Heavy Hitters Arriving

Tour-sponsored pro Matt Kirby, Phil Mader, and Will Givens have all entered the tournament during Level 2. Kirby is coming off of a destructive run during the Canterbury Park Fall Classic, during which he won two events, including the main for $84,502, and placed sixth in two others en route to claiming the "King of the Classic" title. Mader and Givens have about $430,000 and $800,000 in tournament cashes respectively, so they're players to watch for as well. Both have had success at the World Series of Poker the past two years, with Mader surviving several memorable TV clashes with Phil Ivey in a deep run in 2013, while Givens snagged a bracelet this summer in Event #45: $1,000 No-Limit Hold'em. All three players have found themselves at a final table already during this Mid-States Poker Tour season.