Main Event
Day 1a Started
2015 Mid-States Poker Tour Tropicana
Main Event
Day: 1a
Event Info
Final Results
Event Info
Level Info
2015 Mid-States Poker Tour Tropicana
Buy-in
$1,000
Entries
251
Level
27
Blinds
25,000 / 50,000
Ante
5,000
Welcome to Day 1a of Mid-States Poker Tour Tropicana Evansville
A week after Alan Curl claimed the crown at Mid-States Poker Tour Grand Falls Casino, the MSPT is back in action with its second-ever event at Tropicana Evansville, located on the Ohio River. In 2014, Charlie Dawson took won the event, topping a field of 225 for a $60,527 first-place prize.
That stop also saw the MSPT final table debut of Nick Pupillo, who finished seventh for $8,647. Pupillo has gone on to become a sponsored pro on the tour, and he'll be among the players in attendance today. Among others, Mark Hodge, Allen Kessler, Matt Alexander, and Adam Friedman have also been confirmed.
Speaking of Kessler, the "Chainsaw's" trademark blind structure will be in use, as usual. Players will begin with 20,000 apiece and start with blinds of 50/100. Those blinds will go up every 40 minutes, with 14 levels scheduled for the day. Players are allowed one reentry up until the beginning of Level 10. Cards are supposed to fly at 4 p.m. local time, so stay tuned.
Level: 1
Blinds: 50/100
Ante: 0
Notable Entrants
Level 1
: 50/100, 0 ante
Charlie Dawson is back to defend his title.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
20,000 | |
|
20,000 | |
|
||
|
20,000 | |
|
20,000 | |
|
|
20,000 | |
|
20,000 | |
|
20,000 | |
|
20,000 | |
|
20,000 | |
|
20,000 | |
Alexander Value-Bets, Folds
Level 1
: 50/100, 0 ante
Matt Alexander had a bet of 4,000 in front of him from the the big blind and was facing an all-in shove from an opponent in late position. The final board read 
, and Alexander wondered aloud what his opponent could be holding.
"Set of fives?" he asked. "Will you show me if I fold? I'll show you."
Alexander folded 
face-up after a couple of minutes. His opponent did not show.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
14,000 | |
|
|
||
Dimatteo Gets Value With Broadway
Level 1
: 50/100, 0 ante
Jonathan Dimatteo checked from middle position on a board of 
, and an opponent on the button bet 1,000. Dimatteo raised to 3,800, and his opponent snap-called. The river brought an 
, and Dimatteo bet 3,500. The player on the button called, and Dimatteo showed 
for a Broadway straight. His opponent mucked 
face-up.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
25,000
5,000
|
5,000 |
Alexander Doubles
Level 1
: 50/100, 0 ante
Matt Alexander was raking in a pot when we arrived at his table, and he said he doubled up with 
all in preflop against by hitting quads.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
21,800
7,800
|
7,800 |
|
|
||
Level: 2
Blinds: 75/150
Ante: 0
Turner, Yen Enter
Level 2
: 75/150, 0 ante
Alex Yen and Josh Turner are among the recently registered players. Yen took second in this event last year, falling to Charlie Dawson heads up, and he has gone on to experience more success in the time since, highlighted by a fourth-place finish at an HPT event for more than $67,000. Turner is a well-known circuit grinder who has two circuit rings among his more than $600,000 in tournament cashes.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
20,000
20,000
|
20,000 |
|
20,000
20,000
|
20,000 |
|
20,000
20,000
|
20,000 |
Kessler Ousted Early
Level 2
: 75/150, 0 ante
Three players saw a 
flop, and the big blind bet 1,600. Blair Miller called from middle position, as did Allen "Chainsaw" Kessler from Miller's left. The turn paired the board with the . The big blind bet 2,200, and Miller called. Kessler raised to 8,000, folding out the big blind. Miller, though, said he was all in.
Kessler appeared distressed at this development and asked for a count. It was 19,775, which Kessler barely covered. Chainsaw pushed in some chips to call after a couple of minutes and showed 
for trips with top kicker. Miller had turned a boat though with 
, and Kessler needed help. He didn't get any as the 
fell.
Left with only about 300, Kessler put it in the next hand with 
and got called by both blinds. The big blind turned a pair of aces with 
to eliminate Kessler, who said he'll forgo his option to reenter and wait until tomorrow.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
55,500 | |
|
|
Busted |