This week, the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Circuit Championship Event in Tunica came to a close with a familiar name outlasting an outstanding final table.
The tournament began on Monday with 96 players putting $5,000 on the line to take down a WSOP Circuit championship, a diamond and gold ring and, perhaps more importantly, their buy-in for the 2010 WSOP Main Event. With slightly over $440,000 on the line for the final nine, play was marked in the early going by the professionals taking the lead over the best amateurs the Mid-South had to offer. Top online professional Matt “All In At 420” Stout was atop the leader board, with such players as 2009 European Poker Tour (EPT) Barcelona champion Carter Phillips, two time WSOP Circuit ring winner Dwyte Pilgrim, and Victory Poker sponsored pro Paul Wasicka. Such pros as Gavin Smith, Tommy Vedes, and Allen “Chainsaw” Kessler were among those not to survive Day One.
After playing down to 35 players on Day One, the remaining combatants came back on Tuesday to play down to a final table. Wasicka was able to make a serious move during play on Day Two, surging to the top of the mountain while players fell around him. Stout couldn’t maintain his lead, but was able to make his way to the final table as a middle stack. Phillips and Pilgrim also grinded their way into the money, but were faced with an uphill climb if they were to capture the tournament’s title.