FSPC Event #14 (Day 1B): Official Chip Counts (Flight 1A)

2018 Florida State Poker Championship
Event #14 | $1,500 No Limit Hold'em ($500,000 GTD)
Level 1 (Blinds 100/100)
Total Day 1B Entries: N/A
Day 1B Players Remaining: N/A

FSPC Event #14 (Day 1B): Second Verse, Same As The First, Day 1B Of FSPC Main Event About To Begin

2018 Florida State Poker Championship
Event #14 | $1,500 No Limit Hold'em ($500,000 GTD)
Level 1 (Blinds 100/100)
Total Day 1B Entries: N/A
Day 1B Players Remaining: N/A

One down and three to go...and the $1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event of the Florida State Poker Championship already looks like it's going to be a very special event.  Day 1A drew a mixture of decorated professionals, satellite winners, recreational grinders, and players looking to make a name for themselves.  In total, Day 1A would close with (106) total entries, of which (24) players reached the bagging process.  Ido Ashkenazi (Queens, NY) bagged up the chip lead, as his end of day stack grew to 315,000.

The prize pool officially closed at $104,410, which is one of the stronger starts we've seen for this particular event.  Last year's FSPC Main Event had a field of (548) entries, and a prize pool of $739,800, with first place taking home $142,173.  With an extra opening day this year, those numbers are sure to be eclipsed, as we could have a prize pool that reaches $800,000.

Event #14 offers up one of the best structures for a $1,500 buy-in main event, with players sitting down to starting stacks of 30,000 units.  Levels 1-12 will last (50) minutes long (which is the entirety of Day 1), and will transition to (60) minutes on Day 2 (Levels 13+).  Registration for the event is open through Level 12 (all of Day 1), and stays open until the first hand is dealt on Monday (Day 2).

Liver blogged coverage of Day 1B will start with official chip counts from yesterday's Day 1A, and will continue with a look at players in the field.  Updates will continue throughout the afternoon (into evening), concluding once the bagging process is completed.

Friday, July 27th: After A Very Strong Start, Event #14 Expected To Take Off Over The Weekend...Starting With Today's Day 1B

ICYMI: The would be no slow start for Event #14 ($1,500 NLH Florida State Poker Championship Main Event), as yesterday's Day 1A brought out an eclectic group of players.  Once Day 1A reached it's conclusion, there would be a total of (106) entries, of which (24) players would bag chips for Monday's Day 2 (12:00pm).  Ido Ashkenazi (Queens, NY) got off to a hot start, and accomplished a very rare feat, as his chip count stayed in the top five for the entire day.  He'd end up bagging the chip lead with 315,000, which was 100,000 more than his nearest competitor (Brian Hastings).  The top ten stacks from the opening day of action belong to:

Ido Ashkenazi - 315,000
Brian Hastings - 210,000
Pasquale Caiazza - 202,000
Jake Schwartz - 194,000
Alex Gladunov - 191,000
Mike Chiappetta - 185,500
Amy Wan - 182,000
Alberto Rodriguez - 178,500
Robert Barreto - 170,500
Josh Phillips - 167,500

The tournament's prize pool currently sits at $104,410, and considering the three starting days that have yet to been played, we should be in for a very special main event.  Today's action begins at 2:00pm, with two more satellites for the event on the schedule as well.

Tournaments: For the next four days, the tournament schedule will focus solely on Event #14, and the 2018 Florida State Poker Championship $1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event ($500,000 GTD).  Not only are there starting flights each afternoon, but multiple satellites are also offered each day, giving players the opportunity to join the tournament for a fraction of the price.

The day kicks off at 10:00am, with a $175 No Limit Hold'em Satellite Into Event #14, which will run with a (1) seat guarantee.  The satellite is structured with 12,000 unit starting stacks, and levels that last (20) minutes each.  Registration for the event is open through Level 8, and the ten minute break that follows.

At 2:00pm, the cards will fly for Day 1B of Event #14 ($1,500 No Limit Hold'em FSPC Main Event $500,000 GTD), the second of four starting flights for the event.  The series' premier tournament offers an incredible structure, with players sitting down to starting stacks of 30,000 units.  Levels 1-12 will last (50) minutes (which is the duration of each opening flight), and will transition to (60) minutes from Level 13 onward.  Registration will be open through Level 12 (all of the opening flight), and will stay that way until the first card is dealt on Day 2 (12:00pm on Monday).  

