Nation's #1 Poker Tour July 2017

NATION'S #1 POKER TOUR JULY 2017

JULY 2017 Mid-States Poker Tour PAGE 3 Letter from the Editor THE MSPT CANTERBURY PARK IS A MAGICAL AFFAIR BY CHAD HOLLOWAY Vol. 2/No. 7 Don’t ask us what it is, but there’s something special about Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minnesota, which is located just south of the Twin Cities. For the President and Publisher Bryan Mileski MSPT, it’ll always feel like home as it hosted our first-ever event way back in [email protected] 2009. However, more recently it’s made an impression for other reasons. The first Editor-in-Chief was Carl Carodenuto’s back-to-back wins in the Season 6 finale and then five Chad Holloway months later in the Season 7 Spring event. Title defenses are rare, especially [email protected] in fields of hundreds of players. Art Director Amazingly, we almost saw the exact same thing happen with Jon Kim. Back Carolyn Borgen in December, he topped a field of 464 entries to take down the MSPT Season 7 [email protected] finale at Canterbury Park for $107,659. In April, he returned and battled it out Advertising Information in a 475-entry field, the largest MSPT Canterbury Park ever. [email protected] Kim made another deep run and ended up in heads-up play against 56-year- Story Ideas old business development manager Mark Wadekamper. Ultimately, Kim was [email protected] unable to overcome a big chip disadvantage and had to settle for a $66,593 consolation prize. Our Mission What was even more impressive was that instead of being disappointed and MSPT Magazine is a monthly slinking off into the night, Kim joined Wadekamper and the MSPT crew for magazine dedicated to serving poker players and gaming facilities celebratory drinks. Beers and Kimo Sabe Mezcal were used to toast another through MSPT news, results, tour- successful MSPT event at Canterbury Park. nament schedules, player profiles The MSPT will return to Canterbury Park in August for our first-ever and professional tips. Coupled with Regional there, which you can read about later in this issue. our website, msptpoker.com, we are the Nation's #1 Poker Tour.

Mid-States Poker Tour Lakeville, MN 612-743-9847

Mid-States Poker Tour is published on or near the first of each month. All claims or guarantees are the sole responsibility of the advertiser. All comments and views of contributing writers are their own and do not reflect official policy of Mid-States Pok- er Tour which assumes no liability for any advertisement not supplied camera ready by the advertiser. Reproduction or use in whole or in part without written consent from the publisher and Copyright owners is prohibited. PAGE 4 Mid-States Poker Tour JULY 2017 Smile for the Camera! THE STARS COME OUT FOR RECORD- BREAKING MSPT VENETIAN mong the thousands of players who turned out for the 2017 MSPT Venetian were some pretty big names in the poker Aworld. Here’s a look at some of the faces we were able to pick out of the crowd.

2016 MSPT Venetian runner-up Mukul Pahuja (left) and MSPT regulars Scotter Clark and James Gibson got to en- champ Thomas Boivin (right) took a moment from play to joy the experience together… at least for a while. snap a photo together.

The most successful online tournament player of all time, Poker Hall of Famer Scotty Nguyen is a favorite among the UK’s Chris Moorman took his shot at a MSPT title. He fans, baby! The five-time WSOP bracelet winner, who was didn’t get it, but he did win his first WSOP gold bracelet a playing his first MSPT event, won the 1998 WSOP Main Event couple weeks later. for $1 million.

MSPTPOKER.COM JULY 2017 Mid-States Poker Tour PAGE 5 MSPT Venetian Snapshots

With more than $6.1 million in lifetime earnings, Kathy Liebert sits first on Tennessee’s all-time money list. In 2002, she won the party- poker Million Cruise for a smooth $1 million. In 2004, she won her first and only gold bracelet by taking down the WSOP $1,500 Limit Hold’em Shootout for $110,180.

