Sycuan Casino Resort

After 14 levels of play, the first day of The $1,110 United States Poker Championship presented by MSPT at Sycuan Casino and Resort has come to an end. A total of 76 players came out to this flight, leaving just 9 remaining at day's end.

Leading the way is Jose Araya, who ended their day with 650,000. Araya is no stranger to the MSPT here in Sycuan. He scored a career best fifth place here in 2021 and with his bag here today, he looks to add to his $74,579 in lifetime earnings.

End of Day Chip Counts

Mixing old and new faces on the MSPT circuit, Brandon Zuidema (304,000) ended the day second in chips after knocking out Jeremy Clemons in the last hand of the night holding aces, while local legend Kevin Meyers (255,000) also spent most of the day as the big stack. WSOP bracelet winner Kirk Morrison (139,000) also found a bag in the hunt for his first MSPT cash and title.

Not all were able to find success today. Former champion Ken Baime found himself out during the day. Along with him were Eddie Pilotin, Rich Lanes, Camille Brown, and Rip Fritzer. They will have the next two days of play to find a bag for day 2 to get a piece of the $300,000 guarantee.

Play ended with 13:25 left in play in Level 14, with blinds at 3,000/5,000 and a 5,000 big blind ante. Players will return on Sunday at 11 am at this level unless another flight ends earlier than this. Stay tuned to MSPTPoker.com for all updates regarding the Main Event in Sycuan.

Jeremy Clemons moved all in from first position for 80,000 which saw action fold around to Brandon Zuidema in the big blind, who sweat his cards one at a time.

“I’m sorry bro,” Zuidema said after looking the second.

Jeremy Clemons:
Brandon Zuidema:

The flop of provided a flush draw sweat for Clemons and the turn gave him more outs in the form of filling out. The river did not improve him and Clemons became the final elimination of the night with 13:25 left in Level 14.

Stay tuned to MSPT.com for an end of day recap later.

Brandon Zuidema - 306,000
Jeremy Clemons - Eliminated

Action was picked up in a pot between David Vannoy in early position and Phil Ambrosetti in middle position.

The flop of saw Vannoy bet 6,000 which Ambrosetti responded to by raising to 11,000 which Vannoy called.

The turn of saw Ambrosetti bet 26,000 when checked to by Vannoy, which Vannoy called once.

On the river, Vannoy checked a third time to Ambrosetti who moved all in for 96,500 and after some thought Vannoy called to put himself at risk.

David Vannoy - 295,500
Phil Ambrosetti - 112,000

A player on the button opened to 8,000 which saw Brandon Zuidema call in the small blind.

The flop came out and Zuidema check called a bet of 6,000.

Action checked down on the rundown which saw Zuidema table for a pair of twos which was good for the pot.

Shortly beforehand, Camille Brown was eliminated from the tournament, bringing the total players left to just 12.

Brandon Zuidema - 109,000
Camille Brown - Eliminated

The registration of the first day of The United States Poker Championship has seen its’ registration period close. A total of 76 players came out to play this event, meaning that the night will conclude when we reach 9 players remaining or after 15 levels have been played.

The clock currently reads 14 players remaining.

Matt Polera raised to 6,500 in early position and action folded around to Elias Goulart on the button who moved all in for 40,000 which Polera called.

Elias Goulart:
Matt Polera:

The board ran out and the set of jacks was good for Polera to win the pot while Goulart exited the tournament.

Matt Polera - 284,000
Elias Goulart - Eliminated

Kevin Meyers raised to 5,500 from early position and a player in the cutoff three bet to 15,000 which Meyers called.

On the flop of , Meyers checked to his opponent who moved all in for 51,000 and Meyers called.

Opponent:
Kevin Meyers:

The board ran out and Meyers’ held tens up with an ace kicker to scoop the pot and his opponent exited the tournament while Meyers took the tournament lead.

Kevin Meyers - 324,000

Action was picked up in a pot between three players including Kirk Morrison in the hijack and Phil Ambrosetti in the big blind as well as a player on the button.

The board read and action checked to Morrison who bet 12,000 which Ambrosetti called.

Ambrosetti led out on the turn to the tune of 16,500 which Morrison called.

On the river, Ambrosetti sized up to 26,000 and Morrison quickly folded his hand.

Phil Ambrosetti - 124,000
Kirk Morrison - 89,000

Action was picked up on the turn between three players including Richard Spirra in the small blind.

With a board reading and action on the big blind, the big blind bet 7,000 which only Spirra called.

On the river , Spirra tossed out a single 5,000 chip and was met with a quick call.

Spirra turned over for a straight and his opponent flashed for two pair, which was no good as Spirra raked in the pot.

Richard Spirra - 109,000

A player in early position moved all in for 23,500 and from one seat over, Brandon Zuidema moved all in for more which saw all other players fold.

Opponent:
Brandon Zuidema:

The board ran out and Zuidema faded the added outs on the turn of the straight draw to send out his opponent from the tournament.

Brandon Zuidema - 64,000