Nick Jivkov Wins 2014 MSPT Meskwaki For $105k

Nick Jivkov has won the Mid-States Poker Tour Meskwaki Casino, after besting a field of 426 over two days on his way to capturing the title, and collecting the $104,974 first place prize. In 2012, the Bulgarian born pro captured a WSOP bracelet at the $1,500 Pot Limit Hold’em event for $189,818, and having now secured the second-biggest win of his career, Jivkov pushes his life time earnings to $715,488.
The MSPT tournament was held at the Meskwaki Casino in Iowa, and amongst the notable pros then cashing in at the event was Nik Stone in 42nd ($2,054), Nick Pupillo in 41st ($2,054), Todd Breyfogle in 26th ($2,547), and Ralph Massey in 15th ($4,108). Following Phil Mader’s exit in 11th ($5,341), the final table of ten was set, with Ken Rosheisen out in front as the chip lead, Jivkov close behind in second, but with Mike Lang in trouble on just 11 big blinds.
Nick Jivkov (Qs-Js), Brandon Smith (Kd-Jh), and Andy Van Blair (Jc-Jd) then got involved in a preflop all-in pot, and after the board ran out 10s-8s-5s-9d-Qc, Smith exited in ($5,341), and Blair in 9th ($8,217).
Jivkov (A-K) then proceeded  to eliminate David Gutfreund (A-10) in 7th ($15,612), before being dealt A-K again and doing likewise to John Reading (K-6) in 5th for $23,418. When just three players remained, Nick Jivkov then found himself on the opposite side of the fence when he committed a large part of his stack with A-7, only to find he was up against the A-K of Ken Rosheisen. Lucky for Jivkov, however, the dealer put out a 7-J-5-2-8 board to eliminate Ken Rosheisen in 3rd ($36,976), and usher in the heads-up phase of the competition against Mike Lang.
The final battle subsequently proved to be a slow, patient affair until a limped pot followed by a 5d-Jd-Ad flop proved to be the decider. The all-out raising war which ensued saw Mike Lang (As-5s) commit all his chips to the hand, but after Jivkov (9d-3d) called with a made flush, there was to be no miracle cards on the turn and river and so Mike Lang had to then settle for a runner-up finish worth $60,600, while Nick Jivkov was crowned the 2014 MSPT Meskwaki champion.
Final Table Results:
1 Nick Jivkov     $104,974
2 Mike Lang       $60,600
3 Ken Rosheisen   $36,976
4 Darren Ficek    $29,786
5 John Reading    $23,418
6 Jeremy Dresch   $19,515
7 David Gutfreund $15,612
8 Robert Noe      $11,915
9 Andy Van Blair  $8,217
10 Brandon Smith  $5,341