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The first-ever Mississippi State Poker Championship $400 Main Event at Horseshoe Tunica Casino concluded with an unusual finish. The final seven players agreed to an ICM chop, with Michael Holland collecting the largest share of $17,570. However, the group then decided a coin flip would determine who received the trophy and winner’s photo, and Amy Batson came out on top.
Batson, who has been playing poker for just over a year, said the game entered her life after her son left for university and she was looking for a new outlet. She began at her local bar league, River Rat Rounders, before branching out into wider tournament play.
She credited the poker community for welcoming her as a newcomer, describing the diversity and generosity of players she has met along the way. Batson said she still considers herself to be learning technical aspects of the game but relies on her ability to read opponents as her biggest strength.
Batson played the entire second day wearing a crown, which she said helped her feel empowered at the table. In the end, the accessory proved fitting as she left with the champion’s belt buckle.
The tournament saw several notable eliminations on the way to the final table, including chip leader William Joyner, who fell in 11th place to Holland’s ace-king. Brandon Owens also built a seven-figure stack after eliminating Parker Williams for a second time.
A deal was first discussed once the final table formed and was finalized as a seven-way chop after Jesse Lott’s elimination in eighth place, setting up the decisive flip for the title.
