BRAD ALBRINCK BINKS FIRST-EVER OHIO CIRCUIT MAIN EVENT VICTORY
After a large turnout at the first ever WSOP Circuit event in Ohio, it was none other than a local engineer, who took home the WSOP Circuit Main Event at the Horseshoe Casino in downtown Cincinnati. Brad Albrinck, a 28-year old Cincinnati native, took home his first Circuit title and $221,994 on Monday night.

Albrinck was born and raised in Cincinnati before heading off to Purdue University for his undergraduate degree. He came back to his hometown and attended the University of Cincinnati to get his masters degree. He has been a solid waste engineer in his hometown for the last three years.

“It’s several years of my salary,” said Albrinck with a laugh about his first place money. “You know that when you go play these things you are going to have the downswings so it’s nice to have the upswing.”

With the event being so close to his home, he was able to close out his heads-up match with some of his family and friends in attendance. He was heads-up with another Ohio native, David Kash before he dispensed of him fairly quickly to take the title. Heads-up play only lasted a few hands before Kash and Albrinck got all the chips in the middle preflop. Albrinck was holding A-K against Kash’s A-T. When Albrinck faded a three-outer, the hardware was all his.

Even though Albrinck is only a part-time player, don’t underestimate his poker ability. Before his ring in Cincinnati, Albrinck has racked up $138,575 in career WSOP earnings and he final tabled the 2012 WSOP Circuit Main Event in Hammond, IN, finishing sixth for $80,179.

His deep run in Hammond prepared him for the grind that can be a final table.

“Going back to my experience in Hammond, it’s definitely a grind,” said Albrinck. “You have to have that mindset going in and play kind of small pots until you pick up something and can go after the big one.”

Albrinck navigated his way through a pretty tough final table, highlighted by 2011 WSOP bracelet winner Aaron Steury. Kevin McColgan and Josh Williams also made appearances at the final table. McColgan already has two rings to his name, while Williams took home a ring at the Main Event in Hammond, where Albrinck finished sixth.

“It feels amazing,” said Albrinck about his win. “So many times you can get deep in these things and to actually win something and get this kind of prize is an unbelievable feeling.”

Along with the prize money and the hardware, Albrinck earned himself a seat in the WSOP Circuit National Championship, which takes place in Atlantic City in May.

“I’m extremely excited about it,” said Albrinck about the seat. “It’s hard to play as much as the other guys and qualify with the points so to just win the main event and be able to get out and play with those guys is going to be a lot of fun. I’m looking forward to it.”

The event began on Friday with two Day 1s and was a re-entry event where players could take their shot at both Day 1s. It generated a prizepool of over $1.1 million and gave three players a six figure pay day. It was a general consensus among players that the staff at the Horseshoe did a great job handling the event.

“I’ve been to a few different stops and I honestly feel that this is one of the best run venues I’ve seen,” said Albrinck about the event. “Having it 20 minutes away from my house is pretty nice also.”

Here are the final table results from the Horseshoe Cincinnati Main Event:

1st: Brad Albricnk - $221,994
2nd: David Kash - $136,863
3rd: Greg Kolo - $100,899
4th: Viet Vo - $75,203
5th: Josh Williams - $56,799
6th: Aaron Steury - $43,457
7th: Ray Attiyah - $33,666
8th: Rory Monahan - $26,407
9th: Kevin McColgan - $20,968