Tuesday, May 16th: Raminder Returns To Ship The "Beast," "Tuesday $12k" Returns

ICYMI: After a big weekend tournament ("May $100,000 GTD"), there was no slowing down yesterday, as the $150 No Limit Hold'em "Structure Beast" ($15,000 GTD) highlighted the day's schedule.  The event's field, which was made up of (109) entries, included notable names like Tom Gity, Sean Shah, Daniel Pearlman, Paula Alibrandi, Adel Jo, and Karin Powsner (just to name a few).  There were also a handful of players that made deep runs in the weekend's event, including a late entry by Raminder Singh.

The $15,000 prize pool offered up a tournament min-cash of $353, as well as a first place prize of $4,497.  Players reached the money around 5:00pm, and after four eliminations, the field was redrawing for the final table.  Almost every player at the final table was a name followers of the blog would recognize, and after four eliminations, players would agree to a six-way chop.  Earning first place money, and quickly putting Sunday night's unfortunate luck behind him, was Raminder Singh (Delray Beach, FL).  Less than (24) hours before the deal was being discussed, Singh was getting it in with pocket aces versus pocket tens, only to lose the hand.  Winning that pot at the "May $100,000 GTD" final table would have likely locked up a top two finish for Singh, but he put that behind him, and returned stronger than ever last night.  Posted below are the full results from yesterday's "Structure Beast:"

1. Raminder Singh (Delray Beach, FL) $2,410
2. Alvaro Grisales (Kendall, FL) $2,217
3. Joseph Ritzie (Hamilton, OH) $2,110
4. Steven Lamm (Boca Raton, FL) $1,800
5. Yesniel Pulido (Davie, FL) $1,601
6. Victor Nassif (Davie, FL) $1,417
7. Sean Shah (Delray Beach, FL) $585
8. Adel Jo (Miami, FL) $510
9. Karin Powsner (Watershed, FL) $450
10. Larry Stoddard (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) $398
11. Marc Medrano (Wellington, FL) $398
12. Dominic Capino (Delray Beach, FL) $398
13. Steven Fine (Boca Raton, FL) $353
14. Tom Gity (Pompano Beach, FL) $353

Tournaments: There are two tournaments on the daily schedule once again, starting a 11:00am with the $100 No Limit Hold'em ($3,000 GTD), which has steadily become the most popular daytime event of the week.  The field sizes have ranged from 45-65 in the past month, with players realizing how good of a value the event really is (25,000 starting stack and 20 minute levels).  

That tournament is then followed at 6:00pm by the $60 No Limit Hold'em ($12,000 GTD), also known at the "Tuesday $12k."  One of...if not, the premier tournaments on the schedule, this event usually sees field sizes above (350-400) players.  

Promotions: Outside of what we like to refer to as the "standard high hand" promotion, today's promotion calendar feature the "Early Bird Limit Hold'em" special.  This promotion sees those players, only playing limit hold'em, earn money for each full house they have (it's required that the hand also wins the pot).  Those playing 2/2 LHE will earn $20 for each full house, while those playing 2/4 LHE will earn $40 for each full house.

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

- Players start with 25,000 in tournament chips

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

- Alternates and late entries will start with a full stack

- Level will last (20) minutes throughout the event

6:00pm - $60 No Limit Hold'em ($12,000 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, May 15th: Bodden Ships "May $100,000 GTD," Structure Beast Returns!

Jonathan Bodden (Miami, FL)

ICYMI: The "May $100,000 GTD" was yet another successful "special" tournament, as (1,169) entries made up the $134,435 prize pool.  Yesterday's Day 2 saw (159) players return, all of which had their eyes on the $22,582 first place prize.  Players reached the money within the first level of the day, which set a tone for what was about to play out.  The field thinned out at a rapid pace, with only two tables remaining at the tournament's dinner break (6:30pm).  It was at that point that the event began to take shape, as Jonathan Bodden and Raminder Singh led the group as the cards got back in the air.

