Ken Baime Wins 2014 Mid-States Poker Tour Majestic Star Casino ($77,681)
Ken Baime topped a field of 301 runners to win the 2014 Mid-States Poker Tour Majestic Star Casino for $77,681 in the first ever stop here for the tour. Baime's victory more than quadruples his career tournament earnings, which came into the day at $25,471. Ironically, he joked early in the day that his only claim to fame was being on the edge of the frame in a photo of Day 2 chip leader Ritchie Idrovo.
Baime's win came over an Day 2 field that included the likes Matt Alexander, John Hayes, Jason Smith, Matt Kirby, and Kou Vang.
Baime stayed out of the biggest pots for the majority of the early parts of Day 2, but his winning surge began when Allen Lanier went all in for his last 6,000 under the gun. Brian Zimcosky raised to 100,000 from middle position, and Baime and Leon Morford called from the button and the big blind, respectively. After a flop of 
, Zimcosky bet 160,000, and Baime shoved. Morford folded, and Zimcosky immediately called.
Zimcosky: 
Baime: 
Lanier: 
Baime had coolered Zimcosky, while Lanier was drawing live with a straight draw. The 
filled that draw, and a 
river was a brick, so Baime doubled up on the side while Lanier survived.
Baime became the chip leader shortly thereafter when he won a flip against Zimcosky with jacks.
A bit later, he check-shipped the turn with second pair and a flush draw against eventual fourth-place finisher Fadi Hamad. Unfortunately for Baime, Hamad was ahead with top pair after making the difficult call. Baime was covered, so the spade on the river saved his tournament life and shipped him half of the chips in play.
Baime's momentum continued when he induced an all-in check-raise from Zimcosky, the most aggressive player at the final table on a board of 
. Baime held 
for two pair, and he was well in front of the 
of his opponent. When the river bricked out, Baime carried a big chip lead into a heads-up match with Morford.
The two played heads up for about an hour before Baime raised to 215,000 on the button, and Morford shoved for 1.4 million. Baime called after thinking for just a moment.
Baime: 
Morford: 
Baime had Morford dominated, and the dealer spread a flop of 
, all but securing Baime the win. A turn ended Morford's slim chances, and a 
finished out the board.
Thanks for tuning in to PokerNews' coverage of this MSPT event, and be sure to come back on Friday for the next stop.