The Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT) launched in December 2009, and since then they’ve persistently damaged information throughout the USA. By the tip of the month, they’ll hit one other main milestone by crossing the $200,000,000 mark in prize cash awarded!
As 2024 got here to an in depth, one other large story occurred on the MSPT when Umut Ozturk gained the Season 15 (2024) Participant of the 12 months title. Within the course of, he efficiently defended the identical title from Season 14 (2023) and have become the first-ever two-time POY winner on the MSPT. Not solely will Ozturk be immortalized in MSPT historical past, however he was additionally awarded a seat within the $10,400 WPT World Championship.
He held off Josh Reichard, who was searching for a second title himself after having gained it in Season 13 (2022). Ozturk had an unbelievable 19 cashes for $145,143 on the MSPT in 2024, together with a runner-up end in Might’s MPST Sycuan On line casino for $50,693. It’s solely occurred 4 instances in MSPT historical past {that a} participant cashed greater than 12 instances in a season, and Ozturk accounts for 2 of them.
“Successful it two years in a row feels nice due to the gamers that had been within the chase – Josh Reichard, Chris Meyers, Chris Moon, and Chris Audrain,” Ozturk instructed PokerNews. “These guys are all MSPT winners and to have them within the chase made it higher. I respect them as gamers and people. and any checklist that I’m on that features these guys is a really humbling expertise.”
MPST Season 15 Remaining Level Standings
Surprisingly, Ozturk, who gained his into the MSPT Corridor of Fame in 2023 (changing into simply the thirteenth participant to take action), didn’t intend to win POY for a second time in as a few years.
“It was not a aim of mine, it simply occurred organically. I used to be virtually 2,000 factors behind to the most effective mid-stake gamers in America, Josh Reichard, however as soon as I last tabled at MSPT Ameristar in Chicago, I knew I had a shot understanding my buddy Josh would miss the final occasion of the 12 months in Columbus on account of his WPT schedule on the Wynn.”
Going back-to-back was a formidable feat, however do not count on Ozturk to go for the hat trick.
“No plans on attempting to win it three in a row,” Ozturk admitted. “I might be taking part in much less in 2025 and might be teaching my son in tennis, basketball, and soccer. I wish to give a particular due to the Minnesota poker neighborhood for the help these previous two years.”
MSPT Gamers of the 12 months
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*Photographs courtesy of MSPT.
Chad Holloway
PR & Media Supervisor