The two players owned the chip lead the rest of the way, taking turns atop the field while the short stacks dropped.  There was a quick discussion of chop when players reached the final table, as a majority of the stacks were in the (10-15) big blinds mark.  As expected, the top two (Singh and Bodden) weren't crazy about the numbers, and the action continued on.  The story of the final table, which was Jonathan Bodden, began with his elimination of Robert Tanner.  Bodden shoved over an open from Tanner, and eventually cracked Robert's pocket aces after flopping a flush.

It seemed as if it was just Bodden's night, as he got it all-in against Raminder Singh with four players left, holding pocket tens against Singh's pocket aces.  Once again, Bodden came from behind by flopping a set, and he'd end up with 80% of the chips at three-handed play.  The rest was basically a formality, as Patrick Carnakie and Kevin Scarola busted in succession, and Bodden would be the final player standing.  Jonathan earned his largest lifetime cash with the $22,582 first place money, and takes a bunch of confidence with him as he heads to the 2017 WSOP.

Tournaments: Coming off what was a great tournament, players don't have to wait long for another solid event to come along.  The "Structure Beast" returns this afternoon, a $150 No Limit Hold'em event with a $15,000 guaranteed prize pool, and "major-like" structure.  Players sit down to 12,000 unit starting stacks, and play (30) minute levels throughout the entire event (open registration through the first 10 levels).  It's an incredible structure, even better value, and one of the most popular tournaments with the players.

The evening tournament stays the same, as the $75 No Limit Hold'em event gets underway at 6:00pm, with a 15,000 unit starting stack and (20) minute levels.

Promotions: Outside of the "standard" high hand promotion, the weeks gets a "quick" start with "Turbo High Hands," offering $100 every (10) minutes from the period of 9:00am-12:00pm.  Rollovers do apply with this promotion (with each game in the house eligible), so it's not uncommon to see a player pick up anywhere from $100-$500 during the promotion.

11:00am - $150 No Limit Hold'em "Structure Beast" $15,000 GTD

- Players will begin with a 12,000 starting stack

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

- Alternates and late entries sit down to full stacks

- Levels are (30) minutes in length

6:00pm - $75 No Limit Hold'em 

- Players will begin with a 15,000 starting stack

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

- Alternates and late entries will receive full stacks

- Levels are (20) minutes in length throughout

"May $100,000 GTD:" 1st Place - Bodden ($22,582)

"May $100,000 GTD"
$150 No Limit Hold'em Deep Stack
Level 34 (Blinds 200,000/400,000/50,000)
Total Entries: 1,169
Players Remaining: 1

"May $100,000 GTD" winner Jonathan Bodden (Miami, FL) $22,582

It wasn't quite a wire-to-wire performance, but it was about as close as a player can get, as Jonathan Bodden went from second in chips to start Day 2...to shipping the tournament.  Bodden trended upward from the moment the cards got in the air earlier this afternoon, and really didn't experience any rough patches throughout the day.

Once Jonathan cracked the pocket aces of Robert Tanner with A♥ 4♥ (flopping a flush), it almost seemed as if the starts were aligned for Bodden.  That was the pot of the tournament to that point...but that was until he'd be all-in a few levels later against Raminder Singh.  In a pot worth over 14,000,000, Bodden would flop a set with 10♠ 10♥ against the A♦ A♣ of Singh, grabbing the pot...and basically the tournament at that moment.

The $22,582 Bodden won for first place is the largest cash of his tournament career, and it brings his total earnings just shy of $75,000.  It's a great score just before the 2017 WSOP, a place where Bodden did some damage in the summer of 2014 (mostly in events outside of the Rio though).  Jonathan Bodden played with confidence throughout the entire day, and will surely bring that mindset out west as the biggest series of the year approaches.

