Running Aces Casino

For the second time this year, the MSPT returned home to Minnesota to host the MSPT500 Series at Running Aces Casino & Racetrack, and the turnouts didn’t disappoint.

Players from across the country traveled to Minnesota for the 13-Gold Card event series, which was headlined by the $500 buy-in, $150K GTD Main Event.

A total of 499 entries were recorded, generating a $210,575 prize pool, and on Sunday, 55 players returned for Day 2 action, hoping to claim the top spot.

When the dust settled, it was Florida native Dan Goonin, who maneuvered his way to the title, earning the $44,870 top prize, along with his first gold card!

MSPT500 Series Final Table Results

Day 2 Action

The final day came back with 55 players already in the money, and action kicked right into gear with MSPT Hall of Famer Rich Alsup being the first elimination of the day after he jammed a pair of tens into a pair of cowboys, while DJ Buckley and Alan Baker followed him to the payout desk as part of the first batch of payouts.

The fast-paced action hit a new gear with players dropping like flies while other making moves to gain chips as Regional Champ Basim Habib (39^th Place - $1,023), Brad Pausch (29^th Place - $1,127), Chuck Kersey (22^nd Place - $1,523), Kanat Ozturk (19^th Place - $1,795), and Steve Belland (13^th Place - $2,504), setting the stage for the final table.

Final Table action

Once players took their seats at the final table, it didn't take long for action to kick right into gear with Eric Eelkema running into a pair of ladies to become the first final table elimination, while 2023 Winter Poker Classic Champ Allan Secord was out-kicked in eighth-place by soon-to-be champ Goonin shortly after.

Up next on the chopping block was Day 2 chip leader Mikeal Love, who finally saw his chips dwindle away after WSOP bracelet winner Mike Wilklow turned a lucky lady to end his run in seventh-place, while Joe Listle’s pocket fives were shot down in sixth-place by Gene Boyer’s pair of cowboys.

At this point, Goonin sat at the bottom of the chip counts and was able to crack Boyer’s second pair of cowboys with a suited nine, to shift the momentum his way.

The big shift would then continue for Goonin, as he would secure another double through Boyer after winning a big race, gaining a massive chip lead over his remaining opponents.

With the big chip lead, Goonin would then dismantle each of his remaining opponents, sending MSPT Hall of Famer Kou Vang home in fifth-place ($11,270), Boyer home in fourth-place ($15,026), WSOP bracelet winner Mike Wilklow home in third-place ($20,348), and two-time MSPT Champ Mike Estes home in second place ($27,966), to win the $44,870 top prize, along with his first gold card.

This wraps up our coverage for this event, but Season 17 of the MSPT continues as we head to FireKeepers Casino in Battle Creek, Michigan, for the Michigan Poker State Championship, May 12^th - 17^th, and our reporting team will be on hand providing updates, so make sure to come back!!

Dan Goonin raised, and two-time MSPT Champ Mike Estes defended to see a flop.

Estes check-raised to 1,000,000 after Goonin fired out a 250,000 bet.

Goonin then clapped back with a three-bet jam, and Estes snapped off his shorter stack.

Mike Estes:
Dan Goonin:

Estes was behind holding a pair of fives with a straight draw, but the turn left him needing a three on the river to stay alive.

Unfortunately for Estes, the dealer dropped the on the river, ending his run.

Dan Goonin - 14,970,000
Mike Estes - Eliminated

WSOP bracelet winner Mike Wilklow was all-in preflop from the small blind and was called by Dan Goonin called from the big blind.

Mike Wilklow:
Dan Goonin:

Wilklow was at risk holding a live suited hand, but the flop left him drawing to running cards.

Unfortunately for Wilklow, the that fell on the turn sealed his fate as it left him drawing dead to the river.

Dan Goonin - 11,000,000
Mike Estes - 3,970,000
Mike Wilklow - Eliminated

Gene Boyer moved his remaining 600,000 in the middle from the cutoff and was called by each of his remaining opponents.

The board was checked to showdown, and Dan Goonin rolled over to collect the pot, sending Boyer’s to the payout desk.

Dan Gannon - 10,000,000
Mike Estes - 3,970,000
Mike Wilklow - 1,000,000
Gene Boyer - Eliminated

MSPT Hall of Famer Kou Vang opened from the hijack with a 900,000 bet, leaving himself with just one big blind, only to have Dan Goonin three-bet jam his 2,900,000 stack next to act from the cutoff.

Action then folded to Gene Boyer, who called from the big blind, prompting Vang to release his hand into the muck.

Dan Goonin:
Gene Boyer:

Goonin was ahead holding a pair of tens, and they held strong, as the runout secured his double-up.

Vang’s plan for a pay jump backfired, as Goonin took the chip lead while Vang was put into the big blind the very next hand, and was eliminated.

Dan Goonin - 8.300,000
Gene Boyer - 700,000
Kou Vang - Eliminated

Photo: Dan Goonin

Dan Goonin opened with an all-in raise of 1,800,000 from the hijack, and Gene Boyer tossed out a smooth call from the small blind.

Dan Goonin:
Gene Boyer:

Goonin was at risk needing help, and found it after the flop paired his ace.

The dealer then turned the , keeping Goonin in the lead, and then dropped the on the river to secure his double-up.

Dan Goonin - 3,800,000
Gene Boyer - 3,000,000

The remaining five players are on an extended 20-minute break; action will resume at 6:04 p.m. local time.

A series of preflop raises saw Joe Listle move his 685,000 stack in the middle from the small blind, and Gene Boyer isolate him from the big blind.

Joe Listle:
Gene Boyer:

Listle was in rough shape holding the inferior pair, and the flop didn’t change much.

In need of some help, the that fell on the turn wasn’t it, as Listle was left drawing dead to the needle river.

Gene Boyer - 6,220,000
Joe Listle - Eliminated

Mikeal Love tossed out his last 205,000 from the hijack, and WSOP Mike Wilklow fired out a 400,000 three-bet from the cutoff, giving him isolation.

Mikeal Love:
Mike Wilklow:

Love was at risk holding a live hand and connected with the flop to take the lead.

However, the dealer then turned the , putting Wilklow back out front, and then followed with the on the river, ending Love’s run.

Mike Wilklow - 2,415,000
Mikeal Love - Eliminated

After notching his first-ever Main Event cash back in 2014, DJ Buckley has become one of the most consistent players on the tour, earning himself a record 86 Main Event cashes, and has started off the new Season by notching eight in the first 13 events.

With a full season remaining, Buckley will look to keep notching the cashes underneath his belt, as he will look to become the first player ever to earn 100 Main Event cashes and take his seat in the coveted MSPT Hall of Fame.

All-Time Main Event Cashes