PRESTON MCEWEN WINS HORSESHOE TUNICA MAIN EVENT FOR $183,653

Tunica, Mississippi (30 January 2023) - It was another successful return to Horseshoe Tunica for the World Series of Poker's 2022/2023 Circuit season, the first of two stops, as a field of 642 entries were recorded through three starting flights generating a $972,630 prize pool.

After the numbers were finalized, 92 players were able to take a piece of it, but in the end, it was Preston McEwen who walked away with the lion's share, as he claimed the $1,700 Main Event title that came with a $183,653 top prize. 

The win secured McEwen his largest WSOP cash to date since taking down the Cherokee Monster stack for $133,830 a few short months ago, a win which meant a lot for the 34-year-old poker pro.

“The past six months have been a really wild ride if I’m being honest,” McEwen stated.

“Leading up to the Monster Stack in Cherokee, I went through a stretch where I was basically breaking even, which isn’t terrible but when you have a family and bills that need to be taken care of it can be rough.”

McEwen’s previous payday prior to the Cherokee series came back in April from this very casino where he claimed his second Circuit ring for just over $20,000 and the former musician turned poker pro knew, he had to make something happen.

During the trip, McEwen closed out the series with a 4th place finish in the $1,100 for $27,868, but it wasn’t until he tamed the Monster Stack where he started getting his confidence back.

“Winning the Monster Stack was a huge confidence booster,” stated McEwen, “It really made me re-confirm that I know what I’m doing.”

McEwen continued, “And obviously you need to have some run good to win big tournaments fields like these ones but having that confidence you know, that faith in your game where you're just trusting your instincts and making the right plays at the right time, I just feel that since winning the Monster Stack that my game right now is sharper than ever.”

McEwen came into this Tunica series with a high bode of confidence and it showed, as he cashed in five events while making three final tables and today, he knew, coming into the final day, that it was his time to shine.

“You know, I just woke up today feeling like I was going to win. I knew I was sitting fourth in chips out of five players, but I knew I still had 37 big blind and I was just locked in.”

He continued, “I got a message on my phone, we’ll call it like a Facebook memory or what not of me winning my first ring here exactly one year ago and then to top it off, I go look on WSOP.com with the title say A New Champion Will Be Crowned today and you guys had used a picture of me which just made me feel like today was my day.”

McEwen’s spidy senses were correct, as he was able to top off yet another great series at Tunica with a Main Event title and is very grateful for this moment.

“Even though I woke up feeling that it was my day, I’m just super grateful it came to fruition and thankful for the supporting cast I have around me because without my wife, kids, or friends, this wouldn’t be possible.”

Final Table Results 

1st Place: Preston McEwen - $183,653

2nd Place: Carl Masters - $113,504

3rd Place: Michael Monaghan - $82,434

4th Place: Buck Bucceri - $60,713

5th Place: John Gallaher - $45,355

6th Place: Satar Sadoun - $34,374

7th Place: Levi Carden - $26,436

8th Place: Trey Bartlett - $20,635

9th Place: Kevin Jenkins - $16,351

Day 3 Action

The final day of the Main Event saw five players return from Day 2, each guaranteed at least a $45,355 payday. 

The action kicked right into gear off the bat with John Gallaher getting a few all-ins through before he was tripped up by Carl Masters. 

Shortly after Gallaher's departure, Buck Burreci jammed his ace-four into McEwen's pocket aces and rocketed off in fourth place for $60,713.

Three-handed action started with McEwen holding over half of the chips, and he kept his foot on the pedal outkicking both Michael Monaghan and Masters en route to his first Main Event title. 

That wraps up Main Event coverage on the tail end of an exciting and eventful WSOP Circuit stop a Horseshoe Tunica! Make sure to tune in for our coverage of the Pompano Beach Main Event February 9th-14th!