This week, Tom Midena, who originally hails from brooklyn netted over 70 grand after winning a competitive poker tournament and beating out 271 other competitors. Not bad for a $250 buy-in for a qualifier that eventually turned into this large sum. This was a first for the FireKeepers casino and one of the largest tournaments for any first-time event.
FireKeepers is a breathtakingly gorgeous hotel located directly between Detroit and Chicago. The Casino features live cash games in addition to table games 24/7. In addition to its regular cash games, the FireKeepers Hotel & Casino also features poker tournaments every Monday night as well as Sunday and Wednesday during the day. The event was part of the Mid-stakes poker tour (MSPT), which will be travelling to several states throughout the duration of its 45 day tour.
After beating out the large and highly competitive field of eager combatants, Midena found himself playing heads up against Adam Kamphere (originally from Lansing). After over an hour of heads up play, Midena called Kamphere’s all-in push with K5, with an A4 of his own. The dry board proved to be enough to give the New York native his first big live win.
The last 15 minutes of play was broadcasted online through the website and early numbers are indicating that viewership was up in significantly higher numbers than was the case during previous events.
When asked about his phenomenal victory, Midena said, “(This) was my first tournament win.”
Midena went on to say that he has had plenty of money finishes, however this was his first big first place win at a live game. Always a student of the game, Midena says that he will continue to hone his skills and study, as he has already been doing so for well over eight years.
Midena, at just 23 years of age is looking forward to spending his winnings on more games of poker out on the West Coast.
With nearly $40,000 in second place winnings, Adam Kamphere should be able to buy himself a nice new ride or perhaps take a similar route as Midena and possibly put these winnings to work for him with other money finishes in future tournaments.
Look for more exciting events form the MSPT, as it travels to other states to feature more of the same exciting live poker action.
