Monday, February 12th: Sunday's Pair Of Three-Way Chops, Looking Forward To Second Full Week Of Tournaments

ICYMI: Sunday closed out the first full week of the February Tournament Calendar, with two events on the schedule.  The first tournament of the day, which began at 11:00am, was a $100 No Limit Hold'em ($3,000 GTD).  After eight levels of open registration, the field would close with (44)  entries, and an official prize pool of $4,048.  Seven places were scheduled to get paid, with action continuing through the money bubble, until three-handed play was reached.  At that point, a deal was agreed to, with Susan Krowitz (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) taking home first place money.  The results from the chop, and the rest of the final table, are listed below:

1. Susan Krowitz (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) $1,150
2. David Dolinsky (Atlanta, GA) $999
3. Vincent Lo Bianco (Brooklyn, NY) $927
4. Joseph Kearns (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) $405
5. Stacy Thomas (Jupiter, FL) $324
6. Nick Fiore (Boca Raton, FL) $243

The evening time slot (6:00pm) hosted an $130 No Limit Hold'em "Turbo Bounty," which also carried a $3,000 guarantee.  The event would attract (41) total entries, which equated to a prize pool of $3,157.  Six players would reach the money in the event, with action once again pausing after three-handed play was reached.  The deal was headed by Carmelo Maldonado-Nieves (Puerto Rico), who took home $893 for first place.  The rest of the details from the tournament are listed below:

1. Carmelo Maldonado-Nieves (Puerto Rico) $893
2. Anthony Vulpis (Lauderdale By The Sea, FL) $788
3. James Orphanos (Boca Raton, FL) $718
4. Anthony Cicali (Riverside, NJ) $316
5. Osvaldo Concepcion (Puerto Rico) $253
6. Celso Leroy (Delray Beach, FL) $189

Tournaments: There are two events on the schedule today, the first of which is an $80 No Limit Hold'em event (11:00am), which has a $2,500 guaranteed prize pool.  The structure of the tournament sees players sitting down to 12,000 unit starting stacks, and levels that last (20) minutes.

Tonight's evening tournament is a $150 No Limit Hold'em event, which carries a $5,000 guarantee.  The players in the event sit down to starting stacks of 16,000 units, and levels that last (20) minutes over the course of the evening.

Promotions: From (9:00am-10:00am), the high hand will award $150 every (30) minutes.  The high hands will then transition from 10:00am-12:00am (midnight), with the opportunity to win $400 every (30) minutes.  During that period, the promotion sees tournament players eligible (Isle Open events not eligible for high hand) 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 started back on November 1st, 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).

11:00am - $80 No Limit Hold'em ($2,500 GTD)

- Players will begin with a 12,000 starting stack

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

- Levels are (20) minutes in length

- All late registrants and re-entries will receive a full stack

6:00pm - $150 No Limit Hold'em ($5,000 GTD)

- Players will begin with a 16,000 starting stack

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

- Levels are (20) minutes in length

- All late registrants and re-entries will receive a full stack

Sunday, February 11th: Recapping Yesterday's Tournament Action, As We Enter Week 2 Of February

ICYMI: Saturday's tournament action began with a $130 No Limit Hold'em Survivor, with was guaranteeing three $1,000 winners.  Similar to a satellite, the prize pool would be three $1,000 spots, with anything above that number be awarded to a fourth place spot (and so on).  The event would end up attracted (22) players, with the following reaching the "money:"

1. Anthony Canario (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) $1,000
2. David Dolinky (Atlanta, GA) $1,000
3. Howard Braver (Hollywood, FL) $1,000

The scheduled returned to the "standard" tournament format in the evening time slot (6:00pm), as players arrived for the $100 No Limit Hold'em ($5,000 GTD).  After eight levels of open registration, the field would consist of (70) entries, which equated to a $5,250 prize pool.  When the payouts were posted, players learned that nine spot would reach the money, and first place looked to be walking away with $1,838.  As we've seen so many times before, those posted numbers were altered, as a four-way deal was agreed to.  Listed below are the official results from the tournament:

