Reigning world champion Daniel Weinman nearly won a World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC) ring playing in his first tournament since the WSOP Main Event.
The current Circuit series at Harrah’s Cherokee in North Carolina began on Nov. 23 and wrapped Dec. 4 with some big winners, including 2022 World Poker Tour (WPT) Prime Championship champion Stephen Song securing two rings within a week.
In total, 19 rings were handed out throughout the series.
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Right Where He Left Off
Following his $12,100,000 record-setting WSOP Main Event win in July, Weinman took a bit of time off from poker and returned home to Atlanta. The champ was back in action this past week, and he was up to his old tricks.
Although he didn’t win his second ring, he took second place in Event #12: $1,700 Main Event for $215,576, the first tournament he’s played since becoming world champion. Joseph Crowley defeated Weinman heads-up to win the ring, and he collected $348,785, the largest share of the $2,227,050 prize pool, for beating out 1,470 entrants.
Jarod Minghini took third place for $162,276, while 15-time ring winner Maurice Hawkins also reached the final table (seventh place for $57,070). Dale Roesel wrapped up an impressive series with an eighth-place finish ($44,980), days after winning Event #4: $600 No-Limit Hold’em for $43,694.
WSOPC Harrah’s Cherokee Main Event Final Table Results
| PLACE | PLAYER | PRIZE |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joseph Crowley | $348,785 |
| 2 | Daniel Weinman | $215,576 |
| 3 | Jarod Minghini | $162,276 |
| 4 | Tyler Phillips | $123,261 |
| 5 | Christopher Churchwell | $94,483 |
| 6 | Chad Varnas | $73,092 |
| 7 | Maurice Hawkins | $57,070 |
| 8 | Dale Roesel | $44,980 |
| 9 | Christopher Conrad | $35,787 |
Twice is Nice for Song
Song has been the top WSOP Circuit performer the past month, and one of the best overall tournament players in all of poker the past 12 months. It all started with a WPT Prime Championship win at Wynn Las Vegas last December for a career-best $712,650 score.
Two weeks ago, he took down the WSOPC Grand Victoria Main Event for $183,508 and a ring. Since mid-November, he’s won three rings, two of which came in the Harrah’s Cherokee series.
The first win in North Carolina was in Event #9: $1,100 No-Limit Hold’em for $102,954, beating out 556 players. Four days later, he conquered Event #17: $2,200 High Roller, a tournament with 137 entrants, for another $72,583.
Song now has $5.9 million in live tournament cashes, according to The Hendon Mob, which puts him in first place all-time among those from Connecticut. Excluding the COVID year (2020), he’s cashed for just over $5 million.
WSOPC Harrah’s Cherokee Ring Winners
| EVENT | ENTRANTS | WINNER | PRIZE |
|---|---|---|---|
| WSOPC Event #1: $400 No-Limit Hold’em – Turkey Day 30K | 354 | James Whittinghill | $24,662 |
| WSOPC Event #2: $400 No-Limit Hold’em | 3,120 | Cody Jones | $134,304 |
| WSOPC Event #3: $400 Seniors Event | 987 | Matthew Demarsh | $54,246 |
| WSOPC Event #4: $600 No-Limit Hold’em | 419 | Dale Roesel | $43,694 |
| WSOPC Event #5: $400 No-Limit Hold’em 6-Handed | 1,008 | Michael Wagner | $55,083 |
| WSOPC Event #6: $600 Pot-Limit Omaha | 395 | Preston McEwen | $41,749 |
| WSOPC Event #7: $400 No-Limit Hold’em Monster Stack | 3,047 | Jason Witten | $131,870 |
| WSOPC Event #8: $400 No-Limit Hold’em | 300 | Dominick Pelli | $21,343 |
| WSOPC Event #9: $1,100 No-Limit Hold’em | 556 | Stephen Song | $102,954 |
| WSOPC Event #10: $400 No-Limit Hold’em | 616 | Michael Ibekwe | $38,294 |
| WSOPC Event #11: $250 Ladies Event | 187 | Jennifer Zewe | $9,105 |
| WSOPC Event #12: $1,700 MAIN EVENT | 1,470 | Joseph Crowley | $348,785 |
| WSOPC Event #13: $400 No-Limit Hold’em | 523 | Dean Rutledge | $32,892 |
| WSOPC Event #14: $400 No-Limit Hold’em | 540 | Njema Williams | $33,733 |
| WSOPC Event #15: $600 Showdown | 213 | Shane Bissinger | $25,993 |
| WSOPC Event #16: $250 Seniors Event | 941 | Michael Christopher | $31,742 |
| WSOPC Event #17: $2,200 High Roller | 137 | Stephen Song | $72,583 |
| WSOPC Event #18: $800 No-Limit Hold’em | 145 | Shane Melert | $26,679 |
| WSOPC Event #19: $400 No-Limit Hold’em Double Stack | Joey Hayes | $27,164 |