Event #44: $250 NLHE [Progressive KO, Thursday Thrill SE], $50K Gtd | 2021 Michigan Championship of Online Poker (MICOOP)

03-04-2021 22:04 UTC-4

PokerNews MICOOP Updates Schedule

Anthony Thompson

From February 20 through March 8, PokerStars and FOX Bet is hosting the inaugural Michigan Championship of Online Poker (MICOOP), which will be comprised of 60 tournaments ranging in buy-ins from $10-$500 and offer $1,000,000 in guaranteed prize pools.

What’s more, PokerNews will be offering live updates from eight of the premier events.

Things kicked off this past Saturday with the $100 buy-in, $30K GTD Event #1: Kick Off NLH, which will be reported here on PokerNews. The festival will conclude with a $300 buy-in, $125K GTD Main Event on March 7-8, which will also be reported.

Here’s a look at the remaining events PokerNews will live report over course of the series.

Event #18: $500 NLHE [6-Max, High Roller], $35K Gtd (February 24, 2021)
Event #31: $250 NLHE [Sunday Special SE], $50K Gtd (February 28, 2021)
Event #38: $250 NLHE [Super Tuesday SE], $35K Gtd (March 02, 2021)
Event #41: $250 PLO [6-Max, High Roller], $12.5K Gtd (March 03, 2021)
Event #44: $250 NLHE [Progressive KO, Thursday Thrill SE], $35K Gtd (March 04, 2021)
Event #55: $300 NLHE [Main Event], $125K Gtd (March 07-08, 2021)

“Coming off the launch of our real-money gaming brands in Michigan, it is clear that players want the world-class offerings that only PokerStars can bring,” said FOX Bet CEO Kip Levin. “As the sole online and mobile poker product in Michigan, our commitment and investment in PokerStars is vital as we aim to bring all aspects of a great customer experience to the poker community. We are excited for Michiganders to join our most popular series and crown our first big winner who will join in the prestigious footsteps of other Championship Of Online Poker (COOP) champions.”

Satellites for the MICOOP are running now for as little as $2. Additionally, players can win their way via freeroll routes.

Main Event Depositor Freeroll: Deposit $30+ with code 'MICOOP' and get a ticket to a MICOOP Depositor Freeroll on March 7, where 35 Main Event seats will be up for grabs.
Second Chance Freerolls: Play a MICOOP event and fail to make the cash, and receive a ticket to a second chance freeroll, running daily.

To enjoy MICOOP, players need to register for PokerStars HERE.

03-04-2021 21:55 UTC-4

"SpartanD7" Left With Dust

Anthony Thompson

In Level 5 with blinds of 200/400 and an ante of 50, three players limped in before "SpartanD7" raised to 2,160 from the small blind, only "ChippewaBadger7" and

"SpartanD7" led out for 7,440 and got fold from "ChippewaBadger7" while "beethereone" raised all in for 19,278. Action was back on "SpartanD7" who called and both players revealed their hands.

"SpartanD7":
"beethereone":

"beethereone" pulled ahead after flopping a set of fives and the turn followed by the river secured them the pot.

Player	Chips	Progress
ChippewaBadger7	22,190
SpartanD7	1,862

03-04-2021 21:44 UTC-4

Cowboys Good for "Riverdog456"

Anthony Thompson

In Level 4 with blinds of 150/300 and an ante of 40, "Batmanstein" and "hick2960" limped-in from early position only to call the 2,010 raise from "Riverdog456".

The flop was checked to "hick2960" who fired out 6,840 and "Riverdog456" raised all in for 21,335. "Batmanstein" folded their hand while "hick2960" called off their 1,585 stack.

"hick2960":
"Riverdog456":

"Riverdog456" was well ahead of his opponent and neither the turn nor the river changed a thing.

