How Jinrong Zhang Became the First Non-US MSPT Champion in 2025

Tournament lovers and poker fans witnessed a milestone this week as Jinrong Zhang claimed the title at the MSPT Canadian Poker Championship in Montréal, becoming the first international winner in the history of the Major Series of Poker: The Tour (MSPT). The $1,150 buy-in event drew 1,057 entrants and generated a prize pool of CAD $1,055,000.

Zhang walked away with CAD $165,000 for the victory, edging out fellow Canadian players Sebastien Proulx (2nd place, CAD $118,610) and Lyndon Webster (3rd place, CAD $115,530).

A Final Table to Remember

Zhang described the final table as “very hard” because he recognized many of his opponents and knew they would play strongly. He admitted he hit a rough patch after losing a big flip, saying it was the first time he thought he might not win the tournament.

Despite that setback, Zhang regained momentum. He knocked out key competitors: first eliminating Carter Swidler for 6th place, then dispatching Scott Babbitt in 5th, before the field narrowed to three and an ICM deal was struck among the final three players, leaving CAD $39,000 up for the outright win.

MSPT Canadian Poker Championship Final Table Results

Broader Series Impact at Playground Casino

The stop at Playground Poker & Racing between October 15–19, 2025 included more than just the main event. Across 14 events with buy-ins ranging from $250 to $2,200, the total prize money awarded topped CAD $2,094,855.

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Highlights from the Series

• Event #1 – $300 Mega Stack NLH: 976 entrants; winner Bryan Robitaille-Fequet took home CAD $35,870.
• Event #13 – $2,200 High Roller NLH: 104 entrants; winner Senthuran Vijayaratnam collected CAD $63,440.
• Event #11 – $400 Mystery Bounty NLH: United Kingdom’s Pedro Sequeiros was the only non-Canadian winner, taking CAD $7,795.

These numbers illustrate the continued growth of MSPT events in new markets, with the Playground stop proving a major success both in attendance and payouts.

What This Means for MSPT and International Expansion

This event marks the first time an MSPT Championship principal title was awarded outside the United States and showcases the tour’s growing global reach. Zhang’s win underlines that home country no longer defines the winner’s narrative in these events.

For players, organizers, and sponsors, this signifies:

• An increased attractiveness of MSPT stops in new geographies
• A deeper field with global entrants, raising competitive standards
• Bigger storytelling potential as new markets and champions emerge

Zhang’s parting advice captures the spirit of the moment:

“To all the players, hold onto your dreams. Do what you can do with your game and leave the rest to the poker gods.”

Final Thoughts

The MSPT Canadian stop was a standout on the 2025 live-tournament calendar. High entry numbers, healthy prize pools, and a historic outcome make this event a benchmark for tours aiming at international expansion. With Zhang’s memorable win, the narrative of poker continues to evolve — reinforcing the belief that opportunity belongs to any player with the skill, focus, and belief to chase their dream.

For fans and competitors alike, the excitement surrounding live poker’s global reach is only set to grow, and the MSPT’s next international stops will be ones to watch closely.

Courtesy: Playground Poker