The Venetian

Day 1a of the MSPT $1,600 New Years Poker Open at the Venetian Resort is officially in the books with 76 total entries tallied, and the talented field that entered came to play as action at the tables proved to be eventful from start to finish.

Almost a full 17 levels were needed to reach 11% of the field as the hard stop was reached with 24:00 remaining in the level, with local crusher Jeremy Becker finding his way to the top, ending the night with a whopping 707,000.

Becker started building a stack early in the day and finished the night on a hot streak to lead the nine surviving players by a wide margin.

Finishing the night in second place was MSPT champ Ron West, who found a late-night double to take 471,000 into Day 2.

Andrew Rodgers finished the night third in chips with 429,000 while Dan Olsen (415,000) and Ilias Chatzimarkis (345,000) rounded out the top five stacks of the night.

Others who found a Day 2 berth included Barham Kakahama (311,000), Sandeep Koralla (248,000), MSPT champ Terry Fleischer (93,000), and Michael Capener (54,000)

Of course, not everyone was fortunate enough to make it through the night.

Among those to fire and fall in Thursday’s starting flight included five-time bracelet winner Calvin Anderson, Mika Hilaire, two-time bracelet winner Martin Zamani, Baronjon Johnson, along with WSOP bracelet winners Darren Rabinowitz & Donnell Dais, were just a few who took their shot at a bag on Day 1a only to come up short.

All who have yet to advance will have two more starting flights to jump back in the action.

Day 1b will get underway at 11:10 a.m. on Friday, while Day 1c will take place at the same time on Saturday. Late registration and re-entries will remain open through Level 9 (approximately 5:55 p.m.) for both flights.

The surviving players from each flight will then return at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday to play down to a winner.

Join us tomorrow as we continue to bring you all the action and eliminations straight from the tournament floor!

MSPT Venetian New Years Poker Open Remaining Schedule

Photo: Stepan Khachaturyan

Stepan Khachaturyan raised to 18,000 from the cutoff, and was called by Dan Olsen from the button and Michael Capener from the big blind.

The flop was checked to Olsen, who fired out a 36,000 bet. Capener then tossed out his last 14,000, and Khachaturyan came along as well.

Once the hit the turn, both Stepan Khachaturyan and Olsen checked, bringing the river.

With a straight on the board, Khachaturyan checked once again to Olsen, who moved all-in.

Khachaturyan then decided to risk his 130,000 stack, and all three hands were tabled.

Michael Capener:
Stepan Khachaturyan:
Dan Olsen:

It was an unfortunate turn of events for Khachaturyan, as both Olsen and Capener held the nine-high staright, ending his night on the bubble.

Dan Olsen - 415,000
Michael Capener - 54,000
Stepan Khachaturyan - 0

POKER BOWL X

$1,600 / $1,000,000 GTD

Feb. 4-7, 2026 / The Venetian Poker Room

$3,500 MSPT Championship Seat ADDED to 1st Place

BE THERE

With 10 players remaining, the hand-for-hand process has begun, as only 9 of them will make it to Sunday’s Day 2.

Photo: Terry Fleischer

There was all in action preflop between MSPT champ Terry Fleischer from late position, and Adam Walton from the cutoff, with Fleischer holding 159,000 effective.

Terry Fleischer:
Adam Walton:

Fleischer was at risk holding a dominated hand, with the flop not changing a thing.

The turn left Fleischer needing some help on the river and, fortunately for him, the dealer delivered with the to secure his double-up, while Walton was left short.

Terry Fleischer - 330,000
Adam Walton - 55,000

WSOP bracelet winner Chad Holloway & MSPT Season 12 Player of the Year Kyna England break down the Season 16 POY photo finish, MSPT Hall of Famer Aaron Johnson winning WPT Prime, and fellow Hall of Famer Kou Vang becoming an MSPT Millionaire.

Watch here

Photo: Dan Olsen

Dan Olsen moved his 85,000 stack into the middle from early position, and Eli Ross went over the top next to act, giving him isolation.

Dan Olsen:
Eil Ross:

It was a classic race with the flop keeping Olsen in the lead.

The turn then brought a sweat as it took away Olsen’s outs as it gave Ross a Broadway draw, but the followed on the river to secure Olsen his double-up.

Dan Olson - 185,000
Eli Ross - 150,000

Photo: Sandeep Koralla

Action on the table folded to Jan Lagerstrom, who moved his 43,000 stack into the middle from the hijack, and Sandeep Koralla looked him up from the cutoff.

Jan Lagerstrom:
Sandeep Koralla:

Lagerstrom rolled over an inferior pair until the flop fell, giving him a set of nines to take the lead.

The turn was an insignificant card to both players, but the dealer quickly followed with the on the river, completing Koralla’s staright to eliminate Lagerstrom.

Sandeep Koralla - 203,000
Jan Lagerstrom - 0