The MSPT Running Aces continued to grow in Season 4. From Feb. 15-17, 2013, 367 players made their way to Forest Lake for the $1,100 Main Event, which ended up with a $367,000 prize pool. David Gonia, a local player in the Twin Cities area, kicked off the season with a win for $93,940 after running over the final table, including a brief ten-minute heads-up match against Peixin Liu, a regular at Running Aces.
The stop also featured a live-streamed table throughout the main event that broadcast on a fifteen-minute delay with hole cards. It proved to be a big hit for online railbirds, and that was due in no small part to notable players at the feature table including two-time MSPT champ Matt Kirby; millionaire John Morgan; former Running Aces champ Rodger Johnson; and 2011 MSPT Player of the Year Nate Fair.
Here’s a look at the Season 4 MSPT Running Aces final table:
Steve Lillehaug, on the button, three-bet to about 7,600 after a raise to 2,100 and a call from middle position and the cutoff, respectively. The original raiser shoved for just a few hundred more, and both of his opponents called, though Lillehaug attempted to shove but wasn't allowed.
After the flop, Lillehaug put his opponent all in after the player checked, and he folded.
Lillehaug:
Opponent:
Lillehaug was in good shape with his jacks, and the dealer burned and turned the . The player who folded the flop expressed disgust, saying he folded eights, and the river shipped Lillehaug the pot.
We found Michael Pankow contemplating an all-in wager for his stack against Jeff Fielder against a short stack who had already shoved for about 5,800. With the board reading , Pankow made the call for his last 10,000 or so.
Pankow:
Fielder:
Short stack:
Pankow was in good shape against two draws, and the and completed neither.
Ken Payne pushed all in for 9,050 after a player checked to him on a final board of . Payne's opponent made the call into the large pot, and Payne shrugged.
"I've only got the jack," Payne said, showing . His opponent could only shake his head, showing before mucking.
flop, Lillehaug put his opponent all in after the player checked, and he folded.
. The player who folded the flop expressed disgust, saying he folded eights, and the 
river shipped Lillehaug the pot.
, Pankow made the call for his last 10,000 or so.
and 
against an opponent who held 
on a board of 
. Votava doubled up to about 50,000.
. His opponent could only shake his head, showing 
