Pictures from MPT 2010 Main Event

Pictures from MPT 2010 Main Event (Event #7), held in Atlantic City, New Jersey in Bally's Atlantic City on Monday, December 28, 2010.

Pictures from MPT 2009 Main Event

Pictures from MPT 2009 Main Event (Event #7), held in Atlantic City, New Jersey in the Borgata Casino Hotel and Spa on Monday, December 28, 2009.


Before the tournament, players celebrated a new arrival to the Tournament Director's family


The MPT Monkey stands (sits) guard over (under) the coveted Main Event trophy


TSS777 deals, while Betdponies and RowanB (Richards) look on in the late stages of the event


Still three-handed, Judykq hangs in against RowanB and Betdponies, while TSS77 deals and Syrorange3042 watches


RowanB watches his opponent bet during heads-up play


The pivotal hands in heads-up play, as RowanB turns over his 10-7 suited, revealing he was ahead of Betdponies 6-4s


The final cards from the final hand, where RowanB's K-7 held up against Betdponies' J-7


The new champion, his cash and his new trophy


Harv29 presents the third Main Event bracelet to the second Main Event Champion


The future MPT champ (Harv30? Harvette29?) rests with the MPT Monkey after the event

MPT 2009 #7 - Main Event, Borgata (12/28/2009)

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ – This year’s MPT Champion did not come as a complete surprise, but not many people expected RowanB to take home the Main Event trophy last month. After failing to cash in the last four events of 2008 and the first three events of 2009, it looked like RowanB had lost the form that made him a Player of the Year candidate early in the 2008 season and looked more like the player who finished in last place in three of his first six MPT events (and second to last in another). An agonizing loss on the bubble in Las Vegas against Trojanrabbit’s pocket aces could have made 2009 a lost year for one of the MPT’s season veterans, but RowanB regained his lost confidence at his own tournament during this year’s ECLVA Fall Classic, when he began a series of four straight cashes, culminating in December’s Main Event victory.

The tournament started with Baccarat King providing the early action, losing a big pot to TSS777 and taking those chips back and then some before the end of the first blind level. Baccarat King also crippled Bigfus early in the event and took what appeared to be a commanding chip lead. Baccarat King was looking like the player who ran over a field of MPT veterans back in October, 2007, but lost a series of big pots to fall back into the pack before eventually falling out just after the short-stacked Bigfus finally was the first player eliminated for the second time in her last four events. Both former MPT champs, Bigfus and Baccarat King, finished out of the money for the sixth straight event, one short of RowanB’s record seven straight tournaments without a cash.

With Amazon knocking out Bigfus and Harv29 eliminating Baccarat King, it looked like RowanB’s run at Player of the Year was just about over. Despite cashing in the three previous events, recording kills in the last four events, and never finishing more than two spots out of the money since the first event of the season, Sass’ amazingly consistent season of four second place finishes and one third in the first six events of the year barely left the door ajar for the biggest comeback since the Sealy Cup was first presented after the 2007 season. However, a fortuitous flop for RowanB ended Sass’ day early in the Main Event and by eliminating the Player of the Year leader, he kept his slim hopes for the season championship alive.

It appeared for a while that two-time MPT champion Amazon might be poised for another run at a championship, but both she and TSS777 fell victim to Betdponies. Those two kills not only vaulted to three-time defending Main Event Champion back into contention to win again, but all but sealed his wife’s Player of the Year title. RowanB took the chip lead in the later stages of the tournament, but failed to translate this edge into the early kills he needed to overtake Sass for the season title. Still, it was shaping up to be an interesting battle in the later stages of the tournament.

Betdponies had a lot of momentum going in the late stages of the event, but never could amass enough chips to run over the table as he has done many times. However, despite his chip disadvantage, he did have the positional advantage over RowanB, as the two MPT regulars were the most aggressive remaining players and appeared to be the favorites to win as the bubble loomed. 2009 ECLVA Fall Classic champion Syrorange3042 was next the fall, as both he and Harv29 fell victim to RowanB’s bigger chip stack after calling preflop all-ins. The Tournament Director, Harv29, appeared ready to double back into contention, but a runner-runner straight sent him to the rail in fourth place.

