The Venetian

Another full day of action occurred during Day 1b of the MSPT Season 16 $1,600 Poker Bowl IX at the Venetian Resort with almost 17 full levels coming to completion as just 17:29 remained in the level when the hard stop was reached.

The second of three flights drew 263 runners, bringing the two-day total to 429 thus far with one flight remaining.

Of those 263 entries, just 29 players remained when pens went to slips, and it was Andy Fleming who put a healthy 621,000 in his bag to end the night.

Fleming had a late-night run-up that saw him take out MSPT Hall of Famer Chris Moon to bring the top stack thus far into Day 2.

Following behind Fleming was MSPT champ Kfir Nahum, who ended the night putting 582,000 in his bag while Michael Ung (564,000), Thomas Black (416,000), and Joel Verbeck (413,000) rounded out the top five stacks.

Much like Day 1a, the final levels of the night saw an onslaught of casualties, with players such as WSOP bracelet winner Mitchell Halverson and Frank Lagodich were the final two players to be eliminated before play concluded for the night.

Others who will be joining the aforementioned five include WSOP bracelet winner Francis Anderson (410,000), Stanley Weng (386,000), MSPT champ Matthew Schulte (348,000), WSOP bracelet winner Nick Pupillo (178,000) and NFL veteran Calais Campbell (103,000), as they are just a few more of the players to add their names to the Day 2 roster along with the eight to have already advanced from Day 1a.

Among those not as lucky at the felt included Matt Affleck, three-time WSOP bracelet winner Tony Dunst, MSPT Hall of Famer Rodger Johnson, WSOP bracelet winner Ryan Laplante, Lily Kiletto, and defending Poker Bowl champ ”Scary” Terry Fleischer with at least a few if not all of them likely to be seen back in action for the final flight.

The final starting flight for the Main Event is tomorrow starting at 11:10 a.m. local time.

The surviving players from the three starting flights will then return for Day 2 at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 8th, and will play until seven players remain.

The final seven will then have a day's rest to enjoy Superbowl Sunday and will return to action on Monday, February 10th at Noon, to play down to a winner which will be live streamed in the brand-new streaming studio!

MSPT Venetian Season 16 Poker Bowl Remaining Schedule

We will be back tomorrow for coverage of the Day 1c right here on MSPTPoker.com from the Venetian Las Vegas!

Make sure to be a part of history at The Venetian Poker Room as they will unveil their brand-new streaming studio produced and distributed by PokerGO!

There was three-way all in action between Jon Hanner from late position, Joel Verbeck from the hijack and Myles Mullaly from the cutoff with Verbeck having both players covered.

Myles Mullaly:
Jon Hanner:
Joel Verbeck:

Verbeck was ahead holding a made hand of jacks until the flop fell giving Hanner top pair to take the lead.

Fortunately for Verbeck, the turn put him back in the lead with a king-high straight, and he faded the river for the double elimination.

Joel Verbeck - 315,000
Jon Hanner - 0
Myles Mullaly - 0

Action on the table folded to Timothy Pai who raised all in from the small blind and Leo Castro decided to risk his 43,000 stack from the big blind.

Leo Castro:
Timothy Pai:

Castro was ahead holding an ace and connected with the flop to take a commanding lead.

The turn was a great sight for Castro as it secured him the pot and he collected his double after the meaningless completed the board on the river.

Leo Castro - 100,000
Timothy Pai - 30,000

WSOP bracelet winner Nick Pupillo opened for 15,000 from the hijack and was called by Matt Paradis from the cutoff.

The flop fell and Pupillo led out with a 25,000 continuation bet.

Paradis quickly tossed out a call, and the turn was checked to the river.

Pupillo took a stab at the pot leading out with a 45,000 bet only to quickly muck his hand after Paradis raised all in.

Matt Paradis - 390,000
Nick Pupillo - 180,000

So far, just 19 players have punched their ticket into Day 2 and another group of 29 hopefuls will look to add their names to that list tonight.

The surviving players from the three starting flights will then return for Day 2 at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 8^th, and will play until seven players remain.

The final seven will then have a day's rest to enjoy Superbowl Sunday and will return to action on Monday, February 10^th at Noon, to play down to a winner which will be live streamed in the brand-new streaming studio!

There was all in action preflop between Matt Paradis from the button and WSOP bracelet winner Francis Anderson from the small blind with Paradis holding 132,000 effective.

Matt Paradis:
Francis Anderson:

Paradis rolled over a premium hand of kings and the runout secured his double-up.

Matt Paradis - 280,000
Francis Anderson - 175,000