Cherokee outdoes itself again!
Baby rungood strikes again!
Oh, Cherokee, how we missed you!
The WSOP Circuit returned to its biggest and brightest venue for the summer edition of its quarterly series, with the usual massive fields and huge prize pools.
As it always is in the Smoky Mountains, the excitement was palpable as Circuit grinders and eager recreational players battled for the biggest prizes on tour.
18 more rings were awarded, along with those hugely coveted $5,000 packages to WSOP Paradise in the Bahamas this December.
You, the players who follow the Circuit around the country, are fundamental to the game we love so much. You deserve recognition, coverage, and appreciation. This newsletter showcases the best stories and highlights from each stop.
IN REVIEW: WSOP-C Cherokee
Baby rungood strikes again! Zachary Fischer wins Cherokee Main Event
“That baby’s getting a sick crib!”
This was a shout heard from his friends on the rail as Zachary Fischer posed for photos after winning the biggest tournament of his life, as he and his wife await the birth of their first child.
Fischer and his new bride will have $324,135 to spend on that crib and anything else they wish for their baby, thanks to his topping a field of 1,437 to win his first WSOP Circuit ring.
“It really means a lot to me,” said the champion. “It feels overwhelming, and I’m just really happy. I’ve been playing for a really long time and really chasing a ring… the baby rungood is real!”
Fischer’s final ascent to the Main Event title began in fifth place of 13 players returning for the final day of play. Following start-of-day chip leader Marc Lacroix’s demise in eighth place, and a series of quick eliminations to follow, Fischer found himself heads-up with J.B. Wells for what would become a two-hour battle.
Both players would hold sizable leads in their duel for the right to have their name hanging in the rafters of the Cherokee Exhibition Hall, until a pivotal hand late in the day as the clock neared 11 p.m. ET.
On a king-nine-eight flop, Wells shoved with middle pair, putting Fischer to the test for his tournament life. The champion made the call with pocket queens and held up to take a lead he wouldn’t relinquish.
From there, Wells called his final ten big blinds with jack-five suited versus Fischer’s jam with queen-ten suited. Queen-high held, and Fischer was declared the winner.
The win is the largest of Fischer’s career, moving him over the $1,000,000 mark in career tournament earnings according to the Hendon Mob. It also far eclipses his most notable previous WSOP score, when he was runner-up in February’s Monster Stack event here for $80,191.
Series Highlights: McEwen and Whittington lead a pack of multi-ring winners
McEwen adds his 9th after winning number 8 here in May
The last time the WSOP Circuit was at Cherokee back in May, Preston McEwen made his usual deep runs in the series, including snagging his eighth ring in the $600 Pot-Limit Omaha event.
McEwen was back at it again this series, with a final table in the Monster Stack event, followed by ring number nine in Event #16: $400 No-Limit Hold ‘em for another $18,676 to add to his over $2,600,000 in career tournament earnings.
Whittington closes the series with his eighth ring
This edition of WSOPC Cherokee saw a litany of Circuit regulars making return appearances to the winner’s circle, right up until the final ring was awarded.
That last trophy went to now eight-time Circuit champion Blake Whittington, who took home the title in Event #18: $400 Double Stack Closer, besting a field of 419 entries for $27,058.
Whittington’s win capped an impressive series for players who were looking to add to their WSOP jewelry collection, which we’ll dive into a bit later in the newsletter.
Video Highlights:
Cherokee provided no shortage of great moments on the felt, including a couple of instances of bets that made us go ‘huh’, a gentleman whose nickname is what now?! And a little slice of our Main Event champion owning his opponents’ souls.
IN PICTURES: Cherokee ring winners
18 more WSOP Circuit rings have been awarded as players add to the legend of the WSOP Circuit at Cherokee.
Omar Sader was on-site to capture all of the series’ triumphs. Enjoy each of their moments highlighted below. For even more of our favorite photos, scroll down to the bottom of this newsletter.
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IN NUMBERS: WSOP-C Cherokee
Cherokee is known for attracting the best of the best on the WSOP Circuit, and this edition was no exception. Several Circuit veterans made the most of their time in North Carolina, with half of the 18 winners adding to their WSOP collections.
In this edition of “In Numbers,” we celebrate their achievements.
Multi-time Circuit ring winners: 9
Total rings for those players: 42
Players earning at least a 2nd ring:
Preston McEwen - 9
Blake Whittington - 8
Steven Snyder - 7
Daniel Pearlman - 5
Corey Bierria - 3
Pablo Valdivieso - 3
Daniel Kusnerak - 3
Connor Steinbrook - 2
David Cook - 2
NEXT TO ACT: Upcoming stops
The Circuit is as busy as it’s ever been with series currently running at Graton, Atlantic City, Playground, and just underway, New Orleans.
Here’s a look at the schedules for the return to the Big Easy, as well as a pair of upcoming Midwest stops.
We hope to see you at one or more of our upcoming stops!
Horseshoe Council Bluffs schedule
Behind the lens: Cherokee photos
Omar Sader captured photos from the felt in every single ring event. Enjoy some of our favorites. These and hundreds more are available to download for free thanks to the official media partner of the WSOP Circuit, PokerOrg.
Scroll down to see how to download yours.
Capture your own on-the-felt memory
Every time we sit at the table is a chance to make a lasting memory on the felt. Whether you capture a ring this time or not, help us bring your experience to life. Head to Poker.org/photos to browse our free photo galleries and even request your own photo at the next Circuit stop!