Yesterday, the 2017/18 World Series of Poker Circuit Horseshoe Tunica wrapped up in dramatic fashion at Horseshoe Tunica where the newest WSOP Circuit Main Event winner has been crowned Sam Washburn from Arkansas was the lucky player to bank $188,068 payday and a free entry to the 2018 Global Casino Championship. Washburn managed to snare one of the twelve gold rings, which the sponsors of the event have awarded to the winners.
Washburn needed to fight tooth and nail for his win, because he had to outlast a field of 597 competitors. As if that is not challenging enough, the player needed to meet some of the most experienced WSOP Circuit grinders at the poker arena before finding the victory at the end of his poker adventure. It is important to note that the eventual poker winner is not a stranger to the world of poker. Washburn appeared to have a plenty of experience in cash games.
Washburn’s Arduous Journey to the Throne
The eventual winner was hovering near the top stacks for most of the time. At the end of Day 1, he bagged the biggest stack of chips. Day 2 of the game welcomed 104 poker survivors, who were determined to leave the tournament with the gold and the lion’s share of the $895,500 prize pool. The top 63 players received a fair portion of the prize money, with a minimum cash prize of $2,928.
On the first hand of Day 2, Washburn managed to double up his stack and build an emporium of chips. Things were progressing at a rapid pace and the field was melted down to just 9 players, who gathered around the final table. By the time the clock announced the end of Day 2, there were only 7 warriors, who managed to survive the battle. At that time, Scott Stewart was holding the chip lead with a stack of 2,525,000 in chips. Washburn entered the seven-handed play third in chips.
After the elimination of Kyle Cartwright in 5th place, the things reached a cul-de-sac. It was not a plain sailing for Washburn, who needed to lock horns with some of the most prominent WSOP Circuit players in a four-handed battle. All 4 players were former WSOP ring winners, who were striving to add yet another piece of jewelry to their collection of trophies. After a long and exhausting game, James Naifeh succumbed in 4th place for $63,115, followed by Henry Nguyen in 3rd place for $85,055.
Heads-up play started with Scott Stewart still in the lead. But that did not continue too long before Washburn snatched the chip lead, heading to the victory. The final hand played within the Main Event saw Washburn tabling [Js][Jh] against Stewart’s [Kh][Jc]. The [9h][5s][2s][Ah][4d] landed on the table to lock the victory for Sam Washburn. As for Stewart, he pocketed a cool consolation prize of $116,316.