The Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT poker) provides affordable regionally based no-limit hold’em tournaments tailored towards recreational players and weekend warriors. Each MSPT Poker stop provides various satellite tournaments with low entry costs.
Kou Vang from Minnesota defeated Dash Dudley from Michigan by outwitting them both in heads-up play to claim this event and its $1,110 buy-in.
Introduction to the Mid-States Poker Tour MSPT Poker
Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT) tournaments provide affordable regionally based no-limit hold’em tournaments designed specifically for recreational or “weekend warrior” players at affordable rates. Each of the MSPT tournaments feature structures approved by Allen “Chainsaw” Kessler – an internationally acclaimed authority on poker structure – as they feature Chainsaw approved structures.
Though the MSPT has expanded from its Midwest roots, and includes stops in Colorado, South Dakota and Nevada now too, its relationship with long-standing host venues such as Running Aces Casino in Battle Creek Michigan remains strong.
Casino also hosts MSPT Poker League Night tournaments, a series of points-based tournaments that pay out similar to regular events. Each player’s performance earns them a GPI score that will be calculated over two half-year Aging Periods.
Tournaments and Tour Stops
Since its founding, MSPT has grown beyond Minnesota to host events at casinos throughout the U.S. It has hosted stops in Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, South Dakota Colorado Nevada. While MSPT tournament series primarily cater to amateur players some big name pros have also won titles.
Main Event tournaments begin with a 15,000-chip stack and permit re-entry for up to 13 blind levels; typically Day 1 concludes when only 12-13% of the field remains.
Players compete for cash prizes and points-based MSPT tickets each week at the casino, and at the end of every 12-week session prizes are distributed to those with the most points within each league.
MSPT Poker Hall of Fame and Achievements
Chicago native Aaron Massey earned first-place at the recent MSPT stop at Canterbury Park to qualify for its Hall of Fame, joining other acclaimed mid-major poker players such as Dan Hendrickson and Josh Reichard who have also received this prestigious distinction.
Kyna England made history this season as she became the inaugural female Player of the Year on the MSPT after winning a 1:58 seat in 2021 MSPT Shakopee main event for $186,709 to become first place on POY points standings for this season’s tour.
Blake Bohn stands out in the Hall of Fame as an exceptional poker player, having cashed every event this season and coming within inches of winning it all next year on MSPT. Minnesota native Bohn continues to dominate and may very well claim victory next time around!
History and Evolution of the MSPT Poker
The MSPT Poker provides lower-stakes players with an opportunity to compete at tournaments with reasonable buy-in costs that often fall at or below those associated with larger series. On a typical year’s schedule, these tournaments range from $80 to $1,100 in buy-in amounts.
Kyna’s impressive points tally in Season 12 POY race not only distinguished her as the winner but also demonstrated her consistent top-tier performances over an extended period. Her ability to convert her skills into substantial financial gains speaks volumes about her strategic prowess in high-stakes competition.
The MSPT has attracted several notable poker pros over time. Dan “DQ” Hendrickson remains the only player who has managed to cash every season of the tour, earning himself entry into its Hall of Fame in 2017. Additionally, players like Jeremy Ausmus, Poorya Nazari, and Keven Stammen have all won multiple events on its circuit.
Relationship Between PokerNews and the MSPT
While speculation that PokerStars owned or had a significant stake in PokerNews and its parent company iBus Media had long circulated, the Paradise Papers confirmed this relationship. PokerStars owns majority stake in iBus Media but no one at PokerNews ever stated whether this ownership has any effect on its coverage of events or coverage output.
Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells MSPT stop takes place at the casino resort located in Baraboo, just minutes from Wisconsin Dells and its famous attractions and water park. Boasting 320 rooms, this property has partnered with MSPT to offer players discounted lodging during tournament series events as well as other Midwest events.
MSPT Poker Deep Stack Structures
MSPT Poker tournaments feature deep stack structures and reasonable buy-ins designed to attract recreational players and weekend warriors. MSPT also utilizes an innovative blind structure created specifically by “Chainsaw” Allen himself!
The 2023 Mid-States Poker Tour Michigan State Poker Championship at Fire Keepers Casino in Battle Creek brought in an astounding turnout, shattering attendance records by almost double.
All-Time Money List and Player Stats of MSPT Poker
From its inception in 2009, MSPT Poker has done an outstanding job of tracking player stats. These include career earnings, final table appearances, main event titles won and GPI scores earned for each tournament played – which are then compared across six half-year periods known as GPI Aging Periods.
Popular elements of the tour are its low buy-ins and generous prize pools, enabling players of all levels to compete and make a decent living from poker.
While the MSPT is generally seen as a regional tour, notable professionals do participate in its events from time to time – for instance former World Poker Tour Season 11 Champion Matt Salsberg won one of its main events back in 2010, while Poorya Nazari, winner of an WSOP gold bracelet is another noteworthy name who regularly participates.
Spotlight on Key Tournaments of MSPT Poker
MSPT Poker tournaments are tailored specifically for poker players, featuring low buy-ins and popular gaming venues, along with deep stack structures and blind levels that reward patient play and skill. Their design was approved by Allen “Chainsaw” Kessler – a respected authority on poker structures – who designed them directly himself.
Nguyen defeated Dykhouse’s 64 in the final hand with an A8 of his own to secure first place, collecting $83,109 as prize money. It marked his first tournament victory.
Kou Vang won Michigan state history’s largest main event at FireKeepers Casino with an astounding $234,422 win! His accomplishment adds another milestone to an already impressive MSPT record; having reached six final tables thus far and becoming eligible for inclusion into an elite Hall of Fame.
Future Tour Stops and Schedule of MSPT Poker
MSPT stands out in an atmosphere of high-stakes tournament series by offering mid-major options. Established in Minnesota in 2009 and expanding quickly into Iowa and other states since, its tournaments target recreational players and weekend warriors as well as notable poker pros such as World Series of Poker bracelet winners Dan Hendrickson, Rich Alsup, Mukul Pahuja, Jeremy Ausmus, and Keven Stammen.
MSPT tournaments provide accessible No Limit Hold’em games that have an affordable deep stack structure. Main events start out with 15,000 chips, and blind levels typically last 40 minutes each; smaller events often follow this same format but may vary in terms of blind level length and ante amounts.
MSPT Poker Products and Merchandise
MSPT fans can show their appreciation by purchasing official tournament merchandise like hats and shirts. Additionally, the tour provides various poker tournaments with different buy-in levels ranging from $200,000 guaranteed prizes up to higher prize pools. Iowa’s Riverside Casino in Eastern Iowa features two Day 1 starting flights as part of their $1100 Main Event guarantee with over $3 Million won overall by Dan Hendrickson who leads all players with cashing every season on MSPT since 2003!
MSPT also makes an appearance in Deadwood, South Dakota with a $100,000 guarantee in its $1100 buy-in United States Poker Championship from September 23-26 at Grand Falls Casino Resort.
Supporting Partners of MSPT Poker
Mid-States Poker Tour tournament series continues to expand as a player favorite, setting a new record for largest field with 2021 Michigan State Championship at Fire Keepers Casino Hotel which attracted 1,066 entries and boasted a prize pool exceeding $1 Million!
MSPT Poker tournaments are tailored for recreational “weekend warriors,” but also feature prominent poker professionals like WPT Champions League champs Kou Vang and Mukul Pahuja, WSOP bracelet winner Jeremy Ausmus, and 2009 PokerStars Caribbean Poker champion Poorya Nazari as prizewinners.
ClubGG recently joined forces with the MSPT Poker to offer satellites into live MSPT events. It features an advanced client that’s similar to GGPoker.