Potawatomi Casino

Richard Bai Wins 2017 MSPT Wisconsin State Poker Championship at Potawatomi Hotel & Casino for $139,086

Congratulations to our champion!

David Kowal Eliminated In Second Place ($84,809)

Richard Bai raised the button to 225,000, and David Kowal three-bet the big blind to 570,000. Bai put out a four-bet to 1.5 million, and Kowal five-bet jammed for around 4.5 million, with Bai snap-calling.

“Again?” Kowal said, referencing the previous cooler.

Bai:
Kowal:

It was a flip this time for the duo, and the flop kept it close, giving Kowal a straight draw to go with his overpair, but Bai added a flush draw.

“End it on the turn!” Bai said.

The turn ended Bai’s pair outs, when the fell on the turn to give Kowal a ten-high straight.

“Not like that!” Bai exclaimed.

Bai needed a diamond to win the Wisconsin State Poker Championship, and the dealer peeled off the river card…

...which was the !

David Kowal was left as our runner-up, and Richard Bai is your Season 8 Wisconsin State Poker Champion!

David Kowal - Eliminated in Second Place ($84,809)

Richard Bai Doubles Through David Kowal In The Biggest Pot Of The Tournament

David Kowal raised to 180,000 from the button, and Richard Bai three-bet to 530,000 from the big blind. Kowal four-bet to 1.3 million, and Bai five-bet jammed for about 4.7 million, which Kowal called.

Kowal:
Bai:

Bai had turned the tables and coolered Kowal, and the flop did nothing to change things. The turn left Kowal searching for a jack to win the Wisconsin State Poker Championship, but the instead flipped the tables and put Bai in a commanding position.

Richard Bai - 9.5 million (119 bb)
David Kowal - 4.5 million (56 bb)

Heads Up Chip Counts

David Kowal - 9 milllion
Richard Bai - 5 million

Richard Rosas Eliminated In Third Place ($63,098)

Richard Bai raised to 180,000 from the small blind, and was called by Richard Rosas in the big blind.

On a flop, Bai bet 200,000, Rosas shoved for about 900,000, and was snapped off by Bai.

Bai:
Rosas:

Bai’s overpair had Rosas in deep trouble, and the brought Rosas one card from elimination. The river improved Bai to a set, and meant the end of Rosas at the Wisconsin State Poker Championship.

Richard Bai - 5 million (62.5 bb)
Richard Rosas - Eliminated in Third Place ($63,098)

Paul Flynn Eliminated In Fifth Place ($35,280); Paul "Big Daddy" Elfelt Eliminated In Fourth Place ($46,814)

Paul Flynn raised to 200,000 from the cutoff, and David Kowal three-bet to 740,000 from the button. Paul “Big Daddy” Elfelt four-bet jammed for around 2 million, Flynn called off for around 1.3 million, and Kowal called to create an over 5 million chip pot!

Flynn:
Kowal:
Elfelt:

Elfelt had the edge with his queens, and the flop extended that lead. Kowal’s hot hand continued, however, as the spiked on the turn, leaving Flynn and Elfelt seeking a set to keep their tournaments alive.

The kept Kowal in front, and he took down the massive pot, eliminating Flynn and Elfelt in the process.

David Kowal - 9 million (112.5 bb)
Paul Flynn - Eliminated In Fifth Place ($35,280)
Paul “Big Daddy” Elfelt - Eliminated in Fourth Place ($46,814)

Updated Five Handed Chip Counts By Seat

2 - Richard Rosas 1.56 million
3 - Paul Flynn - 1.31 million
5 - David Kowal - 5.42 million
6 - Paul Elfelt - 2.05 million
8 - Richard Bai - 3.675 million

Max Young Eliminated In Sixth Place ($26,460)

David Kowal raised to 150,000 from the hijack, then called the shove of 1.5 million from Max Young in the small blind.

Kowal:
Young:

Kowal found an opportune time for aces, and saw little sweat in a flop. The on the turn left Young drawing to two outs, but the improved Kowal to a full house, netting him the knockout.

David Kowal - 5.42 million (90 bb)
Max Young - Eliminated in Sixth Place ($26,460)

Break Time

The remaining players are on a ten-minute break.

Ahmed Taleb Eliminated In Seventh Place ($20,354)

Richard Bai raised to 130,000 from UTG, and Paul Flynn called in the cutoff. Ahmed Taleb three-bet shoved for 615,000, and Bai called. Flynn folded, and the hands were tabled.

Bai:
Taleb:

Taleb ran into aces, and the flop didn’t offer much help. The on the turn did give him a gutshot, but the ended the former MSPT Champ’s day in seventh.

Richard Bai - 2.8 million (47 bb)
Ahmed Taleb - Eliminated in Seventh Place ($20,354)