Riverside Casino

Michael Berk Wins MSPT Riverside $1,110 Main Event for First Title ($142,467)

The Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT) returned to Riverside Casino and hosted a $1,110 buy-in, $300K GTD Main Event which was definitely one to remember.

A total of 718 entries (100 from Day 1a; 358 from 1b; 360 from 1c) were tallied and generated a $694,960 prize pool.

On Sunday, 92 players returned for Day 2 action, and after roughly 12 hours of action, it was Michael Berk coming out on top to win the $142,467 top prize and his first MSPT title.

"I feel good," Berk stated after his victory. "I've played a lot of these and have had a bunch of almosts so it feels really good to win one."

Berk has MSPT results dating back to 2019 with his best performance coming from the 2021 Venetian Las Vegas Main Event where he finished in eighth place for $14,699, that was of course before today's win, which is something that means a lot to Indiana native.

"I just lost my I.T. job last Wednesday," Berk stated, "And honestly, things weren't looking too good at the start, but you know, I've never really been speechless before, but this is just really insane."

While Berk started his week at a low point, it definitely ended on a high note, and he has a list of people he'd like to thank.

"I just want to give a shout-out to the person who had faith in me and put me in this tournament even without any results," Berk continued, "Thank you to all my friends who supported me throughout the day, thank you to Terence, Alex, & Jackie for railing me at the end, and to my family and parents who support me playing poker."

Season 14 MSPT Riverside Main Event Final Table Results

With 72 slated to get paid, twenty players needed to exit before players reached the money. Among those to leave empty-handed were MSPT Hall of Famer Rob Wazwaz, Jason Bender, WSOP bracelet winner John Reading and inaugural Riverside champ Dan Sepiol just to name a few.

Once the tournament hand-for-hand process, only a few hands were played before Dan Cotton was set up by Adam Tolander, and the march to the final table began.

Among those to fall along the way, albeit with a payday, were four-time MSPT champ Dan Bekavac (11th Place - $10,424), Angela Jordison (14th Place - $8,340), Nic DiTrapani (21st Place - $5,977), Andy Rogowski (29th Place - $3,058), and Mike Puccio (41st Place - $2,710)

Final Table Action

Once the player returned from their dinner break, it didn't take long for 2017 MSPT Meskwaki champ Max Havlish to hit the rail after he called off majority of his stack holding a made hand of kings only to have Ryan Windsor roll over a pair of aces. The cooler left Havlish short and he was eliminated a few hands later.

After Havlish's departure, it seemed like the players were in a food coma, as a full level of raise-folds happened before Ryan Tepen finally hit the rail after being dealt a cooler holding a pair of jacks only to run into Tolander's pocket aces.

Tepen's elimination sparked a little fuel in the players as they continued to put their chips in the middle with Jimmy Dennis departed in seventh place after losing a race to eventual champ Berk.

Joseph Saltanovitz was next on the chopping block. After coming into the final table towards the bottom half of the counts, he was able to ladder up until he jammed his short stack into Renato Spahiu's pocket aces and made his exit in sixth place.

Another player able to climb the pay ladder was Windsor, who made his departure in fifth place for $47,952 after his queen-ten was out flopped by Tolander's queen-nine.

Four-handed action didn't last very long after 2019 MSPT Meskwaki champ Steve Federspiel ace-ten suited was out-kicked by Tolander Big Slick, as he was denied his second title and took a fourth-place finish for $47,952.

With three players remaining, Tolander held half the chips in play but had a back-and-forth all-in match with Spahiu which ultimately ended with him delivering the final blow after he turned the wheel to drop Spahiu in third place for $64,631.

From there, Berk took over the heads-up match, winning majority of the pots before securing his first MSPT trophy and payday good for $142,467 while Tolander finished runner-up for $86,878.

The Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT) is making its way back to Minnesota for its State Poker Championship at Running Aces Casino March 23rd - April 2nd and the MSPT.com live reporting team will be on hand providing updates for the $800K GTD $1,110 Main Event so make sure to come back!.

Adam Tolander Eliminated in 2nd Place ($86,878)

Adam Tolander moved all-in in for 3,925,000 and Michael Berk called.

Adam Tolander:
Michael Berk:

Tolander didn’t like seeing he was dominated after the cards were table and for good reason, as the runout ended his Main Event run in second place for $86,878.

