MSPT launches a global ranking system: the first Gold Card goes to Jake Long

MSPT has introduced a new global player ranking system. Jake Long became the first recipient of the prestigious Gold Card.

MSPT launches a new global player ranking system; Jake Long wins his first Gold Card MSPT: A New Era of Rankings and Prestigious Awards Since 2009, the tournament series The Major Series of Poker: The Tour (MSPT) , formerly known as the Mid-States Poker Tour, has held a special place in the poker world. Over this time, MSPT has paid out more than $233 million in prize money, established its own Hall of Fame, and launched the GOAT and MSPT Icon rankings. In the poker industry, MSPT is known for having one of the most comprehensive databases of tournaments and player results. Now the MSPT series is reaching a new level by launching its own global ranking system , which evaluates the skill level of MSPT participants. The official launch of the ranking took place on September 29, 2025, and now every player can see how they stack up against competitors from around the world. How the New MSPT Global Ranking System Works The ranking is based on players’ performances in MSPT Main Events over the last 50 tournaments, which roughly corresponds to a two-year period. After each completed Main Event, the ranking is recalculated—the system works continuously. For the last 11 Main Events, players receive full points for their results. For earlier tournaments, the points awarded gradually decrease: for each subsequent Main Event, their value drops by 1/40 of the full amount. Once an event falls to the 51st position in history, the points for it are reset to zero. This way, the ranking always reflects the players’ current form. At the end of 2026, with the exact date to be announced later, the top 64 players in the ranking will receive invitations to an exclusive Heads-Up Freeroll Tournament with a $20,000 prize pool , which will take place at Running Aces Casino in Minnesota in December 2026. In the first round, Rank 1 will play against Rank 64, Rank 2 against Rank 63, and so on, similar to the NCAA March Madness format. Additionally, these top 64 players will be eligible to compete for the title of Icon of the Year 2027 , with the winner receiving a $10,000 Main Event ticket. MSPT President Bryan Mileski noted that the launch of the new ranking system will allow participants from around the world to objectively assess their skills and give them the chance to compete against each other in a unique heads-up freeroll format. MSPT World Ranking as of October 1, 2025 As of October 1, 2025, the updated MSPT ranking has already begun to take shape, and players are actively fighting to break into the top 64 for a chance to participate in the prestigious freeroll and the Icon of the Year race. Jake Long Wins His First Gold Card Currently, the MSPT is taking place at Potawatomi Casino in Milwaukee, where the Wisconsin Poker State Championship 2025 is being held. The Main Event with a $1,110 buy-in and a $1,000,000 guarantee is still ongoing, while side events with various formats and buy-ins are also being played, awarding valuable Gold Cards. One such event was Event #4: $400 Mixed PLO/NLH Monster Stack . This tournament attracted 104 players. The Monster Stack format means players start with a larger stack, and Mixed PLO/NLH means alternating between two popular disciplines: Pot-Limit Omaha and No-Limit Hold’em. This requires participants to be versatile and highly skilled. The tournament ended with a showdown between two of the season’s strongest players, who were second and third in the race for the Player of the Year (POY) title for MSPT Season 16. The heads-up featured Jake Long from Omaha, Nebraska, and his longtime friend, MSPT Hall of Famer Josh Reichard . In a tense duel, Long managed to secure the win, earning the top prize of $10,450 and his first Gold Card. Both finalists earned important points towards the POY leaderboard. Jake Long now has 7,752 points, Josh Reichard has 5,489, and the overall leader is Umut Ozturk with 8,367 points. Final Table Results for Event #4 Event #4: $400 Mixed PLO/NLH Monster Stack drew 104 players, and the prize pool was distributed among the finalists as follows: 1st place: Jake Long — $10,450 2nd place: Josh Reichard Both finalists received not only cash prizes but also valuable POY ranking points, strengthening their positions in the race for the season’s top player title. Context: The Series, the Venue, and the Participants MSPT is one of the most respected poker series in the United States, having earned the respect of both professionals and amateurs over the years. Tournaments are held at various venues across the country, and the current stop at Potawatomi Casino in Milwaukee traditionally attracts the region’s strongest players as well as guests from other states. Jake Long has long been considered one of the main contenders for MSPT titles, while his opponent Josh Reichard is not only a member of the series’ Hall of Fame but also known for his consistent results. Overall leader Umut Ozturk is another prominent figure on the modern poker scene. What This Means for PPPoker Club Players For PPPoker club members, this news is a great example of how modern poker series are implementing innovative ranking systems that reward not only individual successes but also consistent results over time. It highlights the importance of regular play and continuous improvement, as consistent performances are what allow players to reach the top leaderboards and gain access to exclusive tournaments. The new MSPT system shows that even if you don’t win every tournament, your steady cashes and final table appearances can lead to participation in unique events with big prizes and special status. For PPPoker players, this is a reason to think about their own goals: perhaps it’s worth not only aiming for one-off victories but also building a long-term growth strategy in clubs by participating in regular ranking races and series. Moreover, the MSPT experience may inspire PPPoker club organizers to introduce their own ranking and rewards programs, making the game even more exciting and competitive. Stay tuned for updates, take part in club events, and build your poker career step by step—just like the top MSPT players do.