For the first time ever, the Major Series of Poker: The Tour (MSPT) hosted a Main Event inside Illinois state lines. The $1,110 buy-in, $750K GTD MSPT Illinois Poker State Championship, which took place at Rivers Casino Des Plaines from August 4-9, attracted 1,807 entries and crushed the guarantee by offering up a $1,751,290 prize pool.
It was a familiar face coming out on top in former PokerNews reporter Mo Nuwwarah, who claimed his second MSPT title and a career-high $205,499.
“It feels good,” Nuwwarah told MSPT reporter Anthony Thompson after the victory. “I mean, it’s been a pretty swingy year, but also a good one so far. A little bit more good than bad, but I’ve blown a few heads-up battles in these before, so it feels good to get win number two in the books.”
Additionally, Nuwwarah won a $3,500 seat into the MSPT Championship Rock ‘N’ Roll Poker Open (RRPO), which will be held at the Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood, Florida, Nov. 18 – Dec. 2, boasting a $2,000,000 GTD,
MSPT Rivers Chicago Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Homestown | Prize | POY Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mo Nuwwarah | Omaha, NE | $205,499* | 1,400 |
| 2 | Greg Koutelidakis | Buffalo Grove, IL | $163,737* | 1,400 |
| 3 | Matt Miller | Naperville, IL | $149,137* | 1,400 |
| 4 | Michael Holm | Naperville, IL | $128,032* | 1,400 |
| 5 | Bruce Fagan | North Branch, MN | $114,829* | 1,400 |
| 6 | David Kowal | Schaumburg, IL | $56,978 | 1,300 |
| 7 | Matthew Schurter | Crystal Lake, IL | $44,892 | 1,200 |
| 8 | Ben Krauss | Arlington Heights, IL | $34,532 | 1,100 |
| 9 | Evan Bethyo | Mundelein, IL | $27,626 | 1,000 |
*Denotes five-way ICM deal.
Others to cash the tournament were Nick DiTrapani (11th – $22,446), Jason Crews (17th – $15,539), Brendan Shiller (21st – $12,950), Brett Slezak (34th – $6,820), Richard Bai (39th – $5,784), and Brett Reichard (50th – $4,921).
Season 17 of the MSPT continues August 18-23 at JACK Cleveland Casino, followed by the Indiana Poker State Championship at Ameristar East Chicago from August 25-30. From there, it’s to Missouri for the Ameristar Poker Open from September 1-7, and then a return to Las Vegas for the Nevada Poker State Championship at Venetian from September 10-13. Click here to see the full MSPT schedule.
*Images courtesy of MSPT & Jess Beck.
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Chad Holloway
PR & Media Manager