Harlen Miller Wins 2021 MSPT Venetian Main Event For $367,801

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  • RUPAM THAKUR June 9, 2021
  • 3 Minutes Read

The 63-year-old Bismarck, North Dakota resident Harlen Miller (cover image) championed the $1.50 Million GTD Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT) Venetian Main Event for a career-best $367,801. He overcame a massive 7:1 chip deficit at the start of his heads-up match against Ryan Dodd (runner-up for $236,927) to win the MSPT Trophy.

Miller reportedly started playing poker only a few years ago and has climbed up to $566,573 in live tournament cashes after this win, according to his Hendon Mob profile.

In the post-match interview, Miller said, “I skipped my niece’s wedding to come play this event,” and added, “I just had a feeling. At least now I can get her a better wedding present.”

The MSPT Venetian Main Event played out at the Palazzo Gaming Floor. The $1,100 entry buy-in event obliterated its $1.5 Million prize pool after registering 2,790 entries (Day 1A – 251, Day 1B – 530, Day 1C – 776, and Day 1D – 1,233) across four starting flights that culminated in a prize pool collection of $2,692,350 – almost 80% more than the advertised guarantee.

Day 2 began with 396 survivors (Day 1A – 34, Day 1B – 75, Day 1C – 107, and Day 1D – 180), and with only 297 places paid, several among them had to depart empty-handed.

Nick Pupillo was the unlucky money bubble, assuring all the remaining players a min-cash of $2,423.

The field was trimmed down to a 15 player lineup by the end of Day 2, and by the second level of play on Day 3, the nine-handed final table was formed.

Albert Knafo was the start of the FT chip leader, holding a commanding 21,200,000 in chips. Jimmy Lujan (13,600,000) was a distant second, with Harlen Miller (11,500,000) sitting third in chips.

Final Table Chip Counts

  1. Albert Knafo – 21,200,000
  2. Jimmy Lujan – 13,600,000
  3. Harlen Miller – 11,500,000
  4. Ryan Dodd – 6,400,000
  5. Jonathan Tamayo – 4,600,000
  6. Thong Tran – 4,000,000
  7. Aaron Massey – 3,500,000
  8. Matthew Elsby – 2,500,000
  9. Bobby Noel – 1,400,000

 

Final Table Recap

Aaron Massey was the first final table casualty in ninth place when his failed to hold against Jimmy Lujan on the runout .

Jimmy Lujan had moved into the chip lead during eight-handed play, but his fortunes turned quickly after he lost two massive pots to Ryan Dodd and fell out in eighth place.

The short stacks Bobby Noel, Thong Tran, and Jonathan Tamayo went out in quick succession in places seventh to fifth, respectively.

Matthew Elsby was the next one out in fourth place. His held the preflop advantage against Albert Knafo’s . The flop pulled Elsby further ahead. However, the turn and river completed a runner-runner straight for Knafo, busting Elsby`s flopped set.

Albert Knafo couldn`t go much further either and ended up on the rail in third place after his were dominated by Ryan Dodd’s .

Harlen Miller entered the heads-up play with a 7:1 chip deficit against Ryan Dodd. But Miller doubled up twice from Dodd to take over the chip lead. The final hand saw Miller’s getting the better of Dodd’s .

Harlen Miller
Harlen Miller

 

Final Table Results (USD)

  1. Harlen Miller – $367,801
  2. Ryan Dodd – $236,927
  3. Albert Knafo – $177,695
  4. Matthew Elsby – $140,002
  5. Jonathan Tamayo – $107,694
  6. Thong Tran – $86,166
  7. Bobby Noel – $67,309
  8. Jimmy Lujan – $50,885
  9. Aaron Massey – $40,385

 

Content and Images Courtesy: Mid-States Poker Tour & Poker News

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