1. Michael Sischo (Deerfield Beach, FL) $1,305
2. Celso Leroy (Delray Beach, FL) $940
3. Jonathna Matzkin (N. Potomac, MD) $926
4. Karen Duffy (Delray Beach, FL) $819
5. Brian Levine (Pompano Beach, FL) $354
6. William Toy (Mt. Sterling, KY) $276
7. Jacob Spruell (Mason, OH) $236
8. Wilfried Menninger (Palm City, FL) $210
9. Paul De Angelo (Pompano Beach, FL) $184

Tournaments: Sunday's tournament action has a combined $6,000 in guarantees, beginning with the $120 No Limit Hold'em "Monster Stack" ($3,000 GTD).  The tournament starts at 11:00am, structured with 25,000 unit starting stacks, and levels that last (20) minutes over the course of the afternoon.

The "Monster Stack" is followed by a $130 No Limit Hold'em "Turbo Bounty," which also has a $3,000 guaranteed prize pool.  The tournament is structured with 20,000 unit starting stacks, (15) minute levels, and $25 bounties for each elimination.

Promotions: From (9:00am-10:00am), the high hand will award $150 every (30) minutes.  The high hands will then transition from 10:00am-12:00am (midnight), with the opportunity to win $400 every (30) minutes.  During that period, the promotion sees tournament players eligible (Isle Open events not eligible for high hand) 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 started back on November 1st, 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).

11:00am - $120 No Limit Hold'em "Monster Stack" ($2,000 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 - $130 No Limit Hold'em "Turbo Bounty"

- Players will begin with a 20,000 starting stack

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

- Levels are (20) minutes in length

- Alternates and late entries will start with a full stack

ICYMI: Linzell Borders Back On Top After "Monster Stack" Win, As "Survivor" Returns To The Tournament Schedule

ICYMI: Thursday's afternoon time slot hosted the $120 No Limit Hold'em "Monster Stack," which had a $3,000 guaranteed prize pool.  Once registration was closed, the field would be comprised of (36) entries, which equated to a $3,312 prize pool.  Five players were scheduled to reach the money, with a deal agreed to the minute the money bubble burst.  Linzell Borders (Tamarac, FL), a name that became very popular of the last year of recurring tournaments, held a massive chip lead at the time of the deal.  He would be awarded first place money, which was more than double that of second place.

1. Linzell Borders (Tamarac, FL) $1,177
2. Gregory Victor (Parkland, FL) $572
3. Arnold Cohen (West Palm Beach, FL) $551
4. Kenneth Wilson (Pompano Beach, FL) $517
5. Stacy Thomas (Jupiter, FL) $495

The "Monster Stack" was followed (at 6:00pm) by an $80 No Limit Hold'em event, that carried a $5,000 guarantee.  The guarantee was sizable compared to the tournament's buy-in, but the (90) entry field helped surpass the number ($5,130).  There would be another chop, but last night's version was that of the heads-up nature (and even).

1. Mike Berkman (Palm Beach, FL) $1,300
2. Mervick Nunez (Coral Springs, FL) $1,300
3. Christopher Boegler (Coconut Creek, FL) $616
4. Susan Krowitz (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) $398
5. Willie Holmes (Pompano Beach, FL) $308
6. Maurice Daigle (New Brunswick) $244
7. Robello Padilla, Jr. (Daytona Beach, FL) $205
8. Cathy Miller (Jupiter, FL) $180
9. Steve Varela (Coral Springs, FL) $163
10. Osvaldo Leonard Concepcion (Puerto Rico) $149
11. Jesse Koven (Deerfield Beach, FL) $139
12. Russell Williams (Port St. Lucie, FL) $128

Tournaments: Saturday's tournament schedule kicks off with a $130 No Limit Hold'em Survivor, which will award (3) packages of $1,000 (guaranteed).  The event is structured with starting stacks of 15,000 units, and (20) minute levels.  For those that are new to survivors...think something similar to a satellite.  For every $1,000 in the prize pool, a pay spot will be awarded, with the tournament ending one the "money" is reached.

