William Givens Tops Day 1b Field at Mid-States Poker Tour Golden Gates (full)
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.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
267,400 | 112,400 |
|
249,900 | 22,900 |
|
230,500 | 95,500 |
|
193,000 | 92,500 |
|
|
190,600 | 6,600 |
|
176,500 | 9,500 |
|
|
152,100 | 152,100 |
|
|
150,700 | 700 |
|
|
137,400 | 137,400 |
|
136,500 | 136,500 |
|
124,800 | 4,800 |
|
122,200 | 122,200 |
|
|
114,500 | 51,500 |
|
109,900 | 59,900 |
|
106,900 | 3,700 |
|
96,500 | 39,500 |
|
92,700 | 92,700 |
|
|
89,800 | 89,800 |
|
|
82,400 | 82,400 |
|
|
80,800 | 80,800 |
|
80,600 | 17,600 |
|
|
79,500 | 79,500 |
|
68,200 | 68,200 |
|
|
67,800 | 67,800 |
|
|
67,300 | -37,700 |
board.
. According to the players at the table, Alexander had gotten it in with a set of eights and run into the nuts. He's now back just below the starting stack after finally getting something going today, while Cole may be the chip leader.
flop, and an 
hit the turn. Action checked to Martin, who bet 2,000, and Bohn tossed his call across the table to Martin, saying the pot was heading that way anyways. A 
completed the board, and Bohn checked before slapping 3,000 into the middle to call Martin's final bet.
for a rivered wheel.
. "Love poker. Why wouldn't a four come?"
into the middle.
flop gave March a hammerlock on the hand.
and 