A five-time WSOP bracelet and two-time Circuit ring winner, Allen Cunningham was one of Matt Stout is a poker pro with more than $3.6 million in the biggest names during earnings. He’s also the creator of the award-winning Char- the Poker Boom. As im- ity Series of Poker (CSOP), which has provided over 200,000 pressive as his poker ré- meals to the needy over three years! sumé is, he doesn’t have a MSPT cash on it.

Last year William Kas- souf made a name for himself on episodes of the WSOP on ESPN. He was the guy who talked a lot— “Nine high like a boss!” He was unusually mum during the MSPT.

In Season 7, Annette Richard Seymour is a former American football defensive Obrestad finished 197th end who played in the NFL. He played college football for in the MSPT Venetian the University of Georgia, and was drafted by the New Eng- for $3,112. It was a small land Patriots sixth overall in the 2001 NFL Draft. cash for the Norwegian Seymour played in seven Pro Bowls, was named to three pro, who in 2007 won the All-Pro teams, and was a member of three Super Bowl-win- WSOP Europe Main Event ning Patriots teams. Seymour has become a regular fixture for £1 million. on the poker circuit where he has amassed $123,911 in tournament earnings. That includes a career-best $52,174 for finishing 18th in last year’s WPT Five Diamond World Poker Classic.

MSPTPOKER.COM why settle for tequila? step up to kimo sabe

triple award winner why settle for tequila? step up to kimo sabe triple award winner www.PokerCPA.com JULY 2017 Mid-States Poker Tour PAGE 9 Player Profile THE NEXT BIG THING: MINNESOTA’S JOE BARNARD LOOKING FOR MSPT BREAKTHROUGH BY CHAD HOLLOWAY

the MSPT, we like to refer to Joe Barnard as “The OnNext Big Thing.” That’s because, in our opinion, it’s only a matter of time before he ships a major tournament like a MPST or World Series of Poker gold bracelet. Born September 10, 1990, Barnard grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota, which is where he still calls home. In 2014, he graduated from St. Olaf College with a degree in Mathematics. “I’ve always been a rather quiet person and this made me a pretty lackluster job seeker, but I had managed to build up a solid poker bankroll from scratch online and then again live post Black Friday,” Barnard explains. “So, pursuing live poker as an income means out of college seemed to be a good fit.” On the MSPT, Barnard has cashed 10 times dating back to 2014. During that time, he has made two final tables and amassed $64,416 in earnings. That includes $23,512 for finishing fourth in the MSPT Running Aces earlier this season. He also placed third for $19,074 in the MSPT Season 7 Grand Falls. All told, Barnard has more than $300,000 in live tournament Joe Barnard earnings with a career-best $33,241 for winning the 2016 taking steps in that direction. If that change happens and Midwest Poker Classic Main Event at Running Aces. I have free time, I’ll still be an active participant in poker We recently caught up with Barnard to ask him some more tournaments. poker-related questions. What's the poker scene like in where you’re from?” should MSPT: When and how did you learn to play poker? read “What's the poker scene like where you’re from? Barnard: My dad introduced me to poker when I was little. Barnard: The poker scene is great around the Twin Cities. He taught me a bunch of stud variations that I have since Running Aces and Canterbury Park are both a half hour away forgotten. I first learned no limit hold’em in middle school and have good cash games and tournaments. There are many around the time of the “Moneymaker Boom” and played legendary players to learn from both live and online. To top it it with friends. When I was 16, I created a Full Tilt Poker off, the community is very supportive of its own players when account and worked on improving my game online, initially they make runs in national events. with play money and freerolls. What are some of your poker goals? Do you envision being in poker for a while or do you have Barnard: I’d like to have a good summer in Vegas for the other plans for the future? World Series of Poker. That means choosing the right games, Barnard: Eventually I’d like to find a career that pays every being attentive and aware at the table, putting a lot of time in, month and comes with a health plan. An actuarial career is and letting the results take care of themselves. something I would like to do in the future and I am slowly Follow Barnard on Twitter @gangsterjospeh1

MSPTPOKER.COM • EARN $1 COMP per hour • FREE FOOD every Friday & Saturday • DAILY NLHE TOURNAMENTS • Daily HOTEL RATES (except Wed & Fri) • Every Dollar of your rebuy / add-on goes to prize pool