Following those two eliminations, only Judykq stood between a heads-up battle between two MPT regulars, but she didn’t seem too eager to let that happen. She had played a patient tournament up to that point, not putting her chip stack at risk until she was forced to, but also not being afraid to move all of her chips in with an above average hand in the late stages. She doubled through RowanB at one point when he called her preflop all-in with a smaller pair than she showed, but eventually fell victim to Betdponies. In the process, she continued the trend of at least one woman cashing in every MPT Main Event and also for the sixteenth time in the last seventeen events (with this year’s Las Vegas spectacular being the only event in that stretch where all the money went to the men in the field).

With two experienced players and the blinds and antes representing such a big portion of each player’s stack the heads-up battle didn’t figure to last very long, but after a quick double up when Betdponies had an ace in the big blind against RowanB’s king in the small blind it took a while before we saw a flop. Each player moved all-in a few times, with Betdponies being a little more aggressive and eventually overcoming his chip deficit to take the lead when he chose to call RowanB’s all-in with 6-4 suited. RowanB showed 10-7 suited and his hand held up, leaving Betdponies with fewer chips than the blinds. Shortly afterwards, RowanB’s K-7 finished off Betdponies who turned over J-7 and the MPT crowned a new Main Event Champion for the first time since 2006.

RowanB’s victory broke a string of thirteen straight tournaments between victories, the longest in MPT history. His win plus four “kills” almost allowed to close the gap from to a single point behind Sass for the MPT Player of the Year, where going into the Main Event he trailed by 19. The one point margin of victory by Sass ties the previous closest margin by TSS777 in 2006, where he edged out Betdponies, 20-19 (places 1 to 7 were all separated by 1 point). The win moved RowanB to second place on the 2009 money list with $220, behind Sass’ $320, and moved him moves into first place in career points with 140, leading Harv29 (129). RowanB also became the fourth player in MPT history to win more than one series event - joining Betdponies, TSS777, and Amazon – while also extending his record to five straight events with at least one “kill”. Bigfus became the fifth player to finish in last place in more than one MPT event.

The results:

• RowanB
• Betdponies
• Judykq
• Harv29
• Syrorange3042
• Tss777
• Amazon
• Sass
• Baccarat King
• Bigfus

Main Event Changes Confirmed

FAIRFAX, VA - The 2009 Mattress Poker Tour (MPT) Main Event will be held at the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa. The tournament moves from the previously announced tentative location at Harrah's Atlantic City.

The tournament will begin with 3,500 chips for each player, an increase of 1,000 chips from the regular season MPT events. The rest of the tournament structure will remain the same as other MPT events.

These changes that were being considered by the MPT Executive Committee ( see Possible Changes for Main Event from 12/13/2009) were made official this evening in an announcement by Tournament Director, Harv29. In the same announcement, Harv29 noted that the start time may move forward from the previously planned 8:00 PM registration. As always, please watch this site for details.

Possible Changes for Main Event

FAIRFAX, VA - The Mattress Poker Tour is considering two significant changes for its upcoming Main Event, the MPT Tournament Director and Commissioner, Harv29, revealed in discussions over this past week. Currently being considered are a change in venue and a change in tournament structure to add more "play" to the Main Event.

The Main Event, formerly known as the Tournament of Champions, is currently scheduled to be held at 8:00 PM at Harrah's Atlantic City. The MPT Steering Committee has discussed moving the event to the nearby Borgata Casino Resort and Spa to take advantage of a rare chance to hold a tournament inside of Atlantic City's most glamorous resort. Of course, should the tournament remain at Harrah's, the newly built Waterfront Tower would be an equally luxurious home for this year's end of year party. Regardless of the venue, the start time is likely to remain 8:00 PM.

