Two Tables
Level 8
: 600/1,200, 100 ante
Players have condensed to two remaining tables as we approach the final 50-minute level.
2014 Mid-States Poker Tour Belle of Baton Rouge
Main Event
Day: 1a
Event Info
Final Results
Event Info
Level Info
2014 Mid-States Poker Tour Belle of Baton Rouge
Buy-in
$1,000
Prize Pool
$118,000
Entries
118
Level
21
Blinds
20,000 / 40,000
Ante
4,000
Bullets for Bursavich
Level 8
: 600/1,200, 100 ante
After hitting a rough patch and losing about half of his stack, Austin Bursavich is back to the top of the leader board.
In a recent pot, he opened for 2,500 in middle position and watch an opponent three-bet to 7,000. When it was Bursavich's turn, he put his opponent all in for about 25,000, and the player wasted no time calling.
Bursavich: 
Opponent: 
No help came for Bursavich's opponent on the 
runout, and Bursavich notched another KO.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
135,500 | 58,500 |
Crawford Sends Kessler to Rail
Level 8
: 600/1,200, 100 ante
Claudia Crawford opened for 2,500 from middle position, and Allen Kessler defended his big blind.
"What?!" Crawford said with exaggerated surprise. "Wow. Allen's gonna see a flop."
See a flop the two did, and it came 
. Kessler checked, and Crawford quickly checked it back. A 
hit the board, and Kessler bet out 3,000. Crawford made it 7,000, and Kessler thought briefly before moving all in.
Crawford called right away, turning up 
for the nuts, and Kessler tabled 
for top pair with a straight draw. A ten would give him a chop, but the river was the 
, and Kessler expressed his disgust at how he'd "dumped chips."
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
120,000 | |
|
Busted |
Malim Out, Hughes Doubles
Level 8
: 600/1,200, 100 ante
Kenny Malim shoved all in for 7,100 under the gun, and Ken Hughes jammed for 21,600 right behind him. Two spots later, David Chocheles made it a third all in covering both, and everyone else folded.
Chocheles: 
Hughes: 
Malim: 
The board ran out 
, leaving Hughes' jacks best and eliminating Malim. Meanwhile, Chocheles is down to a short stack.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
53,000 | 53,000 |
|
16,100 | -25,300 |
|
|
Busted |
Photos: 2014 Mid-States Poker Tour Belle of Baton Rouge
Level: 8
Blinds: 600/1,200
Ante: 100
Belle of Baton Rouge's Marty Brown Discusses Upcoming Mid-States Poker Tour Series
Level 7
: 400/800, 100 ante
A couple weeks ago, PokerNews sat down with Marty Brown, Director of Casino Operations at the Belle of Baton Rouge, for a quick Q&A on the upcoming MSPT. Here's what he had to say.
PokerNews: The MSPT is visiting the Belle of Baton Rouge for the first time. In fact, it’s the first time the MSPT has traveled so far south. What inspired you to bring the MSPT to town?
Marty Brown: Hosting an event like this and partnering with MSPT is a great opportunity to expose the city of Baton Rouge and our property casino to out of town poker players.
What sort of things has the Belle of Baton Rouge been doing to prepare for the MSPT?
We have partnered with a few hotels in the immediate surrounding area to make sure we have plenty of available rooms. My gaming team completed a third deck casino floor redesign to accommodate 15 poker tables to ensure a more secluded area for the tournament play. There will be qualifying tournaments beginning on Feb. 11.
Can you tell us a little about your property and the surrounding area?
The Belle of Baton Rouge Casino & Hotel has a 288-room hotel, 14,000 square foot atrium and a full service casino with 787 slot machines, table games and poker room.
Can you describe the poker room at the Belle of Baton Rouge?
The poker room at the Belle is located on the second deck of the casino. We have a four-table room and offer $1/$2 and $2/$5 no limit, $4/$8 limit Texas hold’em and Omaha. Promotions include Aces Cracked ($100) on Monday and Wednesday from 9am-3pm, High Hand of the Hour ($50) on Tuesday and Thursday from 9am-3pm and on Saturday and Sunday from 10am-3pm.
Are there any other events going on players should check out when in town for the MSPT?
Mardi Gras in Baton Rouge! The Artemis and Orion Parades will be rolling right next to the Belle of Baton Rouge property. A great chance to experience a true Louisiana tradition!
If you had to recommend three things for players to do other than poker while at the Belle of Baton Rouge, what would they be?
Visit the campus of Louisiana State University that is less than five miles from the casino. Tour the USS Kidd right next to the casino, and don’t miss the downtown Mardi Gras fun parade experience.
Where’s the best place to eat at the Belle of Baton Rouge?
Shucks on the Levee, with traditional south Louisiana dishes.
Written by Chad Holloway
Bursavich Gives Up on River
Level 7
: 400/800, 100 ante
Austin Bursavich check-raised to 8,000 after Ben Thomas fired 3,100 on a 
flop. Thomas, in the cutoff, made the call, and the turn brought the 
. Bursavich bet 9,500 this time, and Thomas again called. The river both paired the board, and completed a backdoor flush draw, and Bursavich checked. Thomas decided on a small bet of 9,500, and Bursavich folded without much deliberation.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
77,000 | -43,000 |
|
67,000 | 13,800 |
Jones Doubles Through Horchoff
Level 7
: 400/800, 100 ante
Michael Horchoff opened for 1,800 in middle position, and Austin Bursavich reraised to 4,000 from his immediate left. When it was Kip Jones' turn, he shoved all in from the button for 7,500. and Horchoff pushed over the top of that, causing Bursavich to quickly fold.
Jones:
Horchoff: 
Both players got help on the 
flop, which gave Horchoff an open-ender but left Jones ahead with his kings. A 
turn brought even more of a sweat in the form of a flush draw for Horchoff, but the river bricked off with the 
.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
20,000 |
MyStack App Available for MSPT Belle of Baton Rouge
Level 7
: 400/800, 100 ante
The PokerNews MyStack App is available for players here in the Mid-States Poker Tour Season 5 Belle of Baton Rouge, allowing players to directly update their chip count on the PokerNews Live Reporting page for their friends and family to see.
You can download the app for iPhone or Android now to get started. Then, create a new PokerNews account or update your current one to start updating your status immediately. Your followers can see all the live action that you're involved in.
Be forewarned, however, any abuse of the app will result in account suspension or termination.