Minnesota tournament regulars Matt Alexander and Kou Vang, pictured at right, chopped Running Aces Harness Park’s Tournament of Champions for $50,846 each after a long heads-up match in Columbus, Minn.
When heads-up play began, both players had more than 50 big blinds and each held a 3-to-1 lead at different points in the match. But after they returned to about even stacks one last time, they decided to chop the money and do a best-of-seven flip for the trophy and title. Alexander won the flips.
This was the second year Running Aces hosted its $2,500 buy-in event. It attracted 83 entries and generated a $189,198 prize pool. After the event, pro Allen Kessler tweeted, “Great staff, friendly players and best structure anywhere.”
TWIN CITIES OPEN: Mario Hudson of Saint Paul, Minn., took first place at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minn.
The tournament ended after chipleader Hudson accepted a chop for $30,900 that awarded $29,303 to Tony Hartmann and David Gonia. The $1,100 event drew 182 players and resulted in a $176,540 prize pool.
— Email John Somsky at john.somsky@gmail.com.
