The player in the big blind checked to Ryan Tepen after a flop of , and Tepen checked it back. When the turned, the big blind checked again, and Tepen bet 3,000. His opponent raised to 6,000, and Tepen came back with a small raise of his own to 10,000. The big blind called, and a hit the river. Tepen bet approximately 30,000 after his opponent checked, and the player made the call.
Tepen showed for a turned full house, and the big blind had for aces up with a kicker that played. He stormed away from the table and possibly out of the casino despite the fact that he still has a few thousand remaining, which is currently being blinded off.
We just received word from a Mid-States Poker Tour official that players will go through Level 10 tonight instead of the usual Level 9. This is due to a larger-than-expected turnout, meaning the field will need to be pared down to a more manageable number to fit into the venue for Day 2.
One player in today’s field is playing her first-ever Mid-States Poker Tour Main Event. We’re talking about Christa Pryor. Along with her husband, Jim, the couple are easily recognizable on the circuit as both regularly sport Blue Shark Optics (BSO), which is fitting as they are members of Team BSO.
“Christa and I actually met at the poker table in 2009,” Jim explained. “I had admired her for a while, but we had never actually talked. Then one night at a game she was talking about her upcoming move from Colorado to Las Vegas. That's when I learned she had been a poker dealer in Cripple Creek, CO; and was moving to Las Vegas to start working as a dealer at the Rio.”
Jim tried to contact her in Vegas, but that proved easier said than done.
“Dealers aren’t easy to get in touch with during the World Series of Poker,” he said. In Feb. 2010, Jim and Christa’s paths crossed once again at a poker tournament in Colorado Springs. “We talked, flirted, and quickly began dating. That turned into a marriage in July 2011.”
Jim had a prior relationship with Kerry Karoutsos, owner and operator of Blue Shark Optics, and that lead to two spots on the company’s pro team, which made them the only married couple on the roster.
“One thing I quickly learned was that although I was a BSO team member, she was actually the best poker player in the house,” Jim admitted. “As her success at the game grew, Kerry took notice, and invited her to join the team in October 2013. We were officially the only married couple on the team.”
Indeed, Christa has recently found success at the Colorado Poker Championship when she finished runner-up in a no-limit Omaha event and sixth in a no-limit hold’em tournament.
“We have set a goal for Christa to get her at the tables for a variety of regional and national tours,” Jim said of his wife. “That all starts with this Mid States Poker Tour event here at the Golden Gates.”
With PokerNews proudly delivering coverage throughout Season 5 of the Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT), we thought new readers following the coverage could use a quick primer on the live blog's set-up and structure.
The red tabs on the screen allow you to navigate between PokerNews' live blogging coverage - which includes hand recaps, player interviews, chip count updates, photos and all the rest - and the site's other extremely useful features.
If you prefer to simply scan the chip counts to see how your favorite players are faring, clicking the red tab titled "Chip Counts" will take you to a list screen with updated chip counts for the players we have information for. Those using the MyStack app from the table can always add their counts to this page through their smartphones, so if you don't see who you're searching for in the counts, have them download MyStack and update their progress as the day continues.
The “Player Updates" tab is next, and this tool allows you to see how notable players and top pros have been faring lately, with arrows showing if they have been climbing or falling in the counts.
Finally, if you just want to soak in the scene from the various MSPT stops, click on the "Photo Gallery" tab to take a look at a gallery of photos taken throughout the day.
Combining the "Live Reporting" coverage PokerNews strives to provide with these three tabs is the best way to enjoy our continued coverage of the MSPT, because you can follow along in the way you prefer. If you like the stories emerging from the event, stick with the "Live Reporting" tab to read all about the goings on here from the floor. If chip count tracking is what you prefer, the "Chip Counts" tab is the perfect way to track the tournament. When you're only interested in a particular player's progress, the "Player Updates" tab will keep you're coverage centralized. And if you just like seeing your favorite players do their thing, the "Photo Gallery" tab takes you on a visual tour of the tournament as it happens.
Blake Bohn finished runner-up in the first stop of the Mid-States Poker Tour Season 5 at Running Aces, and he's looking to improve upon that here at Golden Gates. Bohn has gotten off to a good start and has already double the starting stack.
The first stop of the PokerNews Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT) Season 5 took place last month at Running Aces Harness Park in Columbus, MN. Mark Sandness topped a field of 354 players, which included defeating MSPT Team Pro Blake Bohn in heads-up play, to capture the title, $90,913 in prize money, and a brand new MSPT trophy.
