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HORSESHOE TUNICA CIRCUIT - JAN 2020
This is the central page for information about the ongoing WSOP Circuit series at Horseshoe Tunica. Check back here (https://wsop.com/n/9gt) daily for updated schedule and results.
27 January 2020 (Tunica) - The first of two World Series of Poker Circuit stops at Horseshoe Tunica for the 2019/2020 season came to an end on Monday evening after twelve days of poker action. All in all, a total of 4,613 entry slips were sold for the 13 official WSOP ring events combined, creating a total prize pool of $2,108,765.
Christopher Nunnally, a 43-year old maintenance man, claimed the title of the first event of the series. He topped a field of 339 entries in Event #1: $400 No-Limit Hold’em Double Stack, scoring his first Circuit ring and $23,984, his biggest cash to date.
The next three titles were claimed by repeat winners, including some of the most recognized Circuit champions.
First, Blake Whittington took down Event #2: $400 No-Limit Hold’em (1 Day), adding a sixth Circuit ring to his collection and $19,786 to his WSOP earnings. The 28-year old poker professional had clenched two of his Circuit rings at the previous Horseshoe Tunica Circuit stop of the 2018/2019 season in May and found success again this series.
Next up was Michael Lech. Just a couple of months after winning his seventh Circuit ring in his fifth different country at the WSOP Circuit stop in Monterrey, Mexico, Lech managed to shine again, claiming another Circuit title. He took down the first multi-flight Event of the series, Event #3: $400 No-Limit Hold’em (3 Flights) after navigating through a field of 1,005 players, collecting his eighth Circuit ring and earning the top prize of $53,320. The 29-year old now has over $960,000 in WSOP cashes.
Just a few hours after Lech’s victory, Aaron Gamino, an economics professor, also added a second gold ring to his collection after defeating 207 competitors in Event #4: $400 No-Limit Hold’em (1 Day) for $16,194. Gamino’s success didn’t stop here and a few days later, he appeared at the final table of Event #11, then at the final table of Event #13, falling a few spots short each time from clenching his third ring.
Other players who stepped into the WSOP Circuit spotlight for the first time this stop include Bryan Salerno, Grant Hart, and Walker Miskelly.
Bryan Salerno was the winner of Event #5: $400 No-Limit Hold’em Six-Handed. During the previous 2018/2019 Circuit season, Salerno had to settle for the runner-up title of the Six-Handed event at Horseshoe Tunica. However, he was able to get the job done this series and he walked away with the winner title of this event, collecting his first gold ring, and $18,438.
Grant Hart also grabbed his first ring at this stop. Hart retired from profession rodeo in 2015 and decided to transition to a professional poker career. He worked mostly on his Pot-Limit Omaha game and his efforts were paid off when he conquered the title of Event #6: $400 Pot-Limit Omaha, taking home his first trophy ring and $11,209.
Concerning Walker Miskelly, he was the winner of the WSOP signature event, Event #8: $400 No-Limit Hold’em Monster Stack. This event attracted 738 competitors, and after two days of play, Miskelly was the last man standing. The 27-year old poker professional earned his first trophy ring and $43,209, the first five-figure score of his WSOP resume. He also made two other deep runs at this stop, including a 10th place finish in the Main Event, and an 8th place finish in Event #11.
As for the $1,700 Main Event, the two starting days attracted a total of 491 players, creating a prize pool of $743,865. After two days of play, the field was whittled down to just six competitors involving some of the toughest on the Circuit.
Defending champion Kyle Cartwright, Matthew Higgins, as well as Scott Stewart and Bryan Piccioli who had both made the final table of the Circuit Main Event at Thunder Valley the previous weekend, had all secured seats into the final six. Day 1A Chip Leader Lytle Allen, and James Todd Osborne who was at his third final table of the stop, were also still in contention. The final day was fast-paced and action-packed and after a couple of hours of play, it is Allen who emerged victorious collecting his first Circuit ring, and $144,313. He also earned a free seat into the 2020 Global Casino Championship with his victory.
Regarding the second seat, Christopher Nunnally was in the top spot of the Casino Champion race during the first week with his win in Event #1 and with his 11th place finish in Event #4. However, he couldn’t stay there longer as multiple players started catching up to him and eventually it is Aaron Gamino who won the Casino Champion title with four cashes including three final tables and one victory, worth 107.5 points.
Additionally, all players who cash in ring events earn points that apply toward the season-long race to claim one of the limited at-large bids. More information on the points system is available on WSOP.com.
