Ring Event #4: $365 No-Limit Hold'em (One-Day)

Event #4
No-Limit Hold'em (One-Day)
Buy-In: $300 (+$65)
Total Entries: 118
Prize Pool: $35,400

Tommy Hoard heads home with a gold ring and over $10,000.

Council Bluffs, Iowa (April 4, 2016) -- Tommy Hoard has defeated a field of 118 players in the first of two Horseshoe Council Bluffs One-Day events to win his first career gold ring. The one-day event featured a structure with 20 minute levels and finished in just over 11 hours. Hoard defeated a tough final table that included gold ring winners, Woody Moore and Daniel Lowery.

Hoard learned to play poker as a child. He would play with nickels, dimes and quarters in the kitchen. He didn't think that he was any good until he was stationed in Korea; Hoard is a pilot for the U.S. Air Force. He played in Korea for nickels, dimes and quarters.

"I did a 15 month assignment and when I left I had about $300 in nickels, dimes and quarters. I thought this might be something for me and I started playing online," said Hoard.

From there Hoard improved his game and started playing a little bit of live poker after being stationed in Las Vegas. This was the first time Hoard has ever cashed in a Circuit event, but he had plenty of previous WSOP experience from living in Vegas. Since 2009 Hoard has cashed in five events at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. His biggest score came in 2014 when he finished 22nd in the Little One for One Drop. Hoard now lives in Rapid City, South Dakota and work keeps him close to home.

Hoard is set to retire from the Air Force next year around this time. He will have put in 25 years of service by the time he retires.

Prior to this event it had been a disappointing series for Hoard. He fired four bullets into the re-entry and came away without a cash. He also was down $500 playing cash. He considered cutting his losses and going home early, but decided to give it one last go in the one-day event. His decision to stay was good one because his victory was worth $10,617 and a WSOP Circuit gold ring.

Hoard's series is now over as he returns back to work.

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Event #4 was the fourth of 12 gold ring events on the WSOP Circuit schedule at the Horseshoe Council Bluffs series, but third to finish. The $365 No-Limit Hold'em (One-Day) tournament attracted 118 players generating a $35,400 prize pool. The top 12 players were paid.

This was a one-day event. The tournament began Sunday at noon and concluded at about 11:30 p.m. that night.

Final table results:

1st: Tommy Hoard - $10,617 + Circuit gold ring
2nd: Jared Mohnen - $6,564
3rd: Woody Moore - $4,674
4th: Kevin Rock - $3,395
5th: Rodney Spriggs - $2,515
6th: Ryan Phan - $1,899
7th: David Sutton - $1,460
8th: Daniel Lowery - $1,144
9th: Jason Joerling - $912

Complete results can be found above under the "Results" tab.

Rodney Spriggs (pictured) was eliminated in 5th place for $2,515. This marked his sixth career WSOP Circuit cash and third final table.

David Sutton (pictured) was eliminated in 7th place. His final table finish earned him $1,460.

Jason Joerling (pictured) was the first player eliminated from the final table. His 9th place finish earned him $912.

The one-day no-limit hold'em event drew 118 entries to create a $34,500 prizepool. The winner will take home $10,617, a WSOP Circuit gold ring and 50 Casino Championship points. The top 12 spots will be paid with the 12th place finisher cashing for $740.

Here is a look at payouts:

Event #4 is a one-day event.

12 p.m. - Event #4 - $365 No-Limit Hold'em (One-Day)

• Registration remains open until the start of Level 9 (2:50 p.m.)
  
• Players start with 10,000 tournament chips
• Blinds begin at 25/50
• All levels are 20 minutes long
  
• Re-entry is not allowed
  
• This is a one day event
  
• There is a one hour dinner break after Level 18