Player	Chips	Progress
Riverdog456	36,601
Batmanstein	19,205
hick2960	Busted

03-04-2021 21:34 UTC-4

Level 3 Chip Leaders

Anthony Thompson

In Level 3 with blinds of 125/250 and an ante of 30, 141 entries have already been recorded. Here's a look at some players who have chipped up early.

Player	Chips	Progress
D_Ultamus	89,655
LawernceTaylor	68,580	43,580
John St0ckton	55,909
BackdoorFILTH	54,842
onetimeAA166	53,682
StatPadford	52,228
YouLoselGiggle	50,989
Drago25785	49,667
gabpoker_cc	49,225	24,225
cwinner1984	47,298	22,298

03-04-2021 21:27 UTC-4

Riky "RikyOneTime" Lara Looking for MICOOP Success in His First Foray Into Online Play

Anthony Thompson

One player who recently jumped into the field is 42-year-old Riky "RikyOneTime" Lara, a father of four girls and married to "a super supportive" wife.

Hailing from southwest Detroit, Lara is a $1/$2 and $2/$5 no-limit hold'em live grinder who started to play more tournaments before the pandemic hit.

"I play most of my cash game poker sessions at Motorcity casino in Detroit," he told PokerNews. "I also like hit up MGM Grand poker room when I’m trying to change things up. I do travel to the World Series of Poker (WSOP) every year to grind cash games. I usually stay three weeks to a month each year to grind these juicy cash games."

In addition, Lara is a regular at mid-major tour stops such as the Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT), Heartland Poker Tour (HPT), and WSOP Circuit in the Ohio, Chicago, and Indiana areas.

"I do most of my traveling alone but I usually link up with friends from the felt at the WSOP," he said. "From time to time, I’ll take my wife with me on a road trip to a poker tournament."

It's an enjoyable experience for Lara, who grew up in what he called a "bad neighborhood" in Detroit, one rife with gangs, drugs, peer pressure, and a ton of violence. Poker has been a vehicle away from all of that.

"Poker for me all began at a very young age. I remember sitting at the kitchen table with my grandmother, my mother, and my Aunt Carmen, who’s probably the reason for me being a poker player. We’d stay up playing Mexican bingo for nickels, dimes, and quarters all night, and every time I won a bowl of change, I remember thinking it was the greatest thing ever.

He continued: "It wasn’t just about the quarters for me though. For me, it was more about the win. After that, I started playing five-card draw and some seven-card stud with the grown-ups. Even when I got to the age of 15 I found a way to go play poker at other people’s houses. There would be a table full of grown-ups drinking smoking cussing and then there would be me.

When he and his wife first got married 20 years ago, they were barely making ends meet, but that didn't stop him from playing a weekly $25 buy-in tournament.

"We’d get around 8-10 people and somehow I always would win or chop. That money helped us out in so many ways. We even almost depended on it every week to help out with everything. That’s where my wife’s strong support came from when it comes to playing poker for me. She really enjoyed watching me play poker. So when it comes to any games even if there out of town she’s the first one getting me out the door to go grind."

Prior to PokerStars coming to Michigan, Lara had never played online.

"I know it’s going to be such a big change for me," he said. "I’m looking forward to the challenge and trying to see the positives in online poker. Instead of having to buy airfare or lodging or renting a car, I can try to makes some money in the comfort of my own home in my PJs. I look forward to putting a lot of time and energy into online tournaments since I’m mainly a cash game player."

In addition to MICOOP, Lara has been dabbling in $0.50-$1 and $1-$2 NLH.

"I don’t want to just dive in and make mistakes so I’m taking it slow and getting used to things. I do love how much faster the game is and how much bigger the game plays compared to live. I’m just paying way more attention to betting patterns and the timing of each bet."

PokerNews will be keeping an eye on Lara as he competes for MICOOP glory.

03-04-2021 21:23 UTC-4

"0AndrewNeeme0" Rivers Lucky Lady and Claims

Anthony Thompson

In Level 2 with blinds of 100/200 and an ante of 25, four players limped in before "0AndrewNeeme0" raised to 1,500 from the big blind. Only "HeyLookItsTez" and "MiPharoah11" called.