Right around the time Day 1B players are on dinner break, the second satellite of the day will be getting underway (6:00pm).  The $340 No Limit Hold'em Satellite Into Event #14 will be guaranteeing (8) seats into the FSPC Main Event.  Players will be sitting down to starting stacks of 15,000 units, with levels last (20) minutes for the duration of the event.  Registration is open through Level 8, and the ten minute break that follows.  

Promotions: The standard high hands begin at 9:00am, with the opportunity to win $400 every (30) minutes. During that period , the promotion sees tournament (FSPC Event #14 and satellite not eligible) players eligible each half-hour for $100 high hands, 2/2 limit hold'em players eligible for $200 high hands, 2/4 limit hold'em players eligible for $300 high hands, and all other raked games (1/2-5/10 NLH, 4/8 Omaha 8B, 6/12 O.E., etc.) eligible for $400 high hands.  

At 6:00pm, the promotion transitions, and offers the opportunity for players to earn $1,000 every (30) minutes.  During that time period, high hands will be awarded as follows:

NLH: 2 Cards ($1,000) 1 Card ($500)

Limit Hold'em: 2 Cards ($500) 1 Card ($250)

From 12:00am-9:00am, players are eligible for $100 high hands every hour.

It should also be noted that players are able to win the high hand using only one card in their hand.  The payouts for those that use one card are different than the standard numbers listed above, and can be found (full listing of one-card payouts on flyers in the poker room).

10:00am - 2018 Florida State Poker Championship (Satellite Schedule)| $175 No Limit Hold'em Satellite Into Event #14 ($1,500 NLH FSPC Main Event $500,000 GTD) 1 Seat GTD

- Players 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 will last (20) minutes

2:00pm - 2018 Florida State Poker Championship Event #14 (Day 1B)| $1,500 No Limit Hold'em Main Event ($500,000 GTD) 

- Players start with 30,000 in tournament chips

- Late and re-entries for the first (12) levels, including before the first hand is dealt on Day 2

- Alternates and late entries will start with a full stack

- Levels 1-12 will last (50) minutes, transitioning to (60) minutes Levels 13+

6:00pm - 2018 Florida State Poker Championship (Satellite Schedule)| $340 No Limit Hold'em Satellite Into Event #14 ($1,500 NLH FSPC Main Event $500,000 GTD) 5 Seats GTD

- Players start with 15,000 in tournament chips

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

- Alternates and late entries will start with a full stack

- Levels will last (20) minutes

FSPC Event #14 (Day 1A): Official End Of Day 1A Chip Counts

2018 Florida State Poker Championship
Event #14 | $1,500 No Limit Hold'em ($500,000 GTD)
Level 12 (Blinds 1,000/2,000/2,000)
Total Day 1A Entries: 106
Day 1A Players Remaining: 24

Ido	Ashkenazi	315,000
Brian	Hastings	210,000
Pasquale	Caiazza	202,000
Jake	Schwartz	194,000
Alex	Gladunov	191,000
Mike	Chiappetta	185,500
Suk "Amy"	Wan	182,000
Alberto	Rodriguez	178,500
Roberto	Barreto	170,500
Josh	Phillips	167,500
Joseph	Couden	147,500
Tom	Gity	120,500
John	Magnetta	105,000
Richard	Whitebrook	95,000
Michael	Craffen	91,500
Erik	Christensen	89,500
Corey	Dodd	86,500
Abbey	Daniels	85,500
Brett	Bader	81,000
Marek	Madro	76,500
Scott	Zakheim	72,500
Michael	Tufaro	55,000
Jordan	Saccucci	45,000
Terry	Siele	35,500

FSPC Event #14 (Day 1A): Day 1A Play Entering Final Level, Official Chip Counts To Follow

2018 Florida State Poker Championship
Event #14 | $1,500 No Limit Hold'em ($500,000 GTD)
Level 12 (Blinds 1,000/2,000/2,000)
Total Day 1A Entries: 106
Day 1A Players Remaining: 30

The tournament clock just transitioned to Level 12, which is the final scheduled level of the evening.  When 10:00 minutes remain on the tournament clock, the time will be paused, and the tournament staff will inform players how many hands are left in the night.  Once those hands are completed at each table, the bags will be brought out, and players will pack away their chips for Monday's Day 2 (12:00pm).

