Main Event
Day 1b Started
2015 Mid-States Poker Tour Running Aces
Main Event
Day: 1b
Event Info
Final Results
Event Info
Level Info
2015 Mid-States Poker Tour Running Aces
Buy-in
$1,000
Entries
354
Level
27
Blinds
25,000 / 50,000
Ante
5,000
Welcome to Day 1b of Mid-States Poker Tour Running Aces
Day 1a is in the books, and Day 1b is ready to rock at Mid-States Poker Tour Running Aces in Columbus, Minn. The first flight drew a total of 161 runners, and a similar number or greater is expected for today, the last chance to qualify for championship Sunday, when a new MSPT champion will be crowned.
Everyone is looking way, way up in the counts at Mark Hodge, who bagged 415,000, a massive lead over second-place James Maxey at the conclusion of 14 levels on Day 1a. Others making it through included James Gibson, John Reading, Darren Ficek, Jeff Fielder, "DQ" Dan Hendrickson, Todd Melander, Mike Ross, Terry Ring, Tony Lazar and Jeremy Dresch. Some of the faces we might see today who busted out yesterday: Adam Friedman, Matt Kirby, Jason Zarlenga, Nick Pupillo, Lance Harris, and Kou Vang.
Another 14 level grind will spark up at 4 p.m. local time with Allen Kessler's "Chainsaw Approves" structure governing play. Everyone will start with 20,000 in chips and blinds begin at 50/100, bagging up after the 1,200/2,400/400 level. Each player is allowed one reentry, usable until the start of Level 10.
Level: 1
Blinds: 50/100
Ante: 0
Defending Champ Pates Among Entries
Level 1
: 50/100, 0 ante
The last time the Mid-States Poker Tour came to town, Ken Pates emerged victorious over a field of 338 to take home an $87,698 first-place prize. Pates has also made two other MSPT final tables, so he's certainly a player to keep an eye on here at Running Aces.
Incidentally, his heads-up opponent, Dennis Stevermer, is seated at the neighboring table.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
20,000 | 20,000 |
|
|
20,000 | 20,000 |
|
20,000 | 20,000 |
|
20,000 | 20,000 |
|
20,000 | 20,000 |
|
20,000 | 20,000 |
|
20,000 | 20,000 |
|
20,000 | 20,000 |
|
20,000 | 20,000 |
|
20,000 | 20,000 |
|
20,000 | |
|
20,000 | 20,000 |
|
20,000 | 20,000 |
|
20,000 | 20,000 |
|
20,000 | 20,000 |
Zarlenga Bluffs Off to Pates
Level 1
: 50/100, 0 ante
Jason Zarlenga bet 750 from the small blind into two players on a 
flop. The first one folded, but Ken Pates wanted to play for more and raised to 1,700 from middle position. Zarlenga called, and he check-called 2,500 more on the 
turn. The 
made a three-flush on board, and Zarlenga checked once more. Pates bet 2,750, and Zarlenga raised to 8,200.
"Call," Pates quickly announced, and Zarlenga flipped 
into the middle. Pates showed 
for a flopped straight, and the defending champ is off and running.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
35,000 | 15,000 |
|
|
5,600 | -14,400 |
Sell Among Recent Entrants
Level 1
: 50/100, 0 ante
Jason Sell, who won Mid-States Poker Tour Ho-Chunk last spring, is among the recently registered players.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
20,000 | 20,000 |
|
20,000 | 20,000 |
|
20,000 | 20,000 |
|
20,000 | 20,000 |
|
20,000 | 20,000 |
|
20,000 | 20,000 |
|
20,000 | 20,000 |
|
20,000 | 20,000 |
|
20,000 | 20,000 |
Level: 2
Blinds: 75/150
Ante: 0
Dahlin Picks Off a Bluff
Level 2
: 75/150, 0 ante
Adam Dahlin opened for a raise under the gun and then called a three-bet to 1,100 from a player in middle position. He check-called 1,550 on the 
flop, and both players checked the 
turn. A 
hit the river, and Dahlin checked and quickly called 2,550. His opponent's cards hit the muck instantly, and Dahlin quietly mucked as well.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
28,000 | 8,000 |
Sandness Buys In
Level 2
: 75/150, 0 ante
Mark Sandness has also joined the field. Last season, Sandness took down the first event of the year, right here at Running Aces, when he defeated Blake Bohn heads up and claimed about $90,000 in winnings.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
20,000 | 20,000 |
|
20,000 | 20,000 |
|
20,000 | 20,000 |
|
20,000 | 20,000 |
|
20,000 | 20,000 |
|
20,000 | 20,000 |
|
20,000 | 20,000 |
|
|
5,600 |
Overpair No Good for Sandness
Level 2
: 75/150, 0 ante
On a 
board, Mark Sandness bet 2,300 from the big blind and was called by a player in middle position. Another opponent bumped it to 6,000 from the button, and Sandness called. The third player folded, and an 
prompted two quick checks.
Sandness rolled over 
, but his opponent had 
.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
13,000 | -7,000 |