$635 Main Event Day 1b | 2026 RPT Montana State Poker Championship

May 02, 2026

Howell Gets There on the River to Double

David Salituro

Level 2 : Blinds 200/300, 300 ante

Five players went to a flop of 8♥2♠6♦ where Kris Fourstar bet 2,000 from the hijack. Chance Howell then raised to 4,000 on the button, and Latigo Hance in the big blind and Fourstar called.

The turn was the 9♥ and Fourstar bet another 6,000. Howell then moved all in for 15,500 and Hance folded, but Fourstar called and turned over K♠K♦. Howell had 8♦7♥ for a pair and straight draw, and he hit his straight on the 10♥ river to double up.

"Kings are brutal, man. Trust me, I know," Howell said to Fourstar after the hand.

Tags: Chance Howell Kris Fourstar Latigo Hance

May 02, 2026

Kelly Laughed Out of the Room

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David Salituro

Level 2 : Blinds 200/300, 300 ante

Steve Kelly moved all in for his last 5,000 from the cutoff and was up against Chris Cutler on the button.

Steve Kelly: A♣3♠ All in
Chris Cutler: A♠J♥

Kelly was dominated as tournament director Jerry Sorrells arrived at the table to call the action. "Steve Kelly all in," Sorrells announced, and the flop came J♠7♥7♣ to give Cutler top two pair.

"And he's not going to win this one," Sorrells added as the rest of the room, including Kelly, burst out laughing. The rest of the board ran out Q♦K♦ and Kelly headed off to reenter.

Tags: Chris Cutler Steve Kelly

May 02, 2026

Hammarstrom Raises the River on Brunelle

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David Salituro

Level 2 : Blinds 200/300, 300 ante

Nick Hammarstrom bet 800 from middle position on a flop of Q♠8♣3♥ and picked up one caller before Pat Brunelle raised to 3,200 in the cutoff. Only Hammarstrom called.

Both players checked the 10♦ turn. Brunelle then bet 7,500 on the Q♥ river, but this time Hammarstrom raised to 18,500. Brunelle took a minute before folding.

Tags: Nick Hammarstrom Pat Brunelle

May 02, 2026

Patacsil Gets Paid by Wetsit

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David Salituro

Level 2 : Blinds 200/300, 300 ante

Shane Patacsil bet 3,500 from the small blind on a board of 10♣7♦2♥J♦ and Dylan Wetsit called in middle position.

The river was the A♣ and Patacsil bet another 6,500. Wetsit again called, and Patacsil showed 10♠7♣ for two pair. Wetsit flashed a jack before mucking.

Tags: Dylan Wetsit Shane Patacsil

Level: 2

Blinds: 200/300

Ante: 300

May 02, 2026

Choleva Gets There on the River

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David Salituro

Level 1 : Blinds 100/200, 200 ante

After two limps in front of him, Andrew Asher raised to 1,200 in the hijack and was called by Nick Hammarstrom in the big blind and John Choleva in middle position.

The flop came 10♥2♠6♣ and Choleva bet 3,000. Asher and Hammarstrom called to see the 8♥ turn, where Choleva bet another 5,000. Both opponents again called.

The river was the J♠ and Choleva bet 10,000. Only Asher called this time. He turned over A♦10♦, but Choleva had J♣10♠ for a rivered two pair to win the pot.

Dan Larson busted after losing the big pot to Ian Huber but quickly reentered. Defending champion Dan Burcham has also joined the field.

Tags: Andrew Asher Dan Burcham Dan Larson John Choleva Nick Hammarstrom

May 02, 2026

Majdic Shoves on Yellick

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David Salituro

Level 1 : Blinds 100/200, 200 ante

John Majdic limped in from the cutoff before Evan Yellick raised to 1,600 on the button. Majdic called, and they went heads-up to the 9♥2♥8♦ flop.

Yellick then bet 1,200, and Majdic called. The turn was the Q♣ and Yellick bet another 7,000. Majdic then moved all in for 35,000, and Yellick took a few seconds before folding.

Santi Poggi has also joined this table.

Tags: Evan Yellick John Majdic Santi Poggi

May 02, 2026

New Arrivals

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David Salituro

Level 1 : Blinds 100/200, 200 ante

May 02, 2026

Bierschenk Fills Up to Double Off Kelly

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David Salituro

Level 1 : Blinds 100/200, 200 ante

Four players went to a flop of A♦2♥Q♠ where Merle Bierschenk led out for 1,500 from the small blind. Steve Kelly then raised to 3,500 in early position and the table folded back around to Bierschenk, who called to see the A♠ turn.

Bierschenk then bet 5,000, Kelly moved all in, and Bierschenk snap-called for 39,500. Kelly showed A♥K♦ for trips, but Bierschenk had A♣2♣ for a full house. The river was the 3♣ and Bierschenk doubled up.