Hollywood Casino St. Louis

McKuin Leads The Final 17 From Day 1A

It was a large turnout for Day 1A of the MSPT $1,110 Missouri State Championship at Hollywood Casino. A total of 142 found their way into the tournament with only 17 surviving at the end of the day. These players will join the survivors of the following two flights on Sunday February 5th to play for the lionshare of the $300,000 guaranteed prize pool.

Leading the way is Steven McKuin who ended the day with 492,000. McKuin late registered the day, and hung around the middle of the pack for most of play. A hero call against Scott Brodkin with an underpair put him up in the top five chips, and the final hands of the day saw him knock out two players to bring the field down to 17. Though relatively new to the poker circuit, McKuin has been making a name for himself, playing event ranging from Vegas to Joplin throughout 2022.

Top Ten Chip Counts Day 1A

Topping off the podium are Dillon Shaffle (477,000) and Bradley Beetz (441,000). Both found themselves at the top of the chip counts throughout the majority of the day, with Beetz dealing a particularly bad beat against KL Cleeton. Others who found their way to bags included Joe Batterman (246,000), Scott Brodkin (149,000), John Fagg (147,000), and Garrett Riley (119,000). Each of them looking to turn a bag into their first MSPT championship.

Not all were as fortunate, as players like Aaron Johnson, Kevin Berthelsen, Jeff Grimes, and KL Cleeton all saw their Day 1As come to an unfortunate end. With unlimited re-entry for the following two flights, it is likely that these players and others will exercise their right to play another flight.

Play ended with time left in Level 14 meaning that on Day 2, barring another flight ending earlier, all players will return with 28:20 left on the clock and blinds returning at 2,000/4,000. After that blinds will resume as normal as they play for the newest spot in the list of MSPT champions.

Stay tuned to MSPT.com for all updates regarding the Missouri State Championship.

A player raised to 6,000 from the hijack and on the button, Steven McKuin three-bet to 38,000 which saw action fold around to the initial raiser who moved all in for 115,000 which sent McKuin into the tank. After pondering his decision for roughly 40 seconds he called.

Opponent:

Steven McKuin:

The board ran out and McKuin filled up to win the hand and take the overall chip lead.

The remaining 17 players ended play with 28:20 left in level 14.

A full recap with chip counts will follow.

Steven McKuin - 492,000

Steven McKuin raised to 6,000 from middle position and was called by Garrett Riley in the small blind. In the big blind Jake Ortiz moved all in for 78,000 and McKuin moved all in for 150,000 effective which saw Riley fold.

Jake Ortiz:

Steven McKuin:

The board ran out and McKuin’s turned set was good for the pot and the elimination, bringing the field down to 18 players.

Steven McKuin - 335,000

Jake Ortiz - 0

Samrat Chauduri raised to 16,000 from early position and Garrett Riley moved all in from middle position for 57,000. All action folded back to Chauduri who called.

Garrett Riley:

Samrat Chauduri:

The board ran out and Riley’s top pair held up as the best hand.

Samrat Chauduri - 175,000

Garrett Riley - 122,000

A total of 142 entrants came out to play the first flight of the Missouri State Championship.

The clock reads 20 players remaining and play will end at 17 players left or a full 15 levels, whichever comes first.

A player raised to 5,000 on the button and in the small blind, Chris Audrain moved all in for 28,000 which folded out the big blind and only the initial raiser called.

Chris Audrain:

Button:

The board ran out and Audrain’s ten-kicker played as he took in the double up.

Chris Audrain - 61,000

Jared Ingles moved in his final 19,000 from early position and Scott Brodkin moved all in from the hijack for 46,000 which saw all following players fold.

Jared Ingles:

Scott Brodkin:

The board ran out and no help was brought to Ingles threes and Brodkin took down the pot.

Scott Brodkin - 70,000

Jared Ingles - 0

Action was picked up on the river between Steven McKuin in the cutoff and Scott Brodkin on the button with 85,000 in the center.

McKuin checked a board reading and Brodkin bet 40,000 which sent McKuin into the tank. After just over a minute, McKuin squinted and tossed in the chips to call.

“Good call,” remarked Brodkin who turned over for just ace-high. McKuin turned over for just a pair of threes which was good for the pot.

Steven McKuin - 255,000

Scott Brodkin - 48,000