Grand Falls Casino

Curtis Vierstraete Wins MSPT Grand Falls Main Event ($96,243)

For the second time this season, the Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT) returned to Grand Falls and hosted its $1,110 Main Event which was loaded with previous MSPT champs.

A total of 463 entries (212 from Day 1a; 251 from 1b) were tallied and generated a $447,610 prize pool.

On Sunday, 54 players returned for Day 2 action with 11 of them being previous champs looking to add another piece of hardware to their collection but after 12 hours of play, it was North Dakota native Curtis Vierstraete outlasting the star-studded field to walk away with the $96,243 top prize and his first MSPT title.

“It feels awesome,” said Vierstraete after his win, “It was a heck of a battle and I just tried to never give up.” Almost a ten-year vet in the game, Vierstraete took a break from poker but decided to come play for his Birthday on Friday.

“I always said I was going to win one of these MSPT’s,” stated Vierstraete, “I told my wife, my friends, I told everyone, and I finally did it, what a great birthday present.”

Season 14 MSPT Grand Falls Main Event Final Table Results

The final day came back with 54 players already in the money so action kicked right into gear with MSPT champ John Dennehey scoring a double elimination in the first hand of the day.

Action across the final six tables continued with players dropping like wildfire as the march to the final table was on.

Among those to fall along the way, albeit with a payday, were MSPT Hall of Famer Rob WazWaz (10th Place - $6,714), MSPT champs Max Havlish (14th Place - $5,371) & John Dennehey (16th Place - $5,371), and MSPT Hall of Famer Rich Alsup (21st Place - $4,073).

Final Table Action

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Once the player returned from their dinner break, MSPT champ Rodger Johnson called off his remaining stack holding a made hand of tens only to have Corey Skogrand roll over a crushing pair of queens, making him the first elimination at the final table.

After Johnson's departure, Miles Barnum seized his pay jump opportunity and got his short stack in the middle with a suited king queen and was called by Keith Doering holding an ace-nine offsuit.

Doering paired his ace on the flop and Barunm was unable to complete Broadway, ending his run in eighth place.

Following Barnum to the payout desk was Dennis Stevermer who got aggressive from the small blind and ended up being tripped up by soon to be champ Vierstraete on the flop taking a seventh place exit.

In the same level, Skogrand was out-kicked by Doering in sixth place and a few hands later Doering was able to flush David Beadle out the door in fifth place for $24,171.

With four players remaining, Umut Ozturk was able to slide into the top spot for Season 14 Player of the Year and ended up as the last MSPT champ standing after he missed his flush draw and was eliminated by Doering in fourth place for $32,228.

Three-handed action saw Vierstraete hold a slight chip advantage over Doering with Nicholas Koto being able to get a pay jump after Doering ended up taking a third place finish for $42,612.

From there, the heads-up match saw chips shuffle around for multiple levels with both players coming close to the brink of elimination only to keep fighting back until Vierstraete secured two doubles to take a commanding chip lead which eventually led to him shipping his first MSPT trophy and payday good for $96,243 while Koto finished runner-up for $59,129.

The Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT) will be making its way to JACK Cleveland Casino from August 30th - September 4th to host its $1,110 Main Event and the MSPT live reporting team will be on hand providing updates or the tournament so make sure to come back!

Nicholas Koto Eliminated in 2nd Place ($59,129)

Curtis Vierstraete raised and then snap-called Nicholas Koto’s three-bet jam.

Nicholas Koto:
Curtis Vierstraete:

Vierstraete had Koto dominated and a three did appear in the window, but there were also two ladies laying underneath on the flop.

The turn was a great sight for Vierstraete as it left Koto drawing dead to the river.

Curtis Vierstraete - 13,890,000
Nicholas Koto - Eliminated

Vierstraete Doubles with Broadway

With a board showing and 2,500,000 already in the middle, Curtis Vierstraete was all in for 4,250,000 and was called by Nicholas Koto.

Curtis Vierstraete:
Nicholas Koto:

Vierstraete pulled ahead after turning Broadway and the river secured him yet another double-up to take the lead.

Curtis Vierstraete - 12,000,000
Nicholas Koto - 1,890,000

Vierstraete Spikes Ace on River to Stay Alive

Curtis Vierstraete raised all in for 2,500,000 and was called by Nicholas Koto.

Curtis Vierstraete:
Nicholas Koto:

Vierstraete was ahead until the flop paired Koto’s king.

The turn was no help to Vierstraete as he needed an ace on the river to stay alive and luckily for him, the dealer answered his prayer by dropping the to keep his Main Event hopes alive.

Nicholas Koto - 8,890,000
Curtis Vierstraete - 5,000,0000

Koto Fights Back to the Top

Nicholas Koto limped-in and then called 800,000 raise from Curtis Vierstraete.

The flop saw Vierstraete continue for 500,000 and Koto called bringing the turn.

Vierstraete check-called a 500,000 bet from Koto and the 1d completed the board on the river.

Vierstraete check-called another bet from Koto, this time for 1,000,000 and was disappointed to see Koto roll over to win the pot with two-pair.

Nicholas Koto - 12,190,000
Curtis Vierstraete - 1,700,000
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Vierstraete Collects with the Nuts

With a completed board showing, Nicholas Koto led out for 600,000 and then called a 1,300,000 raise from Curtis Vierstraete.

“Nuts,” said Vierstraete as he rolled over to take a commanding chip lead.

Curtis Vierstraete - 10,390,000
Nicholas Koto - 3,500,000

Chip Counts

Player Name	Chip Count	Previous	Progress
Curtis Vierstraete	10,390,000	7,890,000
Nicholas Koto	3,500,000	6,000,000

Vierstraete Check Raises the River

Nicholas Koto raised to 500,000 and Curtis Vierstraete called bringing a flop.

Action was checked to the turn where Vierstraete check-called a 500,000 bet to see the complete the board on the river.

This time, Vierstraete went with the good ol’check-raise to 2,000,000 after Koto fired out 800,000 and it worked as Koto mucked his hand.

Curtis Vierstraete - 7,890,000
Nicholas Koto - 6,000,000

Updated Chip Counts

Player Name	Chip Count	Previous	Progress
Nicholas Koto	7,390,000	8,890,000
Curtis Vierstraete	6,500,000	6,000,000

Koto Turns Nine to Scoop Pot

Nicholas Koto raised to 400,000 and Curtis Vierstraete defended bringing about a flop.

Vierstraete check-called an 800,000 continuation bet from Koto, and the was turned.

Both players checked, and then did the same after the completed the board on the river.

Koto tabled for a pair of nines and it was good as Vierstraete released his hand into the muck.

Nicholas Koto - 8,890,000
Curtis Vierstraete - 6,000,000