Kirby Rogers Wins MSPT Indiana Poker State Championship for $111,344
Kirby Rogers turned one of the shortest stacks entering Day 2 into the biggest tournament score of his career Sunday night, winning the 2026 MSPT Indiana Poker State Championship at Ameristar East Chicago for $111,344.
The victory gave Rogers his first MSPT Main Event title after years of deep runs on the tour. The $1,110 Season 17 Main Event attracted 544 entries across three starting flights, surpassing its $300,000 guarantee and creating a $526,180 prize pool.
The championship concluded Aug. 30 after a six-day festival at Ameristar East Chicago. Readers looking for more information about the series can visit the 2026 MSPT Indiana Poker State Championship Tournament Guide. Players planning a visit to the property can also find additional information in the Ameristar East Chicago Poker Room Guide.
Rogers Starts Day 2 Near the Bottom
Only 61 players advanced from the three opening flights, with everyone returning Sunday already in the money. Rogers began Day 2 with 75,000 chips, placing him 56th among the 61 remaining players.
David Orlando entered the day among the players Rogers would eventually have to overcome as the tournament worked its way toward the final table, while Rogers faced the immediate challenge of rebuilding one of the shortest stacks in the room.
Instead of protecting a large starting stack, Rogers had little margin for error. He survived the early stages, accumulated chips and gradually worked his way into contention as the field narrowed.
By the time the final table was reached, the player who had started Day 2 near the bottom of the counts had positioned himself to make a run at the championship.
An Experienced Final Table Stands in Rogers' Way
Rogers still had plenty of work ahead of him.
The final table included Dustin Bowling, David Orlando, Tom Koral and two-time WSOP bracelet winner Scott Bohlman.
Rogers continued building momentum as the table shortened. He eliminated Bohlman in sixth place before later scoring consecutive knockouts of Koral and Orlando.
Those eliminations left Rogers with a slight chip advantage entering heads-up play against Bowling.
Rogers Defeats Bowling Heads-Up
Rogers and Bowling began heads-up play with nearly even stacks, putting the MSPT title firmly up for grabs.
According to MSPT's live reporting, the final two players discussed a potential ICM deal, but Rogers elected to continue playing for the outright championship.
The decision paid off.
Rogers gradually gained control of the match before defeating Bowling to secure the title and the $111,344 first-place prize.
Bowling earned $68,392 for his runner-up finish, while Orlando collected $49,840 for third place.
The victory completed a remarkable Day 2 climb for Rogers. He had entered the final day 56th out of 61 remaining players before finishing the tournament with every chip in play.
First MSPT Main Event Title for Rogers
The Indiana victory represented a significant career breakthrough for Rogers.
MSPT reported that Rogers had accumulated numerous deep finishes on the tour, including several top-20 and top-10 results and multiple runner-up finishes, before finally securing his first championship.
"It feels really good," Rogers said following the victory.
The $111,344 payday also represented the largest tournament score of his career.
His breakthrough came only a few months after another strong MSPT performance. Rogers reached the final table of the MSPT Michigan Poker State Championship at FireKeepers Casino earlier in 2026, finishing seventh for $59,245.
The Indiana State Championship gave him an opportunity to improve on that performance, and this time he converted the deep run into a title.
Rogers Earns MSPT Championship Seat
The victory came with more than the six-figure payout.
Rogers also received a $3,500 seat into the MSPT Championship at the Rock 'N' Roll Poker Open at Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood, Florida.
The championship opportunity gives Rogers another major MSPT event to target later in the 2026 season following his breakthrough victory in Indiana.
The MSPT schedule also moves quickly to its next stop at Ameristar St. Charles. Players interested in following the tour can review the 2026 MSPT Ameristar Poker Open Tournament Guide.
For Rogers, however, the Indiana stop will stand out as the tournament where years of close calls finally turned into an MSPT Main Event championship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2026 MSPT Indiana Poker State Championship?
Kirby Rogers won the 2026 MSPT Indiana Poker State Championship at Ameristar East Chicago.
How much did Kirby Rogers win?
Rogers earned $111,344 for first place.
How many entries were in the MSPT Indiana Main Event?
The $1,110 Main Event attracted 544 entries and generated a $526,180 prize pool.
Was this Kirby Rogers' first MSPT title?
Yes. The victory marked Rogers' first MSPT Main Event championship.
Who finished second?
Dustin Bowling finished runner-up and earned $68,392.
Who finished third?
David Orlando finished third for $49,840.
Sources
Mid-States Poker Tour official live reporting and tournament results.
Mid-States Poker Tour 2026 Indiana Poker State Championship coverage.
Mid-States Poker Tour 2026 Michigan Poker State Championship results.
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