Harlen Miller Tops Massive 2,790-Player Field In MSPT Venetian Main Event63-Year-Old North Dakota Poker Player Banks $367,801 For The Win |
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An incredible 2,790 entries were made over the course of four starting days at the $1,100 buy-in Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT) Venetian main event, meaning there was a total of $2,692,350 up for grabs in the prize pool.
The lion’s share ultimately went to 63-year-old Harlen Miller, who more than tripled his career earnings with the $367,801 first-place prize.
This was his second title at the Venetian, having taken down the $600 buy-in seniors event for $75,510 back in 2018.
“I skipped my niece’s wedding to come play this event,” Miller admitted to PokerNews reporters. “I just had a feeling. At least now I can get her a better wedding present.”
Miller went into heads-up play with Ryan Dodd at a significant chip disadvantage, but found a couple of timely double ups to take the lead. On the final hand, Dodd was all-in holding A
J against Miller’s pocket queens.
The flop of A
J
6 gave Dodd two pair and a great chance of doubling back into the match, but the turn and river fell 10 K to give Miller a backdoor straight and the final pot of the tournament.
The final table also featured notable poker pros Aaron Massey (9th), Jimmy Tran (6th), and Jonathan Tamayo (5th).
Tamayo picked up $107,694 for his fifth-place finish, bringing his career live tournament earnings to just over $2 million. The Texas poker player was just one week removed from winning a $1,100 event at the Wynn Summer Classic for $237,935, and now sits in 19th place in the Card Player Player of the Year standings.
Here are the final table results.
| Place | Player | Payout | POY Points |
| 1 | Harlen Miller | $367,801 | 1,200 |
| 2 | Ryan Dodd | $236,927 | 1,000 |
| 3 | Albert Knafo | $177,695 | 800 |
| 4 | Matthew Elsby | $140,002 | 600 |
| 5 | Jonathan Tamayo | $107,694 | 500 |
| 6 | Jimmy Tran | $86,155 | 400 |
| 7 | Robert Noel | $67,309 | 300 |
| 8 | Jimmy Lujan | $50,885 | 200 |
| 9 | Aaron Massey | $40,385 | 100 |
This MSPT event is part of the DeepStack Championship Poker Series currently being held between May 3 and Aug. 1 at the Venetian Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
*Winner photo courtesy of @VenetianPoker on Twitter.
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