"May $100,000 GTD:" 2nd Place - Scarola ($15,840)

"May $100,000 GTD"
$150 No Limit Hold'em Deep Stack
Level 34 (Blinds 200,000/400,000/50,000)
Total Entries: 1,169
Players Remaining: 2

Kevin Scarola (West Palm Beach, FL) 2nd Place - $15,840

Kevin Scarola (West Palm Beach, FL) started off the heads-up match with a bang, doubling up on the very first hand.  Even with that good fortune, he'd be starting at an eight-to-one chip deficit.  He'd be all-in and at risk on the fifth hand of heads up play, holding A♠ 7♥ against Bodden's Q♣ 10♠.  The flop would be of interest to both players (10♥ 6♥ 9♥), as Bodden flopped top pair, and Scarola a gut-shot straight flush draw (and one over).  The turn and river would bring off-suit jacks, and Kevin would be eliminated in second place ($15,840).

This effort is a career highlight for Scarola, who came into the day with $2,150 in live tournament earnings.

"May $100,000 GTD:" 3rd Place - Carnackie ($10,275)

"May $100,000 GTD"
$150 No Limit Hold'em Deep Stack
Level 34 (Blinds 200,000/400,000/50,000)
Total Entries: 1,169
Players Remaining: 2

Patrick Carnakie (West Palm Beach, FL) 3rd Place - $10,275

After the elimination of Raminder Singh, both Patrick Carnakie and Kevin Scarola would have a tough uphill climb in front of them.  Carnakie had less than (10) bigs in front of him, and two hands into three-handed play, he would be all-in against Jonathan Bodden:

Carnakie: 9♦ 7♠

Bodden: J♥ 7♦

Board: 8♥ J♠ J♣ A♥ A♠

Bodden had Patrick dominated when the cards were tabled, and while the flop seemed pretty poor for Carnakie, he actually gained an extra out.  Patrick needed a ten on the turn or river to take the lead, but had to settle for third place after bricking both streets.

Play is now heads up, with Jonathan Bodden holding a ten-to-one lead in the chip counts.

"May $100,000 GTD:" 4th Place - Singh ($7,613)

"May $100,000 GTD"
$150 No Limit Hold'em Deep Stack
Level 34 (Blinds 200,000/400,000/50,000)
Total Entries: 1,169
Players Remaining: 3

Raminder Singh (Delray Beach, FL) 4th Place - $7,613

On the second hand back from break, Raminder Singh opened to 900,000, with Jonathan Bodden three-betting to 3,000,000.  After Patrick Carnakie folded, Singh announced that he was all-in for over 7,100,000 (with Bodden holding 10,200,000).  Jonathan seemed pained with the decision, but after three minutes, ended up making the call:

Singh: A♦ A♣

Bodden: 10♠ 10♥

Board: J♦ 10♣ 7♦ 6♠ J♥

Bowden would flop a set to grab a strong lead, and after the turn and river came without an ace, Raminder would be eliminated in 4th place ($7,613).  Bodden now sits with over 80% of the chips in play, and is the odds-on favorite to win this tournament.

"May $100,000 GTD:" Updated Chip Counts From Break

"May $100,000 GTD"
$150 No Limit Hold'em Deep Stack
Level 34 (Blinds 200,000/400,000/50,000)
Total Entries: 1,169
Players Remaining: 4

Posted below are the four-handed chip counts, as players take a (10) minute break, and then return to Level 34 (Blinds 200,000/400,000/50,000).

1. Patrick Carnakie - 2,800,000
2. Kevin Scarola - 3,600,000
3. Raminder Singh - 7,100,000
4. Jonathan Bodden - 10,200,000

"May $100,000 GTD:" 5th Place - Kolodny ($5,751)

"May $100,000 GTD"
$150 No Limit Hold'em Deep Stack
Level 33 (Blinds 150,000/300,000/50,000)
Total Entries: 1,169
Players Remaining: 5

Eric Kolodny (North Miami Beach, FL) 5th Place - $5,751

Eric Kolodny's final table run would take a big hit during Level 32, when he called Patrick Carnikie's button shove out of the big blind.  Eric was ahead with A♠ Q♣ against Patrick's K♥ 9♦, but Carnakie would river a king to steal the pot away, and Kolodny would be left with less than (10) big blinds.  He actually managed to work his stack back up, but was just eliminated by Raminder Singh, after his K♦ J♦ button shove was beat by Singh's A♦ Q♠ out of the big blind (Q♦ 9♦ 9♥ 7♠ A♣ runout).  Colony would earn $5,751 for his fifth place finish, bringing his career earnings above $140,000.

