The World Series of Poker Circuit just wrapped up its first-ever stop at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
By all accounts the WSOP Circuit Tulsa was a rousing success, and this past weekend it culminated with $1,675 Main Event, which attracted 574 entries and was won by 25-year-old poker pro Will Berry for $180,806 and a seat into the 2017 WSOP Global Casino Championship.
Will Berry Finally Gets Breakout Win
Berry is no stranger to WSOP Circuit final tables in Oklahoma, in fact this was his third consecutive appearance at one. Back in January, he finished ninth in the WSOP Circuit Choctaw Durant for $37,240, and the year before that he finished fourth in the same event for $136,812.
“I’m a little relieved,” Berry told WSOP officials after his win. “I’ve played a lot of these tournaments and never managed to finish better than fourth place. So to finally win one feels great.”
To win the WSOP Circuit Tulsa Main Event, Berry had to beat four-time ring winner Daniel Lowery in heads-up play. In what would be the final hand of the tournament, the blinds were 50,000/100,000/10,000 when Lowery opened with a raise and Berry moved all in.
Lowery called off for 2.32 million holding the A♠9♠ only to discover he was way behind the A♦J♥ of Berry. The board ran out Q♦10♥4♦7♥J♠ and Lowery had to settle for runner-up and a $111,835 consolation prize.
“[Lowery] was the toughest player at the table, and for a lot of the tournament we played together quite a bit,” Berry said of his opponent. “And I was just as careful as I could be to stay out of his way, and let the other players bust to him. I got a lucky table draw having Dan on my right.”
Final Table Results
1 Will Berry (Norman, OK) $180,806
2 Daniel Lowery (Peter Pender, AR) $111,835
3 Jose Anaya (San Antonio, TX) $81,778
4 Tony Lay (Moore, OK) $60,683
5 Collin Grubaugh (Orlando, FL) $45,659
6 David Brown (Edmond, OK) $34,827
7 Garry Simms (Shelbyville, KY) $26,932
8 Hank Sitton (Greenville, SC) $21,112
9 Phuong Phan (Carrollton, TX) $16,772
10 Kat Bowen (Gladewater, TX) $13,500
Others to cash in the Main Event included Sal DiCarlo (16th for $9,084), Ari Engel (33rd for $4,202), and Maurice Hawkins (39th for $3,358), who has been one of the hottest players on the WSOP Circuit in recent years.
Other WSOP Circuit Tulsa Winners
The Main Event wasn’t the only tournament held at the WSOP Circuit Tulsa. Like most stops, a dozen gold ring events were held, and there were some notable winners.
For instance, Josh Evans topped a field of 283 entrants to win Event #3: $365 No-Limit Hold’em for $20,374 and his third circuit ring. It also ended a bit of a dry spell for Evans, who had cashed 25 times without a win dating back to September 2013.
In Event #8: $580 No-Limit Hold’em, Sal DiCarlo came out on top of a 236-entry field to win $29,502 and his second gold ring. Also going deep in that event was Evans, who finished in fourth place and extended his lead in the WSOP Circuit Tulsa Casino championship race. The winner of that title would also lock up a seat into the 2017 Global Casino Championship, which will be held at Harrah’s Cherokee in August.
Another player to capture his third gold ring was Chris Staats, who bested a field of 216 entrants to win Event #11: $265 No-Limit Hold’em for $16,201.
Here’s a look at all those who captured rings at the WSOP Circuit Tulsa stop:
Event #1: $365 NLH Monster Stack (544 entries) – Jerry Rushing wins for $34,280
Event #2: $365 NLH Multi-Flight (1,484 entries) – Will Joyner wins for $90,112
Event #3: $365NLH (283 entries) – Joshua Evans wins for $20,374
Event #4: $365 NLH Freezeout (187 players) – William “Jeter” Brock wins for $14,586
Event #5: $365 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better (145 entries) – Matt Lansdon wins for $12,181
Event #6: $365 NLH (248 entries) – Mike Klatt wins for $18,229
Event #7: $365 NLH Six-Handed (314 entries) – Kevin Rund wins for $23,550
Event #8: $580 NLH (236 entries) – Salvatore DiCarlo wins for $29,502
Event #9: $1,675 Main Event (574 entries) – Will Berry wins for $180,806
Event #10: $365 PLO (188 entries) – Mike Cordell wins for $14,661
Event #11: $365 NLH (216 entries) – Christopher Staats wins for $16,201
Event #12: $2,200 High Roller (102 entries) – Michael Hahn wins for $61,198
The WSOP Circuit now heads to Horseshoe Council Bluffs from March 30 through April 10.
