The first stop of the new World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC) season wrapped up this week with WSOP Choctaw, a series in Oklahoma consisting of 20 ring events that generated over $3.2 million in prize money.
The series, which ran July 17-28, culminated with two-time bracelet winner Justin Lapka taking home $252,282 and his third Circuit ring after denying runner-up Gregg Merkow a third ring of his own. You can read all about Lapka’s WSOPC Choctaw victory here.
Across the other ring events in Choctaw, there were several first-time Circuit ring victories by up-and-coming grinders, as well as a few wins from veteran players who added to their ring collections.
Read About Justin Lapka’s WSOPC Choctaw Main Event Win!
Sawyer, Pupillo Among First-Time Ring Winners
The series got underway with Event #1: $130 Seniors Kick-Off, an event that drew 597 runners for a prize pool of $59,700. Durant, Oklahoma’s Gregory Knighton shipped the event for $10,619, his first ring and just his second WSOP cash after a 17th-place finish in last year’s Choctaw $250 Super Seniors event for $644.
Another early first-time ring winner was Rachel Sawyer, a poker player from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma who has burst onto the mid-stakes tournament scene with deep runs in WSOP Circuit and RunGood Poker Series (RGPS) events. Sawyer topped a field of 189 runners in Event #4: $300 No-Limit Hold’em 6-Handed for a ring and $10,669.
The victory made for Sawyer’s second five-figure score of the summer as she finished runner-up in the LIPS South Point National Championship in Las Vegas for $10,796.
Later in the series, James Pupillo added to his family’s poker legacy as he took down Event #14: $250 No-Limit Hold’em for his first ring and $8,790. James Pupillo is the brother of reigning GPI Mid-Player of the Year Nick Pupillo, who himself is a bracelet winner and three-time Circuit champion.
Fakhimi & Thomas Add Rings
Meanwhile, Shawn Fakhimi won his third ring, a Main Event seat and $6,529 in Event #16: $400 Ring And Seat as he denied Timothy Gilliam a maiden ring. Fakhimi’s first ring dates back to 2008 when he won a $550 event at Caesars Palace for $60,815, while his second ring came at Harrah’s Tunica in 2012 in a $365 event for $22,071.
The Choctaw stop closed out with Louisiana’s Benjamin Thomas win Event #20: $400 No-Limit Hold’em – The Finale for his second ring and $14,977. Thomas earned his first ring in 2018 in a $400 event at Biloxi that brought him $12,659.
Other players who picked up rings in Choctaw included Erick Argote (Event #9: $300 No-Limit Hold’em – $19,452), Van Vandergriff (Event #19: $300 No-Limit Hold’em – The Twilight – $16,968) and Michael Brown, who topped a 1,048-player field in Event #5: $500 The Gargantuan to win $68,326.
A full list of Circuit ring winners at the WSOPC Choctaw stop is available in the table below.
2024 WSOPC Choctaw Ring Winners
| EVENT | ENTRANTS | PRIZE POOL | WINNER | HOMETOWN | PRIZE (IN USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WSOPC Event #1: $130 Seniors Kick-Off | 597 | $59,700 | Gregory Knighton | Durant, OK | $10,619 |
| WSOPC Event #2: $250 No-Limit Hold’em | 264 | $52,800 | Marshal Decker | Denison, TX | $11,690 |
| WSOPC Event #3: $300 Monster Stack | 463 | $111,120 | Alessandro Bertoncini | Cortlandt Manor, NY | $21,149 |
| WSOPC Event #4: $300 No-Limit Hold’em 6-Handed | 189 | $45,360 | Rachel Sawyer | Broken Arrow, OK | $10,669 |
| WSOPC Event #5: $500 The Gargantuan | 1,048 | $440,160 | Michael Brown | Flower Mound, TX | $68,326 |
| WSOPC Event #6: $250 No-Limit Hold’em | 208 | $41,600 | Ben Ross | Arlington, TX | $9,784 |
| WSOPC Event #7: $300 No-Limit Hold’em Bounty | 286 | $54,340 | Joseph Ferguson | Catoosa, OK | $11,803 |
| WSOPC Event #8: $250 Ladies Event | 125 | $25,000 | Gloria Davila | Pearland, TX | $6,335 |
| WSOPC Event #9: $300 No-Limit Hold’em | 414 | $99,360 | Erick Argote | Monterrey, Mexico | $19,452 |
| WSOPC Event #10: $500 Big O | 225 | $94,500 | Kelechi Amadi | Bossier City, LA | $21,873 |
| WSOPC Event #11: $250 Seniors Event | 429 | $85,800 | Peter Clive | St. Charles, MO | $16,666 |
| WSOPC Event #12: $300 No-Limit Hold’em Double Stack | 394 | $94,560 | David Soskin | Highland, AR | $18,751 |
| WSOPC Event #13: $600 Mystery Bounty | 404 | $127,260 | Garry Ware | Denton, TX | $24,700 |