• WEEKLY REWARDS / GIVEAWAYS •Monday • Thursday Early Bird Promotion plus Food Voucher Gas / Gift Card • Tuesday • Friday Early Bird Promotion plus Food Voucher Gas Coupons at Promotional kiosk Buy in 100 chips and receive $20 bonus chips • Wednesday High Hand of the Hour plus Door Prizes JULY 2017 Mid-States Poker Tour PAGE 11 Event Preview 2017 MSPT IOWA STATE POKER CHAMPIONSHIP JULY 22-30 AT MESKWAKI CASINO BY MSPT POKER STAFF

or the second time in Season 8 the MSPT is headed to entries back in March 2016 to win $100,981; and most recently Meskwaki Casino in Tama, Iowa, this time for the 3rd Jason Ramos, who won the aforementioned #MSPT100 for FAnnual Iowa State Poker Championship! $108,120. From July 22-30, the MSPT will host a series of satellites Among the past winners of the MSPT Meskwaki are Season feeding into the $1,100 buy-in, $300,000 guaranteed Main 7 Player of the Year Rich Alsup (November 2015 for $101,229), Event, which will run the weekend of July 28-30. The event is MSPT Pro Blake Bohn (July 2015 for $101,229), and Chad coming off a record-breaking March tournament, which saw Willett (March 2015 for $96,760), just to name a few. 466 entrants—the most in MSPT Meskwaki history—turn out Located in Tama, Iowa—between Des Moines and Cedar for #MSPT100, the 100th Main Event in tour history. Rapids on Highway 30—Meskwaki Casino, which was The Main Event, which requires players be just 18 years old constructed in 1992, features a huge bingo hall, nine different to play, will kick off with Day 1A at 4 p.m. on Friday July 28 types of table games, off-track betting, active craps tables, with the plan of playing 14 levels. Day 1B will then take place more than 1,350 slots, good blackjack games, horse book, at the same time on Saturday, July 29. Players who advance indoor pool, exercise room, spa, and 404 hotel rooms. from Main Event Flight 1A to Day 2 are not eligible to play The property also features the newly constructed Lucky’s in Flight 1B without forfeiting their chips. The remaining Grill & Taproom, which serves hearty breakfast entrees in the players from each flight will combine on Sunday, July 30 at 11:00 a.m. and play until a champion is crowned. morning and their famous Shredded Chicken Nachos Grande The MSPT has visited Meskwaki, which won “Best of Iowa” (and more) in the evening. Other favorites include the 100% in Casino Player’s 2016 Best of Gaming awards, 16 times over Iowa Angus Beef Lucky’s Steak Burger, handmade buttermilk the years (three times each season). Last year, John Sun dipped onion rings, Signature Pizzas, hot subs, and Fried topped a field of 451 entries to win the 2nd Annual Iowa State Oreos. You can also enjoy a variety of 20 beers on tap (with 10 Poker Championship for $104,627. craft beers that are brewed in Iowa) all while watching your Other recent winners of the MSPT Meskwaki include Sun’s favorite team on one of 13 HDTVs. good friend, Ken Komberec, who bested a field of 405 to win For players looking to fly to the stop, the airport in Des last November’s event for $93,922; Keith Heine topped 409 Moines is the closest option.

MSPTPOKER.COM PAGE 12 Mid-States Poker Tour JULY 2017 Event Recap NADAR KAKHMAZOV WINS LARGEST TOURNAMENT IN MSPT & VENETIAN HISTORY FOR $395,888 BY MSPT POKER STAFF