Michael Berk - 17,950,000
Adam Tolander - Eliminated

Berk Claps Back, Takes Commanding Chip Lead

Adam Tolander raised to 500,000, and Michael Berk three-bet to 1,700,000.

Tolander called and the dealer dropped a flop.

Action was checked and the dealer turned the .

Berk led out for 350,000 and Tolander called to see the complete the board on the river.

Berk continued with his aggression and fired out a healthy 2,800,000 bet.

Tolander thought for a few moments and then made the call only to muck his hand after seeing Berk table for two-pair.

Michael Berk - 13,190,000
Adam Tolander - 4,760,000

Ladies Are Good for Tolander

Adamd Tolander raised the button and Michael Berk defended to see a flop.

Berk check-called a 500,000 bet, and then did the same for 1,000,000 after the fell on the turn.

The completed the board on the river and Berk check-called a 1,500,000 bet from Tolander.

Tolander quickly revealed for a made hand of ladies and it was good as Berk mucked his hand.

Adam Tolander - 11,550,000
Michael Berk - 6,400,000

Renato Spahiu Eliminated in 3rd Place ($64,631)

Renato Spahiu was all in and was called by Adam Tolander.

Renato Spahiu:
Adam Tolander:

Spahiu was ahead until the dealer dropped a flop giving Tolander two-pair.

The turn wasn’t good for Spahiu as it left him drawing dead and the river ended his Main Event in third place for $64,631.

Michael Berk - 9,660,000
Adam Tolander - 8,290,000
Renato Spahiu - Eliminated

Tolander Turns the Wheel to Double Through Spahiu

Renato Spahiu raised to 350,000 from the button and then called the 1,100,000 three-bet Adam Tolander made from the small blind.

Once the flop hit the felt, Tolander moved all-in for 2,845,000 and Spahiu called.

Adam Tolander:
Renato Spahiu:

Spahiu was ahead after flopping top pair, but the dealer turned the giving Tolander the wheel and the river secured his double-up.

Adam Tolander - 7,840,000
Micahel Berk - 7,000,000
Renato Spahiu - 1,900,000

Ace High Good for Spahiu

Renato Spahiu raised to 300,000 from the button and Michael Berk defended his big blind to see a flop.

Berk check-called a 400,000 bet from Spahiu and the turn was checked by both players to the river.

Berk led out for 775,000 and Spahiu called.

Berk rolled over for a missed open-ender and Spahiu showed to win the pot.

Michael Berk - 8,030,000
Renato Spahiu - 6,420,000
Adam Tolander - 3,500,000

Spahiu Wins Race to Double Through Tolander

Adam Tolander raised to 250,000 on the button and then called the 3,605,000 three-bet jam Renato Spahiu made from the big blind.

Renato Spahiu:
Adam Tolander:

Spahiu was racing for his tournament life and luckily for him, his tens held strong as the runout secured his double-up.

Renato Spahiu - 7,210,000
Michael Berk - 6,610,000
Adam Tolander - 4,130,000

Steve Federspiel Eliminated in 4th Place ($47,952)

Renato Spahiu raised to 250,000 from the button and was called by Adam Tolander from the small blind before Steve Federspiel squeezed for 1,335,000 from the big blind.

Spahiu called only to muck his hand after Tolander went over the top.

Steve Federspiel:
Adam Tolander

The flop paired both players keeping Federspiel in the same position as he needed another ten to stay alive.

Unfortunately for the former MSPT Meskwaki champ, the running turn and river ended his Main Event shy of a second title.

Adam Tolander - 9,635,000
Renato Spahiu - 5,215,000
Michael Berk - 3,100,000
Steve Federspiel - Eliminated

Spahiu Flushes Federspiel and Gets Paid

Renato Spahiu raised to 240,000 on the button and then called the 700,000 three-bet Steve Federspiel made from the big blind.

The flop was checked by both players bringing the turn.

Federspiel led out for 500,000 and Spahiu called to see the complete the board on the river.

Federspiel check-called a 1,200,000 bet from Spahiu and both players tabled their hands.

Federspiel rolled over but it was no good as Spahiu showed to scoop the pot with the nut flush.

Renato Spahiu - 6,600,000
Steve Federspiel - 1,800,000