The poker pro now has almost $800,000 in live cashes
Jeffrey Copeland claimed his first Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT) title on December 8 at the Hollywood Casino in St. Louis, Missouri. The local poker pro took home $85,871, the largest payday of his career, pushing his total earnings close to $800,000.
This victory marks his 15th tournament win but his first in an MSPT event, making it a particularly meaningful achievement at his hometown casino. “It’s something every poker player dreams about,” Copeland said after his win. “Winning an MSPT title, especially here at my home casino, is indescribable.”
The $1,110 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em tournament drew 402 entries across three starting flights. This created a $388,480 prize pool and surpassed the event’s guarantee.
A total of 43 players made the money, with the smallest cash set at $2,245. Day 2 saw all remaining competitors return to battle for the top spot, including some notable names. MSPT champion Keith Heine finished in 20th place, while Hall of Famer Aaron Johnson exited in 10th.
At the final table, Copeland started in the middle of the pack but quickly gained momentum. He eliminated Brad Heitmeyer in ninth place, then watched as Bill Romer and Umut Ozturk were knocked out in a single hand won by John Ro. Copeland further solidified his position by eliminating Benjamin Teston in sixth place and Casey Blakeley in fourth, steadily climbing toward the chip lead.
Entering heads-up play against John Ro with a 7:5 chip advantage, Copeland widened the gap in a critical hand that left him with a 3:1 lead. The final hand saw Copeland’s two pair on the flop hold against Ro’s straight draw, sealing the win. Ro finished in second place, earning $53,132, his biggest career cash to date.
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.
