The Venetian

Photo: Mitch Garshofsky

Miguel Balaguer Trigo raised to 1,000 only to have Mitch Garshofsky fire out a 3,000 three-bet to his left from the hijack.

Action quickly folded back to Balaguer Trigo, who clapped back with a 8,500 four-bet before snapping off Garshofsky’s 23,200 five-bet jam.

Mitch Garshofsky:
Miguel Balaguer Trigo:

Garshofsky was behind looking for some help, but none came on the runout as he found a new seat at a different table with a fresh stack.

Hall of Famer Umut Ozturk maintains his MSPT World #1 status after the first half of Season 17

The Top 64 will compete in the MSPT $20K Heads Up Freeroll Championship “Winner Take All” during the 2026 MSPT Winter Poker Classic at Running Aces Casino, Hotel & Racetrack in December (bracket format).

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Curtis Freeze opened under the gun for 900 and was called by Miguel Balaguer Trigo from the button, along with Michael Capener from the big blind.

The three players then watched a flop hit the felt, and action was checked to the turn.

Another knock on the table from Capener saw Freeze toss out a 1,000 bet, and only Balaguer Trigo called to see the complete the board on the river.

Both players quickly checked their options, and Freeze tabled for top pair, but it was no good as Balaguer Trigo rolled over a pair of tens for a turned Broadway to scoop the pot.

Donald Mathews raised under the gun and was called by Mohamed Serry from the hijack before Nate Zoller tossed out a 2,700 three-bet from the big blind.

Both Mathews and Serry called, bringing about a flop.

Action was then checked to the turn, and three more knocks on the table saw a complete the board on the river.

Zoller then took a stab at the pot with a 10,000 bet, and it did the trick as both of his opponents quickly released their hands into the muck.

: Riverside Casino & Golf Resort - Riverside, IA

: July 21-26, 2026

: Iowa Poker State Championship

: $1,110 Main Event / $300K GTD

$3,500 MSPT CHAMPIONSHIP SEAT ADDED TO MAIN EVENT 1ST PLACE

: 7 Gold Card Tournaments

: https://msptpoker.com/.../book-today-for-the-iowa-poker...

Event Schedule: https://msptpoker.com/showpdf.aspx?eventID=510

Day 1b of the MSPT $1,600 Heart Poker Championship at the Venetian Resort Las Vegas is off and running!

Registration remains open until the start of level 10 (approximately 5:55 p.m. local time), and unlimited re-entry is available per flight should players wish to use it.

Day 1b of the MSPT $1,600 Heart Poker Championship is set to get underway at 11:10 a.m. local time here at the Venetian Resort in Las Vegas and is the second of four starting flights.

A strong showing is expected today after Day 1a drew 68 total entries, with just eight players punching their way into Sunday's Day 2.

Yesterday’s starting flight saw Adam Walton (684,000) edge out Elvyn Bello Santos (615,000) for the top stack thus far, and today, another group of players will try to top that mark.

The two top stacks bagged up nearly half of the chips from 1a, while Jamie Reyes (334,00), Lucas Vergara (266,000), Michael Ciccarelli (243,000), Justin Arnwine (223,000), Viet Nguyen (192,000), (211,000), and Jesse Yaginuma (162,000) were the only others who advanced from the first flight.

Day 1B Outlook

Just like yesterday, the tournament will be held in the Poker Room located on Level 2 of the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Palazzo, as the 14,000 square foot room includes 50 tables with USB and USB-C charging ports at every seat, tableside restaurant ordering, and free parking for anyone who plays more than three hours.

With numerous TVs throughout the venue, the new room offers players complimentary self-serve coffee and soda, a sports betting kiosk, and a dedicated restroom.

Today’s second starting flight will be similar to yesterday's action, with all players starting with 40,000 in chips, and blinds will begin at 100/200/200.

Levels will last 40 minutes in length, and players will receive 15-minute breaks after every three levels.

Players will have the opportunity to jump into the tournament until the start of level 10 (approximately 5:55 p.m. local time), with unlimited re-entry available per flight, should they wish to use it.

Day 1b will play until 11% of the field is reached, and those unable to find a bag at the end of the night will have two more chances to re-enter tomorrow, Friday, July 17th, and Saturday, July 18th.

All surviving players from the four starting flights will reconvene on Sunday, July 19^th, at 11:00 a.m. and play until a winner is determined.

A new addition to this season is that each Main Event winner will be awarded a $3,500 seat into the ROCK ‘N’ ROLL POKER OPEN MSPT Championship at the Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood, FL, while the top 64 World Ranked MSPT Players as of December 2, 2026 will compete in a HEADS UP FREEROLL tournament at the 2026 MSPT Winter Poker Classic at Running Aces Poker Tournaments for $20,000!

MSPT Venetian Remaining Schedule

Stay tuned here on MSPTPoker.com for all updates as we crown the new Heart Poker Champion at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas!