Championship Mega Qualifier
Day 1 Completed
2022 Free Poker Network National Championship
Championship Mega Qualifier
Day: 1
Event Info
Top
Chip Counts
Chip Counts
2
20,000
4
20,000
5
20,000
6
20,000
9
20,000
10
20,000
Level 15
: 3,000/6,000, 6,000 ante
The $160 Mega Qualifier for Free Poker Network's World Series or Bust Championship Event is in the books and 35 players have advanced to Sunday’s finale. The first of two qualifiers on Saturday, January 8 drew 139 runners to Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino, of which 25% advanced to the Championship Event.
The Free Poker Network allows players to earn points while playing poker in recreational leagues at bars in 17 states around the country. Players qualify for prizes and trips to major events by playing in their local FPN league.
2022 Free Poker Network Championship Event Qualifiers
| Name | Championship Starting Stack* |
|---|---|
| Anthony Smith | 20,000 |
| Yee Man Kitzerow | 20,000 |
| Justin Smith | 20,000 |
| Dan Blodgett | 20,000 |
| Bill Kitzerow | 20,000 |
| Dana Cooper | 20,000 |
| Chris Nelson | 20,000 |
| John Trzesniak | 20,000 |
| Renee Held | 20,000 |
| Larry Goeken | 20,000 |
| Jeff Gab | 20,000 |
| Becca Brinkman | 20,000 |
| John Harms | 20,000 |
| Royle Merkel | 20,000 |
| Janet Herrick | 20,000 |
| Paul Maes | 20,000 |
| Mike Mejia | 20,000 |
| Edward Cavaciuit | 20,000 |
| Albert Buhr | 20,000 |
| Steve Fugelstad | 20,000 |
| Eric Tycz | 20,000 |
| William Gude | 20,000 |
| Dennis McBride | 20,000 |
| Brian Nolan | 20,000 |
| Timothy Smith | 20,000 |
| Dustin Johnson | 20,000 |
| Jeremy Olson | 20,000 |
| Chris Risnes | 20,000 |
| Mark Phelps | 20,000 |
| Douglas Lindgren | 20,000 |
| Don Anderson | 20,000 |
| Debbi Edwards | 20,000 |
| David Cody | 20,000 |
| Earl Corlew | 20,000 |
| Michael Chilarski | 20,000 |
| *- Does not include chips earned in other qualifiers |
The action started quickly today as players jockeyed for position in search of a spot in the top 35. Don Anderson qualified for the finale thanks in part to a turned straight that helped him win one of the biggest pots of the early part of the day. Las Vegas native Bill Kitzerow also qualified with a dominant performance that saw him dominating and chipping up late.
Minnesota’s Becca Brinkman found a late triple to survive the bubble and finish in the top 35, while Chris Nelson ended the day as the chip leader with nearly 400,000 chips. Other qualifiers include John Harms, Justin Smith, John Trzesniak, and Eric Tycz.
Players that made a deep run but failed to qualify for tomorrow’s finale include Ben Trehey, Melissa Brockoff, Mike Ski, and Kim Walter.
Survivors from the Mega Qualifier for Sunday’s championship will start with 20,000 chips, in addition to other chips players have earned throughout the year and during this weekend’s qualifiers. The flagship event of FPN’s World Series or Bust Weekend will kick off at 10 a.m. local time on Sunday and players will take their shot at over $50,000 in prizes, including two seats to the 2022 World Series of Poker Main Event.
Be sure to check out PokerNews coverage of the Tag Team Championship and join us tomorrow for reports live from the floor of the WSOB Championship Event from Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino in Downtown Las Vegas.
Level 15
: 3,000/6,000, 6,000 ante
Players advancing from the Mega Qualifier will start with 20,000 in chips at Sunday's Championship Event, in addition to other bonus chips earned in other qualifiers.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
20,000
-120,000
|
-120,000 |
|
|
20,000
20,000
|
20,000 |
|
20,000
-69,400
|
-69,400 |
|
|
20,000
20,000
|
20,000 |
|
|
20,000
20,000
|
20,000 |
|
|
20,000
20,000
|
20,000 |
|
|
20,000
-97,500
|
-97,500 |
|
|
20,000
-15,000
|
-15,000 |
|
|
20,000
20,000
|
20,000 |
|
|
20,000
20,000
|
20,000 |
|
|
20,000
20,000
|
20,000 |
|
|
20,000
-41,000
|
-41,000 |
|
|
20,000
-55,000
|
-55,000 |
|
|
20,000
20,000
|
20,000 |
|
|
20,000
20,000
|
20,000 |
|
|
20,000
20,000
|
20,000 |
|
20,000
20,000
|
20,000 |
|
|
20,000
-25,000
|
-25,000 |
|
|
20,000
20,000
|
20,000 |
|
20,000
-350,000
|
-350,000 |
|
|
20,000
20,000
|
20,000 |
|
|
20,000
20,000
|
20,000 |
|
|
20,000
-14,000
|
-14,000 |
|
|
20,000
20,000
|
20,000 |
|
|
20,000
-45,000
|
-45,000 |
Level 15
: 3,000/6,000, 6,000 ante
John Ensser was all-in for his last 2,500 in the small blind and he found five callers.
The flop came 
and action checked around to John Harms in middle position for a 6,000 bet. The rest of the table folded and the remaining two players flipped up their cards.
John Ensser: 
John Harms: 
Harmes flopped the full house and it was all but over. The turn 
and 
were of no consequence and Ensser was eliminated on the bubble.
The final 35 players have qualified for Sunday's World Series of Bust Championship Event with 20,000 in bonus chips and $160 cash for their trouble.
Stay tuned for a full recap and a list of qualifiers.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
370,000
370,000
|
370,000 |
|
|
Busted |
Level 15
: 3,000/6,000, 6,000 ante
With 36 players remaining, the tournament is now in hand-for-hand play.
Level: 15
Blinds: 3,000/6,000
Ante: 6,000
Level 14
: 2,000/4,000, 4,000 ante
Becca Brinkman jammed her last 15,000 from into the pot from under the gun and the player in the next seat over called instantly. Action folded to Don Anderson for a re-shove with the entire table covered. Brinkman's caller got out of the way for heads-up action.
Becca Brinkman: 
Don Anderson: 
The board ran out 
and Brinkman held on for a triple with kings and queens.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
138,000
58,000
|
58,000 |
|
|
45,000
45,000
|
45,000 |
Level 14
: 2,000/4,000, 4,000 ante
Tom Rapp shoved his last 11,000 and Jeff Gab was the lone caller in late position.
Tom Rapp:
Jeff Gab: 
The board ran out 
and Gab's sixes held to eliminate Rapp from the Mega Qualifier.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
61,000
61,000
|
61,000 |
|
|
Busted |
Level 14
: 2,000/4,000, 4,000 ante
There are now 45 players remaining in the Mega Qualifier. The top 35 finishers will advance to the WSOB Championship Event with 20,000 bonus chips and $160 cash.
Level: 14
Blinds: 2,000/4,000
Ante: 4,000