Welcome to Day 1a of the 2022 MSPT South Dakota State Poker Championship
The Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT) has returned to Deadwood’s historic Silverado-Franklin Hotel and Gaming Complex for Day 1a of the $1,110 South Dakota State Poker Championship.
The tournament is set to be one of the biggest ever in the region, with a $100,000 guarantee, and if the trend from previous events here continues, expect that guarantee to be shattered by a wide margin.
In October of last year, Mark Steffen of Hot Springs, South Dakota topped a field of 387 entries to claim the $82,256 first prize in the Deadwood Shootout. Prior to that in the 2021 MSPT South Dakota State Poker Championship, Taylor Howard of Altoona, Iowa bested a field of 585 entrants to earn $119,165 in the largest tournament in Deadwood’s illustrious poker history. This weekend’s event could certainly challenge that record.
2021 MSPT South Dakota State Poker Championship Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Hometown | Prize | MSPT POY Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taylor Howard | Altoona, IA | $119,165 | 1,700 |
| 2 | John Schroer | Casper, WI | $73,201 | 1,500 |
| 3 | Cy Church | East Lansing, MI | $53,340 | 1,400 |
| 4 | Paul Camby | Guerneville, CA | $39,722 | 1,300 |
| 5 | Michael Kinzer | Las Vegas, NV | $30,075 | 1,200 |
| 6 | John Nidhiry | Rockville, MD | $22,698 | 1,100 |
| 7 | Wesley Ismay | Vale, SD | $17,591 | 1,000 |
| 8 | Clint Lilienthal | Lincoln, NE | $13,616 | 900 |
| 9 | Tim Dunse | Reedsburg, WI | $10,782 | 800 |
The first of two opening flights begins at 3 pm mountain time, with players receiving 25,000 chips and blinds starting at 100/100/100 with 40-minute blind levels. Players will complete 15 levels (or until 12% of the field is reached) with 10-minute breaks after every three levels. Late registration and unlimited re-entries are open until the beginning of Level 13. Survivors from the two opening flights will combine on Sunday at 11 am to play down to a winner.
Satellites have been running since late April that will certainly boost the numbers of players in the field, and those looking to get into the Main Event at a discount will have their final chance Saturday morning with one last $260 turbo satellite into the afternoon’s Day 1b flight.
2022 MSPT South Dakota State Poker Championship Remaining Schedule
| Date | Time (MDT) | Tournament | Late Reg | GTD Prize Pool | Starting Stack | Blind Levels |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, May 20 | 3 pm | $1,110 MSPT Main Event Day 1a | 11:40 pm | $100,000 | 25,000 | 40 |
| Saturday, May 21 | 10 am | $260 Turbo Satellite – 1 in 5 advance to MSPT Main | 12:10 pm | - | 15,000 | 15 |
| 3 pm | $1,110 MSPT Main Event Day 1b | 11:40 pm | $100,000 | 25,000 | 40 | |
| Sunday, May 22 | 11 am | $1,110 MSPT Main Event Day 2 | - | $100,000 | - | 40 |
| 12 pm | $250 Last Chance Showdown NLH | 3 pm | - | 15,000 | 20 |
*Visit msptpoker.com for a complete listing of rake and staff fees.
About Silverado-Franklin
The Silverado-Franklin Hotel & Gaming Complex offers more than 360 different slot machines, Deadwood’s largest table games area (Caribbean Stud, 4-Card Poker, Let It Ride, and 3-Card Poker all with a $1,000 betting limit), and a poker room. In addition, there are great food and drink options at Legends Steakhouse, the Silverado Grand Buffet, and the Veranda, which offers unique views of historic Mount Moriah Cemetery, White Rocks, and the town of Deadwood.
When Deadwood legalized gaming in 1989, the Franklin didn't get a major retrofit until the owners of the neighboring Silverado Gaming Establishment purchased the hotel and embarked on an ambitious remodeling project in 2005 that opened up the main ballroom, added a premier casino, and enhanced the overall experience for guests.
The renovated first floor reopened in June 2007, sporting a refinished tin ceiling, restored woodwork, and fluted columns that match early photographs of the hotel lobby. Elaborate chandeliers, colored glass, and gilded fixtures accent the entire level. A restoration project was recently completed that restored the original parapet and flag pole, built from matching cast stone, brick, and fiberglass.
Deadwood is known for many things but for poker players, it's perhaps best known for aces and eights, otherwise known as the Deadman’s Hand. In 1876, Wild Bill Hickok held that hand in a game of poker at a saloon just a few blocks from the present-day Silverado when he was shot by Jack McCall.
Another chapter in the rich history of poker in Deadwood and South Dakota is about to be written, and PokerNews will be here to chronicle all the action. Stay with us until a champion is crowned on Sunday and awarded one of the most prestigious and unique trophies in poker.
flop, the opening raiser continued for 2,500 and was called by Bekavac and the other player.
turn, the original raiser bet another 2,500 and with the nut straight, Bekavac raised to 11,300. The other player moved all-in for 15,000, Bekavac and the original raiser both called.
, the original raiser checked and Bekavac bet 6,000, which was called.
, Heiberg continued for 10,500, with only Bekavac making the call.
, and Heiberg bet another 25,000.
for two pair, while Heiberg showed 
for a turned straight, with a draw to potentially his second straight flush of the day.
and got one caller in the small blind.
, the small blind led for 5,000 and Bekavac called.
which brought a club flush draw, the small blind bet 12,000 and again, Bekavac called.
, but also gave Bekavac trip sevens. He called a final 20,000 bet from the small blind who mucked his hand.
, they piled in over 200,000 chips, with Stanage all-in.
on the river to add insult to injury with quad queens.
, Heiberg continued for 5,000. This was met by a check-raise to 13,000 from Joens.
fell on the river to give Heiberg quad nines and a huge win to boost his stack back over 150,000.
turn, Dennis continued his aggression with a bet of 40,000. the three-time MSPT Main Event winner responded by moving all in for approximately 150,000. 
fall on the turn. Again he led out, this time for 25,000. Reichard made the call, leaving himself 85,000 behind.
