during the day because of the cash games, there was only one tournament on Wednesday, November 9, the $100 No Limit Hold'em "Big Stack" Bounty event.  We saw things end in a heads-up chop between James Orleans (Boca Raton, FL) and Anthony Casas (Miami, FL):

7:00pm - $100 No Limit Hold'em "Big Stack" Bounty ($25) ($5,000 GTD):

1. James Orleans ($1,080)
2. Anthony Casas ($1,000)
3. Robert Miller ($515)
4. Gatien Durmoulin ($357)
5. Barry Price ($261)
6. Sean Kennedy ($200)
7. Robert Perniola ($161)

Thursday, November 10 once again started with the "Early Bird Limit Hold'em" promotion, and also saw an early tournament crowd, as the $2,000 Guaranteed No Limit Hold'em "Free Roll" began at 10:00am.  Each player that reached the final table of the tournament earned themselves $200, a great return on an investment that cost nothing out-of-pocket.  The "Monster Stack" was back in the evening, and saw Isle Poker regular Jorge Martinez (Miami, FL) top the ranks of a three-way chop.

10:00am - $2,000 Guaranteed No Limit Hold'em "Free Roll:"

1. AJ Silberman ($200)
2. Barry Teller ($200)
3. David Zwiebel ($200)
4. Luis Guarda ($200)
5. Markus Petteway ($200)
6. Anthony DiPierro ($200)
7. Jim Gleason ($200)
8. Richard Damigos ($200)
9. Robert Sakamoto ($200)
10. Julian Araujo ($200)

6:00pm - $100 No Limit Hold'em "Monster Stack" ($7,000 GTD):

1. Jorge Martinez ($1,641)
2. Irwin Block ($1,641)
3. Julio Ferreira-Rangel ($1,640)
4. Lynne Freemont ($651)
5. Christina Cadbury-Feldman ($507)
6. Markus Petteway ($398)
7. Steven Frankel ($326)
8. Daniel Restrepo ($253)
9. Justin Margolis ($181)

Friday, November 11 was another morning that focused on the "high hand" promotion, as players earned $250 every (20) minutes from 11:00am-4:00pm, and $500 every (20) minutes from 4:00pm-12:00am.  The evening tournament was the $150 No Limit Hold'em (25,000 starting stack and 20 minute levels), which held with it a $10,000 Guarantee.

6:00pm - $150 No Limit Hold'em ($10,000 GTD):

1. Michael Spadafore ($2,141)
2. Nader Bahhur ($1,992)
3. Patricia Basilio ($1,594)
4. David Coughlin ($1,446)
5. John Bilas ($1,272)
6. Robert Transue ($1,100)
7. Louis Leo ($459)
8. Jerrold Solov ($371)
9. Mark Bernstein ($299)
10. Juan Martinez ($251)

Saturday's are alway busy in themselves, so with the "high hand" promotion standard throughout the day, the tournament schedule is where we usually see a spike in attendance.  The afternoon starts things off with the $100 NLH "Big Stack" Turbo Bounty event, and the evening sees the popular $75 No Limit Hold'em ($5,000 GTD).

11:00am - $100 No Limit Hold'em "Big Stack" Turbo Bounty ($25) ($3,000 GTD):

1. Carlito Cajuste ($650)
2. Sam Borger ($510)
3. Sean Oliver ($480)
4. Christian Bayer ($456)
5. Barry Price ($425)

7:00pm - $75 No Limit Hold'em ($5,000 GTD):

1. Edwin Cabrera ($1,905)
2. Joann Nicolette ($1,400)
3. Richard Damigos ($793)
4. Robert Transue ($569)
5. Jeffrey Saylors ($416)
6. David Kasper ($320)
7. Victor Torres ($249)
8. Myles German ($185)
9. Matthew Blank ($153)
10. Barry Tucker ($141)
11. Matthew Paul ($134)
12. Abimael Mathurin ($128)

Sunday, November 13 was another popular promotion day, as $300 is handed out every (15) minutes for qualifying high hands.  That didn't slow down the tournament crowd though, as two scheduled events eclipsed their respective guarantees...even with all the great NFL action.

