Abdul Amer Triumphs at 2018 MSPT Cleveland Poker Open

Last Thursday, the Jack Cleveland Casino in Ohio hosted the MSPT Cleveland Poker Open, with 581 players entering its $1,100 Main Event to create a prize pool of $563,570. On Sunday night, it was then Abdul-Ragun Amer who would eventually triumph over the his fellow competitors, including Daniel Wagner heads-up, to claim a first place prize worth $118,350.
Prior to his latest win, Abdul Amer’s biggest scores included in 2014 finishing the $560 WPT Borgata Deepstack in 3rd for $25,230, and last year the WSOP Main Event in 996th for $15,000. Following a win which now almost doubles his career earnings to $213,945, the 34-year old family man from Ohio stated:
“I haven’t scooped a tournament in forever, just always get deep but hard to break through, especially in these bigger ones with good players.” Asked how he might spend some of his winnings, Amer subsequently answered that he is a “big sports gambler” and would give about $50K to the bookies.
The MSPT Cleveland Main Event featured 63rd money places, and amongst those booking a cash was last year’s MSPT Indiana State champion Satish Thakur in 62nd ($2,142), local radio show host Michael Trivisonno in 38th ($2,423), and Kenneth Coppens, who narrowly missed out on a final table appearance after being eliminated in 11th place for $8,454.
Mike Shanahan was then one of the more accomplished players at the final table, having taken down the MSPT Michigan Battle Creek last year for $216,829. Unfortunately for him, his A-Q faltered against the pocket eights of Daniel Wagner to exit in 3rd for $52,976. Adam Friedman followed him out the door soon after, leaving Abdul Amer and Daniel Wagner to battle it out for the title.
Wagner started heads-up with a 2-1 chip advantage, but the lead would exchange hands several times over the next few hours before the deciding hand with Amer (A-8) raising preflop before calling his opponent’s all-in with A-5. The 4-K-3-10-8 board then concluded the contest, and commenting later, Amer said:
“Blinds were big, I know he’s going to shove with any ace. He shoved earlier with queen-jack, so I know he’s a capable player.”
Final Tables Results:
1: Abdul Amer $118,350
2: Daniel Wagner $72,701
3: Adam Friedman $52,976
4: Mike Shanahan $39,450
5: Ronnie Lamb $29,869
6: Mike Peppin $22,543
7: John Michalak $17,471
8: Brian Berthiaume $13,526
9: Luke Edwards $10,708
10: Randall Brooks $8,454