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!
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 (39th Place - $1,023), Brad Pausch (29th Place - $1,127), Chuck Kersey (22nd Place - $1,523), Kanat Ozturk (19th Place - $1,795), and Steve Belland (13th 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 12th - 17th, and our reporting team will be on hand providing updates, so make sure to come back!!