JASON HILL BESTS 1,106 IN CINCINNATI
Cincinnati, OH (September 24, 2013) — The 2013/2014 WSOP Circuit at Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati began last Thursday, but didn’t truly kick off until the first of three starting flights in the $365 re-entry event got underway Friday. The series’ premiere tournament drew 1,106 entries over the course of opening weekend, setting the attendance bar for all future poker series in Ohio.

It took five days, but when the dust settled, 36-year-old Ohio resident Jason Hill was in the winner’s circle. Hill earned $60,554, his first WSOP Circuit gold ring and a place in the poker record books for his hard work.

“It feels pretty spectacular to be a part of history,” Hill said. “This is my first WSOP win and this is the most money I’ve won.”

In addition to serving as Ohio’s first-ever tournament series, the WSOP Circuit at Horseshoe Cincinnati serves as a way to showcase the six-month-old property to many of the Midwest’s best poker players. Doors opened for the 12-day series five days ago and players have been raving about the facility ever since.

“It’s one of the nicest stops I’ve been to. The property is beautiful and I like everything about it so far,” said gold ring winner and Las Vegas resident Rex Clinkscales.

Circuit regular and two-time WSOP Circuit gold ring winner Aaron Massey made the short trip from his hometown of Chicago and shared Clinkscales’ sentiment.

“I think the property itself is one of the nicest casinos in the Midwest if not in the country,” Massey said.

While Hill’s opinion may be biased, he further echoed those feelings following his $60,000 score Tuesday.

“In relation to other properties in the area, I like this one. I thought [the tournament] was ran very well. It kind of reminds of the [WSOP] at the Rio,” Hill said.

The state of Ohio can hold its head high knowing one of its own was in the winner’s circle following almost 50 hours of play in the opening weekend’s event. Hill resides in Burton, about 300 miles northeast of Horseshoe Casino just outside of Cleveland. He works as a farrier – a blacksmith who shoes sport horses.

When asked where poker fits into his life, Hill gave some interesting insight into just how much this game means to him.

“Into every little nook and cranny I can fit it into,” he said with a laugh.

Event 2 was the second of 12 gold ring events on the WSOP Circuit schedule at Horseshoe Casino. The $365 No-Limit Hold’em Re-Entry event attracted 1,106 entries. The total prize pool came to $331,800 and the top 117 players were paid.

Final table results:

1st: Jason Hill - $60,554
2nd: Timothy Bishop - $37,400
3rd: Patricia Luisi - $27,792
4th: Aaron Garrison - $20,903
5th: Andrew Needles - $15,916
6th: John Shepherd - $12,263
7th: Sean Stevens - $9,559
8th: Joseph Rotonda - $7,535
9th: Bradley Rhodes - $6,006

Full results available on WSOP.com.
 
Follow all the action from the Horseshoe Cincinnati tournament floor on the WSOP Circuit Blog.