This is the central page for information about the ongoing WSOP Circuit series at Turning Stone. Check back here daily for updated schedule and results.
28 March 2022 (Verona, NY) - For the first time ever, the World Series of Poker Circuit touched down in New York at the Turning Stone Resort Casino. There were 15 gold rings up for grabs, with many poker players looking to immerse themselves back into the live poker scene after being away from it for so long.
The $1,700 Main Event attracted 891 entries across two starting flights and more than doubled the $500,000 guarantee for a prize pool of $1,349,865 paying out 134 spots. The top three players earned six figures for life-changing money and record-breaking career scores.
It was New York’s Joe Rice who took down the first ever Main Event at Turning Stone, earning $238,870 in prize money, a gold WSOP Circuit ring and a seat into the Tournament of Champions. Rice won Event #1 as well, snagging the first and last awarded gold WSOP Circuit rings at Turning Stone. He went deep with some tough players, including the likes of WSOP Main Event Champion Scott Blumstein (35th), five-time WSOP bracelet winner Shaun Deeb (111th), six-time WSOP Circuit winner Soheb Porbandarwala and two-time WSOP Circuit winner Michael Cannon (105th).
Rice is about to have his first baby daughter, due June 29th and it wasn't easy for him to be away from his wife Jessica Rice and two sons, Joseph Rice JR (7 years old) and Jayson Rice (5 years old). "I told them I was coming out here to do this for them. You know, it was tough being away from them throughout the week. They cried because they missed me." Rice drove to his home in Clayton Park multiple times throughout the week, slept with the family and drove back to Verona the next morning. "They really are my heart and soul. I am glad I can make them proud."
Rice concluded, "I told my family by the end of the series the world will know my name, but most importantly they will know my family’s name."
After a long heads-up battle in the Main Event against Giuseppe Galluzzo, where both players changed leads multiple times, Rice eventually had him on the ropes and kept chipping away. In the final hand, Rice held ace high and Galluzzo’s jack high was unable to catch up. The Canadian settled for second place and a consolation prize worth $147,644.
The opening event of the series had a guarantee worth $25,000 but it ballooned over five times to $133,980 with 406 runners. This certainly set the tone for the rest of the series and turnouts did not disappoint. The multi-flight event attracted 2,129 entries and more than tripled the $200,000 guarantee after it hit $702,570.
Players got to compete for a piece of gold jewelry and a shot at a bid to the Tournament of Champions, which will be held during the 53rd annual WSOP in the summer of 2022. The event will feature a $1 million prize pool and coveted gold bracelet up top. New to this season, every official ring winner, both live and online, will be awarded an invitation to the prestigious freeroll. Starting in 2022, all bracelet events will also qualify respective winners.
The New York Circuit stop saw two multi-ring winners, with David Valone winning his third ring in Event #13 and Joe Rice winning two at this stop in Event #1 and the Main Event. The rest of the winners at this Circuit stop all won their first rings, and if this stop was any indication, they will all surely be back should Turning Stone play host to the WSOP Circuit again in the future.
Turning Stone Main Event Final Table Results:
1st place: Joe Rice - $238,870
2nd place: Giuseppe Galluzzo - $147,644
3rd place: Bob Hover - $110,250
4th place: John Amoia - $83,144
5th place: Patrick Bowe - $63,332
6th place: Jared Woodell - $48,729
7th place: Matthew Eng - $37,877
8th place: James Namiot - $29,747
9th place: Timothy O’Donoghue - $23,605
Completed Events
Event #1: $400 No-Limit Hold'em - Joe Rice topped a field of 406 entries to win $27,372.
Results | Official Report | Winner's Photo
Event #2: $400 No-Limit Hold'em - Chad Roederscheimer topped a field of 2,129 entries to win $100,145.
Results | Official Report | Winner's Photo
Event #3: $400 No-Limit Hold'em - Tom Frank topped a field of 496 entries to win $31,629.
Results | Official Report | Winner's Photo
Event #4: $300 Seniors Event I - Patrick White topped a field of 568 entries to win $25,406.
Results | Winner's Photo
Event #5: $600 No-Limit Hold'em Bounty - Vaios Triantafyllou topped a field of 383 entries to win $32,921.
Results | Official Report | Winner's Photo
Event #6: $400 No-Limit Hold'em Six Max -Frank Gentile topped a field of 376 entries to win $26,531.
Results | Official Report | Winner's Photo
Event #7: $600 Pot-Limit Omaha - Gilbert Taveras topped a field of 191 entries to win $23,960.
Results | Official Report | Winner's Photo
Event #8: $400 No-Limit Hold'em 8-Max - Alan Blagman topped a field of 437 entries to win $29,683.
Results | Official Report | Winner's Photo
Event #9: $400 No-Limit Hold'em Monster Stack - Blake Napierala topped a field of 947 entries to win $52,606.
Results | Official Report | Winner's Photo
Event #10: $400 No-Limit Hold'em - Logan Prucnal topped a field of 371 entries to win $25,604.