The "Survivor" is followed (at 6:00pm) by a $100 No Limit Hold'em event, which has a $5,000 guarantee.  Players in the tournament will be sitting down to starting stacks of 14,000 units, and levels that last (20) minutes.

Promotions: From (9:00am-10:00am), the high hand will award $150 every (30) minutes.  The high hands will then transition from 10:00am-12:00am (midnight), with the opportunity to win $400 every (30) minutes.  During that period, the promotion sees tournament players eligible (Isle Open events not eligible for high hand) 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 started back on November 1st, 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).

11:00am - $130 No Limit Hold'em "Survivor" (3 @ $1,000 GTD)

- Players start with 14,000 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 - $100 No Limit Hold'em ($5,000 GTD)

- Players will begin with a 12,000 starting stack

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

- Levels are (20) minutes in length

- All late registrants and re-entries will receive a full stack

Friday, February 9th: Cohen Just Misses Back-To-Back, Weekend Tournament Action Begins

ICYMI: The mixed-game action returns yesterday afternoon (11:00am), with the $150 Limit Omaha 8B Hi/Lo event.  The $2,500 posted guarantee was surpassed pretty quickly, as the field grew to (38) entries, with the official prize pool closing at $4,256.  Five players were scheduled to reach the money, with action continuing through the money bubble, and playing down to an outright winner.  Ian Cohen (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) found himself heads-up for the second tournament in a row, after winning the previous evening's PLO event.  He would have to settle for the runner-up spot yesterday, after falling to Joseph Tamer (Ann Arbor, MI).  Listed below are the official results from the tournament:

1. Joseph Tamer (Ann Arbor, MI) $1,746
2. Ian Cohen (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) $1,064
3. Bobby Leff (Opa Locka, FL) $638
4. Harry Eisenberg (Wayland, MA) $468
5. Marc Wolfe (Miami, FL) $340

The Omaha Hi/Lo event was followed by a $150 No Limit Hold'em "Double Green Chip Bounty," which had a $5,000 guaranteed prize pool.  This tournament used to be one of the more popular on the schedule (close to three years ago), and saw a good reception last night, with (52) entries at registration's close.  The prize pool officially closed at $3,224, which does not include the bounties (which are added to the number), meaning the guaranteed was surpassed by a fair amount.  The event ended in a five-way deal, headed by Diane Linke (Boynton Beach, FL), one of the more successful tournament players of the past two year (at the Isle Poker Room):

1. Diane Linke (Boynton Beach, FL) $829
2. Paul Efron (Coconut Creek, FL) $705
3. Michael Bucar (West Palm Beach, FL) $536
4. Michael Stewartson (Margate, FL) $535
5. Bernhard Schmidt (Naples, FL) $435
6. David Glube (Ottawa) $184

Tournaments: Friday's tournament schedule starts at 11:00am, with the $120 No Limit Hold'em "Monster Stack," which carries a $3,000 guarantee.  The event is generously structured with starting stacks of 25,000 units, and levels that last (20) minutes.  

The evening time slot (6:00pm) is filled by an $80 No Limit Hold'em tournament, which has a healthy $5,000 guarantee.  Players in the event will be sitting down to starting stacks of 12,000 units, and levels that last (20) minutes.

Promotions: From (9:00am-10:00am), the high hand will award $150 every (30) minutes.  The high hands will then transition from 10:00am-12:00am (midnight), with the opportunity to win $400 every (30) minutes.  During that period, the promotion sees tournament players eligible (Isle Open events not eligible for high hand) 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 started back on November 1st, 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).

