The Venetian

The second of back-to-back Main Events at The Venetian has come to an end after eight hours of play as Michigan native and online pro George Janssen, was able to seize the moment and improved off last week's third place finish to become the newest MSPT Venetian $1,600 Main Event Champion!

While Janssen came into the final day as the chip leader, it wasn't as smooth of a ride as one would think, as he went for daily up and down rollercoaster after he dipped to the bottom on the chip counts with just two tables remaining.

"This was a huge win," Janssen said after his victory. "I was down to just four big blinds with two tables left, so to be able to come back, and win from that has me pumped."

Almost a 10-year vet in the game, Janssen has cashes dating back to 2015, but hasn't really started taking things serious until recent online gambling became legal in his home state of Michigan.

While mainly an online player, Janssen tries to make trips to play live tournaments that are nearby his hometown in Michigan but had the opportunity to treat not only himself a trip to Vegas but has his family a well.

“You know, I was fortunate enough to be able to bring my family with me out here,” stated Janssen, “My kids watch me play online every day at home and they are such great supporters, this isn't just a win for me but a win for all of us.”

Since taking his more seriously online, Janssen has amassed over $200,000 in earnings while accumulating four WSOP circuit rings and has bagged $162,684 to go along with his first Main Event title from just two MSPT Main Events this month.

Season 14 MSPT Venetian $1,600 Main Event Final Table Results

The final day came back with 31 players already in the money so action kicked right into gear with Anthony Cousineau being outkicked by Angela Jordison in the first hand of the day.

Action across the final four tables continued with players dropping once by one as the march to the final table was on.

Among those to fall along the way albeit with a payday were, Nicholas Seward (10th Place - $7,561), MSPT champs Rodger Johnson (14th Place - $5,426) Rob WazWaz (19th Place - $4,734), and James Romero (26th Place - $3,828).

Final Table Action

​After players took their seats, it didn't take long before Christopher Ocksrider called off his short stack and lost a race to Sundiata DeVore to become the first final table elimination.

The very next level saw Sam Sternfield jam his short stack into Taylor Black's pocket aces, making an eighth place departure while the last MSPT champ standing Aaron Massey fell to the same fate as his set of fours were out done by Janssen's set of aces.

In the same level, Jannsen was able to notch another KO after he won a race against DeVore to send him home in sixth place while the Emily Ashkarkhizani fell in fifth place after she jammed her deuces into Jeremy Becker's pocket aces.

With four players remaining, Becker and Janssen held identical stacks until Janssen made a soul read, having Becker outkicked to take a commanding chip lead only to extend it after he eliminated Chad Lipton in fourth place for $31,905.

Three-handed action saw Janssen hold roughly two-thirds of the chips in play, and he dwindled Becker down before setting him up in third place for $43,125.

From there, the heads-up match saw Janssen hold majority of the chips in play and ended with securing his first MSPT trophy with payday good for $82,823 after elimination Black runner-up for $59,275.

The Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT) will be making its way to Sycuan Casino Resort to host the United States Poker Championship September 14^th - 24^th, and the 18-trophy event series be headlined by the $1,110 Main Event being reported by the MSPT live reporting team so make sure to tune in!

George Janssen raised the button and then called Taylor Black’s three-bet jam.

Taylor Black:
George Janssen:

Black was behind and at risk with the flop making things tougher as it gave Janssen top pair.

Unfortunately for Black, the turn left him drawing dead and the river ended his Main Event in second place for $59,275.

George Janssen - 7,950,000
Taylor Balck - Eliminated

A series of preflop raises led to Jeremy Becker getting his stack in the middle from the small blind and George Janssen called from the button.

Jeremy Becker:
George Janssen:

Becker was at risk needing an ace but the runout gave Janssen a set of ten and ended his tournament in third place for $43,125.

George Janssen - 6,615,000
Taylor Black - 1,335,000
Jeremy Becker - Eliminated

George Janssen raised to 180,000 from the small blind and Jeremy Becker defended his big blind to see a flo.

Janssen continued for 155,000 and Becker called bringing the turn.

Janssen led out once again this time for 400,000 and Becker called to see the complete the board on the river.

Janssen fired out a third bullet worth 500,000 and was called one last time by Becker.

Janssen tabled for top pair and it was good to scoop the pot.

George Janssen - 5,400,000
Jeremy Becker - 915,000

George Janssen raised to 110,000 from the cutoff and was called by Jeremy Becker from the button before Chad Lipton squeezed for his last 230,000.

Action folded back to Janssen who isolated with a 500,000 four-bet and the two players tabled their hands.

Chad Lipton:
George Janssen:

Lipton was behind holding two live cards but didn’t find either on the runout and he was eliminated in fourth place for $31,905.

George Janssen - 4,500,000
Chad Lipton - Eliminated

Jeremy Becker raised the cutoff and then called Emily Ashkarkhizani’s 350,000 three-bet jam from the small blind.

Emily Ashkarkhizani:
Jeremy Becker:

Ashkarkhizani was in rough shape after jamming into Becker’s aces, and the runout ended her Main Event run in fifth place for $24,009.

Jeremy Becker - 2,100,000
Emily Ashkarkhizani - Eliminated

George Janssen raised the button and then called the 375,000 Jeremy Becker made from the small blind.

Once the flop hit the felt, Becker continued for 285,000 and Janssen called bringing the turn.

Becker fired out a 425,000 bet and Janssen called to see the complete the board on the river.

Both player checked, and Becker tabled only to see Janssen roll over to win the pot.

George Janssen - 3,500,000
Jeremy Becker - 2,100,000

George Janssen raised from the cutoff and then called Sundiata DeVore’s 285,000 three-bet jam from the big blind.

Sundiata DeVore:
George Janssen:

DeVore was ahead holding a made hand until the flop fell pairing Janssen’s ten.

The turn left DeVore needing a three to stay alive, but the completed the board and ended his Main Event.

George Janssen - 2,450,000
Sundiata DeVore - Eliminated

George Janssen raised the button and then called Aaron Massey’s 825,000 three-bet jam from the small blind.

Aaron Massey:
George Janssen:

Massey was behind and things got worse after the flop gave Janssen top set.

The turn made things very interesting as it kept Massey live drawing to the case four, while also bringing chop possibilities if another club were to fall on the river.

Unfortunately for the former MSPT champ, the completed the board on the river and ended his run in seventh place for $14,326.

George Janssen - 1,900,000
Aaron Massey - Eliminated