The World Series of Poker Circuit Crowns Bilguun Odgerel As Its Thunder Valley Main Event Champion

The World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC) had two starting flights that attracted 679 players to California’s Thunder Valley Casino Resort. The $1,700 buy-in no-limit Hold’em event had a $1,028,685 that its top 102 participants shared. Each of them took $2,558 or more in the four days.

Even so, 106 entrants advanced to Day 2. The money bubble burst shortly after the day’s action kicked off before the field was reduced to nine finalists.

The final table was played on January 23, and Bilguun Odgerel emerged as the winner taking home $195,194. He was the WSOPC’s second winner this year. Besides, this was Odgerel’s largest cash in his poker career. The Hendon Mob shows that the Oakland, California resident has almost $300,000 in poker tournament earnings.

Several talented players who won money in the tournament included Joshua Morrow, Dann Turner, Justin Lapka, Amir Lehavot, Kyle Kitagawa, Pat Lyons, Brett Murray, Jarod Minghini, Adam Curchack, and Curt Kohlberg. Some of them often play at the Thunder Valley Poker Room. Yet, they have participated in several tournament series throughout the year.

What Did the Top Nine Finalists Take Home?

1. Bilguun Odgerel-$195,194 and 840 POY points
2. Brandon Zuidema-$120,643 and 700 POY points
3. Casey Sandretto-$88,817 and 560 POY points
4. Narongsak Dhanjaichon-$66,145 and 420 POY points
5. Angela Jordison-$49,839 and 350 POY points
6. Kevin Vanderbeek-$37,399 and 280 POY points
7. Kenneth Baime-$29,320 and 210 POY points
8. Roman Shainiuk-$22,898 and 140 POY points
9. Jordan Griff-$18,104 and 70 POY points

How Things Unfolded at the Final Table

Action at the final table lasted for slightly over seven hours before the winner was declared. Odgerel was third in the chip standings early in the final day. Angela Jordison had the largest stack but lost the first-place prize and finished fifth.

Brandon Zuidema had the second-largest stack at the table and they later clashed with Odgerel in heads-up action. But, the latter used pocket eights in the final match to beat the former. Zuidema finished second with $120,643 despite having a deep run and increased his poker career earnings to $792,760.

Odgerel informed WSOP Circuits reporters in an interview after the tournament that he was ecstatic and hadn’t believed that he had won the event. Yet, he thanked his family for cheering and believing in him.

The champion complimented Zuidema for putting up a spirited fight in the final hand. He admitted that his opponent is tough and is his close friend. Thus, Odgerel anticipated that winning the tournament would not be a walk in the park.

He did his best not to lose his chips and maintain the stack lead in the last few minutes. The Horseshoe Casino in Tunica is hosting an ongoing WSOP Circuit tournament that will end on January 30. Even so, the $1,700 buy-in main event will kick off on January 26 and poker diehards can easily access the tournament series’ full schedule.

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