Jeff Platt beat 469 entrants in the Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT) Venetian $1,100 Main Event to win $100,804. He "dimmed the lights" as he won his first poker event trophy. The player won the tournament after defeating Russel McClean in a heads-up battle.
Many people know Platt for being in the commentary booth or the other side of the table during PokerGo interviews. He finished fourth in a 2021 World Series of Poker (WSOP) tournament despite attracting many poker enthusiasts' attention. But he put his best foot forward on August 6 when he won the Main Event title.
Platt stated in an interview after the event that his victory thrilled him. Also, it inspired him to compete in other major events.
The Final Table's Results
- Jeff Platt from the United States – $100,804
- Russel McClean from the U.S. – $68,535
- Sergei Kislinski from Russia – $48,491
- Michael Lydon from the U.S. – $34,673
- Cody Wiegmann from the U.S. – $26,130
- Scott Sisler from the U.S. – $19,598
- David Yokoyama from the U.S. – $14,573
- Trey Barlett from the U.S. – $11,055
- Carl Oman from the U.S. – $9,045
Action on the Final Day
There were 53 players on Day 2 of the event, each of them eyeing a min-cash of $2,513 and above. Joshua Reichard made his 26th cash out in MSPT despite recently getting inducted into the MSPT Hall of Fame. But, the player got busted in the day's opening level after getting an early pot.
Other skilled players who competed but failed to reach the final table included Jared Jaffee, Tyler Patterson, and Dan Bekavac. The official final table was set after almost six hours, and the play's pace reduced slowly as pay jumps increased.
The remaining players had eight-handed action as Trey Barlett and David Yokoyama got busted in eighth and seventh place. Scott Sisler was the chip leader early in the final table, and he maintained an aggressive play while facing different opponents.
Sisler's pocket queens faced McClean's kings. The latter exited the tournament shortly in sixth place. Cody Wiegmann followed him in fifth place.
Michael Lydon's pocket fives went up in flames as Kislinski revealed pocket kings. The latter regained a significant chip lead but didn't hold it for long as McClean beat him in a bluff. Kislinski got busted in third place.
McClean and Platt got into a heads-up battle after Kislinski's exit. Yet, Platt had a slim stack lead.
McClean used a top set to get three streets of value, placing Platt in a tricky position. The latter fought back tirelessly using many huge value bets. His effort eventually bore fruit as he won the heads-up action and took home $100,804, while McClean won $68,535 for being a runner-up.
Platt's Reaction After His Victory
Platt stated after winning the MSPT Venetian Main Event that he met notable players like Stanley Lee, Bryan Piccioli, and Christina Gollins. He added that Kislinski was among the best live poker tournament players in Las Vegas.
The poker pro had a major turning point in the heads-up battle as he placed a huge over-bet on the river when he made two pair. McClean paid him off as Platt got a significant stack lead. The latter claims that his expertise and knowledge in poker helped him beat McClean.
