2015 Mid-States Poker Tour Meskwaki

Main Event
Day: 2
Event Info

2015 Mid-States Poker Tour Meskwaki

Final Results
Winner
Winning Hand
54
Prize
$101,229
Event Info
Buy-in
$1,000
Prize Pool
$410,000
Entries
410
Level Info
Level
33
Blinds
100,000 / 200,000
Ante
30,000

Main Event

Day 2 Completed

Rich Alsup Wins the 2015 MSPT Meskwaki Main Event ($101,229)

Level 33 : 100,000/200,000, 30,000 ante
Rich Alsup
Rich Alsup

A story of redemption played out at the Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel in Tama, Iowa Sunday night, as Rich Alsup took down the 2015 Mid-States Poker Tour Meskwaki Main Event title and $101,229, after coming runner-up here this past March.

A 31-year-old professional poker player from Eden Prairie, Minnesota, things fell into place time and time again for Alsup at the final table until MSPT glory was finally his.

The event drew 410 players over two starting flights, but just 77 survivors returned to vie for the championship Sunday. Play moved quickly past the 45-player money bubble and just after 7 p.m. local time the final table was set with MSPT Pro Matt Alexander firmly in the lead.

Alsup sat fourth of ten when Jason Seitz busted, running {k-Hearts}{q-Spades} into Hamid Feiz' {a-Diamonds}{k-Spades}. Marius Toderici was the next to go when he was outdrawn by Feiz, but Alsup began his move towards the top, busting Day 1 chip leader Marty Faldet eighth, flopping a set of fours against his nines all in preflop.

Feiz won a flip to double through Alexander next, then busted him when a clearly frustrated Alexander shoved top pair into his top two. Feiz had moved into the chip lead when Mark Hodge busted sixth, picking up enough MSPT Player of the Year points with his finish to overtake the lead in that race.

Feiz' lead would not last, however, as Alsup stung him, shoving over his raise with {a-Clubs}{7-Spades}, getting called by {a-Spades}{j-Hearts} and outdrawing him when they both flopped two pair by making a boat on the river.

Feiz fell short, and then exited in fifth place before Shaun Burnett lost a race against Derek Dempster to bow out fourth. Ric Cacho got super short three handed and also gave the last of his stack to Dempster, allowing him to take a lead into heads-up with Alsup.

It was a back-and-forth match until the poker gods smiled on Alsup once again, handing him trips on the river after he got it in with bottom pair and a gutshot against Dempster's top pair with the same draw.

In the end, Dempster was forced to shove short with the {5-Hearts}{4-Diamonds}, geot called by Alsup on the similar {5-Clubs}{4-Hearts}, and four clubs came out to give Alsup the win.

Alsup admitted it just seemed to be his time in Tama as he found himself catching every card needed on the way to winning the 2015 Mid-States Poker Tour Meskwaki Main Event.

Next up for the MSPT is a stop at the Golden Gates Casino in Black Hawk, Colorado next weekend, and the PokerNews Live Reporting Team will be there for every flop turn and river. Until then, it's goodnight from Meskwaki.

Tags: Derek DempsterHamid FeizJason SeitzMark HodgeMarrus TodericiMarty FaldetMatt AlexanderRic CachoRich Alsup

Derek Dempster Eliminated in 2nd Place ($58,442)

Level 33 : 100,000/200,000, 30,000 ante
Derek Dempster
Derek Dempster

Derek Dempster moved ahead with some strong moves before Rich Alsup completed from the button and Dempster raised it to 500,000. Alsup called and the flop came {q-Clubs}{j-Hearts}{8-Spades}.

Dempster led for 500,000 and Alsup pushed all in. Dempster quickly called and was miles ahead with the {q-Spades}{10-Spades} over Alsup's {10-Diamonds}{8-Clubs}. The turn came the {4-Hearts}, changing nothing, but the river was the {8-Hearts}, making Alsup trips and handing him the biggest pot of the tournament.

Left with just 420,000 in chips, Dempster shipped those two big blinds in the very next hand with the {5-Hearts}{4-Diamonds} and got the call from Alsup on the {5-Clubs}{4-Hearts}.