| WSOPC Event #14: $250 No-Limit Hold’em | 185 | $37,000 | James Pupillo | Gilbert, AZ | $8,790 |
| WSOPC Event #15: $250 No-Limit Hold’em | 214 | $42,800 | Michael ONeill | Waterford, Ireland | $9,978 |
| WSOPC Event #16: $400 Ring And Seat | 183 | $60,390 | Shawn Fakhimi | United States | $6,529 |
| WSOPC Event #17: $400 No-Limit Hold’em One-Day Turbo | 177 | $58,410 | Jay Allen | Independence, MO | $14,006 |
| WSOPC Event #18: $1,700 WSOP Million Dollar Main Event | 1,017 | $1,540,755 | Justin Lapka | Saint Paul, MN | $252,282 |
| WSOPC Event #19: $300 No-Limit Hold’em – The Twilight | 373 | $89,520 | Van Vandergriff | Dallas, TX | $16,968 |
| WSOPC Event #20: $400 No-Limit Hold’em – The Finale | 193 | $63,960 | Benjamin Thomas | Baton Rouge, LA | $14,977 |
*Photos courtesy WSOP Circuit
Follow on
I have been browsing online more than three hours today yet I never found any interesting article like yours It is pretty worth enough for me In my view if all website owners and bloggers made good content as you did the internet will be a lot more useful than ever before
Wonderful beat I wish to apprentice while you amend your web site how could i subscribe for a blog web site The account aided me a acceptable deal I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear idea
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Pn7RwbPSis
helloI really like your writing so a lot share we keep up a correspondence extra approximately your post on AOL I need an expert in this house to unravel my problem May be that is you Taking a look ahead to see you
you are truly a just right webmaster The site loading speed is incredible It kind of feels that youre doing any distinctive trick In addition The contents are masterwork you have done a great activity in this matter
Fantastic site A lot of helpful info here Im sending it to some buddies ans additionally sharing in delicious And naturally thanks on your sweat
Your articles never fail to captivate me. Each one is a testament to your expertise and dedication to your craft. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with the world.
In conclusion, Belhaven University sets itself apart with its legacy of excellence in education. Through its personalized approach, moral and spiritual guidance, and innovative online learning platform, Belhaven empowers students to reach their full potential both in and out of the classroom. By prioritizing holistic growth and providing a transformative educational experience, Belhaven is truly shaping the leaders of tomorrow. Belhaven University, located in Jackson, Mississippi, is renowned for its diverse range of programs and majors. Whether you’re interested in pursuing a degree in fine arts, business, education, or any other field, Belhaven has something for everyone. With a strong emphasis on Christian values and academic excellence, this institution provides students with a supportive and enriching environment to explore their passions and achieve their goals.
Usually I do not read article on blogs however I would like to say that this writeup very compelled me to take a look at and do it Your writing style has been amazed me Thank you very nice article
My brother suggested I might like this website He was totally right This post actually made my day You cannt imagine just how much time I had spent for this information Thanks
Simply desire to say your article is as surprising The clearness in your post is simply excellent and i could assume you are an expert on this subject Fine with your permission let me to grab your feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post Thanks a million and please carry on the gratifying work
Nem sei como vim parar aqui mas achei ótimo esse post não sei quem você é mas com certeza você está indo para um blogueiro famoso se ainda não o é.
Hello Neat post Theres an issue together with your site in internet explorer would check this IE still is the marketplace chief and a large element of other folks will leave out your magnificent writing due to this problem
Temp mail Good post! We will be linking to this particularly great post on our site. Keep up the great writing
Uau, maravilhoso layout do blog Há quanto tempo você bloga para você fazer o blog parecer fácil A aparência geral do seu site é ótima, assim como o conteúdo
Thank you for the auspicious writeup It in fact was a amusement account it Look advanced to far added agreeable from you However how can we communicate