11:00am - $120 No Limit Hold'em "Monster Stack" ($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 - $80 No Limit Hold'em ($5,000 GTD)

- Players will begin with a 12,000 starting stack

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

- Levels are (20) minutes in length

- All late registrants and re-entries will receive a full stack

Thursday, February 8th: Single-Ante Success Once Again, Another Recurring Event Makes A Comeback

ICYMI: Yesterday afternoon saw the return of the $250 No Limit Hold'em Single-Ante, which boasted another $30,000 guarantee.  The numbers from yesterday's installment bested those of last week's tournament, with a total of (148) entries making up the field at registration's close.  Once the payouts were made official, the remaining players in the event learned that (19) would reach the money, and that first place was scheduled to take home $8,281.  The money bubble would burst in Level 13, and we'd then begin to see a handful of notables names booking cashes (short of the final table).  Players like Joseph Marchese (18th place), Gregory Spinder (14th place), Alberto Niebla (13t place), and Adel Jo (11th place), would all record results for their tournament resumes.  When the final table was reached, there were two very short stacks, who ended up getting eliminated in succession (Brian Raik and Robert Flacco).  Ryan Gianquitti and Francis Cruz would hold commanding chip leads when play was eight handed, but as the eliminations continued, the landscape would change great.  Eric Mutschler (Tarpon Springs, FL) became one of the storylines, as he was able to navigate his way to a chop, after going close to two hours with a stack that never eclipsed the ten-big blind mark.  The deal occurred after Allan Bieler departed in fifth place, with Jose Jimenez taking home the top spot.  The results from the final table are listed below:

1. Jose Jimenez (United Kingdom) $5,429
2. Francis Curz (Dominican Republic) $5,160
3. Ryan Gianquitti (Boca Raton, FL) $4,877
4. Eric Mutschler (Tarpon Springs, FL) $3,211
5. Allan Bieler (Sunrise, FL) $1,455
6. Jeff Charlton (Lake Worth, FL) $1,202
7. Patricio Gonzalez (Hollywood, FL) $1,050
8. Stanton Drazen (Boynton Beach, FL) $938
9. Robert Flacco (Jenkintown, PA) $828
10. Brian Raik (Coral Springs, FL) $720

The Single-Ante event was followed by the return of Pot Limit Omaha to the recurring schedule, with the action getting started for the $150 buy-in tournament at 6:00pm.  A total of (21) entries made up the field, with three players scheduled to reach the money.  The event played down to an outright winner, with Ian Cohen (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) besting Myma Albert (Boca Raton, FL) during heads-up play.  Cohen took home $1,500 for his efforts, with the full results from the tournament listed below:

1. Ian Cohen (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) $1,500
2. Myma Albert (Boca Raton, FL) $900
3. Harry Eisenberg (Wayland, MA) $600

Tournaments: After a Thursday "off" because of a multi-flight tournament, the mixed-game action returns to the tournament schedule, with a $150 Omaha 8B Hi/Lo event getting underway at 11:00am.  The posted guarantee for the tournament is $2,500, but players can expect numbers much higher than that, as these non-no limit tournaments have been some of the most popular afternoon events.  The tournament is structured with starting stacks of 12,000 units, and levels that last (20) minutes.

No limit returns at 6:00pm, with a $150 No Limit Hold'em "Double Green Chip Bounty," that boasts a $5,000 guarantee.  This tournament was phased from the schedule years back, but is now making it's triumphant return.  Players in the event will be sitting down to starting stacks of 16,000 units, and playing levels that last (20) minutes.  There is a $50 bounty for every player elimination, just adding to the potential return for deep runs.

Promotions: From (9:00am-10:00am), the high hand will award $150 every (30) minutes.  The high hands will then transition from 10:00am-12:00am (midnight), with the opportunity to win $400 every (30) minutes.  During that period, the promotion sees tournament players eligible (Isle Open events not eligible for high hand) 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 started back on November 1st, 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).

11:00am - $130 Omaha 8B Hi/Lo ($2,500 GTD)

- Players will begin with a 12,000 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

6:00pm - $150 No Limit Hold'em "Double Green Chip Bounty" ($5,000 GTD)

- Players will begin with a 16,000 starting stack

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

- Levels are (20) minutes in length

- All late registrants and re-entries will receive a full stack

- Each player in the tournament will carry a $50 "bounty," which will be awarded to the opponent that eliminates them.

