David Hengen Claims His Fourth Ring at WSOPC Council Bluffs Main Event

David Hengen wins WSOP Circuit Council Bluffs Main Event
Terrance Reid
Posted on: September 19, 2023 01:13 PDT

The World Series of Poker capped a busy week at the Horseshoe Council Bluffs Circuit stop by crowning a new Main Event Champion.

David Hengen is your newest WSOP Council Bluffs Main Event winner, claiming $116,846 and his fourth ring for his efforts.

"This is my biggest cash," said the Omaha, Nebraska native. "I probably felt the most confident and comfortable."

WSOP-C Council Bluffs Main Event final table results

Place Player Prize
1 David Hengen $116,846
2 Mo Nuwwarah $72,216
3 Daniel Lowery $51,838
4 Michael Henery $37,801
5 Timothy Garles $28,011
6 Matthew Dodd $21,097
7 Max Havlish $16,155
8 Daniel Thomas $12,580
9 Banipal Simonovich $9,966

"Go with the flow"

Hengen has learned much about emotional and mental control at the tables, a fact that kept him in contention all day today.

“As I’ve gotten more experienced with poker, being able to control my emotions is something I have improved tremendously," said Hengen.

"As I’ve gotten more experienced with poker, being able to control my emotions is something I have improved tremendously. You have some bad runouts, but you just kind of have to go with the flow."

David Hengen, newest WSOP Circuit Main Event champion

Indeed, he understands tournament poker isn't always a smooth sail toward the cash. "You have some bad runouts, but you just kind of have to go with the flow. That’s something that helps me do as I do.” 

This wasn't Hengen's only cash this series, as he also had a third-place finish earlier in the week. This one is obviously the biggest score, and he plans to immediately put some of those winnings to use.

It's time for a Georgian vacation

Hengen has a big week ahead of him outside of the poker tables.

“My wife and I are going to be taking our kids to Savannah, Georgia," said Hengen. "It is our 15th wedding anniversary, as well as our son’s 14th birthday. I’m sure we will do something extravagant for the celebration.” 

Hengen's wife is actually heavily responsible for his entry into live poker events.

"When I was talking to my then-fiancee, now wife, there was a debate do I move to New York or do I move to Omaha," said Hengen. "One of the arguments that my wife used was 'You know they have a casino right across the river, you can play poker whenever you want.' So that's how I got into casino tournament poker."

What a great week for that family. An anniversary, a birthday, and well over $100k in cash to fund the sure-to-be celebrations.

Congratulations to David Hengen on his impressive victory, and we hope you enjoy celebrating both rings this week. One from 15 years ago, the other by becoming the latest World Series of Poker champion.