This is the central page for information about the ongoing WSOP Circuit series at Harrah's Cherokee. (Check back here) daily for updated schedule and results.
01 March 2022 (Cherokee, North Carolina) - The World Series of Poker Circuit made its second of three scheduled stop at Harrah’s Cherokee for the 2021/2022 season. Cherokee has been staple stop on the Circuit since 2015 and has made 14 stops since.
This one came with $2,460,000 in prize pool guarantees and was scheduled to run 16 ring events in a matter of 11 days.
A total of 13,947 entries were logged during the tournament series offering up $6,439,665 in prizes which was highlighted by 11 first-time ring winners.
Kicking things off was a double stack event. Out of the 475-entry field, Charles Hepler took down Event #1, claiming his first WSOP gold ring and $30,629.
Next up was the multi-flight event. Four starting flights drew a 3,334-entry field, take their shot at gold but in the end, it was Ohio native Brad Albrinck taking down the second event, claiming his third WSOP gold ring and a six-figure payday of $77,895.
Robert Bourkney was the next person to claim his first WSOP Circuit ring. Bourkney was able to run through a 706-entry field in Event #3: $400 No-Limit Hold’em where he secured his largest WSOP victory of $42,410 while David Gore did the same in Event #4: $400 No-Limit Hold’em Seniors for $45,608.
For Jack Shea, it was a long-time coming, after multiple final tables he was finally able to capture the top spot in Event #5: $400 No-Limit Hold’em to claim his first Circuit ring along with the top prize of $44,492.
Russell Sullivan was the only player of the series to claim ring number four after he won back-to-back six-max event’s at Cherokee and dedicated this one to his wife.
A Circuit first-timer was next up on the winner’s list as Braxton Moore was able to seize his first ever WSOP tournament earning his first Circuit ring in Event #7: $400 Pot-Limit Omaha for $24,732.
The next six players added their names to the first-time ring winner’s list with Rush Smith being the first up. Smith was able to tame the Monster Stack for $106,113 while Richard Vielhak improved off his 10th place finish earlier in the series and took down Event #9 for $29,602.
Raul Garza, who came into the Cherokee Circuit series fresh off his second-place finish in the Choctaw Main Event, was able to spin-up his final table short-stack in Event #10: $1,100 No-Limit Hold’em to claim the top prize of $74,995.
Barbara Smith (Event #11 - $9,450), Albert Peterlin (Event #13 - $26,744), and Cristian Tuica (Event #14 - $33,799), may have been sipping from the same beginner’s luck juice box as each of them were able to take down their first WSOP Circuit event’s in just a mere 24 hours apart.
Randy Paguio was able to claim the top spot that was on every other player’s wish list as he was able to take down the highlight event of the series. Paguio outlasted 674 hopefuls in the $1,700 Main Event to win his second Circuit ring, along with the $193,764 top prize and the meaningful win was dedicated to his late grandmother.
The final two events of the series saw each claim their second career Circuit ring’s as Timothy Little outlasted 763 seniors for $27,189 in Event #15 while Lonny Weitzel capitalized on his venture to Cherokee and added another $40,234 to his name in Event #16.
All 16 official ring winners at Harrah’s Cherokee earned a seat to the Tournament of Champions, a $1,000,000 guaranteed freeroll tournament that will feature a field of all the ring winners from the 2021/22 season, and bracelet winners from the 2022 WSOP.
This will be held during the 53rd annual WSOP in the summer of 2022 and will have coveted gold bracelet up top.
Completed Events
Event #1: $400 No-Limit Hold'em - Charles Hepler claims first career ring and $30,637.
Official Report | Winner Photo | Results
Event #2: $400 No-Limit Hold'em Multi-Flight - Brad Albrinck joins three-ring club and notches another six-figure score.
Official Report | Winner Photo | Results
Event #3: $400 No-Limit Hold'em Turbo - Rob Bourkney wins first Circuit ring and $42,410.
Official Report | Winner Photo | Results
Event #4: $400 No-Limit Hold'em Seniors - David Gore claimed gold after surviving 781 seniors.
Winner Photo | Results
Event #5: $600 No-Limit Hold'em - Jack Shea takes home $44,492 and first Circuit ring.
Official Report | Winner Photo | Results
Event #6: $400 No-Limit Hold'em Six-Max - Russell Sullivan secured fourth Circuit ring and $44,390.
Official Report | Winner Photo | Results
Event #7: $400 Pot-Limit Omaha - Braxton Moore struck gold in first ever WSOP event for $24,732.
Official Report | Winner Photo | Results
Event #8: $400 No-Limit Hold'em Monster Stack - Rush Smith tamed the Monster Stack for first Circuit ring and $106,113.
Official Report | Winner Photo | Results
Event #9: $400 No-Limit Hold'em Turbo - Richard Vielhak turbos his way to first Circuit ring and $29,602.
