The Venetian

After three total flights, the final numbers for The MSPT 2023 Venetian are in. This flight saw a total of 349 players come out to play, meaning the total numbers sit at 807 for the total turnout. The $400k guarantee has been smashed, meaning the remaining 91 players will all be guaranteed $2,305, playing for a first place prize of $118,874.

Leading the way is Kenny Hallaert who ended his day with 884,000. Hallaert started the day rising to one of the early chip leaders and throughout the day he continued to build. With this cash, Hallaert moves to third place on Belgium’s all time money list, with tournament earnings sitting over $4,800,000 on Hendon Mob. With a 6th place finish in the 2016 WSOP Main Event, Hallaert comes in as extremely experienced in navigating tournaments and will come in as an absolute force in his quest to find his first MSPT title.

Others who survived into the money included MSPT Venetian Champion James Romero (365,000) as well as other MSPT champions Umut Ozturk (343,000), Ari Engel (259,000), and Josh Reichard (117,000). Actor Kirk Avecedo (272,000), who has starred in shows like HBO’s Band Of Brother and OZ found his way to a first MSPT cash. Others who found bags included Matthew Wantman (272,000) and Shannon Shorr (173,000).

Not all made it into the second day. Many regulars like Cherish Andrews, Kathy Liebert, Ralph Massey, and Andrew Moreno all found themselves exiting the tournament earlier than their initial hopes. MSPT legend Luke Blindert became the unfortunate bubble boy after his turned two pair could not fade his opponent making a better two pair on the river. Their chance for MSPT glory will have to come in the MSPT Venetian $1,600 that begins tomorrow at 11:10.

Monday at 11 AM will be the time when play will resume. Play ended with 30:11 left on the clock in level 16 on Day 1B and that will be the level players return to with blinds at 3,000/6,000 with a 6,000 big blind ante. Players will continue to play forty minute levels until a winner is crowned.

Stay tuned to MSPT.com for all updates regarding The MSPT $1,100 Main Event.

Michael Choung moved all in for 28,000 in the hijack and action folded around to Luke Blindert in the big blind who called for his last 17,000.

Luke Blindert:
Michael Choung:

The flop came out and Blindert stood up out of his chair. The turn of drilled Blindert who’s eyes lit up with excitement as he now pulled ahead in the hand, albeit still needing to fade a flush draw and the board pairing.

The river peeled off the and Blindert turned around quickly leaving the tournament area.

At another table a player was eliminated from the tournament, bringing the field down to 39.

Stay tuned for a full recap, chip counts, and a seat draw later to come.

Andrew Moreno raised to 10,000 from the hijack and action folded to the small blind where George Dolofan moved all in for 78,000 effective which saw action fold around to Moreno who called.

Andrew Moreno:
George Dolofan:

The board ran out with no favor towards Moreno’s ace-king and Dolofan took down the pot.

George Dolofan - 183,000
Andrew Moreno - Eliminated

A player in middle position raised to 9,000 which saw a player in the cutoff call and in the big blind, Kenny Hallaert defended his big blind.

The flop rolled out and Hallaert checked to the initial raiser who continued for 19,000 which saw both the cutoff and Hallaert call.

A peeled off on the turn and Hallaert checked to the initial raiser again who moved all in for 119,000 which saw the cutoff fold and Hallaert snap call.

Opponent:
Kenny Hallaert:

The river did not bring the needed chop for the other player and Hallaert took the overall lead over the field.

Kenny Hallaert - 506,000

Action was picked up on the river in a pot between Josh Reichard in the hijack and another player in first position in a pot containing 56,000 in the middle.

With a board reading , the under the gun player bet 35,000 which sent Reichard into the tank. After some time he called.

The under the gun player turned over for a missed gutshot straight, while Reichard turned over for ace-high which was good for the two-time MSPT champion to take down the pot.

Josh Reichard - 254,000

Kenny Hallaert raised to 6,000 on the button which saw Frank Lagodich move all in for 65,000. In the big blind, Andrew Moreno moved all in for more and Hallaert tossed away his hand.

Frank Lagodich:
Andrew Moreno:

The board ran out and Moreno’s ace-king held up as the superior hand which sent Lagodich out of the tournament.

Andrew Moreno - 163,000
Frank Lagodich - Eliminated

A player raised to 6,000 in first position which saw Matthew Lambrecht call in early position and on his immediate left, another player raised to 14,000. Action folded back around to Lambrecht who moved all in for 46,000 and his opponent called.

Matthew Lambrecht:
Opponent:

The board ran out and Lambrecht’s set of queens held strong for the double up.

Matthew Lambrecht - 106,000

The prizepool has been confirmed for Day 2 of the event. With 807 entrants in the tournament total, the remaining 90 players will be guaranteed $2,305.

All eyes on the first place prize of $118,874.