This page is the hub for information on the WSOP Circuit at Harrah's Cherokee. Check back here for updated information and links on this ongoing tournament series.
Adam Ross wins life-changing money, Roland Israelashvili wins Casino Champion and 6th ring
August 14th, 2018 (Cherokee, NC) - As expected, the first of 28 stops to kick off the 2018/2019 World Series of Poker Circuit was a huge success. With close to 10,000 entries and $4,770,230 in tournament buy-ins across 13 official ring events, the upcoming season is sure to be a big one.
Fan-favorite Warren Sheaves took down the 2018 Global Casino Championship for $282,113 and his first ever WSOP bracelet, topping a field of 127 entries for a prize pool of $1,050,000. Sheaves was the last person to enter the tournament and was the last player standing, defeating Jeremy Meacham (2nd - $174,360) after making an epic hero call with bottom pair to secure his victory.
Fast-forward to the $1,000,000 guaranteed Main Event, and recreational player Adam Ross was whisking his wife off of the ground after locking up his win. “Yes! Yes! Life-changing money!” he exclaimed, excited to be able to pay off his mortgage. Ross topped a field of 1,056 entries to win $295,970 for his biggest career win and first ring. He defeated Ryan ‘The Janitor’ Phan (2nd - $182,990) who was yet again heads up in a Circuit Main Event but fell short after a hard-fought battle.
The Casino Champion title belongs to Roland Israelashvili and is well-deserved after he won his sixth Circuit ring and locked up seven cashes in just as many tournaments this series. He took down the last event of the series, coming in to the tournament with over 50 points and needing at least 2nd place to win the race and a seat into the 2019 GCC.
The preliminary events were certainly exciting, with three women finishing in the top 3 in the first three events. Irene Carey (Event 1 – 2nd place for $25,547), Moena Andreate (Event 2 – 3rd place for $57,683) and Lakisha Slaughter (Event 3 – 1st place for $40,471). Canada’s June Jenkins then went on to take down the Ladies Event for $6,958.
Multi-ring winners were prominent this season, with Roland Israelashvili (6th), Jeff Trudeau (5th), Keven Stammen (2nd), Curtis Terry (2nd ring), William Kopp (2nd), and John Bowman (2nd) all adding to their collections. The cream certainly rose to the top, with Trudeau even bagging the chip lead in the Main Event after two starting days and going deep into the money. Stammen also went deep in the 2018 GCC, coming in 3rd place for $122,890 and booking two six-figure scores in a span of a few days. This comes just after having his first child, Sonny.
The stop at Harrah’s Cherokee is the first a record-breaking 28 stops at the start of the Circuit season. This stop is so popular, it will be back two more times and will be sure to attract big numbers, as usual.
Casino Champion
Congratulations to Roland Israelashvili for winning his 6th ring and cashing 7 out of 7 times this series, earning himself the Casino Champion title. He will return next year with a free seat into the 2019 Global Casino Championship for a shot at a bracelet.
Event Results
EVENT #1: $400 NO-LIMIT HOLD’EM DOUBLE STACK – DOMINIQUE DUNN
RESULTS | REPORT | PHOTO
EVENT #2: $400 NO-LIMIT HOLD’EM MULTI-FLIGHT – MIKE COX
RESULTS | REPORT | PHOTO
EVENT #3: $400 NO-LIMIT HOLD’EM TURBO – LAKISHA SLAUGHTER
RESULTS | REPORT | PHOTO
EVENT #4: $600 NO-LIMIT HOLD’EM – CURTIS TERRY
RESULTS | REPORT | PHOTO
EVENT #5: $400 NO-LIMIT HOLD’EM SIX-MAX – WHIT BRANNON
RESULTS | REPORT | PHOTO
EVENT #6: $400 POT-LIMIT OMAHA – WILLIAM KOPP
RESULTS | REPORT | PHOTO
EVENT #7: $400 NO-LIMIT HOLD’EM EIGHT-MAX – SHADRACH TERRY
RESULTS | REPORT | PHOTO
EVENT #8: $400 NO-LIMIT HOLD’EM MONSTER – AARON LASATER
RESULTS | REPORT | PHOTO
EVENT #9: $250 NO-LIMIT HOLD’EM MULTI-FLIGHT – JOHN BOWMAN
RESULTS | REPORT | PHOTO
EVENT #10: $2,200 NO-LIMIT HOLD’EM HIGH ROLLER – KEVEN STAMMEN
RESULTS | REPORT | PHOTO
EVENT #11: $1,700 NO-LIMIT HOLD’EM MAIN EVENT – ADAM ROSS
RESULTS | REPORT | PHOTO
EVENT #12: $400 NO-LIMIT HOLD’EM TURBO – JEFF TRUDEAU
RESULTS | REPORT | PHOTO
EVENT #13: $400 NLHE DOUBLE STACK – ROLAND ISRAELASHVILI
RESULTS | REPORT | PHOTO
