The record-shattering World Series of Poker Circuit Main Event in Chicago has finally ended. After playing three consecutive 12-plus hour days, only one player remained seated at the final table, who ultimately became the official title holder of Chicago's "2010 World Series of Poker Circuit Main Event Championship."
The new champion is Kurt Jewell, a professional poker player from Frankfort, KY. He collected $242,909 in prize money. Jewell also received his first-ever WSOP Circuit Gold Ring. Jewell won pre-paid seats into the $10,000 buy-in Regional Championship as well as an automatic bid to the $1 million freeroll National Championship, which will take place next May in Las Vegas.
Jewell is a 25-year-old graduate of Eastern Kentucky University. He holds a degree in sports management. Jewell hopes to work in sports at some point when the "right opportunity comes along," he says. But until then, Jewell is content with grinding out a living by playing poker.
Jewell's previous poker accomplishments include six WSOP Circuit cashes, including runner up at Horseshoe Council Bluffs in July and a third-place finish earlier this month at Southern Indiana. He is now among the leaders in points accumulated on this year's WSOP Circuit, which now includes the first three stops of the season.
Jewell put on a masterful performance. Focused and determined throughout, he was the chip leader from the middle of Day Two until the late stages of the tournament. He lost the lead temporarily when a few of the shorter stacks managed to double up. But he was able to regain his advantage and eventually won his first major poker title.
The runner up was Jared Kenworthy, from Independence, MO. He was an assistant golf pro before turning to poker as a profession. He collected the handsome sum of $150,104 for second place.
The $1,500 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em Championship began three days ago at the Horseshoe Casino with the largest tournament field in WSOP Circuit history. A whopping 872 players entered the three-day competition, which more than doubled the previous record set two years ago. Given the huge field, it was expected the tournament will extend into the late hours. The final hand was dealt at 4 am on Monday morning, 14 hours after the day began.