Randy Paguio takes down $1,700 Main Event to earn his second circuit ring and $193,764
31 January 2022 (Tunica, MS) - Randy Paguio is the latest Main Event champion of the 2021/2022 World Series of Poker Circuit season.
After Paguio won a seat into the Main Event from a $250 satellite, he topped a massive field of 674 entries to walk away with the Horseshoe Tunica $1,700 Main Event title, a $193,762 top prize, and a seat into the 2022 Tournament of Champions.
Paguio came into the final day as the chip leader and went on a heater at the final table, eliminating six of his nine opponents to secure his second WSOP Circuit ring.
The final table dominance secured Paguio’s second gold ring, which was a very special moment for him, and he had a very special dedication to make after his win.
“After my mother Rubenita “Ruby” Paguio passed, I won my first ring and that was for her. I want to dedicate this one to my grandmother Nenita Cuevas who just recently passed.”
Final Table Results
1st Place - Randu Paguio - $193,762
2nd Place - Kenneth Mason - $119,755
3rd Place - Brandon Butler - $88,163
4th Place - Sean Maurer - $65,658
5th Place - Adam Ross - $49,472
6th Place - Donovan Dean - $37,719
7th Place - Michael Esquivel - $29,104
8th Place - John Gallaher - $22,730
9th Place - BJ McBrayer - $17,970
10th Place - Tim Burt - $14,385
Day 3 Action
The final day of the Main Event saw 10 players return from Day 2, with each guaranteed at least a $14,385 payday.
The action kicked right into gear off the bat with an early bust out after three-time ring winner Tim Burt got his short stack in the middle with ace-nine off suit from the small blind and was called by Adam Ross who held a dominating ace-ten from the big blind. Ross was unable to pull ahead and was the first player to exit on the final day.
Shortly after, ring winner BJ McBrayer found himself in a race against Ross holding ace-queen against pocket jacks. McBrayer was unable to take the lead and became the second elimination of the day.
Ross would continue with his elimination spree after his queen-jack was able to straighten out John Gallaher's ace-queen on the turn.
Ross' heater cooled down after Gallaher's elimination but the start of day chip leader eventual champ, Paguio started a spree of his own.
First up was Michael Esquivel who got his short stack in good with a made hand of eights, only to have Paguio call holding a better made hand with pocket tens. Esquivel was unable to connect with a set and he made his exit in seventh place.
Next on the chopping block was Donovan Dean, who raised all in after the flop with a spade flush draw holding jack-ten suited and Paguio called after pairing his three. Dean was unable to connect with the turn or river and departed in sixth place.
Ross was the next person to fall victim to Paguio after he jammed a seven-high flop with a pair of eights only to find out Paguio was holding pocket rockets. Ross couldn’t find a third snowman and was eliminated in fifth place for $49,472.
At this point, Paguio held over 60% of the chips in play and added some more after his pocket sevens set up Sean Maurer in fourth place for $65,658.
Pagiuo's hot streak never fizzled, as he continued to stack chips eliminating Brandon Butler in third place ($88,163) and took over 90% of the chips in play to the heads-up match against Kenneth Mason.
Mason proved to be a formidable contender, as he won five coinflips to make a push at a Main Event title of his own.
“Every time I grinded him down, he’d win a flip, and this happened like five maybe six times,” stated Paguio.
Even after the loses, Paguio was able to keep his composure, and he kept chipping away at Mason until he flopped two-pair with ace-five to end Mason’s tournament in second place for $119,755.
“I definitely want to thank Cody. Without him I wouldn’t be here playing. I would also like to thank my dad and brother. They’re always supporting me, and I wish they could’ve been here for this.”