Blair Hinkle creates World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC) history after defending his Council Bluffs main event title, and becoming the first player to win three WSOPC main event titles at the same location.
What a year it has been for Blair Hinkle.
The 28-year old WSOP bracelet holder from Kansas was a winner without even playing a hand when Full Tilt Poker (FTP) finally handed over his seven figure FTOPS Main Event win, and he has followed that up with another decent wedge in the WSOPC Main Event at Council Bluffs.
Hinkle was in record-breaking mood.
Not only did he become the first-ever player to successfully defend a WSOPC Main Event title, he became the first-ever player to win three WSOPC Main Event rings at the same location, and only the second person to win three WSOPC main event gold rings at all locations after a certain card throwing, carrot slicing, Stetson wearing poker player I would rather not mention by name.
After originally busting on Day 1A, Hinkle took advantage of the re-entry clause to take his seat in Day 1B where he racked up an impressive 329,000, more than 2.5 the size of anyone else with chips in a plastic bag, and more than two of the stacks that eventually made the final table.
“I don’t think it’s set in exactly yet. I think I just take a lot of pride in my play and winning the tournaments. I think that my play is pretty good as we get deeper and it really starts to turn up to a higher level, as we get closer to the final table and throughout the final table. I think that’s what I’m proud of. Winning each time doesn’t matter as much to me as playing well and feeling like I deserve to win it, I guess.” Hinkle told WSOP after his win.
Hinkle didn’t have everything his own way mind you. His heads-up battle against Matt Bond lasted for over five hours and the chips could have fallen on either side of the table before Hinkle won two vital all-in pots to retake the chip lead and finally finish off the tireless Bond.
Hinkle’s victory hands him a place at the WSOP National Championships due to take place at Bally’s Atlantic City May 22-24.
Here are the results of the Council Bluffs series. The next stop will be the Harrah’s Casino in Philadelphia.
EVENT #1: Jeff Esposito defeated 183 players ($365 NLH) for $14,275
EVENT #2: Bruce Waltke defeated 178 players ($365 NLH Turbo) for $14,416
EVENT #3: Stephen Kats defeated 499 entries ($365 NLH Re-Entry) for $32,181
EVENT #4: Jeremy Roldan defeated 151 players ($365 NLH) for $12,231
EVENT #5: James Mullin defeated 141 players ($365 NLH) for $11,844
EVENT #6: Joshua Reichard defeated 130 players ($365 LO8) for $10,919
EVENT #7: Duncan Barnell defeated 160 players ($365 NLH 6-Handed) for $13,441
EVENT #8: Henry Gingerich defeated 192 players ($365 NLH) for $14,976
EVENT #9: Matthew Anderson defeated 160 players ($580 NLH) for $21,600
EVENT #10: Yossi Azulay defeated 168 players ($365 NLH Turbo) for $13,609
THE MAIN EVENT: Blair Hinkle defeated 247 entries ($1,675 NLH) for $90,770
