The inaugural Minnesota State Poker Tour Launch event is in the books and John Dragich of St. Cloud, almost 21 yrs old, took down the first Continental Diamond Championship Bracelet and $35K after 19 hours of play.

I’ve had the opportunity to play with Dragich two times now in the last two big tourneys as we’ve both been fortunate to make relatively deep runs. We played together in the Fall Poker Classic with 4 tables remaining and Sunday-Monday during the final two tables of the MSPT. John is a fantastic player. He’s got “it” that very few people have. He rarely makes mistakes. He has the ability to put other players on a tight range of hands and make huge calls at crucial times with average hands when he senses his opponent is attempting to steal. He’s very calculated. If he’s smart with his bankroll and stays within himself, this kid has a bright future in poker. Hopefully when he makes it big time he doesn’t forget where he had his coming out party! LOL.

The entire week and the Main Event was a blast! We of course want to thank Canterbury and the tournament staff for their hard work and long hours (Brent & Ed). We also appreciate all the great players that came out to play to support the tour. I know many of you drove through a blizzard early in the week to play in qualifiers.

I’ve received a ton of emails as well as players personally approaching me to compliment the structure and the event. Your kind words are much appreciated. The entire goal of the Minnesota State Poker Tour is to provide a player friendly structure and atmosphere.

Hopefully we can continue to build off this event as we head to Mille Lacs in February. Tell your friends and fellow poker players to get their butt up there! I can’t wait!

Thanks again for everyone in attendance for an awesome Tour Launch!

Bryan

John Dragich, a 20-year-old from St. Cloud, won the inaugural Minnesota State Poker Tour event on Monday night, taking home $34,000 and a customized diamond bracelet for his efforts.

Dragich picked up pocket aces on the first hand of heads-up play against another 20-year-old, Chase Wood, who held K2. Both players had nearly even stacks, and they pushed all the money in on a K-high flop. Dragich’s aces held, and he will hold bragging rights until the MSPT travels to Grand Casino Mille Lacs in February.

Photo Gallery

Final Results
130 entrants

Bryan Mileski, publisher and president of Minnesota Poker Magazine, leads the pack heading into day two of the Minnesota State Poker Tour Launch Tournament at Canterbury Park.

Other established local names are following close behind, however. The final two tables will resume play at 5:00 on Monday night, with the winner earning $34,000 and a customized diamond bracelet.

Hey folks, I’m currently sitting in the Canterbury Park horse betting area up on the second floor, working on my laptop while dozens of degenerates gamblers root for horses on TV screens… This is what I will likely be doing in 30 years!

The Minnesota State Poker Tour is taking place downstairs, which is extremely gratifying from a personal standpoint, because Bryan Mileski and I have worked SUPER hard to launch this thing. It will take time to build it as big as we want, but you can only take one step at a time.

One of the cool things about MSPT events is the qualifying structure. Technically, anyone can buy directly into the $1,000+100 Main Event, but most people don’t have that kind of cash.

Like me.

The alternative is much more appealing — $60 SNGs and $250 qualifiers. There’s a very good chance that somebody is going to turn a $60 SNG victory into a $30,000 or $40,000 payday at the end of this event.

Either that, or somebody will probably turn a $250 qualifier into a huge payday.

And because the qualifiers send 20% of the field to the Main Event, players always feel like they have a fantastic shot to advance at the start of the tournament.

That said, I’ve been getting my ass kicked all week! Can’t get anything to hold up, can’t win any coinflips, etc. Whatever. It’s still been an awesome time.

Poker is on the rise in Minnesota.

Senator Dick Day of Owatonna, MN recently announced that he plans to leave his seat on January 18 in order to head Racino Now and RacinoNow.com. Day’s plan is to push for the state to allow slot machines at Canterbury Park and Running Aces Harness Park.

From RacinoNow.com:

Every year, we keep having the same debate at the Capitol about reducing deficits and cutting programs.  It’s time to use a little Common Sense.

The time for Racinos is NOW.

Racinos in Minnesota could raise $250 million in new state revenue without raising anyone’s taxes. By putting slot and video games in Minnesota’s existing horse parks, we could go a long way toward improving the state’s fiscal problems.

Now Dick Day is leaving his Senate seat and taking to Main Street with one goal: to bring common sense and your voice back to the negotiating table at the Capitol.

Day also recently joined Paul Allen on KFAN to answer questions and take phone calls about the Racino movement. Day said his plan would add thousands of new jobs to the state of Minnesota, and the revenue generated would help fund things such as education and possibly a Vikings stadium.

Diamond Jo Casino in Northwood, Iowa has put on a couple very solid tournaments this year — the $50K Poker Bash at the end of the summer, and the $70K Battle on the Border over Thanksgiving weekend.

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Results

1st Place –      Michael Klimek                 $12,690
2nd Place -     David Burgart                    $6,768
3rd Place -      Trevis Devericks               $4,230
4th Place –       John Fruechte                   $3,384
5th Place -      Tyrone Jackson                 $2,538
6th Place -       David Prochazka              $2,115
7th Place -       Brad Cohen                      $1,692
8th Place -        James Johnson                 $1,480
9th Place -        Matt Christiansen             $1,375
10th Place -      Shane Johnson                 $1,269
11th Place -       Kerry Harvey                   $1,163
12th Place -       Bryan Mileski                   $1,058
13th Place -       Troy Olson                       $952
14th Place -       Loren Stene                      $846
15th Place -       Tyler Lundgren                 $740

- Brad Berman wins his second-career Fall Poker Classic Main Event championship.

- Full Fall Poker Classic coverage.

- Jeremy Dresch final tables the Fall Poker Classic Main Event, then goes on to win back-to-back Heartland Poker Tour events.

- Introducing the 2010 Minnesota Player of the Year race.