The flop saw "0AndrewNeeme0" continue for 1,683 and only "MiPharoah11" called to see the appear on the turn.

Both players checked and the completed the board on the river. "0AndrewNeeme0" led out for 4,233 and then called the 8,762 all in raise from "MiPharoah11".

"MiPharoah11" rolled over for jacks full but "0AndrewNeeme0" rolled over to win the pot with a better full house.

Player	Chips	Progress
0AndrewNeeme0	38,580
HeyLookItsTez	23,199
MiPharoah11	Busted

03-04-2021 21:13 UTC-4

"nldoublej" Claims Early Bounty

Anthony Thompson

Level 1 with blinds at 80/160 and an ante of 20, "Gotzillions" limped in from under the gun as did "nldoublej" from the hijack. Action folded to "corykapoot" who raised to 800 from the big blind and both limpers called to see a flop appear.

"corykapoot" continued for 1,280 and only "nldoublej" called, bringing the turn. "corykapoot" fired out 3,200
and "nldoublej" called to see the complete the board on the river.

"corykapoot" moved all in for 12,582 and "nldoublej" snap-called.

"corykapoot" showed for air while "nldoublej" rolled over broadway and collected "corykapoot's" bounty.

Player	Chips	Progress
nldoublej	43,082	18,082
Gotzillions	24,180
corykapoot	Busted

03-04-2021 21:02 UTC-4

Play is Underway

Anthony Thompson

The virtual cards are in the air with action starting in Level 1 ( 80/160 and an ante of 20), with 77 bounty hunters in their seats.

Player	Chips	Progress
1WINATATIME	25,000
LawernceTaylor	25,000
TY_GOVWHITMER	25,000
TrappermanBlaz3	25,000
Surge_Ibaka	25,000
smftt	25,000
Slothbear22	25,000
santasworkshop	25,000
rich2579	25,000
Orlaan425	25,000
nldoublej	25,000
Marv.lllis	25,000
LouisD60	25,000
KCspencey	25,000
9NINENINE	25,000
gabpoker_cc	25,000
FireUpMIPS	25,000
fineOdakineO	25,000
DoubleDab22	25,000
deerfield195	25,000
D-Cronk0126	25,000
cwinner1984	25,000
Coolriver84	25,000
ChipzNCheese	25,000
BlackNBlueReign	25,000

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03-04-2021 19:21 UTC-4

Welcome To MICOOP Event #44: $250 NLHE [Progressive KO, Thursday Thrill SE] $50K GTD

Anthony Thompson

The inaugural PokerStars Michigan Championship of Online Poker (MICOOP) continues tonight with three events on the schedule and PokerNews coverage of Event #44: $250 NLHE [Progressive KO, Thursday Thrill SE], $50K GTD starting at 8 p.m. ET.

Given the success of the inaugural MICOOP upon legalization of online poker in Michigan, the original $35K guaranteed prize pool was upped to $50K, with the new figure likely to be surpassed.

Featuring a buy-in of $250 with a Progressive Knockout format, $116.50 of each player's buy-in will go towards the prize pool while bounties will start at $58.25 and increase with each elimination.

Starting stacks are 25,000 with blinds beginning at 80/160 and an ante of 20. Levels are set to last 10 minutes in length throughout the tournament.

Late registration will remain open for two hours and 40 minutes, likely closing midway through Level 15 (1,250/2,500/325). Up to five re-entries (six total bullets) are available during this period.

Registration is already open for all within the state of Michigan. Players need not be Michigan residents; they simply must be within state lines to compete.

PokerNews will be on hand to the finish line, so be sure to follow along and see who comes out on top.

Event #44: $250 NLHE [Progressive KO, Thursday Thrill SE], $50K Gtd

Day 1 Started