"$250 NLH Single-Ante ($30,000 GTD):" Final Four Players Agree To A Deal, Jose Jimenez Declared The Winner

$250 NLH Single-Ante| $30,000 GTD
Level 20 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/50,000)
Total Entries: 148
Players Remaining: 4

After the elimination of Allan Bieler in fifth place, the remaining players began discussing a deal.  It didn't take long before an ICM chop was finalized, with the official results posted below:

1. Jose Jimenez (Spain) $5,249
2. Francis Cruz (Dominican Republic) $5,160
3. Ryan Gianquitti (Lake Worth, FL) $4,877
4. Eric Mutschler (Oakland Park, FL) $3,211

"$250 NLH Single-Ante ($30,000 GTD):" Allan Bieler Out In 5th Place ($1,455), Players Discussing Deal

$250 NLH Single-Ante| $30,000 GTD
Level 20 (Blinds 25,000/50,000/50,000)
Total Entries: 148
Players Remaining: 4

Allan Bieler (Florida) is two years removed from his best statistical year of tournament poker, but his solid start to 2018 is a great stepping stone towards besting that number.

Allan Bieler (Florida) started the year off strong, with a deep run in the $3,500 NLH Lucky Hearts Poker Open WPT Main Event, finishing in 27th place for $15,284.  This final table finish is Allan's first recorded result of the year at the Isle Poker Room, and is worth $1,455.  The cash brings Bieler's running career earnings total just shy of $370,000.

"$250 NLH Single-Ante ($30,000 GTD):" Play Is Now Five-Handed, After The Elimination Of Jeff Charlton ($1,202)

$250 NLH Single-Ante| $30,000 GTD
Level 19 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/40,000)
Total Entries: 148
Players Remaining: 5

Jeff Charlton (Lake Worth, FL) was not sleeping at the table, contrary to what the photograph may show...he just happened to be caught during a moment of reflection (and we apologize for having only that photo to use).

Jeff Charlton (Lake Worth, FL) is the owner of a WSOP Circuit ring, a Florida State Poker Championships title, and over $159,000 in career tournament earnings.  His sixth place finish (worth $1,202) now pushes those career cashes above $160,000, and also marks Jeff's first Isle Poker tournament cash of 2018.

"$250 NLH Single-Ante ($30,000 GTD):" Pat Gonzalez Eliminated In 7th Place ($1,050)

$250 NLH Single-Ante| $30,000 GTD
Level 19 (Blinds 20,000/40,000/40,000)
Total Entries: 148
Players Remaining: 6

Patricio Gonzalez (Davie, FL) just earned his first cash in over three months, adding to a tournament resume that had just under $13,000 in lifetime earnings.

Patricio Gonzalez (Davie, FL) last cashed in the 2017 Isle Open (October), when he finished 21st in the $150 No Limit Hold'em Event #18 ($377).  This afternoon's return to action was pretty successful for Gonzalez, who just received $1,050 for his seventh place finish.  

"$250 NLH Single-Ante ($30,000 GTD):" Updated Chip Counts From Break

$250 NLH Single-Ante| $30,000 GTD
Level 18 (Blinds 15,000/30,000/30,000)
Total Entries: 148
Players Remaining: 7

Listed below are the updated chip counts from break, with Ryan Gianquitti still holding firmly onto the top spot.  There are two players below the twenty big blind mark, while the rest sit comfortably with a more than manageable stack.

1. Pat Gonzalez - 950,000 (31bb)
2. Alan Bieler - 530,000 (18bb)
3. Erik Mutschler - 225,000 (7bb)
4. Jose Simon - 800,000 (26bb)
5. Jeff Charlton - 1,200,000 (40bb)
6. Dominic Cruz - 1,400,000 (46bb)
7. Ryan Gianquitti - 2,400,000 (60bb)

"$250 NLH Single-Ante ($30,000 GTD):" Stanton Drazen The Next To Go, Exits The Final Table In 8th Place ($938)

$250 NLH Single-Ante| $30,000 GTD
Level 17 (Blinds 12,000/25,000/25,000)
Total Entries: 148
Players Remaining: 7

Stanton Drazen (Delray Beach, FL) has made a habit of running deep in afternoon events here at the Isle Poker Room, and continued a solid start to 2018 with this final table finish.

