MPT 2009 #1 - Showboat AC (6/13/2009)

Atlantic City, NJ - Season three of the Mattress Poker Tour kicked off with a bang, as the most consistent player in series history finally secured the coveted black chip trophy, while also taking home a black chip's worth of prize money. Bigfus won the first hand of the afternoon, eliminated defending MPT Main Event Champion, Betdponies, before the event was an hour old, and never looked back to win her first event in 15 series tries. Bigfus widened her lead as the series' all-time leading money winner and passed Harv29 as the all-time points leader in MPT history.

The normally passive Bigfus was involved in pots throughout the tournament and displayed a more aggressive style, raising with strong draws and opening up her starting hand requirements in the late stages when the blinds grew large. She proved she has learned from her series record five second-place finishes and will be a force to be reckoned with during the 2009 season. Bigfus also secured her astonishing sixth straight cash and eighth in the money finish in the past nine events, dating back to last season's first event, in April 2008.

The win by Bigfus overshadowed the solid play of Whispering Eye, who became the second straight player adorned in San Diego Chargers garb to finish runner up to a series regular, and the debut of Big Jer, who travelled with the Tournament Director from Virginia to be part of this event. Big Jer played patiently until busting with AJo against KQo from Mrs. Betdponies, as the blinds forced players to take chances with preflop all-ins. Mrs. Betdponies secured her second cash in the last three events.


The participants:

• Betdponies - Defending Main Event Champion, looking to rebound from mediocre regular season in 2008
  
• Bigfus - Arguably, the most successful player in MPT history, but still seeking her first win
  
• Big Jer - Joining the fray for the first time
  
• Harv29 - Looking to build on strong finish in 2008 and defend his series points title
  
• Mrs. Betdponies - Trying not to upset her husband with her play
  
• RowanB - Needing to get back into form after four consecutive finishes out of the money
  
• Whispering Eye - Seeking redemption after early exit in his first MPT outing
  

The results:

• Bigfus
• Whispering Eye
• Mrs. Betdponies
• Big Jer
• Harv29
• RowanB
• Betdponies