MSPT Adjusts Payout Structure
By 
Since the motto of the Minnesota State Poker Tour is “Suited for Players”, we definitely try to listen to what the players have to say.
After the Mille Lacs event in February, we received a ton of feedback from players requesting we pay more places similar to the HPT. So we obliged. We increased the payouts from 18 to 27 places. After all, on average 60% of MSPT main event fields are players who qualified through means of a $250 satellite or less.
With the massive turnout at Running Aces in April, paying 27 was perfect and not one suggested change was filed.
But this backfired slightly at Northern Lights. Due to a perfect storm…the largest graduation weekend of the year and the WSOP in Vegas, the turnout at Northern Lights was still ok but less than anticipated. Paying 27 spots in an 87 player field was not ideal. Because it was advertised that 27 places would be paid we didn’t change it the day of the Main Event.
It still worked out ok for most since 80% of the field in that instance were in for $250 or less as the majority of the typical direct-buys were in Vegas for the WSOP.
But going forward the payout structure will be modified slightly. Update: In instances of 119 players or less, which likely won’t happen if we avoid June tournaments, the MSPT will pay 18 places. 120 players or more and the payout will remain 27.
Update: In instances where the Main Event field contains 79 players or fewer, the MSPT and host casino reserve the right to pay nine places, rather than 18.
We welcome your feedback, please feel free to email me anytime at bryan@mnpokermag.com with questions, concerns or compliments.
Peace out!
June 19th, 2010 at 9:15 pm
Sounds pretty reasonable. Keep up the great work!
June 20th, 2010 at 12:51 am
Good choice. You guys always seem to make the correct decisions. The MSPT events are the best structured tournaments in Minnesota. Good job.
July 5th, 2010 at 12:41 am
I think it was a bad decision. Yes it mimics the payout structure of the HPT, if that’s all your after. But look at what that leads to – the last event had only 87 entrants, and 27 of those cashed! It spread the wealth so thin that there really wasn’t any wealth at all. The first 14 cashed for less than the tournament’s buy in….that’s over half those who cashed. It’s ridiculus to pay over 30% of the field like that.
I understand that many players qualify into the tournaments for $250, and are looking to make money. Yet most entrants play a few qualifiers increasing their initial costs (the stat of “60% of MSPT main event fields are players who qualified through means of a $250 satellite or less” is very skewed because of this), and there are always people who buy in directly. To have “cashes” for a few hundred dollars defeats the purpose of this kind of tournament.
Personally I’m really disappointed. I’m seriously reconsidering playing the smaller venues where the turnouts simply do not justify this payout structure.
July 5th, 2010 at 12:54 am
Just to clarify, it was the initial decision I thought was bad, which is why I didn’t attend Running Aces or Northern Lights after enjoying the kickoff tournament at Canterbury last December.
The compromise is definitely better, but it still leaves me leery of the small venues. But thanks to this decision I’m going to come check out the MSPT again at Jackpot Junction. Paying 18 places is still disappointing for 100 or less (as is paying 27 places for anything less than 200 entrants really), but I’m just gonna hope that the turnout makes it all irrelevant.