Faraz Jaka kicked off the Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT) Season 16 in thrilling fashion at Bally’s Black Hawk Casino, concluding with an intense final table showdown on Sunday night. The $1,110 buy-in Main Event saw 636 entries across three starting flights, building a massive $615,420 prize pool. When the dust settled, Jaka walked away with his first MSPT title and a $127,849 payday
Jaka’s Dominance at Black Hawk
Jaka, a well-respected pro and founder of JakaCoaching.com, has always had a strong connection with Black Hawk, making this victory even more special.
“I’ve played a few events here and won two of them, so this place feels like home,” Jaka said. “Since I live nearby and had some students playing, it made sense to jump in. Seeing my students at the final table made it even more rewarding.”
Already boasting over $8 million in career earnings, Jaka adds this MSPT title to an impressive poker résumé, which includes a 2023 WSOP bracelet and a $313,495 victory at the Seminole Hard Rock RRPO $10K NLH Deep Stack just weeks ago.
Final Table Showdown: Jaka vs. The Best
Jaka’s road to victory was anything but easy. The final table featured MSPT Hall of Famer and two-time Player of the Year, Umut Ozturk, among other tough competitors.
A crucial hand at Level 26 saw Ozturk shove with ace-jack, only to run into Jaka’s ace-king. The board didn’t help, sending Ozturk out in fourth place for $43,032.
After eliminating Michael Banducci in third, Jaka faced Zach Gutierrez heads-up in a battle that lasted over two and a half hours. The defining moment came when Gutierrez moved all-in with ace-five, only to get called by Jaka’s superior ace-ten. The board blanked, securing Jaka the victory.
A Meaningful Win for Jaka
Beyond the title and the prize money, this win had a personal touch for Jaka. Three of his Jaka Coaching students made the final table, and Kaushik Kannan won a side event.
“This was a special moment,” Jaka said. “Winning is great, but seeing my students thrive alongside me is even better. Since many of them play MSPT-level events, I may start playing more stops to better understand their competition and help them improve.”
MSPT’s Next Stop: Milwaukee & Las Vegas
With Black Hawk in the books, the MSPT now heads to Potawatomi Casino in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from January 28 to February 2, featuring a $1,110 Main Event with a $500,000 guarantee.
After that, the action moves to Las Vegas for the $1,000,000 GTD Poker Bowl IX at The Venetian, where the final table will be live-streamed from the venue’s cutting-edge poker studio.
Faraz Jaka: A Poker Force to Be Reckoned With
Jaka’s victory at MSPT Black Hawk is yet another testament to his poker excellence and strategic brilliance. Whether crushing high-stakes tournaments or coaching the next generation of poker stars, Jaka continues to prove why he’s one of the game’s most respected figures.
Conclusion
Faraz Jaka claimed his first MSPT title at Bally’s Black Hawk Casino, winning the $1,110 buy-in Main Event with 636 entries and a prize pool of $615,420. Jaka earned $127,849 after a tough final table featuring poker pros like Umut Ozturk. Jaka’s victory was especially meaningful, as three of his JakaCoaching.com students reached the final table, with one winning a side event. Known for his strategic brilliance, Jaka’s victory adds to his impressive poker résumé, including a 2023 WSOP bracelet. The MSPT heads to Milwaukee next, with future events in Las Vegas and more poker drama on the horizon.
♠️ Stay tuned as MSPT Season 16 unfolds, bringing more poker action, high-stakes drama, and unforgettable moments!
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