For Sandness, who is primarily a cash-game player, the score is nearly double the biggest of his tournament career — a $46,910 first-place finish in the Great Minnesota Freeze Out from January.
Sandness is here in Golden Gates looking to capture another title in Season 5 and add some points in the Player of the Year race.
Earlier this week, Tony Niehaus, poker room manager at Golden Gates Casino, talked with PokerNews about the MSPT coming to town. Here's what he had to say:
PokerNews: The MSPT is visiting the Golden Gates for the first time. What inspired you to bring the MSPT to town?
Niehaus: I have been following the MSPT for a while now and seen all the success and growth they have had and wanted to be a part of their future. We have hosted some of the biggest tournaments in the country even though we only have 17 tables in the poker room. It should be a great fit for both sides.
Are Golden Gates players excited for the MSPT? Has there been a general excitement in the room?
We have been hearing a lot of buzz about the MSPT and we feel that the players are very excited to see what this tournament is all about. We have numerous customers asking us for information about it during the tournament daily. We believe the MSPT will be very successful and popular going forward and definitely form into one of their top stops across the country.
What sort of things has the Golden Gates been doing to prepare for the MSPT?
We have a long track record of running big tournaments that are similar to the MSPT and very successful, so our staff should be more than prepared for yet another one coming into town. We have been making it a point to strongly promote the MSPT coming to the Golden Gates through social media, paperwork in the poker room, schedules and structures throughout the casino, and dealer buttons on the tables for a few months now. We believe good news travels fast and it shouldn’t take long for this thing to catch on big time around here.
The MSPT stop there is three days, while most other MSPTs are two-day events. How come Golden Gates has added an extra day?
Our poker room only has 17 tables and we usually draw huge fields for events like this, so it is physically impossible to finish in two days unless you play for a lot of extra time each given day, which is not something we would like to do. We anticipate the three days of play will let the players play without worrying about extra levels and hours and how the whole weekend plays out.
Can you tell us a little about your property and the surrounding area?
Our property sits in the center of Blackhawk’s casino district and is surrounded by the magnificent rocky mountains. We also have a beautiful creek running alongside the property. The scenic views of Blackhawk are amazing and just a short drive on any road will lead to spectacular views and even natural wildlife sightings. Just up the street is old town Central City that brings an old western feel to gambling. The ski resorts are just a one-hour drive from the casinos and offer unmatched skiing and entertainment.
Our property was newly renovated last year and has been on the rise ever since. We opened a new buffet, expanded our casino floor for even more of the newest slots around, and renovated our poker room with brand new chairs, tables, carpet, flat screen televisions and high-speed wireless internet.
Can you describe the poker room at the Golden Gates?
Our poker room offers 17 tables, four daily tournaments, one of the biggest bad beat jackpots in the country, and a weekly “Pay-to-Play” promotion, in which if you play 30 hours of live action in a week (Monday through Sunday) then you receive $150 in cash the following week.
The most popular game in our poker room and Blackhawk for that matter is a spread limit game with limits of $1-$2-$100. We also offer “Deep Stack” tournaments every weekend day at 12 p.m. for $160 or $210 with 30-minute levels and great prize pools.
Are there any other events going on players should check out when in town for the MSPT?
The St. Patrick’s Day Parade is a huge event in downtown Denver. The Parade takes place on Saturday the 15th and is only a 40-minute drive to downtown Denver. Also, if the Nuggets or Avalanche are in town during the stay, it’s always fun to check out a game at the Pepsi Center.
If you had to recommend three things for players to do other than poker while at the Golden Gates, what would they be?
First, the table games in the “G-Pit” are always a great time with all the wonderful G-Girls. Second, play at some of the nicest, loosest and newest slots in the country to pick up some extra money for the trip. Finally, definitely stop in to the new buffet at the Mardi Gras with tons of great food options during the stay.
Where’s the best place to eat at the Golden Gates, or what’s the best kept secret at the property?
Once again I would go with the Bourbon Street Buffet as it is easily one of the best places to eat on the mountain. Everyone should enjoy at least a few meals at this very nice place.
, and Tepen checked it back. When the 
turned, the big blind checked again, and Tepen bet 3,000. His opponent raised to 6,000, and Tepen came back with a small raise of his own to 10,000. The big blind called, and a 
hit the river. Tepen bet approximately 30,000 after his opponent checked, and the player made the call.
for a turned full house, and the big blind had 
for aces up with a kicker that played. He stormed away from the table and possibly out of the casino despite the fact that he still has a few thousand remaining, which is currently being blinded off.