Stanton Drazen (Delray Beach, FL) is a "daytime tournament guy," and with the success he's had, don't look for that to change.  This final table finish was Stanton's fifth cash of the year, and fourth final table result!  He's finished no worse than third in any of those final tables, so this eighth place finish must feel like somewhat of a let down.  Drazen collects $938 for his efforts, and brings his lifetime earnings above the $22,000 mark (primarily in daytime recurring events).

"$250 NLH Single-Ante ($30,000 GTD):" Second Short Stack Eliminated, As Robert Flacco Departs In 9th Place ($828)

$250 NLH Single-Ante| $30,000 GTD
Level 17 (Blinds 12,000/25,000/25,000)
Total Entries: 148
Players Remaining: 8

Robert Flacco (Ambler, PA) is all smiles after making his third final table in a row, just a week removed from reaching that point of the $360 No Limit Hold'em ($100,000 GTD).

Robert Flacco (Ambler, PA) was mentioned as having less than ten bigs in Brian Raik's elimination post, and just two hands after Raik's departure, Flacco would be next to go.  This is Flacco's third tournament cash of the year, and third final table finish (all coming here at the Isle Poker Room).  Robert won the $120 NLH "Monster Stack" on January 12th, and followed that up with a ninth place finish in last weekend's $360 NLH $100,000 GTD ($2,195).

"$250 NLH Single-Ante ($30,000 GTD):" Brian Raik Eliminated In 10th Place ($720) By Ryan Gianquitti

$250 NLH Single-Ante| $30,000 GTD
Level 16 (Blinds 10,000/20,000/20,000)
Total Entries: 148
Players Remaining: 9

Brian Raik (Coral Springs, FL) joked about potentially making a club flush after the flop, but it was all over after Ryan Gianquitti flopped quads.

Brian Raik (Coral Springs, FL) was under-the-gun, and sitting with less than ten bigs...also facing the fact that he had to post the big blind and ante next hand.  With that being said, his decision to go all-in with a suited ace was pretty easy.  He would be called by Ryan Gianquitti, who may have flatter to induce the big blind (Robert Flacco) to shove (Flacco was also sitting with less than ten bigs).  Raik's A♣ 6♣ had little hope against Ryan's J♥ J♦, after the J♠ J♣ 8♠ flop, which gave Ryan the hand and the high hand for the half hour (this tournament is eligible for the high hand).

Raik earns $720 for his final table finish, while Gianquitti continues to separate himself from the field, now pushing the 2,800,000 chip mark.

"$250 NLH Single-Ante ($30,000 GTD):" Final Tables Reached, Updated Seating Assignments (w/ Chip Counts)

$250 NLH Single-Ante| $30,000 GTD
Level 16 (Blinds 10,000/20,000/20,000)
Total Entries: 148
Players Remaining: 10

After the elimination of Adel Jo (Miami, FL) in eleventh place, the tournament clock was paused, so players could be redrawn for the final table.  Listed below are the new seating assignments for the remaining ten players, including their chip counts at the final table's start:

1. Robert Flacco - 120,000 (6bb)
2. Pat Gonzalez - 690,000 (34bb)
3. Brian Raik - 155,000 (7bb)
4. Allan Bieler - 740,000 (37bb)
5. Stanton Drazin - 305,000 (15bb)
6. Erik Mutschler - 225,000 (11bb)
7. Jose Simon - 850,000 (42bb)
8. Jeff Charlton - 825,000 (41bb)
9. Dominic Cruz - 1,300,000 (65bb)
10. Ryan Gianquitti - 2,500,000 (125bb)

"$250 NLH Single-Ante ($30,000 GTD):" 11th-12th Places ($720)

$250 NLH Single-Ante| $30,000 GTD
Level 16 (Blinds 10,000/20,000/20,000)
Total Entries: 148
Players Remaining: 10

The following players have been eliminated from the $250 NLH Single-Ante ($30,000 GTD), and have cashed for $720:

11. Adel Jo (Miami, FL) 
12. Robert McManus (Cape Coral, FL)

"$250 NLH Single-Ante ($30,000 GTD):" 13th-15th Places ($615)

