Main Event
Day 1a Started
2014 Mid-States Poker Tour Majestic Star Casino
Main Event
Day: 1a
Event Info
Final Results
Event Info
Level Info
2014 Mid-States Poker Tour Majestic Star Casino
Buy-in
$1,000
Entries
301
Level
23
Blinds
40,000 / 80,000
Ante
10,000
Welcome to the 2014 Mid-States Poker Tour Majestic Star Casino
We're all set for a 5 p.m. kickoff here at Majestic Star Casino in Gary, Ind., for the third event on the Mid-States Poker Tour this year. Though the MSPT has started its fifth season, it's the first time it's stopped here in Gary, so we'll be interested to see what kind of turnout it gets. The prize pool is guaranteed at least $200,000.
Players will play nine 50-minute levels here on Day 1a, starting with the blinds at 25/50 and 20,000 stacks. A 10-minute break will be given every two levels. Each player is allowed one mulligan per Day 1 flight, so players reported as busting out may still be in the tournament should they choose to reenter.
Players are starting to trickle in and take their seats here on the fourth floor of the casino, and at least one recognizable player just walked in: Shawn Shoreck, winner of MSPT Belle of Baton Rouge two weeks ago, has returned to try to make it two straight.
Thanks for tuning in to PokerNews' coverage, and we'll be sure to bring you all the sights and updates throughout the day.
Level: 1
Blinds: 25/50
Ante:
Shuffle Up and Deal
Level 1
: 25/50, 0 ante
The tournament director just ordered the dealers to fire up the first hands of the tournament.
Familiar Faces
Level 1
: 25/50, 0 ante
Here are some players we recognize throughout the room.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
20,000 | |
|
|
20,000 | |
|
20,000 | |
|
20,000 | |
|
20,000 | |
|
20,000 |
Herstein Forces a River Fold
Level 1
: 25/50, 0 ante
Gary Herstein fired 1,650, all of his chips besides his two gray T5,000 chips, after a player in the hijack checked to him on a board of 
. Herstein's opponent called, and the river was a 
. Herstein bet 2,500 when checked to, and his opponent shook his head and folded.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
16,500 |
Baldwin Three-Bets the Turn
Level 1
: 25/50, 0 ante
David Baldwin bet 650 out of the big blind against a lone opponent on the button with the board reading 
. The button announced a raise, and he tossed in 1,725. Baldwin came back with 3,150 total, and the button made the call. After a 
fell on the river, Baldwin quickly bet 4,500, and his opponent folded after taking a deep breath.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
24,000
24,000
|
24,000 |
Simon Sweeping Stacks
Level 1
: 25/50, 0 ante
John Simon fired 9,000 on the river on a board of 
where two flush draws both missed on the river, and his lone opponent quickly folded.
The very next hand, Simon called a raise to 225 before betting 1,050 on the 
flop. One player called from the big blind, and we didn't catch the turn action after the fell, which was followed by a river. The big blind bet 5,600, and Simon called. His opponent turned over 
.
"I've gotcha," Simon said, tabling 
for a better kicker to go with aces up. Simon already has more than double the starting stack.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
42,000 |
Level: 2
Blinds: 50/100
Ante:
My Stack App Available for MSPT Season 5 Majestic Star Casino
Level 2
: 50/100, 0 ante
The PokerNews MyStack App is available for players here in the Mid-States Poker Tour Season 5 Majestic Star Casino, allowing players to directly update their chip count on the PokerNews Live Reporting page for their friends and family to see.
You can download the app for iPhone or Android now to get started. Then, create a new PokerNews account or update your current one to start updating your status immediately. Your followers can see all the live action that you're involved in.
Be forewarned, however, any abuse of the app will result in account suspension or termination.