Official Report | Winner Photo | Results
Event #10: $1,100 No-Limit Hold'em - Raul Garza notched first Circuit ring and $74,995.
Official Report | Winner Photo | Results
Event #11: $250 No-Limit Hole'dm Ladies - Barbara Smith outlasted 196 ladies for her first ring and $9,450.
Winner Photo | Results
Event #12: $1,700 No-Limit Hold'em Main Event - Mark Davis conquers Main Event for first ring and $334,678.
Official Report | Winner Photo | Results
Event $13: $400 No-Limit Hold'em Turbo - Albert Peterlin captures first WSOP piece of hardware and $26,744.
Official Report | Winner Photo | Results
Event #14: $400 No-Limit Hold'em Turbo - Cristian Tuica earned his first Circuit ring and $33,799 in first WSOP event.
Official Report | Winner Photo | Results
Event #15: $250 No-Limit Hold'em Seniors - Timothy Little battled through 763 seniors to claim his second Circuit ring and $27,186.
Winner Photo | Results
Event #16: $400 No-Limit Hold'em Double Stack - Lonny Weitzel doubled-up on his rings and secured the $40,234 top prize.
Official Report | Winner Photo | Results
About the Winners
Event #1: Charles Hepler
Outlasted a field of 475 players to make it to the finish line. He earned $30,637, his largest and first five-figure score for his victory.
“I feel awesome! I can’t really believe it to be honest,” said Hepler after his victory.
Hepler sat in the middle of the pack at the final table that was mixed with pros and recreational players.
“I really didn’t think I had a shot,” Hepler explained, “I was down to just three big blinds, but I pulled off a huge bluff with two-three suited and was able to get it done.”
Event #2: Brad Albrinck
Joined the three-ring club late Sunday evening after he navigated his way through 3,334 entrants in the Multi-Flight at Harrah’s Cherokee.
“It feels great,” Albrinck said after his victory.
“This was a massive field that had really good players make it to the end, it wasn’t an easy road to get through, but I had a fair share of luck that helped”
Albrinck has built up quite the poker resume, holding over $1.4 million in lifetime WSOP earnings, but his last victory came back in 2016 when he won the Main event here for $275,877.
“It feels really good to get back on a big score, it’s been a long time coming.”
Event #3: Rob Bourkney
About the Winners
No Events have been completed at this time.
About the Winners
No Events have been completed at this time.
just clenched his first WSOP Circuit ring and his largest Circuit cash for $42,410 after outlasting 706 players in Event #3: $400 No-Limit Hold’em.
“I feel great,” Bourkney said with excitement after his win.
“I was being very patient,” Bourkney explained, “There was an older gentleman that was doing all the raising and being aggressive, so I just sat back patiently picking my spots.”
Event #4: David Gore
Topped a massive 781 senior field, to win the first Seniors Event of the February 2022 Harrah's Cherokee series.
The one-day tournament generated a prize pool of $257,730 and paid out the top 118 finishers.
Gore walked away as the top dog, earning $45,608, his first World Series of Poker gold ring, and a trip to the Tournament of Champions, which will be held in Las Vegas this coming summer.
Event #5: Jack Shea
Just claimed his first piece of WSOP hardware Monday evening in Event #5: $600 No-Limit Hold’em. Shea outlasted 430 runners to claim his first WSOP Circuit ring and the top prize for 44,492.
Shea has been a Circuit grinder for the past decade with multiple final table appearances but his best finish until now was runner-up spot back in 2019.
“It’s has been a long time coming,” stated Shea, “I couldn’t be happier.”
Event #6: Russell Sullivan
Has returned to the winner’s circle after back-to-back wins in the Six-Max event at Harrah’s Cherokee. Sullivan topped a field of 721 entrants to win the $44,390 top-prize in Event #6: $400 No-Limit Hold’em Six-Max (1 Day) and his fourth WSOP Circuit ring.
“It feels amazing,” Sullivan said after his victory. Sullivan a business owner, has been a regular on the Circuit scene for the last seven years and has had a very strong support system through the thick & thin.
“My wife and three beautiful children were here for a few days which was absolutely amazing, without their support I wouldn’t be able to do this, I wouldn’t be winning any rings.”
“I definitely want to give a shoutout to my wife,” Sullivan continued, “She has backed and been behind me with everything including my business, I couldn’t ask for a better wife, so this ring is definitely dedicated to her.”
“I know the points don’t matter this year but it’s just fun being out here with all of my WSOP friends, dealers and tournament directors. I definitely plan on playing Turning Stone (New York) and maybe a few more.”
Event #7: Braxton Moore
“It’s awesome!” Moore exclaimed after his victory. “This is my first ever WSOP event and words can’t explain how I’m feeling.”
While this was Moore’s first ever WSOP event, he has been playing for the last decade to learn the game.
“I’ve been playing for about ten years now for fun (not money) just to learn the game. I’ve picked-up a lot from this and thought I’d give a tournament a try.”
