Frankie Zeta picks up $145,706 and his first six-figure cash
The $2,200 Mid-Atlantic Poker Open (MAPO) Main Event at Maryland Live! Casino and Hotel wrapped up with Frankie Zeta claiming the title, the trophy, and a career-best payout of $145,706. The tournament attracted 367 entries, creating a prize pool of $718,586. After a competitive final day, Zeta emerged as the champion, marking a milestone in his poker career with his first six-figure cash.
The tournament began with a deep field, including bracelet winners and WPT champions. Day 2 saw 47 players return, all hoping to navigate through a tough lineup. Zeta started the final day second in chips behind Brandon Hall, who eventually finished in third place. Throughout the final table, Zeta maintained a strong position, using well-timed three-bets and aggressive play to build his stack.
His path to victory featured two critical hands against Austin Remmel, both with ace-jack. In one of them, Remmel had the nut flush, but Zeta held a full house, securing a massive pot. Remmel was eliminated in fifth place, while Zeta continued dominating the table. Despite facing occasional setbacks, he remained in control and leveraged his position to outmaneuver his opponents.
The heads-up battle against Semsettin Ilyes was relatively brief, lasting around ten hands. The final hand saw Zeta holding king-queen against Ilyes’ pocket eights. A fortunate board sealed the victory for Zeta, who celebrated his biggest career win.
Zeta credited the Pennsylvania poker community for supporting him throughout his journey, emphasizing the camaraderie among players. With this breakthrough win, he has firmly established himself in the live tournament scene, proving that persistence and strategic play can lead to significant rewards.

Editor at the Big Blind, is a rising star in gambling journalism with a decade of experience, focusing on clear and accessible communication for a diverse audience.