That wraps it up for the first Circuit stop in Tunica for the 2019-2020 season. There will be a second stop at Horseshoe Tunica starting April 23rd until May 4th.
Completed Events
Event#1: $400 No-Limit Hold'em Double Stack (1 Day) - Christopher Nunnally outlasted 339 players to claim his first Circuit ring and $23,984.
Official Report | Winner Photo | Results
Event #2: $400 No-Limit Hold'em (1 Day) - Blake Whittington defeated 271 competitors to win his sixth Circuit ring and $19,786.
Official Report | Winner Photo | Results
Event #3: $400 No-Limit Hold'em (3 Flights) - Michael Lech won his eighth Circuit ring after navigating through a field of 1,005 entrants.
Official Report | Winner Photo | Results
Event #4: $400 No-Limit Hold'em (1 Day) - Aaron Gamino earned his second gold ring after coming out on top of a 207 player field.
Official Report | Winner Photo | Results
Event #5: $400 No-Limit Hold'em 6-Handed (1 Day) - Bryan Salerno claimed his first Circuit ring and $18,438 after outlasting 238 entrants.
Official Report | Winner Photo | Results
Event #6: $400 Pot-Limit Omaha - Grant Hart captured his first Circuit title and $11,209 after topping a field of 124 players.
Official Report | Winner Photo | Results
Event #7: $400 No-Limit Hold'em Monster Stack - Walker Miskelly navigated through a field of 738 players to win his first trophy ring and $43,209.
Official Report | Winner Photo | Results
Event #8: $600 No-Limit Hold'em - Sam Washburn topped a field of 238 competitors to capture his second gold ring and $28,101.
Official Report | Winner Photo | Results
Event #9: $250 No-Limit Hold'em (1 Day) - Neil Patel secured his second Circuit ring after battling though a field of 303 entrants.
Official Report | Winner Photo | Results
Event #10: $1,700 Main Event - Lytle Allen battled through a field of 491 players to win the Horseshoe Tunica Main Event title, $144,313, and his first Circuit ring.
Official Report | Winner Photo | Results
Event #11: $400 No-Limit Hold'em (1 Day) - Brandon Smith claimed his first Circuit ring in his first Circuit cash after defeating 219 players.
Official Report | Winner Photo | Results
Event #12: $400 No-Limit Hold'em (1 Day) - Kenneth Norman won his first Circuit title after navigating through a field of 184 entrants.
Official Report | Winner Photo | Results
Event #13: $400 No-Limit Hold'em Double Stack (1 Day) - Bracelet winner Brian Green captured his second Circuit ring after outlasting 256 players.
Official Report | Winner Photo | Results
Casino Champion Update
Aaron Gamino claims the Casino Champion title with four cashes including three final tables and one victory, worth 107.5 points.
About the Winners
Event #1 - Christopher Nunnally
Christopher Nunnally just claimed his first Circuit ring after taking down the first event of the Horseshoe Tunica Circuit series, Event #1: $400 No-Limit Hold’em Double Stack (1 Day). Nunnally outlasted a field of 339 players to make it to the finish line. He earned $23,984, his first five-figure score, for his victory.
Although Nunnally only plays poker as a hobby, he often attends the Circuit stops that take place at Horseshoe Tunica.
“I feel great. I just play here and in Cherokee. Whenever they come around, I come, for both of those.”
Event #2 - Blake Whittington
Blake Whittington just added a sixth Circuit ring to his collection after navigating through a field of 271 players in Event #2: $400 No-Limit Hold’em (1 Day). This is the third Circuit ring he wins at a Horseshoe Tunica Circuit stop.
“It feels very good, it feels pretty special to win another one here. I passed up going to Borgata because I needed points here. It’s nice to get a win in the books, for sure.”
Event #3 - Michael Lech
Just a couple of months after winning his seventh Circuit ring in his fifth different country at the WSOP International Circuit stop in Monterrey, Mexico, Michael Lech managed to capture another title. He took down Event #3: $400 No-Limit Hold’em (3 Flights) at the WSOP Circuit stop at Horseshoe Tunica after outlasting 1,005 entrants, scoring his eighth Circuit ring and collecting $53,320.
“It’s the first one of the decade, so, let’s go! It’s a good start, I’m happy to be here. I’m going on a vacation next weekend to take my mom to Mexico for her birthday, so I paid for it."
Event #4 - Aaron Gamino
Just a few months ago, Aaron Gamino won his first Circuit ring at the Horseshoe Southern Indiana Circuit stop, and today, he already joins the circle of repeat winners. He came out on top of the 207 player field in Event #4: $400 No-Limit Hold’em (1 Day) at the Horseshoe Tunica to collect his second Circuit ring and the first-place prize of $16,194.
