Basebaldy Goes for the Fences on the River

Level - 3
Antes - 0
Blinds - 100/200
Entries - 30

The player on the button opened to 500 preflop with no action in front of him and Eric Baldwin three-bet to 2,400 in the small blind. The big blind released and the button called after a moment.

The flop came Ks 8h 7s, Baldwin bet 3,000 after a pause and his opponent called. The turn came 3d, Baldwin took some time to bet 6,500 and his opponent waited a few beats to call.

The river came Th, Baldwin moved all in after thinking for a bit and his opponent took another lengthy decision to muck his cards. Baldwin dragged the pot is around 35,000.

-- Paul Oresteen

"You've Got a Big 'Ole Hand, Huh?"

Level - 2
Antes - 0
Blinds - 75/150
Entries - 24

Jeff Madsen opened from under the gun, an unknown player in the small blind three-bet to 2,300 and Madsen played right back with a four-bet to 5,500.

The small blind called, the flop came Tc 4d 2c and the small blind checked. Madsen bet 4,275, his opponent sat for a minute and then said, "You've got a big 'ole hand, huh?" while sliding his stack all in.

Madsen insta-called holding pocket aces and the small blind tabled two red queens. The board bricked out with 3d 6s, Madsen stacked him and is flirting with 50,000.

-- Paul Oresteen

We've Got Action Coming In!

Level - 1
Antes - 0
Blinds - 50/100
Entries - 20

Big stacks beware:

Glad to finally have @HPTPoker back in Vegas at the @WestgateVegas! Going to try and gamble it up on day 1A with a late buy-in. Great structure and plenty of play! pic.twitter.com/LdEIsuFQ4s

— Stan Jablonski (@StanJablonski) April 5, 2018

Ryan Laplante and Jeff Madsen joined the field.

-- Paul Oresteen

Slow & Steady Wins the Race

Level - 1
Antes - 0
Blinds - 50/100
Entries - 14

There's two tables in action in the first level with Matt Affleck, Eric Baldwin and Wendy Freedman.

-- Paul Oresteen

Viva Las Vegas!

Level - 1
Antes - 0
Blinds - 50/100
Entries -

The first ever Heartland Poker Tour Main Event at the Westgate Resort in Las Vegas is moments from kicking off in the newly refashioned, smoke-free tournament space just off the main casino floor. The $1,650 event features three starting flights and a $500,000 guarantee, so long as the event draws 300 entrants.

The Westgate Resort met all the player requirement for guarantees, with some overlays, through six events so far.

Thursday's schedule features 15 40-minute levels with open re-entry through the first nine levels. Conveniently, there is a 60-minute dinner break with registration closing after the break - around 9:30 pm. The flight plays 15 levels or until 15% of the field remains

The Main Event winner also takes home a $3,500 Champions' Package at the year-end event. The starting stack is 30,000 with blinds beginning at 50/100.

Paul Oresteen