Kou Vang Becomes First Player to Win Way into MSPT Hall of Fame
In 2017, the Mid-States Poker Tour established the MSPT Hall of Fame. Instead of relying on nominations and voting for induction, the tour simply established stringent criteria for players to win their way in. This past weekend, Minnesota’s Kou Vang became the first to do it.
A player can be inducted into the MSPT HoF one of two ways. They can either notch 25 MSPT Main Event cashes plus win an MSPT title or Player of the Year, or they must achieve a minimum of 10 MSPT final tables plus win an MSPT title or Player of the Year.
For the 36-year-old Vang, he won the MSPT Canterbury Park back in Season 2, and on Sunday finished fifth in the MSPT Season 9 FireKeepers Main Event for $57,357, which was his 25th tour cash.
“It's definitely a great feeling,” said Vang. “It feels absolutely wonderful to get recognition for the commitment and dedication put into chasing live poker glory. I am very glad MSPT found a way to acknowledge the players that have supported them throughout the years. It feels good, feels at home.”
I was very lucky to have gotten into it many years ago and therefore I feel I have a big edge and knowledge over the field.
Born in Thailand, Vang immigrated to the U.S. when he was just five years old. A product of the “Moneymaker Effect,” poker has allowed Vang to chase his own American Dream, which includes a 14-year marriage and six kids. He’s planted roots in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, and has established himself as one of the Midwest’s most accomplished players.
“We have a great poker scene in Minnesota with monthly tournaments ranging from $280-$1,100 buy-ins,” Vang told PokerNews. “Poker is still growing in our state."
That passion and enthusiasm begs the question – is induction into the Minnesota Poker Hall of Fame next?
“I like to help grow the game here in the state along with trying to be the best player I can be,” Vang replied when asked of the prospect. “If I somehow make it into the MN PHoF one day it would be great validation for the work I have put into myself.”
Vang is one of only four players to have cashed every season of the MSPT. The other three are Matt Kirby, Jeremy Dresch and Dan “DQ” Hendrickson. To date, he has 25 cashes on the MSPT, eight final table appearances, and $311,005 in earnings, which puts him ninth on the tour’s all-time money list.
What’s Next for the MSPT?
The MSPT has expanded their relationship with The Venetian and will hold five events there throughout the month of June. Those tournaments will offer a combined $12 million in guarantees.
The schedule begins with the $1,100 MSPT buy-in, $3.5 million GTD Venetian Main Event from June 3-8. Then, from June 9-13, there will be a $600 buy-in, $1 million GTD tournament followed by tournaments with buy-ins of $5,000, $1,600 and $3,500. Those three tournaments will have respective GTDs of $1 million, $3 million, and $3.5 million.
“The player experience will be taken to the next level with a lounge, food court, and of course the brand new final table set up.”
For the first time ever, the MSPT will also be live streaming from The Venetian. The final tables from each event will be broadcast with hole cards on a 15-minute delay complete with commentary.
“Another part of the expanded relationship is that all tournaments will move into the smoke-free Sands Expo for the first time,” MSPT President Bryan Mileski told PokerNews. “The player experience will be taken to the next level with a lounge, food court, and of course the brand new final table set up.”
The MSPT tournaments are a part of The Venetian’s Deepstack Extravaganza III, which will feature 150 events from May 14 through July 29 and offer more than $31 million in guaranteed prize pools.
Lead image courtesy of WSOP.
