Ryan Jones wins the World Series of Poker Circuit Main Event after defeating David Williams, in heads-up action, to take the first prize of $235,804 at Harrah’s Cherokee.
Ryan Jones has booked a berth at the $2 million guaranteed World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC) National Championships. The 24-year old from Burlington, North Carolina, defeated David Williams (not the David Williams) in heads-up action after entering the final table with a slight chip lead.
It’s been the greatest year in the poker career of Jones. After a few years of creating nothing but ripples, Jones first big wave came at the turn of the year when he finished fourth in a $2m guaranteed event at the World Poker Tour (WPT) Borgata Winter Open in Atlantic City. He picked up $119,582 for that finish, after proving he could wade through a huge field after 4,179 entrants signed on the dotted line.
Momentum begets momentum, and a few months later, a few hours from his hometown, he beats 786 entrants, and doubles that score.
“Winning at home was pretty special for sure,” Jones told the WSOP after his victory. “It feels pretty good. I’ve had a couple deep runs and couldn’t close the deal, so it felt good to finally get it done. I’d like to thank my mom and my grandma for taking care of me all my life, and now I get to pay it back.”
That win means he will return to the scene of glory, at the back end of July, to compete in the $2m guaranteed WSOPC National Championships. Michael Sewell, who won the Casino Championships award, after four cashes, two final tables, and victory in the first event of the festival, will join him. He also finished sixth in this one.
In truth, it was a final table devoid of any great storylines. Adam West made it, but upon greater inspection it was revealed that he didn’t wear a black cape and hang around with bats in his spare time. Diana Dinser was trying to follow in the footsteps of Michelle Chin, who became the first female to win a WSOPC Main Event at Council Bluffs earlier this month, but her attempt ended in fifth.
The WSOP did have a few gold ring winners at the final table. Garry Simms winning one in 2011, to join the aforementioned Sewell, but it was Jones who ‘put on a clinic’ to pick up his first.
It was the second six figure first prize of the festival after Chris Russell defeated 2,937 players in Event #4 for $125,559.
Final Table Results
1st. Ryan Jones – $235,804
2nd. David Williams – $145,371
3rd. Clifford Billups – $107,171
4th. Adam West – $79,877
5th. Diana Dinser – $60,329
6th. Michael Sewell – $46,158
7th. Martin Roberts – $35,759
8th. Peter Vitantonio – $28,048
9th. Garry Simms – $22,271
