Burleson wins 2018 MSPT South Dakota State Poker Championship

Since its inception in 2011, the South Dakota State Poker Championship has been a standalone event at Deadwood’s Silverado Franklin Historic Hotel and Gaming Complex. In seven years, the fields fluctuated from 82 to 136 entries, but in 2018 the field jumped to 286 runners (132 entries on Day 1A, 154 on 1B) thanks in part to partnering with the Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT) for the first time.


It marked the first time in nearly a decade since a major poker tour has hosted an event in Deadwood, and it wound up setting the major tournament ($1K+ buy-in) record for both attendance and prize pool in state history by surpassing the 2009 HPT Lucky Nugget Gambling Hall (176 entries/$250,230 prize pool).

After a full weekend of play, local car salesman Rick Burleson walked away defeated Minnesota’s Aaron Johnson in heads-up play to win $63,462 and keep the title on home turf. It marked Burleson’s first-ever documented tournament cash.

“I feel amazing, it’s life-changing,” said the 29-year-old Burleson, who was staked in the tournament by a friend. “It’s the biggest tournament in South Dakota state history, so it’s awesome. You just have to be patient in these big tournaments.”

Burleson revealed that he had to work first thing in the morning but was going to take some time to soak in the win.