Aaron Johnson Leads 30 Survivors of Day 1a
Aaron Johnson bagged 233,500 to lead the 30 surviving players out of 148 runners here on Day 1a of Mid-States Poker Tour Ho-Chunk Gaming. Johnson led a group of three Minnesotans in the top five stacks, including Gennady Shimelfarb (196,500) and Kou Vang (167,500). Also in the top five were Ernest Garrett (177,500) and Ken Payne (175,500).
Johnson's climb began when he bet 5,000 with the board reading 
, and Bill Romer put Johnson all in for about 26,000 total. Johnson thought for about a minute before calling it off.
Johnson: 
Romer: 
"Nice call, young man," Rob Wazwaz said.
It got even nicer when Johnson's queens up held on the 
river.
Later, a player raised to 4,200 from middle position, and Johnson three-bet to 9,900 in the hijack. Action folded back to the raiser, who shoved for about 65,000 total. Johnson made the call, immediately flipping 
. His opponent had , and Johnson flopped a set to widen his lead on the 
flop. An 
made it a sweat, as the queens would win if a heart came, but the board paired with the 
to give Johnson a boat.
It wasn't all big hands and dragged pots for Johnson, however. He also had to make some laydowns, including this hand, which prompted a colorful reaction from opponent David Gutfreund.
As for Shimelfarb, he made most of his bacon when he bet 6,400 from under the gun on an 
flop. Gutfreund raised to 14,200 in the cutoff, and Will Liebergen called on the button. Shimelfarb pushed all in for about 45,000 more, and Gutfreund folded after getting a count. Liebergen called.
Liebergen: 
Shimelfarb: 
Liebergen had sprung the trap by flatting with his set, and Shimelfarb needed a queen to survive. The 
turn was a brick, but the river was just the ticket for Shimelfarb.
Notables bagging stacks include David Gutfreund (143,500) and Mike Deis (62,500), who made the final table of MSPT Majestic Star.
The less fortunate include Matt Kirby, Blake Bohn, Eddie Blumenthal, Bill Romer, Bryan Moon, Terry Ring, Lance Harris, Larry Ormson, John Hayes, Leon Morford, Rob Wazwaz, Mario Hudson, Patrick Steele, and the champion of the last MSPT stop here, Josh Reichard.
Be sure to tune back in tomorrow at 4 p.m. for Day 1b coverage here on PokerNews.