Nancy Anderson Bags Day 1a Lead at MSPT Running Aces

Day 1a of the Mid-States Poker Tour Running Aces $1,110 Main Event attracted 150 entrants. After 14 levels of play, 30 players remained, and it was the only woman left standing, Nancy Anderson, who bagged the chip lead with 234,000. Anderson has two MSPT cashes under her belt, one of which was at this venue in 2013 when she took 19th.

MSPT Pro Matt Kirby held the chip lead for the last few levels of the night. At one point Kirby had over 300,000 in chips, but towards the end of Level 13 he lost a big hand after he called Erick Wright's all-in shove with the on a board reading . Although Kirby had the best of it on the turn, Wright hit a gutshot straight with the when the river came the . Kirby ended today third in chips with 187,000.

Michael Zietz from North Dakota ended the day second in chips with 205,500.

Other players bagging at night's end included the aforementioned Wright (173,000), John Alexander (92,000), Steve Belland (87,000), Tony Hartmann (80,000), MSPT Pro Matt Alexander (76,500), Kou Vang (58,000), and Mike Schneider (49,000).

Some of those that were not so lucky and will need to enter again tomorrow on Day 1b if they hope to get a chunk of the prize pool included former MSPT champs Terry Ring, Jeremy Dresch, Jason Seitz, and Peixin Liu. MSPT Pro Nick Pupillo, as well as Rob WazWaz, Christian Pham, and Everett Carlton will all also have to try their luck tomorrow if they hope to win a piece of the $200,000 guaranteed prize pool.

Day 1b kicks off at 4 p.m. on Saturday, and PokerNews will be back on hand for more live updates. Stay tuned.