The final prize pool was over $650,000 against a $500,000 guarantee
The $1,110 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT) Winter Poker Classic, hosted at the Hollywood Casino in Columbus, Ohio, attracted 672 entries over three starting flights, surpassing its $500,000 guarantee to create a $650,340 prize pool. The top 72 players walked away with cash, with payouts starting at $2,146.
Gary McGlothlin secured a career-defining victory. The Delaware, Ohio, resident claimed his first MSPT title and the top prize of $117,814, marking the largest win of his poker career. The tournament was the final event of the tour’s 15th season.
Reflecting on his win, McGlothlin expressed his excitement after an intense weekend of competition. “It feels great to close it out,” he shared, describing how he stayed motivated by counting down the number of players left between him and the six-figure prize.
The final table featured six players with over 2 million chips. McGlothlin played a steady game early on, avoiding major confrontations as players like Connor Burchwell and Kevin Stroud were eliminated.
Action heated up when Lenny Pisano took control, scoring several knockouts before McGlothlin joined in, eliminating Louis Shade in fourth place. Pisano later knocked out Dalton Jones in third, entering heads-up play with a 2:1 chip lead over McGlothlin.
In a marathon heads-up battle that stretched past 1:00 AM., McGlothlin clawed his way back, doubling up twice to narrow the gap. The decisive hand saw McGlothlin’s king-high prevail over Pisano’s ace-high, securing him the trophy and the title. Pisano earned $96,814 as the runner-up, bringing his career earnings close to $165,000.
The MSPT will kick off its 16th season in Las Vegas, Nevada, with the main event scheduled for early January.
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.
