WSOPC Event #10: $1,700 MAIN EVENT

Just 6 players of the initial 637 players returned to play today in the $1,700 Main Event at Grand Victoria Casino here in Elgin, Illinois. Each one of them had locked up $29,674 for their efforts over the past two days of play, but all eyes rested on the $175,684 and the WSOPC ring that would be awarded to a winner. 

The tournament was just one card away from going longer than the four hours that it went as Steve Buell found himself all in and behind with top pair top kicker against Matthew Lubawski's over pair. Both a river away from the tournament continuing on with Lubawski in the lead. The river eight gave the full house to Buell and put his first WSOPC Main Event title into his possession. 

"I've had some close calls before," Buell said when talking about WSOPC Main Events. "My deepest was 3rd in Council Bluffs, Josh (Reichard) got me." Buell also finished in 12th place in this very event in 2024. He bettered both of this finishes today, and this win marks another important milestone for Buell. "It is also my biggest live score. I had my first six-figure score this summer in the $10k Super Turbo Bounty, but this one definitely feels better."

"I had played with the entire field yesterday a decent amount, I looked up everyone on Hendon Mob. I had the most experience of the field and having the second biggest chip stack helps. When the chip leader was eliminated early, I got a lot of those chips and then after that, I felt pretty confident the rest of the way."

With tournament results dating back to 2009, Buell has consistently grinded in tournaments of all stakes and sizes over the past 15 years to put himself into ninth place on Wisconsin's all time money list. 

"Lot of variance working in my favor now. It's been so close with a lot of circuit mains, MSPTs, and other big tournaments. I've been getting a lot of sevenths, a lot of fourths, and it just feels great to close one out. A big one no less."

From 2022 onward, the Wisconsin original has been steadily amassing more cashes every single year with 2024 being a career best year for cashes for $350,305 over the course of the year. With this massive score now, Buell has set the stage to have another massive year and the Summer has yet to begin. 

"On top of the cards going my way, I have a lot of good friends around the game that you can talk hands with. Shoutout to the Lumberjacks." 

Buell had a strong rail today cheering him on, affectionately giving him the nickname "The Suamico Steamroller" at the final table. When he won the final hand, they were joyfully surrounding him and celebrating in their friends accomplishment. 

Having already locked up his seat to the 2025 WSOPC back in Council Bluffs, Buell has not changed his plan as far what he is going to do. 

"May 15th? I'll be there," the new champion said. With that, he and his friends went up to Wisconsin to go celebrate the night away. 

Day 3 Results

1. Steve Buell - $175,864
2. Matthew Lubawski - $117,241
3. Derek Hanauer - $80,803
4. Jason Flock - $56,753
5. Ian Greendale - $40,637
6. Steve Wangler - $29,674

Stay tuned to Poker.Org for all of the recaps of today's and yesterday's events!