One of the best stories of 2018 was the incredible year of Minnesota’s Aaron Johnson. Back in May, PokerNews spoke with Johnson about leading the Player of the Year races on both Season 9 of the Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT) and Heartland Poker Tour (HPT) Season XIV.
Over the next seven months, Johnson maintained his lead on the MSPT, and while he lost the HPT lead for a bit, he ultimately ended with it thanks to a deep run in the season finale. That allowed Johnson to become the first player to ever win POY titles on two different tours in the same year.
For doing so, Johnson won a $10,000 prize package for each tour.
“It feels amazing,” Johnson told PokerNews. “Coming into the year I certainly wanted to make a run at MSPT POY (which has always been a goal of mine), but I never imagined that I’d be in contention for multiple POY titles. To actually achieve it is unreal.”
Johnson, who was out at the 2019 WSOP, is in action at the HPT Golden Gates.
For more on the reigning HPT POY, check out his full interview here on PokerNews.
flop was checked to Moon who bet 700 and was called by Johnson from the big blind. 
turn that doubled paired the board to see another fall on the river with the 
. 
flop.
and Herstein check-called Morris's 500 bet. 
turn and the 
river to showdown. 
. 
and Herstein check-called Puccio's bet of 2,000. 
fall on the river. 
as he raked in the pot.
. Baime lead out from under the gun for 2,100 into a 2,8000 pot. Oneill raised to 4,600 from late position and Baime three-bet to 14,600. ONeill thought for a moment and then jammed getting snap-called by Baime. 
and he headed to the rebuy cage and took a new seat.
