This is the central page for information about the ongoing WSOP Circuit series at Fcxwoods Resort Casino. Check back here (http://lnmandiya.com/n/8m9) daily for updated schedule and results.
Justin Carey wins the Foxwoods Main Event; Andrew Lauer (pictured) captures the Casino Champion title
27 August 2019 (Connecticut) -The World Series of Poker Circuit $1,700 Main Event brought in 468 entries for a prize pool of $709,020 and it was 22-year-old Justin Carey who was victorious. He took home $143,293 for his second WSOP Circuit ring, and denied the all-time ring leader Maurice Hawkins from winning his 14th title.
“It’s awesome. I feel like I played really, really well the entire tournament. On Day 2 I had a couple bumps where I lost some really big pots. I just stayed focused and just played the best I could,” explained Carey. He more than doubled his overall career earnings in barely two years of playing poker.
Hawkins pocketed $88,557 for his deep run, and even made a huge comeback heads up after being down almost five-to-one at one point. He still sits as the overall WSOP Circuit leader with 13 rings, and has just shy of $2.5 million in WSOP earnings alone.
Foxwoods Main Event Final Table Results:
1st place: Justin Carey - $143,293
2nd place: Maurice Hawkins - $88,557
3rd place: David Plotkin - $64,663
4th place: Andrew Ostapchenko - $47,859
5th place: Dan Chalifour - $35,947
6th place: Gregory Nerenberg - $27,297
7th place: Joe Rudy - $21,058
8th place: Ralph Macri - $16,449
9th place: Sean Thomson - $13,079
The $3,250 No-Limit Hold'em High Roller wrapped up on Monday as well, and it was WSOP Circuit champion David Stefanski who took the title. He topped a field of 44 entries to earn himself $47,652 and his second WSOP Circuit High Roller title. He defeated his good friend James Frangoulidis heads up, who ended up earning $29,463 for his deep run.
This Circuit stop saw many players becoming multiple ring winners, including Andrew Lauer (3), Justin Carey (2), Dave Stefanski (2), Andrew Heckman (2), Luke Graham (2), and Kevin Lutz (2).
First-time ring winners included the likes of Bob Ricciuti, Max Wiosna, Michael Zaino, Darrell Lee, Donald Devish, Mark Amaral and Sean Carlson.
And finally, the title of Casino Champion belongs to Andrew Lauer, and it wasn't close. Lauer earned his third WSOP Circuit ring after winning Event #2 for $14,058. He then went on two make two more final tables, including a third place finish in the $3,250 High Roller on the final day of play.
Lauer racked up 122.5 points along with $44,073 in earnings across the series. He has won himself a seat into the 2020 Global Casino Championship next August.
Completed Events
Event #1: Andrew Heckman topped a field of 207 entries to win $16,566
Official Report | Results | Winners Photo
Event #2: Andrew Lauer topped a field of 92 entries to win $14,058
Official Report | Results | Winners Photo
Event #3: Bob Ricciuti topped a field of 1,754 entries to win $134,413
Official Report | Results | Winners Photo
Event #4: Max Wiosna topped a field of 322 entries to win $23,664
Official Report | Results | Winners Photo
Event #5: Michael Zaino topped a field of 156 entries to win $21,050
Official Report | Results | Winners Photo
Event #6: Luke Graham topped a field of 237 entries to win $18,364
Official Report | Results | Winners Photo
Event #7: Darrell Lee topped a field of 124 entries to win $11,143
Official Report | Results | Winners Photo
Event #8: Donald Devish topped a field of 443 entries to win $29,969
Official Report | Results | Winners Photo
Event #9 MAIN EVENT: Justin Carey topped a field of 468 entries to win $143,293
Official Report | Results | Winners Photo
Event #10: Kevin Lutz topped a field of 141 entries to win $19,475
Official Report | Results | Winners Photo
Event #11: Dave Stefanski topped a field of 44 entries to win $47,
Official Report | Results | Winners Photo
Event #12: Mark Amaral topped a field of 141 entries to win $9,523
Official Report | Results | Winners Photo
Event #13: Sean Carlson topped a field of 256 entries to win $11,771
Official Report | Results | Winners Photo
Seniors Event: Scott Robbins topped a field of 464 entries to win $18,811
Results | Winners Photo
Ladies Event: Ashley Haller topped a field of 117 entries to win $6,466
Results | Winners Photo
Casino Champion Update
Congratulations to Andew Lauer, the Foxwoods Casino Champion! He earned himself a seat into the 2020 WSOP Global Casino Championship next August.
