[toc] Anthony Spinella is treating WSOP.com like his personal jewelry store. Two years after bagging one of the initial online poker bracelets at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) summer series, Spinella expanded his collection with a Circuit ring.
This week, the poker professional outplayed a tough final table to become the sole player to triumph both a bracelet and a ring online. This is an achievement that will likely require some time to surpass, especially considering he was the victor of the inaugural online Circuit event.
Circuit’s online debut generates six-figure prize pool
The Rio Casino in Vegas showcased the Circuit series, which included 13 land-based events with a ring as the prize, as well as one online tournament. Despite the online event’s promotional efforts seeming somewhat rushed, it still managed to attract a decent crowd.
The prize pool, with 420 entries, amounted to slightly more than $137,000. This figure surpasses the average for both the usual weekday MTT on WSOP.com and the typical $365 Circuit event. In simpler terms, it was undoubtedly a beneficial scenario for both the terrestrial and online branches of WSOP.
Given the number of participants, the top 30 finishers all received payouts. Notable individuals who secured the prize money include:
- Craig Varnell – 21st
- Alex Masek – 18th
- Mike Leah – 15th
Final table stacked with notables
The event’s final table boasted a collective jewelry collection that could stir envy in the average player. It included two multi-ring holders, Josh Reichard and Jed Hoffman.
Spinella was not the only one at the table who had won a bracelet. Scott Clements, a two-time WSOP bracelet winner, finished in seventh place.
In this tournament, women also performed exceptionally well, with three making it to the final table. Among them were notable professional Jessica Dawley, who finished second to Spinella, and Ashley Sleeth and Krista Gifford also reached the final table.
Spinella, who won just over $35,000, adds this to his nearly $2.9 million live tournament earnings.
However, what’s more significant is that he laid claim to a record on WSOP.com and WSOP that seems nearly impossible to surpass.
Kevin Iacafano and Loni Harwood emerged as the two major victors in the live segment of the Circuit series, both of whom are notable figures. Iacafano, a multiple second-place finisher in bracelet events, clinched the Main Event. Concurrently, Harwood secured her fifth career Circuit ring by winning the High Roller event.
Online satellites to WSOP events still going strong
Although the online ring event has concluded, the satellites to summer bracelet events are just beginning.
Every weekend throughout March, Nevada will host online satellites for a range of live event packages. The entry fee for these satellites begins at $10, however, super satellites offer players the opportunity to win their way in for a mere $1.
You have the opportunity to qualify for the $1,000 online bracelet event through $15 satellite events. This is one of four online events that are set to take place as part of the 2018 WSOP.
Alternatively, if you have a larger bankroll, a $320 buy-in satellite to the $10,000 WSOP Main Event is available every Sunday in March at 7 p.m.
