VERONA, NY – The 12-day World Series of Poker® (WSOP) Circuit Event at Turning Stone wrapped up and was once again a huge success, surpassing last year’s record-breaking performance. Highlights from this year’s tournament include:
2024 WSOP at Turning Stone By the Numbers:
- $6.2 million in cash winnings paid out, more than double the minimum guarantee (vs. $5.4 million in 2023)
- More than 16,000 total entries in the WSOP at Turning Stone (vs. 14,658 in 2023)
- Several thousand players traveled to Central New York from 38 states and four providences of Canada
- 18 WSOP Gold Rings awarded, the ultimate trophy of the Circuit Event (vs. 16 in 2023)
- 18 WSOP Circuit Winners to compete in the $1 million Tournament of Champions this summer
The three-day championship main event came down to a thrilling nail-biter finale that ultimately crowned Ethan Bennett from Brooklyn, NY, the WSOP Main Event Champion. Bennett was in a back-and-forth finish at the final table with two female players – Kathrine Brandt Weir (Ladera Ranch, CA) and Cindy Spier (Newton, MA) – who placed second and third, respectively. Winning a total of $298,546 in the Main Event, Bennett earned his first WSOP Gold Ring, the ultimate trophy of the World Series of Poker Circuit event, and a trip to WSOP’s $1 million Tournament of Champions this summer.
WSOP at Turning Stone Notable Winners:
WSOP Circuit winners receive cash winnings, a coveted WSOP Ring – the trophy of the WSOP Circuit event – and a chance to compete in the $1 million Tournament of Champions this summer. Total payout for the Main Event was $1.8 million, exceeding the minimum guarantee.
- WSOP Main Event Winner: Ethan Bennett, Brooklyn, NY – $298,546
- Bennett from Brooklyn, NY won $298,546 and his first WSOP Gold Ring and earned a seat in the $1 million Tournament of Champions.
- Going head-to-head with Bennett at the final table were two female players – Kathrine Brandt Weir from Ladera Ranch, CA, and Cindy Spier from Newton, MA. Weir earned second place in the Main Event and took home $184,521. Spier placed third and took home $137,178.
- WSOP Winner from Central New York: Edward Lupinski, Ilion, NY – $17,211
- Lupinski from Ilion, NY, won $17,211 in the WSOP tournament at Turning Stone, his first WSOP Gold Ring and earned a seat in the Tournament of Champions this summer.
- Five WSOP Gold Ring Winners from Western New York – $254,057 Collectively
- Budwey Salhab from Getzville, NY (near Buffalo) won $123,316, his first WSOP Gold Ring and a seat in the $1 million Tournament of Champions.
- Leonid Kaplin from East Amherst, NY (near Buffalo) won $38,712 and beat out last year’s WSPOP Main Event champion and professional poker player Shaun Deeb, earned his first WSOP Gold Ring and a seat in the $1 million Tournament of Champions.
- Travell Thomas from Orchard Park, NY (near Buffalo) won $33,800, his first WSOP Gold Ring and a seat in the $1 million Tournament of Champions.
- Michael Rellinger from Tonawanda, NY (near Buffalo) won $30,150, his first WSOP Gold Ring and a seat in the $1 million Tournament of Champions.
- Shane Friedlander from Kerhonkson, NY (near Rochester) won $28,080, his first WSOP Gold Ring and a seat in the Tournament of Champions. Friedlander’s total WSOP earnings are $41,389.