"May $100,000 GTD:" 6th Place - Novick ($4,649)

"May $100,000 GTD"
$150 No Limit Hold'em Deep Stack
Level 33 (Blinds 150,000/300,000/50,000)
Total Entries: 1,169
Players Remaining: 5

Philip Novick (Cooper City, FL) 6th Place - $4,649

Philip Novick (Cooper City, FL) left himself with less than one big blind before finally shoving, and would be called in three spots (button and both blinds).  After the three players checked the 5♥ 3♦ 2♥ flop, the dealer would place down the A♥ on the turn, with Kevin Scarola announcing himself all-in first to act.  The two other active players folded, and Novick would need some help, even though he flopped two pair with A♠ 3♠.  Scarola actually flopped the wheel holding 3♣ 4♥, and after the 8♠ on the river, Novick would be eliminated.

"May $100,000 GTD:" Playing In the Shallow End

"May $100,000 GTD"
$150 No Limit Hold'em Deep Stack
Level 33 (Blinds 150,000/300,000/50,000)
Total Entries: 1,169
Players Remaining: 6

Level 33 started moments ago, with the blinds going up to 150,000/300,000/50,000, with a chip average of 3,900,000.  The chip average is only (13) big blinds, with the biggest stack at the table only (30) bigs...it's beginning to become a track meet, but the players are showing no sign of chop.

1. Patrick Carnakie - 3,150,000
2. Philip Novick - 1,250,000
3. Erik Kolodny - 1,200,000
4. Kevin Scarola - 2,500,000
5. Raminder Singh - 6,200,000
6. Jonathan Bodden - 9,300,000

"May $100,000 GTD:" 7th Place - Tanner ($3,839)

"May $100,000 GTD"
$150 No Limit Hold'em Deep Stack
Level 32 (Blinds 100,000/200,000/30,000)
Total Entries: 1,169
Players Remaining: 6

Robert Tanner (Wellington, FL)

Robert Tanner (Wellington, FL) came into this tournament with a heavy heart, as he unexpectedly lost his brother on Friday, a day they were supposed to play this tournament together.  After discussions of a potential chop fell apart, action continued on.  

Tanner opened to 600,000 from late position, with Jonathan Bodden announcing himself all-in out of the small blind.  After Patrick Carnakie folded, Bodden immediately made the call, quickly tabling A♦ A♣.  He was in seemingly great shape against Bodden's A♥ 4♥, until Bodden flopped the nuts on a J♥ 7♥ Q♥ board.  Tanner would be drawing dead on the turn, and Bodden would assume a healthy chip lead, chipping up to over 8,000,000.

Tanner was visibly upset with the runout, walking away from the table to voice his frustration.  Tanner would earn $3,839 for his seventh place finish, an effort he can be very proud of...especially under the condition he was playing in.

"May $100,000 GTD:" Updated Counts At Break

"May $100,000 GTD"
$150 No Limit Hold'em Deep Stack
Level 32 (Blinds 100,000/200,000/30,000)
Total Entries: 1,169
Players Remaining: 7

Players are currently on a (10) minute break, and will be returning to Level 32, with blinds going up to 100,000/200,000/30,000 (3,340,000 chip average).  Posted below are the updated counts from the final table:

1. Patrick Carnakie - 2,600,000
2. Philip Novick - 1,800,000
3. Erik Kolodny - 2,200,000
4. Kevin Scarola - 3,600,000
5. Raminder Singh - 5,800,000
6. Robert Tanner - 2,800,000
7. Jonathan Bodden - 4,700,000

"May $100,000 GTD:" 8th Place - Shakoor ($3,042)

"May $100,000 GTD"
$150 No Limit Hold'em Deep Stack
Level 31 (Blinds 80,000/160,000/25,000)
Total Entries: 1,169
Players Remaining: 7