Nadar Kakhmazov

he $1,100 buy-in MSPT Venetian Main Event began with $35,283), and Joe Elpayaa (11th - $35,283) all hit the rail to set 3,273 entries, the largest tournament in both tour and up the final table. TVenetian history, and after three days of play Russia’s After Steve Malone bowed out in 10th place for $35,283, Nadar Kakhmazov emerged victorious to capture a $395,888 the last MSPT tour regular, Max Havlish, took his leave. It first-place prize and two trophies. happened when he moved his short stack all in holding king- “I am cool, I am happy,” was all the 29-year-old businessman queen and failed to get there against the ace-jack of 2012 could muster in broken English. He also indicated that he World Series of Poker Main Event third-place finisher Jake will be trying to parlay his success by playing in the World Balsiger. The last Minnesotan in the field earned $41,698 for Series of Poker this summer. his ninth-place finish. Day 3 saw 13 players return to action, and in quick From there, Day 1A chip leader Ludovic Riehl fell in succession Jeff Kaplan (13th - $28,868), Sergio Cabrera (12th - eighth when his ace-ten failed to overcome the pocket

MSPTPOKER.COM JULY 2017 Mid-States Poker Tour PAGE 13 Venetian Casino jacks of Balsiger. The Frenchman earned $54,528 for his performance. The Venetian Jewook Oh and Wen Zhang fell in seventh and sixth place Buy-in: $1,100 ♣ 3,273 Entrants respectively before Chris O’Rourke followed them out the door in fifth after a bad beat. He got his stack in holding Place Name City, State Prize pocket aces against Balsiger’s tens, but a ten on the turn sent 1 Nadar Kakhmazov State to Russia $395,888 O’Rourke back to Tampa with $118,679 in his pocket. 2 Brayden Gazlay Scottsdale, AZ $316,782 Despite that knockout, Balsiger was the next to go after 3 Maury Solano El Paso, TX $205,283 shoving with king-nine suited and running into the Big Slick 4 Jacob Balsiger Tempe, AZ $157,169 of Kakhmazov, who started the day as the chip leader but lost 5 Chris O'Rourke Tampa, FL $118,679 it midway through the final table. Balsiger picked up a heart flush draw on the ace-high flop but failed to find another. 6 Wen Zhang Philadelphia, PA $89,811 After negotiations for a three-way deal fell through, El 7 Jewook Oh New York, NY $70,566 Paso’s Maury Solano fell when his Big Slick failed to hold 8 Ludovic Riehl France $54,528 against Kakhmazov’s queen-jack suited. That set up a heads- 9 Max Havlish Coon Rapids, MN $41,698 up match with Kakhmazov holding 26.9 million to Arizona’s 10 Stephen Malone Dublin, Ireland $35,283 Brayden Gazlay’s 22 million, and at that time the two struck a deal that saw them each lock up over $300K while leaving prize pool were Frankie Flowers (18th - $24,057), last woman $70K on the table. standing Heidi May (23rd – $16,038), World Poker Tour champ In just the first hand of heads-up play, Gazlay flopped two Taylor von Kriegenbergh (27th - $12,830), last MSPT champ pair and Kakhmazov straight and flush draws. The chips got standing Andy Rubinberg (37th - $8,981), inaugural MSPT in and Kakhmazov promptly turned a straight to take the Venetian winner Drake Bronk (50th - $8,019), Day 1B chip lead. The river failed to help Gazlay and he had to settle for leader and MSPT FireKeepers champ Mike Shanahan (80th - second place and a $316,782 consolation prize. $5,934), and 2001 WSOP Main Event champ Carlos Mortensen Others to claim a portion of the $3,207,540 MSPT Venetian (263rd - $2,887).

Final Table

MSPTPOKER.COM #AcesPoker

RunAces.com/Anniversary ANNIVERSARY JULY 12-16 MULTIPLE DAY 1 FLIGHTS WITH TOURNAMENT $1,200 CHIPSTACK BUYBACKS! $100,000 GUARANTEED PRIZE POOL | $280 BUY-IN ALL DAY EVERY DAY

