The Venetian

It was an outstanding start to the MSPT Main Event 158 at The Venetian here in Las Vegas and after the final cards were dealt, Jason Gooch managed to stand tall above the rest of the Day 1A field to lead the flight.

Gooch bagged 413,500 for the top total of the evening. Michael Ermie came in second just behind Gooch with 385,000. Rounding out the top five were Andre Butler (253,500), Jim Agate (218,500) and Smith Collins (216,000). Also advancing were two-time WSOP bracelet winner Barry Shulman (205,000), Katie Lindsay (92,000) and Bob Shao (87,500)

Notables missing out on reaching Day 2 included John Morgan, Ben Ector, Gerald Cunniff and Jason Seitz.

For the flight, 149 entries were recorded and 16 players managed to make their way to Day 2. There will be one more starting flight Saturday starting at 12:10 PM Pacific. Everyone who advances will be back in action on Sunday at 12 PM Pacific to play for the Main Event title.

We’ll be back here tomorrow from The Venetian in Las Vegas for Day 1B covering all the action on msptpoker.com. Congratulations to everyone who advanced to Day 2 and we’ll see you here tomorrow morning!

Michael Ermie raised to 10,000 from middle position, Larry Wright re-raised to 27,000 from the hijack, Ron West called for his remaining 11,000 and Ermie quickly folded.

West
Wright

The board fell

Larry White : 100,000 (25 bb)
Ron West : eliminated

Richard Schneiderman was looking to put Jim Agate away but the cards had other plans.

Agate was all-in for his 88,500 holding against the of Schneiderman. Agate got some hope when the flop came out giving him a club flush draw along with his ace. Then the came on the turn giving Agate the flush. The came on the river to end the hand and Agate doubled up to 178,500 (60 bb).

We’re down to 20 as we head into the final level of the night here at The Venetian.

Veselin Dimitrov jammed his remaining 16,000 from late position, Jason Gooch called from the button.

Dimitrov:
Gooch:

The Flop -

The Turn -

The River - , giving Dimitrov top two pair for the win.

Dimitrov 39,500 (13bb)
Gooch 240,000 (80 bb)

21 players remain late in Level 14

Nothing like taking on Vesilin Dimitrov, Barry Shulman, Jason Gooch and Katie Lindsay ALL AT ONCE.

Dimitrov opened with a raise to 7,000 and was called by Shulman, Gooch and Lindsay but then Steve Shanks in the big blind moved all-in for 85,000. Amazingly, the entire quartet decided to live to fight another day and the bet from Shanks got through. Shanks moved back into six figures to 114,500 (38 bb) as he raked in the pot.

22 still remain with a level and half to play this evening.

Noam Muallem has been active on Table 14, after he raised to 6,500 for the third hand in a row, Larry Wright tossed in a call, from the button, saying, “I’ve got a good hand.”

“Why you just call?” Muallem asked.

“’Cuz I like young guys to trap themselves.”

Both players checked the flop.

On the turn, Muallem bet 7,500 and received a quick call. Both checked again, on the river, Muallem turned over but Wright picked up the pot after showing .

Larry Wright 72,000 (24 bb)

Julie Polatchek raised to 6,000 from under the gun, the action folded around to Bryan Piccioli on the button who shoved all-in for 47,000, Polatchek went into the tank before finally calling, and the hands were turned over.

Piccioli:
Polatchek: .

The board ran out .

Polatchek hit top pair sending Picciolii to the rail and moving up to 160,000 (64bb)

Michael Ermie is fighting to be the top dog for Day 1A.

Ermie kicked things off by raising to 6,500 and Ben Ector moved his 43,500 chip stack into the middle. Ermie called and saw his had the lead over Ector’s . Ermie quickly got a hold of the hand with the flop coming out . The board ran out and Ector was knocked out of the flight while Ermie moved up to 328,000 (131 bb).

We’re down to 22 left as Day 1A continues here at The Venetian.

Consider maximum pressure applied.

Joseph Ashor called the 6,000 chip pre-flop raise of Robert Mantin and the two were off to the races. The flop came out and Ashor checked to Mantin who bet out 11,000. Ashor took it up to 25,000 and Mantin made the call. Then the came on the turn and Ashor checked again. But this Mantin laid down the gauntlet and moved all-in for 73,500. Ashor leaned back in his seat and folded his arms. He then sat forward and started wringing his hands as he tried to make a decision. Ashor finally let go of the hand and Mantin pulled in the pot. Mantin moved up to 142,000 (57 bb) with the win.

26 players remain in tonight’s Day 1A duel in Las Vegas.