Once bags have been verified by tournament staff, the official Day 1A chip counts will be posted here on the blog.

FSPC Event #14 (Day 1A): Players Remaining In the Field (By Seating Assignment)

2018 Florida State Poker Championship
Event #14 | $1,500 No Limit Hold'em ($500,000 GTD)
Level 11 (Blinds 800/1,600/1,600)
Total Day 1A Entries: 105
Day 1A Players Remaining: 35

With play now down to four tables, we can update you on everyone that's still alive in the Day 1A field.  Remaining players are listed below (by seating assignment):

Table 4

1. Alberto Rodriguez
2. Amy Wan
3. Josh Phillips
4. Chris Bolek
5. Jake Schwartz
6. Phillip Consolo
7. Terry Siele
8. Kenneth Bruno
9. Brett Bader

Table 6

1. Jay Romano
2. Erik Christensen
3. Richard Whitebrook
4. Scott Zakheim
5. Pasquale Caiazza
6. Ido Ashkenazi
7. Jerry Wong
8. Jordan Saccucci

Table 9

1. Abbey Daniels
2. Michael Chiappetta
3. Tom Gity
4. Joseph Couden
5. Marek Madro
6. Paul Balzano
7. Sean Remz
8. Corey Dodd
9. John Magnetta

Table 10

1. Robert Barreto
2. Alex Gladunov
3. Qasem Zyad
4. Samuel Mayer-Backer
5. Michael Tufaro
6. Michael Graffeo
7. Carey Pickus
8. Brian Hastings

FSPC Event #14 (Day 1A): Updated Chip Counts Before Final Break

2018 Florida State Poker Championship
Event #14 | $1,500 No Limit Hold'em ($500,000 GTD)
Level 10 (Blinds 600/1,200/1,200)
Total Day 1A Entries: 105
Day 1A Players Remaining: 36

Abbey Daniels (Coral Springs, FL) has flown under the radar for most of the day, but now finds herself with a top ten stack.

As play enters the late evening hours, we are seeing a decrease in bust outs just turning around and re-entering.  The field is down to (36) players, but not yet on four tables, as some space needs to be open for the potential entry.  Pasquale Caiazza still leads the field, holding firm at that 250,000 number.  Other top stacks from the field are posted below:

Pasquale Caiazza - 250,000 (208bb)
Robert Barreto - 155,000 (129bb)
Brian Hastings - 145,000 (120bb)
Amy Wan - 140,000 (116bb)
Alex Gladunov - 135,000 (112b)
Abbey Daniels - 135,000 (112bb)
Ido Ashkenazi - 125,000 (104bb)
Paul Balzano - 105,000 (86bb)
Joseph Couden - 105,000 (86bb) 

Players will be heading on their final break of the day at the end of this level (20 minutes), and will be returning to Level 11, with new blinds of 800/1,600/1,600.

FSPC Event #14 (Day 1A): Sean Remz Loses 200,000 Pot To Pasquale Caiazza, Who Assumes Chip Lead

2018 Florida State Poker Championship
Event #14 | $1,500 No Limit Hold'em ($500,000 GTD)
Level 9 (Blinds 500/1,000/1,000)
Total Day 1A Entries: 101
Day 1A Players Remaining: 39

Pasquale Caiazza (Davie, FL) just broke up the party at Table 6, as he sent Sean Remz packing, rivering a full house in a 200,000+ pot.

Table 6 continues to be a magnet for action, as the largest pot of the tournament just played out at the "featured table."  Sean Remz and Pasquale Caiazza both started the hand with stacks over 100,000, with the two getting it all-in on the turn of a board that read Q♦ 8♠ 5♦ 10♠.  Remz had turned the nuts with J♣ 9♦, but needed to fair the board pairing, as Pasquale tabled Q♥ Q♠.  A loud "YES!!!!" would emanate from the table on the river, as Pasquale celebrated the 10♣ hitting the felt.  

