Nick Jivkov won $104,974 by besting a record field in the Mid-States Poker Tour event at Meskwaki Casino on Nov. 9. The field of 426 players meant a prize pool of $426K. Jivkov, a 2014 World Series of Poker bracelet-winner, is from Des Plaines, Ill. He had a great run at the final table, eliminating most of the players before facing Mike Lang heads-up for the title. Lang earned $60,600.
I attended the MSPT event and found several tables of pot-limit Omaha cash games and several levels of no-limit hold’em. The MSPT returns three times in 2015.
HORSESHOE: During the second week of October, the Horseshoe Casino in Council Bluffs held its annual Fall Classic. The $660 main event went to Kipp Smith, earning a few bucks shy of $20K. This event had 122 entries for a $71,370 prize pool.
There were a few other events, too. Eric Rodawig won $2,112 in the $200 PLO triple chance. Courtney Slott, John Waugh and David Hengen chopped the $200 bounty event for $2,398 each. Mohammed Nuwwarah took down the $250 six-max for $5,212. The $200 Omaha/8 event ended in a four-way chop for $1,280 each to Kelly Vandemheen, Terry Stork, Duster Ellis and Linn Shoesmith. The Horseshoe hosts its Holiday Poker Classic on Dec. 26-Jan. 1 with a variety of events, including NLHE, Omaha/8 and another PLO triple chance.
LAND HO: Rhythm City Casino in Davenport is moving onto land and will be near the I-74/I-80 intersection. It will be a year before the build is complete, but current plans are to include an eight-table poker room. Area players will appreciate the additional options and I’ll have more information as the grand opening approaches.
PRAIRIE MEADOWS: The Heartland Poker Tour returns here the first week of December. The $1,650 main event will run Dec. 5-8. There also will be a $150 PLO event and a couple of smaller buy-in NLHE events.
— Email Ken at anteupken@gmail.com.
