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Las Vegas, Nevada (August 19, 2025) - Serving as exemplary hosts once again for the WSOP Circuit, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in North Carolina has concluded yet another WSOP Circuit series filled with exciting action and huge paydays.

Generating massive prize pools across 18 ring events, including over $2.1 million in the $1,700 WSOP Circuit Main Event, Harrah’s Cherokee wraps up another successful Circuit series in the Smoky Mountains.

Emerging victorious amongst 1,437 total entrants, Zachary Fischer secured his first Circuit ring in style, defeating J.B. Wells heads-up to win Cherokee’s WSOP Circuit Main Event and taking home the $324,135 top prize for his efforts.

Cherokee $1,700 WSOP Circuit Main Event Final Table Results:

1st Place: Zachary Fischer - $324,135
2nd Place: J.B. Wells - $216,089
3rd Place: Warren Sheaves - $153,035
4th Place: Shane Lea - $109,942
5th Place: Andrew Smith - $80,140
6th Place: Matt Yankowski - $59,284
7th Place: Leo Taffe - $44,516
8th Place: Marc Lacroix - $33,939
9th Place: Eduardo Paz - $26,277

Notable Wins from the Cherokee WSOP Circuit Series

Preston McEwen wins WSOP Circuit ring #9

Winning Event #16: $400 No-Limit Hold’em at Cherokee, WSOP Circuit grinder Preston McEwen not only added his ninth WSOP Circuit ring to his poker trophy case, but also added to his impressive live all-time earnings total, exceeding $2.6 million.

Now with nine total WSOP Circuit rings to his name, McEwen is only one ring away from being the 18th poker player to win at least 10 WSOP Circuit events.

 
Photo courtesy of Poker.Org

Blake Whittington closes out the series with ring #8

Taking down the final tournament of the series, the $400 NLH Double Stack Closer, Blake Whittington secured the $27,058 top prize and continued building on his impressive WSOP Circuit career.

Now the proud owner of 8 WSOP Circuit rings, Whittington is the latest player to punch their ticket to WSOP Paradise 2025 for the WSOP Circuit Championship.

Photo courtesy of Poker.Org

James Wicks denies Maurice Hawkins WSOP Circuit ring record

Emerging victorious over 19-time WSOP Circuit champion Maurice Hawkins in Event #1: $400 NLH Double Stack, James Wicks not only received his first career WSOP Circuit ring, but denied Hawkins the all-time record for Circuit victories.

Taking home $38,765 and his first piece of WSOP hardware, Wicks surpasses $100,000 in live tournament winnings.

Photos courtesy of Poker.Org

Every WSOP Circuit Event Winner from Cherokee

Each WSOP Circuit ring winner from Cherokee receives free entry to the $2,500 buy-in WSOP Circuit Championship Mystery Bounty ($5M guaranteed prize pool) taking place at WSOP Paradise 2025 December 4-6, 2025. Along with free entry to the WSOP Circuit Championship, ring winners also receive a $5,000 hotel package to fund their stay at the host property: Atlantis Bahamas.

Event #1 $400 Double Stack Opener NLH: James Wicks - $38,765
Event #2 $400 NLH Mini-Main: Connor Steinbrook - $148,013
Event #3 $400 NLH Seniors: Alan Vaughn - $54,961
Event #4 $600 No-Limit Hold'em: Kenneth Ambory - $38,728
Event #5 $400 Pot Limit Omaha 8 or Better: Eric Turnbaugh - $24,348
Event #6 $400 No-Limit Hold'em 6-Max: Janet McCarter - $50,123
Event #7 $600 Pot Limit Omaha: David Cook - $38,309
Event #8 $400 NLH Monster Stack: Pablo Valdivieso - $118,520
Event #9 $1,100 No-Limit Hold'em: Steven Snyder - $104,696
Event #10 $400 No-Limit Hold'em: Daniel Pearlman - $34,209
Event #11 $400 NLH Ladies Event: Mistie Lackey - $16,137
Event #12 $1,700 NLH WSOP Circuit Main Event: Zachary Fischer - $324,135
Event #13 $400 No-Limit Hold'em: Daniel Kusnerak - $28,669
Event #14 $400 No-Limit Hold'em: Brian Chisler - $31,079
Event #15 $400 Grand Master 40/40/40 NLH: Corey Bierria - $49,621
Event #16: $400 No-Limit Hold’em: Preston McEwen - $18,676
Event #17 $2,200 No-Limit Hold'em High Roller: Mark Darner - $63,362
Event #18 $400 Double Stack Closer: Blake Whittington - $27,058