26 September 2022 (Council Bluffs, IA) - The World Series of Poker Circuit at Horseshoe Council Bluffs has crowned its Main Event Champion after more than three years away from the Circuit. Poker pro Josh Reichard topped a field of 368 entries in Iowa, earning himself the biggest piece of the $557,520 prize pool. Wisconsin’s own won $120,445, a custom gold ring and a seat into the Tournament of Champions in July 2023. Not to mention, this is Reichard’s 13th WSOP Circuit ring and his first ever Circuit Main Event win.
“It feels great. This one feels the best because it’s the Circuit Main. I’ve never won a Circuit Main. It’s been elusive, the Circuit Main victory, so to win one of those, I’ve always wanted to,” smiled Reichard. The poker pro had a supportive rail behind him, cheering after he took down pots. Reichard’s father was also there from start to finish, and proudly sat next to him in the winner’s photo.
Reichard began the final table as the chip leader and held strong for most of it. One of the more notable hands came when Reichard and 4th place finisher Joe Hindman played a big four-bet pot and Hindman jammed ace-queen suited on an ace-high board. Reichard snap-called with a set of aces and the rest was history as he knocked out the player with the next-biggest stack in a dream scenario.
Heads-up play against John Fagg lasted around four hours and was an epic battle for the ages. Reichard actually began heads-up play with a huge lead but had the tables turned on him more than a few times, with the both players exchanging chip leads many times. The two players went back and forth until Fagg four-bet jammed ace-ten suited and was looked up by Reichard’s ace-nine off suit. The flop gave Reichard two pair and Fagg was unable to catch up, forcing him to settle for second place and was denied his third WSOP Circuit ring.
Reichard hadn’t played many Circuit events since before the pandemic, but still played plenty of poker to keep his game sharp. “I think having a good friend group of people to talk about hands with and go over things is super important. And then just getting live experience. The more you play, the more volume that you put in, the experience is worth so much too,” explained Reichard.
When it comes to the game he clearly loves, Reichard’s main focus is to have fun. “The stops are fun when your friends are there, you’re having a good time. I try to make the tables fun, chat a little bit. Obviously money and trophies are good, but I think having a good time at these stops is important too.”
Even though Reichard has 13 rings, almost 20 live tournament wins and $2 million in live earnings, his next goal is to win a gold WSOP bracelet. The poker pro also doesn’t see himself moving on from the game he loves and isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. “I love poker, I love everything about it. I’m not going to move on to anything beyond poker regardless of results, but a bracelet is next on the list of accomplishments for sure,” said Reichard.
Final Table Results:
1st place: Josh Reichard - $120,445 + Seat into Tournament of Champions
2nd place: John Fagg - $74,439
3rd place: Steve Buell - $52,712
4th place: Joe Hindman - $38,005
5th place: Abraham Lopez - $27,908
6th place: Terry Williams - $20,880
7th place: Joe Sutliff - $15,922
8th place: Walt Lustgraaf - $12,379
9th place: Tim Dorzweiler - $9,817