The World Series of Poker Circuit returned to Harrah’s St. Louis (April 12-24) for the third time, and Tripp Kirk of Atlanta was certainly happy for that.
Kirk captured the $1,620 main event for $190,961 and a seat at the WSOPC National Championship in Las Vegas. Kirk entered heads-up play with a 2-to-1 chip lead over Tim Killday. It took only 10 hands to finish when Killday went all-in on a bluff against Kirk, who flopped a pair of aces.
The main event drew 625 players, a 39 percent increase over last year, generating a prize pool of nearly $910K.
The 23-table poker room expanded to 93 tables to handle cash games and three tournaments at a time. This stop continues to grow and saw attendance increase more than 20 percent. Event 4 was a $355 buy-in no-limit hold’em event with re-entry.
Counting re-entries, 1,066 entrants made this event the largest tournament in Missouri history. Roy Riley of Savoy, Ill., finished first for $57K.
Kyle Cartwright, the defending champ of last year’s main event, won Event 10 for more than $55K and his fourth WSOPC ring. Kurt Jewel also won his fourth ring by taking down the final event for $19K.
After completion of the WSOPC, Caesars Entertainment announced the sale of Harrah’s St. Louis to Penn National Gaming. This location likely will be a Hollywood Casino, and no announcement has been made regarding the future of the WSOPC in St. Louis.
— Don Matusofsky is Ante Up’s Missouri Ambassador. Email him at anteupdonm@gmail.com.
WSOP Circuit, Harrah’s St. Louis, April 12-24
Event 1 • $355 NLHE
Entries: 473 • Pool: $137,643
Shain Matthews, $29,306
Event 2 • $565 NLHE
Entries: 279 • Pool: $135,315
Jerry Ard, $32,147
Event 3 • $355 PLO
Entries: 150 • Pool: $43,650
Kevin Balsman, $11,844
Event 4 • $355 NLHE
Entries: 1,066 • Pool: $310,206
Roy Riley, $57,139
Event 5 • $355 NLHE
Entries: 277 • Pool: $79,257
William Byrnes, $19,025
Event 6 • $355 NLHE
Entries: 355 • Pool: $103,305
Adam Laskey, $23,449
Event 7 • $355 6-Max
Entries: 323 • Pool: $93,993
Nikolas Stone, $21,770
Event 8 • $565 NLHE
Entries: 292 • Pool: $141,620
Stephen Friedel, $33,664
Event 9 • $355 NLHE
Entries: 425 • Pool: $123,675
Edward Smurzynski, $27,212
Event 10 • $1,090 NLHE
Entries: 229 • Pool: $222,130
Kyle Cartwright, $55,533
$1,620 Main Event
Entries: 625 • Pool: $909,375
Tripp Kirk, $190,961
Event 12 • $355 NLHE
Entries: 276 • Pool: $80,316
Kurt Jewell, $19,269