“It's nice. I think I’ve cashed like half of the tournaments I’ve played recently and I’ve final tabled the fourth of them."
Event #5 - Bryan Salerno
Last season, Salerno had to settle for the title of runner-up in the Six-Handed event of the Horseshoe Tunica WSOP Circuit stop but today, he walks away with the winner title.
He topped a field of 238 players in Event #5: $400 No-Limit Hold’em 6-Handed (1 Day) to win his first Circuit ring in his third WSOP cash.
“I feel great. Last year I came second in this event, it was a brutal beat, and I haven’t gotten to play very much, so coming back this year and winning it feels pretty good."
Event #6 - Grant Hart
Five years ago, Grant Hart retired from professional rodeo and moved to a professional poker career, and today, he grabs his first Circuit ring. He topped a field of 124 entrants in Event #6: $400 Pot-Limit Omaha to capture his first Circuit ring and $11,209.
“This means everything. I retired from professional Rodeo in 2015 and I started playing professional poker in 2016. It’s been quite an education, but this has been my ultimate goal, to get a ring, and of course to get a bracelet.”
Event #7 - Walker Miskelly
Walker Miskelly triumphantly conquered the Horseshoe Tunica Monster Stack on Thursday night, claiming his first Circuit ring and $43,209, the first five figure score of his WSOP resume.
“I’m super excited. Right when we got to the final table, I came in second in chips and I went 0 for 2 on the first two flips. I went down to about 13 big blinds at one point, then I doubled with aces against queens and I just didn’t really looked back from there.”
Event #8 - Sam Washburn
After two days of play, it is Sam Washburn who was the last man standing in Event #8: $600 No-Limit Hold’em. He topped a field of 238 players to collect his second trophy ring and the top prize of $28,101.
Although Washburn only plays poker recreationally, his poker success is unquestionable. In fact, two years ago, he won the Horseshoe Tunica Main Event of the 2017/2018 Circuit season to mark his first WSOP cash.
“I’m retired and I play for fun. I’m strictly a recreational player. I probably do seven or eight events a year, that’s about it. But I’ve had a lot of success in the last couple of years, it’s been great.”
Event #9 - Neil Patel
Neil Patel won his first gold ring three years ago after taking down the Horseshoe Tunica Main Event of the 2016/2017 WSOP Circuit season. Today, he secured the second Circuit ring of his poker career after battling through a field of 303 entrants in Event #9: $250 No-Limit Hold’em (1 Day).
Patel carried his first Circuit ring in his pocket throughout the series and came to this stop with the intention of leaving with an additional one. Today, he was able to achieve his goal.
“It feels great, I’ve been working for this. Today was that tournament for me. I got my second ring in my pocket, cause I was like, I’m winning this thing. That was the goal, to come here, and win my second ring, and maybe third. Today was that day, and it feels great.”
Event #10 - Lytle Allen
Lytle Allen just became the latest Main Event Champion of the 2019/2020 World Series of Poker Circuit season. He battled through a field of 491 players to walk away with the Horseshoe Tunica Main Event title, $144,313, and his first Circuit ring.
“It means a lot to me. I’ve been working hard to get to this point, and to beat the field that I was playing with in the final six, they were tough, really good players, so I feel really good about it.”
Event #11 - Brandon Smith
Brandon Smith just clenched his first WSOP Circuit ring in his first Circuit cash after outlasting 219 players in Event #11: $400 No-Limit Hold’em (1 Day).
“I’m pretty pumped. I’ve just been playing online in my free time, I never play live, so I felt like it was kind of due. It’s probably the fourth or fifth event I’ve ever played.”
Event #12 - Kenneth Norman
Last night, Kenneth Norman got extremely close to winning his first Circuit title but had to settle for 9th place in Event #11: $400 No-Limit Hold’em (1 Day). However, he was able to get the job done today as he just emerged victorious in Event #12: $400 No-Limit Hold’em (1 Day). He outlasted 184 players to collect his first Circuit ring, and a sizable payday of $14,925.
“I’m really excited. Money is great, but just the thrill of winning a ring is excellent.”
Event #13 - Brian Green
Bracelet winner Brian Green just added a second Circuit ring to his already stacked resume after topping a field of 256 players in the last Turbo event of the WSOP Circuit Stop at Horseshoe Tunica, Event #13: $400 No-Limit Hold’em Double Stack (1 Day).
“I’m happy. It seems like I got a thing for Turbos because I won a bracelet in a Turbo too.”
