Ameristar East Chicago

Another full day of action took place on Day 1b of the MSPT Season 17 Ameristar East Chicago $1,110 Main Event, with the hard stop reached in Level 15 with 21:47 remaining on the clock.

The second of three flights drew 125 entries to bring the two-day total thus far to 188, solidifying that the $300K GTD will be surpassed in tomorrow’s final flight.

Of those 125 entries today, just 14 players remained when chips went into bags, and Casey Blakeley secured the final elimination of the night to put 604,000 in his bag to end the night, blasting past Daniel Johnson (527,000) and Randy Bullen (429,000) for the top stack this flight.

Much like Day 1a, the final level of the night saw an onslaught of casualties, with players such as MSPT Champ Anthony Kastelic and Clint Wolcyn among those to be eliminated before play concluded for the night with chips flying all across the three remaining tables in the final levels of play that led to a lot of players riding roller coasters with their stack sizes before becoming official for the evening.

Rounding out the top five stacks were Michael Whalon (395,000), and Bill Brudenell (305,000), while Mike Estes (288,000), Allen Pritchett (211,000), Kevin Maahs (188,000), and two-time WSOP bracelet winner Scott Bohlman (117,000) are just a few more of the players to add their names to the Day 2 roster, along with the seven to have already advanced from Day 1a.

Among those not as lucky on the felt included Harvey Becker, Hal Kilgore, Buck Bucceri, Sarah Buckley, and Bryan Skreens, 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 Noon.

Everyone who makes Day 2 will return on Sunday at 11:00 a.m. to play for the MSPT $1,110 Main Event Title at Ameristar Casino Hotel.

Congratulations to everyone who advanced to Day 2.

We will be back tomorrow for coverage of Day 1c on MSPTPoker.com from East Chicago!

MSPT Season 17 Ameristar East Chicago Remaining Schedule

Photo: Matthew Shepsky

Casey Blakeley opened for 20,000 from the button, and was called by Dennis Huberts from the small blind before Matthew Shepsky squeezed his 53,000 stack in the middle from the big blind.

Both Blakely and Huberts called, checking down the board.

Blakeley then tabled for top pair, and it was good as Huberts and Shepsky tossed their hands into the muck, ending play for the evening.

Casey Blakeley - 607,000
Matthew Shepsky - 0

After the elimination of MSPT Champ Anthony Kastelic, only 15 players remain, meaning the hand-for-hand process has begun, with 14 making it to Day 2.

So far, just seven players have punched their ticket into Day 2, and another group of 14 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, April 26^th, and will play until a winner is crowned.

Photo: Casey Blakeley

Casey Blakeley was all-in for 162,000 from the small blind on a board, and Kevin Maahs called from the button.

Casey Blakeley:
Kevin Maahs:

Blakeley was ahead holding a sneaky set of threes, and the river secured his double-up.

Casey Blakeley - 411,000
Kevin Maahs - 270,000

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Photo: Dennis Huberts

Xi Nguyen raised from the cutoff and then called Dennis Huberts’ 59,000 three-bet jam from the big blind.

Dennis Huberts:
Xi Nguyen:

Huberts was ahead holding a pair of cowboys, and he faded the clean runout to collect a double-up.

Dennis Huberts - 127,000
Xi Nguyen - 69,000