SUN: 8am-3pm $50 Splash Pots (every 15 minutes) MON: 8am Start $50 Aces Cracked & $25 Splashed ER $1,500 Minimum Payout TUE: 8am-3pm High Hand $100/$50/$50 Hourly 12am - 11:59pm Spade & Club VIP Appreciation $25 added to all Poker Promos WED: 8am - 3pm $50 Splash Pots (every 15 minutes) Wacky Wednesdays ($50 Poker Tournament) THU: 8am Start High Hand $100/$50/$50 Hourly FRI: 8am Start $50 Aces Cracked & $25 Splashed $1,500 Minimum Payout SAT: 8am - 3pm High Hand $100/$50/$50 Hourly EVERY DAY: Bounty Bonus Board 3pm - 1pm Win Your Share of $1,450 DAILY POK DAILY PROMOTIONS LATE NIGHT $50 High Hand Progressive Board *BonusEVERY Splash NIGHT Pots for MN gamesM-F: played 1-8am on | S&S: Monday, 2-8am Thursday, and Saturday.Every Night: 1-8am #AcesPoker

RunAces.com/Anniversary ANNIVERSARY JULY 12-16 MULTIPLE DAY 1 FLIGHTS WITH TOURNAMENT $1,200 CHIPSTACK BUYBACKS! $100,000 GUARANTEED PRIZE POOL | $280 BUY-IN ALL DAY EVERY DAY

JULY HIGHLIGHT: MSPT REGIONAL $340 SUPER STACK NLH TOURNAMENT August 9 - 13 July 8 • 10:30 AM ULTIMATE $100K NLH TOURNAMENT September 23 - October 1 $100K GUARANTEED $350 MSPT REGIONAL FALL POKER CLASSIC $90 SATELLITES* $350 MAIN EVENT October 2017 Thursdays: August 9 - 13 July 6, 13, 20, 27 • 6:30 PM *Players earning a main event seat through LIVE RACING Top 20% Advance to Main Event July Satellites must play Day 1A or 1B. NOW - SEPTEMBER 16 See canterburypark.com for more details RACEBOOK OPEN DAILY

www.canterburypark.com • 952-445-6870 • 866-MN-POKER • 1100 Canterbury Road, Shakopee, MN 55379 JULY 2017 Mid-States Poker Tour PAGE 17 Event Preview MSPT TO HOST $350 REGIONAL EVENT ($100K GTD) AT CANTERBURY PARK AUGUST 5-13 BY MSPT POKER STAFF he MSPT is heading back to Canterbury Park in Shako- pee, Minnesota for the second time in Season 8. From TAugust 5-13, the MSPT will host a series of satellites that will culminate in a $350 buy-in, $100,000 guaranteed Re- gional Event August 9-13. It marks the first time a MSPT Regional Event has ever been held at the venue, which requires players be just 18 years old to play. There will be three starting flights, and players are allowed a max of one reentry per flight during the standard registration process. The Regional Event will feature four starting flights beginning with Day 1A at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 9. Day 1B will take place at the same time on Thursday, August 10, while Days 1C and 1D will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, August 11 and Saturday, August 12 respectively. The surviving players from each flight will then return for Day 2 at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, August 13 to play down to a winner. Satellites for the MSPT Canterbury Park Regional Event will begin on Thursday, July 6. The Regional Events were introduced in January 2015 Mark Wadekamper canterburypark.com to offer recreational players an affordable opportunity to play our lauded “Chainsaw Approved” structure. The only differences from our $1,100 Main Event, which play 14 JULY HIGHLIGHT: 40-minute levels on Day 1, is that Regional Events flights play MSPT REGIONAL 16 levels and last 30 minutes each. $340 SUPER STACK NLH TOURNAMENT August 9 - 13 The tournament at Canterbury Park will mark the 20th July 8 • 10:30 AM Regional Event in MSPT history. To date, the largest Regional ULTIMATE $100K Event ever held took place back in January at Potawatomi NLH TOURNAMENT Hotel & Casino in downtown Milwaukee. That event drew September 23 - October 1 $100K GUARANTEED $350 MSPT REGIONAL 1,228 entries—then the largest poker tournament ever held FALL POKER CLASSIC in Wisconsin—and saw Craig Trost come out on top to take home a $63,252 top prize. $90 SATELLITES* $350 MAIN EVENT October 2017 The MSPT last visited Canterbury Park in late April, which Thursdays: August 9 - 13 marked the 13th Main Event held there. It ended up being the July 6, 13, 20, 27 • 6:30 PM *Players earning a main event seat through LIVE RACING largest ever held at Canterbury Park with 475 entries, which reigning champ Jon Kim from defending his title. Back in Top 20% Advance to Main Event July Satellites must play Day 1A or 1B. NOW - SEPTEMBER 16 surpassed the 470 entrants from December 2015. December, Kim topped a field of 464 entrants to win the MSPT See canterburypark.com for more details RACEBOOK OPEN DAILY After two long days of play, 56-year-old business Canterbury Park for $107,659, but his title defense came up development manager Mark Wadekamper emerged victorious just one spot short. He took home $66,593 for finishing runner- www.canterburypark.com • 952-445-6870 • 866-MN-POKER • 1100 Canterbury Road, Shakopee, MN 55379 to capture a $110,220 first-place prize. He did so by stopping up to Wadekamper.