11:00am - $75 No Limit Hold'em w/ $10 Bounties ($2,000 GTD):

1. Peter Fitzgerald ($575)
2. Duane Minerva ($287)
3. Ronald Arena ($245)
4. Brandon Horowitz ($239)
5. Stefan Pousant ($207)
6. Matthew Andrews ($177)

6:00pm - $135 No Limit Hold'em w/ $25 Bounties ($2,500 GTD):

1. Salvatore Accardi ($831)
2. Andres Carrion ($831)
3. Sabas Ferrer ($416)

Tuesday, November 15: It's An "Early Bird," "Monster Stack," $10,000 GTD Kind Of Day

The beginning of the week started off strong yesterday, as both tournaments on the schedule eclipsed their guarantees by a healthy amount.  The "AM" event ($80 No Limit Hold'em Bounty) saw an Isle Poker regular, in Paula Holder (Pompano Beach, FL) take down the winner's share of a four-way chop ($659).  The "PM" $40 No Limit Hold'em ($3,000 GTD) drew (132) entries, with Bruno Fortin (Lauderhill, FL) topping the list of a seven-way chop, earning himself $539.

Things get off to an "early" start today though, with the "Limit Hold'em Early Bird Promotion," paying out the first (100) full houses to those that are playing in any of the live limit games, and entered between 9:00-11:00am to collect their "Early Bird Card."  It's one of the more popular promotions each week, and gets the live game action going much earlier (and quicker) than other days for our limit players.  

The tournament schedule for the day begins at 11:00am with the ever popular "Monster Stack," and event with a $100 buy-in (and $3,000 GTD), that sees players starting with stack of 25,000.  Then for the evening event, we see the return of the $40 No Limit Hold'em...with the $10,000 Guarantee.  This is by far one of the best value tournaments each and every months, allowing players to potentially receive an 80-100 times return on their investment.

11:00am - $100 No Limit Hold'em "Monster Stack" ($3,000 GTD)

- Players will start with 25,000 in tournament chips
- Late and re-entries are available for the first (8) levels
- Levels are (20) minutes in length throughout the entire event

7:00pm - $40 No Limit Hold'em ($10,000 GTD)

- Players will begin with a 12,000 starting stack

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

- Optional player "add-on" at the end of Level 8 ($20 for 8,000 tournament chips), with 100% of the "add-on" going to the prize pool

-  Levels are (20) minutes in length

Monday, November 14: Lots To Catch Up On, But Looking Ahead

The second full week of November is upon us, and with that, we look forward to another week full of guaranteed daily tournaments and popular promotions.  Before we focus on what's in store, we should take a quick look back at what we missed from the week prior.  There was a "Structure Beast," a "Monster Stack," two free rolls, and even $500 Friday High Hands.  A small technical glitch kept the blog "offline" for a few days, but you can look forward to all of the official results from the week posted over the course of the next (24) hours.

And with that, we can now transition to the action on today's slate, as two tournaments are on top.  Things get started at 11:00am, with an $80 No Limit Hold'em Bounty ($10 Bounties) event, one of the Isle Poker Room's "fan favorites."  The tournament carries with it a $2,000 guarantee, and potentially offers a return on investment of more than ten times the buy-in.  For those looking for our evening event, the $40 No Limit Hold'em ($3,000 GTD) event begins at 7:00pm, and will attract the same huge field it does each week.  Official results from each of the events will be posted tomorrow, and then recapped during next week's "Week In Review" feature.

11:00am - $80 No Limit Hold'em (Double Red Chip Bounty) $2,000 GTD

- Players will begin with a 10,000 starting stack

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

- Option player "add-on" at the end of Level 8 ($20 for 8,000 tournament chips), with 100% of the "add-on" going to the prize pool 

- Levels are (20) minutes in length

7:00pm - $40 No Limit Hold'em ($3,000 GTD)

- Players will begin with a 10,000 starting stack

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

- Optional player "add-on" at the end of Level 8 ($20 for 8,000 tournament chips), with 100% of the "add-on" going to the prize pool

