Golden Gates Casino

Terry Wheeler Bags Chip Lead as 20 Players Advance from Day 1A of MSPT Denver Poker Open

The first of three starting flights in the $1,100 MSPT Denver Poker Open saw 88 players take to the felt at The Golden Gates Casino. After 14 levels of play, just 20 remained with Terry Wheeler, who is seeking his first MSPT cash, and his stack of 230,000 leading the way.

The only other player to come even close to bagging that much was William Mietz with 222,500. Only four other players managed to bag six-figure stacks in Svetlana Martie (140,000), Andrew Geffen (121,500), Danny Gonzalez (112,500), and Greg Eckler (103,500).

They were joined by Norecia Austin (85,000), Bryan Andrews (62,500), Ryan Dodson (52,500), and MSPT Season 6 Golden Gates Regional Champ Bobby Sanoubane (47,500).

Among those to fire and miss on Day 1A were recent WSOP Circuit Harveys Lake Tahoe Main Event winner Max Young, Las Vegas poker pro Tim West, MSPT Season 6 Golden Gates champ Phanora Prom, and Black Hawk regulars Greg Geller, Jamal Sawaqdeh, Travis Northrope, and Jason Vanstrom.

All of those players will have a chance to try again in the coming days if they so choose. Likewise, we can confirm that poker pro Jessica Dawley will be playing her first-ever MSPT outside of Las Vegas tomorrow.

Two more flights remain in the 2017 MSPT Denver Poker Open. Day 1B will kick off at Noon local time on Friday, followed by 1C at the same time on Saturday.

End-of-Day 1A Chip Counts

Three More Hands

The tournament staff just announced the remaining players will play three more hands before bagging and tagging on Day 1A. Stay tuned for a list of chip counts as well as a recap of the day’s action.

Greg Eckler's Jacks Against Bobby Garcia's Big Draw

There was already around 15,000 in the middle when Bobby Garcia checked a flop from the small blind, and Greg Eckler bet 15,000 from UTG. Garcia responded with a check-shove for 48,500.

Eckler went into the tank briefly, then announced a call for his remaining 48,000.

Garcia:
Eckler:

Eckler had the best of it with his jacks, but Garcia could hit an ace or a heart to catch up.

The turn was of no help, and when the fell on the river, Eckler had doubled to a six-figure stack and Garcia was crippled to just over an ante. He busted a short time later.

Greg Eckler - 110,000 (46 bb)
Bobby Garcia - Busted

Bubba Holdren Busts to Svetlana Martie

John “Bubba” Holdren got his last 25,000 all in preflop and found himself in dire straits against Svetlana Martie, one of two women remaining in the field.

Martie:
Holdren:

Holdren was in desperate need of a high five, but the dealer left him hanging by running out a dry .

Svetlana Martie - 90,000 (38 bb)
John “Bubba” Holdren - Busted

Ryan Dodson's Snowmen Versus Bobby Sanoubane's Ducks

Ryan Dodson limped from UTG+1. then Bobby Sanoubane raised to 8,000 from the cutoff. Dodson limp-shoved for 19,200 total, and Sanoubane snap-called.

Dodson:
Sanoubane:

Dodson had the edge, and held on a board, giving him a crucial double and leaving Sanoubane very short.

Ryan Dodson - 42,000 (17.5 bb)
Bobby Sanoubane - 12,000 (5 bb)

Lucky Sevens for Randy Needens

Steve Cahill raised to 4,400 under the gun only to have Randy Needens three-bet jam for 16,000 more from the button. Both blinds folded and Cahill gave it some thought before making the call.

Needens:
Cahill:

It was a flip, and Needens needed to hold to stay alive. That’s just what he did as the board ran out .

Randy Needens - 43,000 (22 bb)
Steve Cahill - 40,000 (20 bb)

David Olson Stands His Ground Against John Holdren

On a flop, John Holdren checked from middle-position over to David Olson on the cutoff, who bet 7,000 into a pot of about 12,000. Holdren called.

The turn saw Holdren check, and Olson bet 22,000. Holdren made the call.

Holdren decided to lead out on the river for 30,000, which was about half of his remaining stack. Olson went into the tank for about two minutes, before finally setting out a call.

Holdren tabled for a few missed draws, and Olson tabled for top pair and a healthy pot.

David Olson - 150,000 (75 bb)
John Holdren - 35,000 (17.5 bb)

John Holdren Doubles While Dave Bybee Abandons Stack

With around 30,000 in the middle and a flop of , John “Bubba” Holdren bet and Dave Bybee moved all in for 46,000. Holdren called off for 42,000 and the cards were turned up.

Holdren:
Bybee:

Holdren was ahead with top pair, and Bybee was looking to complete his up-and-down straight draw. The turn was of no consequence, and neither was the river.

“You still have chips left,” someone told Bybee as the dealer counted down the stacks.

“I know,” replied Bybee, who was standing and collecting his things. He then headed for the exit, abandoning the 4,000 he had leftover. He was blinded out shortly thereafter.

John Holdren - 120,000 (60 bb)
Dave Bybee- Busted

Andrew Geffen Fires Two Barrels

Dan Daugherty raised to 5,000 from the lojack, and got a caller in Andrew Geffen from the button.

Daugherty checked the flop over to Geffen, who fired 6,000. Daugherty made the call.

Daugherty checked again when the hit, and Geffen bet 10,000. Daugherty thought about it for a bit, then let his hand go, and Geffen took down the pot.

Andrew Geffen - 80,000 (40 bb)
Dan Daugherty - 46,000 (23 bb)