MSPTPOKER.COM WE’RE DEALING OUT SOME DOUGH!

Thursday, July 27 Grand Casino Hinckley This July, try your luck in the Grand Classic Blackjack tournament! There’s an estimated total purse of $8,400! Registration starts at 3 p.m. and is first-come, first-served. Limited to 280 entries. Entry and re-entry fee is only $30! Do you feel lucky?

GrandCasinoMN.com

File Name Bleed Size (w x h) Designer Account Executive GCS-17-170532_MSPT_Grand-Classic-BlackJack_(8-375x10-75)_a02 8.875x11.25 Ben Laura/Heidi Creation Date Final Size (w x h) Copywriter Proofreader 05/17/16 8.375x10.75 Andy Erin Modified Date Color(s) Creative Director Production June 16, 2017 10:40 AM 4c Dean Due Date Vendor/Publication JULY 2017 Mid-States Poker Tour PAGE 19

Strategy presented by Jonathan Little POY CONTENDER SAMMY AWEIDA TAKES ON A WORLD CHAMP BY CHAD HOLLOWAY

Day 2 of the MSPT Venetian, which drew 3,273 Should Aweida and paid 351 spots, players were already in the have played the king- Onmoney (around 275 remained) when, in Level jack differently? 17 (2,500/5,000/500), Sammy Aweida (67,500 in chips) raised to Little: If I had king- 13,000 from middle position holding the K♥J♥ only to have jack in Aweida's spot, 2001 World Series of Poker champ and Poker Hall of Famer I would have likely Carlos Mortensen (95,500 in chips) three-bet all-in from the pushed all in. This button. is because when Both blinds folded and Aweida opted to call off. Mortensen you raise and get had him dominated with the A♦K♣ but Aweida got lucky after pushed on, you have the board ran out J♦3♦10♥6♣K♦ to give him two pair and the a difficult, nearly double. break-even situation, It was a questionable call by Aweida, but he ultimately got which you usually the result he wanted. We caught up with poker pro Jonathan want to avoid. By Carlos Mortensen Little to get his take on the hand. pushing, you force MSPT: What’s your opinion of Aweida calling off with king- many hands to fold jack suited? Seems like a bad call and that he’d be beating very that may have pushed few hands. all in over your raise, Little: Once the players get in the money, it is essentially such as 5x5x and as if payout jumps no longer matter, given there are not Ax9x. While you significant jumps until only a few tables remain. As such, this are roughly flipping situation plays similarly to a cash game. I know Carlos likes against these hands, to mix it up, so it is difficult to nail down his range. making them fold is a If he is pushing an overly tight range of 5% of hands, king- great success. jack wins 34% of the time. If he is pushing a "normal" range of about 10% of hands, king-jack wins 37% of the time. If he As a pro, and is pushing an overly wide range of about 36% of hands, king- assuming you were jack wins 52% of the time. in Mortensen’s shoes, Since you have no way of knowing the strategy Carlos is how do you handle Sammy Aweida implementing, it is often best to average these numbers bad beats like the based on the likelihood you think they are to occur. Given one above? Do they Aweida needs to win about 37% of the time based on his pot ever get under your skin? odds (54,500/(2,500 + 5,000 + 4,500 + 67,000 + 67,000) = 37%), this While getting your money in good doesn't necessarily mean is a close spot. you played your hand well, you at least got your money in as In general, you should avoid break-even situations in the favorite. In general, you should focus on things you can tournaments, assuming you are a strong player. However, if control, not things that are completely out of your control. you are not great at poker or are clearly worse than most of Since you have no control over which cards come out of the the players in the field, you should be thrilled to get all-in in deck, you should not worry about them. There is no reason a neutral gamble. to be unhappy about the short-term fluctuations of the game.

