One of the players who grabbed a seat just after the tournament began was Bryan "badbeatninja" Devonshire, a well-known pro who made a deep run and got some TV coverage in last year's Main Event. He ultimately busted 25th there, and he's no stranger to Mid-States Poker Tour events here in Colorado, having attended last year when the tour was in town.
Devonshire's Day 1a ended unceremoniously, as his was outdrawn by a player holding who hit a set on the river late in the night. Devonshire's seated right next to Reza Yazdi. With the latter's propensity for playing plenty of hands, we expect to see fireworks there.
A big pot was brewing when we arrived at the table in the corner of the room, and two players checked to the hijack, who bet 2,100 on the board. Both the big blind and Nader Wahdan, who was in middle position, called. Two more checks followed the , and the aggressor fired again for 4,400. The big blind quickly folded, but Wahdan tossed in a call after about 30 seconds.
"Good call," the player said, showing two nines he had turned into a bluff.
Reza Yazdi took it down last time at Golden Gates.
Mark Hodge, the runaway leader for Mid-States Poker Tour Player of the Year so far with two final tables and a third cash, is one of the players in the tournament today.
Another notable sitting in: Reza Yazdi, who topped a field of 500 to bank about $120,000 the last time the MSPT came to town here in Black Hawk, Colo.
One flight down, two to go for Day 1s at Mid-States Poker Tour Golden Gates. The first flight, Day 1a on Thursday, drew 94 runners, with 22 advancing after 15 levels of play.
Colorado native Matt Bingel led the way with 316,500 at the end of the night, but two MSPT team pros had huge days as well. Both Nick Pupillo (311,000) and Blake Bohn (262,000) bagged big stacks, ranking second and fourth, respectively. The two will now get to enjoy a couple of days off, along with Danny Gonzales (274,500), James Hoeland (170,000), Andrew Peragallo (167,500), Nick Trimble (114,000), Kane Lai (98,000), and Olimpia May (79,500), among others.
Day 1b will be identical to Day 1c, featuring expanded 30,000 starting stacks and 15 40-minute levels. Breaks are every three levels and will last 10 minutes, with a 45-minute dinner break thrown in after Level 9. Cards are set to be in the air at noon local time, so stay tuned for live updates from the mountain town of Black Hawk.
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board. Both the big blind and Nader Wahdan, who was in middle position, called. Two more checks followed the 
, and the aggressor fired again for 4,400. The big blind quickly folded, but Wahdan tossed in a call after about 30 seconds.
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