Lauer won his third ring and made two final tables including a third place finish in the High Roller on the final day. He ended this Circuit stop with 122.5 points and a total of $44,073 in earnings.
About the Winners
Event #1: Andrew Heckman
The opening event at Foxwoods is in the books and Andrew Heckman was the last player standing out of 207 entries. He locked up his second career World Series of Poker Circuit ring along with $16,566, the lions share of the $68,310 prize pool.
“It feels really good because I told this kid I wasn’t gonna duplicate my other ring, just to give me more motivation to win that one – and that was two years ago,” said an elated Heckman, after explaining that his first ring was stolen.
Heckman generally only plays the Circuit stops that come to Foxwoods. “I’m definitely a better tournament player than cash, but I play cash a lot. It feels good to win tournaments.”
The newly crowned champion got into poker via his father, who used to be an avid player online. “He was really good. He won tournaments all the time. I used to stay up long nights and watch him when I was a kid before school and stuff. He’d tell me ‘go to bed’ and this and that,” laughed Heckman.
Event #2: Andrew Lauer
“It feels amazing. I can only play a few events so when I came down I said the six-max is the one,” said Andrew Lauer. It certainly was the one, earning himself $14,058 and his third career World Series of Poker Circuit ring.
“The third one was kind of elusive. I got heads-up down in Florida – didn’t get it. Made a couple other final tables – couldn’t get it. So to actually get it feels amazing. Gotta keep going for more though – get four and five,” said a motivated Lauer.
The final table was not easy for Lauer though. “When I came into the final table I didn’t love my seat. I had one of the chip leaders on my right and then I had, in my opinion, the best player at the table on my left - James Camby. So, I knew I was going to be handcuffed.” A fortunate hand flopping top set against Camby’s top pair gave him the boost he needed to get the job done.
Event #3: Bob Ricciuti
After a long battle, Bob Ricciuti finally locked up his first World Series of Poker Circuit ring and first six-figure cash in Event #3: #600 No-Limit Hold’em. Ricciuti had a big rail behind him for the last few days, eventually watching him earn a massive $134,413, which put his lifetime earnings over $500,000.
“I have a reputation for being bitter because I’ve been around a long time and I’ve never gotten a big payday. People that know me know the real me. They’ll see you when you’re busting a tournament, and the whole world is looking at you at your weakest moment. So, it feels like vindication. It feels really nice,” said an emotional Ricciuti.
Ricciuti said he felt as though he was forced into becoming a professional poker player after his family faced some health issues. “For the first couple of years I was playing professionally we were struggling. My daughter was young. But here I am 13 years later and I’m still grinding it out. I’m always fighting for my life – I’m fighting for my family,” said Ricciuti.
Event #4: Max Wiosna
The poker dealer from Vernon only plays five to ten tournaments per year and called his shot today.
“Its kinda surreal. I work a lot at MGM Springfield, so I don’t get a lot of time to play,” explained Wiosna. He doesn’t have aspirations to play poker for a living, but takes the game seriously nonetheless. “I just do it for fun. I used to try to have too much fun, and it kinda hurt my bankroll,” laughed Wiosna.
The newly crowned champion got into poker by way of house games, and is now in the winners’ circle. Working in the industry as a poker dealer has certainly helped his game. “I needed a job and the casino was opening up last August, so I just decided to take the class and see where it would go.”
Event #5: Michael Zaino
Michael Zaino took his final table chip lead and went wire-to-wire to win his first ever World Series of Poker Circuit ring in Event #5: $600 No-Limit Hold’em. The newly crowned champion took home $21,050, doubling his overall career earnings.