MSPTPOKER.COM PAGE 20 Mid-States Poker Tour JULY 2017 VerStandig Law Firm, LLC POKER LAWYER MAURICE “MAC” VERSTANDIG PUTS LAW ON HOLD TO PLAY MSPT VENETIAN BY MSPT POKER STAFF

hen it comes to poker and the law, few people have as Going a bit deeper was VerStandig Law Firm Employee Wmuch experience as Maurice “Mac” VerStandig, Esq. Molly Mossey, who some may know better as a former member The managing partner of The VerStandig Law Firm, LLC, of the poker media. She’s even live reported a MSPT event or VerStandig focusses his practice on counseling professional two in the past. poker players, sports bettors and advantage players across Mossey is no poker slouch with $57,164 in tournament the United States. He is licensed to practice law in Maryland, earnings, which includes $32,310 for finishing third in the 2012 Virginia and Florida, as well as in nearly a dozen federal MSPT Meskwaki. At the beginning of the summer, Mossey won courts, and regularly affiliates with attorneys licensed in nu- a special media event at Planet Hollywood, which allowed merous other states and jurisdictions. her to donate $500 to the charity of her choosing. She selected You might not know it, but VerStandig is involved with Best Friends, a national animal welfare organization. some major poker stories you’ve probably read about. For Combining a keen understanding of the gaming world and instance, he’s weighed in on both the Phil Ivey edge-sorting an equally keen understanding of the law, Mac VerStandig and trial and Borgata chip counterfeiter Christian Lusardi. More recently, he is the man representing the players scammed by his colleagues are devoted the now defunct PPC Poker Tour. to fighting on behalf of the Aside from practicing poker law, VerStandig enjoys poker community and its playing in his free time in both Las Vegas and Atlantic City. members. His best cash to date is $2,723 for finishing 117th in the 2015 For those with any pok- World Series of Poker Lucky 7s event. VerStandig took a shot er-related law inquiries, in the MSPT Venetian, but unfortunately, he came up short of VerStandig can be reached making the money. at [email protected].

Molly Mossey

Molly Mossey wins Planet Hollywood Charity Event Mac VerStandig

MSPTPOKER.COM JULY 2017 Mid-States Poker Tour PAGE 21 Reality TV Star Plays MSPT MARRIAGE BOOTCAMP STAR JIM CARROLL TAKES AIM AT MSPT AND POKER ON TV BY CHAD HOLLOWAY