Results | Official Report | Winner's Photo
Event #11: $1,100 No-Limit Hold'em - Hayden Glassman topped a field of 275 entries to win $62,134
Results | Official Report | Winner's Photo
Event #12: $1,700 MAIN EVENT - Joe Rice topped a field of 891 entries to win $238,870.
Results | Official Report | Winner's Photo
Event #13: $400 No-Limit Hold'em - David Valone topped a field of 322 entries to win $23,024.
Results | Official Report | Winner's Photo
Event #14: $300 Senior's Event II - Leonard Laneuville topped a field of 496 entries to win $23,011
Results | Winner's Photo
Event #15: $400 No-Limit Hold'em - Steven Christopher topped a field of 279 entries to win $31,572
Results | Official Report | Winner's Photo
About the Winners
Event #1: Joe Rice - After almost a two-year hiatus, the World Series of Poker Circuit came back at the end of 2021, and Turning Stone Resort Casino decided to jump in the mix for the very first time. This is also the first time New York is hosting a WSOP stop on the Circuit.
The opening event of this historic moment was won by New York native Joe Rice, earning a cash worth $27,372 and his first gold ring. “Actually winning a ring is a great honor, and it’s exciting,” smiled Rice. “My wife’s home pregnant now with our third child, that’s going to be a baby girl, and I have two boys, 7 and 5, and I told them I was coming out here to win a ring. Multiple rings, actually. It’s fun and I’m happy I got the first one.”
Rice is a business owner back home, and says he only really plays poker as a hobby but has always loved it. “When I was younger, I always wanted to play poker professionally, but I just went into the restaurant business and it led me to my wife so I’m happy I did that.”
This is Rice’s second-largest career cash, and first major win. The newly-crowned champion came to Turning Stone with something to prove and has already done just that on the first day. “I never really got to make a good run at playing poker for a living or anything like that, but this is my one shot to show my wife and my kids how good I actually am at the game, so off to a good start,” explained Rice.
Event #2: Chad Roederscheimer - After a whirlwind couple of days, Chad Roederscheimer is the winner of Event #2: $400 No-Limit Hold’em, the biggest event at Turning Stone thus far. The former poker professional and dealer-turned floor supervisor topped a field of 2,129 entries to win $100,145.
“It feels awesome. It’s my first ring and I’m thrilled to death. I used to play professionally and then I started working in the industry – I’m one of the floors at the World Series of Poker. I still play about half the year.”
Roederscheimer had a supportive rail behind him and throughout the room, clearly a beloved member of the poker industry. “I started as a dealer and then worked my way up. I play all across the country, and I’ve been running pretty good. Hopefully if the series brings me back, I’ll be working there again. I won’t be giving up my job anytime soon,” smiled Roederscheimer.
Event #3: Tom Frank - Tom Frank called his shot back when the Turning Stone World Series of Poker Circuit stop was announced and got the job done in Event #3. The entrepreneur and local cash game player won just the third tournament he has ever played. “Biggest score of my life! I’ve been saying for months I’m going to win a ring.”
Frank is a small stakes cash game player and is a local Turning Stone regular. “The first thing I did every single morning since this thing was announced I told myself ‘You are going to win at least one ring at Turning Stone’” Frank earned himself his first gold ring and pocketed $31,629 while he was at it.
The newly-crowned champion is self-employed and owns a car dealership. Aside from poker, Frank is an avid motorcyclist and owns 18 motorcycles.
Event #5: Vaios Triantafyllou - After two days of play, the chip leader coming into the final table won the whole thing for $32,921 and a pocket full of bounties. Vaios Triantafyllou topped a field of 383 entries in Event #5: $600 No-Limit Hold’em Black Chip Bounty, coming back from a large heads-up deficit.
Day 2 began with just 21 players and the final table came together quite quickly. Triantafyllou came in with the chip lead and defeated Mary Jo Phillips for the gold World Series of Poker Circuit ring, the cash and an invitation into the Tournament of Champions.
This was Triantafyllou’s second WSOP cash and first recorded tournament win.
Event #6: Frank Gentile - After a long day on the felt, an emotional Frank Gentile was victorious in Event #6: $400 No-Limit Hold’em Six Max. With a big rail behind him for hours on the final table, Gentile booked his biggest, and first, tournament win for $26,531 a World Series of Poker Circuit ring and a seat into the Tournament of Champions in July.
“Words can’t describe it,” said a teary-eyed Gentile. “I love this game. It’s funny because I told my father last week that I was going to play this event, and I told him I’m winning a ring.” Gentile did just that, and even dressed up wearing a tie in anticipation for the winner’s photo. “I’ve heard that if you speak something into existence it comes true. And it came true,” smiled Gentile.
The lead poker room supervisor in Nichols, New York talked about coming full circle in this industry. “I love this game so much that I decided to become a dealer and I started working here at Turning Stone, so that’s just another level.”
Event #7: Gilbert Taveras - Just a couple of hours into Day 2, Gilbert Taveras took down Event #7: $600 Pot-Limit Omaha for $23,960 and his first ever pot-limit omaha tournament win.