-  Levels are (20) minutes in length

Tuesday, November 8th: "Early Bird" And Free Roll Highlight Schedule

This Tuesday sees the poker room hosting two tournaments and one "promotion."  Things get started "early," the the "Limit Hold'em Early Bird Promotion" begins at 9:00am.  Those players interested in playing limit hold'em, that arrive between the hours of 9:00-11:00am, will receive an "early bird card."  With that card, and a full house during live action, that player will win $20 (for 2/2 Limit) and $40 (for 2/4 Limit).  This promotion lasts for until (100) full houses have been paid off, making this a close second to the "Spin To Win" promotion, in terms of players interest.  We then have the "Monster Stack" event beginning at 11:00am, and the ever popular "Free Roll" getting cards in the air at 6:00pm ($5,000 GTD):

11:00am - $100 No Limit Hold'em "Monster Stack" ($3,000 GTD)

6:00pm - No Limit Hold'em "Free Roll" $5,000 Guaranteed

Monday "Structure Beast:" Official Event Results

The "Structure Beast" definitely lived up to its name last night, as the chip average at the final table consistently stayed above the (30) big blind mark.  The structure was actual so good, that the question was whether the tournament would end before the poker room closed for the evening.  Luckily, the remaining players didn't run into that problem, as they decided on a three-way chop between Ian Cohen (Ft. Lauderdale, FL), Rick Kalgstein (Sunrise, FL), and Jack Sumner (St. Augustine, FL).  If this initial installment of the "Structure Beast" is a sign a things to come, you can expect even bigger numbers the next time this tournament rolls around.

"Structure Beast" Official Results:

1	Ian Cohen			Ft. Lauderdale, FL		$5,140
2	Rick Kalgstein			Sunrise, FL		$5,000
3	Jack Sumner			St. Augustine, FL		$4,194
4	Vendel Johnson			Pembroke Pines		$1,919
5	Vito Polera			Coral Springs, FL		$1,481
6	Jerome Salmon			Palm Beach Gardens, FL		$1,125
7	Dave Albertson			Margate, FL		$877
8	Brian Baris			Tamarac, FL		$651
9	Greg McKenzie			Sunrise, FL		$462
10	Matthew Jones			Lantana, FL		$367
11	Scott Hecker			Plantation, FL		$367
12	Lawrence Hawkins			Lake Worth, FL		$367
13	Tom Gity			Pompano Beach, FL		$308
14	Luis Guarda			Coral Springs, FL		$308
15	Raminder Singh			Delray Beach, FL		$308
16	David Rose			New York, NY		$272
17	Alexander Paulan			Hazlet, NJ		$272
18	Eric Beringer			Wayne, PA		$272

Monday "Structure Beast:" Official Event Payouts

Monday's "Structure Beast" will see the winner take home $7,346, which is a very impressive number for a tournament with a buy-in of $150.  The value continues its' way down the final table payouts, as six players will be making over $1,000.  Those who reach the money from a min-cash will be receiving $272, with the other payouts as follows:

Monday, November 7
"Structure Beast" $150 No Limit Hold'em 
$20,000 Guarantee

Total Entries: 206
Prize Pool: $23,690

Payouts:

1. $7,346
2. $4,264
3. $2,724
4. $1,919
5. $1,481
6. $1,125
7. $877
8. $651
9. $462

10-12. $367

13-15. $308

16-18. $272

Monday "Structure Beast:" Final Numbers Are In

Players in the "Structure Beast" have returned from their (30) minute dinner break, and registration is now closed for the tournament.  There was a total of (206) entries, giving us a prize pool of $23,690, well past the guarantee posted on the event.  The final eighteen players will make the money, and with (38) players remaining after dinner, the money bubble is right around the corner.  The official payouts will be posted once the numbers are verified from the cage.

Monday "Structure Beast:" Soaring Past The Guarantee!!

Prize Pool Over $20,000 With (3) Hours Of Registration Remaining

There is something very appealing about this tournament to the Isle Poker Room patrons, as we have already reached the guaranteed $20,000 prize pool!!  We could mention the $6,240 first place prize at the moment, and six spots getting over $1,000 at the final table, but these numbers are just going to rise as the day continues.  Registration is still open for another three hours, with the windows closing once the (30) minute dinner break (after Level 12) concludes.  Once the final numbers are tallied, we will post the official payouts for the event.

