Grand Falls Casino

Aaron Johnson Wins MSPT Season 17 Grand Falls Main Event for Third Title!

For the first time this season, the MSPT traveled to Iowa's Grand Falls Casino to play host to a four-event Gold Card series, headlined by the $1,110 Main Event.

A total of 327 entries were recorded over two days, and on Sunday, just 37 players returned for Day 2 with their eyes set on the title.

The final day saw eight former champs return to the felt, including Aaron Johnson, who navigated his way to an incredible third career title, along with a payday good for $72,104.

A full recap will follow.

MSPT Season 17 Grand Falls Main Event Final Table Results

Mo Nuwwarah Eliminated in 2nd Place ($44,520)

MSPT Hall of Famer Aaron Johnson opened for 250,000, and fellow Champ Mo Nuwwarah defended to see a flop.

Nuwwarah check-called a 150,000 continuation bet from Johnson, and both players checked the turn to the river.

This time, Nuwwarah check-raised to 3,200,000 after Johnson fired out a 1,100,000 bet, and then called off his remaining 200,000 after Johnson three-bet jammed for more.

Nuwwarah then tabled for the second nuts, but it was no good, as Johnson held the better hand, tabling , ending Nuwwarah’s Main Event.

Aaron Johnson - 9,810,000
Mo Nuwwarah - Eliminated

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: April 7-19, 2026

: $1,110 / $500K GTD Main Event

: $400 / $100K GTD Mini Main

: $3,500 MSPT Championship Seat ADDED to Main Event 1st Place

: 19 Gold Card Events

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Event Schedule: https://msptpoker.com/showpdf.aspx?eventID=588msptpoker.com

Running Aces Poker Tournaments

Josh Matti Eliminated in 3rd Place ($32,290)

MSPT Champ Mo Nuwwarah opened for 200,000 from the button, only to have Josh Matti three-bet jam 1,225,000 from the small blind.

Action was then on MSPT Hall of Famer Aaron Johsnon, who moved all-in as well, holding the exact same amount as Matti, pushing Nuwwarah off the pot.

Josh Matti:
Aaron Johnson:

It was a cooler situation for Matti, as Johnson rolled over the superior made hand, and things got worse after a lady appeared in the window on the flop, improving Johnson to top set.

The dealer then dropped the on the turn, pairing the board, and left Matti drawing dead to the river.

Mo Nuwwarah - 7,065,000
Aaron Johnson - 2,745,000
Josh Matti - Eliminated

Jon Hanner Eliminated in 4th Place ($23,826)

Jon Hanner was all-in after a flop from the hijack and was called by MSPT Champ Mo Nuwwarah from the cutoff.

Jon Hanner:
Mo Nuwwarah:

Hanner flopped tiop pair with an open-ended staright draw, but was still trailing Nuwwarah’s overpair of nines, and the turn left him needing help from the river.

Unfortunately for Hanner, the that fell didn’t do the trick as it gave Nuwwarah the nine-high straight, ending his tournament.

Mo Nuwwarah - 6,050,000
Jon Hanner - Eliminated

Roger VanRiper Eliminated in 5th Place ($17,869)

Roger VanRiper raised all-in for 1,020,000 from the button, and MSPT Champ Mo Nuwwarah looked him up from the big blind.

Roger VanRiper:
Mo Nuwwarah:

VanRiper was at risk needing help, but none came on the flop.

The turn did give VanRiper some more outs with a gutshot straight draw, but the completed the board on the river and ended his run.

Mo Nuwwarah - 4,700,000
Roger VanRiper - Eliminated

All Time Main Event Cashes

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 84 Main Event cashes, and has started off the new Season by notching five in the first eight 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

Mark Bloomberg Eliminated in 6th Place ($13,794)

MSPT Hall of Famer Aaron Johnson open-jammed 725,000 from under the gun and was called by Mark Bloomberg from the cutoff before Jon Hanner went over the top from the button.

Action then folded back to Bloomberg, who called off his remaining 115,000, and all three hands were tabled.

Aaron Johnson:
Mark Bloomberg:
Jon Hanner:

“Queen,” Hanner exclaimed just before the flop fell, giving him the lead.

The dealer then turned the , keeping Hanner in the lead, and just when he was looking good to score the double knockout, the was dropped on the river, securing Johnson a triple-up, while Hanner collected the rest of Bloomberg’s stack, ending his tournament.

Aaron Johnson - 2,200,000
Jon Hanner - 1,350,000
Mark Bloomberg - Eliminated

Clint Wolcyn Eliminated in 7th Place ($10,659)

Clint Wolcyn was all-in preflop for 300,000 from the big blind and was called by Mark Bloomberg from middle position.

Clint Wolcyn:
Mark Bloomberg:

Wolcyn rolled over a dominated hand, but the flop did come paired, bringing chop possibilities.

Unfortunately for Wolcyn, neither the turn nor the river were cards he wanted to see, ending his run.

Mark Bloomberg - 1,400,000
Clint Wolcyn - Eliminated