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Las Vegas, Nevada (July 28, 2026) - The 2026 WSOP Circuit stop at Choctaw Casino Resort concluded with Carson Wieland capturing the $1,700 No-Limit Hold'em Main Event title, earning his first WSOP Circuit gold ring and a career-best payday of $268,245. Wieland outlasted a massive field of 1,117 entries, taking home the largest share of the $1,692,255 prize pool.

Held after the 2026 World Series of Poker, the Choctaw festival once again attracted players from across the United States looking to compete for gold rings, six-figure payouts, and a very valuable package to WSOP Paradise 2026. Long regarded as one of the marquee destinations on the WSOP Circuit calendar, Choctaw delivered another outstanding turnout as the Main Event comfortably surpassed its guarantee and produced one of the largest prize pools of the season.

For Wieland, the victory represented a breakthrough moment in his tournament career. Although he had accumulated numerous live tournament cashes over the years, the Main Event triumph marked his first WSOP Circuit gold ring and his largest career score.

The championship came down to a heads-up battle between Wieland and Alexander Ho, with Wieland ultimately prevailing to secure the victory. Ho earned $179,030 for his runner-up finish after an impressive tournament run, while third-place finisher and 2026 WSOP bracelet winner Braxton Dunaway continued to add to an impressive year with a $125,510 score.

In addition to the prestigious WSOP Circuit gold ring and first-place prize money, Wieland also received one of the Circuit's most valuable rewards for the 2026 season. Like every WSOP Circuit ring winner, he earned a $5,000 WSOP Paradise package that includes entry into the 2026 WSOP Circuit Championship as well as complimentary accommodations at the luxurious Baha Mar Resort in the Bahamas. The added bonus gives Circuit champions another opportunity to compete on one of poker's biggest international stages later in the year.

The Choctaw Casino Resort stop once again demonstrated why it remains one of the premier destinations on the WSOP Circuit schedule. Year after year, the series attracts massive fields, generates substantial prize pools, and produces memorable championship moments. The August 2026 Main Event was no exception, delivering another thrilling conclusion as Carson Wieland secured a career-defining victory and etched his name into WSOP Circuit history with his first gold ring.

Choctaw WSOP Circuit Main Event Final Table Results:

1st place: Carson Wieland - $268,245
2nd place: Alexander Ho - $179,030
3rd place: Braxton Dunaway - $125,510
4th place: Lawrence Wayne - $89,400
5th place: Brian Ellebracht - $64,710
6th place: Viet Vo - $47,610
7th place: Robert Hart - $35,620
8th place: Mark Fisher - $27,100
9th place: Christopher Rolhlmeier - $20,980

Photo courtesy of Poker.Org

Congratulations to every Choctaw WSOP Circuit Ring Winner

Congratulations to Carson Wieland on capturing the latest WSOP Circuit Main Event title, as well as every player who earned a coveted WSOP Circuit ring during the Horseshoe Las Vegas stop. Winning a Circuit ring is a significant accomplishment, and in 2026, every champion receives an even greater reward.

All 2026 WSOP Circuit ring winners are awarded an exclusive $5,000 WSOP Paradise package, which includes a seat in the 2026 WSOP Circuit Championship and complimentary accommodations at the luxurious Baha Mar Resort in the Bahamas, the new home of WSOP Paradise. The added prize gives every Circuit champion the opportunity to compete on one of poker's biggest international stages while enjoying a world-class resort experience.

The value of this promotion was showcased at WSOP Paradise 2025, where Mark Darner turned his qualification into a career-defining victory. Darner captured the $2,750 WSOP Circuit Championship No-Limit Hold'em Mystery Bounty, earning his second WSOP gold bracelet along with the tournament's $350,000 first-place prize. His success demonstrates the incredible opportunities available to Circuit champions and highlights the path from winning on the Circuit to competing for major titles on poker's global stage.

Be sure to check out the full list of WSOP Circuit ring winners from the Choctaw WSOP Circuit series:

WSOPC Event #1: $400 No-Limit Hold’em Monster Stack Freezeout - Mark Boatman - $33,790
WSOPC Event #2: $400 No-Limit Hold’em - Bobby Sambangi - $18,685
WSOPC Event #3: $400 No-Limit Hold’em Gargantuan - Jacob Arguello - $88,350
WSOPC Event #4: $300 No-Limit Hold’em Ladies Event - Hope Armendariz - $11,350
WSOPC Event #5: $400 No-Limit Hold’em - Daniel Biddle - $28,450
WSOPC Event #6: $400 Big O - Alison Wedding - $23,440
WSOPC Event #7: $300 No-Limit Hold’em Seniors Event - Derek Rotha - $31,560
WSOPC Event #8: $400 No-Limit Hold’em Double Stack - Emmanuel Ignacio - $28,480
WSOPC Event #9: $400 No-Limit Hold’em 40/40/40 - Brian Swafford - $37,360
WSOPC Event #10: $400 No-Limit Hold’em - Ryan Nickel - $13,490
WSOPC Event #11: $500 No-Limit Hold’em Black Chip Bounty - Stephan Guy - $18,110
WSOPC Event #12: $400 No-Limit Hold’em - Tanner Smith - $14,690
WSOPC Event #13: $1,100 No-Limit Hold’em Mini Main Event - Maurice Hawkins - $76,380
WSOPC Event #14: $1,700 No-Limit Hold’em Main Event - Carson Wieland - $268,245
WSOPC Event #15: $400 No-Limit Hold’em Twilight - Leobardo Zamora - $20,580
WSOPC Event #16: $400 No-Limit Hold’em 40/40/40 - Phillip Teel - $22,340
WSOPC Event #17: $2,000 Double Stack Big O - Timothy Ballejo - $66,450
WSOPC Event #18: $400 No-Limit Hold’em The Finale - William Nguyen - $12,380