In recent weeks, some more experienced MPT players have asked that changes be made to the tournament structure to differentiate the Main Event from regular season MPT Events. The Steering Committee has listened to these requests and is considering increasing the starting chip stack by 1,000 chips, from the standard 2,500 chips to 3,500 chips. At this time, it is likely the tournament will use the same blind structure as a regular season event, since many of the MPT players have also requested that the tournament length not be increased because of other constraints on their time while they are in Atlantic City. The MPT has heard all of the player's requests and believes it will offer a solution that meets the needs of all participants.

Please watch our web site for more information about these changes and for our final decision. We will also share updates with our fans on Facebook.

Pictures from MPT 2008 Main Event

Pictures from the second annual MPT Main Event, held at the Showboat Atlantic City on Sunday, December 28, 2008.


Play during the middle stages of the tournament.


RowanV, Mrs. Betdponies, and Harv29 watch dealer TSS777 unveil a flop


Betdponies and Civicmon prepare for heads-up play, joined (in the center) by Harv29, while Baccarat King rests in the adjoining room


A closer look at the Main Event hardware


The champion points to his hole cards from the final hand


Betdponies keeps possession of the Main Event trophy for another year


Betdponies tries on his second Main Event bracelet

MPT 2008 #8 - Main Event, Showboat AC (12/28/2008)

The third annual Mattress Poker Tour Main Event finished with a familiar face atop the standings. Despite a disappointing regular season, which did not include a single cash before the Main Event, Betdponies defended his Tournament of Champions victory last year and won his third straight MPT event held in December at the Showboat Atlantic City Hotel and Casino on Sunday, December 28, 2008.

The event featured one of the largest fields in MPT history, as ten players crowded the Orleans Tower room before the crowd was able to spill over into the adjoining room next door (after the tournament's co-host, RowanB, was finally able to check into the hotel). The tournament got off to a late start and was beset with delays, include the temporary loss of the Tournament Director software on the computer, but after a nearly three hours of play, and over five hours after the scheduled start time, a new champion was crowned.

The participants:

• Amazon - Trying for a record-setting third win of the season, while looking to secure the "Rising Star" award and looking to get out of the crowded hotel room and onto the casino floor.
  
• Baccarat King - Trying to regain the form that earned him his first MPT title last season
  
• Betdponies - Looking to salvage a miserable MPT season
  
• Bigfus - Seeking her fifth consecutive MPT cash and first career win
  
• Civicmon - Returning for his second MPT event on the season
  
• Harv29 - Hoping to secure the Player of the Year title and take home his second trophy of the season
  
• Mrs. Betdponies - Trying to finish ahead of her husband for the fifth time this season
  
• RowanB - Trying to rebound from a series of mediocre finishes following a promising start to the season
• RowanV - Seeking to prove her first MPT victory was no fluke and work her way back into "Rising Star" contention
  
• TSS777 - Looking to rebound from his worst finish in MPT history and claim his first Main Event title
  

The results:

• Betdponies
• Civicmon
• Bigfus
  
• Harv29
• Mrs. Betdponies
  
• RowanV
• RowanB
• Amazon
• TSS777
• Baccarat King
  

Play through the early rounds was mostly conservative, as most players tried to avoid busting during the early blind levels. Playing contrary to the rest of the field, was the typically aggressive Baccarat King as his loose call on the river with an AK after not improving on any street cost him all of his chips. Pre-tournament favorites TSS777 and RowanB each were eliminated from the tournament with pocket Aces, though in very different situations. TSS777 bet preflop and on the flop with the best hand, but was drawing to only two outs when he called RowanV's all-in on the turn after her pocket 7's improved to a set. RowanB busted with AA for the second time this season after trapping Betdponies with a preflop call of his raise to 200 during BB 100 Level and then making a small re-raise after Betdponies bet into a Q-Q-4 flop. RowanB, then called the all-in raise from Betdponies for his last 500 chips, only to fall victim to a runner-runner flush from 4-5 of spades. That hand catapulted the defending champion into excellent position to repeat.