Monday "Structure Beast:" Through The Lens

Things are off to a really strong start in this inaugural "Structure Beast," clearly a tournament that the players are interested in.  Players are just coming back from their first break of the day, and still have close to four hours of registration remaining.  At the moment there are (141) total entries, with that number climbing significantly each level.  At this rate, the $20,000 guarantee on the event will be in the rear view mirror in just a few levels.  There are a lot of familiar faces in the crowd, along with some new ones that are looking to introduce themselves to the blog.  Here is a look "through the lens" at the beginning stages of the tournament.

Monday, November 7th: The "Structure Beast" Is Upon Us

Now that you've been brought up to speed with the "Week In Review" from the first week of November, we shift our focus to our current week of tournaments, beginning with today's "Structure Beast."  A "new" tournament to the Isle Poker Room, the "Structure Beast" offers players the opportunity to experience a "major tournament experience," for a fraction of the buy-in.  Entry into today's event is $150 (re-entry is available), and the tournament itself boasts a guarantee of $20,000.

Players start the tournament with 12,000 in chips, and will be playing levels of (30) minutes throughout the entire event.  Registration is until the end of Level 12, which gives players a window of close to (6) hours to get into the event.  There is a (30) minute dinner break at the end of registration, which will last from approximately 6:00-6:30pm.

ICYMI: November 1st-6th "Week In Review"

The week started as we closed the books on the month of October, and the 2016 Isle Poker Open.  Monday's Isle Poker Open Championship Event final table lasted just under eight hours, and saw Edward Novak (Simsbury, CT) outlast the likes of Sam Panzica, Alex Nguyen, Josh Hillock, and AJ Gambino to take down the title and over $166,000.  Isaiah Goldman (Princeton, NJ) finished runner-up for the second major time this year in a Main Event, after chopping the Florida State Poker Championship with Panzica in July.

Raymond Rickard

Tuesday November 1 saw the return of the "Daily Tournament" schedule, with two tournaments on the day's slate.  Things began in the early afternoon with the $100 No Limit Hold'em "Monster Stack" ($3,000 GTD), and finished up in the evening with the $40 No Limit Hold'em ($10,000 GTD).  Isle Poker regular Raymond "Dirt" Rickard (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) introduced himself to the blog (with a new nickname) by taking down the winner's share of a five-way deal.

11:00am - $100 NLH "Monster Stack ($3,000 GTD):

1. Leonid Goldshteyn ($1,014)
2. Jared Carter ($984)
3. David Padilla ($894)
4. Stanton Drazen ($770)
5. Gregg Weiss ($561)
6. Karin Powsner ($263)
7. Arthur Rodriguez ($211)

6:00pm - $40 No Limit Hold'em ($10,000 GTD):

1. Raymond Rickard ($1,710)
2. Charlie Zusage ($1,485)
3. Barry Chazen ($1,433)
4. Francis Langer ($1,350)
5. Michael Mundy ($907)
6. Harry Freeman ($440)
7. Mike Corbett ($340)
8. Carlos Vasquez ($250)
9. Louis Calabrese ($180)
10. Richard Desanctis ($140)
11. Jorge Medros ($140)
12. Jaanus Anton ($140)
13. Alberto Palma ($120)
14. Scott Hudson ($120)
15. Steve Bromfield ($120)
16. Jose Arvelo ($105)
17. Jorge Martinez ($105)
18. Sean Ryan ($105)
19. Neil Shapiro ($90)
20. Hector Caraballo ($90)
21. Randall Amiel ($90)
22. Eric Evans ($90)
23. Fabrice Mace ($90)
24. Andy Phillips ($90)
25. Marien Dumtrescu ($90)
26. Jillian Rukeyser ($90)
27. Paula Holder ($90)

Wednesday November 2 had only one tournament on the schedule ($100 NLH Big Stack Turbo w/ $25 Bounties - $5,000 GTD), but most of the day's focus was on the "Spin To Win" high hand promotion.  We saw one $1,000 winner over the course of the promotion, and two $2,000 winners that highlighted the wheel spinning madness!!

