Day 1a of the Mid-States Poker Tour Meskwaki attracted 179 entrants, nearly breaking the previous record. After 14 levels of play, 33 players remained, and it was Yousri "Chicago" Ali who bagged the chip lead with 309,500. If Ali reaches the money on Day 2, this will be his first-ever MSPT cash.
Day 1a Top 10 Chip Counts
| Rank | Player | Chips |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yousri Ali | 309,500 |
| 2 | Rex Clinkscales | 286,000 |
| 3 | John Joachim | 266,500 |
| 4 | James Wilson | 230,500 |
| 5 | Tony Frost | 168,000 |
| 6 | Rob Wazwaz | 162,000 |
| 7 | Joe Ingersol | 157,500 |
| 8 | Pavlin Karakikov | 141,500 |
| 9 | Henry Mlekoday | 140,500 |
| 10 | Andy Van Blair | 136,500 |
Ali not only played exceptionally well, he also ran hot nearly all day — a killer combination in poker.