The California native now has over $1 million in live tournament winnings
Brad Gafford added another major title to his growing poker résumé with a win at the MSPT Main Event held at Sycuan Casino Resort in Southern California. The San Diego native took home $87,963 after coming out on top of a 417-entry field in the $1,110 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em tournament. With this victory, Gafford now surpasses $1 million in career tournament earnings.
For Gafford, winning close to home made the moment even more meaningful. He said it felt special to grab a title in his own backyard, especially after already securing a World Series of Poker bracelet earlier in his career. The Sycuan event becomes another key achievement as he continues to stack up strong results in 2024.
The tournament featured three starting flights, with 47 players making it into the money and returning for Day 2. Among those who cashed were familiar names like D.J. Buckley, Josh Royal, and Peter Cross. The final table saw Gafford in a strong position, starting second in chips and staying patient through the early eliminations.
Matthew Salsberg, a former WPT champion and TV producer, placed fourth and earned $29,098. Gafford notched his first elimination by busting Jon Larkin in third, which set up a heads-up battle with Paul Ewen. Gafford began with a slight chip advantage, and the two traded pots before the final hand played out.
On a paired board, Gafford’s trip nines held up against Ewen’s king-high, sealing the win. Ewen walked away with $54,208 for his runner-up finish.
The MSPT continues its season later this month, with a stop at FireKeepers Casino in Michigan scheduled for May 15-18. Gafford’s win at Sycuan puts a spotlight on his steady rise through the tournament ranks this year.