The final table came together quickly on Day 2 after 10 players came back on the final table bubble. Zaino held the chip lead and never looked back. The Wethersfield resident defeated Stephen Friedrich heads up and denied Andrew Lauer his fourth Circuit ring.
Event #6: Luke Graham
A field of 237 entries has dwindled down to one player standing – Luke Graham. He earned himself $18,364, the biggest chunk of the $78,210 prize pool in this one day event. Graham beat Sunkee Lee heads up for the title and his second career World Series of Poker Circuit ring.
“It feels great,” smiled Graham. He played a big pot with Lee where he rivered a flush to take a commanding lead and never looked back.
Poker has gotten tougher over the years, and Graham credits his aggressive play when explaining how he has stayed competitive. “Playing a lot more hands than I used to,” said Graham.
Event #7: Darrell Lee
After two days of play, it was Darrell Lee who was victorious in Event #7: $400 Omaha Hi/Lo 8 or Better for $11,143. Lee topped a field of 124 entries, taking home the bulk of the $40,920 prize pool.
Ming Lee came in with the chip lead to start the day and the final table, but the newly crowned champion battled hard after a lengthy heads-up battle and locked up the win.
This was Lee’s first ever career tournament win, and he celebrated by picking up a piece of jewelry in the process. Lee has now almost tripled his overall career earnings and added a mixed game title to his resume.
Event #8: Donald Devish
Donald Devish topped a field of 443 entries in the Monster Stack at Foxwoods to win his first ever World Series of Poker Circuit ring. He took home $29,969 for his biggest career cash, taking home the bulk of the $40,920 prize pool.
“It feels pretty great,” laughed Devish. He’s been playing poker since he was 12 years old. “My dad actually taught me – playing home games, bars and local games.” This isn’t Devish’s career, but he definitely takes the game seriously.
This is Devish’s biggest cash to date, and first WSOP cash. When asked where this win ranks within his poker career, Devish laughed and replied: “Definitely top of the list!”
Event #10: Kevin Lutz
In what was supposed to be a two-day event, Kevin Lutz wrapped things up in one day, earning $19,476 and his second World Series of Poker Circuit ring. Lutz defeated Rickey Lee heads up, topping a field of 141 entries and taking home the bulk of the $72,615 prize pool.
Lutz has an impressive poker resume, with almost $400,000 in career cashes. This score is just a quarter of his biggest career cash, which was for $81,753 in 2018. His two wins stem from his two WSOP Circuit rings, and if his track record is any indication, there will surely be more to come.
Event #12: Sean Carlson
On the final day of the Foxwoods Circuit stop, Sean Carlson has taken down Event 12 for $11,771 and his first ever World Series of Poker Circuit ring. This is far from his biggest career cash, but puts him at around $250,000 in earnings. Carlson is a courier by day, but plays about 100 tournaments a year on the side.
“It feels fantastic,” smiled Carlson, with his wife on the rail proudly looking on. “It’s my fifth final table and I finally won one.” The newly crowned champion explained that he doesn’t play for a living but he would like to.
“I’ve just been watching it (poker) on TV since I was 15, 16 years old. I’ve been playing at the casino for 15 years now,” explained Carlson. “I watch a lot of Twitch. I also do ‘Raise Your Edge’, and I like to study. You need to do a lot of studying.”
Event #13: Mark Amaral
It was the last day of the Foxwoods Circuit stop and Mark Amaral decided to rail his friend Justin Carey to victory in the Main Event. He entered the final tournament, Event 13, and ended up taking it down for $9,523, his biggest score and first ever victory and Circuit ring.
“It feels good – pretty good,” smiled Amaral. He mostly plays cash games to build his bankroll, but plays the odd tournament here and there. “I’ve wanted to get more into tournaments, but I really just grind cash. I’ve probably played seven and cashed five of them – but nothing deep.”
The poker player from Middleton, MA has been playing the game for a long time. “I’ve been playing all my life. I went to school for engineering – didn’t like it. I got into construction. I was winning money at poker, didn’t wanna be outside in the cold anymore so I just started playing poker full time,” explained Amaral.
