The 2025 Major Series of Poker Tour Minnesota Poker State Championship at Running Aces Casino & Racetrack attracted 1,004 total entries at $1,110 a pop, resulting in a prize pool of $972,380. After three starting flights and one long playdown day, home-state hero Bee Yang emerged victorious with the title and the top prize of $140,288.
This was the first career tournament victory for the Minnesota resident. Prior to this triumph, Yang’s largest score was a runner-up showing in a $360 buy-in event at this same venue last spring for $34,221.
“I think it’s something special,” Yang told MSPT reporters. “I always believed I would be an MSPT champion.”
The top 112 finishes made the money in this event, with notables like back-to-back MSPT Player of the Year Umut Ozturk (79th), five-time MSPT champion Blake Bohn (71st), Rob WazWaz (55th), and Aaron Massey (50th) all making the final day.
Two-time MSPT winner Ben Marsh (7th – $27,964) also ran deep in this event, making it down to the final table before being sent to the rail. Rory Linton, who finished second in this event a couple of years ago, bowed out in sixth place ($35,678).
After John Rachie (5th – $46,285) and Michael Crawford (4th – $60,750) were sent packing, the final three players hashed out a deal to bring the event to an end. Yang held the chip lead at the time, and was awarded the title and the largest payout. Jay Chaudhary took home $120,000 as the official runner-up, while Carl Carodenuto locked up $110,000 as the third-place finisher.
Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Earnings | POY Points |
| 1 | Bee Yang | $140,288 | 960 |
| 2 | Jay Chaudhary | $120,000 | 800 |
| 3 | Carl Carodenuto | $110,000 | 640 |
| 4 | Michael Crawford | $60,750 | 480 |
| 5 | John Rachie | $46,285 | 400 |
| 6 | Rory Linton | $35,678 | 320 |
| 7 | Benjamin Marsh | $27,964 | 240 |
| 8 | Garrett Dwire | $21,214 | 160 |
| 9 | Paul Carney | $17,357 | 80 |
Photo credit: MSPT.
