With the board reading , Christian Pham bet 775 out of the small blind and was called by Peixin Liu in the big. A completed the board, and Pham bet an unknown amount before being immediately called. Liu showed for turned trips to best Pham's , good for top pair.
Also, we spotted Grant Hinkle and DJ Buckley, who made the final table of MSPT Ho-Chunk two weeks ago, in the field.
The player in the small blind bet 3,125 on a board of , and Blair Hinkle raised to 6,500 from the button. The small blind expressed doubt that Hinkle would call the turn with ace-jack, and he announced a call.
Hinkle tabled for a flush.
"Never put you on it," the small blind said. "Good hand."
Despite the numerous tough players here, Hinkle certainly has to be considered one of the favorites. He sports north of $3.5 million in live winnings, and just under $2 million more online.
Craig Matthews just got it all in with on a flop of . His opponent held a weaker draw with , and both players hit their draws on the turn, which left Matthews with a lock hand.
Kou Vang opened for what appeared to be 500 and saw the player in the hijack three-bet to 1,000. The small blind called, and Vang called. Action checked to the raiser on the flop, and he bet 2,000. The small blind raised to 5,000, and Vang shoved for a bit less. The hijack folded.
Vang:
Small blind:
Vang turned an additional three outs when the came, but an river locked up the hand for the small blind by giving him trips.
Mike Deis just shoved all in over an opponent's bet on a board of . His opponent called with a set of sixes, but Deis had flopped a higher set with , and he dodged the one-outer on the river.
Three very tough players have drawn three very unfortunate seats: Kou Vang ($589,493 in live cashes), Blair Hinkle ($3,515,803), and Mark Sandness ($363,322) are all seated next to each other at Table 13. That's an even bigger beat for their opponents, who have to contend with these three for the time being. Vang is seeking his fourth Mid-States Poker Tour final table of the year, while Sandness looks to add a second win after taking down the first event of the season for just over $90,000.
, Christian Pham bet 775 out of the small blind and was called by Peixin Liu in the big. A 
completed the board, and Pham bet an unknown amount before being immediately called. Liu showed 
for turned trips to best Pham's 
, good for top pair.
, and Blair Hinkle raised to 6,500 from the button. The small blind expressed doubt that Hinkle would call the turn with ace-jack, and he announced a call.
for a flush.
on a flop of 
flop, and he bet 2,000. The small blind raised to 5,000, and Vang shoved for a bit less. The hijack folded.
came, but an 
river locked up the hand for the small blind by giving him trips.
. His opponent called with a set of sixes, but Deis had flopped a higher set with 
, and he dodged the one-outer on the river.