The board ran out {a-Spades}{10-Clubs}{q-Clubs}{8-Clubs}{k-Clubs} and once again, Alsup had the best of it, four-flushing Dempster's hopes down the drain and winning the 2015 MSPT Meskwaki Main Event.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Rich Alsup us
Rich Alsup
8,200,000
3,200,000
3,200,000
WSOP 1X Winner
Profile photo of Derek Dempster
Derek Dempster
Busted

Tags: Derek DempsterRich Alsup

Level: 33

Blinds: 100,000/200,000

Ante: 30,000

Flush Over Flush

Level 32 : 80,000/160,000, 20,000 ante

In a limped pot, both players checked an {a-Hearts}{3-Hearts}{2-Diamonds} flop. Derek Dempster fired 300,000 at the {4-Hearts} turn, but could not shake Rich Alsup.

The river brought the {9-Hearts} and a check from Dempster. Alsup bet 475,000 and Dempster called, showing the {10-Hearts}, then mucking when Alsup turned over the {q-Diamonds}{J-Hearts} for the bigger flush.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Rich Alsup us
Rich Alsup
5,000,000
800,000
800,000
WSOP 1X Winner
Profile photo of Derek Dempster
Derek Dempster
3,200,000
-800,000
-800,000

Alsup Leads

Level 32 : 80,000/160,000, 20,000 ante

Rich Alsup has bullied his way into the lead, first betting 800,000 into and 800,000-chip pot on a {5-Spades}{3-Diamonds}{9-Clubs}{q-Spades}{4-Diamonds} board with {q-Diamonds}{8-Clubs} and getting paid off by a hand Dempster did not show.

Then check-raising all in on an {8-Hearts}{8-Clubs}{6-Diamonds} flop when Dempster bet 250,000 and forcing a fold.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Rich Alsup us
Rich Alsup
4,200,000
1,900,000
1,900,000
WSOP 1X Winner
Profile photo of Derek Dempster
Derek Dempster
4,000,000
-1,800,000
-1,800,000

Chopped Pot Denies Alsup Double

Level 32 : 80,000/160,000, 20,000 ante

Rich Alsup limped the button and Derek Dempster checked his option. The flop came {9-Spades}{6-Spades}{5-Hearts} and Dempster check-called a 200,000-chip bet from Alsup.

The turn brought the {8-Spades} and after Dempster checked again, Alsup bet 450,000. Dempster check-raised all in and Alsup called with the {7-Diamonds}{9-Hearts} for the straight.

Dempster held just the {8-Clubs}{4-Hearts} and Alsup was set to double until the {7-Spades} river put the straight on board and chopped the pot.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Derek Dempster
Derek Dempster
5,800,000
-800,000
-800,000
Profile photo of Rich Alsup us
Rich Alsup
2,300,000
700,000
700,000
WSOP 1X Winner

Level: 32

Blinds: 80,000/160,000

Ante: 20,000

Break!

Level 31 : 60,000/120,000, 20,000 ante

After trading pots for a while, things remain as they were, with Derek Dempster holding about a 3:1 advantage over Rich Alsup.

Currently the players are taking a 10-minute break.

The Tables Have Turned

Level 31 : 60,000/120,000, 20,000 ante

Rich Alsup made it 250,000 and Derek Dempster defended. The flop came {q-Hearts}{7-Diamonds}{j-Diamonds} and Dempster check-called a 300,000-chip bet from Alsup.

Dempster then checked the {2-Hearts} turn, but when Alsup made it 575,000, he check-raise shipped for 2.8 million. Alsup called with {a-Clubs}{Q-Diamonds} for top-top, but was behind Dempster's {j-Hearts}{7-Clubs} two pair.

Dempster doubled into a decisive lead after the {k-Diamonds} river missed both.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Derek Dempster
Derek Dempster
6,600,000
4,500,000
4,500,000
Profile photo of Rich Alsup us
Rich Alsup
1,600,000
-4,500,000
-4,500,000
WSOP 1X Winner

Tags: Derek DempsterRich Alsup