Aftab Shakoor (Port St. Lucie, FL) 8th Place - $3,042

Another victim of the climbing blinds, Aftab Shakoor (Port St. Lucie, FL) was down to just over (2) big blinds when he shoved.  He was called by Jonathan Bodden in middle position, with action folding behind:

Shakoor: Q♠ 10♥

Bodden: 8♥ 9♥

Board: K♥ K♣ 8♠ 4♠ 6♥

Bodden would outflop Shakoor, and ended up holding through the turn and river.  Shakoor earns his third largest career score with this cash, and brings his total earnings above $32,000.

"May $100,000 GTD:" 9th Place - Sarro ($2,260)

"May $100,000 GTD"
$150 No Limit Hold'em Deep Stack
Level 31 (Blinds 80,000/160,000/25,000)
Total Entries: 1,169
Players Remaining: 8

Robert Sarro (Boynton Beach, FL) was a victim to the climbing blinds, as he was left with less than five big blinds when he shoved.  Raminder Singh called him out of the big blind, and Sarro would be eliminated from the final table.  This would be Sarro's third largest career cash, and first since recorded a score earlier in the year at a Palm Beach Kennel Club "daily" event.  

"May $100,000 GTD:" 10th-12th Places ($1,730)

"May $100,000 GTD"
$150 No Limit Hold'em Deep Stack
Level 31 (Blinds 80,000/160,000/25,000)
Total Entries: 1,169
Players Remaining: 9

The following players have been eliminated from the $150 No Limit Hold'em Deep Stack "May $100,000 GTD," and have cashed for $1,730:

10. David Maslowski (Lake Worth, FL)

11. Douglas Decker (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)

12. David Miller (Davie, FL)

"May $100,000 GTD:" Carnakie Doubles Through Bodden As Level Goes Up

"May $100,000 GTD"
$150 No Limit Hold'em Deep Stack
Level 31 (Blinds 80,000/160,000/25,000)
Total Entries: 1,169
Players Remaining: 10

Just as Level 30 was ending, Jonathan Bodden opened to 350,000, with action folding to Patrick Carnakie.  Patrick took a look at his cards, and announced himself all-in (880,000), with the button and blinds folding behind.  After getting a count, Bodden would make the call, and would be in rough shape holding 9♠ 9♣ against Patrick's A♦ A♣.  There was a little sweat on the turn after the 6♥ J♦ 8♠ 7♦ 2♥ runout, but Carnakie would earn the double, giving him just over (10) big blinds.

Jonathan Bodden - 4,500,000
Patrick Carnakie - 1,800,000

"May $100,000 GTD:" Final Table (With Updated Chip Counts)

"May $100,000 GTD"
$150 No Limit Hold'em Deep Stack
Level 30 (Blinds 60,000/120,000/20,000)
Total Entries: 1,169
Players Remaining: 10

After the elimination of Douglas Decker in 11th place, the field went through it's second (and final) redraw of the tournament.  Below are the new seating assignments, including updated chip counts:

1. Patrick Carnakie - 1,300,000
2. Philip Novick - 640,000
3. Erik Kolodny - 2,200,000
4. Kevin Scarola - 2,450,000
5. Aftab Shakoor - 725,000
6. Raminder Singh - 7,200,000
7. Robert Tanner - 2,000,000
8. Jonathan Bodden - 4,300,000
9. David Maslowski - 1,000,000
10. Robert Sarro - 1,500,000

"May $100,000 GTD:" 13th-15th Places ($1,352)

"May $100,000 GTD"
$150 No Limit Hold'em Deep Stack
Level 30 (Blinds 60,000/120,000/20,000)
Total Entries: 1,169
Players Remaining: 11

The following players have been eliminated from the $150 No Limit Hold'em Deep Stack "May $100,000 GTD," and have cashed for $1,098:

