Nick Murray Wins Michigan State Poker Championship On The Mid-States Poker Tour

Nick Murray took home the title at the Mid-States Poker Tour stop at Firekeepers Casino in Battle Creek, Michigan. The tournament also served as the Michigan State Poker Championship to give the win even more prestige. Murray took home the top prize worth $295,494, which was his largest career score by a mile since his previous record was in the four-figure neighborhood.

“This is a dream come true, my previous best cash before this was $8,700 so I’m feeling on top of the world,” said Murray to reporters after the win. He continued, “I literally flipped a quarter to come here, and I ran it up so I couldn’t be happier.”

“To say that I came in first place out of 2,819 is honestly a lot to take in, but I’ve been working on my game for years now and it just means a lot to me to be called a champion,” said the Michigan resident from Belmont to finish the interview.

The $1,110 buy-in no-limit hold’em poker tournament attracted an impressive field of 2,819 entries, creating a prize pool worth $2,733,830 that demolished the $1 million guarantee. The top 309 players all cashed for at least $2,200 in prize money, and each of those in-the-money finishers returned for Day 2 with a long march down to a champion.

Thankfully action moved along at a brisk pace, and both a pair of MSPT Hall of Famers (Aaron Johnson – 24th and Patrick Steele – 15th); as well as a pair of former MSPT champions (Danny Sepiol – 13th and Angela Jordison – 10th) made a deep run in the tournament field.

Rob Wazwaz was the first player to fall at the final table in ninth place, but he was appearing at his record 20th MSPT final table, more than any other player on the tour. MSPT Hall of Famer Joshua Reichard then took out Michael Iacovone in eighth place, and Timothy Capretta in seventh place, before he fell in sixth place.

Dapreesh Scates (fifth place) and Amir Kamari (fourth place) both busted in quick succession before an hour of three-handed play saw David Evans hit the rail in third place to set up the heads-up final.

The final two players then decided to a chop that brought the tournament to a close, and it gave Murray the victory and MSPT trophy. Perennial final day chip leader Nicola Ditrapani took second place after he paid out some untimely doubles down the home stretch. He still took home the largest payday of his career worth $292,492, and that put his career earnings just shy of $1 million.

Here is a look at the payouts and POY points awarded at the final table:

The next MSPT main event will be hosted by The Riverside Casino in Iowa, with the $1,110 buy-in main event taking place from Oct. 31 to Nov. 3.

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