Canterbury Park

Greg Stoker Leads as 42 Players Advance from Day 1B of MSPT Canterbury Park

Day 1B of the MSPT Canterbury Park attracted 255 entries (despite a big snowstorm), which along with Day 1A's 236 the total field grew to 491 runners. That makes it the second-largest MSPT Main Event at Canterbury Park in 15 visits (record is 493 from last December).

That means the top 54 players will get paid a minimum of $2,136, while the eventual winner will walk away with a $102,076 first-place prize.

After 14 levels of play on Saturday night, just 42 players survived with Greg Stoker and his stack of 350,500 leading the way. That is well ahead of Day 1A chip leader Gerald Cunniff, who advanced with a stack of 271,000 leading the way.

Others to bag big stacks were Joseph Hindman (291,000), Mark Collins (284,000), MSPT Season 8 Potawatomi Regional champ Craig Trost (263,500), and Paul Carney (231,000), who round out the top five

They were joined by the likes of DJ Buckley (197,000), WSOP bracelet winner John Reading (187,000), Bob Van Syckle (148,500), MSPT Season 5 Ho-Chunk champ Jason Sell (96,000), MSPT Season 6 Running Aces champ Erv Bjerga (90,500), and Sherry Hammers (48,500).

Of course, not everyone was fortunate enough to find a bag. Among those to try and fall on 1B were former champs Max Havlish, Ahmed Taleb, Jon Kim, David Gonia, Jason Seitz, Jeff Birt, and Keith Heine. Likewise, Matt Alexander, Brian Berthiaume, Jon Hanner, and Jay Philips all hit the rail.

Day 2 will get underway at 11 a.m. on Sunday with 94 players (52 from 1A, 42 from 1B) returning to action.

Be sure to join us tomorrow as we bring you all the latest and greatest straight from the tournament floor of the MSPT Canterbury Park!

End-of-Day 1B Chip Counts

Three More Hands

The tournament staff just announced the remaining players will play three more hands before bagging and tagging on Day 1B. Stay tuned for a list of chip counts, a recap of the day’s action, and the Day 2 seat draw.

MSPT Champs Collide -- Max Havlish vs. Craig Trost

MSPT Season 8 Potawatomi Regional Event champ Craig Trost raised to 7,000 under the gun and action folded to MSPT Season 8 Meskwaki champ Max Havlish, who moved all in for around 15,00 from the big blind. Trost snap-called and Havlish discovered the bad news.

Trost:
Havlish:

Havlish was looking for a “seven from heaven” to stay alive, but it was not meant to be as the board ran out a dry .

Craig Trost - 260,000 (108 bb)
Max Havlish - Busted

Danielle Goldman Done and Dusted

A short-stacked Danielle Goldman moved all in for her last 21,000 from the hijack and action folded to Bob Van Syckle, who looked down at the granddaddy of all hands in the big blind and made the call.

Van Syckle:
Goldman:

Goldman needed some major help, and she got a lot when the flop paired her nine and gave her a flush draw. Unfortunately for her, the bricked on the turn followed by the on the river.

Bob Van Syckle - 70,000 (29 bb)
Danielle Goldman - Busted

Joseph Hindman Gets 'Em The Second Time Around

One hand after a player limped from UTG+1, Joseph Hindman raised to 8,000, and the limper limp-shoved and got Hindman to fold, the same action occurred except this time, Hindman was waiting with a call for his opponent’s last 50,000 in chips.

Hindman:
Opponent:

The flip went decidedly in Hindman’s favor on a flop, and his opponent was already making his way from his seat when the fell on the turn, leaving him dead to the river.

Joseph Hindman - 230,000 (115 bb)

Joel Doering Shoves on Big Al

Norberto Santamaria raised to 4,500 under the gun and Joel Doering (pictured left) three-bet to 12,000 two spots over. “Big” Al Hedin (right), who was next to act, quickly called and action folded back to Santamaria.

He also called and three players went to the flop, which came down .

Santamaria checked, Doering continued for 18,000, and Hedin snap-called. Santamaria folded and it was heads-up action to the turn.

Doering simply moved all in and Hedin thought for about 20 seconds before tossing away his hand.

Joel Doering - 200,000 (100 bb)
Al Hedin - 65,000 (33 bb)

Gregory Stoker vs. Darren Peasley in 340K Preflop Pot

A big pot just went down that changed the course of this tournament.

