2014 Mid-States Poker Tour Belle of Baton Rouge

Erica Sumner collected 232,600 over the course of nine levels of play to lead the 18 survivors of Day 1b here at Mid-State Poker Tour Belle of Baton Rouge. Sumner may be the first woman in MSPT history to hold the chip lead heading into the final day of play, a tour official said.

Michael Benton (145,300), Kou Vang (117,200), David Holmes (89,700), and Jeff Grimes (85,800) also bagged top-five stacks, while notable players Allen Kessler (82,100) and Gene Dudek (81,900) followed closely behind.

Players falling out of contention included Matt Alexander, Kenny Milam, Nick Jivkov, and "Wild" Bill Romer. Alexander's elimination had to be particularly painful, as the sponsored pro looked poised to break a recent run of bad fortune (failing to bag a stack in three straight Day 1s) until he ran into the of Sumner just before the end of the night.

Aces were also kind to Sumner in another all-in pot against queens, which is when her upward trajectory began.

The 18 survivors from each flight will meet tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. local time, at which point we will watch them play down to a winner. You can follow all of the action right here on PokerNews, so don't forget to wake up early.

Players are bagging up for the night, and we once again have 18 survivors.

Matt Alexander opened for 4,000 in early position, and Erica Sumner made it 12,000 from his immediate left. Action folded to the button, who shoved for 14,400. Alexander shipped it as well after the blinds folded, and Sumner immediately called.

Sumner:
Button:
Alexander:

"She's gonna be massive chip leader," a player at the table said, and indeed the board came , giving Sumner an unnecessary straight.

Jeff Grimes opened to 4,000 from early position, and Erica Sumner in the hijack was the only caller. Grimes fired 6,600 after the flop, and Sumner called once more. It was Grimes checking then calling 6,600 on the turn, and a completed the board. Grimes checked again, and he whipped his cards into the muck as soon as Sumner reached for chips.

The last 20 players have broken down to two tables.

These players are eliminated from the tournament.

Play has resumed at Level 9, the last of the night.