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Level: 6
Blinds: 200/400
Ante: 50
2014 Mid-States Poker Tour Potawatomi Casino
Main Event
Day: 1b
Event Info
2014 Mid-States Poker Tour Potawatomi Casino
Final Results
Event Info
Level Info
Buy-in
$1,000
Prize Pool
$487,000
Total Entries
487
Level
29
Blinds
40,000 / 80,000
Ante
10,000
Players Left 1 / 487
Filter
Level 5
: 150/300, 25 ante
Earlier today the MSPT held their last $250 qualifier into the Main Event. It started bright and early in the morning, and one man that was there was Paul Ranola, who made the hour-long drive from Madison. Ranola was planning to buy into the Main Event if necessary, but there was no need for that as he was one of the lucky 20 players or so to win a seat.
"I'm amateur player who's played since 2000, but only in the past couple years have taken it more seriously by trying to analyze my game more to improve," Ranola told PokerNews. "I love the challenge and complexity of the game."
Married with two young kids, ages three and five, Ranola doesn't get to play as often as he'd like between spending time with his family and running his business, but for the MSPT he made it a point to play.
"I don't play a whole lot because of my family and a business I own with a business partner that specializes in online video production, located in Madison, WI," Ranola said. "I haven't had much success in the game but I love playing, experimenting and studying the game."
Level 5
: 150/300, 25 ante
After a few players had limped for 300, "Wild Bill" Romer did the same from the button. The player in the small blind then announced an all-in raise to 4,175, and action folded back to Romer. The MSPT veteran thought for a moment before making the call, and it didn't sit well with his opponent.
"I can't believe you have a hand to call there," the small blind said.
"I have a drawing hand," Romer admitted.
Small Blind: 
Romer: 
As it turned out, Romer had much more than a drawing hand — he had the best hand. The 
flop gave both players a pair of queens, but of course Romer's kicker had him well out in front. The 
turn put out some chop options, but the 
blanked on the river and Romer scored the elimination and the pot.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
21,500
6,000
|
6,000 |
Level 5
: 150/300, 25 ante
With PokerNews proudly delivering coverage throughout Season 5 of the Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT), we thought new readers following the coverage could use a quick primer on the live blog's set-up and structure.
The red tabs on the screen allow you to navigate between PokerNews' live blogging coverage - which includes hand recaps, player interviews, chip count updates, photos and all the rest - and the site's other extremely useful features.
If you prefer to simply scan the chip counts to see how your favorite players are faring, clicking the red tab titled "Chip Counts" will take you to a list screen with updated chip counts for the players we have information for. Those using the MyStack app from the table can always add their counts to this page through their smartphones, so if you don't see who you're searching for in the counts, have them download MyStack and update their progress as the day continues.
The “Player Updates" tab is next, and this tool allows you to see how notable players and top pros have been faring lately, with arrows showing if they have been climbing or falling in the counts.
Finally, if you just want to soak in the scene from the various MSPT stops, click on the "Photo Gallery" tab to take a look at a gallery of photos taken throughout the day.
Combining the "Live Reporting" coverage PokerNews strives to provide with these three tabs is the best way to enjoy our continued coverage of the MSPT, because you can follow along in the way you prefer. If you like the stories emerging from the event, stick with the "Live Reporting" tab to read all about the goings on here from the floor. If chip count tracking is what you prefer, the "Chip Counts" tab is the perfect way to track the tournament. When you're only interested in a particular player's progress, the "Player Updates" tab will keep you're coverage centralized. And if you just like seeing your favorite players do their thing, the "Photo Gallery" tab takes you on a visual tour of the tournament as it happens.
Level 5
: 150/300, 25 ante
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
40,000
13,500
|
13,500 |
|
37,000
37,000
|
37,000 |
|
27,000
7,000
|
7,000 |
|
26,000
4,000
|
4,000 |
|
|
26,000
6,000
|
6,000 |
|
|
25,000
5,000
|
5,000 |
|
22,000
2,000
|
2,000 |
|
|
15,500
4,500
|
4,500 |
|
13,000
7,000
|
7,000 |
Level: 5
Blinds: 150/300
Ante: 25
Level 4
: 100/200, 25 ante
Paul Jain opened for 600 and received a call from former MSPT champ JJ Olson. The player in the hijack then three-bet to 2,000, action folded back two Jain, and both he and Olson called to see a flop of 
.
Jain checked, Olson bet 1,800, and the hijack moved all in for 12,800. Jain thought for about 40 seconds before calling off for 8,425, and that inspired Olson to get out of the way.
Jain: 
Olson: 
Jain was well out in front with top pair, but the 
turn gave his opponent a pair. Fortunately for Jain, the 
river was a safe card and he more than doubled on the hand.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
25,000
18,000
|
18,000 |
|
|
6,200 |
Level 4
: 100/200, 25 ante
We happened upon the action with 9,000 or so in the pot and a board reading 
. World Poker Tour champ Ravi Raghavan had moved all in for his last 6,300, and action was two-time MSPT champ Kou Vang, who was tanking on the button.
After some time had passed, Vang released his cards and Raghavan won the pot without a showdown. Not much of a hand, but it gave us a good excuse to update you on both their chip counts.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
35,000
35,000
|
35,000 |
|
15,500
3,500
|
3,500 |
|
||
Level 4
: 100/200, 25 ante
On a flop of 
, Lob Khedup checked from the big blind and his opponent bet 1,300 from early position. Khedup responded by check-raising to 4,000 and then called when his opponent shoved all in for 7,600 total.
Khedup:
Opponent: 
Neither player had so much as a pair, but Khedup did flop a flush draw. The 
turn changed nothing, and neither did the 
turn. Khedup missed and he watched his opponent take down the pot with king high.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
24,500
24,500
|
24,500 |