$250 NLH Single-Ante| $30,000 GTD
Level 15 (Blinds 7,000/15,000/15,000))
Total Entries: 148
Players Remaining: 12

The following players have been eliminated from the $250 NLH Single-Ante ($30,000 GTD), and have cashed for $615:

13. Alberto Niebla (Miami, FL) 
14. Juan Rodriguez (Boca Raton, FL) 
15. Richard Glabman (Davie, FL)

“$250 NLH Single-Ante ($30,000 GTD)”: 16th-18th Places ($525), 19th Place ($450)

$250 NLH Single-Ante| $30,000 GTD
Level 14 (Blinds 5,000/10,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 148
Players Remaining: 15

The following players have been eliminated from the $250 NLH Single-Ante ($30,000 GTD), and have cashed for $525 (with 19th place receiving $450):

16. Gregory Spinder (Parkland, FL)
17. Chandran Mathur (Golden Beach, FL)
18. Joseph Marchese (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
19. Jacobo Mugrabi (Aventura, FL)

"$250 NLH Single-Ante ($30,000 GTD):" Field ITM The Money, Focus Now Shifts On Reaching The Final Table

$250 NLH Single-Ante| $30,000 GTD
Level 13 (Blinds 5,000/10,000/10,000)
Total Entries: 148
Players Remaining: 19

The $250 NLH Single-Ante ($30,000 GTD) is now down to nineteen players, all of which will be taking home a piece of the prize pool.  The results will be posted by each pay jump, with updated chip counts and detailed coverage once the final table has been reached.

"$250 NLH Single-Ante ($30,000 GTD):" Seating Assignments As The Money Bubble Looms

$250 NLH Single-Ante| $30,000 GTD
Level 12 (Blinds 4,000/8,000/8,000)
Total Entries: 148
Players Remaining: 25

Adel Jo (Miami, FL) immediately hit a bumpy road when he sat down to the tournament late, but has now steadied himself, and is one of the chip leaders.

Action is now down to three tables, and only seven eliminations from the money.  Adel Jo (Miami, FL) came into late, and although he got off to a slow start, his stack is now one of the largest in the field (north of 600,000).  Listed below are the seating assignments across the tournament field:

Table 1

1. Bob McManus
2. Stanton Drazin
3. Harvey Kleinbaum
4. Joseph Marchese
5. Eric Mutschler
6. Juan Rodriguez
7. Pat Gonzalez
8. Brian Raik

Table 3

1. Lawrence Smith
2. Jacobo Melsam
3. Brad Rogers
4. Alberto Niebla
5. Bruce McPhillips
6. Jeff Charlton
7. Adel Jo
8. Al Gomez

Table 4

1. Ryan  Gianquitti
2. Jose Simon
3. Joseph Mancuso
4. Rich Glabman
5. Chandran Mathur
6. Gregory Spinder
7. Dominic Cruz
8. Robert Flacco
9. Allan Bieler

"$250 NLH Single-Ante ($30,000 GTD):" Official Payouts, Over $8,200 Up Top!!!

$250 NLH Single-Ante| $30,000 GTD
Level 11 (Blinds 3,500/7,000/7,000)
Total Entries: 148
Players Remaining: 30

Registration is now closed for the $250 NLH Single-Ante ($30,000), with a small rush of entries bringing the overall number to (148).  The prize pool is officially $30,000 (after a $104 overlay), with the official payouts listed below:

1. $8,281
2. $5,250
3. $3,090
4. $1,876
5. $1,455
6. $1,202
7. $1,050
8. $938
9. $828

10-12. $720

13-15. $615

16-18. $525

19. $450

"$250 NLH Single-Ante ($30,000 GTD):" Cruz Grabs A Commanding Lead, After Eliminated Adam Koppel With Kings

$250 NLH Single-Ante| $30,000 GTD
Level 10 (Blinds 3,000/6,000/6,000)
Total Entries: 141
Players Remaining: 32

Dominic Cruz (Dominican Republic) sitting comfortably, after knocking out Adam Koppel, and raking in a pot worth over 300,000.

