Matt Alexander Captures 2014 HPT Prairie Meadows

Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT) Team Pro Matt Alexander has won the HPT Prairie Meadows main event, after overcoming a tough field of 176 players over three days on his way to claiming a second HPT gold ring, and walking away richer by $69,043. Following his impressive victory, the Minnesota pro who now boasts $605,713 in live earnings, said:
“I feel great coming out on top, I play so many of these tournaments to win so it’s nice to get a first place. I’ve won two tournaments before, but this is the biggest score yet, so I’m happy about that.”
The $1,650 Main Event was held at the Iowa-Prairie Meadows Racetrack Casino Hotel in Altoona, and amongst the notable players subsequently receiving a share of the $255,720 prize pool was Blair Hinkle in 16th ($4,092), and Lance Harris in 11th ($6,137).
At the final table of nine, Matt Alexander (A-J) eliminated Paul McCaffrey (Q-J) in 8th ($9,078), before later being dealt A-10 and catching some good fortune on a Q-10-6-3-Q board to knock-out Richard Fitzgerald (A-J) in 6th for $11,763. Eventually, Alexander took a 3.2m to 1.9m chip advantage over Kou Vang into heads-up play, and ten minutes later the defining hand was played with Vang moving all-in preflop with A-Q only to be called by Alexander with pocket sevens. The dealer subsequently laid out a 6-5-4-6-3 board to consign Vang to a runner-up finish worth $42,961, while Matt Alexander was crowned the champion. Heaping praise on his final opponent, Alexander later tweeted:
“Thanks everyone for all the support and sweats. Means a lot. Played a world-class player in Kou Vang. He’s the best.”
Final Table Payouts:
1 Matt Alexander – $69,043
2 Kou Vang – $42,961
3 Travis Remmert – $26,083
4 Michael Hahn – $19,179
5 Quang Pham – $14,320
6 Richard Fitzgerald – $11,763
7 Roger Bennett – $10,357
8 Paul McCaffrey – $9,078
9 Jonathan Hanner – $7,672