Main Event
Day 2 Completed
2014 Mid-States Poker Tour Majestic Star Casino
Main Event
Day: 2
Event Info
Final Results
Event Info
Level Info
2014 Mid-States Poker Tour Majestic Star Casino
Buy-in
$1,000
Entries
228
Level
27
Blinds
25,000 / 50,000
Ante
5,000
Brian Zimcosky Wins 2014 Mid-States Poker Tour Majestic Star ($61,870)
Level 27
: 25,000/50,000, 5,000 ante
In March, Brian Zimcosky took third at Mid-States Poker Tour Majestic Star for $28,141 after holding the chip lead at the final table. This time, he finished the job, claiming a first-place prize of $61,870 after defeating a field of 228 players. It's the biggest cash in the live poker career of the Michigan native, who described himself as "one of the best non-professional tournament players."
Forty-eight players came into Day 2 with championship aspirations, and Zimcosky had a nice starting position in seventh place. Ken Auker, David Snitkin, bracelet winner Chad Holloway, Michael Younan, and Paul Bianchi all fell before the payouts began. Once the greenbacks were handed out, Mike Deis, former chip leader Casey Bogus, Brandon Meyers, and Joel Casper collected payout tickets on their ways out the door.
With the elimination of Mike Holm in a race, the final table was set. Holm fell just short of a second straight MSPT final table.
Brad Rhodes busted in 10th and Bryan Schultz in ninth before Zimcosky began his trek to the top, shoving all in with 
over a button raise from Mike Mustafa and holding against 
. Mustafa was out the door in short order in eighth when he ran another king-queen into the aces of eventual runner-up Alex Kaufman.
At that point, Zimcosky took over, running the table over with preflop and postflop aggression. He built a nice chip lead, and after the exits of William Luciano (seventh), Paul Fisher (sixth), and Gerald Siemienas (fifth), and Bob Chow (fourth), Zimcosky was sitting pretty three-handed. Once there, his tournament could have easily been over had a key pot played out differently.
Zimcosky bet 90,000 from the small blind after unknown preflop action, and Kaufman called on an 
board. Zimcosky check-called 175,000 on the 
turn, and the 
led to two checks. Zimcosky rolled over 
, but he was beaten by the 
of Kaufman, good for aces and eights. After the hand, Zimcosky expressed happiness that he didn't lose all of his stack.
Zimcosky was able to build back up without major showdowns, and after Brad Sailor bowed out in third, Zimcosky had a slight edge in chips heads up. Less than a half hour later, things were wrapped up when Kaufman raised to 150,000 on the button, and Zimcosky shoved all in. Kaufman called off his last 1.3 million or so.
Kaufman: 
Zimcosky: 
The dealer spread an 
flop, giving Kaufman a straight draw.
"More outs," Zimcosky said.
The 
was a brick, and Zimcosky was left fading one card for the title. A 
left his two pair best, and he clapped in celebration.
"That's the key to tournament poker," an elated Zimcosky said afterwards. "I got in three big flips, and I won all three."
Alex Kaufman Eliminated in 2nd Place ($36,459)
Level 27
: 25,000/50,000, 5,000 ante
Alex Kaufman raised to 150,000 on the button, and Brian Zimcosky shoved all in. Kaufman called off his last 1.3 million or so.
Kaufman:
Zimcosky:
The dealer spread an flop, giving Kaufman a straight draw.
"More outs," Zimcosky said.
The was a brick, and Zimcosky was left fading one card for the title. A left his two pair best, and he clapped in celebration.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
Busted |
Photos: MSPT Majestic Star Heads Up
Level: 27
Blinds: 25,000/50,000
Ante: 5,000
Heads-Up Counts
Level 26
: 20,000/40,000, 5,000 ante
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
2,335,000 | 320,000 |
|
|
1,995,000 | 1,110,000 |
Brad Sailor Eliminated in 3rd Place ($20,992)
Level 26
: 20,000/40,000, 5,000 ante
Alex Kaufman defended his big blind from a button raise by Brad Sailor, and he check-raised to 190,000 when Sailor bet 90,000 on the 
flop. Sailor made it 500,000, and Kaufman immediately moved all in for more than 900,000. Sailor called dejectedly, showing 
for top pair, and he was far behind Kaufman's 
for a set. The 
gave Sailor a chance for a higher full house, and the river brought paint but it was the 
.
A couple of hands later, Sailor got the last of his stack in with 
and ran into the 
of Brian Zimcosky. Zimcosky's hand held, and the tournament is now heads up.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
Busted |
Kaufman Doubles Up
Level 26
: 20,000/40,000, 5,000 ante
Alex Kaufman doubled up despite a massive sweat as his held against the of Brian Zimcosky despite a 
flop and a turn.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
2,015,000 | 825,000 |
|
|
885,000 | 515,000 |
Kaufman in Danger
Level 26
: 20,000/40,000, 5,000 ante
Everyone saw the flop for the minimum, and Alex Kaufman bet 80,000 on the 
. Brad Sailor called on the button, and the two checked through the . Kaufman bet another 80,000 on the river, and Sailor called.
Kaufman showed 
for bottom pair, but Sailor had 
.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
2,100,000 | -95,000 |
|
|
370,000 | -770,000 |
Sailor Takes Lead
Level 26
: 20,000/40,000, 5,000 ante
Brad Sailor made it 90,000 on the button and was called by both blinds. Brian Zimcosky checked, and Alex Kaufman led out for 150,000 on the flop. Sailor called, while Zimcosky folded. Kaufman checked the turn, and he called 225,000 from Sailor. Kaufman again changed gears on the river, betting out 300,000.
"Either I have you... or you have king-ten with king of hearts," Sailor said before making the call.
It was the former, as Kaufman showed 
for two pair. Sailor's had flopped a straight and rivered a flush.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
2,195,000 | 837,000 |
|
|
1,140,000 | -818,000 |