Tauan Naves picked up his first MSPT title to add to his other big wins
Brazilian poker pro Tauan Naves claimed victory in the Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT) Venetian Main Event, held on December 4 in Las Vegas. The win earned him $60,675 and marked his first MSPT title.
With this achievement, Naves’ career tournament earnings approach $2.5 million. Although he has won major titles before, including the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure and the Brazilian Series of Poker, this triumph represents his first victory in a US-based tournament.
After the win, Naves expressed his excitement, highlighting the unique atmosphere of live poker compared to online play. He noted the value of alternating between the two formats, which keeps his gameplay fresh and versatile. Speaking about live tournaments, he emphasized the different dynamics, explaining how he focuses on individual opponents rather than just the tournament structure.
The $1,100 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em event attracted 317 entries across three starting flights, generating a prize pool of $305,905. Thirty-six players secured payouts, with a minimum cash prize of $2,325. Several notable players made deep runs, including Zachary Donovan and Matt Salsberg, but ultimately fell short of the final table.
Naves entered the final table as one of the shorter stacks but managed to navigate a tough field. Key eliminations included Venetian legend Eric Baldwin in ninth place and WSOP Circuit champion Jessica Vierling, who exited in sixth after losing her lead. Yang Li and Romain Bremond also made strong pushes, but it was Naves’ composure and strategic play that propelled him to the top.
The heads-up battle against Yang Li lasted nearly two hours, with both players doubling up before a decisive hand. Naves’ flush outmatched Li’s two pair, sealing the victory. Li took home $43,980 for his runner-up finish, while Naves celebrated another milestone in his illustrious poker career.
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.