7:00pm - $100 NLH "Big Stack Turbo" w/ $25 Bounties ($5,000 GTD):

1. James Orleans ($1,012)
2. Jared Carter ($891)
3. Melissa Mancini ($612)
4. Julio Rangel ($593)
5. Lynne Fremont ($496)
6. Alan Beyda ($225)
7. Hugh Hardy ($180)

Daniel Restrepo (Boca Raton, FL)

Thursday November 3 saw the return of the "Free Roll" to the schedule, as the $2,000 GTD No Limit Hold'em event started the day off at 10:00am.  The 6:00pm $100 NLH "Monster Stack" ($14,000 GTD) drew a really nice crowd, and was one of the only tournaments of the week not to end in a chop, as Daniel Restrepo (Boca Raton, FL) took home the trophy and over $4,000.

10:00am - $2,000 GTD No Limit Hold'em "Free Roll:"

1. James Cure ($190)
2. Samuel Cosey ($181)
3. Richard Golonka ($181)
4. Dave Henry ($181)
5. Dave Albertson ($181)
6. Meno Maxwell ($181)
7. Terry Faust ($181)
8. Ann Bardgett ($181)
9. Warren Fridley ($181)
10. Dillon Bindewald ($181)
11. Michael Hefley ($181)

6:00pm - $100 NLH "Monster Stack" ($10,000 GTD):

1. Daniel Restrepo ($4,340)
2. Samuel Paolini ($2,520)
3. Lloyd Kapper ($1,610)
4. Leonid Goldshteyn ($1,134)
5. Alfonso Perez ($875)
6. Kenneth Schockett ($665)
7. Tom Gity ($518)
8. Gatien Dumoulin ($385)
9. Robert Transue ($273)
10. Hugh Hardy ($217)
11. Robert Perniola ($217)
12. Ian Cohen ($217)
13. Matt Allen ($182)
14. Stephen Ekin ($182)
15. Gene Hochman ($182)
16. Glen Appell ($161)
17. Carey Pickus ($161)
18. Nathan Schwartz ($161)

Friday November 4 was more of the "calm before the storm," with Breeders' Cup Saturday the following day, along with the "richest" promotion of the month.  There was only one tournament on the schedule, which was chopped six ways, and saw Tom Gity (Pompano Beach, FL) reach his second final table in as many days.

6:00pm - $150 No Limit Hold'em ($10,000 GTD):

1. Ralph Maula ($2,200)
2. Karin Powsner ($2,200)
3. Jacob Fields ($1,200)
4. Peter Birnbryer ($1,200)
5. Benjamin Kramer ($1,200)
6. John Bilas ($1,200)
7. Tom Gity ($440)
8. Seasanrine Ishwar ($360)

Marc Freund

Saturday November 5 was by far the busiest day of the week in the poker room, and it wasn't just because the race book was packed for the Breeders' Cup.  The first of two $5,000 GTD "Free Rolls" started the tournament slate at 10:00am, with the $75 No Limit Hold'em $5,000 GTD offering up a solid prize pool for the "evening" weekend warriors.  We would be remise to forget about the $1,000 "high hand" promotion that saw winners every (30) minutes from 2:00-10:00pm.

10:00am - $5,000 GTD No Limit Hold'em "Free Roll:"

1. Marc Freund ($845)
2. Ralph Simon ($687)
3. John Sailey ($644)
4. Jay Fabian ($628)
5. Tammy Campbell ($429)
6. Jorge Ramos ($391)
7. Charles Brooks ($368)
8. David Albertson ($305)
9. Jermiah Pinto ($75)
10. Kevin Montagna ($68)
11. Glen Canelstein ($68)
12. Robert Alvarado ($68)
13. Gerald Blum ($58)
14. Edson Franca ($58)
15. Terry Faust ($58)
16. Mary Carlson ($50)
17. Salvatore Taravella ($50)
18. Kenneth Arnaez ($50)
19. Ivan Larrosa ($50)
20. Alan Werner ($50)

7:00pm - $75 No Limit Hold'em ($5,000 GTD):

1. Stephen Cocoras ($1,967)
2. David Shepard ($1,561)
3. Salas Ferrer ($1,327)
4. Jack Searcy ($655)
5. Damion Loli ($483)
6. James F. Smith Jr. ($374)
7. William Naper ($281)
8. Karen Duffy ($187)
9. Johnathan Dunlop ($179)
10. Yves Fequiere ($171)
11. Marcus Wu-Hamel ($164)
12. Paula Alibrandi ($156)
13. Julio Rangel ($148)
14. Richard Hicks ($140)

The "Week In Review" wraps up with Sunday November 6, with two tournaments on the schedule, and a high hand promotion seeing $300 high hands every (15) minutes from 2:00-9:00pm.  "Bounty Day" saw a $70 buy-in event with $10 bounties at 11:00am, and a $135 buy-in event with $25 bounties at 6:00pm.

