Shajan Paul raised to 800 in the hijack, the player in the cutoff flatted, and Zachariah Kates three-bet to 2,200 on the button. Paul and the cutoff both came along for the ride.
The flop of 7♥4♦Q♦ checked through to the K♥ turn. Paul checked, the cutoff bet 4,000, Kates called, as did Paul.
The river brought the 2♠, Paul checked and the cutoff moved all in for 7,400, putting himself at risk. Kates folded and Paul made the call.
The cutoff tabled 9♦7♦ for a missed flush draw and the pot was pushed to Paul after he turned over A♣K♣ for a pair of kings.
Sloan Farrell raised to 1,100 under the gun, and was called by Joseph Cashen on the button, and Alan Gendelman in the big blind.
The flop came 2♥J♦K♥ when Gendelman checked, and Farrell bet out 3,000. Cashen called, and Gendelman folded.
After the 2♣ turn, Farrell bet 7,000, and Cashen again made the call.
The river was the 5♠ and Farrell bet 8,300 to put Cashen all in. Cashen said "It just has to be ace-king" but then put in his reaming chips to make the call.
Cashen had the right read as Farrell then tabled A♠K♣ for top pair top kicker, which was good enough to take the pot, as Cashen mucked his hand and left the tournament area.
Day 1b of the $2,200 Main Event Event is underway here at the Maryland State Poker Championship hosted by Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland. The PokerStars sponsored tournament features a $500,000 guaranteed prize pool, with the first of two starting flights having been completed yesterday.
Players who advance from each flight will combine and return for Day 2 on Sunday, August 11, where action will play down to the final six players. The remaining competitors will return for the third and final day on Monday, August 12, where a winner will be crowned.
Last year's installment of the event attracted 172 runners, and the first flight saw 100 entrants pony up the $2,200 buy-in this year. Only 13 of those competitors will be advancing to Day 2, all of whom have already made the money.
Day 1a Chip Counts
Place
Player
Country
Chip Count
1
Michael Bills
United States
844,000
2
Nicholas Banyas
United States
583,000
3
John Kostelac
United States
440,000
4
Brandon Mueller
United States
422,000
5
Derek Sudell
United States
306,000
6
Xiaoqiong Liu
United States
296,000
7
Joseph Crowley
United States
274,000
8
Tim Faro
United States
252,000
9
Carlos Chadha Villamarin
United States
194,000
10
Charles Furey
United States
189,000
11
Daniel Lim
United States
90,000
12
Matthew Zambanini
United States
88,000
13
David Olshan
United States
21,000
Michael Bills
Players begin each starting flight with 40,000 in chips and blinds will start at 100/100 with a 100 big blind ante. Blinds will increase every 30 minutes on Day 1 and every 40 minutes on Day 2. Play for Day 1 flights will conclude once 12.5% of the field remains, and those who bag will be in the money for Day 2.
Late registration and reentries are permitted through level 12, with 15-minute breaks taking place every three levels. A one hour dinner break will take place after Level 9 at approximately 5:45 p.m. local time.
Unlimited re-entries are allowed, and players may play both Day 1 flights in an attempt to increase their chip counts. Should a player choose to play multiple Day 1 flights, only the highest qualifying stack will be permitted to continue to Day 2, and they will receive a min-cash for their other qualifying stack.
Remaining Schedule
Day
Date
Time
Day 1b
August 10
11:15 a.m.
Day 2
August 11
12:15 p.m.
Day 3
August 12
2:15 p.m.
Also up for grabs for the first place winner is a Gold Pass to the NAPT Las Vegas Main Event in November. PokerStars will be awarding the last player standing the Gold Pass package, which includes a seven-night stay at Resorts World Las Vegas, $1,800 for travel expenses, and the $5,300 tournament buy-in.
Be sure to follow PokerNews throughout the entirety of the $2,200 Main Event here at the Maryland State Poker Championship.