The dealer would begin to count down stacks to verify who had who covered, but it was quickly evident that Caiazza held the larger of the two stacks.  He's now leading the Day 1A field with 250,000, with just three levels remaining in the night.

Sean Remz would exit the table with his glass of wine, but only for a few moments, as he's now re-entered.

Pasquale Caiazaa - 250,000 (250bb)

FSPC Event #14 (Day 1A): The Wine Is Flowing At Table 6, Making It The Field's Feature Table

2018 Florida State Poker Championship
Event #14 | $1,500 No Limit Hold'em ($500,000 GTD)
Level 9 (Blinds 500/1,000/1,000)
Total Day 1A Entries: 99
Day 1A Players Remaining: 42

Regardless of tonight's outcome for Jerry Wong (Margate, FL), he can't say that his table hasn't been entertaining. 

A group of players have been sharing bottles of wine at Table 6, which has made for some very entertaining poker.  There has been a lot of chatter, laughing, and bluffing at the table...which is surprising, considering some of the field's largest stacks are housed there.  Towards the end of Level 8, there was a commotion at the table, surrounding whether or not Jerry Wong had gone all-in.  While he verbalized the all-in with chips in his hand (going towards the pot), the floor had ruled that he already entered the pot, before the all-in announcement was made.  Five players had already called a bet of 2,000, so they would go to the flop, at which point Jerry would check-fold to a bet from Sean Remz.

Just a few hands later, Jerry wanted to make sure things were little clearer for the table.  After Sean Remz raised, Jerry grabbed all of his chips, and dropped them arms length away.  Remz called the 26,000 chip all-in, and the hands would be tabled:

Remz: A♠ Q♥
Wong: A♦ J♠

Runout: 8♠ 3♦ 7♦ 10♦ 9♥

Sean said that Jerry deserved the pot after what happened earlier, but after the flop, it seemed very unlikely that Wong would win.  Without hitting a jack, the turn was as good as could be for Jerry, who added both straight and flush outs.  One of those would hit the river, as Wong made a jack-high straight, and more than doubled up to 57,000.

Jerry Wong - 57,500 (57bb)

FSPC Event #14 (Day 1A): Players Heading On Break, Looking Forward Towards Card Player Poker Tour

2018 Florida State Poker Championship
Event #14 | $1,500 No Limit Hold'em ($500,000 GTD)
Level 8 (Blinds 400/800/800)
Total Day 1A Entries: 93
Day 1A Players Remaining: 42

Players are heading on their third break of the day, and will be returning to Level 9, with new blinds of 500/1,000/1,000.  While there is a short lull in the action, it gives us a moment to take a look at next month's Card Player Poker Tour schedule, which boasts an $1,100 No Limit Hold'em Main Event ($200,000 GTD).

FSPC Event #14 (Day 1A): Back-To-Back Hands See Christensen Close To Average

2018 Florida State Poker Championship
Event #14 | $1,500 No Limit Hold'em ($500,000 GTD)
Level 8 (Blinds 400/800/800)
Total Day 1A Entries: 93
Day 1A Players Remaining: 44

Erik Christensen (Miami, FL) spent most of the day with a stack below the chip average, but winning two pots in a row have changed the complexion of his day.

Erik Christensen (Miami, FL) had a difficult time finding some traction over the first half of the day, but just won back-to-back hands, and is now peaking.  Christensen was all-in and at risk (for 22,600) just two hands ago, holding K♠ K♣ against Brian Hastings' J♠ J♥.  The K♥ 2♠ Q♥ 7♥ Q♠ runout would see Christensen lock up the double, which helped him chip up to 47,000.  

The very next hand, after a player limped from under-the-gun, players would fold around to Brian Hastings (in the small blind).  Brian completed, while Erik checked his option (in the big), as the three checked a flop of 8♥ 2♦ 4♣.  After the 6♠ on the turn, Hastings would check once again, but this time Christensen bet out 900.  Both players came along, and watched as the K♠ hit on the river.  The blinds would check, and the original limper took a shot, putting out a bet of 4,500.  The wager was enough to get Hastings to fold, but Christensen was a little sticky.  He'd count out the chips for a call, and toss them onto the felt.  Erik's opponent shook his head and tabled A♥ J♠, with Christensen tabling 7♣ 4♦, as his pair of fours were good to win the pot.  