It happened when action folded to Gregory Stoker (pictured left) in the small blind and he limped. The ultra-aggressive Darren Peasley (right), who has held the chip lead most of Day 1B, exercised his option with a raised to 12,000.

Stoker responded by limp-raising to 40,000 and Peasley simply said, “All in.”

Stoker, who had 130,000 back, shot back in his chair. He seemed to think Peasley was up to no good, but didn’t seem sure he wanted to get it in. However, he ultimately spiked in a call to create the biggest pot of the tournament so far.

Stoker:
Peasley:

Stoker was ahead, but Peasley was drawing to two live cards. The flop was of no consequence, but the turn was as Stoker paired his ace.

However, Peasley could still win with a lady on the river, though it wasn’t in the cards as the peeled off instead to improve Stoker to trip aces.

“Nice call,” Peasley offered.

Gregory Stoker - 340,000 (170 bb)
Darren Peasley - 75,000 (38 bb)

Late Night Chip Counts

Player Name	Chip Count	Previous	Progress
Darren Peasley	245000	201000
Mark Collins	240000	261000
Charles Workman	215000	85000
DJ Buckley	175000	175000
Craig Trost	162000	62000
Luke Struck	160000	76000
Jason Ramos	156000	130000
John Reading	132000	94000
Jason Sell	120000	120000
Norberto Santamaria	100000	90000
Al Hedin	86000	46500
Steve Wazwaz	82000	57000
Andy Leaf	80000	75000
Umut Ozturk	61000	119000
Sherry Hammers	58000	50000
Max Havlish	35000	40000
Matt Alexander	30000	73000
Tammi Endemann	28000	70000
Vladimir Revniaga	28000	16000

Off the Felt: Five Things to Do at Iowa’s Meskwaki Casino

From March 17-25, the MSPT will be in Tama, Iowa for first of three Season 9 events at Meskwaki Casino. The $1,100 buy-in, $300K GTD Main Event will take place the weekend of March 23-25, and while we hope you’re busy playing poker, we thought we’d offer you a list of five things to do off the felt.

Rock and Roll with Exit 185

On Friday and Saturday, March 23 & 24, Exit 185 will be playing on stage at The Lounge inside Meskwaki Casino. Based out of nearby Marshalltown, Iowa, the band is a fun, high energy cover band playing a wide variety of current and classic pop and rock hits with a splash of country mixed in Band members include Matt Downey, Mike Smith, Jeremy Lindsenemeyer, Samantha Vance, Matt Hagedon and Mitch Downey.

Play in a Treehouse

Ten miles away in Marshalltown is the Big Treehouse. What began as a hobby for Mick Jurgensen and his family in 1983 has evolved into a 12-level, 55-feet plus high Treehouse with over 5,000 square feet of floor space, complete with music, electricity, telephone, microwave oven, refrigerator, running water, grill, 13 porch swings, Shady Oaks Museum, a spiral stairway, and much more.

Visits are by appointment only, so either call (641) 752-2946 or email marygift@mchsi.com to set one up.

Do a Tasting at John Ernest Vineyard & Winery

It may be the offseason, but that shouldn’t stop you from trying some delicious wine. Located in Tama, the Kopsa family vineyard and winery is nestled in the picturesque rolling hills of central Iowa above the beautiful Iowa River Valley and located along the historic Lincoln Highway. JEV produces wonderful grape and fruit wines. Wine tasting, access to the gift shop and touring are offered year-round. Call (641) 484-8048 for more information.

Grill Your Own Steak at Rube’s

Just down the road from Meskwaki Casino in Montour, Iowa is Rube’s Steakhouse & Lounge.

It all started in 1973 when Glen Rubenbauer "Rube" opened a tavern in tiny Montour, Iowa. His philosophy was to allow guests the experience of grilling generously-portioned, hand-cut premium steaks over an indoor, open-hearth grill. It’s the original grill your own steakhouse.

This is a favorite dining experience among the poker crowd. The restaurant is open 5-10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and from 5-8:30 p.m. on Sunday. The rest of the week their hours are 5-9:30 p.m.

Have a Slice of Americana

Tama, Iowa is a small town, but it has some hidden gems including Bumblebees, a bar and pizzeria located at 112 N Broadway Street. It’s clean, comfortable, and community minded. In addition to pizza, you can choose from sandwiches, fries, and margaritas. Call (641) 484-5007 for more information.