6 New MN Champions Heading to the WSOP
It certainly wasn't an easy victory for any of the six winners, especially with a starting field of more than 200 players from all across Minnesota, not to mention the 11 past champions sprinkled in the mix. One extremley lucky player, Dale Umbriet from the Rusty Nail in Thief River Falls, was even dealt the grand supreme Royal Flush early in the day, only to go out within the next few hours of play. Jason Eastling from Tootsie's was the first player to fall about 20 minutes into the tourney but he was cheered on by the crowd as he did a shot with tourney emcee and tournament director Pete Bushey to ease the pain and went home with some FPN swag.
The biggest hand of the day came with about 5 tables left when one of our chip leaders from the dinner break Darrin Tougas (Gio's, Moorhead) was all-in preflop against Jason Kaltved (Met Lounge, Morris) and Jon Stern (50 Lakes Bar). Jon held the rockets and had both players covered while they showed down QQ's and JJ's. This pot was worth over 200k and carried John to the final table with ease.
We went from 20 to 10 surprisingly quickly with these players making it so close: Leroy Johnson (Barnesville VFW), Michael Gronewald (Z103 - Fergus Falls), John Magnuson (Z103 - Fergus Falls), Tom Wenish, Colleen Eliason (Flicek's - Lonsdale), Tom Venne (Blue Fox - Arden Hills), John Derung (Morris Legion), Stephanie Jennings (Hutchinson Elks), and Adam Bailey (Locker Room Bar - Coleraine).
After nearly eight hours of hot and heavy (and sometimes downright aggravating) Texas Hold'em action, we were finally down to the final 10 players.
The lucky and skilled 10 players and their starting chips stacks at the final table were:
1. Bill Long -- Courtney's Comedy Club, Moorhead, and JC Corral, Dilworth -- 674k
2. Kevin Rouser -- Whistle Stop Tavern, Lonsdale -- 331k
3. Tomi Hamilton -- Trackside, Wadena -- 290k
4. Nels Peterson -- Ultimate Sports Bar, Waite Park -- 220k
5. Jon Stern -- 50 Lakes Bar, Emily -- 194k
6. Greg Buchite -- 50 Lakes Bar, Emily -- 139k
7. Kye Longtin -- Louie's, Shakopee -- 121k
8. Robb Kjenstad -- Route 65 Pub & Grub, East Bethel -- 117k
9. Deno Torkelson -- Spot Lite Bar, Hawley -- 63k
10. Jim Buchite -- 50 Lakes Bar, Emily -- 59k
At this point, there were a few notable stories about this group of players. Firstly, cousins Greg Buchite and Jim Buchite were both hoping to take home a prize package to become the first family winners in Minnesota Poker League history. But with Jim's short stack it looked like it might be his cousin Greg who would take home the trophy for the family and win exclusive bragging rights. Secondly Tomi Hamilton from the Trackside in Wadena managed to make her way to this final table by winning Trackside's Wild Card Night and making it through regionals. She's a perfect example of how awesome and important playing in those Wild Card Nights can be! Thirdly Nels Peterson from the Ultimate Sports Bar in Waite Park was looking to pick up his second Minnesota State Championship title to join the exclusive club of multiple winners.
When three-time state champion Clay Lipke, who went out just after the first break, started the final table action as a "guest dealer", he had high hopes of "transferring" some of his luck and skill to the group of players looking to win one of the six prizes. And with six of the 10 players enjoying their State Championship action, it looked like some of them might need any help they could get. It didn't take long however to the four players and crown our winners as the whole final table lasted a mere 30 minutes! The first three players out were Deno Torkelson, Greg Buchite and Kye Longtin. To kill the pain (especially Greg's who lost his lead to cousin Jim who was down from the start), we sent them off with some hot FPN gear and dreams of making it this far again during our next promotion Gold Rush 2. Kye's beat was tough to take too as he moved in with 9's on a raise by Jim and was sent home in 9th when Jim's Ac7c hit a 3-out Ace on the river! Deno didn't have any better luck as he moved all-in after Nels had raised with a 10-9 only to find himself dominate by Deno's K-10. A queen-high straight on the river however left us on the bubble and sent Deno home in 8th.
Now down to the final seven, each player was at the edge of their seats to see how the final action would play out. And before we knew it we were in the midst of the final hand. Finding himself short-stacked and under-the-gun, Robb Kjenstad of Route 65 Pub and Grub in East Bethel went all-in pre-flop with suited A-4, only to be called by Nels Peterson's pocket 5s. With Kevin Rouser and Bill Long left to act, Nels' stare down seem to urge them to call and go three against one to end it. But both folded leaving it on Nels to become--or take down--the bubble. Luckily for Nels, his 5s held up and the next Minnesota State Champions were crowned! Congratulations to Tomi, Nels, Jon, Bill, Jim and Kevin our new champions! And thanks to all of you who came out for this memorable event!