The Mid-States Poker Tour at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minn., set a tournament attendance record for a $1K-plus buy-in, drawing 447 entrants for a $432,478 prize pool. Michael Wilmes of Roseville, Minn., took home the title and $108,984 for his largest career cash.
The final table started at about 6:30 p.m. and reached heads-up play just before midnight, leaving Wilmes and Michael Lang to battle it out for first. It only took about 15 minutes for Wilmes and Lang to get all the chips in the middle. Wilmes’ jacks held up over Lang’s A-2 and that was it. The new Allen Kessler-designed structure was a hit with players, leaving lots of play late in the event.
POCKET FIVES POKER TOUR: PocketFives.com launched its poker tour at Running Aces Harness Park in early April. The series boasted 26 events, several formats and had a LIPS event as well as a Senior Poker Tour event. Hank Mlekoday won the $750 main event for $24,162.
Chris “Fox” Wallace is the ambassador for the tour as well as the main organizer. Minnesota was the launching pad for the national tour. “We have a number of venues interested, and a big event that we will be announcing soon on the East Coast as well as some plans for the fall,” he said.
— Email John at john.somsky@gmail.com.
