Main Event
Day 1a Started
2014 Mid-States Poker Tour Running Aces Harness Park
Main Event
Day: 1a
Event Info
Final Results
Event Info
Level Info
2014 Mid-States Poker Tour Running Aces Harness Park
Buy-in
$1,000
Prize Pool
$355,200
Entries
354
Level
21
Blinds
40,000 / 80,000
Ante
10,000
Season 5 of the Mid-States Poker Tour Kicks Off Tonight at Running Aces
It's going to be a big year on the Mid-States Poker Tour, which kicks off its fifth season tonight at Running Aces Harness Park just outside the Twin Cities in Minnesota.
Running Aces has been a part of the MSPT dating all the way back to Season 1; in fact, the property played host to the third-ever MSPT event back in April 2010. Back then it was called the Minnesota State Poker Tour as each stop was limited to that state, but it eventually morphed into the Mid-States Poker Tour after expanding outside the state's borders. For a comprehensive look at the stop's history, click here.
This year's tournament is expected to draw players from across the Midwest including Brett Kuznia, Todd Breyfogle, Kou Vang, MSPT Team Pros Blake Bohn, Matt Kirby, and Matt Alexander; and PokerNews' very own Chad Holloway.
“Working with Bryan [Mileski] and the MSPT brand has been something great to watch grow,” Running Aces Marketing Director Aaron Bedessem said in an interview with PokerNews. “We have worked well with the brand to help build it from only a few stops in Minnesota to a Midwest brand that has a great following. The growth MSPT has been able to accomplish has been great in drawing in more regional players to our poker room.”
What's more, the Running Aces stop marks the first time PokerNews will live report a MSPT event, though it won't be the last as we'll be providing hand histories, chip counts, and photographs from every stop this season.
“PokerNews is very pleased to serve as the official live reporting partner for the MSPT during the tour's fifth season,” said PokerNews Editor-in-Chief Donnie Peters. “As the official media partner of the tour, this new level to our partnership makes perfect sense. The MSPT offers top-notch events with affordable buy-ins in the Midwest region, and we are excited with our new role in helping the tour to grow. By introducing our live reporting product to a brand new market through an established brand such as the MSPT, we hope to expand the awareness of the tour nationally and continue to grow the game of poker."
MSPT players will be able to take advantage of our innovative PokerNews MyStack App, which allows them to update their tournament poker progress straight into the live blog. Imagine shooting a round of golf and being able to instantly update your score to ESPN, that’s what MyStack has done for poker. You can learn more and download the app by clicking here.
Day 1a is set to kick off at 5 p.m. local time, which is a few hours from now. Be sure to join us then as we bring you all the action straight out of the gates here on Season 5 of the Mid-States Poker Tour!
For more information on the MSPT Season 5, visit msptpoker.com.
The Preamble
Players are filling out paperwork, and dealers are counting out stacks. Notable players Blake Bohn, Matt Kirby, Matt Alexander, Brett Kuznia, and David Gonia have registered for the tournament and are taking their seats.
The tournament director just announced that Seat 1 will start with the button, and cards should be in the air shortly.
MyStack App Available for MSPT Running Aces
The PokerNews MyStack App is available for players here in the Mid-States Poker Tour Season 5 Running Aces, 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.
Level: 1
Blinds: 25/50
Ante: 0
We're On
Level 1
: 25/50, 0 ante
The tournament clock just started, and cards are now in the air.
Hernke Rivers a Straight
Level 1
: 25/50, 0 ante
After a flop of 
, Nate Hernke checked in the small blind, and a player in middle position bet 325. The button called, as did Hernke. It was the button who took the lead after the 
turn, firing 600 when checked to, and everyone came along. A 
fell on the river, and everybody checked. The button flipped over 
for top pair, but Hernke showed 
for a rivered straight.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
22,000 |
Some Tweets from the MSPT Running Aces
Level 1
: 25/50, 0 ante
Getting ready to kick off Season 5 of @msptpoker @RunAces if you like $$$ get here. #yearofmsptFollow @JPGPOKER
1st local event of my 2014 schedule. Anyone want some side action, get at me. @msptpoker @RunAcesFollow @bkbohn
Are You the Next MSPT Champ?
Level 1
: 25/50, 0 ante
Get to Know the PokerNews Live Reporting Blog
Level 1
: 25/50, 0 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.