As mentioned earlier, there was a group of players just behind Alberto Niebla, all looking to assume the tournament's chip lead.  On one of the last hands of Level 9, Adam Koppel (Wellington, FL) called a four-bet shove from Dominic Cruz (Dominican Republic), with the two vying for a pot worth close to 300,000. Koppel almost knew he was beat when he turned over Q♥ Q♠, and as advertised, Cruz followed by tabling K♣ K♠.  The runout was nine-high, meaning Cruz's pocket kings would hold up, and he would grab a commanding chip lead (with over 600,000).

Registration will be closing at the end of this level, with the official payouts from the tournament to be published shortly thereafter.

"$250 NLH Single-Ante ($30,000 GTD):" Updated Chip Counts From The Field

$250 NLH Single-Ante| $30,000 GTD
Level 9 (Blinds 2,500/5,000/5,000)
Total Entries: 138
Players Remaining: 35

Alberto Niebla (Miami, FL) is atop the leaderboard, but has a handful of players that are within just a single pot from eclipsing his number.

Just a few minutes after returning from break, the field lost an outer table, and is now spread across five tables.  Of the (35) players remaining, more than 20% of the chips in play belong to six different players, who currently hold a commanding lead over the field:

Alberto Niebla - 375,000
Dominic Cruz - 370,000
Ryan Gianquitti - 350,000
Joseph Marchese - 320,000
Pay Gonzalez - 315,000
Gregory Spinder - 300,000

"$250 NLH Single-Ante ($30,000 GTD):" Adel Jo Looking To Make Back-To-Back Final Tables

$250 NLH Single-Ante| $30,000 GTD
Level 6 (Blinds 500/1,000/1,000)
Total Entries: 125
Players Remaining: 67

Adel Jo (Miami, FL) showed up late last week for this event, and ended up chopping the tournament...so he chose the same time to arrive this afternoon.

The most recent player in the field was Adel Jo (Miami, FL), who ended up chopping this event just a week ago (with John Magnetta).  Adel, who has over $281,000 in live tournament earnings, earning his largest cash in over a year with the result ($6,000).  Jo may not put in the same volume that he once used to, but he rarely misses the opportunity to play in events such as this (and other headlining tournaments that are the monthly schedule).

Also joining this field late was Michael Chiapetta (Boca Raton, FL), who sits down with one of the more impressive resumes in the field.  Michael has over $350,000 in live tournament results, and is coming off his largest ever tournament score.  Chiapetta reached the "unofficial" final table of the $3,500 NLH Lucky Hearts Poker Open WPT Main Event, finishing in tenth place ($49,680).

Registration for this tournament is open through Level 10, with the next live blogged update coming after the second break of the day (after Level 8).

"$250 NLH Single-Ante ($30,000 GTD):" Gianqutti Arrives, And Promptly Chips Up To 250,000

$250 NLH Single-Ante| $30,000 GTD
Level 5 (Blinds 1,000/2,000/2,000)
Total Entries: 121
Players Remaining: 67

Ryan Gianquitti (Lake Worth, FL) last recorded a tournament cash in December of 2017, but is already looking like a favorite to reach the money this afternoon.

To say that the action has been "fast" in this tournament, would be a gross understatement, as the field has already been cut down in half.  The single-ante dynamic, along with the size of the starting stack, has seemingly gotten players to "open it up" a little more than they normally would.  One late entry to already take advantage of the quick play, has been Ryan Gianquitti (Lake Worth, FL).  After sitting down and already doubling his stack, Gianquitti opened the button in Level 4 to 5,000.  Ian Cohen, who was in the small blind, decided to three-bet to 15,000 (with 13,000 behind).  After the big blind folded, Ryan four-bet ripped, and was promptly called by Cohen.

The two would be racing, as Gianquitti held 8♠ 8♣ against Cohen's A♥ K♠, but would basically flop the nuts (after flopping a full house), sending Cohen to the rail.  Gianquitti continued to trend upward for the rest of the level, and ended up returning from break with 250,000.