Day 1A of the MSPT Meskwaki, the historic 100th Main Event in tour history, was a big one as 211 entrants hopped into action. The field was chockfull of MSPT regulars, former champs, and satellite qualifiers, all of whom received a limited edition commemorative chip for showing their support and participating in a truly special event.
After 14 levels of play, just 36 players survived with Gabriel Neighbors and his stack of 317,500 leading the way. Neighbors has just one tournament cash on his poker résumé, and it came here at Meskwaki back in November when he finished in 45th place for $1,957. Neighbors has a stack that gives him a great chance at an even deeper run.
Others who made it through were former champ David Gonia (274,000), Wisconsin’s Rick Syverud (252,500), Johnny “Quads” Wenzel (196,500), reigning champ Ken Komberec (111,000), the first-ever MSPT Meskwaki champ Moon Ahmed (68,500), MSPT Season 6 Player of the Year Mark Hodge (54,500), and former NFL running back Fred Jackson (37,000).
Among those to fall were 2016 MSPT Wisconsin State Poker champ Andy Rubinberg, Season 7 Player of the Year Rich Alsup, MSPT Pro Blake Bohn, two-time champ Peixin Liu, and PokerNews reporter Mo Nuwwarah.
All of those players and more have the opportunity to try again on Day 1B, which will kick off at 4 p.m. local time on Saturday. Be sure to join us then as we bring you all the latest and greatest from the #MSPT100.