Antonio Vargas Victorious in MSPT Season 16 Colorado Poker State Championship ($141,255)

On Sunday, the Major Series of Poker: The Tour (MSPT) wrapped up the Season 16 Colorado Poker State Championship festival at Bally’s Casino in Blackhawk, which is just west of Denver. The $1,110 Championship Event drew 875 entries (167 from Day 1a; 284 from 1b; 424 from 1c) and awarded a $847,250 prize pool – which means the MSPT has awarded $218,466,142 in prize money to date!

Of those, 98 players returned for the Day 2 finale, and after 12 hours of play, it was the start-of-day chip leader, Antonio Vargas, who sealed the deal to claim the title and $141,255 in prize money after a heads-up deal with Zach Whitney, who took home $120,109. In addition, Vargas picked up 1,800 POY points and a coveted MSPT Gold Card.

“It’s truly amazing,” Vargas told MSPT reporter Anthony Thompson after the win. “I came very close in this event last year, so to be able to close this one out, words can’t describe it.”

It was redemption for Vargas, who finished third in the MSPT Bally’s Main Event back in January. Now, he can proudly call himself the new Colorado Poker State Champion!

MSPT Season 16 Colorado Poker State Championship Final Table

_{*Denotes heads-up deal.}

Others to cash the tournament were Isiah Easter (11th - $11,620), Eric Maier (15th - $9,960), Edward Konarske (21st - $6,972), Nader Wahdan (34th - $3,652), Taylor Fortini (43rd - $2,988), and Jason Brin (49th - $2,656).

The heads-up deal was set up by the elimination of Rich Dixon, who earlier in the series won Event #6: $300 Ultimate Stack NLH for $11,974 and his first MSPT Gold Card. Dixon was left short in a big hand where he raised the button and Vargas defended to see a K♠9♠5♠ flop.

Both players checked, the 7♦ appeared on the turn, and Vargas checked. Dixon bet 500,000 and then called when Vargas check-raised to 1,700,000. When the K♣ paired the board on the river, Vargas bet another 1,700,000, and Dixon called with KxQx for trips. Unfortunately for him, it was no good as Vargas had flopped a flush with the 8♠6♠. Vargas finished off Dixon shortly thereafter.

What’s Coming Up?

August is a busy month for the MSPT with stops every weekend. What’s more, they have a slew of great stops between now and the end of the year.

Here’s a look at the remaining MSPT Season 16 schedule.

_{*Images courtesy of MSPT photographer Tyler Abrams.}