he MSPT Venetian was chock full of amateurs, tour surgery and decided to Tregulars, and poker pros. In the midst of them all was play online. Then I won a a celebrity who largely flew under the radar. We’re talking big event at Winstar and about Jim Carroll, who is a genuine reality TV star. kept going.” For those that don’t know, Carroll spent seven seasons The tournament he alongside his wife, Elizabeth, as hosts of WEtv’s (that’s referred to was the 2008 Women’s Entertainment TV for those who don’t know) The River Guaranteed Marriage Boot. Here’s a bit of info according to Carroll’s $3,000,000, which he won website: for $700,000. All told, Car- In 2002, Jim created The Marriage Boot Camp. Jim was roll has $1,386,193 in live determined to do everything in his power to learn what it would tournament earnings, take to have a successful marriage. The Boot Camp was designed which would include Jim Carroll to use games, drills and exercises that enhanced the relationship $2,566 for finishing 300th between spouses. in the MSPT Venetian In 2006, the Marriage Boot Camp's success drew the interest of Main Event. TV Networks. TLC was the first to shoot a series called Marriage So, what’s next for Car- Camp … In 2009, Jim met the love of his life on an online dating roll after leaving Mar- site. Elizabeth Davids was the perfect match for Jim. They married riage Bootcamp behind? on June 21st, 2009 and are happily married today. Jim and “I’ve written a motion Elizabeth work as a team in the Marriage Boot Camp to change picture and have sent lives. it off to film festivals,” “I am an unbelievably blessed husband and father who has he said. “The script has gotten to see hundreds of lives and relationships changed come in first place over through the Marriage Boot Camp,” reads Carroll’s Twitter 30 times. This Fall I’m profile. As it happens, Carroll, a good friend of Dr. Phil, probably going to film the occasionally likes to take a break from the celebrity life to movie. It’s a Sci-fi action play a little poker. adventure. It’s going to “Nobody here knows me, but Walmart knows me well,” be great.” the Texan said during a break. “I play a lot of tournaments In addition, he has an Jim Carroll and Elizabeth Davids throughout the year, usually at Choctaw or Winstar, but I idea for a new TV show. come out to the WSOP each year.” The basic gist of it would see contestants compete in a series Indeed, no one seemed to recognize Carroll for his of games for the title of “Ultimate Gambler” while another television exploits, but a few players knew him from the set of contestants would seek to become “America’s Hottest poker circuit. Dealer.” “I’ve been playing poker since I was 14 years old in smoky “Poker is only one thing that they’d play,” Carroll explained. poker rooms with a bunch of old guys,” Carroll said about “It’d be cheap and easy to film. Tables for the guys, a runway how he got into the game. “I got a lot of injuries playing sports for the girls. I think it’d draw a ton of people.” because I’m getting old. I finally had knee and shoulder Follow Carroll on Twitter @JimMBC.

MSPTPOKER.COM come play Poker - Simulcast - Racing - Dining Now Offering One Card Poker Two Card Poker Three Card Poker Ultimate Texas Hold’em Pai Gow Jacksonville Orange Park 201 Monument Road 455 Park Avenue www.bestbetjax.com | 904-646-0001 DOES OVER

$1 MILLION CHANGE YOUR CLIENT FireKeepers TOURNAMENT PLANS? Casino Hotel

FireKeepers’ MSPT events are exploding! May saw PROJECT over 1,065 players and the prize pool cracked July MSPT Mag $1 million! You read right. One. Million. Dollars. JOB NO. FK-29493 Enter the Super Satellites, Main Event Qualifiers COLOR or fly in for the Main Event. It’s time to 4/c Get Your Game Face On at FireKeepers. SIZE 8.375” x 10.75”

BLEED MSPT RETURNS FALL 2017! .25 MICHIGAN STATE POKER CHAMPIONSHIP $300,000 GUARANTEED MAIN EVENT PRIZE POOL MAIN EVENT OCTOBER 7 – 15 SUPER SATELLITES BEGIN AUGUST 25 MAIN EVENT QUALIFIERS BEGIN AUGUST 26

Visit FireKeepersCasino.com or call the Poker Room directly at 269.660.5631 for more details.

GET READY. GET SET. GET YOUR ON™

FireKeepersCasino.com I-94 to Exit 104 | 11177 Michigan Avenue

Must be 21 or older. Schedule subject to change. Management reserves all rights.

FK-29493_July_MSPT_Mag_8.375x10.75.indd 1 6/23/17 12:19 PM MORE THAN $ 21 MILLION

MAY 15 - JULY 23, 2017

VIEW COMPLETE SCHEDULE AT VENETIAN.COM/DEEPSTACK AND FOLLOW ALL THE ACTION AT VENETIANPOKERROOM.BLOGSPOT.COM

THE BEST POKER ROOM IN LAS VEGAS