The Mid-States Poker Tour recently announced the addition of Kou Vang to its Pro Team alongside Team Pros Blake Bohn, Matt Kirby and Matt Alexander. Vang, a family man from St. Paul, Minnesota, Vang previously gave PokerNews an in-depth interview, which you can read by clicking here.
One of the most accomplished players in MSPT history, Vang holds the all-time MSPT record with 12 cashes, including seven cashes in Season 5 (good for another record). Additionally, he is second all time with five final tables, fourth all time with $145,399 in earnings , and currently leads the Season 5 MSPT Player of the Year race with 3,100 points. Finally, Vang, a Card Club Pro of Running Aces Harness Park & Card Room in Columbus, MN since 2013, won a MSPT title three years ago at Canterbury Park by defeating pro poker player Everett Carlton heads-up.
In addition to his online and MSPT success, Vang has earned well over $600K in live events which includes wins at the 2013 Midwest Poker Classic $2,500 High Roller, 2010 Fall Poker Classic Main Event and a WSOP Circuit ring from the $1,500 Council Bluffs Main Event.
“We are thrilled to be able to add Kou to the team,” stated MSPT Founder and President Bryan Mileski. “He is so well respected by his peers as a person and a player. We love his competitiveness, but also the way he handles the ups and downs of poker with class. Kou has been a very loyal MSPT player for a long time and has been a big part of helping drive the MSPT to the national brand it has become today.”
Vang is in action today and looking to add to his MSPT Season 5 POY total.
Mike Holm, who finished runner-up at the MSPT Meskwaki back in July, is in today's field and looking for a title here in Season 5. In a recent hand, we caught the action on a flop when Holm bet 700 from the big blind. His opponent in middle position made the call, and then both players checked the turn. When the completed the board on the river, Holm bet 1,000 and his opponent quickly folded.
Despite winning that small pot, Holm is down slightly from the starting stack.
Mark "P0ker H0" Kroon opened for 550 from early position only to have David Snitkin three-bet to 2,250 from the button. Action folded back to Kroon, who is known to be extremely talkative at the table.
"That's the new thing now?" he joked. "Reraising me."
Kroon called the raise and then checked in the dark before the flop came down . Snitkin checked behind, and then both players checked the turn. When the completed the board on the river, Kroon led out for 2,500 and Snitkin wasted little time in raising him to 10,000.
Kroon seemed to know he was in trouble, but tossed in a call. "Alright, take it," he said as he dropped the chips in. Sure enough, Snitkin tabled the for aces full of sevens.
"Thanks for the schooling sir," Kroon sighed as he flashed the .
We caught up with Brandon "oncommand" Meyers on Day 1a of the Mid-States Poker Tour Potawatomi to talk about his recent string of appearances on the tour.
When he woke up this morning, Erik Silgman wasn't sure if he was going to play in the MSPT Main Event. It was his day off as a poker dealer at Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells, another MSPT stop, so he decided to travel to Milwaukee and play this morning's $250 qualifier. Much to his delight, he was able to qualify.
Unfortunately, Silgman hasn't had as much luck in this tournament; in fact, he was just down to 3,350 when he shoved all in from the hijack and received a call from the player on the button.
Silgman:
Button:
Silgman was ahead, but his opponent was drawing to two live cards. The flop was kind to Silgman, but the turn was dangerous. It may have given him two pair, but it also gave the button a flush draw. The dealer burned one last time and put out another . Silgman filled up and kept his tournament hopes alive.
Brandon "oncommand" Meyers busted his first bullet early here on Day 1a, but he opted to exercise his reentry option. Meyers wasn't afraid to put his tournament life on the line for a second time in a hand we happened to catch.
We picked up the action with the board reading when a player in the blind checked and Meyers bet 2,500. A call was made, the completed the board on the river, and Meyers moved all in for 5,700 after his opponent checked. The unknown player dropped in a call and tabled the for trips, but it was no good as Meyers held a full house with the .
Meanwhile, MSPT FireKeepers champ Jason Zarlenga has jumped back in the action.
button in Safari
flop when Holm bet 700 from the big blind. His opponent in middle position made the call, and then both players checked the 
turn. When the 
completed the board on the river, Holm bet 1,000 and his opponent quickly folded.
. Snitkin checked behind, and then both players checked the 
turn. When the 
completed the board on the river, Kroon led out for 2,500 and Snitkin wasted little time in raising him to 10,000.
for aces full of sevens.
flop was kind to Silgman, but the 
. Silgman filled up and kept his tournament hopes alive.
