In another four-way pot, Gary Ewald bet 1,000 from under the gun on a flop of 10♣7♦K♥ and Matt Hall called in early position, as did Jason Lizakowski in the hijack and the big blind.
The turn was the K♠ and action checked to Hall who bet 2,000. Lizakowski called, the big blind folded, while Ewald put in a raise to 6,000. Both Hall and Lizakowski folded, and Ewald showed K♦10♥ for a full house as he took the pot.
Four players went to a flop of J♥3♣7♠ when a player in middle position bet 1,000. The hijack called, as did Jason Lizakowski in the small blind.
The middle-position player bet another 1,500 on the 5♣ turn, and only Lizakowski called this time. The river was the 2♥ and the middle-position player bet another 3,000. Lizakowski quickly called once more.
His opponent showed 9♣7♣ for a pair of sevens, but Lizakowski had J♣8♠ for a pair of jacks to win the pot.
Jesse Welk raised to 700 in early position and was called by a player on the button before Tyson Tame three-bet to 2,500 in the big blind. Both Welk and the button called.
All three players checked the 4♣7♣6♣ flop. Tame then led out for 2,500 on the 3♣ turn, and only Welk called.
The river was the 8♥ and Tame moved all in for 15,000. Welk snap-called and turned over A♣9♣ for the nut flush.
"That was quick," Tame said as he mucked A♦Q♣, heading straight to the registration desk to reenter.
With around 2,000 in the pot on a flop of K♣4♣4♠, David Kvaal led out for 600 from the small blind before the big blind raised to 1,500. Kvaal called, and the 7♦ fell on the turn.
The big blind then bet 3,500, and Kvaal called. The river was the 10♥ and Kvaal led out for 6,000. His opponent quickly folded, and Kvaal took down an early pot.
Players from across the Midwest will try to ring in the New Year in style when Day 1a of the $250 Roughrider Poker Tour Casino State Championship begins at 9 a.m. local time.
A massive field is expected to descend on the Spirit Lake Casino & Resort along the scenic banks of Devils Lake in St. Michael, North Dakota over the coming days. There are six starting flights, with the first two taking place today. Day 1b follows later in the day at 5 p.m.
Players begin each opening flight with a 30,000 starting stack. Blinds begin at 100/200 with a 200 big blind ante. Levels will be 30 minutes long, with a 15-minute break after every three levels. Late registration remains open until the start of Level 10, with unlimited reentries available. Play will conclude once 12.5 percent of the field remains. The prize pool is expected to be more than $300,000, including a $10,700 WSOP Main Event package to the champion.
Even if a player survives one flight, they still have a chance to enter a subsequent starting day. A player who bags on multiple flights will have their smaller stacks taken out of play and be awarded $710 at the start of Day 2 at 11 a.m. on January 4.
Event schedule
Date
Flight
Start Time
Levels
January 1
Day 1a
9 a.m.
30 minutes
January 1
Day 1b
5 p.m.
30 minutes
January 2
Day 1c
9 a.m.
30 minutes
January 2
Day 1d
5 p.m.
30 minutes
January 3
1e
9 a.m.
30 minutes
January 3
1f
5 p.m.
30 minutes
January 4
Day 2
11 a.m.
40 minutes
Jon Maras is the defending champion of this event, having beaten out a field of 1,235 entries last year to earn $39,300. With two more starting flights added to the schedule, the field is expected to be much larger this year.
Jon Maras
The New Year's celebrations have died down, the fireworks have been lit, and the champagne spilled. All the players who take their shot in the next few days hope another party awaits them at the final table on Sunday. Stay tuned as PokerNews follows all the action from the first big poker tournament of 2026.
