The World Series of Poker has released the first half of its WSOP Circuit schedule for its 20th season. Starting July 17-28 in Durant, OK at Choctaw Casino Resort, followed by Cherokee, NC August 1-12, the series kicks off at a pair of long-time stops.
Not long after the kickoff, Northern California’s two hottest poker locations get their first looks at the new season of the biggest poker tour in the world.
First up is Graton Resort and Casino in Sonoma County’s Wine Country from August 15-26.
Graton made its WSOP Circuit debut last season with an incredibly successful series that saw a massive schedule of 20 ring events including mixed games, a High Roller event, two seniors events, and just under $3,000,000 awarded in massive prizepool after massive prizepool.
Among the series’ highlights was the WSOP Circuit’s all-time ring leader Ari Engel adding two more to his tally with victories in the $400 H.O.R.S.E. and $400 Big O events.
The series hit its crescendo with a $1,700 Main Event that nearly doubled its $500,000 guarantee.
Michael Persky took home $175,595 from the $933,240 prizepool for his triumph over a field of 616 entries, and as we’d soon find out, he was just getting started.
Back to what’s coming up this fall, Thunder Valley Casino Resort in Lincoln, CA retakes center stage from September 26-October 7.
Thunder Valley’s 13-event 2023 fall Circuit series also featured a wide variety of events and big fields throughout, with another star of the Circuit adding to his ring collection as Valentin Vornicu picked up his 13th win in the $600 2-7 Triple Draw event.
The series was capped off by another incredible Main Event as Persky went back-to-back in NorCal, taking down this Main Event as well. This time Persky defeated a field of 594 entries for a $170,870 win.
Last fall’s Thunder Valley series saw those 13 events top a collective $2,000,000 in prizepools and this fall’s series could easily surpass that number as fields grow at Thunder Valley with every series.
As always, the champion of each event will take home a WSOP Circuit ring and earn entry into the $1,000,000 Tournament of Champions freeroll whose location will be released at a later date.
Detailed schedules for each WSOP Circuit stop will be released at a date closer to those of the series.
PokerLiveUpdates will be on site for both the Graton and Thunder Valley series with coverage of each event to bring you all the action in the chase for WSOP Circuit glory.
Mike Patrick travels the world writing about poker for the World Poker Tour, PokerOrg, the WSOP and many more entities.