Rising Star front-runner, Amazon, also suffered an early exit when she flopped top pair with A-10 and was all-in against Bigfus, who also flopped top pair, but her A-Q held up to give her a big chip stack in the early stages of the tournament. Bigfus was unable to capitalize on that early lead, but did hold on for her fifth straight cash of the season and 7th "in the money" finish in the eight events this year. Despite those gaudy numbers, Harv29 finished high enough in the final event while eliminating two players to win the Player of the Year trophy, which was presented after the Main Event concluded.

Civicmon patiently survived the experienced field of MPT veterans to earn his first career cash, though when heads-up play began he faced a significant chip deficit as was quickly eliminated, though he can take heart that his As 4c was in good shape against Betdponies' 10c 9c before the the 9h 5s 2s flop fell. Betdponies put himself into position to win the tournament by aggressively attacking the blinds and antes as the stakes were higher, while his opponents seemed content to wait for the perfect opportunity to play back at him. By the time they had that chance it was too late and Betdponies proved why he is the only four-time MPT champion.

MPT Unveils Main Event Championship Bracelets

ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY - Prior to the December season-ending tournament at the Showboat Atlantic City, The Mattress Poker Tour added a Main Event Championship bracelet to the honors for the champion of that tournament. MPT 2007 Tournament of Champions winner betdponies received his 2007 bracelet prior to putting the Main Event trophy on the line. Winners of each year's "Main Event" will now have a token to commemorate their championship, even as the trophy is passed to each year's champion.

Satellite to Expand Tournament of Champions Field

In order to provide opportunities for players who have failed to qualify for this year's Tournament of Champions to play in the Main Event, while maintaining the integrity of that event, The Mattress Poker Tour is pleased to announce a satellite into this year's final event. The qualifying tournament will allow any individuals who would not otherwise be eligible for this year's Tournament of Champions one final chance to qualify for that event.

The Main Event field will be capped at 9 or 10 players (at the discretion of the Tournament Director). All non-qualifiers who are present on Sunday, December 28, 2008 will be eligible to compete for any spots not filled by qualifying players. The buy-in for the qualifying tournament will be determined by the number of available Main Event spots and the number of participating players. The blind structure will be a "turbo" version of the standard MPT structure. The start time of the qualifying tournament will be announced closer to the date of the event.

Any individuals planning to play in this qualifying event should contact the Tournament Director as soon as possible. The deadline for registration in the Main Event is Monday, December 8, 2008.

MPT to Award Rookie of the Year in December

SPRINGFIELD, VA - Mattress Poker Tour Founder and Tournament Director, Harv29, announced today the creation of a Rookie of the Year award, to be presented during the awards ceremony during the season ending banquet that with follow this year's Tournament of Champions main event, in December.

Competition for this year's trophy will be tight, after players making their debuts this season have won four events in a row. Two-time tournament champion Amazon appears to be the early favorite, but with three events remaining there is still a lot of poker left to be played.

The Tournament of Champions main event with be played on Sunday, December 28 at the Showboat Hotel and Casino, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Nine players have already qualified for this year's tournament, either by "cashing" in a tournament during 2008 or by virtue of previous main event championships.

Pictures from MPT 2007 Tournament of Champions

The new MPT Tournament of Champions trophy was unveiled.


Mr. Betdponies stares down Mrs. Betdponies as heads up play begins.


Harv29, Bigfus, Mr. and Mrs. Betdponies look on during heads up play.


The Betdponies family reacts as the final river card falls.


The champion celebrates remaining undefeated on the mattress.


A closer look at the cards from the final hand.


The champion with the trophy that he will hold for the next year.