Erik went from 22,600 to 60,700 in a matter of two hands, and now has his sights firmly set on finding a bag.

Erik Christensen - 60,700 (75bb)

FSPC Event #14 (Day 1A): Big Stacks Emerging Across The Field

2018 Florida State Poker Championship
Event #14 | $1,500 No Limit Hold'em ($500,000 GTD)
Level 7 (Blinds 300/600/600)
Total Day 1A Entries: 91
Day 1A Players Remaining: 45

Amy Wan (Parkland, FL) is looking to cash in her second ever $1,500 buy-in tournament, with her first coming in 2016, when she finished 218th in the $1,500 No Limit Hold'em Monster Stack (at the WSOP).

At one point it was just Ido Ashkenazi...Jay Romano...and then everyone else.  After seven levels of play though, the rest of the field is catching up, with some of the players eclipsing those original leaders.  There are currently eight players over the 100,000 mark, including Amy Wan (Parkland, FL), who followers may remember from Event #4 ($360 No Limit Hold'em $200,000 GTD).  Wan made the final table of the event, but would be eliminated in 8th place, earning herself $5,790.  After showing up just after the day's first break, Amy is now up to 125,000, which is good for the fifth largest stack in the field.

Ido Ashkenazi - 170,000 (283bb)
Brian Hastings - 160,000 (266bb)
Jay Romano - 158,000 (263bb)
Alex Gladunov - 132,000 (220bb)
Amy Wan - 125,000 (208bb)
Tom Gity - 115,000 (191bb)
Richard Whitebrook - 110,000 (183bb)
Abbey Daniels - 100,000 (166bb)

FSPC Event #14 (Day 1A): Terry Siele Didn't Realize He Eliminated Nancy Thomas...Until She Exited The Table

2018 Florida State Poker Championship
Event #14 | $1,500 No Limit Hold'em ($500,000 GTD)
Level 7 (Blinds 300/600/600)
Total Day 1A Entries: 91
Day 1A Players Remaining: 45

Regardless of if a player realizes it or not, if the cards are tabled, the winning hand will always be awarded the pot...luckily for Terry Siele.

The action at Table 4 was picked up on the turn, as Nancy Thomas was all-in (for just under 10,000), with Terry Siele making the call.  The board read Q♥ 8♥ 5♦ 9♠, with Nancy's Q♦ 9♥ holding the lead against the J♣ 8♣ of Siele.  The 10♠ would fall on the river, completing Siele's straight, but he didn't notice it.  It wasn't until Nancy collected her things and walked away from the table, that Terry said aloud, "I have a straight."  Nancy would walk over to Abbey Daniels and tell her the story, which was leaning on the "bad beat" side, considering Terry had just six outs to win.

Thomas exited the tournament area and headed down the escalator, so re-entry seems unlikely.  We will surely see her again over the next three days, in one of the upcoming Day 1's.

Terry Siele - 52,000 (65bb)

FSPC Event #14 (Day 1A): Wjuniski Out-Kicks Levitt, Picks Up Pretty Nice Pot

2018 Florida State Poker Championship
Event #14 | $1,500 No Limit Hold'em ($500,000 GTD)
Level 6 (Blinds 300/500/500)
Total Day 1A Entries: 90
Day 1A Players Remaining: 51

Daniel Wjuniski (Brazil) could have possibly bet for value on the river, but chose the safe route against Scott Levitt, and would pick up a nice sized pot.

Table 6 was approached on the turn of a board that read Q♣ 6♣ 2♠ 8♦, with an unknown player betting 8,000, and Scott Levitt making the call.  Having checked to start the action, Daniel Wjuniski (Brazil) decided to raise it up, tossing out 18,000 in front of his cards.  The original bettor released his hand, with Scott Levitt making the call, after about thirty seconds of thought.  The river 8♠ would pair the board, and elicit checks from both players, with Wjuniski rolling over K♠ Q♠.  Levitt frustratingly showed his Q♥, and followed that up by quickly flashing the J♥.  Daniel had him pipped, and he would win the pot, which grew to over 50,000.  

Daniel Wjuniski - 76,000 (126bb)
Scott Levitt - 44,000 (73bb)