Merritt Kuhn captured one of the most prestigious titles on the Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT) by outlasting a massive field of 2,773 entries to win the MSPT Spade Poker Championship.
Kuhn’s exceptional performance earned him a career-best $339,115 payday and 1,200 Player of the Year (POY) points, marking a defining moment in his poker journey.
Hosted at the Spade Poker Room, the event drew an impressive mix of seasoned professionals and ambitious newcomers, all vying for a share of the $2.7 million prize pool.
As US online poker sites continue to grow, events like this demonstrate the strength of live poker’s resurgence across the country.
Merritt Kuhn’s Commanding Run at the Final Table
The final table showcased elite competition and relentless action. Kuhn began the day among the top stacks, maintaining steady control through pivotal eliminations.
Anthony Babic exited first in ninth place, collecting $39,218. Shortly after, Ben Luber fell in seventh for $61,782, followed by Robert Mitchell in sixth, who earned $80,853.
Roger Khoury’s run ended in fifth place, adding $102,343 to his earnings, while Michael McFadden secured fourth for $134,711 after a tense standoff. Brian Jones claimed third with $172,720, leaving Kuhn and Raymond Mancini heads-up for the title.
In a thrilling conclusion, Kuhn’s aggressive strategy paid off as he sealed victory and denied Mancini the top prize. Mancini finished runner-up, earning $268,049 and 1,000 POY points.
Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Payout | POY Points |
| 1 | Merritt Kuhn | $339,115 | 1200 |
| 2 | Raymond Mancini | $268,049 | 1000 |
| 3 | Brian Jones | $172,720 | 800 |
| 4 | Michael McFadden | $134,711 | 600 |
| 5 | Roger Khoury | $102,343 | 500 |
| 6 | Robert Mitchell | $80,853 | 400 |
| 7 | Ben Luber | $61,782 | 300 |
| 9 | Anthony Babic | $39,218 | 100 |
Merritt Kuhn Reflects on His Victory
After the win, Kuhn expressed deep satisfaction and relief following his breakthrough performance.
“Feels really nice to win one of these, finally,” Kuhn commented after the victory. “I’ve been trying for a while now but haven’t had too much luck with no deep runs, so to be able to take this one down that had such a large starting field, feels amazing.”
Kuhn’s win cements his position as one of the most promising talents on the live circuit. His success at the MSPT Spade Poker Championship demonstrates that dedication and perseverance continue to define poker excellence, both live and on US online poker sites.