The Venetian

Michael Rocco Leads the 12 Survivors After Day 1A

Day 1a of the Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT) Venetian $1,100 Main Event is officially in the books with 107 total entries tallied by night's end.

The talented field that entered came to play and action at the tables proved to be eventful from start to finish.

Almost a full 16 levels were needed to reach 11% of the field as Michael Rocco (530,000) caught some steam in the final level of the night to bag the top stack.

Cody Wiegmann was also the beneficiary of a late-night heater and was able to put 476,000 on his slip after he eliminated two-time WSOP bracelet winner Michael Wang in the final hand of the evening while Spencer Champlin (314,000), Michael Williams (244,000), and Alex Condon (195,000), round out the top five stacks.

Of course, not everyone was fortunate enough to make it through the night. Among those to fire and fall in Wednesday’s starting flight were WSOP bracelet winner's Ankush Mandavia, Dylan Linde, and Kathy Liebert, along with MSPT Champion's Aaron Massey, Gianluca Pace, Jonathan Kim and MSPT Hall of Famer Rob WazWaz were just a few who took their shot at a bag on Day 1a only to come up short. All who have yet to advance will have one more starting flight for further attempts.

Day 1b will get underway at 11:10 a.m. on Wednesday. Late registration and re-entries will remain open through Level 9 (approximately 5:55 p.m.).

The MSPT live reporting crew will be on hand to capture all the action, so be sure to join us then.

MSPT Venetian Remaining Schedule

End of Day 1A Chip Counts

Player Name	Chip Count	Previous	Progress
Michael Rocco	530,000	495,000
Cody Wiegmann	476,000	425,000
Spencer Champlin	314,000	325,000
Michael Williams (MN)	244,000	247,000
Alexander Condon	195,000	250,000
Matthew Szeto	190,000	129,000
Matthew Lerner	174,000	150,000
Kevin Stevens	154,000	198,000
John Ripnick	151,000	122,000
Timothy Chang	126,000	265,000
Ben Luber	64,000	80,000
Ben Palmer	42,000	100,000

Wiegmann Out Kicks Wang on Bubble, Play Ends

Cody Wiegmann raised to 16,000 from the cutoff and then called Michael Wang’s 90,000 three-bet jam from the button.

Michael Wang:
Cody Wiegmann:

Wiegmann had Wang dominated and the runout made him the final elimination of the night.

Cody Wiegmann - 425,000
Michael Wang - 0

Rossitto Can't Hook Williams, Hand-for Hand Begins

Michael Williams raised to 13,000 from the hijack and then called Michael Rossitto’s 39,000 three-bet jam from the small blind.

Michael Rossitto:
Michael Williams:

Rossitto was ahead until the flop fell giving Williams two-pair.

The turn wasn’t the worst card for Rossitto as it gave him more outs with the club flush draw, but the completed the board on the river ending his night and starting the hand-for-hand process with 13 players remaining.

Michael Williams - 247,000
Michael Rossitto - 0

Lerner Won't Be Bullied

Matt Lerner raised to 12,000 from late position and then called a 36,000 three-bet from Michael Rocco directly to his left.

Once the flop hit the felt, Lerner took initiative and led out for an uncontested 30,000 to win the pot.

Michael Rocco - 247,000
Michael Lerner - 236,000

Rocco Takes from Champlin

Spencer Champlin raised to 10,000 from middle position only to call a 37,000 three-bet Michael Rocco tossed out from the big blind.

The flop saw Rocco continue for 12,000 and Champlin called to see the fall on teh turn.

Rocco continued with his aggression and fired out a healthy 67,000 to win the pot after Champlin folded.

Spencer Champlin - 360,000
Michael Rocco - 324,000

Condon Applies Pressure to Wang

Cody Wiegmann raised to 11,000 from late position and was called by Michael Wang from the hijack, along with Alexander Condon from the cutoff.

The board was checked to the river where Wang fired out 5,000 only to have Condon raise to 30,00.

Wiegmann check-folded and Wang followed suit after some careful thought.

Alexander Condon - 350,000
Cody Wiegmann - 245,000
Michael Wang - 90,000

Wiegmann Flushes Wang for Double

Cody Wiegmann raised to 9,000 from the cutoff and was called by Michael Wang from the button, along with Ben Luber from the big blind.

The flop was checked to Wiegmann who continued for another 9,000. Both Wang and Luber called, taking action to the turn.

Action was checked to Wang who fired out a 70,000 bet and Luber quickly released his hand while Wiegmann check-jammed for 74,000.

Wang called, and the two players tabled their hands.

Cody Wiegmann:
Michael Wang:

Wiegmann was ahead after turning the flush and the river secured his double-up.

Cody Wiegmann - 165,000
Michael Wang - 100,000
Ben Luber - 55,000

Rocco Rivers Straight for a Near Double Up

There was four-way action on a board and Michael Rocco fired out 14,000 only to have Michael Rossitto raise to 38,000 directly to his left.

Action folded back to Rocco who thought briefly before tossing out a call, and the dealer dropped the on the river.

Rocco thought for a few moments and then slid out a 94,000 bet leaving himself just 1,000 behind. Rossitto didn’t like the bet but tossed out a single chip for the call.

Rocco quickly tabled for the jack-high straight and it was good as Rossitto tossed his set of into the muck.

Michael Rocco - 313,000
Michael Rossitto - 60,000

Borick Dropped by Stevens

Kevin Stevens raised to 8,000 from middle position and then called Robert Borick’s 40,000 three-bet jam from the small blind.

Robert Borick:
Kevin Stevens:

Borick was behind and the runout that paired his seven wasn’t enough to get the job done as his night came to an end.

Kevin Stevens - 198,000
Robert Borick - 0