WSOP CIRCUIT HEADS TO CHOCTAW CASINO
Durant, Okla. (January 8, 2013) — The WSOP Circuit presented by Southern Comfort 100 Proof kicks it into high gear this week as the world’s premier poker series starts up at Choctaw Casino and the Main Event gets underway at the Bicycle Casino in Los Angeles.

Choctaw Casino in Durant, Okla. hosts a WSOP Circuit event for the third consecutive year beginning Thursday, January 10 and concluding Monday, January 21. The casino resort, located a short drive north of Dallas, has a history of boasting some of the largest fields each WSOP Circuit season.

This year’s series looks to further solidify Choctaw’s reputation as one of the most highly attended stops. Opening weekend kicks off with a $580 No-Limit Hold’em Re-Entry tournament that features, not one, not two, not three but four start days. Additionally, the tournament has a $500,000 guaranteed prizepool, likely creating a first prize of more than $100,000.

Players in this first-time event have the option to enter up to four times (once per start day).

Days 1A and 1B will be played on Friday, January 11 at 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. respectively, while Days 1C and 1D are scheduled for Saturday, January 12 at 12 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Other notable events on the schedule include Event 6, a $365 No-Limit Hold’em Six-Handed tournament, on Tuesday, January 15 and the $1,675 No-Limit Hold’em Re-Entry Main Event begins Friday, January 18 at 12 p.m.

A full schedule of events is available on WSOP.com.

Last year’s Main Event drew 978 entrants, recognizing it as the second largest WSOP Circuit Main Event at the time. The tournament’s champion was 44-year-old Abraham Araya, who was laid off from his job as an airline flight mechanic. Araya’s game peaked at the right time, pocketing $270,380 for the win, or as he referred to it, five times his yearly salary as a mechanic.

Araya won a follow-up ring less than two months later and recorded three additional WSOP Circuit final tables since. His career earnings at the WSOP total more than $370,000.

Raja Kattamuri stole last year’s Casino Champion honors in a landslide, recording two wins as well as second and sixth place finishes. Kattamuri joined Araya as the two players to earn their seats to the $1 Million WSOP National Championship from Choctaw Casino.

The 2012-2013 series will again award two seats to the season-ending championship to be played May 2013 in New Orleans.

Choctaw is a casino resort with 430 hotel rooms and more than 200,000 square feet of gaming space. The property features a natatorium, fitness and business centers, a full-service spa and three retail outlets. Tournament play takes place in CenterStage, a concert venue typically reserved for some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry.

More information on the property as well lodging accommodations can be found on Choctaw Casino’s website.

All official tournament updates are available on the WSOP Circuit Blog.