There were only two things that Kevin Manley wanted to accomplish in his poker career. The first was to win the World Series of Poker Main Event and the second was to take home a WSOP Circuit Event Ring, both lofty goals by anyone’s standards. He had final tabled two prior WSOPC events, but had never taken home the hardware. However, he can now cross the WSOP Circuit Ring off his list.
Manley outlasted a field of 126 players to take down the title in the $350 No-Limit Hold ‘em Shootout event at the WSOP Circuit currently running at Horseshoe Southern Indiana. The Shootout event is a unique format in that you have to win your individual table in order to advance to the next round.
Thirteen tables started the day and those winners returned to play at the final three tables. When the dust settled in the Horseshoe Poker Room, the 51-year-old Manley was joined at the three-handed final table by a pair of 25-year-old locals, Kurt Jewell and Sean Pramuk.
Pramuk drew first blood at the final table when he got all-in with against the of Jewell on a flop of . The turn was the and the river came the . Pramuk’s flopped set improved to a full house and left Jewell crippled after the hand. He was eliminated shortly afterwards.
Pramuk and Manley battled back and forth for nearly two hours before a winner was determined. With Manley holding the chip lead, he limped in before the flop. Pramuk proceeded to move all in and was called by Manley. Pramuk turned up but was dominated by the of Manley. The board of did not improve Pramuck hand, eliminating him in second place for $6,870.
The Arlington Heights, IL native pocketed $9,566 for the win but was clearly more excited about taking home the Circuit Ring. In his victory photo, he proudly displayed the ring and posed for his daughter, Alexa.
With one of his two poker goals accomplished, Kevin Manley now is gunning for the WSOP Main Event title. In the meantime though, he is going to work on accumulating more points in order to try and qualify for the WSOPC National Championship. He is sitting in good position after his win and was very excited about passing his good friend, Alan Cutler, on the National Leaderboard standings.
Payouts at the final table were as follows:
1. Kevin Manley $9,566
2. Sean Pramuk $6,870
3. Kurt Jewell $4,870
Play continues today at the Horseshoe with the final table of Event #6, the $350 ½ PLO – ½ PLH, as well as the start of Event #7, the $350 No-Limit Hold ‘em.
For the full schedule of events at the Horseshoe Southern Indiana Circuit, click here.
For more information about the WSOP Circuit National Championship, click here.