Dan Sun of Cedar Rapids, Iowa earned his first major win Sunday night at Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel in Tama, IA, when he outlasted a 301-player field to take home $77,103 and the RF Moeller Diamond Championship bracelet.
Sun, a Software Engineer maintained a healthy stack throughout the tournament. He completed Day 1 seventh in chips with 101 players remaining. Sun entered the final table with the chip lead - holding 1.3 million – and faced little adversity.
Sun was anxious to close the deal, focused on earning his first major win. He had come close in the past, placing 3rd and 4th in Heartland Poker Tour events. In order to do so, he would have to get through one of the most respected players and best closers in the Midwest.
His heads up opponent would be Jeremy Dresch (@jerdresch) of Fridley, MN. Dresch has an MSPT title and three HPT titles on his resume. He had an MSPT runner-up finish as well.
With an hour left in Day 1, Dresch crippled the stack of 2006 World Series of Poker Champion Jamie Gold. Gold won the largest WSOP Main Event in history, defeating a 8,773-player field earning $12 million.
The two got it all in pre-flop, Dresch with AQ, Gold with AK. Dresch flopped a queen to double-up, Gold was left with just a few big blinds and was sent to the rail soon after.
Gold was in attendance for his first MSPT experience. “I had a blast this week.” Gold said. “I had heard about this tour a year ago and have been wanting to check it out, I finally got a week off and decided last minute to make the trip to Iowa to spend a few days playing cash games and the Main Event. I couldn’t have been more impressed, the players are so friendly here and fun to play with.”
Gold even stuck around to provide some LIVE final table commentary with poker pros Chris “Fox” Wallace and Matt “cadillacmatt54” Kirby. He told a few stories and answered questions from viewers. Where else can you chat with a WSOP Champ from your living room while watching a final table broadcast with hole cards?
The event center crowd was rooting for local Gene Bennett of Tama, IA, who was eventually sent to the rail in fifth place for $14,548.
2011 MSPT Player of the Year Nate Fair was back in the mix for his third MSPT final table appearance, behind only Everett Carlton (5) on the all-time list. Fair took home $10,183 for his seventh place finish.
On the final hand of the tournament, Dresch raised pre-flop with 8-2 off-suit and Sun called. The flop ran A-8-3. Dresch opened, Sun raised, Dresch shoved, Sun tank called with 8-7. The turn was a 5 giving Dresch a gutter-ball draw. The river ran clean for Sun allowing his 7-kicker to play.
This was the second ever BLUFF Mid-States Poker Tour event at Meskwaki Casino, each event has successfully reached the $300K Guaranteed prize pool. The next $300K event at Meskwaki will be held Oct. 27 - Nov. 4.
Next on Tour: The MSPT will make its first ever stop at Grand Falls Casino Resort in Larchwood, IA (Sioux Falls, SD) August 11-19.
Check out www.msptpoker.com for all MSPT details.