Elgin, Illinois (12 April 2023) - The World Series of Poker Circuit has made its way back to Grand Victoria Casino with 16 gold rings being awarded between April 6th - 18th.
The riverboat casino was a new addition to this WSOPC schedule with the inaugural being held last November.
Thus far, seven circuit ring winners have been confirmed through the early events of the series with the results of the Monster Stack event still pending.
The series has been highlighted by a mixture of first-time and repeat winners with two events kicking things off.
In Event #1: $400 No-Limit Hold-em 30K opener, 520 runners took to the felt and generated a $171,600 prize pool. The one-day event crowned Ben Wiora his first Circuit ring along with $32,818.
Event #2: $400 No-Limit Hold'em saw four starting flights spanned over several days draw 1,082 entries which created a $557,320 prize pool.
Coming out on top was Ken Baime who secured his third Circuit ring along with his second largest WSOP cash of $90,183.
Event #3: $400 No-Limit Hold'em crowned its first lady of the series after Vanessa Villarica out-dueled OG Mike Puccio to claim her first ring along with $26,227.
The ever-growing Seniors event was again a big hit as it attracted 328 entries and created a $108,240 prize pool. Coming out victor was New York native David Cossio-Ruiz who secured his third ring, and the $23,336 first place prize.
Over the next couple of days, two more first-time ring winners rose to the occasion. First up was Jesse Bowman, who outlasted 195 entrants in Event #5: $400 NLH to claim the top spot for $15,519 while Buck Bucceri ran through 280 runners in the 8-Max and claimed the top spot for $21,409.
The most recent player to strike gold was David Sesso, who returned to the Circuit scene after an eight-year hiatus to claim his second ring along with $17,772 after he outlasted 233 players in Event #7: $400 PLO.
Here is a look at the results of the events thus far:
Event #1: $400 No-Limit Hold'em 30K Opener - Ben Wiora ($32,818)
Event #2: $600 No-Limit Hold'em Multi-Flight - Ken Baime ($90,183)
Event #3: $400 No-Limit Hold'em - Vanessa Villarica ($26,227)
Event #4: $400 Seniors Event - David Cossio-Ruiz ($23,336)
Event #5: $400 No-Limit Hold'em - Jesse Bowman ($15,519)
Event #6: $400 No-Limit Hold'em 8-Max - Buck Bucceri ($21,409)
Event #7: $400 Pot-Limit Omaha - David Sesso ($17,772)
The $1,700 buy-in Main Event is the premier event of the series and will be made up of three starting days beginning on Thursday, April 13th at 11:00 a.m. local time.
Day 2 will be held Sunday, April 16th with a local start time of Noon, and will be made up of the survivors from Days 1a, 1b & 1c, with the eventual winner being crowned Monday, April 17th.
The inaugural Grand Victoria Circuit winner was Frank Lagodich, who outlasted 1,070 entries to claim his first Circuit ring along with $275,896.
WSOP.com will be on hand starting tomorrow for full live reporting coverage of the Main Event so be sure to tune in!