The Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT) has been a longstanding tournament where players can buy-in and participate in competitive poker games across the Midwestern region back in 2009, and has steadily expanded to other states.
Now in its 15th season, the MSPT Player of the Year for 2024 was awarded to Umut Ozturk. He is the 13th player to be enshrined in the MSPT Hall of Fame, and is the first two-time Player of the Year awardee.
Apart from the distinction, Ozturk was also awarded a seat in the $10,400 WPT World Championship.
How Did Umut Ozturk Get MSPT Player of the Year for 2024?
For his 2024 run, Ozturk had another incredible showing – he went off with 19 cashes for $145,143 on the MSPT 2024. This included a runner-up finish in May’s MPST Sycuan Casino for $50,693.
A player cashing in more than 12 times in a season has only happened four times in MSPT history, and Ozturk did the feat two times.
The MPST Season 15 Final Point Standings were a close race between Ozturk and Reichard. Among the 10 players in the running throughout the course of the 2024 season, it came down the wire, with Ozturk finishing with 6,825 to Reichard’s 5,425.
Ozturk’s Reaction to His Second Consecutive Win
Ozturk’s back-to-back MSPT Player of the Year win wasn’t one he planned. He noted that it was not his goal, but it just happened organically,
“I was almost 2,000 points behind to one of the best mid-stake players in America, Josh Reichard, but once I final tabled at MSPT Ameristar in Chicago, I knew I had a shot knowing my buddy Josh would miss the last event of the year in Columbus due to his WPT schedule at the Wynn,” Ozturk commented.
However, the two-time MSPT POY had nothing but respect for the other players who were in the running for Season 15, stating that the competition was highly skilled,
“Winning it two years in a row feels great because of the players that were in the chase – Josh Reichard, Chris Meyers, Chris Moon, and Chris Audrain… Those guys are all MSPT winners and to have them in the chase made it better. I respect them as players and humans. and any list that I am on that includes those guys is a truly humbling experience.”
Ozturk’s 2024 MSPT POY win had similarities to his 2023 run. During Season 14, Ozturk made a record 17 cashes on the MSPT 2023, including a record five Top 10 finishers. This capped off with a $101,336 win in February’s MSPT Hollywood Casino.
Will Umut Ozturk Go for the Hat Trick?
When asked whether he’ll go for the POY award next year, Ozturk stated that he doesn’t have plans on trying to win three in a row.
“I will be playing less in 2025 and will be coaching my son in tennis, basketball, and soccer. I want to give a special thanks to the Minnesota poker community for the support these past two years,” Ozturk added.
