2014 Mid-States Poker Tour Golden Gates Casino

On the strength of a couple of big pots in the last two levels of the night, William Givens bagged 267,400 to lead the 41 survivors of Day 1b of Mid-States Poker Tour Golden Gates. Trailing Givens were Dan McCabe (249,900), Reza Yazdi (230,500), Teresa Hemingway (193,000), and Justin Cole (190,600).

A total of 163 entrants bought in to the tournament, leaving the total number through two flights at an even 300.

Givens seemed to run hot all day, winning a pot early on when he got value after flopping quads. Kings seemed to be the hand of the day for Givens, as he used them to bust two Minnesota stalwarts.

First, Blake Bohn, in early position, check-called a bet of 5,000 from Givens after a flop of .

"I hope you check the turn," Bohn said.

"I will," Givens replied as the peeled off on the turn. Sure enough it went check-check. The dealer then burned and put out the on the river. Bohn checked once more, and Givens put him all in for 15,000 or so. Bohn thought briefly before announcing a call. Givens tabled for an overpair.

"It's good," Bohn said, tossing face up into the muck.

Then, on one of the last hands of the night, Givens took an unorthodox line against Lance Harris. Givens opened to 5,000 in early position, and Harris three-bet to 13,000 on the button. Givens made the call, and the two saw a flop of . Givens bet out 8,000, and Harris moved all in after thinking for a bit. Givens beat him into the pot with .

"Nice hand," Harris said, showing . He was drawing dead after the turn.

However, Givens' biggest pot came when he got it in behind and got lucky. He got all in for 76,000 with on a queen-high flop. Unfortunately for him, his opponent held for top two. Givens spiked an ace on the turn and went from the brink of elimination to a big double.

Notables joining Bohn and Harris in failing to advance included Kou Vang, Matt Alexander, Matt Kirby, John Hayes, Jeremy Dresch, Patrick Steele, and Bill Romer. Among the luckier well-knowns, Jeff Fielder (124,800), Brett Schwertley (106,900), and Todd "sharkslayerr" Breyfogle (96,500) all advanced.

Be sure to come back to PokerNews for Day 1c coverage tomorrow at 5 p.m., as it will be the final heat.

Tournament staff is verifying final counts for the night, and play has ended.

William Givens opened to 5,000 in early position, and Lance Harris three-bet to 13,000 on the button. Givens made the call, and the two saw a flop of . Givens bet out 8,000, and Lance Harris moved all in after thinking for a bit. Givens beat him into the pot with .

"Nice hand," Harris said, showing . He was drawing dead after the turn.

We didn't see how it happened, but Blake Bohn just busted out to an opponent who held .

Dan McCabe opened to 6,000 when action folded to his button, and the small blind made it 12,000. The big blind folded, and McCabe called.

A flop led to a small bet of 8,000 from the small blind, and McCabe called. The aggressor fired again on the turn for 16,000, and McCabe called once more. Both players checked the , and the small blind tabled . McCabe had him beat with for a rivered two pair.

Mike Pennetta fired 12,000 from the hijack after a flop, and Matt Alexander shoved for 22,900 more from the button. Pennetta called.

"Uh-oh," Alexander said. "I have ten-high."

Indeed, he was in awful shape with against Pennetta's . The last two cards were and , leaving Alexander busto again.

Lou Mortellaro just doubled up when his held all in against the of big stack Justin Cole on a board of .

After one check, Brett Schwertley bet 5,000 on a flop. The button called, and the big blind folded. Schwertley kept it coming with 8,000 when the hit the board, and he was called once more. A led to a final bet of 19,000, and the button called immediately.

Schwertley tabled for sixes full, and his opponent winged his cards to the muck