11:00am - $70 No Limit Hold'em w/ $10 Bounties ($2,000 GTD):

1. Bruce Carmen ($680)
2. Michael Hefley ($680)
3. Martin Spatt ($340)

6:00pm - $135 No Limit Hold'em w/ $25 Bounties ($2,500 GTD)

1. John Yander ($1,039)
2. Eugene Pessecow ($624)
3. Alfred Zucaro ($416)

Sunday, November 6th: Wrapping Up The Week Strong

With two more tournaments and another great "high hand promotion," today shapes up to be a solid finish to what has been a great week.  The poker room (and race book) was as busy as you'd every see it yesterday, with Arrogate's dramatic win over California Chrome just one of the many exciting moments of the day.  Everything started with the $5,000 guaranteed Free Roll in the morning, as (177) players battled it out for their piece of the "free" money.  Things ended in an eight-way deal, with Marc Freund (Plantation, FL) taking first place prize money ($845).

We then watched as player's eyes were fixated on the "high hand" screens across the room, hoping that their hands could qualify, and eventually hold up for those $1,000 high hands.  Just as the Breeders' Cup action was winding down, and the "high hand promotion" was in full force, the $75 No Limit Hold'em ($5,000 GTD) began at 7:00pm.  When the dust settled, it was Stephen Cocoras (Boyton Beach, FL) taking down the winner's share of a three-way chop ($1,967).

A full recap of the week's action will be posted later this evening, but here is the schedule of today's "events:"

11:00am: $70 No Limit Hold'em w/ $10 Bounties ($2,000 GTD)

2:00-9:00pm: $300 High Hands Every (15) Minutes

6:00pm: $135 No Limit Hold'em w/ $25 Bounties ($2,500 GTD)

Saturday, November 5th: Big Things In Store On Breeders' Cup Day

It would be an understatement to say that we are upon one of the "biggest" days of the month.  While those who enjoy horse racing have their eyes focused on Santa Anita Park for the Breeders' Cup, we are focused on the Isle Poker Room for a $5,000 Guaranteed No Limit Hold'em Freeroll (10:00am), $1,000 "High Hands" (2:00pm-10:00pm), and an evening tournament with a $5,000 guarantee ($75 No limit Hold'em - 7:00pm).

The action kicks off at 10:00am with the $5,000 guaranteed "freeroll," a $0.00 buy-in tournament offering the top (20) players a share of the pool.  There is a $10 "dealer appreciation option, as well as $20 re-buys and a one time $20 add-on.  The "freeroll" will bring heaps of players to the tournament area, but you'll be hard pressed to see the room as busy as it's going to be around 1:30pm as...

...Players prepare for the "richest" high hand promotion of the month, as $1,000 will be given away every qualifying half-hour from 2:00-10:00pm.  Between the promotion and the Breeders' Cup, the room will be full with players ready for the "PM" tournament.  The cards get in the air for the $75 No Limit Hold'em tournament ($5,000 Guarantee), with results posted in our "weekly recap."

Thur. "Monster Stack:" Daniel Restrepo Wins Outright

$100 No Limit Hold'em "Monster Stack"

$14,000 Guarantee

Level 24 (Blinds 50,000/100,000/10,000)

Total Entries: 172

Daniel Restrepo (Boca Raton, FL)

