WSOPC Event #1: $400 No-Limit Hold'em 30K Opener

Christopher Staats Wins Second Ring in Choctaw Six Max Event

Durant, Oklahoma (January 17, 2017) – Christopher Staats has just defeated a field of 498 entries to take down the World Series of Poker six max event at Choctaw Casino, earning his second Circuit ring and $32,870. 

Staats made the unofficial final table of seven in this same event last year, but was ultimately eliminated in 7^th place ($2,989). He said that getting so close last year really gave a sense of purpose coming into this year’s event. “This is also my home casino, so I think those two things gave me a sense of confidence this time around,” Staats explained. 

Staats entered the unofficial final table of seven, second in chips behind Chase Cudmore who was ultimately eliminated in 3^rd place ($14,701). Staats said that the final table was exceptionally tough and that while he didn’t know most of the players personally, the competition was anything but easy.

There is somewhat of an idea that six max events play faster than traditional full table Hold’em games. But the portion of three-handed play at this final table was anything but fast, lasting over five full hours.   

“We went really fast from seven down to three (players). Once we got three handed everyone was pretty deep with over 60 bigs. I think I had the lead with 100 and they both had 60. We probably played five to six hours three-handed, and no one was really making any mistakes. We were just kind of taking turns coolering each other and I mean all three of us were giving each other props on how tough it was. Everybody just grinded it out. I got lucky, I won a couple of flips and I held in some good spots,” Staats said. 

Staats has earned himself a night off with friends tonight, but being a professional poker player means he will be right back to work tomorrow. According to him, he may have a drink or two with some friends tonight but then its right back here for work tomorrow in the $580 No-Limit Hold’em One Day tournament.

“This is my first stop of 2017. I’ve got a lot of momentum going forward and I am just going to try to carry it over.  I had my best year ever as a pro last year, and I didn’t have anything over $25k. Now I’ve already got a $32k score. I am just gonna build on that,” Staats said about his plans going forward.  And he’s off to a great start in the building process.   

Below are the results of the final table. Full results from this event are available in the Results tab above

1 – Christopher Staats– $26,334
2 – Fadi Massaad – $20,408
3 – Chase Cudmore – $14,701
4 – Wesley Cutshall – $10,607
5 – Timothy Ragland – $7,679
6 – Eduardo Contreras – $5,573

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At the conclusion of this event Christopher Staats has taken the lead in the Casino Champion race with 60 points. Jorge Nieto, Wesley Cooper, Andrew Telfer, Charles Adkins, and Nathanael Kogel are now tied for second place with 50 points each. The player who accumulates the most overall points in the twelve gold ring tournaments at Choctaw Casino earns the title of Casino Champion, and receives an automatic entry into the $1 million 2017 WSOP Global Casino Championship (seat valued at $10,000). The winner of the Choctaw Main Event earns an automatic entry to the Global Casino Championship as well. All players who cash in ring events will receive points that apply to both the Casino Champion race and the season-long race to claim one of the 50 at-large Global Casino Championship bids awarded to the top point earners throughout the season. More information on the points system is available on WSOP.com.

Here is the list of gold ring winners from Choctaw so far:

EVENT #1: Jorge Nieto defeated 1,096 entries ($365 No-Limit Hold’em Monster Stack) for $60,005.

EVENT #2: Charles Adkins defeated 5,280 entries ($365 No-Limit Hold’em Re-Entry) for $237,622

EVENT #3: Wesley Cooper defeated 377 entries ($365 Congress 5-Card Omaha High Low) for $24,882

EVENT #4: Andrew Telfer defeated 506 entries ($365 No-Limit Hold’em One Day) for $32,636

EVENT #5: Nathanael Kogel defeated 399 entries ($365 No-Limit Hold'em) for $26,334

EVENT #6: Christopher Staats defeated 498 entries ($365 No-Limit Hold’em Six Max) for $32,870

With this tournament now wrapped up, there are still 6 more gold ring events before the WSOP Circuit at Choctaw concludes on January 23, 2017.