While Moore plays Texas Hold’em as well, he prefers the four-card game.
“I love poker,” stated Moore, “I’ve always loved the game, but I prefer Omaha because it’s more exciting with four cards than just two.”
With the victory, Moore was able to score $24,732, his first World Series of Poker gold ring, and a trip to the Tournament of Champions, which will be held in Las Vegas this coming summer.
Event #8: Rush Smith
Came away with his first World Series of Poker gold ring Thursday evening after taming the Monster Stack.
“I’m so happy right now,” Smith continued, “This is amazing, and I can’t believe it.”
The win saw Marlow bank $106,113 and a seat in the Tournament of Champions to go along with his new piece of WSOP gold.
Event #9: Richard Vielhak
Clenched his first WSOP Circuit ring and his largest
Circuit cash for $29,602 after outlasting 452 players in Event #9: $400 NoLimit Hold’em.
“This feels great, it’s like a dream” Vielhak said after his win, “I’ve been
playing for this for a long time, so I’m pumped.”
“I’m really excited,” Vielhak said about earning his seat into the Tournament
of Champions.
“I’ve chased the Circuit (points) for years and always just missed out on the
top 50 so, to be able to play with the top dogs, good friends, and mentors is
going to be really awesome.”
Event #10: Raul Garza
Garza, a fairly new face to the Circuit scene, has been putting in work since 2018, making three final tables with two second-place finishes before his win today.
“I feel good,” Gaza said after his win, “This was my third time being heads-up and I was feeling the pressure, I couldn’t lose again.”
Along with the gold ring, Garza won a seat into this summer’s Tournament of Champions, and pocketed $74,995, pushing his WSOP earnings to over $300,000.
Event #11: Barbara Smith
Defeated a field of 196 competitors in the Harrah's Cherokee Ladies Event. The $250 buy-in tournament generated a prize pool of $39,200 and paid out the top 30 spots.
Smith, out of Tennessee banked the $9,450 top prize, a World Series of Poker gold ring, and automatic bid to the Tournament of Champions.
Event #12: Mark Davis
Won the $1,700 Main Event at the World Series of Poker Circuit at the Cherokee
Harrah's Casino. After three days of play, the Birmingham native emerged victorious to earn his first
WSOP gold ring, coupled with $334,678.
“It feels amazing. I got into big-time tournament play right before COVID, but the COVID shut
everything down. But this year, getting back into it, I’m basically six for six in deep runs. I’m ‘ON’
now. It's over!” said the happy winner after his third cash of the Cherokee series.
With the win, Davis earns $334,678 and his first WSOP Circuit gold ring. He also earns a seat in the
Tournament of Champions, the $1 million freeroll event that will be held in Las Vegas in the summer
of 2022.
“This will be the first time I will play the series all throughout the summer. I was already making plans
before this, but now, the sky is the limit. We’re gonna wreak some havoc out there!” said the latest
WSOP Circuit Main Event Champion.
Event #13: Albert Peterlin
Topped a field of 396 entrants to win the $26,744 top-prize in Event #13: $400 No-Limit Hold’em Turbo, which took nearly 11 hours to complete.
“I’m ecstatic,” Peterlin said with excitement after his win, “Without any exaggeration, this is honestly a dream come true.”
Event #14: Cristian Tuica
Walked away the winner of Event #14: $400 No-Limit Hold’em Turbo for $33,799 and his first ever World Series of Poker Circuit ring.
“This is amazing,” Tuica exclaimed after his win, “I still can’t believe it happened.”
Normally an online player, Tucia was here for the series playing cash games but decided to take a break and tryout a live tournament.
The decision turned out to be a good one as he took down his first career WSOP tournament on his first try and really enjoyed the experience.
“My game at the final table was perfect,” stated Tuica. “I won all of my pots, my bluffs were working, I mean everything was perfect I had a lot of fun.”
Event #15: Timothy Little
Topped a field of 763 entrants, age 50 and up, to win the second Seniors Event of the February 2022 Harrah's Cherokee series.
The one-day tournament generated a prize Pool of $152,600 and paid out the top 115 finishers.
Little walked away as the top dog, earning $27,186, his second World Series of Poker gold ring, and a trip to the Tournament of Champions, which will be held in Las Vegas this coming summer.
Event #16: Lonny Weitzel
“I feel good,” Weitzel said calmly after winning his second Circuit ring. “To be able to go through a tough field like this in such a beautiful setting just adds to being here at Cherokee.”
Weitzel has made a handful of WSOP final tables and understands the difficulty of finishing out a tournament on top is.
“I’ve had way too many second-place finishes, so it feels nice having these last few wins under my belt.”
Weitzel had already earned his Tournament of Champions after he won the Seniors event in the Aruba Circuit series this past December and is very thankful to be able to compete in Las Vegas this summer.
“I’m really looking forward to playing in the T.O.C. over the summer,” stated Weitzel, “Hopefully I’ll have some of this success there as well.”