1	Daniel Restrepo			Boca Raton, FL		$4,340.00
2	Samuel Paolini			New York, NY		$2,520.00
3	Lloyd Kapper			Hollywood, FL		$1,610.00
4	Leonid Goldshteyn			Tamarac, Fl		$1,134.00
5	Alfonso Perez			Coconut Creek, FL		$875.00
6	Kenneth Schockett			Hallandale Beach, FL		$665.00
7	Tom Gity			Pompano Beach, FL		$518.00
8	Gatien Dumoulin			Coral Springs, FL		$385.00
9	Robert Transue			N Lauderdale, FL		$273.00
10	Hugh Hardy			Pompano Beach, FL		$217.00
11	Robert Perniola			Ft. Lauderdale, FL		$217.00
12	Ian Cohen			Ft. Lauderdale, FL		$217.00
13	A. Nonymous			Boca Raton, FL		$182.00
14	Stephen Ekin			Vero Beach, Fl		$182.00
15	Gene Hochman			Coconut Creek, FL		$182.00
16	Glen Appell			Hollywood, FL		$161.00
17	Carey Pickus			Palm Beach, FL		$161.00
18	Nathan Schwartz			Palm Beach, FL		$161.00

ICYMI: "Spin And Win" Yielding Big Results

Lots of reasons to be happy if you're "spinning the wheel"

If you were following the blog throughout the Isle Poker Open, then you'll remember the posts featuring each Wednesday's "high hand" promotion.  The "Spin and Win" promotion runs from 12:00pm-11:00, and offers the winner of the high hand (every 30 minutes) the opportunity to spin the "Money Wheel."  Last week got off to a fast start, with a quick $1,000 winner just an hour in, but that would end up being the highest number we saw.  It should be mentioned though, that only three of the spins over the eleven hour period yielded less than $400 (it was about a $470 average spin).  Today was even stronger though, with (2) $2,000 winners!!!!  Here is how the spins broke down:

12:30	$725
1:00	$600
1:30	$2,000
2:00	$1,000
2:30	$550
3:00	$500
3:30	$450
4:00	$475
4:30	$600
5:00	$300
5:30	$375
6:00	$275
6:30	$350
7:00	$550
7:30	$300
8:00	$2,000
8:30	$575
9:00	$650
9:30	$475
10:00	$-
10:30	$849
11:00	$675

ICYMI: Thursday AM "Freeroll" Results

This morning saw the return of the ever popular "Freeroll," after a brief hiatus during the Isle Poker Open.  This "freeroll" was the first of six this month, and boasted a $2,000 prize pool.  The top ten players are scheduled to each win $200, but today's group decided to make a spot for eleventh.  Listed below are the (11) players to cash:

James Cure ($190)

Samual Cosey ($181)

Rochard Golonka ($181)

Dave Henry ($181)

Dave Albertson ($181)

Meno Maxwell ($181)

Terry Faust ($181)

Ann Bardgett ($181)

Warren Freidley ($181)

Dillon Bindewald ($181)

Michael Hefley (181)

Thur. "Monster Stack:" What's The Deal

$100 No Limit Hold'em "Monster Stack"

$14,000 Guarantee

Level 12 (Blinds 2,000/4,000/500)

Total Entries: 172

There are tournaments run each and every day here at the Isle Poker Room, and while they wouldn't be able to run without the players, there is even a more important component that goes unnoticed...the dealers (and tournament staff).  Take it from someone who has been countless poker rooms across the country, these are some of the best.  You'll notice a common theme amongst those photographed for the blog...a friendly smile.  Let's give a big thank you to just some of those that make up a team that holds the room together:

Brian Goldstein

Jason Stuart

Michelle Schissler 

Tournament Supervisor Rick Mims 

Jeff Williams 

Floor Supervisor Victor Korobka and his wife Lyubov 

Thur. "Monster Stack:" Official Payouts

$100 No Limit Hold'em "Monster Stack"

$14,000 Guarantee

Level 9 (Blinds 800/1,600/200)

Total Entries: 172

The Thursday night "Monster Stack" attracted a total of (172) entries, totaling a prize fund of $13,244.  With the small overlay, the Isle Poker Room kicked in $756, giving us the $14,000 prize pool that was guaranteed for the event.  For the $100 invest, here are the returns:

Payouts:

1. $4,340
2. $2,520
3. $1,610
4. $1,134
5. $875
6. $665
7. $518
8. $385
9. $273

10-12. $217

13-15. $182

16-18. $161

Thur. "Monster Stack:" Faces In The Crowd

$100 No Limit Hold'em "Monster Stack"

$14,000 Guarantee

Level 2 (Blinds 75/150)

Total Entries: 63

We are only (20) minutes into tonight's tournament, and the field is already littered with notables.  In order for the field to reach the guaranteed number posted on the event ($14,000), there needs to be just under (150) total entries, a number that is very attainable.  One of the most recent entrants into the field was Tuesday night's tournament winner, Raymond Rickard (Ft. Lauderdale, FL), who took home $1,710 from a five-way deal made at the final table.