“Oh my gosh – it means a lot to me. I play hold’em most of the time and I play cash for a living,” explained Taveras. “This was my first PLO tournament. I want to play most tournaments here because it’s close to my house.”
Taveras is no stranger to tournament poker, mostly in no-limit hold’em, and has many trophies to his name in that format. He looks to chase more rings this week at his home casino in New York.
Event #8: Alan Blagman - In just a single day, Alan Blagman is the winner of his first World Series of Poker Circuit ring in Event #8: $400 No-Limit Hold’em 8-Max for $29,683 and a seat into the Tournament of Champions in July.
“It feels amazing,” smiled Blagman. The newly crowned champion has been playing poker for over 25 years and can now enjoy his biggest achievement. This is his biggest cash, first WSOP Circuit ring and first tournament win.
“I fell in love with the game, and when I realized I had an aptitude for it I devoted more time to it. Then I retired and I played a lot more.” Blagman retired from being a zamboni driver for the New York Rangers, and now hopes to make a final table in Las Vegas this coming summer at the World Series.
Event #9: Blake Napierala - The third time’s the charm for poker professional Blake Napierala. He made his third final table in Event #9: $400 No-Limit Hold’em Monster Stack and took it down for $52,606, also earning a seat into the Tournament of Champions for a shot at a gold bracelet. The New York native came in second place in Event #8 just two days ago and took 10th place in Event #1. “It feels like getting the monkey off my back,” smiled Napierala.
This achievement also marks Napierala’s 20th career recorded poker tournament win and brings his overall earnings over $650,000. His plans going forward are to “stay focused and play my best poker, and more to be a family man. I love my wife and my kids, and my Mom.”
Napierala has been around the game for many years and left his career as a registered nurse to purse poker. “When everybody starts playing (poker) they’re not good, and there’s a lot of learning curves. So, the aspect of getting better as you go really intrigued me, and ultimately proving to myself that I could do it.” The newly crowned champion mostly credits his work on his mental game and making the best decisions possible.
Event #10: Logan Prucnal - After about 14 hours of play, Logan Prucnal managed to come out on top in Event #10: $400 No-Limit Hold’em for $25,604, a gold World Series of Poker Circuit ring and a seat into the Tournament of Champions. “It’s insane! Shaun Deeb was at the final table, and he’s a pro and I’m just a recreational, so I really thought I had no chance at winning. I even told my Dad, he said give it your best shot,” smiled Prucnal.
The newly crowned Circuit champion said he always watched poker as a kid, and that his Dad got him into the game as well. “I’ve watched pretty much every YouTube video you could see about poker. It’s my biggest hobby. This is insane.” Prucnal is a radiation protection technician by trade, and plays poker on the side. This is his first ever live cash, and managed to go all the way and win it.
Event #11: Hayden Glassman - After two days of playing against some elite players in Event #11: $1,100 No-Limit Hold’em, Hayden Glassman took his final table chip lead to the end. The poker pro from New York topped a field of 275 entries and won $62,134 along with his first gold World Series of Poker Circuit ring and a seat into the Tournament of Champions. “It feels awesome. It really does. I wasn’t even planning on playing this event,” smiled Glassman.
Glassman final table bubbled the 2016 WSOP Colossus and has been seeking redemption ever since. “I definitely want to win a bracelet. Ever since 2016 I’ve had my eye on it. Tenth place out of 22,000 – that’s still on my mind.”
The newly crowned champion began playing poker for a living in 2013. “I studied abroad just trying to play and I had a lucky tournament score and just didn’t look back from there. I’ve been playing professionally ever since.”
Glassman explained that he didn’t enjoy school, so poker was a way out. “When I found poker it was such an obsession. It was like chess, and I played chess when I was younger and I wasn’t good enough to play professional tournaments. So poker just grabbed a hold of me and I guess I was just lucky I was the type of person to handle the swings that come with it.”
Event #13: David Valone - David Valone was all smiles after topping a field of 322 runners to win his third World
Series of Poker Circuit ring and earn his biggest career cash in Event #13: $400 No-Limit
Hold’em. Valone won his first two Circuit rings in Seniors events, and his wife has a Seniors
ring of her own as well.
Valone survived stage 4 cancer and decided to focus more on poker to do what he loves. “I
went on a little streak when I was going through chemo, so I took that money and I rolled
it.” He is also a college professor and teaches a poker course. “I can’t wait to tell my
students about this!” smiled Valone. The three-time champion now hopes to take the show
on the road and take his shot at a WSOP gold bracelet. For now he’s going to enjoy his big
win.
Event #15: Steven Christopher - After two days of play, Steven Christopher has taken down the final World Series of Poker Circuit event at the first ever stop at Turning Stone in New York. The trader and cash game pro topped a field of 279 entries to win $32,572 and earn his biggest score.
“It feels great. I was waiting for a seat to play cash and it took a long time and so I got bored. Someone said there’s a tournament running upstairs so I hopped in,” explained Christopher.
The newly crowned champion mostly plays small tournaments and cash games so this was his first shot in a bigger buy-in event. He won the whole thing to book his first live tournament win as well. Christopher also earned himself an invitation to the Tournament of Champions later this year.