The Mid-States Poker Tour returned to Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel in Tama, Iowa, in early April, attracting 342 players to surpass the $300K guarantee. It was a tough final table sprinkled with World Series of Poker bracelet-winners and poker pros. But it was an Iowa amateur who took home the big prize as Terry Ring from Durant eliminated Nick Jivkov in a tough heads-up match. Ring was quiet and focused at the final table, suffering few setbacks on his way to victory. He took home $87,694 and a bracelet.
The MSPT will return three more times to Iowa this season: Meskwaki (July 20-28), Grand Falls Casino Resort (Aug. 10-18) and back to Meskwaki (Oct. 26-Nov. 3).
PRAIRIE MEADOWS: The Heartland Poker Tour also made a stop in Iowa at the Prairie Meadows Racetrack Casino Hotel (March 8-17). The prize pool was $213,736 as another Iowa amateur, Matt Hennig from Des Moines, took a title. Hennig had a great run at the final table eliminating seven opponents to earn $57,709. The HPT will return to Prairie Meadows Oct. 18-28.
— Ken Warren is Ante Up’s Iowa Ambassador. You can email him at anteupken@gmail.com.