Lou Stadler (Miami, FL)

Edgard Mendes (Miami, FL) 

Peter Bejusca (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)

Danielle Bastarache (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)

Raymond Rickard (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)

Thur. "Monster Stack:" Cards In The Air At 6:00pm, $14,000 Guaranteed

$100 No Limit Hold'em "Monster Stack"

$14,000 Guarantee

Level 1 (Blinds 50/100)

Total Entries: N/A

The first "Monster Stack" tournament of the month will be getting underway in just a short while, and the $14,000 guarantee should attract a nice sized field.  Players in this event will sit down to starting stacks of 25,000, with levels lasting (20) minutes throughout the event.  Late and re-entries are available for the first (8) levels, which see registration closing around 8:30pm.  It should also be noted that this tournament is "high hand eligible," giving players yet another reason to jump on in and join the action.  

Thursday, November 3: AM Freeroll, "Limit Early Bird", And PM "Monster Stack"

There are a few reasons to be an "early bird" this morning, with the "Limit Hold'em Early Bird Full House" promotion at 9:00am, and the $2,000 guaranteed "Freeroll" beginning at 10:00am.  Play that come in between 9:00-11:00am (to play limit hold'em) will receive an "early bird card."  From the moment the first limit hold'em game get its cards in the air, the first (100) full houses will be paid out throughout the day.  Those getting a full house in the 2/2 Limit Hold'em will receive $20, and those playing 2/4 Limit Hold'em (or higher) will receive $40.  Then at 10:00am, the $2,000 "Freeroll" begins, offering any player the opportunity to play the tournament and win themselves a piece of that guaranteed prize pool.  This is a "freeze out," meaning players only have one opportunity to enter per tournament.

Then at 6:00pm, the cards will be in the air for the $100 No Limit Hold'em "Monster Stack."  This "special" tournament will include with it a $14,000 guarantee, as well as a trophy for the eventual winner to take with him/her.

Thursday, November 3rd 2016:

9:00am: "Limit Hold'em Early Bird Full House Promotion" (Must arrive between 9:00-11:00am)

10:00am: $2,000 Guaranteed No Limit Hold'em "Freeroll" (Freezeout)

6:00pm: $100 No Limit Hold'em "Monster Stack" $14,000 Guarantee

Wednesday, Nov. 2nd: "Spin To Win" Promotion And Nightly $5K

Today is one of the most popular "promotional" days of the week, as the "Spin To Win" promotion begins at 12:00pm.  From 12:00-11:00pm, the "high hand" for each half hour will earn themselves the opportunity to spin our "money wheel."  The wheel has yielded an incredible amount of money since its inception, as has been reported here on the blog.  Each of the prizes won this afternoon/evening will be posted here on the blog, once the promotion has included.

At 7:00pm, the $100 No Limit Hold'em Big Stack Turbo Bounty begins, carrying with it a $5,000 guarantee.  Players will start with 18,000, and play levels lasting (15) minutes throughout the tournament.  This is a bounty tournament, so for every player elimination, at $25 bounty (real money) will be awarded to whomever knocks that person out.

Wednesday, November 2nd 2016:

12:00-11:00pm: "Spin To Win" Promotion

7:00pm: $100 No Limit Hold'em Big Stack Turbo Bounty ($5,000 Guarantee)

"Daily" Tuesday: 1st Place - Rickard ($1,710)

"Daily Tuesday" $40 No Limit Hold'em 
$10,000 Guarantee
Level 21 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/4,000)
Total Entries: 269
Players Remaining: 6

Raymond Rickard (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) 1st Place - $1,710

"Daily" Tuesday: 2nd Place - Zusag ($1,485)

"Daily Tuesday" $40 No Limit Hold'em 
$10,000 Guarantee
Level 21 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/4,000)
Total Entries: 269
Players Remaining: 6

Charlie Zusag (Wilmington, DE) 2nd Place - $1,485