From poker journalist to champion: Mo Nuwwarah won a record tournament and took home $205,499 – CodigoPoker

There are stories that seem written for poker, like that of Mo Nuwwarah

The American was crowned champion of the Illinois Poker State Championship, the first Main Event of the Major Series of Poker (MSPT) held in Illinois

The prize for Nuwwarah was US$205,499, the biggest cash of his career, in addition to his second MSPT title. The first had come in 2024, when he won the Main Event at Bally’s Black Hawk for US$155,189. That same year, he also won a WSOP Online bracelet by taking a US$1,000 Pot-Limit Omaha tournament for US$135,172. With the Illinois victory, his live tournament earnings have now surpassed US$1.2 million.

The story of Mo Nuwwarah, on and off the tables

Nuwwarah has been linked to poker journalism for over a decade. He worked for years covering the circuit’s activity and recently returned to specialized media after a period also dedicated to sports betting coverage. He currently is part of CardPlayer and is editor-in-chief of PokerScout.

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“It has been quite a changing year, but also good so far. A little more good than bad,” Mohammed said after the victory. And he acknowledged that he had lost some heads-up decisions in previous tournaments, so this win had a special flavor.

The path to the title was not easy: 198 players returned on the last day already in the money, and several important names went far. Nuwwarah started the final table second in chips and ended up winning in a five-player deal.

Thus, the journalist who for years told the stories of others ended up starring in one of the best of the weekend: from writing about poker to winning a record tournament and achieving the most important prize of his career.

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