Masashi Oya arrived at the Venetian last week seeking his first-ever Hendon Mob database record. He left the Las Vegas resort on Thursday as the champion of the Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT) Season 12 finale, an $1,100 no-limit hold'em tournament that attracted 851 entrants.
Although Kyna England, an up-and-coming poker player from Chicago, didn't cash at the Venetian, she still wrapped up the Player of the Year award. Taylor Howard made the race interesting to close out the year as he ran deep and finished in 27th place for $3,860.