13. Elise Schisler (Boynton Beach, FL)

14. Francisco Pulido (Pembroke Pines, FL)

15. Russell Stampler (Weston, FL)

"May $100,000 GTD:" Updated Chip Counts At Level's Transition

"May $100,000 GTD"
$150 No Limit Hold'em Deep Stack
Level 30 (Blinds 60,000/120,000/20,000)
Total Entries: 1,169
Players Remaining: 12

Posted below are the chip counts from the remaining (12) players, as Level 30 brings new blinds of 60,000/120,000/20,000 (1,950,000 chip average):

Table 1:

1. Patrick Carnakie - 1,500,000
2. Robert Tanner - 2,400,000
3. Douglas Decker - 1,400,000
4. Kevin Scarola - 2,300,000
5. Erik Kolodny - 2,400,000

Table 4:

1. Aftab Shakoor - 1,100,000
2. Raminder Singh - 5,300,000
3. Jonathan Bodden - 2,100,000
4. Philip Novick - 1,000,000
5. David Miller - 450,000
6. Robert Sarro - 2,000,000
7. David Maslowski - 1,200,000

"May $100,000 GTD:" 16th-18th Places ($1,098)

"May $100,000 GTD"
$150 No Limit Hold'em Deep Stack
Level 29 (Blinds 50,000/100,000/15,000)
Total Entries: 1,169
Players Remaining: 13

The following players have been eliminated from the $150 No Limit Hold'em Deep Stack "May $100,000 GTD," and have cashed for $1,098:

16. Richard Blanchar (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)

17. Juan Rodriguez (Boca Raton, FL)

18. Martin Markov (Key West, FL)

"May $100,000 GTD:" 19th-21st Places ($897)

"May $100,000 GTD"
$150 No Limit Hold'em Deep Stack
Level 29 (Blinds 50,000/100,000/15,000)
Total Entries: 1,169
Players Remaining: 16

The following players have been eliminated from the $150 No Limit Hold'em Deep Stack "May $100,000 GTD," and have cashed for $897:

19. Dominic Capino (Delray Beach, FL)
20. Francis Garcia (North Miami, FL)
21. Paula Alibrandi (Miramar, FL)

"May $100,000 GTD:" First Redraw, Two Tables Remain

"May $100,000 GTD"
$150 No Limit Hold'em Deep Stack
Level 28 (Blinds 40,000/80,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 1,169
Players Remaining: 18

After the elimination of Dominic Capino in 19th place ($897), the clock was paused, and the field went through the first redraw of the day.  Level 29 is about to begin, with blinds going up to 50,000/100,000/15,000, and a 1,300,000 chip average (only 13 big blinds).  Posted below are the seating assignments post-redraw:

Table 1:

1. Patrick Carnakie
2. Robert Tanner
3. Douglas Decker
4. Elyse Schisel
5. Francisco Pulido
6. David Maslowski
7. Juan Rodriguez
8. Kevin Scarola
9. Erik Kolodny

Table 4:

1. Aftab Shakoor
2. Richard Blanchar
3. Raminder Singh
4. Jonathan Bodden
5. Philip Novick
6. David Miller
7. Robert Sarro
8. Martin Markov
9. Russell Stampler

"May $100,000 GTD:" 22nd-24th Places ($738)

"May $100,000 GTD"
$150 No Limit Hold'em Deep Stack
Level 27 (Blinds 40,000/80,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 1,169
Players Remaining: 20

The following players have been eliminated from the $150 No Limit Hold'em Deep Stack "May $100,000 GTD," and have cashed for $738:

22. Steven Zukowski (Coral Springs, FL)
23. William Picou (Henrico, VA)
24. Robert Chusid (Boca Raton, FL)

"May $100,000 GTD:" 25th-27th Places ($647)

"May $100,000 GTD"
$150 No Limit Hold'em Deep Stack
Level 27 (Blinds 40,000/80,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 1,169
Players Remaining: 20

The following players have been eliminated from the $150 No Limit Hold'em Deep Stack "May $100,000 GTD," and have cashed for $647:

25. Julio Silva (Coconut Creek, FL)
26. Barry Chazen (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
27. Jose Gallegos (Hialeah, FL)