35 Players Advance from Mega Qualifier to Free Poker Network's World Series or Bust Championship Event
The $160 Mega Qualifier for Free Poker Network's World Series or Bust Championship Event is in the books and 35 players have advanced to Sunday’s finale. The first of two qualifiers on Saturday, January 8 drew 139 runners to Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino, of which 25% advanced to the Championship Event.
The Free Poker Network allows players to earn points while playing poker in recreational leagues at bars in 17 states around the country. Players qualify for prizes and trips to major events by playing in their local FPN league.
2022 Free Poker Network Championship Event Qualifiers
| Name | Championship Starting Stack* |
|---|---|
| Anthony Smith | 20,000 |
| Yee Man Kitzerow | 20,000 |
| Justin Smith | 20,000 |
| Dan Blodgett | 20,000 |
| Bill Kitzerow | 20,000 |
| Dana Cooper | 20,000 |
| Chris Nelson | 20,000 |
| John Trzesniak | 20,000 |
| Renee Held | 20,000 |
| Larry Goeken | 20,000 |
| Jeff Gab | 20,000 |
| Becca Brinkman | 20,000 |
| John Harms | 20,000 |
| Royle Merkel | 20,000 |
| Janet Herrick | 20,000 |
| Paul Maes | 20,000 |
| Mike Mejia | 20,000 |
| Edward Cavaciuit | 20,000 |
| Albert Buhr | 20,000 |
| Steve Fugelstad | 20,000 |
| Eric Tycz | 20,000 |
| William Gude | 20,000 |
| Dennis McBride | 20,000 |
| Brian Nolan | 20,000 |
| Timothy Smith | 20,000 |
| Dustin Johnson | 20,000 |
| Jeremy Olson | 20,000 |
| Chris Risnes | 20,000 |
| Mark Phelps | 20,000 |
| Douglas Lindgren | 20,000 |
| Don Anderson | 20,000 |
| Debbi Edwards | 20,000 |
| David Cody | 20,000 |
| Earl Corlew | 20,000 |
| Michael Chilarski | 20,000 |
| *- Does not include chips earned in other qualifiers |
The action started quickly today as players jockeyed for position in search of a spot in the top 35. Don Anderson qualified for the finale thanks in part to a turned straight that helped him win one of the biggest pots of the early part of the day. Las Vegas native Bill Kitzerow also qualified with a dominant performance that saw him dominating and chipping up late.
Minnesota’s Becca Brinkman found a late triple to survive the bubble and finish in the top 35, while Chris Nelson ended the day as the chip leader with nearly 400,000 chips. Other qualifiers include John Harms, Justin Smith, John Trzesniak, and Eric Tycz.
Players that made a deep run but failed to qualify for tomorrow’s finale include Ben Trehey, Melissa Brockoff, Mike Ski, and Kim Walter.
Survivors from the Mega Qualifier for Sunday’s championship will start with 20,000 chips, in addition to other chips players have earned throughout the year and during this weekend’s qualifiers. The flagship event of FPN’s World Series or Bust Weekend will kick off at 10 a.m. local time on Sunday and players will take their shot at over $50,000 in prizes, including two seats to the 2022 World Series of Poker Main Event.
Be sure to check out PokerNews coverage of the Tag Team Championship and join us tomorrow for reports live from the floor of the WSOB Championship Event from Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino in Downtown Las Vegas.