Main Event: Joseph Gotlieb Wins WSOP Circuit Main Event

2017 Seminole Hard Rock WSOP Circuit
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Hollywood, Florida
Event 10
WSOP Circuit Main Event
$1,675 No Limit Hold’em (Single Re-Entry)
$1,000,000 Guaranteed
Entries: 904
Prize Pool: $1,356,000
September 29-October 2, 2017

Joseph Gotlieb, WSOP Circuit Main Event Champion

The big event on the 2017 Seminole Hard Rock WSOP Circuit schedule was the $1,000,000 Guarantee Main Event to close out the series. The $1,675 buy-in tournament drew talented players from around the world and it was Joseph Gotlieb taking the title after defeating former WPT World Champion Asher Conniff for more than $250,000.

The Main Event drew 904 entries across two starting flights and they were limited to a single re-entry for each flight. They combined to push the $1,000,000 guarantee up to a $1,356,000 prize pool when registration closed.

We saw former WSOP bracelet champs, WSOP Circuit ring winners, SHRP regulars, and amateurs all playing side-by-side. Of those 904 entries, 162 players booked their seats for Day 2 where they would burst the money bubble when only 99 remained.

Seminole Hard Rock Tampa poker ambassador Wally Maddah slid into the money but was the first sent out after the bubble. He was followed by former SHRP champs Chris Bolek, Nicolas Mahabee, and Paul Balzano.

Conniff began Day 2 with only 19K, good for six big blinds when they put cards back in the air. He ran his short stack up as the day progressed and the field dropped lower. Conniff’s run continued until he held the chip lead when Day 2 ended with 14 players.

The final day was on a quick pace from the beginning with Jason Appel hitting the exit in one of the first hands followed by Steven McKoy, Brad Ruben, and Juan Martinez to form the final table ten.

Mauricio Ameller was the leader at the start of the final table and he was closely trailed by Conniff and three-time WSOP bracelet winner Brian Hastings. Michael Amato and Daniel Genachte hit the rail early from the final table followed by Jack Shea and poker pro Chad Eveslage.

Former SHRP champ Brett Bader had a rollercoaster final table,  he spent time as the leader and time as the short stack. He rode the ride but had to settle for a fifth-place finish. Hastings dropped from first in chips to a fourth-place payout after several big hands against Gotlieb and Ameller left the final table on his heels.

The heads-up battle kicked off with Conniff holding an 11-to-7 chip lead but Gotlieb turned the tables after a few hands. The final pot saw 95% of the chips go in the middle in a race between Conniff’s AdKs and Gotlieb’s 7d7s. Gotlieb made a river boat to finish off the tournament.

Conniff earned $159,357 for his runner-up finish while Gotlieb banked $257,638 along with the personalized WSOP Circuit Main Event ring and custom-framed winner’s photo courtesy of Image Masters.

Goltlieb is a local business owner, Hollywood resident, and regular in the poker room. He has several tournament cashes on property plus a deep run this summer in a $1,500 World Series of Poker event. This is by far the biggest cash of his career and he said this was a good opportunity for him to go pro with the bankroll boost.

Congrats to Gotlieb on the big score and thanks to our players for the great turnout for the WSOP Circuit Main Event.

WSOP Circuit Main Event final table results:

1st: Joseph Gotlieb – $257,638 + Gold Ring and $10K GCC Seat
2nd: Asher Conniff – $159,357
3rd: Mauricio Ameller – $117,619
4th: Brian Hastings – $88,004
5th: Brett Bader – $66,675
6th: Chad Eveslage – $51,148
7th: Jack Shea – $39,717
8th: Daniel Genachte – $31,229
9th: Michael Amato – $24,842

Full WSOP Circuit Main Event Results