MPT 2007 Tournament of Champions (12/27/2007)

(originally posted 1/3/2008, by Harv29)

The participants:

• harv29 - Host and Tournament Director
• betdponies - Two Time MPT Champion, including last year's ToC
• rowanb - hoping to take advantage of the absence of PoY point leader tss777
• sweeney - second place finisher from Event #3 returns for his second MPT event
• Mrs. betdponies - 3rd place in October earned a spot in this year's ToC
• bigfus - cashing in on her cash in last year's end of year extravaganza
  

The Results:

1. betdponies
2. Mrs. betdponies
3. harv29
4. sweeney
5. bigfus
6. rowanb
   

Unfortunately it was a small field for the Main Event but it was still quite festive. Since my wife wasn't there to take hand accounts, I did the best I could.

It was like most MPT events, one hour of chip accumulation and then a pushfest. Well, almost like that. Rowanb pushed all-in on hand #14 and Betdponies folded. Then in hand #21, I pushed all-in with A-6 o/s after a flop of A-K-6. Mrs. Betdponies called me with A-7 o/s and the turn and river came up 9-5.

Either in hand #22 or #23, Mrs. Betdponies was all-in with A-4 o/s against Sweeney’s 8-8. A generous ace on the flop helped Mrs. Betdponies double up.

Later on in hand #31 I made a huge lay down. Sweeney raised pre-flop for something like $300 and the flop came out something like 5-5-9 with two clubs with me holding AcKc. Sweeney opened for $1000 and I only had $1475 remaining. If I called, I knew I’d be going all-in. Did I want to bet all my chips on a draw? I decided to let it go, figuring Sweeney on two pair. . .

Hand #34 saw Rowanb go all-in with Q-10 o/s against Sweeney’s K-5 o/s and the cards came out 3d-2d-9s-Ac-4h giving Sweeney an unnecessary straight and keeping Rowanb’s streak of either going out first or finishing second intact.

Hand #36 saw Mrs. Betdponies severely cripple Bigfus, I think it was A-J against A-Q and then the next hand Betdponies busted Bigfus out.

Hand #44 saw Mrs. Betdponies go all-in with 10d9c against Sweeney’s 3d3c. The flop of 5d-Qc-6d was a glimmer of hope as was the Kd on the turn and the final nail was the Qd on the river giving Mrs. Betdponies the higher flush.

Hand #48 was possibly the monster suck-out of the event, with Sweeney going all-in with AdAh against Betdponies’s QdJc. There was a friendly flop of Qc-2h-9d. The turn was even friendlier with a Jh, giving Betdponies two pair. The river sent Sweeney packing with the Qs giving Betdponies a full house. It was just a few hands later that Mrs. Betdponies busted me out on the bubble.

We were now head’s up with Betdponies and Mrs. Betdponies (who was in trouble most of the tournament, bearly surviving my all-in win on hand #21. After a few hands, I think it ended on hand #53:

Betdponies Jd5d, Mrs. Betdponies 10s8h

Flop: 7c-Js-10d

Betdponies flops top pair, Mrs. Betdponies flops second pair with a gutshot straight draw.

Turn: 9d

Mrs. Betdponies is elated, she has made her straight, but wait, Betdponies now has a flush draw.

River: Ad!

Betdponies has made his flush and wins the MPT MAIN EVENT! He remains undefeated on the pillowtop! Congratulations!

Unfortunately, his two wins happened with the smallest fields, so the MPT Player of the Year is: TSS777!

Tot Pts Rank

20 TSS777
19 Betdponies
18 Harv29
17 Baccarat King
16 Rowanb
15 Bigfus
14 Mrs. Betdponies
12 Sweeney
9 Dave
4 MP
3 Janek13
1 "E"

He is a worthy PotY, with two wins in the two events he played with 7 of the 11 possible eliminations. Who knows what would have happened if the Baccarat King showed up. . .

Thanks for everyone for making the MPT possible. I look forward for the 2008 season!