A new World Series of Poker Circuit Main Event champion has been crowned in Tulsa after John Dollinger was the last player standing from a field 487 to win his second WSOP Circuit ring and the top prize of $147,178.
Monday's win is Dollinger’s best WSOP cash to date, surpassing a runner-up finish in the WSOPC Harrah’s New Orleans Main Event back in 2016.
Dollinger came into the last day in third place against a final table that included two Circuit ring winners from this series, with Event #11 winner Andy Robinson falling in seventh place before Dollinger defeated Event #9: $400 Double Stack winner Russell Brooks heads up.
Russell Brooks (shown after the Double Stack) nearly nabbed another ring in the Main Event. A long-awaited win
“It does feel really good” Dollinger told us after the victory. “I haven’t won an event in nine years. It’s my first time in Tulsa. I flew in Friday and came just to play one tournament, and I already booked my flight going back tonight. So I kind of just planned on winning, and came out here and won it. It feels good.”
Dollinger recently played in the WSOPC Circuit in Graton, where he was frustrated with how things went.
“When there were 50 players left in Graton I was chip leader, and then I went out around 40th place. And the reason I busted was sort of my fault, because I talked someone into calling me. The guy who knocked me out went on to win the tournament and I told him I would win the next one.”
John Dollinger picked up his first win in nine years. When asked what helped him prepare for the Main Event, Dollinger cited his competitive nature.
“I’m very competitive. A few times I’ve got second place and I’m not even happy. I love winning, I love competing and there’s nothing more competitive than poker. Everyone has the same deck and we all start with the same stack. Doesn’t matter where you’re from, a check is a check, a bet is a bet. It’s kind of a universal game.”
It's another step in the right direction for Dollinger, who closed out the interview with a note on his personal growth. “I’d like the world to know that I’m sober. And I’m staying sober. This is the new version of me. I’m very excited about the future, honestly.”
WSOP Circuit Tulsa Main Event final table results
| Place | Player | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | John Dollinger | $147,178 |
| 2 | Russell Brooks | $98,109 |
| 3 | Iman Alsaden | $67,346 |
| 4 | James Jewell | $47,149 |
| 5 | Yoradnos Mebrahtu | $33,679 |
| 6 | Kiran Suresh | $24,555 |
| 7 | Andy Robinson | $18,282 |
| 8 | Marvin Donaldson | $13,906 |
| 9 | Matt Riffel | $10,811 |
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