The MSPT)returned to FireKeepers Casino for the 2023 Michigan State Poker Championship and the turnout didn't disappoint.
The $1,110 buy-in, $1,000,000 GTD Main Event was one to remember, as a total of 2,883 entries (672 from Day 1a; 990 from 1b; 1,221 from 1c) were tallied, which blasted passed the venue’s previous record field of 2,479 posted this past May.
After two long days of action, it was MSPT newcomer Travis Young who emerged victorious to claim his first MSPT title along with a career-best $297,997 first-place prize.
“I’m pretty speechless honestly,” said the newly crowned champ after his victory, “I basically just 10x my career earnings with just this one tournament so that’s pretty amazing.
Young continued, “I really came into today with no expectations and ended up running really well and ended picking some good spots to make moves which ended up paying off."
The Wisconsin native finished by saying, “I want to thank my buddy Asa for being here on my rail, to all my family and friends who were following along back home, and to my girlfriend Jessica for all the support.”
2023 MSPT Michigan State Poker Championship Final Table Results
| Place |
Player |
Prize |
POY |
| 1st |
Travis Young |
$297,997 |
1,500 |
| 2nd |
Brian Hou |
$236,956 |
1,500 |
| 3rd |
Cobi Cobian |
$221,666 |
1,500 |
| 4th |
Brad Sailor |
$175,281 |
1,500 |
| 5th |
James Tedrow |
$153,928 |
1,500 |
| 6th |
Mark Stump |
$89,440 |
1,400 |
| 7th |
Jeffrey Kuc |
$69,875 |
1,300 |
| 8th |
Nick Ahmadi |
$52,826 |
1,200 |
| 9th |
Richard Viebianz |
$41,925 |
1,100 |
With 297 slated to get paid, a few handfuls of players needed to exit before players reached the money. Among those to leave empty-handed were MSPT Hall of Famer Rich Alsup, DJ Alexander, Thai Dinh, and George Dietz to name a few.
With the action keeping steady, only one level needed to pass before MSPT Hall of Famer Blake Bohn won a race to burst the bubble leaving the remaining players in the money.
With the remaining players in the money, MSPT champ Umut Ozturk iced himself in the history books after recording his 13th cash this season and also padded his first place POY points after taking a 60th place finish ($5,870).
With Ozturk being eliminated, the top spot for POY was in sight for MSPT Hall of Famer’s Bohn and Rob WazWaz, but neither would be able to make a deep enough run to claim the top spot for themselves as Bohn made an exit in 46th place ($6,429), while WazWaz was dropped in 38th place ($7,547).
With the march to the final table in full swing, others to fall along the way albeit with a payday, were WSOP Circuit legend Maurice Hawkins (11th place - $33,540), Jose Montes (15th place - $26,553), Brendan Schiller (16th place - $24,317), MSPT champ Michael Berk (21st place - $20,124), and WSOP Main Event runner-up Steven Jones (28th place - $9,783).
Final Table Action
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Once players took their seats at the final table, it didn't take long for action to kick into gear after Richard Viebianz lost a race to Brad Sailor to become the first final table elimination.
Shortly after Viebianz's departure, Sailor continued by dropping Nick Ahmadi with a made hand of cowboys against a made hand of fours.
Next was Jeffrey Kuc who fell victim to MSPT champ raising Brian Hou’s pocket queens, and Hou followed by eliminating Mark Stump in sixth place for $89,440.
With five players remaining, it didn’t take long before an ICM chop was discussed which saw Young claim his first MSPT title and payday good for $297,997.
This wraps up our coverage of yet another record-breaking tournament so make sure you join us next weekend when we make our way back to Deadwood, South Dakota for the Deadwood Shootout at the Silverado Hotel & Gaming Complex October 20th - 22nd!