2011 WSOP Photo Blog | Official World Series of Poker Online

ABRAHAM ARAYA WINS WSOP CIRCUIT MAIN EVENT AT CHOCTAW

Abraham Araya came to the United States from East Africa to escape the war and pursue the American dream when he was in his twenties. Now 44, he has a beautiful wife, three children and a fresh six-figure score in his pocket. Needless to say, that dream may have come true.

THE DUTIES OF A CHAMPION

It's WSOP tradition to take a "winner's shot" of each champion to commemorate and remember their special performance. Huy Nguyen is seen here mid-winner's shot after his Event #10 victory at Choctaw.

YOU'LL DROWN IN THAT RIVER!

On Day 2 of the WSOP Circuit Main Event at Choctaw, three-time ring winner Kyle Cartwright moved in with a set. His opponent called, tabling a flopped straight and Cartwright was taken back. "You've got queen ten?! Wow..." he said. Then BAM! The board paired on the river and Cartwright made a winning full house sending his opponent packing shy of the money bubble. Unfortunately, Cartwright joined his opponent on the rail a bit later, also short of the money bubble.

TO THE VICTOR GOES THE SPOILS

Each Circuit victor receives a gold ring for their championship performance. Seen here is Raja Kattamuri's second ring of the 2011/2012 Circuit at Choctaw shortly after being set up for the winner's shot.

WHY ME, BABY?!

Scotty Nguyen is among the numerous poker pros in Day 1A of the $1,600 Main Event at Choctaw. He's being his typical, vocal, cheerful, friendly self and having some fun with the table. He's seen here shortly after losing a show down in a small pot. Good luck, Scotty!

ALL RAJA, ALL THE TIME

Through nine events at Choctaw Casino Resort, Raja Kattamuri has recorded two wins, a runner-up finish and a fifth place finish. In short, he's final tabled almost half of the events and won more than 20 percent of them. His great performance will not go unnoticed, as he has all but assured himself a seat in the $1,000,000 Circuit National Championship.

WSOP Circuit at Caesars Palace Underway!

For the seventh-consecutive season, the WSOP Circuit made a visit to legendary Caesars Palace. The first of 12 gold ring events attracted 482 players. An even bigger turnout appeared for the second event, which has also begun. Action at Caesars continues through January 30th.

GOTTA LOVE THE FANS, BABY!

Scotty Nguyen, Todd Brunson, Dennis Phillips, T.J. Cloutier, Chad Brown and Tom McEvoy made an appearance at the Choctaw Casino Resort Circuit events to give a nod to the fans. The 2-hour autograph session was followed by a meet and greet in the poker room. Fans of all ages showed up in groves for their chance to share a conversation with a few of poker's greats.

BUDDY LOCKWOOD WINS EVENT 6 AT CHOCTAW

Buddy Lockwood wasn't in the business of making friends at the Event 6 final table. He was merciless in overcoming a massive heads-up chip deficit against recent champion, Raja Kattamuri. “A few years ago I won a World Poker Open bracelet, and I wanted to prove to myself it wasn’t just a flash-in-the-pan happening,” Lockwood said. “Now at least it’s a two-time flash in the pan.”

MY BUDDY AND ME

“I knew I could win when I couldn’t get through stacking my chips before the next hand started,” Harold "Buddy" Lockwood, Choctaw Event 6 champion, said. “I never looked up. I was always just stacking chips, taking a quick peak at my hand and then playing. After a while it dawned on me that’s all I was doing. I couldn’t even take time to count them.”